The articles are starting to come out in a variety of places. The top ten concerns for the small business owner in the coming year. It is not that the topic is not of interest. What is of interest is how obviously self-serving so many of these articles tend to be.
For example, one article had the title or similar to “The Top Ten Concerns For Small Business Owners” and their list was something like, Health Care, Taxes, Lending, Onshoring and a Skilled Worker Shortage on their list among other concerns.
My role is not to speak for you, however, in the small business circles where my time is spent, rarely if ever are these the topic of conversation.
The top concerns seem to be fairly consistent:
- How do I save money?
- How do I save time?
- How do I obtain new customers?
- How do I make more money?
- How do I hire the right people?
Some of these may appear similar to the first list. However, from my perspective having heard both conversations, these two sets are nowhere close to each other!
You might say health care is definitely an important issue and people are definitely talking about it. Yes agreed people are talking about it. However, to the small business owner and the impact health care has on their specific business, does health care have an impact above the items listed by me above?
Many small business owners discuss their work situation and more and more utilize contracted workers or Form 1099 work forces. This method is a win-win. The Form 1099 worker is in control of their own financial reporting, taxes, health care and more. The small business owner is working with a person with specific expertise and other than payment for services rendered they are not responsible for health care or the other type of typical employment issues.
This is where you come in. What are your top, the really tippy top three concerns you have in your business today? List these in order in the comment area. Why?
The follow up to this article over the course of the next few weeks will be to address your concerns. The exact top concerns you have. Right here on this blog. Of course the top concerns listed above will be addressed as well.
Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive and personal coach who resides in Stamford, CT.
* Legal Notice: Nothing in this article should be considered legal advice, employment law advice, tax advice or any type of certified and legal advice in employment, health care coverage or taxes. You should consult a certified professional in these areas for advice on these matters. This article is the opinion of the author not legal advice in these or any other matters.
I hear more and more from my own clients that hiring the right people is the toughest thing to do. Not to diminish the other ones you listed, but lately the hiring issue seems to be surfacing.
Mitch I quite agree about the 1099 worker. We were just discussing this new business model the other day.
Mitch – you make a good point about the top concerns for small biz owners. I’m with Sue – right now, hiring support staff/contractors is at the top of my list.
Hmmm top 3: How to reach more people (to ultimately make more money)
How to price products competitively as what people are willing to spend has changed considerably (to ultimately make more money)
How to build your brand in an already established market of experts (to ultimately make more money)
I would say, maintaining my own health, service delivery, and balance.