Leading a print business shouldn’t be a solo sport. Going it alone can curtail your ability to grow and to take on the challenges of the day. So, if not solo, then what? The top leaders I’ve seen have built two strong teams around them. There’s an internal team that they build under their own roof and their external team that doesn’t show up on the organization chart.
Skills, Values and a Desire to Win
Top leaders depend on the strength, diversity and grit found in a strong internal team to carry on the day-to-day needs of the business. From customer care to employee engagement, the front-line team becomes the face of the business – inside and out. This team is made up of long-term staff as well as the recently recruited. Here’s what they all share though – they support the company goals and will push back when it matters, and they can coach and are coachable. They are all aligned on the values of the business and embrace the skills necessary to get the work out.
It doesn’t end there. They truly want to win as badly as you do. No one is sitting on their hands, and being passive is a sure way to a quick exit. These teams don’t complain about lack of accountability or communication issues in the shop because they own it – they are all on point in these areas. They push and encourage each other, without you having to initiate anything.
Outside The Gate
There is a case to be made to having a strong external team as well. These are folks with similar experiences as you, and no individual stake in your business, or the outcome of a decision. There are no blind spots or no preconceived outcomes – they just want to see you do well. This could be structured as a board of advisors or a peer group of people who sit in your exact seat. These are owners talking to owners, and CEOs talking to CEOs.
These are often the people that you can have your most difficult conversations with. They understand and won’t judge. Face it, there are often critical issues in your business that you really can’t share with your management team, so where do you get your advice?
The Logistics
Your internal team is proven and has been with you through thick and thin. This is the group that you have your regular weekly, bi-weekly or monthly planning meetings with to discuss the issues of the day, and a look forward. You interact with your external team in several ways. Sometimes it’s just as needed. Other times it’s a monthly or quarterly group meeting. There are no finite rules other than the structure that works best for you and your business. The external group can be an informal advisory group made up of other business leaders, either within or outside of your specific industry. Taking it to the next level, you could entertain joining an industry specific peer group: a group of other owners and CEOs with like type businesses as yours. These companies typically face similar challenges and opportunities and have a business mindset that runs parallel to each other.
Owners looking for an external resource, is one of the reasons we created the Graphic Arts CEO Forum. Members of this group are taking additional steps to bring back best practices and become the best CEO of their company deserves. Finally, for those distinct owners who are looking for a more confidential external resource, and prefer a one-on-one approach, they can reach out and connect with an industry specific advisor. Look for one that has sat in your chair and can bring the insight and experience necessary to navigate a challenging marketplace. These are multiple doors that all lead to the same room.
The Common Thread
Don’t lose sight of the overall goal of creating an environment where your decisions get sharper and are not made in isolation. I dare to think of the number of decisions that cross your desk each day. How you make those decisions is driven off your experiences. These include where you’ve worked, what you’ve done, where you grew up, what you read, who you hang around with, who’s on your calendar, and how you prioritize your time (and many more factors I’m sure). Work to broaden your experiences.
The alligators will continue to nip at your toes, no matter how well the business is doing. Don’t try to do it alone. Invest in your internal and external team and make sure that you have the right resources available to make your business the very best that it can be.
If you’re new to building your teams, or just want another set of eyes, send me a note as I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Mike Philie helps owners and CEOs in the Graphic communications industry validate what’s working, identify what needs to change, and create a practical path forward.
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