5 Keys to Small Business Success

You've been to business school and learned it all, right? Not so fast. Sometimes, the most important lessons come to us via mistakes we've made. Here are the top five keys to small business success that you never learned in school.

1. Don't Be Such a Control Freak. One of the hardest things any small business owner has to do is learn when to delegate. Of course you want to do it all yourself because that's the only way it's going to be done right. But that only results in burnout and a bunch of employees who never learn anything. You're only doing yourself and your business a favor when you learn to relinquish some control. The more hands you have helping you out, the more successful you will be.

2. Baby Steps. You might be of the mind that your business should be everything you've dreamed it would be right out of the gate. But consider the "baby steps" approach. Start out small. Spend as little as possible at the very beginning. Score some successes early on and then build on them. Get rid of the stuff that doesn't work immediately. If you follow the "baby steps" approach, you have less to lose if you start off down the wrong path or have to scrap your whole plan and start over. Plus, it gives you a chance to research along the way by getting customer feedback as you go.

3. End Your Day Thinking About Your Business. Once you've left the office and finally spent some time with the family, your business is the last thing you want to think about. But spend just one more minute, right before you go to bed, thinking about one problem you're facing in your business. The beauty of our brains is that our subconscious minds work while we sleep. If you spend a few minutes thinking about a problem right before you go to sleep, you're essentially enlisting the aid of your subconscious to help you solve the problem. It's the easiest work you'll ever do.

4. Respect Your Computer Systems. Most small businesses take their computer systems for granted. They don't back up their data, they don't maintain their computers regularly, and they don't enlist the aid of professionals to care for their computers. In fact, we don't pay any attention to our computers until something goes wrong and we find ourselves in a crisis. If we treated our computer systems like factories treat their equipment, by regularly shutting down the whole works to perform routine maintenance, we'd get better performance and fewer problems from them.

5. Study the Numbers. It is a rare small business owner who actually likes to look at financial statements, at least when the business is just starting. Why? Because the numbers can be depressing. No one wants to look at the numbers when all they bring is bad news. But the truth is that you can't improve those numbers until you have the courage to look at them and analyze them. Looking at bad numbers can bring about feelings of failure or despondence. So try this trick: Once every week, pretend you're the accountant for your business. You have no emotional ties to the company. You're only job is to crunch the numbers. When you separate yourself emotionally from the message that the numbers give you, you're more likely to look at them objectively, without becoming despondent over or depressed about the news they bring. You'll find that looking at the numbers is actually a very liberating experience. It can help you eliminate activities that don't add value to your business and focus on the activities that help you profit.

Use these five keys to help you find success in your small business. You'll be glad you did!

Seomul Evans is a senior Web Site optimization consultant specializing in Internet Search Engines and a Search Engine Optimization Blog contributor.

The Road to Small Business Success is Paved with Persistence

Starting a business requires you to complete a number of steps and make some key decisions. Though part of your overall plan, you?ll need to decide on a business structure, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. In addition, determining which financing options will meet your short-term needs and long-term goals is crucial.

However, none of these factors make a difference if you don't pursue your objective with PERSISTENCE.

Business ideas may pop into your head from time to time, and if you think you want to give one of these ideas a go, research the may aspects of starting your own business. One of the most important things you can understand is that building your business slowly will help it succeed-many businesses fail because new owners overzealously try to build a large company from the start. In the end, you have a better chance of making more money with your new business if you take things one step at a time.
************************************
Did you know?

In starting a small business you should never think you can do it alone! One of the best ways to insulate yourself against business failure is to find and work with a mentor, someone with business experience who can guide and assist you.

A good resource are the Small Business Development Centers which can link you to organizations to help your small business grow and prosper.
************************************
If you business idea is something that people are eager to jump on board with, be careful that you do not schedule more work for yourself than you can handle. There is a certain element of supply and demand in every business, so be careful to try to balance this aspect of your company. If your community, for example, has no child care program and many working parents, you can consider providing a baby-sitting service. However, although 20 mothers may call you about potential openings, you cannot closely and safely provide care for 20 or more children every day, at least not if you are the sole owner with no employees. Although it is tempting to make as much money as possible, do not compromise on the quality of your service or product-after time, you may be able to charge higher prices or take on a few employees to create a bigger supply for your demand.

Also, remember to think your business through before opening. Do lot of research on your customers and your competition in order to ensure your business will run smoothly. You may feel rushed for time, but by building your ideas slowly and therefore more thoroughly, your business is more likely to succeed. This may seem difficult at first, since you will be spending money without making any, but attention to details in very important to be confident that your business will start on the right foot.

