The “I Do It Alone” TEAM, IDIAT for short, consist of only one member, YOU. While I can imagine how great you must be (and I mean this, because I use to be that great) consider getting

1. INVESTORS. This is a team of financially sound individuals, companies or foundations who can provide you with capital as you build your business. Investors could be people who put money into your dream and expect to be repaid upon success or they could be grants that you have applied for and that believe in your project who never expect repayment (available primarily to non-profits) or they could be your banker who expects repayment no matter what (usually monthly installments). Each type of investor has a different name (which I will clarify in a future post). My simplification is to help you acknowledge that the people who help you fund your dream are in varying forms investing in you. For success you need to learn how to attract and relate to them. Excellence in what you do is just the beginning . . .
   
2. TEACHERS & COACHES. Education is a constant. Your teachers may be from a local class taught by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or the author of a book (E-Myth Revisited is a great read for entrepreneurs) or an online course (the Small Business Administration (SBA) has more to offer than Cereal Boxes at the Grocery Store, take your pick. Most of it is FREE). How ever you choose to do it, Be Quick to Learn, because ignorance will make a fool out of you.
   
3. EMPLOYEES. This is possibly the most important team that you will build. They are a direct reflection of your company. They are the face that the community will see. It is your job to shape the team that represents you. Choose wisely and learn to lead well. Remember, you have teachers and coaches on your team, seek out the ones with the type of leadership skills that you need and learn. At this point you may not have any employees. And if you are the typical entrepreneur, you have mentally resigned yourself to do all the work forever until your kids grow up and take over a business that they have never showed any interest in. However, if you picked up E-Myth Revisited (and I know that I just mentioned it) and read it or listen to it (audio books are wonderful), then you are well on your way to building something that will last, whether your children come aboard or not. Besides, they may fall in love what you’ve created, if it leaves them with the freedom to live a balanced life, their dreams and yours.
   
4. ADVISERS. You wage your war with a multitude of counselors. This is a team of specialist assembled by you who will help you move the company forward. These are people that you trust in their area of expertise. You will seek advice and knowledge from them; then armed with information; you’ll be qualified to make a more intelligent decision as you build your business. Advisers cost, usually with hourly rates, find out what they are before you need them. There is, however, more than one way to peal and apple. Consider forming an Advisory Board of highly skilled people who you respect. People that don’t mind if you pick their brain in their area of focus. SCORE is also option. It is a great place to find retired experts, and if they are members of SCORE, they are prepared to advise or mentor at no cost to you. Speaking of mentors . . .
5. MENTORS. This is the person(s) who has been where you want to go. You may have multiple mentors for different areas of your life or just one for a season who will take the time to pour into you, but you have to learn how to be mentored in order to maintain this relationship and reap the benefit. Mentors owe you nothing. It is your job to recognize what is inside of them and respond to it by making yourself available to learn from them. If they are teaching, be there. If they need help (odd jobs) in an area that you are good it, then offer your services for free (you want more than just a check from them, you want access, you want to learn).

Choose your members for ability and character. Identify and learn their weaknesses, so that you consciously inherit the best in them and leave the worst on the table. And be advised, it takes different skills to build a relationship with each member on the list. A great source for studying this as well as other powerful information needed for business success is the Think It, Learn It, Do It program by Robert Kiyosaki (I will post a detailed review of the program in the near future and link it to this page.)

-J Warner-

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