There has never been a better time in history to be an entrepreneur or business owner. With opportunities aplenty, you get to write your own cheque, you work your own schedule and you get to create wealth for yourself and future generations, while simultaneously creating opportunities for others.
The minimum prerequisite for any lasting business success is both being a visionary and a masterful executioner, for dreams without action is much like building sand castles…within your mind. A party for one and only you are invited.
Whether you run the “spaza shop”, a small business, a medium size business or even a corporate, it’s critical that you master the keys to business success. While there is an endless list of skills such as, Tenacity, Resilience, Sales, Marketing, Communication, Management of people and resources and several more such as Finance and Operations, here are three key ingredients to your business success.
Focus
Focus is the ability to stay with the problem, challenge or goal until completion. The people with the greatest focus complete and solve the greatest problems. They score the best goals. Laser-like focus creates laser-like results. Think about diamonds for a second…In the original process diamonds were cut by man using the naked eye as a guide with some magnifying glass to increase and enhance focus. As you know the eye can be imperfect in many ways. Sometimes you see an oasis that’s not there. At other times you miss the thing right in front of your eyes… Like your car keys, the salt, the remote etc. Since man’s inaccuracy and imperfect nature, the jewelry industry has resorted to laser diamond cutters run by computers. This is to ensure the highest possible quality, The lowest possible wastage and the greatest profitability. If you want business success you need to develop a laser-like focus. So that you can stay focused on the goal, eliminate all the challenges and annihilate the competition.
So what is the entrepreneurs goal? Invariably, they want to increase profitability, through reducing the cost of business and increased sales…Focusing on this meansTargets…can you hit a target you can’t see? The best entrepreneurs focus intensely on target achievement. All resources, Sales people, support staff, and everyone associated with the target, undergo rigorous training, development and support to succeed at the target. They don’t change target, whilst they may change strategy, or resources in getting there.
By focusing on quality products, customer service and customer experience, you increase the value you add in the market place. If you create a world class product, deliver it with sterling service and gives an experience worth remembering, you can easily corner the market. Think about the tourism industry. If you want elegance, class, unforgettable memories and world class service, would you buy a 1 star holiday? Challenge yourself and your team to ensure you are winning market share by outwitting the competition.
The best entrepreneurs are obsessed with their numbers. They know that their numbers never lie. They measure everything. Cost, efficiency, productivity, profitability, Sales performance etc. They know too well that if you cant measure it, you cant manage it. If you cant manage it, it manages you…out of business. They compare past and present performance and also future expectations. Become knowledgeable and confident about your business health. By facing reality daily, there are no nasty surprises, just superior planning.
Communication
The most wildly successful entrepreneurs are strong communicators. They communicate with themselves (their inner dialogue), to their staff (the vision) and to their customers. They use the communication opportunity to build and reinforce their company and personal brand.
Their internal dialogue speaks possibility, not fear. They use their psychology for their success. They understand themselves, how they think, what makes them “fire up all engines” and what their challenges are. Their internal dialogue comprises of affirmations, visualization and massive amounts of action. Without action, they would be day dreamers. Rather, they reinforce the dream through action while speaking their positive, personalized vision of where they are going and how they intend to get there. They never speak of failure, uncertainty or problems. They speak of success, certainty and of opportunities.
The successful entrepreneurs, sell their vision on to their staff. The staff eat, drink and sleep the ethos of the entrepreneurs at the best companies…Think Google, Apple, SAB etc. Staff know exactly whats expected from them, by when and at what quality. There is no grey areas. There is do…do more…do faster…do innovate. A great entrepreneur creates a culture for growth and expansion by fostering strong communication about the mission and vision of the organization to staff members.
Their customer communications are focused messages which continue in the form of in store adverts showcasing their amazing value and benefits or on television, radio or billboards for customer consumption. Better still they connect with customers on SMS, they ask customers to rate their service, “recommend a friend” campaigns and so forth. These companies are serious about owning their customers spend with them. Thats what makes them so successful. Every interaction is meant to drive them one step closer to re-engagement, making repeat customers.
Resilience
If business were easy, everyone would be in it. Because there are many barriers to success, hardly but a few succeed in a big way. As such one of the primary skills for you to master is resilience. Its the ability to weather the highs and lows, the erratic cash flow and overcoming the many fold challenges along the way. When the outlook is bleak, resilience keeps you going. Its during these times that we measure not the size of the dog, but the size of the fight in the dog.
Resilience is also required at high level negotiations, mergers and take overs. You’re stamina to last through these are largely dependent on your resilience, so you can stay the course to ensure your outcomes.
Here are some ideas to grow your resilience today:
- Make a commitment to yourself and your business to do whatever it takes to guarantee your success. Don’t quit, whatever the challenges.
- Grow your determination to succeed. Get professional help. Rent the services of a business coach, a peak performance coach to learn techniques to manage stress, funnel negative energy and create positive results. Only the best companies have the best coaches and mentors. Are you among the best companies? If not get on the phone…
- Emotion comes from motion. Get moving. Physical movement affects emotional states positively. Grow your resilience by growing your fitness. Physical peak performance breeds business peak performance.
For more on your Business Development, Sales Conference, Sales Training and Sales Coaching needs, contact me for a free 30 minute consultation to help you and your organization fulfill its goals and objectives. I welcome hearing from you.
Keep smiling, keep shining!!!
My name is Vinesh Maharaj and I’m your coach and partner in success…
Mobile: + 27 84 990 1539
Email: vinesh@vineshmaharaj.com
Vinesh Maharaj: Your coach and partner in success 