A final thing to consider is the amount of money you are spending at start-up. Do you truly need the best and newest equipment to do your work? Will you honestly have a use for billboard advertising when business cards might work just as well? Start on a small-scale. It is easy to grow but difficult to scale back your business and still make a profit. Overall, this is the main thought when starting a business-begin small and slowly build it up to its full potential over the course of many years. By doing this, you can create a strong foundation for a business that cannot fail.

---

About the Author: Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He edits sites on Starting a Small Business and Articles on Small Business Management.

Sizing Up the Competition - A Key to Small Business Success

Starting a business requires you to complete a number of steps and make some key decisions. Though part of your overall plan, you’ll need to decide on a business structure, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. In addition, determining which financing options will meet your short-term needs and long-term goals is crucial.

When you start a business, it is most likely that there will be other businesses in your area competing for customers. These businesses may or may not be friendly toward you or receptive to the idea of your business joining the community. It is important to always be mindful of your competition, whatever your business may be. When you are starting a new business, visit these companies, not to spy on their techniques, but to learn how to best relate to one another and even help one another grow within the community.

It is first important to understand the competition's exact product or service. Don't simply duplicate this. The competition's company probably has already established a customer base and people will not turn their backs on one company to try your very similar product. Similarly, it is unwise to offer the same product at a lower price. Not only does this show poor business ethics, but it can be quite controversial within the community (think, as a child, how upsetting it would be to have a lemonade stand and for your neighbor to open one as well, but one that sells the same size cups for half the price). When you open a new business, have manners. It is a poor business decision for you to snub another established business in the community.

************************************
In starting a small business you should never think you can do it alone! One of the best ways to insulate yourself against business failure is to find and work with a mentor, someone with business experience who can guide and assist you.

A good resource are the Small Business Development Centers which can link you to organizations to help your small business grow and prosper.

************************************
Consider instead how you can improve upon or change their idea to meet other needs in the community. Perhaps instead of opening a bar like the man down the street, you will instead open an under-age dance hall that serves no alcohol. Maybe instead of making jewelry like your neighbor, you make other beaded items like bookmarkers or decorations. By changing the target audience or general idea, you can help both companies expand and grow, and you may find that there is less competition.

Of course, you may still have to deal with disgruntled business owners, even if you practice good business ethics. Put your best foot forward at forging a friendship, but remember, this is a business. If your product is simply better, you don't need to negatively attack their product. However, you also should not have to deal with negative comments about your own business. Try to come to an agreement if you have any problems, or hire a lawyer to help protect your business from slander.

Competition is usually a healthy thing. Business in the United States is based off of the fact that monopolies are not a good way to run a country. By being mindful of your competition when starting a new business, you can address the concerns of your competition while still running a successful business.

---

About the Author: Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He edits a site on Starting a Small Business and is president of Information Organizers, LLC.

Being Organized Equals Small Business Success

You started your own business because you have a burning passion for what you do. You are also - we hope -- good what you do and have a desire to help others. Little do you know that running a business includes, well...running a business. This little bombshell can throw many a new business owner for a loop.

I receive numerous phone calls every week asking me how to start a business as a professional organizer. The first thing I say is that the organizing part is easy because it is a natural gift (sometimes a curse); it's running the business that can trap you. This is not to scare a potential entrepreneur away, but to help them realize that it's not all fun and games doing what you do best. You have to:

Find an accountant
Buy insurance
Get legal advice on how to set up your business
File for the company name with the state
Find working capital if necessary
File all the proper tax forms
Open up a checking account
Get office supplies
Market the business
Build a network
And the list goes on and on...

In the initial start-up stage, entrepreneurs are often so excited about starting a new business that they pay little or no attention to what is happening with all the paperwork and electronic data you are generating. That is typical and expected. However, around the six to twelve month mark, entrepreneurs start calling people like me - a professional organizer - begging for help in setting up a system to help them be organized. I envision a hand protruding from mounds of papers reaching for help.

The sad news is that many small businesses have never taken the time to set up systems once they've built up paper and electronic backlogs. They just keep generating documents without stopping to assess what is being created.

I firmly believe that the healthiest small business is the one that visits and reviews their organizational systems every six to twelve months. The small business that keeps doing the "same old, same old" is losing money. So where do you stand?

Something that has really hit home in the past year or so is that you don't GET organized and have long lasting success. You have to BE organized. Getting organized is a quick fix of cleaning up and putting things away - usually a Band-aid (r) approach - that doesn't last for more than a few days.

