Tips for Business Success

[cathleen]

Target
You are not all things to all people. Decide on your niche--narrow your focus and broaden your appeal.

Be Different
If your competitors are doing it, don't. Stand out from an overcrowded marketplace where so much of the advertising and products look the same.

Build a Team
Don't hire an employee to fill a position. Employ a person to be part of a team to build your business.

Be Fast
Time is the most precious commodity. When delivery is expected Friday, show up Thursday afternoon. Return calls and emails now.

Say Thank You
A lot. Tell your customers and employees how much you appreciate them. Better yet, do it the old fashioned way: take pen to paper and write them a note.

Be Consistent
Make sure your business has a consistent look and feel. A customer must get the same flavor from everyone within your organization. Always.

Smile
Throw out the reasons you think people buy from you like price, product quality or your warranty. They buy because they like you.

[LuvMyBiz]

Is this copy paste?

[pkliving51]

Thanks for sharing your thinking and great knowledge i must its apply on my own business. i am really very thankful to you for this.

[liber8life]

great post cathleen all those tips are very helpful for all of us here,{i believe so}

All in all, we just have to be optimistic and apply a positive ways to our business. Having a positive approach and a positive attitude will create a positive outcome into our business. If those helpful tips are being applied but one is being pessimistic for what the outcome will be then those tips are useless.

[hainjackson]

Wow thank for sharing nice business tips ...and im adding free Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses Online :

Get a website and promote it. If you're not already online you need to be, whatever your business. Now, getting a website isn't exactly free but it's a great deal cheaper than it used to be and simple enough for absolutely anyone to do it. Once you have website you can drive free traffic to it with article marketing which is a great, effective and simple way to get customers to your site and is one of the best free marketing ideas for small businesses.

[janquest]

Hi Kathleen,

These are great, thank you. I would add "cut out the useless sales talk" that just makes people's eyes glaze over - give facts! What you do and why you do it better.

Best,

Kit in Seattle

[gregbraddy]

1. Have passion for your business
Work should be fun. Your passion will help you overcome difficult moments and persuade people to work for you and want to do business with you. Passion can't be taught. When it wanes, as it surely will in difficult times, take some quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a week, take inventory of all the reasons you started the business and why you like being your own boss. That should renew your passion.

2. Set an example of trustworthiness
People have confidence in trustworthy individuals and want to work for them in a culture of integrity. The same is true for customers.

3. Be flexible, except with core values
It's a given that your plans and strategies will change as time goes on. This flexibility for rapid change is an inherent advantage of small over large business. However, no matter the pressure for immediate profits, do not compromise on core values.

4. Don't let fear of failure hold you back
Failure is an opportunity to learn. All things being equal, venture capitalists would rather invest money in an individual who tried and failed founding a company than in someone who never tried.

5. Make timely decisions
It's okay to use your intuition. Planning and thought are good. But procrastination leads to missed opportunity.

6. The major company asset is you
Take care of yourself. Your health is more valuable than the most expensive machinery or computer software for the company. You don't have to choose between your family or your company, play or work. Maintain your health for balance and energy, which will, in turn, enhance your mental outlook.

7. Keep your ego under control
Don't take profits and spend them on expensive toys to impress others. Build a war chest for unexpected needs or opportunities. This also means hearing out new ideas and suggestions no matter how crazy they sound.

8. Believe
You need to believe in yourself, in your company, and that you will be successful. This confidence is contagious with your employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers and everyone you deal with.

9. Encourage and accept criticism graciously. Admit your mistakes.
You need to constantly work on convincing your employees that it's OK — even necessary —to state their honest opinions even it if conflicts with the boss's opinion. Just stating it once or putting it in a mission statement won't cut it for most people.

10. Maintain a strong work ethic
Your employees will follow your lead. It will also help you beat your competition by outworking them, particularly when your product or service is very similar.