the business ladder

By Fabio Del Piero (First published 25.10.07 - updated 03.12.09)

The key concept our training is built upon is the ‘business ladder’. After all, we believe in it so strongly that we even named our company after it!

The central idea is the simple one that getting involved in the field of business, and climbing up the ladder, will bring extremely powerful benefits to those who are open to learning new skills. Numerous options are available for people to ‘get involved’, not just limited to what many imagine business to be – namely taking the plunge into running your own company or entity.

Even without taking that bold step, our philosophy sees business and enterprise skills as essential training for employees of all ages too. So there are special rungs on the business ladder dedicated to the development of such skills in the context of workplace performance, as well as at the stage of formal education.

Below are the various rungs of the business ladder, which we will look at in more detail shortly. In descending order from the most sophisticated, intense expression:

1. Managing an extensive entrepreneurial portfolio

2. Running your own business or businesses

3. Getting involved in the running of a business (including while employed elsewhere)

4. Treating your employed career like a business

5. Acquiring business skills and knowledge to be a better employee

6. Learning about practical business concepts (especially for young people)

The constant, targeted development of practical business skills and entrepreneurial vision is the golden thread that runs through the fabric of careers and the world of work, as highlighted in the training provided by The Business Ladder.

1. Managing an extensive entrepreneurial portfolio

This is the pinnacle of entrepreneurial activity, what many people imagine when they hear the word ‘entrepreneur’. Indeed the high media profile of glamorous businesspeople such as Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and others is a clear testament to the esteem this top category is held in.

Having risen this high, such talented entrepreneurs use their ideas, charisma and people management skills to shape organisations. Rather than merely ‘working hard’, it’s the high-flying entrepreneur’s vision and thorough understanding of business realities that flow down to their employees and direct them effectively in their endeavours.

It’s healthy to aim for this rung someday, but above all be patient. In order to achieve this kind of success, you need to work your way up the ladder while picking up new skills, refining your existing ones, gaining valuable experience and developing your business vision at every turn.

2. Running your own business or businesses

This second rung is similar to the first, only typically at a more hands-on level. Instead of just using mostly ideas and direction to push their outfit forward, smaller business owners will often put in long hours of daily management and work as well.

This can at times be the most stressful position to be in, with significant responsibility to shoulder. But with responsibility comes the freedom to make your own decisions, as well as enormous satisfaction when controlling your own business and taking it forward successfully the way you want.

Because it can be so challenging, this rung should be approached when you feel ready, for example after a suitable period ‘learning the ropes’ on rung number 3 below.

3. Getting involved in the running of a business (including while employed elsewhere)

The third rung is the first that can really combine the self-employed experience with traditional employment.

By buying into an existing business, you can discover how to successfully run and manage it without having to bestow all your time on that activity. You can share some of the responsibility, join in with the decision-making, analyse performance and so on, from the slightly detached position as a minority shareholder. Meanwhile, you still retain the security of your main job and career if you so choose.

If you want, as time goes by you can increase your level of participation in order to learn more, dedicating progressively more time and effort to the business. This allows you to gain greater exposure to the field of entrepreneurship, eventually even starting to assemble a portfolio of different businesses and income streams.

4. Treating your employed career like a business

From years of experience seeing people make the transition from employed to self-employed, one very beneficial behavioural trait that fosters entrepreneurial success is that of treating your job like a business.

The difference between someone who follows this approach and someone who doesn’t is most evident in their focus and attitude: the business-minded person will focus on results, whilst the person with the ‘employee’ mindset will focus on the time or hours worked.

But why should you feel passionate about achieving results for someone else’s business? There are actually very good reasons. People who treat their employed career like a business attain greater personal development, receive greater recognition, network better, earn more money and also obtain higher levels of job satisfaction. Moreover, it prepares them for self-employment should they wish to pursue it in the future.

5. Acquiring business skills and knowledge to be a better employee

As alluded to above in rung number 4, encouraging employees’ entrepreneurial outlook and skills helps them to perform better when working in an employed role.

This can manifest itself in different ways, from using the entrepreneurial habit of maximum efficiency to avoid wasteful practices, to understanding the actual workings of their employer’s business in order to help it run more smoothly or propose constructive improvements.

Fostering that kind of business-centred thinking benefits both individuals and their organisation, improving performance, efficiency and productivity while also making employees feel more active and motivated. At The Business Ladder, we believe in a very practical kind of ‘continuous professional development’ that is relevant and benefits both individual employees and organisations as a whole.

6. Learning about practical business concepts (especially for young people)

Finally, we believe it’s important for young people to be exposed to business skills and concepts from early on, even before they enter the full-time world of work.

Therefore our training aimed particularly at young people, provided primarily through our Not Just Enterprise channel, deals with core business and enterprise topics, as well as other related fields such as financial literacy, communication and presentation skills.

We believe it’s never too early to benefit from the knowledge and skills that are central to successful business and enterprise. This applies equally to those who choose to stay in education to higher levels, as well as those who prefer to follow a more vocational route toward a career.

-----------------------------------------------------

Yes, everyone can benefit from sharpening their business skills and commercial awareness! To aid with this, The Business Ladder provides a range of highly practical professional training, information and resources that bring out the best in all of our clients – whether existing companies, recent start-ups or aspiring young entrepreneurs.

Let us help you build better business!

© Copyright 2007-2009 The Business Ladder (UK) Limited

-----------------------------------------------------

 

To download an Adobe PDF version of this article please click here