The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
From traditional businesses, startups are usually different. But they are businesses without a doubt. Yet they are of a different nature and of values too. They also have different levels of innovation function and creativity. Yet like traditional businesses, they aim to grow, rise and prosper. This is the reason they need well-defined team roles.
Whether the startup is a software company or a mobile app development company, its structure is actually the baseline for success and maintaining the needed growth too. Defining the roles within a new startup helps create an improved sense of cohesion, unity, and harmony. It also is an initiation that is worth more than money.
Why do startups need to create clear team roles?
The creation of clear team roles in startups helps employees understand roles deeply along with the job title. It also helps employees become more familiar with daily responsibilities, tasks, and goals.
Usually, in startups, a lot of people are involved in multi-tasking but that is only in the initial stages. With time, more defined roles keep coming up and they make things better.
What happens if the startup’s co-founders have no specific background or knowledge, to run one?
What if they only have an idea/concept in their mind but do not know how to make a real product?
Often the person coming up with app ideas ends up being the startup’s CEO as he brought the vision. But is this the right choice as a necessity?
Does a clear vision cover-up for lack of management skills and experience in running a business?
Why are defining the job titles and other roles important?
In a startup (just like any business), defining titles is key to understanding responsibilities and avoiding future conflicts amongst employees. In other words, no startup can have two CEOs as that would create a potential conflict in the vision and mission of the startup.
The key to plan for the startup’s future – what is it?
Planning for the startup’s future has a lot of steps. One important step must be taken at the process’s starting point. It involves having a founder agreement for the startup. This not only helps define the job titles but also helps list each founder/partner, their responsibilities along with their abilities and skills, and what they do best.
Here are some common job roles each startup usually has and must follow too:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The CEO does not control the startup. Rather they manage it. This person has the responsibility to give employees their tasks and track their progress. They should be involved via proper communication channels with each employee involved while continuing to transfer the startup’s vision to each member of the team.
The COO is responsible for the recruitment of prospective clientele. They bring in innovative ways for product implementation into new markets and for making sure it reaches more audiences.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
The CFO completes all the ambiguities present in the business model whilst managing the business plan and considering all opportunities present for investment. They also ensure the startup does not bleed money unnecessarily.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
This role helps everyone understand the product requirements. It also helps in finding needed solutions to any technical limitations present. They are serious technical professionals involved in product architecture and also manage its development. They also ensure that the app ideas presented are viable and good to go for development
Chief Product Officer (CPO)
Also known as the head of product development, this role slightly resembles that of the CTO. Yet, they are responsible for the product vision, and design and also understand what can convert a product’s attractiveness. They also help in maintaining the startup’s active clients.
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
The CMO is responsible for all marketing activities, formal socializing activities within the startup, and vice versa. Each startup must control its own social media, online marketing, and public relations channels. They are also often responsible for generating leads.
Conclusion
Judging by these roles, it is important for each startup to have a robust organizational structure. This helps reduce ambiguity and ensures the startup becomes a firm later on.
