Have you ever heard people say that to you. Well this article gives you something to think about.

You are the smallest company in the economy. So tell me what is your business?

When we are still at school there are little worries. We learn and we observe others, but then, at one moment we are to choose. This can be versatile; there are so many jobs and careers to choose from that it may dazzle you when you are leaving the school door.

Take your time, but do not forget that if you do not choose others will choose for you. You can accept that job that is not ideal and think "who cares, I'm still young.” But even when you are part of an organization or establishing your own business, in fact there is very little difference. If you are a born entrepreneur with a business instinct you will follow automatically that path that is on your mind. If you are employed in a company you are still -- your own business. It is what you make of it and how you do it.

The productivity matrix (search the web) might help you in finding out your "business". If people tell you "to mind your own business” you might fit in the exchange role. This is a specific quadrant where exchanging (ideas, products, money, etc) is the main focus. You are sort of a merchant, always in for a deal. The difference between this role and the sales role (an other quadrant in the productivity matrix) is that sales is dedicated

to a specific idea, product, service, etc. The merchant is never too much involved in the product as long as it is tradable, it is fine.

The real producers amongst us - the third role - are too occupied to be involved in building or designing a product. Whether there will be a market for this product, or how it should be sold is a question that is not relevant for the time being. The producer is literally creative. At last there is the supporter, someone who is satisfied with serving others. They may be also preoccupied with (immaterial) matters that are beyond the normal economic horizon.

Your business is never only one of these four. But the matrix may help you if you are a bit lost, or if someone tells you; "mind your own business."

© 2006 Hans Bool

 Previous      Next