Structure
The organisational structure of most businesses is shaped like a pyramid, like so:
As a small business or home-based business, you may find yourself wearing all or most of the hats. However, it is still possible to build a structure without employing staff directly by outsourcing some of the functions in your business.
If you are in network marketing, the same pyramid structure applies as you recruit distributors and customers and your distributors do the same and their distributors do the same etc. The network marketing structure is what gives massive leverage to your business.
In all businesses there are strategic functions, value creating functions and support functions.
You cannot afford to ignore any of the functions without causing problems to your business. For example, as a home-based business you still have a personnel function if you are recruiting consultants or agents, you still have an R & D function as you create new products and services and find new ways of delivering them etc.
Give careful consideration to how your business will eventually be structured, systemise each of the functions in the business and delegate or outsource as required ensuring that you retain control. Ideally, you need to create a structure that supports you and enables you to spend more time doing what you are good at.
For the importance of structure and systems in a small business I recommend that you read ‘The E-myth Revisited’ by Michael Gerber – see my ‘Resources‘ page
