Org Charts: Your Relationship Roadmap
I know. Org Charts – Really? Do I look like some corporate big wig with teams of hundreds doing my bidding?
As solopreneurs, or even if you have the starts of a team, you might not see much value in taking the time to create an organization chart. What’s the point of defining relationships between yourself!??!
Well, for some of us, we’ve got our sights on creating an empire. While today we might be a team of one, one day you might have that team of one hundred.
So, what exactly is an organization chart? Think of it as a visual roadmap of your business – a colorful, easy-to-understand guide that shows who does what in your company.
"Why bother when I'm already juggling everything?" Great question! Having a visual display of your roles and jobs, even if you're handling them all, can be a game-changer. Here's why:
Clarity and Sanity: Trust me, there's magic in seeing your tasks mapped out. It helps you understand what you're really doing and where you can delegate or streamline. No more "What am I forgetting?" moments! And a lot more “Oh, so this is why I’m burnt out”.
Future Teammates: As you rock your business, growth is inevitable. When you know your roles inside out, you'll find it easier to identify what roles to delegate first. Your org chart becomes a roadmap for finding the perfect teammates who'll love the tasks you once juggled.
Smoother Scaling: Dreaming of expanding your creative empire? A clear org chart becomes your secret weapon. It ensures you don't end up in chaos as you bring in more people. Plus, you're handing over tasks with a clear job description in hand.
CRAFTING YOUR CHART
So how do we put one of these puppy’s together? First, we’re going to brainstorm and lay out all the hats you wear. Jump back to this post to learn about some of the common roles in a business to get you started.
List It Out: Jot down ALL the tasks you (or anyone on your team) do. Seriously, when I say everything, I mean E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G – from setting goals to packing orders. This list is your goldmine.
Categorize: Divide your tasks into groups, like Marketing, Finance, HR, etc. Each group is a role or a hat.
What’s in a Name: Now that everything’s organized, let’s put a job title to these things! Whether it’s everything under one job title, or you split things up over a few job titles, get things sorted.
Make it Pretty: Ok so I might be a little OCD about this, but I use Canva to put org charts together (check out some templates HERE). And yes, I use my branding fonts and colors to make it just for me. <3 The big thing you need to figure out on this final step is who each job title reports to.
CLEARING YOUR NAME
After you’ve made your org chart, you might feel a little overwhelmed and defeated seeing your name under most (or all!) of the job titles. But every kick in the face is an opportunity in disguise: a swollen lip is as close to Botox as I’ll ever get! Fine lines reduced without the needles ;). It’s all about changing your perspective.
With your map in hand, the fun part begins.
Identify your Superpowers: Highlight the jobs only you can do (for now), like your unique creative process or your business strategy. These are your superpowers.
Delegate Targets: Pinpoint jobs/tasks you're itching to pass on. This will be your recruitment to do list
Detailed Descriptions: For each, note their key responsibilities and the skills needed. Think of it as writing a mini job ad.
Hire When You’re Ready: Now that you know who you need and for what, click POST when you’re ready. Don’t try doing everyone all at once, it's too much. Start with the jobs that are holding you back the most. As you become less overwhelmed with doing everything, your customers (and sales) will reward you for it. Take that bonus profit and invest it back into growing your team (and your sanity).
Your org chart isn't set in stone. As you grow, add new roles to the chart. It's as flexible as your creative process. Let it evolve with you.
So, creative warriors, go forth and chart your path to business glory! Whether you're a solopreneur or have a team of fellow creatives, your org chart is your direct roadmap to success. Keep it fun, keep it colorful, and embrace the change!