Are You Burying the Treasure?

Dave Conde

Next Level Systems

I often speak with business owners who are frustrated by the amount of time they spend behind a desk. They feel trapped because they want to be out in the field practicing their craft but they are overwhelmed by administrative tasks.

Many of them have considered hiring someone to handle these responsibilities but that comes with it's own set of challenges. We all know that it is difficult enough to find quality employees in the field where we are experts. Hiring someone whose expertise is outside of our "wheelhouse" is even more difficult and we often make poor choices. Couple that with the challenge of finding someone whose abilities include all they need handled such as payroll, receivables, Quickbooks, reception, payables, etc., and the salary requirements begin to skyrocket. Once you do make a hire, finding the time to train them to your specific needs can be arduous and often those with the needed experience want to alter your processes instead of sticking with what works.

For these reasons and more, many entrepreneurs throw up their hands and decide to do it themselves. Perhaps they tried finding that "right person" and it didnt work out or maybe they never even tried. This creates a problem I refer to as "burying the treasure". Let's face it, the business owner is usually the company's top resource. They are the best at their craft. They know best how they want their customers treated. Just as important, they know how to grow the business and attract more customers. They are the treasure.

What these business owners do not understand is that every moment they spend staring at a computer monitor or paying invoices is hurting their company. The companies top resource, the "treasure" is buried. What is the value of the business owners time? $100 per hour...$200? Usually it is much more. Ask yourself, would you pay $200 per hour to have someone answer phones? Would you pay someone $200 per hour to manage your QuickBooks or pay invoices? I am sure the answer is, of course not! But in reality, that is exactly what you are doing. You are expending your companies greatest resource on menial tasks that could be accomplished for far less. All the while, your company's growth stagnates. Your customers suffer when you are not delivering that personal service. Your team suffers when you are not available to them. You are paying $200 per hour to damage your company. You have buried the treasure.

So, what is the solution? In every case, it is different but it always starts with taking a hard look at your organizational structure. It starts with asking real questions about where you are, where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Next Level Systems can certainly help through consultation or a strategic planning session. We can handle one or more of the administrative tasks that are keeping you chained to you desk. However, you have options. You can choose to work with anyone you wish or do it yourself. Whatever you do, find a way to get out from behind your desk and back out in the field serving your customers and employees. Go do what you love because you are your company's best resource. You are the treasure. Stop burying the treasure.