What is the difference between a CEO that operates a one man show, vs. a CEO that leads a real team?

Too many of us create a business consisting only of ourselves and two to three workers, and there it stays. In too many cases there is a lack of a business plan and sense of mission for the enterprise, and other more personal challenges such as limiting mind sets. We can refer to this type of business as a “one man show”.

What are the other attributes of a one man show?

First, the CEO owns the whole company. The owner’s view rules. The owner makes the decisions and the workers are only there to carry them out. Because of the small structure, the owner doesn’t do much planning, and may not even be aware of the importance and value of a business plan.

These owners compete on price and have a small number of customers. They care about their product but often don’t consider their staff worthy of further development. They have difficulty raising money and managing cash flow; work long hours, and at best make a living.

CEOS that break out from this level have a product that has taken off. New lines are being developed and new customers are flocking to their doorstep. They have a steady customer base, so instead of competing on low prices, value that is important to their customers is being added to their product. At this point the expansion creates complexity and demands a new management structure. The CEO begins to delegate and searches for staff that can bring value and further growth.

We all start small. However, those businesses that move from a one man show to a growing business usually do so within five years. Within five years their billings can reach one million dollars. The right CEOS will make it happen. They will create the right team as well as the right value proposition for their customers.