May 13, 2009 - Are You Growing or Dying?

Main Idea

What is your business’ most important asset? Where would your company be without the people who run your operations everyday? What have you invested in them? What have they invested in themselves? Beyond that, what is your own personal development plan?

Expansion of Idea

Wikipedia defines personal development as activities that improve self-knowledge and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and employability, enhance quality of life and realize dreams and aspirations.

Most small business owners have realized their aspirations of going into business for themselves. But what areas of your life could you use development? Maybe it’s as simple as taking a college course, or attending a seminar on a relevant topic to you. It may be necessary to rearrange your schedule to make time for development activities. Some may get up excruciatingly early to squeeze in a workout session to achieve fitness goals, or make child care arrangements to study a professional development book.

What about the people you employ? When was the last time you met with your employees to see what skills they want to learn or further develop? Maybe there is a work skill that needs fine tuning. Whether you send them to a one or two-day seminar, or a semester class, it is important to help your people grow. Helping them feel confident in their role in your company will provide tremendous results.

Personal development is something everyone should invest in. As the old Chinese proverb goes, “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” You won’t ever reach perfection, but one should always strive to be the best they can be.  The benefit for the company is very clear.  When the company encourages personal growth, business growth will follow.  Nature tells us that we are growing or dying.  That is a choice only we can make.  

Areas to Start:

1. Ask your employees what areas they need to develop, and help them follow through.

2. Set a good example by developing your own skills and talents.

3. Read a development book in the area of your choice.      

4. Attend a seminar to develop your skills.

March 4, 2009 - Are You Focused On Growth?

Main Idea

Are you focused on growth right now?  Or, are you in a sandbag mentality and digging in for the continuing onslaught of negativity and bad news? 

Expansion of Idea

Attitude is a choice.  I choose to believe and fight for growth.  You can lose a lot of sleep worrying about what is going on in the world.  But there are wonderful opportunities also.  We just have to work for them.  Over the next four weeks we are going to address the four ways to grow your business. 

Today’s topic is to pursue new customers of the type you want.  Customers want to deal with businesses that are focused on service and are not depressing to deal with.  That means there are opportunities for growth because too many businesses provide awful service and are just waiting for the end of the world. 

The key for small business owners is to define the characteristics of your best customers and then decide how to get more of them.  This could by marketing, by referral, by phone solicitation.  The how will be determined by the nature of your business.  Unless you are focused this way, you will slowly wither and die.  How did you get your best customers?  Do you have a referral system?  When was the last time you checked in with a customer just to see if you could help? 

Suggested Areas to Start

1. Figure out what kind of customer fits your organization.

2. Brainstorm ways to connect with that specific clientele.

3. Go after those customers.

4. Fire customers that are wasting your time.

5. Meet with other business people and compare notes.