(from The Basics)

Check your financing. Are you staying on top of your financials? Do you understand your P&L? Are you updating and improving your business plan?

2. Your community: Have you developed relatively easy access to some of your local bankers, accountants, and lawyers? Are you developing a network of solid business advisors within your community?

But before you start thinking about hiring, let's stop and examine where you are:

Check efficiencies. Where can you save time? In how many ways can you save money? How can you make your next sale in a shorter period of time? What about part-time employees? sub-contractors? If you haven't already, please look at how Donna Baase is doing it! And look at how the SoHo folks are doing it.

Check your customers. Customer satisfaction will be one of the cornerstones of your business. If you believe you have delivered on your promises and your product has performed well, ask for a letter of recommendation. Of course, it would be ideal if you could nurture each customer until they volunteer such a letter. But you will know when the time is right to ask your customer for their evaluation.

Case Studies. Though every episode of the show could be a valuable resource for you, there are several stories in the series that demonstrate that efficiencies can make a difference. The most efficient company in the USA is among them.

Look at the study guide about Boardroom and consider their I-power methodology to create efficiencies that can help more dollars drop to your bottom line. Consider subscribing to their magazine, BottomLine

Of course, you have no employees, but look at the coterie of people around you. Ask them for ideas and insights. All of them.

3. Structuring your time. Time management is one of Hattie's areas of expertise. As you read through the study guides, you will be constantly asked to examine ways that the business owner is being focused and efficient with their time.

4. Projecting the day to hire your first full-time employee. Think long and hard about hiring people. Employees are a difficult and time-consuming transition for most entrepreneurs. Being a sole proprietor is no longer a limitation to growth. Being a virtual corporation with a web of subcontractors and other types of business partnerships is a 21st century concept.

• Review the section of Business Basics: The People Part of Business (#10).
• Review the People Power episode.
• Review Staying Power and the Case Study Guide.
• Review our show all about money and our discussions about money.
• Review Hattie's page on Growing.