They say the teacher teaches that which they need to learn. Yep, I have to agree!

I’m establishing a new branded products business in the USA at present, and blimey, am I having some challenges! Some days it’s two steps forwards and one back, and then on other days it’s one step forward and two back…. just a regular day in the office for an entrepreneur, I guess!

So in thinking about the new journey I’m on, I was reflecting on the challenges that all business owners and entrepreneurs experience, and the questions I asked myself, were: “What stands successful entrepreneurs/business owners apart from others? What are the secrets of business success?”

Based on my +20 years of experience as a business growth coach, my own journeys in entrepreneurship, and as a learner – forever reading and learning about business and success – here are my brief thoughts: the 7 Secrets of Business Success.

Secret 1: Self Belief
Successful business people believe in themselves, and they think BIG! They have great vision. In my experience, they have an unrelenting belief that they’ll achieve everything they set out to do! And they are passionate about their business too.

Vision and belief is one thing, but massive action is key. Successful business people are not afraid of failure – well, they probably are, but they risk failure in pursuit of their dreams anyway, and they’ll tolerate ambiguity and risk too. You see, for every mistake they make, they learn the lessons and move on.

Secret 2: Set a Goal and GO!
Successful business owners set goals and then act to achieve them. They go for it – there’s no mucking around! They’ll also quickly evaluate the outcomes, so if the goal and actions were wrong, they’ll change direction and move on.

Secret 3: Stand Out
Success in business means not looking at what others are doing and copying the idea. Business success means stepping outside of the box, and heading the other way. Successful business owners often break the rules! They forge new and exciting frontiers, or they find new and interesting ways of doing things.

Successful entrepreneurs also network widely as they know by networking they’ll be increasing their netWORTH – not just in monetary terms, but as an expert in the market. They build rock solid reputations in their industry/market or in business generally.

Secret 4: Seize Your Market
Having a laser focus on the market that you want to conquer is another secret to business success. Consider the differences between a machine gun that scatters bullets versus a sniper gun that aims and hits the target. Successful entrepreneurs are snipers! They hit their target, often with a bull’s eye.

Follow-up and feedback is important to success. Successful business owners are fuelled by customer feedback as it helps them improve their products and services.

Secret 5: Strong Leadership
Strong leadership is another secret to business success. As leaders, successful entrepreneurs impart their vision to staff, customers and other stakeholders. They also ‘walk the talk’ around their vision.

Strong leaders are positive and tolerate ambiguity while heading towards the achievement of their vision.

As leaders, successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with excellent people who manage their businesses. Delegation is another key to success in business.

Secret 6: Sacrosanct: Time!
Time is money, and successful entrepreneurs understand the value of time (and money). They know how to focus on what is important for them, while delegating the rest.

Secret 7: Self Improvement
Self improvement is one of my favourite topics. Successful entrepreneurs spend time (and often lots of money) improving themselves. They are attracted to ongoing learning and knowledge in order to constantly improve their skills.

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

And finally, will you allow me another secret or two?
I want to sneak another couple of secrets in as these ones feel very real for me this week.

Secret 8: Steadfast Focus and Persistence
Successful business owners hang in there. They ride out the twists and turns, ups and downs of business. They don’t give up on their quest to be successful, although they may close a business if they realise it’s not viable. Successful people focus on the end goal, and their ability to persist even in the most difficult of times is awe-inspiring.

Secret 9: Sensational Mindset
Business is not always easy and it seldom happens the way in which you expect it to or when you want it to. The little voice in the back of our minds can start undermining us with all that negative talk – remember that voice?

In my experience, the most successful business owners and entrepreneurs have ways of controlling their mindset. They are human too, and they will have the voice annoying them too. They find constructive ways to deal with the doubt, fear and beliefs that creep in from time to time.

Well, that’s it – the 7 Secrets of Business Success (well 9 actually)
I feel better for writing this. Along with my business growth coaching, book writing work and other businesses (that others manage for me), I’m forever the entrepreneur looking for new business opportunities. Personally I believe that the best business coaches have ‘been there and done it’ themselves, and therefore, can impart greater wisdom and firsthand experience about business success.

I also believe that there is a reason for every experience we have in life, and I’ve decided to find some meaning in my current topsy turvy new business journey.

So while the path is rocky as I establish my new USA based branded products business (while living in London), I continue to learn each day, and that knowledge and my journey will no doubt shortly support another business person, perhaps a client on their journey towards business success. I’m good with that!! 🙂

I also believe that this new business will be VERY successful in the USA, so the trials and tribulations are worth it.  That thought alone keeps me focused and motivated.

ACTION: I’d love to know what challenges you’ve faced in business that you’ve pushed through – however big or small. Let’s get a conversation going below to inspire others to keep on with their business success journey.

Could 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 book a meeting.  I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.

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