Being organized is recognizing that organization is an ongoing journey. Life doesn't stop happening the minute you GET organized. You have to have systems in place that will help the daily flow; a lack of systems will cause clogs. These clogs come in many forms:

Piles of papers
Lost documents
Misplaced items - glasses, phone, pens, keys
Running late
Stress and frustration...

You get the picture.

When it becomes clear to you that you are running through your day feeling like you've accomplished nothing, you may need to reassess your organizational skills and systems.

Your small business must overcome many hurdles to be successful. Fortunately, being organized is one hurdle that you can learn to overcome. Or you can work with a professional organizer to set up customized systems that make you functional, productive, and more pleasant to be around.

I challenge you take a deep look at the state of your small business' organization. If you see your passion being overrun by disorganization, it's time to take some action.

Here's to simplifying your life!

(c) 2006, Kreamer Connect, Inc. Permission granted to reprint this article so long as the text and by-line are not changed and reprinted intact with all links made live.

---

About the Author: Patty Kreamer, owner of Kreamer Connect, Inc., is a professional organizer, speaker, and author of the Making Life Simple... Again! e-course available at http://www.ByeByeClutter.com/MLSAHome.htm. If your business or organization is looking for a fun, dynamic, and effective speaker, you can email Patty at patty@ByeByeClutter.com or call her at 412-344-3252.

Small Business Success - It’s a Matter of Confidence

by: Diane Hughes

I was floored! I couldn’t believe what they were saying! But there they sat -- three of the biggest film stars of our age -- telling the world they had issues with confidence. I was watching an interview where Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore were talking with Oprah Winfrey. Their conversation gave me a lot to think about in regard to small business success.

It started with Meryl making a comment about a movie she’d starred in. Her joke was about the fact that she actually quit the movie before it began filming and then ended up following through with her commitment after all. At this point, Nicole and Julianne chimed in. "I do the same thing!" was the cry. As I watched these three huge film stars go back and forth with their issues of insecurity, it dawned on me that I had something in common with these movie icons.

As a small business owner, I constantly question myself. I wonder if I have the imagination, the talent, the skills, or the drive to make it online. Yes, I’m earning a full-time living on the Web. I’ve done so for quite some time now. But that fact seems to play a tiny part in the establishment of my self-esteem.

Like most small business owners, and apparently at least three giant film stars, there is a constant struggle with what we *think* we can do, and what we can actually achieve. Self-doubt creeps in and - if we let it take hold - we want to quit. We question our abilities and even our successes. It has the potential to be devastating.

There is something else I learned from this interview, however. While all three of these ladies had gone so far as to call their agents and tell them they weren’t making the movies they were contracted for, they still did them. Even with high levels of insecurity, they got themselves together and marched onward.

What was the end result? Most of the time, a box-office hit and millions of dollars! Yes, there have been a few "failures" for each of them. However, generally speaking, each time they made an effort something wonderful happened.

There are three things I don’t think I’ll ever forget about that interview.

1. Everybody - even the "rich and famous" - doubts himself or herself from time to time. Small business owners are no different. Wearing all the different "hats" of a small business owner creates the perfect environment for insecurity to creep in. It’s something you will likely not completely rid your life from, but it IS something you can overcome.
2. If the risk is a calculated and reasonable one - suck it up and move onward toward your goal. Take into consideration the "logical" aspects of success. Is the risk you’re about to take (expanding your services, taking on a new client, launching a new product) one that stands a good chance of success? Weigh your options. If you decide the risk is worth taking, then don’t let fear stand in your way.
3. Oprah DOES have some good shows from time to time! :)

So many small business owners quit before ever "making it." That’s a shame. They let their doubts and fears take over, and it drives their dreams right out of the picture. If you love something - if you truly want to do a particular thing and earn an income from it - don’t let anyone (including yourself) tell you that it can’t be done. I think Meryl, Nicole and Julianne would agree!

Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

About The Author

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com

FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> http://madmarketer.com/diane

Top 10 Lessons for Small Business Success - As learned from my Twin 2 year olds

by: Troy White

Small business success is very similar to learning to walk, talk and spell. The basics have to be understood before moving on to the next step. I am blessed to have twin 2 year old girls in my life and am amazed constantly how much I learn from them on a daily basis. As I watch them run around and explore, I find myself realizing just how much my observations apply to being successful and happy in life and in business.

So take heart in the following tips – they may come from little people but they have the power of giants. To your happiness and your success !

1. No matter how small you are you can change lots of lives - your goal for starting your business should be to change lives in one way or another. Remember this in everything you do - how can I change my customers lives ?

2. Climb that wall - no matter how big the wall is - persistence pays off in the end. Never give up on your dreams and keep on trying.

