Every small business owner has his or her own set of strengths. And understanding those strengths can be a huge benefit in so many different parts of running your business.
For example, some business owners are great at delegating and letting their team members solve problems on their own. Others are great at creative problem solving. And some have other management styles. But being able to play to those strengths, no matter what they are, is a must.
Different leadership styles can even have an impact on things like benefits and employee morale. So that’s why it’s so essential for you to understand the different styles and strengths you possess so you can create a positive business culture for your team.
On Wednesday, October 5 at 7 p.m. EDT, Small Business Trends CEO Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) moderated a Twitter chat entitled “Playing to Your Strengths: Helping Small Business Owners Be Competitive” sponsored by MetLife where small business owners and entrepreneurs got to discuss their strengths and other aspects of running small businesses.
She was joined by Rieva Lesonsky (@Rieva), Small Business Trends columnist and president of GrowBiz Media, and Susan Solovic (@SusanSolovic), small business expert, best-selling author and two-time SBT Small Business Influencer Award winner.
The chat started with a discussion about why different entrepreneurs decided to go into business in the first place.
Q1: Why did you (owner) start your small business? #metlifesmallbiz
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
A1: I started my biz cause I wanted to help services based entrepreneurs & consultants scale their biz using social media. #metlifesmallbiz
— Ti Roberts (@tiroberts) October 5, 2016
A1: I wanted to create my own thing. First small business venture: importing 3.5″ floppy disks. #metlifesmallbiz https://t.co/uYsWL3I9rS
— Martin Lindeskog (@Lyceum) October 5, 2016
Q1: I’m serial entrepreneur & I invest in start-ups.Thrill of starting something from scratch & watching grow. #metlifesmallbiz #smbchat
— Susan Solovic (@SusanSolovic) October 5, 2016
Next, chat participants talked about the type of culture they’d like to create in their respective businesses.
Q2: What kind of culture are you trying to create for your business? #metlifesmallbiz
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
A2: Develop a culture of proactivity. If something needs done, get it done. #metlifesmallbiz
— Robert Brady (@robert_brady) October 5, 2016
A2. Collaborative dictatorship. I want my own way, but I’d like others to feel it’s their idea. LOL #metlifesmallbiz
— Shawn Hessinger (@Shawn_Hessinger) October 5, 2016
A2) I love a collaborative culture where everyone is operating in their gift #metlifesmallbiz
— Ivana Taylor (@DIYMarketers) October 5, 2016
A big part of creating a positive business culture is attracting the right team members. Chat participants discussed the importance of that next.
Q3: How do you attract and retain the right employees in a competitive market? #MetLifeSmallBiz
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
a3. Attracting & retaining employees is getting harder as the economy improves. More competition. #metlifesmallbiz
— Rieva Lesonsky (@Rieva) October 5, 2016
A3. give employees a chance to spread their wings and try new things. #metlifesmallbiz
— Susan Solovic (@SusanSolovic) October 5, 2016
@smallbiztrends A3 Respect. People will continue to want to work with you if you treat them well and show appreciation #MetLifeSmallBiz
— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) October 5, 2016
More specifically, employee benefits can become a huge part of workplace culture.
Q4: What are the main challenges you face when it comes to offering benefits? #metlifesmallbiz
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
A4: To understand the “jungle” Of Laws regulating the biz environment. #metlifesmallbiz https://t.co/j7K0f89ulI
— Martin Lindeskog (@Lyceum) October 5, 2016
Vision is especially attractive for employees with kids and older staffers #metlifesmallbiz
— Rieva Lesonsky (@Rieva) October 5, 2016
Interesting stat @smallbiztrends #metlifesmallbiz https://t.co/poPcgVamUC
— Scott Phillips (@scott_phillips_) October 5, 2016
Offering #dental insurance can increase employee productivity https://t.co/ZmIEGmNFUu #metlifesmallbiz
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
Entrepreneurs also discussed how their own individual leadership styles can impact company culture and benefits.
Q5: How does your personality and leadership style impact company culture and the benefits you offer? #metlifesmallbiz
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
A5: the leader is always on stage – how you wait in line, when you come in, how you speak to employees – sets the tone #metlifesmallbiz
— Lonely Entrepreneur (@thelonelye) October 5, 2016
I’m very clear on my strengths and have no prob delegating where I’m weak 🙂 #metlifesmallbiz
— Ti Roberts (@tiroberts) October 5, 2016
A5) The biz owners personality and attitude color the culture of the company. Folks look to the leader for direction #metlifesmallbiz
— Ivana Taylor (@DIYMarketers) October 5, 2016
Let your personality inspire custom benefit plans to fit your business https://t.co/nFPS6S4lay #metlifesmallbiz pic.twitter.com/2jklyRAl73
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
For more on insights on how personalities impact #smallbiz strategy, download @MetLife’s paper: https://t.co/1ugu4VOJDN #metlifesmallbiz
— Anita Campbell (@smallbiztrends) October 5, 2016
Read the rest of the discussion at #MetLifeSmallBiz.
Team Image via Shutterstock
It was an informative chat! Thanks for including some of my tweets!
Shawn Hessinger
Hi Martin,
So great of you — and the rest of our fantastic small business community — to participate!
Shawn,
Thanks! I look forward to the next one! 🙂