Have you made a list of your go-to people, your business support network yet? I mean an actual physical list, with their names and their skills written down to view when you need help? No? What do you mean, no?! Every business needs to have people they can contact in times of trouble, big or small. Today I’m going to help you create your very own business support network list (and you can add me to it!)
What is a Business Support Network?
I like how a newly appointed CEO of a large company put it, “I have more than 1000 people in my head office organization; 900 can tell me something’s gone wrong, 90 can tell me what’s gone wrong, nine can tell me why it went wrong, and one can actually fix it!”
While it’s great to have the 900 who can identify any issues and the nine who can tell you what went wrong, the one person who can fix the problem is pure gold. They’re your go-to person. Collecting a bunch of these type of people together to form your business support team provides you with plenty of assistance should the shit hit the fan. Let’s discuss next whom these people could be.
Whom Should You Add to Your Go-To List?
You most likely already can name a few great people you could contact should things turn pear-shaped, or you need to talk something over. That’s awesome. What you also need is a list which not only contains their names, skills and contact details, but also those of others whom you could also seek help from, even if you haven’t in the past. Here’s a few to get you started:
- Support groups – like my Facebook group The Business Owners Hub with AJ Pipe
- A financial whiz, such as a bookkeeper or accountant
- An organiser and planner
- An accountability coach – me!
- Extra worker to help pack orders or look after the kids
- Someone who is not afraid to tell you how it is and what you should do – me!
- A person who can think clearly about the issue and provide reasonable suggestions
- Someone who will support you regardless
- A great graphic designer
- Positive people
- Someone without a financial stake in your business
I’d be more than happy to fulfil several roles on your go-to list. Get in touch and let’s have a chat about how I can help you and your business, starting today!