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
no-contract cleaning service Mundelein ..An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away... Read More
Aside from the fear of losing a spreadsheet or research... Read More
Why do you need an account plan?When you first decide... Read More
Where do you find the right people for a business... Read More
Thinking of starting a business on line? If so there... Read More
I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More
It appears the mini-blimp indoor theme and concept is making... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
Looking for a place to add a Quick Lube away... Read More
Franchisor expansion policies are not as simple as one might... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More
"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More
Small business owners often enter their field with great expectations.... Read More
Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More
Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More
One overlooked individual in the process of taking a company... Read More
It's a commonly quoted statistic: 80% of all small businesses... Read More
Are you a small business owner who wants to expand... Read More
I believe the number one reason why a business will... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
When the recent Games of the XXVIII Olympiad came to... Read More
In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More
-- Beyond Cold Calling, "Warm" Calling and Sending E-mails --Many... Read More
First you have to start with knowing your budget and... Read More
maid service near Glenview ..To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More
We have all seen the mobile washing units cruising our... Read More
Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
One overlooked individual in the process of taking a company... Read More
Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More
There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
Many times small businesses want to expand their businesses and... Read More
Does your company have a community relation strategy? Have you... Read More
Here are some of the questions that you need to... Read More
When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More
As a home business proprietor, you may already realize why... Read More
The air in my client's office nearly crackled with her... Read More
Your on-line success is based on your efforts and yours... Read More
One of the hidden perks of raising six children is... Read More
A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
Do you like animals? Would you like to work for... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
As a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, one of... Read More
Some things in business are relatively easy to measure ?... Read More
One major issue not being addressed right now in the... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
CARD SHARK7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking PowerThe... Read More
Bookkeeping?the "dreaded" word is something we all have to worry... Read More
Search Engines account for almost 90% of all web traffic!In... Read More
Small Business |