Three months without them. Would you cope?

If they couldn’t come in tomorrow, who would you call?

Think of the five people your business would struggle without.

Now imagine one of them phones tomorrow. They’ve had an accident. They’re going to be away for three months.

Who steps in?

I’ve been thinking about this through the football example I discuss in today’s video. Having someone in mind before you need them is a principle every business can learn from.

When someone does their job brilliantly, it’s easy to assume they’ll always be there. Meanwhile, the knowledge, customer relationships and little things that keep everything moving can sit entirely in their head.

Give yourself a few minutes to think it through.

Who could cover the essentials? What would they need to know? Could someone start learning those tasks now? Is there someone outside the business you could call?

You don’t need a huge document. Start with five names and an honest look at what happens when each person is unavailable. Include yourself.

And there’s something else this exercise will remind you of: just how much those people do for you.

Tell them. Be specific. A proper thank-you matters, alongside looking after them fairly.

Don’t wait for an empty chair to realise what someone brings to your business.

Mark Smillie