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

FWP to lead The Villa into a new chapter The Villa VetPlus Academy Spa View

FWP to lead The Villa into a new chapter

12 Jun 2026

2

Healey resignation sparks new fears over GCAP future GCAP funding

Healey resignation sparks new fears over GCAP future

12 Jun 2026

3

Top honour for Northcote’s Lisa Lisa Goodwin Allen receiving the award

Top honour for Northcote’s Lisa

12 Jun 2026

4

Community bank’s new HQ takes shape Tia Warbrick

Community bank’s new HQ takes shape

12 Jun 2026

5

Skiddle targets £500,000 charity goal Skiddle has announced the partnership with OnSide

Skiddle targets £500,000 charity goal

11 Jun 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
Funding Summit
Funding Logo Canva Mid
Summit
17 Jun 2026

Funding Summit

Village Hotel Blackpool

08:30 - 11:00

LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event
Nov/Dec Networking Event
Networking
16 Jul 2026

LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event

Brysdales, Britannia Buildings Drumhead Road, Chorley, PR6 7BX

16:00 - 18:00

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event
Jan/Feb Networking Event - Entrance
Networking
17 Sep 2026

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event

The Beehive Blackburn, Shadsworth Business Park, BB1 2Q

08:30 - 10:30

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
Jan/ Feb Networking Event - Talking
Networking
19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (33).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Chamber Business Lunch
LBV Hub Networking
19 Jun 2026

Chamber Business Lunch

Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 14:00

The Bay Business Club
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
22 Jun 2026

The Bay Business Club

Morecambe Football Club, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

17:00 - 19:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: June
June Freelancer Square.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Jun 2026

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: June

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

How to manage grievances…with confidence
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
24 Jun 2026

How to manage grievances…with confidence

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

Cyber Crime Awareness Event
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
24 Jun 2026

Cyber Crime Awareness Event

Morecambe Golf Club, Morecambe, LA4 6AJ

13:00 - 16:00

How can smarter employee benefits reduce costs and improve staff retention?
Screenshot 2026-05-20 100211.png.png
LBV Hub Roundtables
25 Jun 2026

How can smarter employee benefits reduce costs and improve staff retention?

Forbes Solicitors , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:30 - 10:00

NO Rackets Required - The Ultimate Padel Party
Crowdfunder.png.png
LBV Hub Social
26 Jun 2026

NO Rackets Required - The Ultimate Padel Party

Pendle Padel Club, Nelson, BB9 5SR

16:00 - 00:00

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin