A.E. Hotcher once said "of course we all have our limits, but how can you possibly find your boundaries unless you explore as far and wide as you possibly can? I would rather fail in an attempt at something new and uncharted than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done"

Spot the "artist". The risks he is talking about are completely different from real risk. And the limitations are the usual self obsessed artistic drivel.

As Clint Eastwood once said "a man’s got to know his limitations" and as a boss it is essential you know yours.

When I say being useless is better it should really be: knowing you are useless at something is better.

Too often one gets suckered into doing too much work. The book keeping, the website building, the sales or designing the brochures etc etc etc. You cannot hope to be the master of it all. Don’t waste your time producing a lousy advert or flyer just to save money.

A few calls and you might find someone who will do it for free or very little. So why do it yourself? If you don’t watch out you will spend 10 hours doing something that saves you £100. Think: In that time what could I have made doing my proper work? A book keeper who comes in one morning a fortnight for £50 is better than mucking it up yourself. You need the books up to date.

For instance if you are trying to get a small add in the back of a magazine ask them whether they will do it for free as a clincher on the deal. Or your printer might do the work for a few extra pounds and the contract. Most printers will design a logo for £20. You still get to choose the result and if you are unhappy, you don’t pay. If your whole concept depends on the look and the design of the company then spend large sums. But again is it really worth hiring a large firm to sit around sipping cappuccinos while they ponder the whole concept and give a bill before you see the results and often you end up taking something you don’t really like just to stop the bills. A quick zip round the web and you will find a load of freelancers. There are several sites that show off their portfolios so you can pick the sort of style you like. A few of these are on the links page.

Know your limitations. If you can’t sell, admit it and factor in a salesman but watch what he does and learn. You will soon be able to assist him if necessary. There is a heap of difference between selling to someone who is already looking for your product of service and trying to get someone "cold" interested. You can learn. It is definitely an art but with a little practice you will soon get the hang of it. It is a matter of confidence and a few tricks but it takes years to get it right. If you only get one chance with each customer get a professional. Confidence is not enough.