I am exhausted. Will a GM help?

Dear Aunty B

I am exhausted! My business passed from startup phase to established business several years ago, and I am working longer hours than ever. I know it’s the end of the year and I am taking a fortnight’s break to recharge. But I don’t think that’s going to do the trick this year.

At what stage should an established business get a general manager? Do I need one now, and will it be the answer to my problems (exhaustion)?

Jeff. S,
South Melbourne

Hi Jeff,

Look, have a break. When you are exhausted you can’t think straight. Now I forbid you to even think about work for the first week. Then when you have unwound a little, start to think of the things you do that you enjoy. Write them down.

If you are the creative, strategist, motivating visionary of the business, then you may find your list consists of those jobs. In that case you need a general manager. You need to bring in someone to run operations with management and corporate finance skills.

I should warn you that if you ask an entrepreneur one of the hardest things they have ever done, they will often say sacking an incompetent, general manager. On the other hand they will often tell you that finding the right general manager or CFO is the best thing that has ever happened to them – and their business.

So Jeff, don’t hurry things. This is one of the hardest recruiting decisions you will ever make. But get it right and your problems are solved. Now off you go on your holiday.

Aunty B.