Succeeding as an entrepreneur takes hard work and
persistence because, unfortunately, there is no business-startup fairy who
magically bestows success on small businesses and their owners.
Most successful entrepreneurs follow comparable
patterns and share similar basic characteristics. Hundreds of online articles
and published books claim to know the secret of success in business, but for
the most part, they boil down to the same major points.
Passion, perseverance and a positive attitude tend to
set successful entrepreneurs apart. Cultivating these attributes requires an
innate skill set and some tips to get started.
So here are the main items to take into consideration
if you’re trying to develop a business platform. These elements constitute will
support a smart strategy for any new enterprise:
Passion,
Love what you do
Passion is key to keeping a business strategy moving.
Half-heartedness in an entrepreneurial endeavor will chip away at your drive to
succeed. Perseverance is the one thing that’s guaranteed to move anything over
time, whether it’s a person, a job or an entire company. Abraham Lincoln failed
at most of his efforts until late in his life, but he never gave up.
One day
at the time, Take baby steps
Jumping all in is rarely ever successful. There are
success stories about people who invested everything once and came out winners
after six months or a couple years, but those are rare. Risk management is an
essential factor in any startup, and balance is vital. You can absorb losses
more easily if you take smaller risks in the beginning. Those will provide
essential and productive lessons.
Don't
be alone, Learn from others.
Successful entrepreneurs often worked for others in
their field of choice before striking out on their own. Spending a few years in
the industry under an excellent mentor will provide a good launching pad. Learn
from your predecessors’ mistakes and brainstorm about how to improve upon their
model. Find someone willing to teach, and think about starting your business
elsewhere when you leave.
Learn
how to self-promote.
Confidence and a good elevator speech can take any
pitch to the next level. The first marketing any company experiences comes from
its founder. Spend time learning how to share your vision without coming across
as “salesy.” Don’t be afraid to ask for the sale, but remember: the client is
always the focus.
Constantly
take action.
Entrepreneurs are movers and shakers. They can’t
afford to analyze every detail or they’d never get anywhere. Trust
your instincts.
Make a plan.
Read about successful businesses. Take in the wealth
of knowledge that’s been provided by successful entrepreneurs such as Steve
Jobs and the personalities from Shark Tank. A successful business plan does not
have to be a book. A 10-page plan is digestible yet long enough to include
everything you need to start.
It’s never too late to start.
Having the experience that comes with age can
give you a unique outlook on your business. Life experiences bring depth that
the most educated young adult, by his or her nature, is less able to foresee.
Build your "A team".
Finding the skill sets and attitudes that support the
culture of the brand you want to promote will foster innovation and enhance
your reputation. Include folks from outside the company for the people you rely
on. That will start a free marketing chain reaction that can build confidence
and revenue.
Be mindful of your attitude.
The attitude of the founder will set the tone for the
business. Negativity, laziness and entitlement waste time and money while they
tarnish your reputation. Success largely depends on making mistakes and accepting
blame in stride. Owning up to and facing challenges head-on is what makes a
mere business owner a leader.
By
Larry Alton/
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario