YOUR BUSINESS IS GROWING. DOES EVERYTHING STILL COME BACK TO YOU?
More customers. A bigger team. So why is your to-do list still getting longer?
The sales are coming in. The team is getting bigger. There are plans for new services, more customers and the next stage of growth.
On paper, things look good.
So why are you still approving every small decision, chasing unfinished work and answering questions on your supposed day off?
For many business owners, growth creates a new problem: the business gets bigger, but everything still comes back to them.
“IT'S QUICKER IF I JUST DO IT MYSELF”
Sound familiar?
You know the customers, the systems and how you want things done. Explaining a task can feel slower than doing it yourself.
But those little jobs add up.
Before you know it, your day has disappeared into checking invoices, sorting customer issues, following up sales enquiries and reminding people what needs doing.
The work that could move the business forward gets pushed into the evening. Again.
DO YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE — OR DIFFERENT SUPPORT?
When everyone is busy, hiring another pair of hands can seem like the obvious answer.
Sometimes it is. An Administrator might take pressure off the whole team. A Finance Manager could give you a clearer view of the numbers. A Sales Manager might bring consistency to follow-up and help your existing team perform.
In other cases, the gap is someone who can take ownership across the business: organising priorities, making decisions and making sure plans turn into action.
That could be an Operations Manager, a Head of Operations or a second-in-command.
Some businesses call that person an Integrator. The title matters less than what you need them to do.
START WITH WHAT KEEPS LANDING ON YOUR DESK
Before writing a job advert, look at the work that repeatedly comes back to you.
Ask yourself:
- Which decisions am I making that someone else could reasonably own?
- What keeps getting delayed because nobody is clearly responsible?
- Where are mistakes, missed opportunities or customer frustrations happening?
- What would I spend my time on if these responsibilities were properly covered?
The answers can help you work out whether you need specialist skills, stronger management or more day-to-day support.
“Someone to help with everything” might describe how you feel, but it won't give a candidate a clear picture of the job.
BE HONEST ABOUT THE BUSINESS THEY'RE JOINING
Working in a growing company can be a brilliant opportunity. People can have influence, see the results of their work and develop alongside the business.
It can also mean changing priorities, unfinished processes and a founder with three new ideas before breakfast.
Candidates need to understand both sides.
If you want someone to create structure, be open about where it's missing. If they'll need to challenge your thinking occasionally, consider whether you're ready to listen.
A strong appointment needs clear responsibilities, realistic expectations and the authority to get things done.
HIRING SOMEONE MEANS LETTING THEM DO THE JOB
This can be the difficult bit.
You bring in an experienced person because you need help. Then they suggest doing something differently.
Your first instinct might be: “That's not how we do it here.”
There will be things that need to stay consistent. But if every decision still needs your approval, you may struggle to get the benefit of the person you've hired.
Agree what they own, what needs discussing and how you'll measure progress. Give them context and support, then room to do the work.
YOU DON'T NEED A FINISHED JOB DESCRIPTION TO START A CONVERSATION
Business owners often know where they're feeling the pressure before they know which role would solve it.
That's a useful place to start.
At ACS Talent Acquisition, we take the time to understand your business, the gaps in your team and what you need your next appointment to achieve.
We support recruitment across Operations, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Events and Business Support, including roles within growing, founder-led businesses.