When we got married, my husband’s father gave us a very small business to manage. It was supposed to be our “bread and butter.”
When he gave us the business, it wasn’t cashflow steady. It was not profitable and we were running at almost break-even, often times losing money.
But it was a great platform for us to learn the trade.
My husband’s dad emailed us the following to encourage u to be hands on in business. He wasn’t kidding. Today, I am the one who source and price the product, and manage sales and operations. It’s a tedious role, and sometimes, it hurts my head to see how my work is never-ending.
And yet, he was right with the pleasure that comes in managing your own business.
I am sharing this to you because words of wisdom from older, more experienced people, are always handy. Plus, I would like to document this well.
Hope you enjoy his words of wisdom:
============================================
In business, you always hear the word “hands on”. There is no substitute to be a “hands on” in managing your own business. Because, by being “hands on”, you will know every phase, every in and out of your business.
This is very contrary to working for a big multinational organization or conglomerate. Because your job is what we call “de kahon”. You are literally confined in a box, both in your office table and duties & responsibilities.
Managing one own’s business give you the flexibility to unleash your own talent and making a go for it.If you work in a corporate setting, you are constrained or limited to do only what your boss told you to do.
I have decided to pull out (staff name) from (company name) after the transition period to give you and (husband) the flexibility of getting your own people. That being the case. I suggest that you should treat yourself as a “hands on” boss to janitor.
That means, you learn and can do everything yourself.
Once you know what you are doing and what needs to be done, you can then hire people to help you do particular tasks. You will then know whether the person you hire is up to par or not. From there, you can start building up your own organization.
It is difficult for a 40 years old servant to serve a 20 year old master (although there are exception) compare with a 20 year old servant to serve a 40 year old master.
History has more stories about the 20 year old servant who has been loyal and have serve his master well if they are treated well by the master. They remain loyal until the dead of his master.
I have make out a list of things that are to be done continuously non-stop. You should learn how to do this yourself. Because when push come to shove, and all your hire hand resign or desert you, you should see to it that you can still operate.
Otherwise, you are dead.
