Motivational author and speaker Jim Rohn says that for a business to succeed it takes about ahalf dozen things. Of all the millions of things you do, it's really that half dozen that count.
Of course, the trick is figuring out which half dozen things to do to help your business succeed. A while back, I sat down and did some thinking about the half dozen things I need to do consistently to take my business to the next level.
One of my half dozen is establishing and nurturing relationships. Relationships are crucial for every small business. Not only do those relationships lead to new business opportunities (and believe me, it's a wonderful thing to have so many opportunities that you can chose who you work with and what kind of work you do), but relationships are a fantastic way to limit the isolation of small business ownership.
Isolation takes two forms. One is the isolation we all feel from time to time being self employed. That's the "it's lonely at the top" feeling we all get. Reaching out to others relieves some of that loneliness and gives us other points of view on how we're running our businesses.
The other isolation is cutting ourselves off from our customers. When you have a strong relationship with your customers, you know what their problems and challenges are. You can use that information to fine tune your products and services or create new ones to help them solve their problems.
Case in point. I'm working on a new service for self employed professionals. Some time ago, I took a really fantastic Marketing for More seminar with Marcia Yudkin http://www.marketingformore.com/seminars.htm.
At the seminar I met a couple of executive coaches. We struck up a friendship and have stayed in touch. Last week, I asked them about the kinds of services they most needed at each stage of their growing businesses.
Their input is priceless. The value will drive my business forward for years. And it meant so much to me that they took the time to answer my questions and that they spent so much time thinking about things for me.
Now, we didn't approach each other with a "what can this person do for me?" attitude. We met, enjoyed each others viewpoints and personalities, kept in touch, and helped each other out. It's that simple.
What are your "half dozen things"? What do you need to focus on to move your business forward? Once you figure out the half dozen, focus on them relentlessly and watch your business grow.
Caroline Jordan, MBA helps self employed professionals discover and relentlessly focus on the areas of their business most important to success. For more tips and strategies for business success visit http://www.thejordanresult.com
Tinley Park executive chauffeured services .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareMany investors and business ethics professionals are calling for more... Read More
A consultant must remember that the business belongs to the... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
How far can you go based on your relationship with... Read More
Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More
The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission which governs the franchise industry thru... Read More
You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More
Perhaps you are building a new home office or you... Read More
Most of us remember going to at least one garage... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
How a donation is different from a sponsorship and what... Read More
Many smaller businesses choose niche markets for various reasons and... Read More
CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR INTERN: Specify the number of hours the... Read More
No matter what kind of small business you have, you... Read More
As a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, one of... Read More
Tammy, a skilled and gifted horticulturist, called me to discuss... Read More
A reader of one of my online sessions asked should... Read More
Self-cleaning glass has been talked about a lot, with such... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Is your business making money? Would you know?Figuring out whether... Read More
You have spent considerable time pulling your business plan together,... Read More
Last summer the FTC put forth a report and then... Read More
In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More
limo Chicago Hickory Hills ..If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
If you plan to do business online, then your website... Read More
Now that winter has passed, the annual ritual of spring... Read More
What does buying a fat pig have to do with... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) is a program that... Read More
By outsourcing to skilled professionals you'll be able to grow... Read More
If you are the boss and you think your job... Read More
Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More
Small Business, Big Business ? What's the Diff?Well a lot... Read More
Shopping for a franchise is easy if you know what... Read More
The start of a new year is a time for... Read More
Why should you do informative talks to smaller groups?Informative talks... Read More
Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More
That's right ? are you making enough mistakes in your... Read More
Incredible as it sounds, you have a goldmine of free... Read More
What was your aim when you went into business for... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
Where do you find the right people for a business... Read More
A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More
In a world full of complications sometimes we overlook the... Read More
Why should you always maintain a good report with a... Read More
Small Business |