Passion vs. Ego. Small business or big business?

So which is better Small business or big business?

As the guy who has worked with both I say small business has the leading edge hands down. Why? Because big business has what I call “ego layers” which is a pesky layer between the technician layer of a business where the rubber meets the road and the strategic layer.

Where there is a serious lag in the effectiveness of the business is when the ideas and strategies of the Strategic layer are not heard by the technical layer because of a trip-up in the ego layer.

You may be working this out in your head and saying: Okay the CEO is the strategic layer (good guess) and the counter clerk is the technical layer (another good guess) and Sally Sue the office manager is the Ego layer. This may actually be the case but keep also in mind that every member of the team can and will contribute to an ego layer. Why? Because everyone wants to have their worth known by the team and especially the boss. This occurrence is not necessarily an issue based in ugly sabotage but usually in a selfish intent to be worthy of one’s job.

Example: Mary oversees experience and concept development of a chain of restaurants. With the CEO’s blessing, Mary decides to hire an outside consultant to bring a fresh perspective to the floundering facilities. However Melvin who oversees the company’s brand image instantly takes a strong dislike of the consultant questioning his credibility to not only the management staff but also to the technical team. So in the end what could have been a new breath for the company was instead quickly squashed by the ego of the brand manager and ultimately the company’s money was wasted on the consultant.

“All unhappiness is due to the ego. With it comes all your trouble. If you would deny the ego and the scorch of it by ignoring it you would be free…” Ramana Maharshi

How I learned how to manage businesses the simple way.

I spent the better part of the last 25 years managing various aspects of Hotels and Resorts. Let me be very clear in saying that I love the hospitality and travel industry. What many people do not realize is that in most hotels and resorts every aspect of that property, being the restaurants, bars, spas, salons, retail, events and conventions are managed by the resort and its managers. There are instances where those spaces may be leased to outside companies but for the most part all is managed internally. So this is where my big epiphany happened. What I realized is that there is a current that runs through every business that defines the factors that make it successful or not. I realized that I did not need to become an expert in spa services or a seasoned retail manager to understand and operate successfully. What I know now is that if I combine my passion for business management with the focus on some key areas I am then prepared for business success.

Interested in how I do it?