Well It doesn’t and it does.
When I was filling out paperwork for some sort of Gov’t RFP a few years back it had labeled me as a small business. Technically in the US I think you’ve got to have fewer than 250 employees. When I sit and think about 250 employees – That’s a big business. I have no dreams or aspirations of NRGS getting exceptionally large. I currently have dreams and aspirations of sitting on the beach throwing rocks in the ocean though.
Anyway, this year was all about how much could one man do. I’m not stupid (I know that’s a matter of opinion). I can take problems and work with them pretty quickly and usually come to some sort of conclusion. Add three problems together and deadlines start to matter. Add a couple of repeat clients and suddenly you have 5 things worrying you every day. Add one unhappy client and things get complicated. Plus a phone. Plus email. Sometimes if you’re really lucky someone will just show up on your doorstep and need help. Yes – all that happened this year.
I found myself needing help. So I went and got help in the form of a college student. That was nice in some ways and stressful in others. I had to manage people in my former life and I really didn’t want to do that again….but I needed help. So my typical hectic day was punctuated by questions of how and why. I did get more done. I didn’t miss the money as much as I thought. So overall it was a good experience. So I became a company of 1.5. I should have said 2 but 1.5 was more interesting. She got things done. I did move a bit quicker. It has made me think about what I need to do to grow as a business.
So – the last part of this year two funny things happened. I had a call from an outsourcing firm looking for work. They wanted me to describe my company. I did.
Caller: How many employees?
Me: 1.
Caller: One sir?
Me:Yes.
Caller: Oh…..<click>.
The second funny thing involved a job that was on again and off again. Essentially I was too small and they didn’t think I could get the work done. My first response that I didn’t send was more or less “Fudge You”. My second thought…which I didn’t send went along the lines of “You’re right – I am too small….but You’re too large to not be able to properly plan a job that needs done by the end of this year. My time is too valuable for that insanity”.
So yeah – size does matter. The bigger you are – the slower you get. I stay small and watch myself this upcoming year and I will move faster and be dangerous….and still have fun.