3. Times when you appear small and frail are when you can surprise everyone with your hidden strengths. Everyone in business pays attention to what the big boys are doing and how they became successful. What they miss though is the small businesses that quietly make substantial profits every year. These companies go about their business quietly and draw attention from the customers - not the competition.

4. Act like a silly goof whenever and wherever you want – people will never forget you - and that is what every business owner should dream of - sticking in everyone’s mind.

5. Remember to share – People can get very protective of what they learn and how they achieve success. When you have something of value that would benefit others – share ! IT will come back to you one hundred fold . You do have your rights also - protect what is not to be shared and make sure others know it is yours and yours only.

6. Run naked every once in a while. Well ok, you don’t have to be naked but run – have fun, be free and try to be a kid again. Having kids gives you that chance again and it is incredible to relive the fun that you used to have – when you weren’t so serious about life and business.

7. Lay back on the grass and watch the clouds go by whenever you have a chance. Reflection and relaxation can be one of the most powerful combinations that you can ask for in your personal and business success – use it !

8. Put on a fancy hat - dress up for the day. Nothing can make you feel like a new person more than a complete change in clothing. Wear something you usually would not wear – or something you have always wanted to wear but were afraid to. In business this one little point can make you stand out from all of the rest. Wear a tacky tie, or a purple shirt, or a new hat every day – your customers will never forget you.

9. Silence is not always a good thing. Usually it means something big is brewing and trouble is near. If you find too many of your competitors are quiet or your clients are quieter than usual – figure out why ! Something serious could be happening out there and you better find out what it is.

10. Find some sand and let your toes dig in. Sand has an amazing soothing quality to it. If you do not have sand near your house or business – go buy a bag of sand at your local garden center and put it in a small box you can dip your feet in. Try this when you are working on a tough problem – new ideas will pop into your head in no time.

About The Author

By Troy White of http://www.SmallBusinessCopywriter.com “Turning Words Into Wealth” ...Helping entrepreneurs jump start their business success and profit growth through uncommon, yet highly profitable, marketing techniques. http://www.MarketingESP.com - 3 step forumla to Miraculous Marketing Results.

SmallBusinessCopywriter.com - sign up for our 'Free' newsletter.

1-403-259-4566 or email mailto:troy@smallbusinesscopywriter.com

© Small Business Copywriter.com 2005

Moving Past Fear To Small Business Success

by: Michael Clark

One of my clients is in a transition stage with her business. Her practice has become so successful that she no longer has the time to do her administrative work or even the marketing work that helped her become successful. I am working with her developing a plan to hire administrative and functional staff that will allow her to continue to grow her business and enjoy her work life.

One of the issues we are facing which affects many business owners is that if she doesn’t have time to do what she’s already doing, where will she get the time to hire new employees, train them and do the marketing that is needed to justify the new employees? She keeps coming home to a pile of work and it has created a huge block to her growth. We just returned from a business trip where we learned new ways to grow the business and improve operating efficiencies. During the meetings and initially afterwards my client was incredibly excited about the possibilities. But then something disconcerting happened.

I’ve seen this happen before. In fact, it’s happened to me many times and probably has happened to you as well. As my client started looking at the work that she would need to do to match the new vision she had, she went from excited to overwhelmed. This was painful to witness. I want to see my clients succeed just as much as parents want their children to. Watching her, I saw the excitement fade and fear and resistance mount. As we condensed our notes from our business meetings, the resistance became stronger and stronger and I heard resignation in her voice as we talked about what was needed. The list we had created was long and contained tasks that comprised weeks of work. And in her current mood, she wasn’t about to do it.

As her consultant, it is my job to make this project work for her. What I realized was that she was in the middle of the classic change cycle. Whenever we go through a change, we go through this six stage cycle.

Loss—Whether good or bad, the change will bring about a sense of loss of what “was”.

Doubt– You doubt yourself, the project, the facts, the timing—and you try to find reasons to not move forward.

Discomfort— Or more specifically fear— This is the danger area. If you can’t move beyond the fear, the change will be impossible.

Discovery—The light at the end of the tunnel. Options and possibilities open up and optimism builds based on your new choices.

Understanding—You now really understand the change and are proactively involved in it. You see it benefits and know its usefulness.

Integration—The change has stopped being a change because it has now become a part of you and you have integrated the challenges and successes into your life.

The critical stage in this process is the discomfort or fear stage. If you can’t get beyond the fear, you can’t move forward and you will be stuck. I’ve found that the most useful thing that we can do is acknowledge that we are scared. It’s not easy for most people to say that they are scared of a change at work or at home, especially when they can see the benefits that the change will bring. But speaking up and saying that you are afraid is the most important part of moving ahead.

