To honor International Firefighters’ Day that is observed each year on May 4th, we thought we would look at the similarities that business owners share with firemen.
The primary job of a fireman is to protect the community from disastrous situations, including house and building fires while also promoting prevention through education. Similarly, the primary job as a business owner is to protect the business from disastrous situations including internal and external dynamics, while also providing guidance and training to staff.
Both firemen and business owners dedicate their time to developing strategies, training and educating others, securing finances, and maintaining systems to ensure compliance with the law. Just like firemen, business owners need to be dedicated and committed with a willingness to take necessary risks and act quickly and decisively. Both need to be innovative and be able to adapt to any situation, at any time.
According to Mountville Fire Chief Dean Gantz, Jr., the best firemen respond quickly to emergencies, are able to analyze and understand a situation before taking action, have the ability to be part of a team, and are able to lead with strength and commitment. After talking with Chief Gantz, it became obvious just how close the jobs of firemen and business owners align. Let’s take a look!
Respond Quickly To An Emergency
According to Entrepreneur, approximately 3 out of 4 startups close their doors within a year because they are not prepared to deal with business emergencies such as theft, the death of a key player, the loss of a client, poor investing, or the fallout from a natural disaster. Furthermore, with the prominence of social media, business owners must also foresee the potential risks that can occur through bad reviews that go viral, potential scandals, and industry gossip.
Successful business owners are much like firemen in that they always have a plan of response for multiple types of crises. These plans are detailed and thorough and must be carried out immediately regardless of the emergency. Time is of the essence in emergency situations and delay can result in a hard hit to your business. Of course, it is impossible to foresee all potential emergencies; however, by having a plan you can reduce the possibility of a crippling blow to your business.
Analyze And Understand A Situation Before Taking Action
In today’s business environment, companies face a multitude of complex business challenges. Business owners need to have the ability to analyze each and every piece of their business to ensure things run smoothly. This includes variables in the work environment both internal and external. The key is to use the right tools and understand what the tools can and cannot do.
For example, firemen often need to analyze situations on case by case basis; much like business owners do. For a business owner, responding to challenges is best handled through a situational analysis. The most common tools are: the 5Cs Analysis, SWOT analysis, and the Porter five forces analysis. The purpose of situation analysis is to indicate opportunities and problems within the business so owners are able to understand their capabilities and limitations to make necessary changes.
Be a team player
For a business to run smoothly, employers need to hire based on reliability- people that can be counted on to get the job done, meet deadlines, and provide consistent quality work.
However, it is also important for an employer to exhibit these same qualities to inspire productivity and push their team to success.
Business owners who are a part of their own team are able to communicate their ideas honestly and clearly and respect the views and opinions of others on the team. Clear, effective communication done constructively and respectfully is the key. If you want your team to take risks and step out their comfort zone, show them how to do it.
Be A Leader
For a business to reach its full potential, owners cannot afford to sit passively on the sidelines. Strong leaders see the need for change and must lead the drive to make that change. Strong leaders provide their team with the ability to reach places they didn’t know they could go. An owner that displays genuine commitment to your team needs to remember that their team comes to work with the same commitment that you do and they will put in 110% if they see you doing the same.
Although the dangers, risks, and the challenges are very different, it is clear that both firemen and business owners possess the commitment and drive to be successful. We invite you to celebrate International Firefighters Day, by thanking your local firefighters for all that they do to protect your community 365 days a year.