Are Small Businesses Dependent on the Presence of the Owner? Many small businesses begin as one person operations. Most

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Are Small Businesses Dependent On The Presence Of The Owner Many Small Businesses Begin As One Person Operations Most 1 (50.75 KiB) Viewed 57 times

Are Small Businesses Dependent on the Presence of the Owner? Many small businesses begin as one person operations. Most small business owners put in extremely long hours and seldom take vacations. Although such firms later employ other workers, the management style and personality of the owner seem to be necessary to the survival of the firm. Here are some examples. Ted and Ralph formed a partnership to operate a service station in a Prairie city. Both were on the premises from 7a.m. until closing at 8 pm. Both were killed at greeting the public and they made many friends as business boomed. Although they maintained ownership of the station, Ted and Ralph began to spend time away from work, leaving capable subordinates in charge. But the firm just wasn't the same without Ted and Ralph on hand, and business dropped. Ted and Ralph realized that to keep the station highly successful, they both had to be on the premises For many years, Mabel and Theo Harker operated Horker's Cafe in a large city in the East. Theo was the chief cook, and Mobel waited on customers who set at the counter. Although they hired several other cooks and waitresses, Mabel and Theo were the stable core of the business. The two worked fong hours, and business seemed to go more smoothly when the owners were there. Realising how important they were personally to the success of the cafe. the Harkers never took a vacation and never left the cafe in the hands of the hired staff Instead in late summer and around Christmas, the Harkers closed down the entire cafe for a week at a time. Customers agreed that the place would not be Harker's Cafe without Mabel and Theo. Questions on page 2 1. Why does it seem to be necessary for the owner(s) to be on the premises all the time? 12 2. Can there be personality cults in small business? /2 3. Is it possible for customers to create a personality cult around the owners of a business? 12 4. How might the owner go about reducing customers' dependency upon the presence and/or personality of the owner and leading customers to depend more on the business itself? /2 5. Do you believe that a small business's success depends on the presence of the owner? Why or why not? /2 6. Have you known a business owned by a family member/friend/community member? If so, what was the small business? /2