The Reluctant Entrepreneur: Turning Dreams into Profits

KNOWING WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

Most of the successful businesspeople I know rely on one or several superstars to help them grow and run their businesses. An entrepreneurial business that has only one superstar (you) can grow only to a certain degree. If you are typical, you can develop a healthy $10 million business by yourself. If you are extraordinary, you can do significantly better. (I know one entrepreneur who singlehandedly built an $80 million business.) But with the help of a superstar, you can do it much faster and easier.

Your superstar will learn your secrets faster than you can explain them. He’ll take on any challenge. He’ll figure out solutions before he tells you about problems. And he will share (or exceed) your enthusiasm and vision.

When I first wrote about this subject, I was working with three such superstars. Each was running a business with revenues of about $10 million. Today, those companies have increased their revenues to $50 million, $55 million, and $60 million. And it was done with very little help from me.

From the very beginning, you have to keep your eyes open for potential superstars. The likeliest candidates are people who are already working for you. Which means you should never settle for second best when filling any position.

Everyone you hire should have:

• A strong sense of urgency.  All of your employees should understand that deadlines are made to be met and that speed is money. They should also understand that business is business … and ...