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Monthly Archives: March 2016

7 Secrets of Successful Business Owners

I love studying successful people.  In fact, I’ve made it a lifetime habit and in doing that, I reckon I’ve uncovered the 7 key secrets to being a successful business owner.

I hope they provide inspiration to you as we enter Q2 of 2016.  Yep, Q1 is nearly done and dusted.  Arghhhh, the year is going too fast.  Do you agree?

 

Secret 1:  Self Belief

Successful business owners always believe in themselves, and often they think BIG!  They have great vision.  They have an unrelenting belief that they will achieve everything they set out to do.  They have a single minded commitment to their dream and vision, and an unshakeable passion for what they are doing.

They also take massive action.  They are not afraid of failure.  You see, for every mistake they make, they learn the lessons and move on.  (Hmmmm……many of us could take a lesson from this).

 

Secret 2:  Set a Goal and GO!

Successful business owners set goals; they make decisions and they act.  Then they quickly evaluate the outcomes.  If the goal and action were wrong, they alter the course of action, and move on.  Movement and momentum are keys.

Successful entrepreneurs are in a hurry.  They have a ‘go-for-it’ or ‘get-out-of-it’ attitude!

 

Secret 3:  Stand Out

Successful business owners step outside the box and head the other way – they don’t copy others.  They break the rules!  They forge new and exciting frontiers, or they find new and interesting ways of doing things.

They also network widely because they’re increasing their net-WORTH in doing so – not just in monetary terms, but as an expert in the market.  They build a rock solid reputation as more people get to know them.

They’re strong relationship builders.  Have you ever watched a successful business owner at a networking event?  They will ‘work the room’, getting to know as many people as possible.  They are beginning the process of building relationships that are for two way benefit.  They’re genuinely interested in the success of others, and will support others towards their success.

 

Secret 4:  Seize Your Market

Successful business owners have a laser focus on the market that they are in and want to conquer.  (Nicheing is key here). Consider the difference between a machine gun that scatters bullets versus a snipper gun that aims and hits the target.  They’re snipers!

Most importantly, they give value.  For every $1 spent they want to ensure they give at least $5 in value back to their customers.  They come from a position of service.  It’s all about the customer experience.

Customer profitability is also key; they get to know their customers and in doing so, will understand how they can add further value to their customers, which of course leads to increased profitability, and at times, new product/service ideas.

Follow-up and feedback is key!  Successful business owners are fuelled by customer feedback, as it helps them improve their products and services.

 

Secret 5:  Strong Leadership

As leaders, successful business owners impart their vision to staff, customers and other stakeholders.  They are positive and they can tolerate ambiguity.  They’re very flexible and able to change direction when necessary in order to achieve their vision.

Successful business owners surround themselves with excellent managers; they build top notch business teams.  They are not afraid to have very clever people working for them.  They are excellent delegators too.

Successful business owners recognise the importance of strong business management, including: financial management, marketing/sales management, operations management and customer service.  With the advance of technology, they drive their businesses hard in terms of systemisation, automation and where possible, outsourcing non core functions.  They create processes that are replicable through systemisation.

 

Secret 6:  Sacrosanct:  Time!

Time is money, and successful business owners understand the value of time.  They know how to focus on what is important and where they should spend their time and energy.  Successful business owners leverage other people’s time.

 

Secret 7:  Self Improvement

Successful business owners spend time improving themselves.  They’re attracted to ongoing learning and knowledge in all its forms.

They also allow time to re-energise.  They take time out with family and friends, and for recreation.

These days many successful business owners also take their health seriously, and include exercise as part of their daily routine.

 

7 Secrets in the 2nd Quarter

As we head into Q2 in 2016, I hope these 7 secrets help you to achieve your business plan for the rest of the year.

One of my favourite quotes is:  Dream It, Believe It, Work It, Achieve It!  I think that sums up the 7 Secrets in a nutshell.  What do you think?

 

QUESTION:  What’s your business vision, and what must you achieve in Q2 to bring it to life?  I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below.

 

 

Would some guidance from me be helpful to you? If so, please arrange a free 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment. I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.

Random thoughts and thank yous… from me

Do you recognise any of this in your life?  Right now, this is my reality.

 

Working long hours

while trying to balance a home life

…and feeling very guilty that work is taking over

knowing my family is playing second, third or fourth ‘fiddle’

especially my young teenage daughter who’s on school holidays and needs some ‘mummy time’ – when it suits her.

Looking forward to a break over Easter….

