1. Doing Business as a Designer:
When You Start Giving Away Your Hats
(Slide-u-mentary Version - made in google docs)
By Jae Xavier of KnowledgeCity.com
Blog: jaexavier.wordpress.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jaexavier

2. Multiple Hats
As freelancers or business owners, obviously we play multiple
roles such sales, marketing, administration, customer service,
accountant, programmer, developer, and designer.
But one day, you’re going to make a strong push to get more
business or to handle a higher-than-average consistent
workload. So what type of people would you hire?

3. Who to hire?
Someone who you could command
and control?
Or…
Someone who wants to make a difference?

4. My Experience...
Interestingly enough, I have had my fair share of command-
and-control employee stories. I’ve made hiring mistakes that
were purely my fault.
But why did I hire them in the first place?
It’s because I wanted complete control over my company’s
direction and growth. In essence it was complete
micromanaging and it was eating up my time and energy. I
finally realized that this is the wrong way to run a business.

5. My Realization...
To make the lesson burn into my head even more, I
remembered that I had conducted my business like a former
employer. With this realization everything had come to a full
circle.
Today, I hire people who can think for themselves. These are
individuals who own the position and the related
responsibilities. My employees are so passionate about what
they do and defend their decisions should I challenge them.
Although I don’t grant 100% autonomy, they’re close to it.
They know the consequences and they may fail but that’s ok;
it’s the nature of business.

6. Resources
Small Business Management Courses at KnowledgeCity.com