Stand Back

Questionnaire

You deserve more from life than just working in your business. We are here to help.

Name *

Email *

How often do you stay over time? *

Every day
3-4 times a week
1-2 times a week
Hardly ever

When was the last time you've taken a 2 week holiday? *

Over 5 years ago
Over a year ago, but less then 5 years
Last 12 months

When on holidays... *

I do not employ anyone, so even when I am on holidays I have to be available on my phone
My employees call me daily
My employees call me a few times
My employees call me in emergencies only

When I am away from the company... *

I manage my company remotely
I call the company regularly to make sure all is ok
I do not call my company but employees call or text me sometimes
I do not call the company at all

Which answer is true when it comes to your sector's expertise... *

It's only me in my business, so I am naturally the specialist
I am the best specialist in my company
There is at least 1 person with similar or better expertise within my company
I can step in if needed, but generally others are better than I am

When I take days off... *

I am always available on my phone so that people (customers) can reach me if needed
A backlog automatically starts to build up
Upon arrival there are some tasks for me to sort out
Upon arrival there is nothing outstanding for me to do and I can crack on with new things

During the weekends... *

I regularly (almost every week) catch up with work as I can have some uninterrupted time to focus
I sometimes (once a month) go to work to work on the backlog
I do not work at all and spend the time with my family and doing things I love doing

At the end of my company's normal working hours... *

I always stay longer to do the work I didn't have time to do
I often stay longer to catch up with work
I can stand up and go, but I couldn't go before my employees finish
I often leave before the company closes

Do you deal with customer orders? *

Yes, I win jobs/serve the customer and fulfil orders myself or manage the fulfilment
I get involved in some stages of serving my customers of the fulfilment process
I get involved if there is an emergency or a customer is dissatisfied
No, I am not involved in winning jobs/serving the customer or fulfilling the orders

If I was away for 6 months, my company would collapse in... *

2 weeks
1 month
3 months
It would keep going without bigger problems

If I disappeared for six months, my company would continue to grow without me... *

No
Maybe
Yes, it happened before

Your customers... *

I don't employ anyone, so all customers deal with me
Only deal with me and even if someone else makes the initial contact, they will still ask for me
Normally deal with my employees, but when things escalate, my customers or employees ask for me
Don't know me personally and happily deal with my employees

Which sentence best describes your company's financial awareness? *

My company's accounts are done only once a year because the law requires it. Throughout the year I do not track my financial position using financial reports
I focus on my job and leave all the financials to my Accountant, therefore as long as we can pay the bills, I am not worried
I have access to accurate financial statements but look at them only when there is a slowdown
I receive accurate and up to date financial statements each month which I study thoroughly and fully understand

Which sentence best describes your company's systems and procedures... *

The are no documented systems or procedures and my employees follow my instructions
There are some "ways of doing things" which are not documented and only the more serious issues are resolved by me
Over 90% of all possible decisions are documented and therefore employees can make decisions on their own

Who opens and closes the business? *

Who has access to your bank account and who makes the majority of payments? *

Only me
Someone else has access to the bank account but only I do the payments
Others can make payments and I have a robust system in place to ensure safety

Which answer is true... *

I am so busy that I do not have time to think about a growth strategy for my company
I have a vague idea of where I want my company to go, but it is not documented and employees are not aware of it
I focus predominantly on the company's strategy and employees are well aware of it

Which sentence best describes your state... *

I feel overwhelmed, there seems to be an endless stream of tasks and no matter how hard I try, there is more awaiting
I am constantly busy with many tasks on my shoulders, I often work long hours, but still manage to find some time for my family or myself
I am very happy and relaxed about my business, there are no fires to extinguish and the vast majority of work is done without my involvement

When I wake up... *

I dread it because I know that an avalanche of issues will drop on me
I am reluctant to get out of bed because I know there are a number of boring tasks that won't be done without my involvement
I am happy to get out of bed even though I have plenty of work to do which relies only on me
I can't wait to get out of bed, knowing that no issues will be waiting for me

When I don't feel well or I simply don't feel like going to work today... *

Staying at home is not an option, as so many things depend on me, that my unexpected absence will paralyse the company
It would be better to go to work, but if staying at home, I would have to work remotely by making phone calls and/or sending emails
I can stay at home without having to work at all

When I am not at work... *

I don't employ anyone so without me nothing will be done
I don't employ anyone but I have remote people who manage some issues, so I will be informed about them
My employees are not productive and cheat on hours
My employees do their work, but are less productive
My employees won't even realise and will continue to work efficiently

How many existing employees would you enthusiastically rehire, knowing what you know now? *

Less than 50%
Between 50% and 70%
Between 70% and 90%
Over 90%

Do your employees know exactly what they have been employed to do? *

They were hired randomly to help out and do whatever needs to be done, therefore they do not have specific positions
In general they were told what position they were hired for, but very often do a lot of other tasks and none of their responsiblities are documented
Yes, my employees receive a printed document that describes their position and lists their responsibilities, but they often don’t stick to it as there is much more to be done
Yes, my employees receive a printed document that describes their position and their responsibilities

Do your employees have clear targets/goals (daily, weekly or monthly)? *

I have a good feeling of how we are doing, so there is no need to set any targets
I have my own target based on the turnover and motivate my staff when we start falling behind
Most positions have defined targets and a clear commission structure

When it comes to implementing new ideas... *

My employees and I are too busy to think of new ideas
I have some ideas, but my employees resist implementing any changes
My employees come up with new ideas, but I don't have time to look into it or give them the go ahead
My employees come up with their own ideas and are free to implement them without my permission

Which sentence best describes your company's approach towards employing family members and friends... *

There are a few family members/friends who are dragging the company down, but due to personal politics, I can't do anything about it
I employ at least one family member/friend that I know I could replace with someone better
My company treats any family member or friend as any other candidate and there is no special treatment for them during the recruitment process or when they are employed

When it comes to my managers... *

I don't employ anyone and I don't have any remote managers
None of them is competant, but I don't have better substitutes
They need to be micro-managed and often ask me to make decisions, so that they are not held responsible
They make some decisions, but I still have to manage them regularly
They are very proactive and regularly wow me with their performance and decisions

When I am not present for a meeting... *

The meeting won't take place
The meeting will take place but without me the outcomes will be meaningless
Meetings are held without me and the outcome is as good or even better when I'm present