Stop Doing, Start Delegating: The Key to Small Business Success

As a small business owner, you need to be focused on running your business, not working every element. The key to success is making calculated and stratic moves, and if you're knee-deep in the day-to-day details, your growth will be limited.

Many small business owners find it challenging to grow their business because they feel expansion means more work. They believe they are the only person who can keep the business running, and if they stop moving, everything will fall apart. What they need to realize is time is not an unlimited resource - you can't drive a car on empty - and overworking can lead to burnout.

A recent Xero survey, said 77% of small business owners feel the effect of work fatigue, especially within the first few years of operation when keeping the company afloat is the most stressful.

When you're working six days a week trying to be the best at everything, you will end up being the best at nothing.

Remember of all your employees; you are the most valuable, if you're not working your bottom line, you're not growing.

Delegation Has Benefits

Bill Gates is often asked what is the key to his success, his advice…. delegate. Effectively delegating areas of your small business can help you in several ways:

You Gain Focus

If you are working every angle of your business, you may find yourself bogged down by all the little details, whether you notice it or not. When you let somethings go - you're able to think and become super-focused on fueling areas of your business that will drive long-term profits and growth.

You Have Time to Brainstorm

Big ideas happen when you allow yourself the time to dream. Stepping back from your business will let you see the bigger picture. Delegating can give you the space needed to develop ways to take your business to the next level. Creating distance helps you gain perspective. So, when you get back to the office, you see work in a different light.

Empower Your Team

A micromanager is the worst type of boss to have. Employees don't feel trusted or that they have the freedom to develop new processes for improvement. When you're people can't make the job their own, they will look for an environment where they can — being a business owner who focuses on the big picture and gives their employees freedom creative an environment of empowerment. Look to delegate responsibilities based on employee interests and skillsets and create a happier, more productive workplace.

Delegation 101: How to Delegate

You're running yourself ragged, working six days a week trying to keep multiple balls bouncing in the air. But, at what cost? Cut back and create a little space in your life by delegating or outsourcing some of your work. Here's how:

Learn to Let Go

The biggest problem small business owners face is the inability to let go of work. You're dedicated as this is your life's work, and it feels like no one can do what you do - so you refuse to let other people help. No matter what the case, your priority is to learn to let go.

Create a Repeatable Process

Take a moment to think about everything you do - what task is simple and can be documented, start here. Document the process with essential things to know, who does what, and what dates elements need to be finished. Then determine which of your employees would best fit this task and train them. Work alongside them in the trenches to ensure they understand how you want it done, and so you can rest assured that it will be completed as such.

Perfect the Process

Feedback is the most important part of the delegation process, and it works both ways. If your workers have done well with a task you assigned, let them know by publicly thanking them and offering genuine praise. If they've fallen short, don't be afraid to give them some constructive criticism.

On the other hand, invite your workers to share their thoughts on how you're delegating--it's a critical chance for you to determine whether you're providing enough information, or whether you're assigning the right tasks to the right people.

Delegating isn't always easy, and the process isn't always clear cut, but the sooner you start, the sooner you'll develop the expertise to do it effectively. Realize that the process will never be perfect, but learn from your experiences and make ongoing adjustments for improvement.

Hire Some Help

If the delegation process doesn't work internally - and you're thinking about taking back your tasks - consider getting supplemental help by outsourcing those tasks to professionals who focus on those areas. Everyone has their specialties - marketing, HR, accounting - find someone who understands it and does it well. Hire people who are passionate about what they do - and let them apply it to your business.

Delegating isn't always easy, and outlining the process isn't always clear, but the sooner you begin to develop a plan, the sooner you will be able to make it work effectively. Remember, the process will never be perfect, but learn from your mistakes and make adjustments for continued improvement and piece of mind.