Journal :: Do you run your business or does your business run you?

Published: July 19, 2004
Author: Paul Cadde
Category: Money Making
Permalink: Do you run your business or does your business run you?

This is a question that could be asked of any entrepreneur in any industry or profession. And by merely asking himself or herself the question the entrepreneur is very likely to make changes in the business which will propel it forward.

But it is a question which is particularly pertinent to us as financial advisers. The owner of a hairdressing salon has to spend some time doing administrative work rather than simply doing what he or she does best ? styling a customer?s hair - but certainly does not have to fill in reams of paperwork justifying why a particular haircut was chosen rather than another and whether it was really in the customer?s best interests. As financial advisers we sometimes despair of the morass of administrative work we have to do before we get to do what we do best ? advising our clients.

Never lose sight of what it is you do best. And never lose sight of what it is you enjoy doing the most. Usually they are one and the same. Focus as much as you can on doing just that, and delegate the rest. Delegate it to subordinates. Or outsource it as much as possible.

It is a very simple concept, but one which works wonders. And one which works just as well in our business as in any other. Not despite the regulatory assault course we have to negotiate each time we make a sale, but because of it.

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