…but too exhausted to head away.

Loving the northern hemisphere Spring that’s unfolding

especially in the quiet 6am morning dew as I treasure my daily ‘me-time’ on my power walks.

Back to the office.

Some days are fantastic… and others are a challenge….

My vision is unfolding

yet some of the hurdles are high and hard to jump over.

And yes, I fail to achieve them at times.  I stumble and fall.

For a ‘recovering perfectionist’, that’s hard!

Yet, I get up.  I keep going.

I’m keeping the faith….

I’m committed to my passion – my purpose and vision.

Growing our businesses is not linear or easy.  There are constant ups and downs.  It takes commitment, focus and hard work.  It takes sacrifice.  Yet, if we believe in what we’re doing, we keep going.  We keep the faith.  We keep believing.

And even in the darkest, hardest of moments…. There are glimmers of light.  Stars that shine, brightly.  If we look for them.

 

Thank you

Through the craziness of the ‘busy-ness’ of evolving my business to support more business owners around the world achieve the success they desire, it’s people who make it worthwhile.

It’s you who counts for me.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for being a part of my community, and for letting me enter your email inbox each week. Thank you for reading my blog.  We are all inundated with ‘stuff’, so I know it’s a privilege to be a part of your world.

I’m also grateful for those who connect with me on all the various social media we have at our disposal.  For me, it’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Soon it will be YouTube and podcasting too.  I read every message that people leave for me.  I feel grateful each time a message is offered, and for the opportunity I have to contribute to someone’s life in a small, yet meaningful way.

I am so grateful to all my clients too.  While I guide them to achieve the extraordinary in their businesses and lives…. I always learn from them.  Thank you for so openly sharing the reality of your world, and letting me work with you to create a new and better tomorrow for you and your families.

 

People are so kind, so generous

It’s the people we have in our lives who matter.

I am forever wowed by the generosity and kindness of others.  If we look for it we always find it.  Perhaps it’s a case of ‘we reap what we sow’ as I have always tried hard to be a giver to others, and to be kind.

 

Business Networking Summit

I’m organising and hosting the Business Networking Summit which goes live on 11-17 April.  It’s free to register so please click here to learn more about it.

My goal was to interview 28 business networking experts from around the world.  Through the incredible generosity of the summit experts, I’m now interviewing +35 people… people who are offering their knowledge and expertise to support you to become exceptional at networking and connecting for business growth.

Plus through talking and sharing with our experts, I’ve been introduced to so many people who share my business vision and who want to support me to ‘bring it to life’.

Wow.  It’s always about people!  I am so grateful.

 

We must find the beauty

Even when the going is tough and the days are long…. there’s always something to be grateful for.  Something to smile about!  A lesson learnt.  A kindness offered.  A helping hand!

For me the joy of life, in good times and bad, is to find the beauty of the moment.  Sometimes that’s easy and at other times, it’s harder.

But if we look for it, it will always be there for us, shining brightly.

Thank you for being a part of the beauty of my world.

 

QUESTION:  Do you have a moment that you’re cherishing at present?  I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below.

 

 

 

Would some guidance from me be helpful to you? If so, please arrange a free 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment. I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.

Your Business Networking Questions Answered!

Unless you have an exclusively online business, we small business owners/entrepreneurs around the world must network in order to grow our business.  Agreed?

Yet, so many of us are terrified at the prospect.

Walking into a room full of strangers?  Ahhhhhh.  That’s a terrifying thought for many.

We don’t know what to do to effectively network.

We hate being ‘sold to’ or ‘pitched at’ during the events we go to.

We wonder what to do with the business cards we so purposefully collect.

Some people are so good at it

Yet while some of us are quivering in our boots and fretting that networking isn’t working, we know of loads of others who get most of their business through networking.

What are they doing?

How are they doing that?

How can you do that?

Connectors, power connectors… and more

Then we hear of people who are ‘go-to’ people – connectors, power connectors, super connectors… with phenomenal networks of people connected to them.

Can you do that too?

You can!

You just need to learn how.

So, if you had a question or miles of questions to ask THE most successful networkers in the world, what would they be?

Don’t be shy – leave a comment now.

Please give me ALL your questions.

WHY?…… (drum roll)…..

THE Business Networking Online Summit

Because I am about in interview and have conversations with THE world’s leading experts –  authors, thought leaders, practitioners and people who excel at business networking (and grow their businesses through it) – and I’d like to put your questions to them.

