Being a business owner requires walking a tightrope between the big picture and the daily grind. They are often the sole decision maker when big issues arise, and the decisions they make can ultimately impact the success of the business.
There are some issues that come out of nowhere and require quick thinking. Others, however, are pretty standard in the business world. Here are the top five biggest decisions business owners may have to make.
Technological Infrastructure and Cybersecurity
One of the most important decisions modern business owners will have to make pertains to technology. Data is one of the most integral assets in modern business, from a compliance perspective, marketing perspective, and customer satisfaction perspective. A business owner must make decisions about what cybersecurity measures are put in place, how data is stored, and what monitoring tools are put in place (for more information, see this application logging tool as a centralized application logging solution).
Unless the business owner has advanced knowledge in the various aspects of data storage infrastructure and cybersecurity, the best decision they can make surrounding these issues is to hire a consultant who can offer guidance.
Business Structure
The structure of a business when it starts is equally as important as evaluating the tech side of the business. How a business is set up can dictate what’s allowed and what isn’t, how the organization is governed and taxed, and the amount of liability the owner faces when investing in the business.
While the business structure may not seem as important in the early days and years, it can have long-term impacts on how the business is run. Businesses that want to expand across borders may find that their current structure doesn’t allow it. Businesses that start as a one-person sole proprietorship will need to re-evaluate as they expand and scale. Restructuring can be time-consuming and costly.
Human Resources and Personnel
For many business owners, the organization starts as a small collective of people. Deciding to hire new personnel can be challenging. With limited resources, it can be difficult to take that initial step to investing in the business. There’s also the rules and regulations about having employees to consider. Fear of turnover and losing money is a constant worry.
Online workshops can be a great decision when it comes to human resources for businesses. By participating in online training sessions, employees have the access to the qualifications and certifications they need without taking days off work or leaving the job site. With online interactive sessions, companies can keep their employees up-to-date on the latest regulatory changes, policies and procedures, management techniques, and more. For example, Langevin‘s online workshops are often designed with relevant data to ensure employees can better implement the knowledge they have gained in real-life tasks.
As the business grows, the decision doesn’t become any easier. The responsibility, however, can be delegated. Taking the time to ensure the right person is hired or looking into outsourcing possibilities are crucial for success.
Navigating Change
Change is difficult for individuals. In a business setting, the complexity increases exponentially. Not only do processes and habits have to change, but business owners must face the inevitable pushback that they will receive from those who fear change. Change often goes hand-in-hand with frustration and difficulty before things settle.
Whether it’s a change to the core business infrastructure, relocating or making changes to the business hierarchy, it can be hard for business owners to initiate the decision that will start a shift in the business. Leadership often bears the burden of its people in a business setting, and making the decision to implement change means challenges ahead for the business owner.
Finances
For a business to stay afloat, there needs to be money in the bank. One of the main parts of a business owner’s role is deciding where that money will come from. These decisions have a trickle-down effect throughout the business.
A business owner might have to make the final decision on which marketing efforts will be budgeted for the year to generate customer interest. They will have to make decisions about whether or not to seek new investors, how to attract them, and the terms of the arrangement.
Decision-Making Made Simple
Business owners are faced with so many big decisions in business. The most successful business owners have a strategy for making decisions, whether it be a strategic way to weigh the pros and cons or a board of directors to guide them.
Business owners need to find a way to cope with the pressure of big decisions and find an approach that works for them. Only then will their business experience success and longevity.
