Am I Cheating Myself?
In today’s economy small business owners are constantly looking for ways to hold down cost and create processes that are more effective. We struggle to maintain quality benefits for our employees and many times, before a small business will hire a full-time position for HR duties, we will perform these duties ourselves, solicit consultants or hire a certified part-time contract worker to relieve the work-load burden. These are conservative steps taken to manage and grow a business. As a small business owner I wear many hats. But, is it cheating? Am I cheating my business because I’m doing the hiring and managing performance, evaluate benefits, handle my own payroll taxes? Am I cheating myself?
Maybe cheater is really too strong of a word? To apply cheating would mean by definition “deceive by trickery.” There is no trickery when it comes to holding down the cost of doing business. Sometimes holding down cost is as simple as evaluating the reality of your business position “rolling up your sleeves” and learning a new way of doing things. Or in my case, learn a whole new job function.
I lift up this example: “Cheater BBQ.” This is a great book by Nashville chefs Mindy Merrell and R.B. Quinn. For you BBQ purists out there who slave over the hickory smoke I can see your nose crinkle much like it does when you think of a graphic designer marketing person also doing HR function. “Cheater BBQ” knows the type. “Afraid to make barbecue without suspenders, a moustache, a dancing pig logo on your shirt, and a searing blues guitar soundtrack.”
Mindy, R.B. and I have mutual friends. I was fortunate to be able to interview Mindy and R. B. for this post.
“Barbecue has become somewhat of a wacky religion with too many rules.” Says Mindy Merrell. “Fiddling with hickory chips and smoker vents is fun for some of us, some of the time. But what about the rest of us that just want to enjoy great food with friends? That’s Cheater BBQ. Different method, great results.”
Hey! I am achieving great HR results. Yep, possibly with a different method. We just want to make a great product with great employees. Online networking, reading, educating myself on best practices, adapting to the growth of my business and the needs of my employees are my ‘cheats.’ I am working in my kitchen, using my oven, my crock pot and liquid smoke (if you love bacon, you will love liquid smoke.) We are not a fancy outfit with a home-made smoker on wheels ready to work shifts in pursuit of the perfect brisket. But, I love learning from those that do and sampling the fruit of that commitment.
“Cheater BBQ and our website Cheater Chef are all about problem solving and freeing yourself from rigid thinking.” says Merrell. “Being a barbecue purist, a kitchen purist, an HR purist, or any other kind of purist can stop you in your tracks and keeps you from rolling up your sleeves and giving new things a try. There are lots of interesting ways and paths to get to great results in the kitchen and in any business. First you have to have the courage to cheat!”
I’m with Mindy on the courage! It takes courage to step out and try something new. Each day, as a business owner, I am faced with wanting a “pit master.” But, realistic processes mean I must face the HR possible and HR practical, even the unconventional, just like “Cheater BBQ” has figured out a wonderful way to achieve delicious BBQ in your kitchen regardless of weather, equipment or cooking talent. Be sure to check out their book on Amazon! They have it for Kindle too! Or fan them on Facebook.
Please leave your comments. Are you an HR purist? Or are you open to the multi-disciplinary methods a non-practitioner can bring to the fold? While I respect and understand the commitment to knowledge and a higher standard certification brings, not all CEO’s, CFO’s or business owners are HR certified. When running a company they are bringing their own methodology to the “cook out.” I’d love to hear your thoughts. And I’m always open to advice from my fab online “HR pit masters.” I chuckled at R. B.’s reflection when asked about bringing his cheater philosophy to the masses. ”Regarding the purist, I agree with Mindy, the self-imposed rules are a ‘Buzz Killington.’ Sure, we’ll take you seriously, but we don’t expect to have any fun with you.” Don’t worry folks- he is only analyzing cooking methodology. Nobody will argue that an all night BBQ pit party is not fun. But, some strict HR rules, especially in regards to social media, can sure be a party pooper.
Are you an HR purist or a cheater?
5 Responses
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Joan Ginsberg Says:
Such a neat analogy, Lyn. It reminds me of the first time I put corned beef in a crock pot. I thought my husband was going to file for divorce, because the corned beef purist in him was appalled. Now he loves it in the crock, and even asks for it to be made that way, because you have to HAVE AN OPEN MIND.
You know that I am a small business person, and you are doing what every small business does to survive, and hopefully grow. I don’t call it cheating if you don’t have resources to do it the purist way. Survival comes before sophistication.
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lynhoytbacon Says:
Thanks for the comments Joan. Your example is a way learning new techniques can work in reverse. I never knew there were other ways to cook corned beef besides the crock pot? Always learning!!
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Tim Gardner Says:
Lyn-
I’m not really an either/or person for most things, and HR is one of them. I remember an interview I went to where I was told about the training systems, and how the pay grades worked, and what opportunities there might be for me. It was a logical, well-designed system.
I also did not feel energy there. No spirit, nothing to fuel me. Probably similar to spending hours on the wood chips and the sauce, only to have the final product all dry and stringy.
What was missing was the heart.
You’re only cheating yourself if you could be doing something with that HR time that earns more money than what you would pay the contractor to do for you. Do what works. That’s how you win. -
lynhoytbacon Says:
Tim! Thanks for the comment and the winning pep talk… “from the heart!”
