Whether you're in the start-up phase or you've been in business for awhile, a "power team" can help you grow your small business faster than you can do it alone. Even if you think you can't afford to build your own power team, keep in mind that your team can actually bring in more money, thereby paying for themselves and then some. So before you nix the idea of having your own power team, read on to see what they can do for you and how to find the best.
Who should you have on your power team?
Attorney - Every small business owner needs a good lawyer. Not only do you need someone to set up your business legally and properly, you'll need someone to write contracts and help make sure your personal affairs are in order. And work with a real, live attorney, not a web site that provides "customized" legal forms. You need a lawyer who you actually meet in-person so he or she will be able to ask the right questions to uncover potential legal issues that you might never foresee.
Accountant - Even though you can get your tax ID number by filling out a simple form on the IRS web site, you need an accountant who can help you negotiate the tricky tax code. A good accountant can teach you how to maximize your deductions while staying on the right side of the law. And your accountant should also be able to guide you in making business decisions that can have a substantial impact on how much you're taxed.
Web Developer - Let's face it ... the temptation is to create your own web site. But if you do that, your business will come across like your web site will -- homegrown and unprofessional. Save yourself the heartache, frustration, and embarrassment and hire a solid web developer who can grow with your company. Beware of the cheap freelance web sites. While you might find a wonderful developer who's able to give you exactly what you want, on the flip side, you may not get a high level of customization you'd really want in a web site, and you may have a hard time finding a developer who's professional and stable enough to build a longstanding relationship with.Also beware of overpriced local or boutique developers, who are known for outrageous overcharging. Generally, look for a reputable firm who understands both your business goals and your web needs, has at least a basic grasp of how to develop in a search-engine friendly way (really, not just a firm that pays lip service to this!) and can make recommendations about what might be useful, rather than what might be technically "cool." Your web developer may also be able to handle setting up your various social media platforms, such as creating a Twitter background or a Facebook profile that matches your web site branding.
Search Engine Optimization Expert/Online Marketing Consultant - This one's a tough one, because like the web developer category, there are a lot of scam artists and unprofessional firms out there hawking SEO services. A good SEO firm should be able to quote you on a one-time SEO service as well as a monthly service, and should help you to boost search engine rankings and general visibility. They should also have a solid grasp of multiple online marketing strategies that they can use to help you grow your business. Beware of companies that offer to submit you to tons of search engines - this is not SEO and will most likely not be terribly effective to help you increase brand visibility. Also beware of SEO firms that don't do anything with your web site code or copy -- this is a red flag! Finally, make sure they're using only "white hat" strategies, or you may end up being penalized by the most valuable and important search engine players.Assistant/Virtual Assistant - I could go on for days about how much time, energy, money, and frustration an assistant can save you. An assistant can take menial or repetitive tasks off your plate so you have more time to devote to revenue-generating activities. You can hire a single assistant who takes care of a particular kind of task (like, say, managing your customer service e-mails), or you can do what I do, and hire an entire team, which provides all kinds of services and has the added benefit of built-in backup in case your primary assistant takes ill or has to be away for some reason. There are many VAs online these days, so be very careful with your choice and make sure you're really hiring someone who knows what they're doing.
Coach - Coaching is a funny industry these days. It started out as a success industry, and coaches had all kinds of backgrounds and training. But coaching has always been an unregulated industry, which means that in recent years there's been a massive influx of coaches who have little to no training and/or experience. So how do you find a coach that can really help you? First and foremost, find someone who has verifiable experience and a track record with clients. Second, find someone who's trained and has experience as a Master Coach. Keep in mind that there are many different kinds of coaches, but a good coach shouldn't tell you what to do or provide their expertise, but rather ask you probing questions that guide you to find the answers that suit you best. Finally, take some time to find a coach that resonates with you - you don't have to like your coach, believe it or not. Being able to build rapport is important, but frankly, what's much more important is having the ability to get you motivated and into action. Business/Marketing Consultant - A business consultant may be the most important player on your team. A good business and/or marketing consultant can help you create new steams of income in your business, as well as showing you how to market your business more effectively, so you get the most "bang for your buck." Beware of big promises -- there are a lot of "business consultants" or "coaches" online who have little to no experience, training, or even success with clients, and they'll take your money and give you little to nothing in return. On the other hand, the right consultant has experience with different business models and marketing strategies and can bring you a great deal more business.
Having a power team in place can save you massive amounts of time, energy, stress, and anxiety in your business. But more importantly, your power team can actually help you grow your business in ways you may never have imagined. The fastest way to build a power team is to find a solid business and/or marketing consultant who can connect you with the rest of your team and may even be able to act as a coordinator or liaison with your team, freeing you up to engage in more revenue-generating tasks.About the Author:Susan Baroncini-Moe is the CEO of Business in Blue Jeans, an author and a business and marketing consultant for small businesses. Susan is the author of Designing the Business of Your Dreams and two other books. She has been working with small business owners for the last 15 years to grow their businesses, using classic business principles, creativity, wise use of technology, and personal growth.
