Growing your Business
from John Mitchell, Exec Coach, Linked In 24 Jan 14 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz
Many business owners are either working hard to move their business forward to the next level, or are at the early stages of launching a business. Very often they ask “What are key ingredients to make that all happen? The response is very much driven from my own experience, drawn from many years as a senior executive in multi-nationals, then starting up my own Consultancy and, more recently, moving that business online – with all that it takes. So, the following are my own personal views:
1. Be Passionate about your Product. If you are not super enthusiastic, then you will find the going very difficult. When you are passionate, the bumps on the road are simply things to be overcome – not show-stoppers. Passion is what gets you out of bed in the morning, and willing to do anything to succeed.
2. Perfection is pathetic. If you wait until you have everything perfect, you will never get out into the marketplace. Stop analyzing more & more options – that is death by “paralysis of analysis”. More & more options – even good ones – can make you freeze” Be like Apple – get the product out in the marketplace and make the changes as you go.
3. Be a BiG thinker. Don’t just settle for what everyone else is doing. See how you can do it bigger, better, more effectively. Keep driving your ideas forward, seeking out more opportunities to become an authority in your marketplace. Don’t settle for being just another pro in the know. What would set you apart? What would make a big difference?
4. Ignore the Doubters. There will be plenty who will tell you that your idea won’t work; that the market is difficult; that the opportunity isn’t there. The one consistency from all those voices? They are not at the top of their game. They want you to be standing beside them – in the field of average!
5. Know your Target Market & Niche. Be crystal clear about your Niche – down to the finest detail. Be able to describe your Target Market – as if you were meeting that person for lunch tomorrow. Without this clarity, you are floundering around aiming at everything & hitting nothing! Then once you have your Target Market in your sites, determine your Niche – the product/service that you provide to that Target Market.
6. Find the “right” Partners. I don’t mean you have to hire staff. Just find the right people to surround yourself with, that will help & support you. You will need resources to do various things – legal, accounting, website, graphic design etc. But, above all, find people that resonate with your values, what you stand for and can share in your goals.
7. Find Mentors. This will save you a load of time & money going down the wrong paths. I have always had my own Coach – (no, I don’t coach myself!) – as I need the objectivity. That coach will serve as your sounding board & advisor, as well as keep you on track to achieve your goals.
Comments: These principles have stood me well over the years. So, what are yours? I would love to hear them.