What do you think about the business owner’s responsibilities?
Suppose you assume that being a business owner is just about assigning tasks to employees and taking time off. Then you are wrong!
Business owners have a vision and a mission for their company, and they are ultimately responsible for its success or failure.
In this blog, I’ve shared with you the 13 most important business owner responsibilities for maximising the growth and sustainability of their business.
Who Can Be A Business Owner?
A business owner is a person who has an idea, a vision, and a solution to solve the problems of a consumer or a market.
The designation for a business owner can vary depending on the structure of the business, but their responsibilities are always the same.
The basic business owner tasks are managing finances, sales, operations, marketing, human resources, legal matters, and overall business strategy to ensure success.
If you want to be a business owner, you can definitely become one, regardless of your background or industry experience. But a few key qualities needed include:
- Determination
- Creativity
- Willingness to take risks
Key Differences Between a Business Owner and a Business Doer
Many business owners fail to understand the difference between being a business OWNER and being a DOER. But knowing this difference is very important if you really want to scale your business.
Do you know that 23% of business owners fail just because they don’t have a good founding team?
This happens when business owners don’t get what their real responsibility is.
Instead of building business functions and working on the bigger picture, they end up doing all the work by themselves.
Business Doer | Business Owner |
A business doer gets stuck in daily tasks and managing client calls, accounting review, and often finds it hard to delegate work. | A business owner is an individual who understands their responsibilities and focuses on the vision, strategy, and growth of the business. |
So now think!
Which category do you come under?
Maybe you are a doer right now, or maybe you are already a business owner.
Recognising where you currently stand can help you make the necessary changes to transition from being a business doer to a true business owner. Know your importance in building a business.
Not sure what's holding your business back?
The P.A.C.E Program helps you fix the right things, in the right order.
Importance of a Business Owner Responsibilities in Building a Business
Business owners are the backbone of the business. Without them, a business struggles to reach its full potential.
The following things highlight the importance of a business owner:
Strategic Vision and Direction
It gives you an idea to lead your business in the right direction to achieve goals.
Leadership and Management
Every business owner should develop leadership and management skills to create a protective and positive environment.
Building Relationships and Networking
Many business owners struggle to establish relationships and build a network in their field. Once you start building relationships with other business owners, you will be able to learn and know the trends in your industry.
Adapting to Change and Innovation
You can’t sell the same product or service with the same strategy for long periods of time. Because business is constantly changing, you need to adapt and change along the way, and only then you can survive in your field.
13 Key Responsibilities Of A Business Owner
Building and running a business is not easy.
It needs patience, persistence, and dedication.
Especially in the MSMEs, the small business owner responsibilities are vital for the success and growth of the company.
The following are some key responsibilities of a business owner:
- Set Clear Goals
“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar
Establishing clear goals is essential for guiding the direction of the business, and it makes your employees work toward the same objectives.
So that business owners can effectively measure progress and make necessary adjustments to achieve success.
If your goals are not clear, then it can lead to confusion, a lack of focus, and ultimately hinder the growth of the business.
- Strategy for Growth
Creating a strategy for your business system gives you direction and helps you to understand what specific steps you need to take to reach your goals.
This strategy should include:
- Timelines
- Responsibilities
- Resources needed
- Key performance indicators to track progress
Once your employees start working on your strategy, you will be able to concentrate on the long-term health and sustainability of their business.
- Manage Money Wisely
Many small businesses start with the minimum amount of capital, so handling money wisely is crucial for survival and growth.
So, always think about the long-term problems and avoid unnecessary expenses, prioritise investments that will bring a return, and consider seeking financial advice if needed.
If you spend without understanding your financial situation, you may quickly find yourself in a difficult position.
That’s the one main reason why many small businesses fail within the first few years of operation.
- Build Strong Relationships
A business owner should prioritise creating strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and other businesses in the industry.
These relationships can lead to repeat business, referrals, and partnerships that can help the business grow.
Networking and maintaining good communication with stakeholders is key to long-term success in any industry.
- Hire and Guide Teams
Hiring and guiding teams are essential tasks for a business owner to ensure the success of any business.
The major responsibility of small business owners is to ensure that their team is skilled, motivated, and aligned with the company’s mission.
Providing ongoing training and support to employees can help them perform at their best and contribute to the overall success of the business.
- Watch the Market
Watch the market trends and stay informed about industry changes to make strategic decisions for the business.
