New Book Reveals the Changing Role of the Principal as a Business Grows

Husband-and-wife small business experts reveal results of extensive research on how the role of the principal must change as a small business grows in new book Let Go to Grow. End Quote

Richmond-Petersburg, VA (1888PressRelease) April 27, 2011 - Doug and Polly White run a consulting firm called Whitestone Partners that helps small and mid-size companies develop the infrastructure they need to grow profitably. Their research involved analyzing more than 100 businesses to find out what challenges the principals faced as their organizations grew. They heard story after story about small business successes and failures. Now the couple shares their findings in a unique new business book.

"Our research identified no other books that focus specifically on the changing role of the principal in a growing organization," said Doug White. "Most popular business books tell the reader about the qualities, behaviors, and practices that make for a successful company," said Polly White. She continued, "We take it to the next level. Not only do we tell business owners what they need to do, we explain how to do it."

The interviews they conducted gave the Whites unprecedented insight into the challenges business owners experience as their companies grow. What they learned is that through this process the role of the principal changes dramatically. "As a business grows, the owner must let go of certain tasks," Doug emphasized. It's counter-intuitive, but the tasks that the principal has to delegate are the very things that previously made the company successful. Polly adds, "If the owner is unable to delegate, he or she will unwittingly become the constraint to growth. We saw it time and time again."

The principal will also have to develop a new and more complex skill set at each step in the process. Doug explained, "The owner will first have to transition from a doer to a manager. Later he or she will have to develop the skills to run an enterprise. These are dramatic shifts, but if the principal is unable or unwilling to make the transition, the business will never reach its full potential."

They also heard some shocking stories. For example, Polly explained, "Probably 25% of all the owners with whom we spoke told us stories about employee theft or embezzlement-and we didn't even ask that question."

Doug has 25 years of experience helping companies improve their bottom line. He has held positions as CEO and COO at a number of small and mid-size businesses and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Polly has led her own consulting firm, Pro HR Services, and managed the human resources departments of three mid-sized companies in Richmond. She holds a masters degree in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University.

[i]Let Go to Grow[/i] makes its national debut in the fall, but is currently available exclusively at [link=http://www.whitestonepartnersinc.com]Whitestone Partners[/link] and at the Whites' speaking engagements and personal appearances.

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