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The Art of Delegation: How to Work ON Your Business, Not IN It

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Navigate Patners Blog/Business tools/The Art of Delegation: How to Work ON Your Business, Not IN It

The Art of Delegation: How to Work ON Your Business, Not IN It

As a business owner, you've likely heard the phrase, "Work ON your business, not IN it." But what does that really mean? And how can you achieve it? At Navigate Partners, we understand the challenges that come with running an SME, and one of the most common issues we encounter is the struggle with delegation. In this blog post, we'll explore practical delegation techniques and share relatable challenges and solutions to help you build a business that thrives.

The Challenge: Wearing Too Many Hats


Imagine you're the owner of a small marketing agency. You're juggling client meetings, overseeing campaigns, managing finances, and even handling some of the creative work. You're stretched thin, and the business isn't growing as you'd hoped.


The key to scaling your business is effective delegation. By assigning tasks to skilled team members, you free up time to focus on strategic growth.



Technique 1: Prioritise and Delegate


List all tasks: Write down every task you're currently handling.

Prioritise: Identify tasks only you can do and tasks that can be delegated.

Assign: Match tasks to team members based on their skills and expertise.

Expert Tip:

Use a project management tool to track delegated tasks and ensure accountability.



Technique 2: Empower Your Team


1. Training: Invest in training programs to upskill your team.

2. Trust: Give your team the autonomy to make decisions.

3. Feedback: Regularly review performance and provide constructive feedback.

Expert Tip:

Empowered employees are more engaged and productive, leading to better business outcomes.



Technique 3: Establish Clear Communication Channels


1. Regular Check-ins: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly meetings to discuss progress.

2. Open Door Policy: Encourage open communication for any challenges or questions.

3. Documentation: Keep records of all delegated tasks and their statuses.

Expert Tip:

Clear communication eliminates misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is on the same page.



Technique 4: Evaluate and Adjust



1. Review: Periodically assess the effectiveness of your delegation strategy.

2. Adjust: Make necessary adjustments based on performance and feedback.

3. Celebrate: Acknowledge and reward successful delegation and teamwork.

Expert Tip:

Continuous evaluation and adjustment are key to a successful delegation strategy.




Delegation is not just about offloading tasks; it's an art that requires strategic thinking, trust, and effective communication. By implementing these practical techniques, you'll be well on your way to working ON your business, rather than IN it.



At Navigate Partners, we specialize in helping SME owners like you overcome challenges and scale your business. Reach out to us to learn how we can help you master the art of delegation.



About Navigate Partners:
Navigate Partners is a leading SME advisory firm dedicated to helping business owners solve problems, work on the business rather than in it, and scale successfully. Our practical techniques and relatable solutions make us your go-to authority in SME success.


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Hi, I Am Joe Reed (BComm- Finance, Business Administration)

Director of Navigate Partners

With over 15 years in advisory, lending and private equity, Joe’s passion has always been developing small to medium businesses. After working for large firms including Mass Mutual, Mutual of Omaha, Private Equity and Fintechs, Joe Founded Navigate Partners, a group of business service professionals with free templates and tools to complete a holistic resource for his, and others sme’s. Focus more time on what you’re great at, with Navigate Partners.

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