[? How to Run a Web Design Business with Paul Boag ?] 0:00 Okay so now it's time to talk about the issue of whether 0:04 and how you grow your business. 0:08 And the thing that instantly springs to mind 0:10 when you talk about growing your business 0:14 is, "Should I hire someone?" 0:16 It's a big question, isn't it? 0:18 And it seems an enormous committment to hire your first person. 0:20 So we're going to talk about that just for a couple of minutes. 0:24 The first thing to say is, "Are you working evenings and weekends?" 0:27 Essentially, "Are you working too hard?" 0:33 That's a really good indicator as to whether you need some extra help. 0:36 But also, there's more to consider than just, "Are you working too hard?" 0:39 You also need to ask yourself if whether you're actually doing things in your job 0:44 that you're not very good at. 0:48 Are there areas where you're weak, 0:50 and you could do with some help and support.? 0:52 Are there parts of your job that you hate? 0:54 Because I have to say for myself, that there are certain things 0:59 that are involved in running a web design agency that I hate doing. 1:02 Invoicing, chasing bad debts, doing accounting, and things like that. 1:06 They're the kind of things that probably you're not overly excited about. 1:11 So could you be getting someone to do those for you? 1:15 Are you looking to eventually remove yourself entirely from your business? 1:18 That is an option—maybe one day you just want to sit on the beach 1:23 and enjoy the glorious sunshine with a cocktail in your hand 1:26 and actually you want the business to carry on working 1:31 irrespective of you. 1:33 So are you going to hire someone? 1:35 If you are considering this, what are your options? 1:40 Well one option is to consider hiring someone part time initially. 1:44 That certainly helps with the overwhelming feeling 1:48 that it's a massive decision. 1:52 Because hiring somebody is a big responsibility, 1:53 and I think for a lot of people, they are held back by fear 1:56 of taking on that first employee. 2:00 But remember, you're providing somebody with an income. 2:02 You're enabling them to feed themselves and their families and have a good life. 2:08 That's a good thing to be doing and not something you need to be afraid of 2:12 even if you can't guarantee you'll be doing it forever. 2:17 If you are worried that maybe you'll take on someone 2:20 and then have to lay them off at a later date 2:23 then be honest with your prospective employee. 2:25 Tell them that you're concerned that this might not last forever. 2:28 Say that you can guarantee them X amount 2:33 of employment over a period of time. 2:36 But then, let them make their own decision 2:38 about whether they want to take the risk or not. 2:40 Another option if you wanted to mitigate the fear and risk of hiring someone 2:42 is to take on an intern. 2:48 Afterall, they've never had a job before so you're not stealing them away 2:50 from a secure job, and you're offering them an opportunity to get involved 2:53 with a whole new industry and start off on their career. 2:58 So you really don't need to be that intimidated 3:01 about hiring that first member of staff. 3:05 You can go part time, you can be really honest and up front with people, 3:07 and you can even consider an intern. 3:13 So don't let that put you off. 3:15 If you're busy, if you're working long hours, 3:16 if you need some help to fill those weaknesses, 3:19 get yourself an employee. 3:22