Decision Point: Deciding on Your Simple Structure

Julia, who has been with The Ayes Have It from the beginning, approaches as you are packing up your paperwork from the desk in your old office. "The new place is going to be really posh, compared to this," she muses. You nod agreeably. "I guess it will change things between us. Not that things haven't changed already."

You wince as you remember how you dated in college and broke off your engagement last year after you'd accepted her marriage proposal. At the time she was nice about it, but she has never managed to be as kind to you since you started dating her friend.

She says, "I never understood--are we business partners, or am I your employee? What about the others, are they partners or employees?”

You always thought you had a simple structure at your company. In a simple structure, who would report to you?

A. Humberto. He has been marketing the software but also handles some of the accounting functions.

B. Julia. She manages the office temporary workers you've hired and otherwise works on marketing brochures. She also helps with software improvements and customer service.

C. Chin. She has been the official finance/budgeting person, primarily because she handles the banking.

D. Luiz. He has been dubbed "the traveler" for his constant trips overseas to market the software, but as an IT genius he was instrumental in helping develop the software.