You may be afraid to speak out the fear because it may seem “silly”. It may be the fear of the unknown, the fear of success, or the fear of failure. It may be an insecurity that you aren’t good enough and the change is going to expose your weakness. You can’t hide from the fear. Dig deep and get it out of you. Put it on paper and take a good look at it. Remember the saying that FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Now give it to friends, associates, and co-workers and let them help you. They can give you perspective on the change and how it will help you and how you can overcome the fear.

This will also help you with stage four, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. As the fear dissolves, you will start to see options and possibilities and become optimistic about the change. And now you are moving forward again embracing the new.

Understanding the six stages of change and especially the critical Fear stage is important for any business’s long-term success. We have to embrace change and be proactive to stay competitive and be profitable. Whenever your business is faced with a change, minor or major, be aware of this and work to help everyone involved to move as quickly as possible through the fear stage and into the abundance the change will bring you.

Michael Clark

About The Author

Business consultant and professional speaker Michael Clark has been helping businesses including Fortune 500 companies such as IBM and Cellular One succeed for over 20 years. Michael is an authority on getting business owners out of overwhem and getting the most out of their businesses. For more small business success tips go to http://biznbeyond.com.

Top 10 Rules for Small Business Success

by: Brian Grinonneau

1. Target

You are not all things to all people. Decide on your niche--narrow your focus and broaden your appeal.

2. Be Different

If your competitors are doing it, don't. Stand out from an overcrowded marketplace where so much of the advertising and products look the same.

3. Build a Team

Don't hire an employee to fill a position. Employ a person to be part of a team to build your business.

4. Be Fast

Time is the most precious commodity. When delivery is expected Friday, show up Thursday afternoon. Return calls and emails now.

5. Say Thank You

A lot. Tell your customers and employees how much you appreciate them. Better yet, do it the old fashioned way: take pen to paper and write them a note.

6. Be Consistent

Make sure your business has a consistent look and feel. A customer must get the same flavor from everyone within your organization. Always.

7. Smile

Throw out the reasons you think people buy from you like price, product quality or your warranty. They buy because they like you.

8. Fanatical Optimism

The glass must always be half full. Attitude will always win out in the end and infect all of those around you.

9. Sell Soft

Don't ever hard sell. Solve problems. Satisfy wants. Do what is truly best for your customer.

10. Leave Your Comfort Zone

Never accept the idea that this is the way you've always done it. Never accept that a new idea or technology could never work for you.

Sticker Printing Jobs for your Small Business Success

By: Carla San Gaspar

Most often it is essentially said that word of mouth is the fastest way of making your business known. But how sure are you that the people you informed and told about will remember what you told them. Mostly only 25% of the people you informed will mostly remember you.

Now speed up and create something unique and worth remembering. Make use of sticker printing materials that will totally stick up for you. Stickers are effective material that you can use because they stick and keep your clients aware of what goods your business can provide.

Utilizing sticker printing jobs for your small business will effectively work for your business success. With the stickers you are able to inform and persuade your target prospects.

Inform – perceptibly because you tell your clients about what services your company provides, what are the benefits they can get from you, and how they can easily reach out for you. With this simple concept about your sticker printing jobs information dissemination is inevitable.

Persuade – primarily this is the driving force that will likely run over customers to get what you had advertised. Actually it is not the advertising strategy that made your clients decide to hit the purchase button rather it is because you were able to persuade them. So in order to be successful in selling your business products and services you have to hit the soft spot of your clients in order for you to yield positive sales.

To successfully achieve the desired need for the sticker printing jobs for your business success your cards must possess efficient factors such as:

1.Designs – stickers need to attract your prospect. It needs to have a perceived value that will keep them out of trash and increase the possibility of being applied and used. Good stickers are most likely seen attached on visible locations like cars, notebooks, helmets, windows and a lot more.

2.Durable paper stock – sticker stock are intended to be printed only on one side. The reverse side is sticky and is covered by a peel away paper. This stock can be coated and uncoated. The stock possesses a durable quality that will make it stand against rain or shine.

3.Versatile size and eye-catching shape – this adds to the appeal of the cards. It increases the percentage of stickers to be applied in visible locations which will then turn great impression for your company.

Generally once you were able to craft strong, simple and attractive stickers you are about to make a positive move towards your business success. With the compelling quality stickers produced you can effectively consider sticker printing jobs as a medium that can give in additional information towards your prospects and customers.