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

Swim school makes splash with double award success Jo Gribben

Swim school makes splash with double award success

26 Jun 2026

2

BAE Systems donates £50,000 to support Armed Forces community Blackpool Football Club gets support from BAE Systems

BAE Systems donates £50,000 to support Armed Forces community

26 Jun 2026

3

Landmark moment for Eden Project Morecambe Landmark moment for Eden Project

Landmark moment for Eden Project Morecambe

25 Jun 2026

4

Preston consultancy joins growing national group Senior Representatives From Enevo And Aegis

Preston consultancy joins growing national group

25 Jun 2026

5

Chamber chief to step down Miranda Barker

Chamber chief to step down

23 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
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

How hackers target SMEs - and how to protect your business
Lancashire_gamesdesign_Feb26-2120.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Jul 2026

How hackers target SMEs - and how to protect your business

Engineering Innovation Centre, Preston, PR1 2XS

09:30 - 11:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking - July
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2026

Chamber Breakfast Networking - July

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

The AI Lab: Marketing Multiplier
Event post 03.07.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Jul 2026

The AI Lab: Marketing Multiplier

Door4, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Society1 Breakfast Social and Coworking Day
LBV Hub Networking
09 Jul 2026

Society1 Breakfast Social and Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

09:00 - 17:00

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - July 2026
padel-networkpng.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
09 Jul 2026 - 09 Jul 2026

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - July 2026

Clubhouse, Blackburn, BB1 3NT

14:00 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
09 Jul 2026

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough , Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

July Preston Tech Connection Hot Takes
PTC Square July (900 x 900 px).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jul 2026

July Preston Tech Connection Hot Takes

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:03

Preparing for the changes to unfair dismissal
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Jul 2026

Preparing for the changes to unfair dismissal

The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth, LA6 1JH

08:00 - 10:00

Achieving more with your money: Your options at retirement
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Jul 2026

Achieving more with your money: Your options at retirement

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

17:55 - 17:55

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