Being a successful business owner requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and behaviors. In this article, we will explore the top 5 skill sets any business owner should have, improve on, and develop!

Nobody excels at everything, yet as a business owner, there are occasions when you must try to “do or know it all.”  

Because few people are born with essential business potential, it is sometimes required to develop skill sets through time. Entrepreneurs have unique challenges throughout the early phases of their firm because they must excel in a variety of areas, including leadership, strategic thinking, negotiation, marketing and sales, communication, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, networking, passion, and drive. Failing to understand or effectively manage these skills can lead to burnout. Consequently, MO Foundation has identified the top five skills that we believe every business owner should prioritize and develop:

1. Leadership (People)
2. Finance
3. Marketing & Sales
4. Operations
5. Technology

By focusing on the development of these skills, business owners can position themselves for success and overcome the challenges that come with entrepreneurship.

The advantage is that if a business leader lacks any of the skills mentioned below, they can delegate or hire individuals with the required expertise to bridge those gaps. Nevertheless, it remains crucial for the business owner to possess a fundamental understanding of each skill set in order to efficiently manage their business and make informed decisions. The importance of these abilities may also be ranked differently depending on the size of the company. For instance, it is ideal to start by concentrating on skill set number 1 – leadership – in the case of a small organization with less than 10 employees.

1. Leadership

A business owner must possess the ability to effectively lead, delegate, and manage their team. In addition to that, they are responsible for establishing a compelling vision for the company and making strategic decisions that will propel it toward success. Furthermore, they must have the capacity to motivate and inspire their employees, offer guidance and support, and handle any conflicts that may arise.

For every leader, effective communication is a necessary skill. Your chances of success are lessened even if you have great ideas and a clear strategic vision if your team members are unwilling to follow you. Unfortunately, a lot of business people think they are good leaders by default and fail to see the value of meaningful and frequent team communication.

Delegation does not imply a lack of leadership skills or experience. It involves recognizing and accepting your strengths and weaknesses, and seeking help from others. Running a business requires collaboration; you can’t do it alone. Delegation leverages team strengths, and trust and an empowering culture are vital for a thriving business. Avoiding micromanagement fosters growth, productivity, and trust.

2. Finance

A business owner should possess a strong grasp of finance management, which encompasses budgeting, forecasting, and accounting. It is essential to effectively manage cash flow, make sound financial decisions for long-term company benefit, and ensure the business’s financial stability and sustainability. While not everyone may have a financial background, MO Foundation advises to hire an accountant (for small businesses initially) and a finance manager (as the company expands). While outsourcing or delegating, business owners should continue to gain an understanding of their company’s financial health through numbers and data analysis. These financial skills will also facilitate better management and navigation of other aspects such as taxes, regulations, and securing funding during the growth stage when necessary.

3. Marketing and Sales

A business owner needs to possess a comprehensive understanding of their target market. They should be capable of effectively communicating the value of their product or service and devising successful marketing strategies to reach their intended audience. These skills are crucial in closing deals and generating revenue for the company.

4. Operation

A business owner must be able to manage day-to-day operations of the company. This area involves functions like customer service, product management, accounting, supply chain and logistics management, etc. The operational managers should also be able to identify areas for improvement and implement new effective processes and policies. Overall, you want your business to increase processes efficiency, reduce costs, and can respond quickly to the changes in demand. Imagine the pandemic crisis, only companies who can quickly respond, change, and adapt would be able to overcome the challenges in time.

5. Technology

In today’s digital age, a business owner must consider having a good understanding of technology and how it can be used to benefit their business. Your business can not scale and grow quickly enough if technology is not utilized effectively or kept up with latest trends and developments within their industry. Technology can also help increase the efficiency of the operation and processes stated above.

Setting the culture for your business

It’s not uncommon for some leaders to have a tendency to micromanage, even though they understand the importance of delegating tasks to others. There can be several reasons for this behavior, such as a lack of trust in others, a desire for control, or a fear of failure.

Micromanagement has the potential to impair performance and shape the company’s toxic and egoistic culture. Employees may get disengaged and less productive if they do not believe they can execute their job effectively. This can result in high employee turnover (which is expensive for the organization), a lack of innovation, and lower-quality work. It can also make it difficult for executives to focus on strategic decision-making and long-term planning.

At the end of the day, each leader needs to ask themself, performance or trust? You can train people to perform better, but you won’t be able to drive success without building a trust-worthy workplace.

On the other hand, leaders who prioritize trust over performance may run the risk of allowing poor performance to go unchecked, which can also harm the company in the long run. It’s important for leaders to set clear expectations and provide feedback to employees on their performance, while also empowering them to take ownership of their work and make decisions on their own.

Ultimately, the best approach for leaders is to find a balance between trust and performance that works for their team and their business. Leaders should strive to build trust with their employees by providing support, showing appreciation, and giving them autonomy to do their jobs effectively. At the same time, leaders should also prioritize performance by setting clear goals and expectations, providing regular feedback and coaching, and holding employees accountable for their work.

Conclusion

We want to leave you with this, a business owner should not forget but always carry your entrepreneur spirit. This is what helps you face any significant challenges or uncertainty. Being an entrepreneur is tough work, facing many problems like financial difficulties, customer acquisition, product development, people management, and more. However, successful entrepreneurs are those who learn from their failures and continue to push forward. They are often too resilient and persistent, refusing to give up in the face of adversity.