I’m hosting the Business Networking Online Summit – it’s a free event for you to attend.  It’s virtual, global, and starts on 11 April …. Please click here to learn more about it.

World leading experts… at the ready… to help you

I’ve brought together 35 world leading experts in topics related to business networking, including:  giving, go-giving, creating intrigue, likability, developing your voice of influence, how to mingle in a room full of people you don’t know, understanding your personality profile and how to use it for effective networking, becoming a connector of others – or a super or power connector – a ‘go-to’ person, how to network to create sales for your business…. and much more.

So, please leave a comment below with your questions.  I promise I’ll get them answered during the Business Networking Summit.  You can even tell me which of the experts you’d like to answer your question.

Please click here to learn more about the Business Networking Online Summit, meet the Summit experts – and register to participate. It’s free.

Networking is the Key to Business Success

Even though much of the world is going digital, people still buy from people they know, like and trust.  People will always network, form relationships, develop communities, pass referrals, and support each other in business and life.

We can’t live without people.

While I’m taking much of my business online, I’m also deepening my business networking, connecting, influence, and relationship skills.  I’d like to support you to do the same.

Become a masterful networker, connector, and voice of influence.

Create more success in your business through networking and connecting.

Please leave a comment below with the questions you’d like answered and register here to attend this A-MAZ-ING Business Networking Summit I’m hosting.

See you at the Summit.

 

 

Would some guidance from me be helpful to you? If so, please arrange a free 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment. I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.

12 Top Tips for Successful Business Networking

Some of us love it.

Many of us hate it.

What is it?

Networking!

The mere thought of networking sends shivers up the backs of some. Why? There are a myriad of reasons, including:

  • ‘I don’t know what to do.’
  • ‘I don’t know what to say.’
  • ‘I don’t like being ‘sold to’ at the event.’
  • ‘I don’t like being ‘spammed’ with sales pitches after the event – often by email.’

….you get the drift….

Personally, I really like networking. I love meeting interesting people, connecting with them, and often, connecting them with others where a beneficial relationship might develop.

Here are my 12 top tips for successful business networking.

 

1. Be prepared – do your homework

If possible find out who will also be at the networking event. Learn more about the other networkers. Know the people you’d most like to meet at the event.

 

2. Be interesting – intriguing or elusive, even

When you are asked the age old question: “What do you do?”, don’t say I’m an accountant or a lawyer or a website developer, or whatever it is that you do. You may well be the third accountant they’ve met that day and they’ll think ‘oh, another one’. Yawn!

Be creative in your answer. Create a little mystery. Give an answer that begs another question. One that might be “Oh, that’s interesting – tell me more”, or “Wow,– I have no idea what that means – tell me more”. I promise, you’re more likely to be remembered if you’re intriguing.

 

3. Be current – have some topical small talk ready

Once introductions are out of the way, start with small talk. Find something topical that’s of mutual interest. That settles everyone into the conversation.

 

4. Them before you – get to know them

When the conversation circles back into work mode, focus on them first! We love nothing more than talking about ourselves. Get them talking about themselves and their work! Later you can mention a little more of what you do… carefully. No sales pitches. Remember this is only stage one of the ‘getting to know you’ process.

 

5. Engage in the moment – treasure the meeting

For the time you are with the person you’ve just met, they must become your world. Be fully present and engaged with them. No looking around the room for the next person you want to talk to.

 

6. Be helpful – give

Remember ‘give before you receive’ or ‘deposits before withdrawals’. What can you do to help them at the event? Can you introduce them to someone they’d like to meet? Perhaps you can share some useful information with them. Ask the question. Give, give and give some more.

 

7. Study body language – it will reward you

Body language sends out load of signals. Learn to read it. You’ll get a sense as to whether there’s some chemistry happening between you and the person you’re talking to.

 

8. Quality v quantity – always

While some people thrive on collecting as many business cards as possible at networking events, most often those cards are worthless. Instead have a few quality conversations with people you are genuinely interested in meeting.

 

9. Shake hands – it’s professional

At networking events there’s nothing more uncomfortable than being offered a handshake and not having yours free. Networking is about work. It’s not dinner and drinks, so never have your hands filled with food and drink. That’s awkward when you’re meeting people you really want to network with.

 

10. Be you – always

Be you. Don’t be some ‘plastic fantastic’ person who takes over the room. People are looking to build authentic, trusted relationships and friendships with real people. Show them the real you.

