Are you a culture carrier?

Back To The Floor is my favourite of the business television reality shows. The BBC2 series from the late 1990s and early 2000s featured the CEOs of large companies mixing with the workers on the 'coalface' to hear their opinions and frustrations.

You could always tell the bosses found it a rewarding experience as the bigger a business gets, the easier it is for those at the top to lose track of what's happenning at the bottom.

As an entrepreneur running a company with just a handful of employees, it's a simple task for a chief executive, founder or managing director to sit amongst their staff, to be fully aware of the day-to-day goings on and ensure everyone understands the company's aims.

However, as time moves on and a business grows, it's easy for a boss to spend his or her time out of the way in their boardroom or office.

But be warned, such actions are being noted by potential investors.

Speaking this week at the CBI's Entrepreneurs' Summit, which I attended, Dragons' Den panellist and private equity boss James Caan said he has noticed an increase in "invisible CEOs" over the past decade. He claimed that the businesses in which he's more likely to invest in are those that are run by a boss who doesn't rely on a mission statement on the wall to communicate strategy to employees.

"I'm impressed by companies where the CEO directly communicates their vision to the people that count," he said. "You must not do it by email or a sign in reception; you must be the cultural carrier of your business."

Yes, as you achieve more success you may want to step back from operations but more often than not, the whole DNA of a company is wrapped up in its original founder so don't assume everyone knows and understands your vision. If that's not reason enough to convince you, then the fact that a millionaire investor like James Caan may chose not to back your company due to your invisibility should sway you.