When you focus on what’s really important in your business, you also discover how easy it is to hire the right service providers.
Focus is necessary as a CEO. In fact, it’s vital that you find, create and maintain great relationships with the right service providers to support various aspects of your business. After all, these ARE the people that keep your business flowing when you’re absent, expanding to new heights and thriving during the most challenging economic times.Keep your gifts as the primary focus of your business as you consider these relationships. You may have the skills to handle lots of activities in your business, but is this the best use of your gifts, time and skills?
More importantly, are these activities helping you to leverage your strengths?
Are you truly the best person to handle the activity?
These are tough questions you’ve gotta ask yourself. The answers are equally tough and lead you to the best place for your business.
The bottom line is: if the activity takes you away from your primary focus, it’s not in the best interest of your business.
From the What Would WendyY Do? files, here are a few things to consider about staying true to your focus:
What do you want the service provider to do for you?
List all of the things you do everyday to keep your business going. Outsource ALL activities out of alignment with your primary focus. Remember, if it’s not a good use of your expertise then you MUST let it go, delegate it, or outsource it so you can focus on doing that for which you’re best suited.
Do they have the skills to provide the services at the level you want?
Unfortunately, someone telling you they know how to do something doesn’t mean they actually know how to do it. If you’re like me, you have a certain way you like things handled and it’s all part of your brand and reputation. Ask detailed questions and get references so you know the exact capabilities of the provider. It pays HUGE dividends in the long and short run.
How will the service provider support your overall business goals/objectives?
Managing your service provider involves sharing your vision and goals with them. You want the service provider to know the big picture and how things work together so they have a greater sense of what’s important. It’s also a great opportunity to determine if your business values and work ethic are closely aligned.
These considerations are just the beginning of creating a great relationship with service providers. The relationships with the service provider you choose will be an integral part of the success of your business.
Share your comments about how you select your service providers.
Wendy Y Bailey
WendyY Bailey is often called a Force of Nature and a trendsetter in the coaching industry and for good reason. With more than 20 years of experience, she brings fearless innovation and bold strategy to entrepreneurial leaders, coaches, speakers, trainers, and consultants across the globe serving clients across the U.S., Canada, the UK, Spain, and Italy. Affectionately known as “WendyY” by clients, business associates, and colleagues, she’s also lovingly called “Auntie” or “Mama Coach” for her signature blend of Southern charm, fierce wisdom, and deep coaching insight. That special mix helps her clients double, triple, even quintuple their bottomline profits. WendyY is an internationally recognized thought leader, award-winning coach, two-time bestselling author, and sought-after business mentor.
