MAKE THE CALL

Businesses fail for many reasons, chiefly because your customers and potential customers don’t know you exist. I come from a sales and marketing background, so I would say the number one thing for me is sales and marketing. If you don’t have sales, you don’t have clients and the revenue to pay the employees, contractors, accountants, the lawyers, etc. It’s vital to get over the shyness, the discomfort and the fear of rejection that comes with selling yourself and your business. Get over it and get over it quickly. Sales is all about building relationships, trust and problem solving. Aim for five calls a day, whether that’s on the phone or face to face and build a new relationship, continue to develop trust with your clients, show how you and your business can help solve a problem.”

SELL YOUR STRENGTHS, BUY YOUR WEAKNESSES

“Business entrepreneurs are known to wear too many hats in their business. There is nothing wrong with rolling up your sleeves and getting your feet wet in all areas of the company but come to realize what you do best and focus your responsibilities in that area. Attract good people whether you hire employees or contract people to focus on the areas that you are not as strong. This will prevent costly mistakes in your business and allow you to grow the business in the way that it should.”

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

“As a business owner and a leader, it is important to continue learning whether it is formally or informally. Take seminars and courses, surround yourself with a peer-mentoring group, attend events with speakers on topics that can help you, your employees and your business. There is always a lot to learn that can make a positive difference.”

AUTOMATE, AUTOMATE, AUTOMATE

“Learning how to make your business more productive and efficient and implementing the technology to do this will save you and your business considerable amount of time and money. Plus, it truly will service your customers better. Today, small business has access to the best technology platforms, customer relationship management programs and online customer experience tools and communications previously only affordable by large companies.”

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

“I’m such a believer in networking and most people in business just don’t understand the power of it. It doesn’t have to be about just getting a sale; it’s about meeting people, building relationships and learning from others.”