Being aware of competitors and consumer preferences can help businesses stay informed and adapt to market demands effectively.
Know how the market is, check all the news media and trends in your industry, and also be active on social media platforms to keep yourself updated.
- Follow Rules and Laws
All businesses need to follow rules and laws to avoid legal issues that could negatively impact the company.
As a business owner, it is crucial to stay updated on regulations related to taxes, employment, and industry-specific laws.
Failure to comply with laws can result in fines, lawsuits, or even closure of the business, so it is important to prioritise legal compliance in all aspects of operations.
For example, POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) laws require businesses to have a policy in place to address and prevent harassment in the workplace.
As a business owner, you need to be aware of these laws and ensure that your company is in full compliance to protect both your employees and your business from legal problems.
- Make Tough Choices
Make tough choices when necessary, such as cutting unprofitable products or services, to ensure the long-term success of the business.
Remember that sometimes difficult decisions are needed to maintain competitiveness and financial stability.
So, consider this: instead of focusing on short-term gains, prioritise long-term sustainability and growth by making strategic decisions that may be challenging in the moment but beneficial in the long run.
- Look for New Ideas
Once you have assigned and streamlined your business operation, you have to look for new ideas to stay competitive in the market.
This could involve brainstorming sessions, market research, or attending industry conferences to gather inspiration and insights.
By constantly seeking new ideas, you can keep your business innovative and adaptable to changing market trends.
If you are not able to create new ideas internally, consider partnering with external consultants or experts to bring fresh perspectives to your business.
- Communicate Clearly
Better communication makes the workflow more efficient and helps prevent misunderstandings.
I suggest that you implement an open communication policy within your organisation to promote transparency and collaboration among team members.
It helps you to improve productivity, strengthen relationships, and create a more positive work environment overall.
Many companies fail to recognise the importance of open communication which leads to confusions in the business system such as a lack of trust, low morale, and decreased productivity.
- Track Business Progress
Analysing the growth of your business is essential for making informed decisions and setting realistic goals.
You have to track key performance indicators, such as sales revenue, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement, to understand where your business stands and identify areas for improvement.
- Adapt to Change
As a business owner, you always need to be open to new opportunities and willing to adapt to changes in the market.
This flexibility will allow your business to stay competitive and continue to grow in a rapidly evolving environment.
If you are adamant about sticking to the same strategies and processes, you may risk falling behind your competitors who are more willing to evolve.
- Lead with Vision and Integrity
Leading with vision and integrity means setting clear goals and values for your business and consistently aligning your actions with them.
This will not only inspire trust and loyalty from both customers and employees but also drive sustainable growth in the long run.
Develop the qualities of a strong leader, such as effective communication, adaptability, and the ability to make tough decisions.
If you follow it in your leadership skills, you will be better equipped to navigate challenges and lead your team towards success.
How Can You Practice It In Your Daily Routine?
If you find it helpful and want to implement these qualities in your daily routine, do the following:
- Set clear goals and expectations for yourself and your team
- Prioritise tasks effectively,
- Delegate responsibilities, and
- Regularly assess your progress towards achieving your business objectives.
- Seek feedback from others
- Continuously learn and improve your skills
- Stay adaptable in the face of changing circumstances
By implementing these qualities in your routing, you will be able to lead your team towards success and ensure the growth and success of your business.
Tips For New And Aspiring Business Owners
Many small and medium-sized business owners struggle to understand their responsibilities and often wonder how to grow their business.
So, if you are an aspiring business owner, I would suggest you follow the tips below:
- There are lots of resources available to help you understand the basics of business ownership and leadership.
- Seek out mentors or join networking groups to learn from experienced professionals in your industry.
- Read or listen to business and leadership-related podcasts or books to gain more knowledge and insights on how to effectively lead a team and grow a successful business.
- Attend events and conferences to network with other business owners. It may give the opportunity to learn from successful entrepreneurs.
- Networking can also lead to potential partnerships or collaborations.
Conclusion
Developing the quality of a business leader and having clear clarity in the responsibilities are essential for the growth and success of any business.
I hope these 13 key responsibilities have provided you with a solid foundation to build upon as you continue on your journey as a business leader. If you want to read more insight blogs to keep yourself updated in the business click here.
Effective leadership is a journey, not a destination.
Good luck on your path to success!