Herman School of Business
Your job is your Business
Like it or not you already own your own business. Even if you don’t have a payroll, pay rent for your work space, or advertise your services, you are in fact the CEO of yourself. And your employer views you as a subcontractor for his business. Being an employee today is almost like being a Franchisee. You have to wear the company uniform, only sell what the main office allows you too, work in a space designed by the owner and limits you from exploring your own ideas about how things should be handled.
But, even a Franchisee is in most ways his own boss. And as an employee you have to understand if your “location” that is, your work station, doesn’t measure up to other work stations (or Franchisees) then you will be let go. So, as an employee you have some unique advantages that true business owners don’t have. You have a set pay for your job, regardless of company profits or losses. Even a commissioned salesman gets what he earns including bonuses despite a losing quarter for the main office.
Another advantage is the responsibility for others. You may supervise them but you don’t have to take their wages out of your pocket when the company comes up short. And usually the hours are set by the main office, but if you get your work done on time, the weekends are yours while the owners may be working to overcome problems at the main office.
So, if you want to stay an employee all your working life then at least maximize the return to yourself in money and privileges. Don’t always ask for a raise, sometimes ask for certain time off that owners never get for themselves. Or trade a few bucks for a better work space. Or, that you get to go to the annual convention with your wife and/or kids so that while you work the convention, they get some pleasure from your job without it coming directly out of your pocket.
If employees would at least think like an entrepreneur they would get more for what they do. Run your job like a business without the constraints of ownership. But remember at all times, if you don’t know what you are contributing to the company bottom line, and that you are adding value to being there beyond what you make, you will “go out of business” because the owner won’t carry a losing employee for very long.
- Posted: 5 December 2007
- Comments: 1
- Category: Business success
I have used this mindset for several years and have had successful results. However, I usually get dinged for a lack of passion. As an owner/manager what’s your view on employee passion? What if an employee is competent but has zero interest in what he or she is doing but produces great results?
HERMAN SAYS....Don't confuse quiet performance with a lack of passion....even if your boss doesn't see it that way....simply point out that performance means more to you than expressing yourself with rah rah behavior...remember the turtle not the rabbit often wins the race.Written by Richard on 9 December 2007