This Insights article was contributed by Heather McWhorter, Regional Director of the Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
Depending on the size of your small to mid-sized business, you may be the CEO, CFO, COO, CHRO, CTO and more.
Managing a small to mid-sized business is difficult… but you don’t have to do it alone. Tap into passionate, experienced professionals and colleagues that can help you address critical management issues, while enabling your business to grow and thrive.
If you aren’t comfortable with asking for help, this can be one of the most difficult tasks that you need to do to improve your business. However, asking for advice is critical for the long-term success of your business.
Getting started is simple. Your action plan:
1. Set aside time on your calendar and establish a timeframe
When will the mentor/committee/board be established?
2. Determine the initial strategic goal to discuss
Think about a long-term strategic goal or a shorter-term goal you are struggling with. Some ideas to start: understanding existing customers; forming a better management structure; obtaining capital to grow; increasing profitability; addressing personnel issues; identifying new markets; or developing a new product line. Try to just pick one specific goal to focus on initially.
3. Connect with the mentor/committee/board
Who you should reach out to will depend on the primary goal selected in Step 2. Can the goal be conquered internally? Solved through a peer-based mentor relationship? Through professionals? Is confidentiality needed or is a broad innovation group a better solution?
Some ideas:
Builder's 10-year Plan Includes Up To 5,000 Homes In Southern Pender
Cece Nunn
-
Jan 19, 2021
|
|
Cameron Art Museum Welcomes New Board Members, Appoints Officers
Christina Haley O'Neal
-
Jan 19, 2021
|
|
Officials To Consider Revised Agreement For Government Center Redevelopment
Cece Nunn
-
Jan 18, 2021
|
|
NHC Commissioners To Consider $25K For Genesis Block's Accelerator
Christina Haley O'Neal
-
Jan 18, 2021
|
|
IronGate Partners' Alex McDonald Earns CFP
Christina Haley O'Neal
-
Jan 19, 2021
|
With the market tumult of 2020 behind us, financial advisers are ready to help their clients navigate the possible challenges and opportuni...
The most-read stories of 2020 run the gamut from filming in Wilmington to some of the latest news about Port City-based firm Next Glass....
In mid-December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Department named Live Oak Bank its top 2020 commercial lender....
The 2020 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.