The three essential roles in business

By LBV

13 Sep 2010

Can I share an idea with you about the three roles that any business owner must understand if they are to have a successful business?

See details of John's free workshop

Each role performs a different function within the business, operates in a different time frame and requires a different mindset and set of skills. To be successful you must embrace all three:

1. The Technical Expert – deals with the Product, they make the thing, or deliver the service. They face the customer and operate in the here and now.

2. The Business Administrator – deals with the Processes required within the business. It’s about measuring and reporting, doing the paperwork and is focused on the past. What has been done?

3. The Entrepreneur – deals with the People. They are the leader, the marketer, the person with the vision and the plan. Their focus is in the future. What is possible and what are we going to do?

When we start a business, often we are the Technical Expert. Slowly and painfully we acquire the skills of the Entrepreneur and the Business Administrator. Hopefully, not make too many expensive mistakes along the way.

The challenge comes, when the going gets tough. We tend to go back to what we know, being the Technical Expert, we work harder. At the very moment we should be focusing on working ON the business, we spend more time working IN the business.

Be aware, if you going to have a successful business, you must stop doing what you WANT to do, being the Technical Expert, and start being what your business DEMAND you do, being the Entrepreneur and Business Administrator.

So, ask yourself: Which of the three roles do I spend most of my time in? And which role do I need to do more of to be successful?

John Garrod
Business and leadership coach
Ology
 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

Plans unveiled for 1,300 homes near Carnforth Carnforthredlineaerialunder2mb

Plans unveiled for 1,300 homes near Carnforth

01 Oct 2026

2

Leyland Trucks takes on 24 new apprentices Leyland Trucks Apprenticeship Cohort 2026

Leyland Trucks takes on 24 new apprentices

01 Oct 2026

3

Being found matters more than acronyms Francesca Square 1

Being found matters more than acronyms

01 Oct 2026

4

Businesses urged to spread Christmas cheer Tcs0mcjo

Businesses urged to spread Christmas cheer

01 Oct 2026

5

East Lancashire Chamber appoints new membership director Sarah Dean Profile

East Lancashire Chamber appoints new membership director

30 Sep 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
All In One Network
LBV Website Events GraphicAll In One Network 15 Oct 2026

All In One Network

The Leisure Box, Northlight, Glen Way, Brierfield , BB9 5NH

14:00 - 16:00

Sub36 Awards 2026
Sub36 WW Logo720 16 Oct 2026

Sub36 Awards 2026

Park Hall Hotel & Spa, Chorley, PR7 5LP

18:30 - 00:30

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
LBV131 Magazine Launch Social720No Text 19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Business Day 2026
LBD26 WW Logo720 27 Nov 2026

Lancashire Business Day 2026

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Help to Grow: Management Course
Help To Grow 25 Sep 2026 - 15 Dec 2026

Help to Grow: Management Course

University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 12:00

Bay Hospitality Forum
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 06 Oct 2026

Bay Hospitality Forum

Lancaster & Morecambe College, Employer Hub, Lancaster, LA1 2TZ

10:00 - 12:00

What did we get for the spend?
Door4 07 Oct 2026

What did we get for the spend?

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:00 - 12:00

Preston Tech Connection: The Tech Resistance
PTC Square Oct 900 X 900.png.png 07 Oct 2026 - 07 Oct 2026

Preston Tech Connection: The Tech Resistance

Society1, 9-10 Cross Street, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - October 2026
padel-networkpng.png.png 08 Oct 2026

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - October 2026

Clubhouse, Blackburn, BB1 3NT

14:00 - 16:00

Seriun Cyber Security Conference
Seriun 15 Oct 2026

Seriun Cyber Security Conference

Turf Moor, Burnley, BB10 4BX.

09:00 - 13:30

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
Mytton Fold 2 .png.png 15 Oct 2026 - 15 Oct 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Blackburn Darwen Youth Zone Annual Quiz
BDYZ Quiz 15 Oct 2026

Blackburn Darwen Youth Zone Annual Quiz

Accrington Stanley FC, Accrington, BB5 5BX

17:00 - 13:46

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV129 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin