Of all the topics I speak to this is perhaps the most important. You need to have a crew. Having the right people in place in your life and biz is an absolute game-changer, and I speak from personal experience. Having the right strategy, plan and processes in place can fall flat without the right people to support your success. Just how valuable are people? They make the difference between doing and succeeding.
In chapter 5 of The Results Map for Women in Biz, Kristie Keever tells her story about how opening herself up to people was a turning point that led to her ultimate success. So who is on your crew? Who do you have that would give anything to see you succeed? Use the following steps to identify, build your crew, and secure them on your team.
1. Who Do You Need?
When you think about your crew, realize that it may, and usually will, change. Who you have on your team at any given time will change depending on your current business focus. Your crew should be made up of both emotional supporters and key experts you can turn to for advice, help and direction as you need it. For example, if you are just starting your business you might consider a website designer and a brand strategist as key members of your crew. However, as your business becomes more established, you might lean more on business mentors to help you get to the next level, or even on financial consultants if you intend to acquire or sell to another business.
The point is you need a variety of different people at different times and they each serve a valuable role. Use the following examples to help you determine who you need right now:
- Family and Friends
- Virtual Assistant
- Branding/Marketing Operations
- Business Coach/Mentor
- Product Development
- Collaborative Partners
- Employees
- CPA and Bookkeeper
- Services
- PR/Networking
- Joint Ventures
- Consultants
- Lawyer
2. Where Do You Find Them?
Now that you have identified who you need, and any gaps you might have, you need to go out and fill up your roster. But where do you start? Not surprisingly, you can start by asking people you already know and trust to provide you with a referral of who you are looking for. You can ask them in person, give them a call or even shoot them an email. And don’t forget about social media! By joining groups and observing and participating in conversations you can easily find exactly the people you are looking for.
Another great place to look is at networking events or membership-based organizations. Leverage your current relationships here as well. Ask the group organizer if there is anyone in the group matching the description of the person you are looking for. Just remember to be strategic about the events and organizational functions you attend. Do they mirror what you are trying to accomplish?
3. How Do You Keep Them?
Just because you have identified a person with the right capabilities you are looking for doesn’t necessarily mean they will be a good fit. You still have to share your goals with them to see if there is a connection and they would be a good fit for what you plan to accomplish. Personal connection has a lot to do with your combined success and you need to make sure you communicate well with one another and your mutual goal is to make you succeed.
Sometimes the person you identify to fill a gap in your roster from a talent perspective will end up filling an entirely different role. To make sure you are putting the right people in the right role, spend some time meeting with each one over coffee or a meal to get a better feel for who they are and how they might fit in your crew. Keep track of your meetings and conversations to help maintain your focus. Go to my worksheets page to download a useful tracking worksheet to help you identify your crew.
Each and every one of us needs a series of people around us for various reasons, whether it’s for learning, inspiration, support, fun or simple motivation. As you establish your crew, be sure to avoid the naysayers, the Debbie-downers and the general mojo-killers. Just as surrounding yourself with the right people can spur you to success, these people can have the opposite effect. Only seek out people that encourage you to be better than you thought you could be and you will achieve the success you are dreaming of.
Join me and five experts at The Grow Grid Intensive, November 3-4, 2016 and get the tools you need to succeed in your business. Learn more and register today!
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