Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Running a business requires some very diverse skills.
Many small businesses start with an idea. That idea is developed into a product or service that a business owner hopes to sell.
For instance, let’s imagine that you have an idea for providing a mobile dog grooming service. You feel reasonably confident that you can be successful because you know many people who might use such a service.
You get excited, work to develop your business plan, nail down funding, and you are good to go. Right? Well, not so fast.
While you may be an expert in grooming pets, you may not have the expertise to manage the other facets of the business.
This example is when an oversight council or committee might be able to help.
Why Do You Need To Use An Oversight Council?
Organizations use councils and committees to help oversee operations and to get things done.
People sometimes confuse committees and councils.
The basic difference is a committee is chartered to solve a temporary problem, whereas a council has ongoing oversight responsibility. However, there are ongoing committees.
A council is defined as “an assembly of persons summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice; a body of persons specially designated or selected to act in an advisory, administrative or legislative capacity..”
In one of my favorite books, “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t
These councils consist of people who discuss and debate issues that relate to the organization. In his example, organizations should be guided by the “three circles” of:
1. What are you passionate about?
2. What can you be the best at?
3. What drives your economic engine?
Organizations should identify areas that need constant focus and develop groups of people who can address issues and make recommendations for improvements in those areas.
Every council should have a charter and purpose statement, which helps the group have a specific mission and focus.
Council meetings should be facilitated with an agenda and structured format to ensure that the time spent meets the purposes of the charter.
5 Common Oversight Councils
1. Budget Review
A budget review council meets either monthly or quarterly and has the responsibility of reviewing budget issues and unbudgeted requests.
This group also keeps a pulse on organizational spending, budget variances, makes recommendations for budget cuts, and provides input into the annual budget process.
For instance, a budget review committee might help you develop a realistic budget for your business. This group may also help to project future income and spending.
2. Facility Review
Whether you own your own building or rent office space, it is important to identify a group of people who are responsible for facility needs and managing the maintenance and enhancement of the facility.
Even though building maintenance is often outsourced, there should always be someone responsible for making sure the facility represents the organization well.
Marks on the walls, faded carpet, aging furniture, and outdated restrooms are examples of areas that this Council can oversee.
This group also makes recommendations for campus improvements that would go to the budget review council for funding.
For instance, in the above example, a facility review committee might help to make sure vehicles are maintained, kept clean, and updated every few years.
3. Human Resources
Whether an organization employs five people or five hundred people, there should be a group that meets on a regular basis to steer the human resource aspect of the organization.
Employee benefits, employee relations issues, training, development, recruitment, and appreciation are all examples of issues that need guidance and attention.
For a small organization, this may be a few people, but the point is to keep a focus on issues so the organization can stay legally compliant and competitive with their employment practices.
For instance, the example business we are discussing may have employees in the field most of the day. This makes it even more important to attend to the needs of this group of employees.
4. Information Technology
Every business is dependent on technology to support day-to-day operations.
Identify a group that keeps a pulse on current technology needs, with the vision to identify future technology needs, which can also ensure that the organization is using technology to its advantage and can alleviate large unexpected and unbudgeted expenditures.
For instance, a mobile dog groomer would use technology to schedule appointments, notify customers of their approximate arrival, and accept payments.
Employees need to know how to use technology and troubleshoot technical issues that may arise.
5. Marketing
A product or service is only as good as an organization’s ability to let customers know that it exists.
Marketing and sales help get the word out about available products and services.
There should be a group that is constantly looking for ways to increase market share and brand exposure.
For instance, a marketing team may look at the latest social media tools and learn ways to utilize those tools to market products and services.
This group would also look at rapidly changing customer requirements and keeping current with changing marketing technology trends.
Why Councils?
Finally, councils are meant to drive change and improvements in business practices as well as serve as oversight for day-to-day operations.
This valuable team helps to ensure the organization has a plan for all operational areas and is using the latest technology to grow the business.
Managed well, these councils can help organizations improve, develop, and grow. Managed poorly, they become a waste of valuable resources. Manage well!