From Ken Muggli: 

The CEO & the Janitor:

I am the owner-operator of three small internet businesses. There are only two people to perform all of the necessary functions.  We are busy and effective.

With very few exceptions the small business owner has to perform all of the functions common to a larger business.  I have to have the skills to cope with a myriad of different functions from setting the direction of my companies to doing the accounting and the janitorial work (I do outsource things like legal and tax preparation work).

Multitasking is one of the ways I cope with my duties and responsibilities. I rarely have the luxury of concentrating solely on one project for extended periods of time. I have to be very flexible.

Among my tasks are planning the direction and scope of my companies, making sales calls, taking orders, and doing the accounting.  My mind never stops, never!  I’m always thinking; there are thoughts flowing through my mind like electrons though a copper wire.

Even though the scale of my operation is small, I still have to have the same level of attention to detail that a larger business does.  My accounting has to be just as accurate as any other company.  I need to have a good system of tracking my inventory.  I have to generate sufficient sales to fund the whole operation. 

And then I have to satisfy my customers by providing good service and deliver the products within the time frame promised.  My customers could care less about the scale of my operation; they expect and demand value for their money.

Reducing rework and errors to an absolute minimum is one of the techniques I use to effectively use my time.  I don’t do well in chaos; I require organization and order.  One of the ways I cope with my duties is to develop systems, procedures, processes, and methods of doing things.  By following a set process, a robust process that consistently generates a quality product, errors and the time wasted in correcting them are reduced.  In my business there isn’t time for mistakes and rework.  We must do the job right - the first time. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Any time we make a mistake my mind goes into high gear.  I think about how it happened, what the root cause was, what can be done about it, who is going to make the change, and when the change is going to take effect.  After I make the correction I keep my eyes open to see if we are following our new process.  I want to make sure we don’t face that problem again.

As the CEO of a small business you have a lot on your plate and no one to blame but yourself if things go wrong.  On the other hand, if things go well, you can briefly bask in the glory while carrying out the trash.

Tempus Fugit,

Ken Muggli

Dakota Clock Works