What am I supposed to be doing as the CEO?

Starting your own business can be extremely rewarding and extremely stressful all at the same time. Often times individuals launch their own company either out of passion or necessity, either way it gets launched. The hardest part about launching any new business is understanding what it really takes to be successful.
When I started my company, there was no CEO training course I could take. I launched out of passion and then that passion became a necessity. As I journeyed to becoming CEO of Visionary People my learning curve became a huge culture shock! Even though I was my own boss, I was the boss.... I needed to have the answers and have the plan. But there have been days that I didn't have the answers and I had to fall back on these 5 specific reminders.

So after five years of being my own boss, I've learned some valuable things about what a CEO of a start up company is supposed to be doing. This I share with you today.

1) A CEO is actually the Chief Fundraiser for the company. As the CEO you must understand how to make money, how to spend money and where the best money is. Keep in mind all money isn't good money. Stick to the mission of your company so you don't get led astray.

2) A CEO is the Research & Development Leader. As the CEO you have to be able to understand when it's time to move and when it's time to be still. If you move to soon you just may sink! The CEO must become the industry. Doing this requires researching your industry and the needs of your market every day. You then need to be a creator of solutions for those needs. You research and you develop ways to meet needs and solve problems.

3) A CEO is the Sales Force of the company. As the CEO it is imperative that you understand how to sell your company to clients', employees, investors, partners and sponsors. If you can't communicate the absolute benefits of your company and how your company benefits the industry, you'll be spinning your wheels year after year. The first place to start is understanding how your customer acquisition model works and how each customer gets processed through your company. Create your sales pipeline and be consistent with proven results. Don't do the easy and ineffective hit and miss routine, Get Strategic!

4) A CEO is the Company's Culture. As the CEO you ultimately create the culture of your company. Whether you are a 1 man/woman show or a 50 staffed show. It doesn't matter. Your attitudes, beliefs and work ethics will transcend through out the company. Even if you hire a virtual assistant or a temp contractor, the company's culture is created by you, the CEO. If you handle things sloppy, so will all those connected to your company. News Flash! This includes your customers.


5) A CEO is the Cheering Team Leader. As the CEO you must be the loudest and biggest cheerleader and team leader of the company. If you can't get excited everyday about what your company does, why will anyone else? If you don't trust that your company can deliver the service you're promising then why will anyone else? You have to Cheer your company & Lead your Team in the optimal way every day, even on the hardest days.

I pray this has helped you find clarity and understanding of being a CEO of your start up company. If you enjoyed this Blog, show me some love and subscribe to this blog. If you are in need of help connecting with your Ideal Customers and making a conservative budget get sizable results feel free to contact me for a conversation.

Continued Prosperity,
Your Chief Visionary, Natasha Davis-Bowen, CSMA, CEME

Specializing in Strategic Business Development and Creative Marketing is what Visionary People does.    www.VisionaryPeopleArise.com 

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