Parent Your Business

Every parent knows the eerie silence that tells you the kids are doing something they shouldn’t. At my house the absence of noise is a dead giveaway that all is not well, and often, the misdeed-in-progress involves a scissors.  At various times (and practically under my nose) the kids have cut:

• Their hair
• A sibling’s hair
• A brand new pair of jeans
• A gym shirt required for class
• The cat’s whiskers
• A bedspread
• The expensive helmet for a Halloween costume

Wow, this list is getting depressingly long. On reflection, one of my kids should probably not be allowed to so much as look at a scissors.

In business, that eerie silence could be also be a sign, but any misdeed-in-progress is likely to involve your money. Here are some of the things I’ve seen in businesses that have happened right under the business owner’s nose:

• Skipped payroll tax payments
• “Borrowed” company funds
• Misuse of office equipment, inventory, or supplies
• Unreported harassment or other employee claims that could be a liability
• Employees who are planning to leave (and take key clients with them)
• Favors extended by vendors in return for business

If your intuition tells you something is wrong (and you can’t turn it up yourself) it’s OK to bring in a neutral party to investigate - a human resources professional, CPA, bookkeeper, or perhaps a member of your board. Even if they don’t find a problem, they’re likely to point out some things that will be helpful to your general management of the business. But don’t ignore the eerie silence. Now excuse me while I go confiscate the scissors.

Have anything to add? Post your comment or send it to sarah@dayonebusinessservices.com – if I use it I’ll feature your business.