 

11. Be kind – seek out the people who are alone

Some people go to networking events and simply don’t know what to do to get into conversation, so they lurk around the edges, often staring at their phone in the hope that someone will talk to them. Be the one who helps those who aren’t confident about networking to get started. They will thank you for it.

 

12. Remember… you are OK

Finally, my biggest tip! Not everyone will like you or want to get to know you some more. And that’s OK. We can’t and won’t be liked by everyone. Get over thinking that you can and will. Focus on those with whom you built a genuine connection. Start taking those connections to the next level.

Successful business networking is a journey. It takes time. Take it slowly in the first meeting and develop the relationship over time. You will be rewarded.

Watch out for some exciting news coming soon on how you can develop your business networking skills…. I can’t wait to share it with you. 🙂

 

Business Networking Summit

Would you like to learn more about networking from +40 world leading networking experts?  If so, please check out the Business Networking Summit I hosted, where I interviewed these amazing people.  There was so much wisdom shared, golden nuggets offered.

 

QUESTION: What’s your best and most successful business networking tip or tool? I’d love to hear it. Please leave a comment below as I’m certain others will find your tips useful too.

 

Would some guidance from me be helpful to you? If so, please arrange a free 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment. I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.

The ONE thing that will make a difference in our business

‘A pinch and a punch for the first of the month…’

A new month dawns and for those of us in the northern hemisphere, it’s the first day of Spring.  How are you feeling?

Excited because you’re on track with your business plan?  Congratulations if you’re in that situation.  Keep up the great work.

Or perhaps you’re worried because you aren’t?

If you’re in the latter camp – feeling worried or frustrated that you’re behind where you want and need to be in business right now, then I can relate to that.

Me too!!

The universe conspired against my business in February with constant technology challenges.  All this led to constant business interruptions.

So, we’re behind where we should be, with a number of key business goals unachieved as of 29 February.  Grrr!!

What happens next?

 

Back to the business plan

When working with clients and in my own business, we focus on the following five key areas in the business plan:

  • Marketing
  • Sales
  • Finance
  • Operations/Systems
  • Team

So what happens next is that we review each goal and action item in the above areas, and we ask the BIG question…

 

What’s the ONE thing that will make the biggest difference NOW?

For instance, if your revenue is under budget, what’s the one thing that you must do now to drive more revenue to your business?

Is it having a sale or special promotion? Is it launching a new product or service? Is it following up with potential clients in your marketing pipeline?

If revenue is good but profit is lower than budgeted, what is the one thing that you must do now to address that?

Perhaps it’s you or your accountant reviewing your line items and undertaking a ‘common sizing’ exercise with your financials. Perhaps it’s looking at more efficient ways to manage and run your business to reduce overhead. For instance, systemising, automating and perhaps outsourcing some elements of your business.

If cash flow is a major issue for your business (and it is for many businesses), what’s the one thing you must do now to address that? Perhaps it’s reviewing your accounts receivable register and creating a new system for ensuring timely payment. Perhaps it’s changing your terms of business. Perhaps it’s factoring your receivables.

 

What’s the one thing that will make the biggest difference in your business right now? Work it out and do that!

Get your business back on track and fast!!

Don’t let your business control you. If you don’t take control of the month end results and address the issues, your business will control you and your lifestyle.

 

Don’t put your head in the sand and hope that things will get better in March. They won’t unless you’re in charge of your business.

Review and evolve your business plan to ensure you achieve the key performance indicators you’ve set for yourself and your business in 2016.

Move projects around to other quarters in the year if they aren’t ‘business critical’ now. I’ve had to do that with a key project I planned to launch in March. It’s now been put back to June to give me time to catch up elsewhere on projects that are more important to me and my business.

Re-double your efforts on the critical elements of your business and you should see the results as the months pass by.

What’s critical in business is the viability of your business. Doing the basics well is key to success in the long term.

Those basics are:

  • Having a clear strategy and business plan.
  • Having a clear marketing plan that results in prospects coming into your ‘marketing funnel’ so you can communicate with them over time.
  • Having an effective sales process that converts prospects into customers.
  • Reviewing your financials each month against a budget.
  • Having a clear process to recruit, retain, train and engage staff (directly or outsourced) so they can do their jobs to the best of their ability.

Do all that and you will reap the rewards in business.

 

Question: What is the one thing you’re focused on in your business right now?  For me, it’s broadening my marketing so that my business goes global (you’ll hear more on that soon).

 

Would some guidance from me be helpful to you? If so, please arrange a free 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment. I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.