| There are 12 steps to starting a small business. Next | | | | like the way it rolls off the tongue...'Rhombuses'. |
| on the checklist for starting a new business is step 4 | | | | 3. Organization with Personnel. Now that you know |
| Organization and Communication. When organizing | | | | what your company looks like by division, map it out |
| your company, there are four items to consider; Entity | | | | with personnel. Draw out who is in charge of what |
| Structuring, Organization by Division, Organization with | | | | division. |
| Personnel, and Communication including Meetings. | | | | 4. Communication. You need to spell out your |
| 1. Entity Structure. There are 3 basic entity structures; | | | | communication flow with an emphasis on meeting |
| Sole Proprietor, which is a single person, Partnership, | | | | policies! There is an incredible book on the subject |
| which is set up with 2 or more people, and Corporation, | | | | called "Death by Meeting". The author does a great job |
| which can be set up as a single member or | | | | instructing you how and when to have meetings. |
| partnership. Confused yet? Decide first how many | | | | Serious time saver. A Client of mine, |
| people are involved in the ownership of the company | | | | aPrincessParty.net, underwent a restructure in their |
| and then work through the pros and cons of each | | | | communication and has had significant results. They |
| entity structure to decide which one best suits you. | | | | have redefined the way they do meetings and are |
| 2. Organization by Division. Map out what your | | | | seeing wonderful improvements in staff communication |
| company looks like when it is completed. Visually look | | | | and collaboration. Meetings are fun again! |
| at the company and all it's divisions. Use circles, | | | | There you have it, Step 4 Organization and |
| squares, triangles, polygons, octagons, etc or whatever | | | | Communication on your checklist for starting a new |
| you like. Personally, I like to use Rhombuses...because I | | | | business, and remember...'Rhombuses'. |