All too often I hear comments like "I'm tired of putting out business fires on a regular basis. There must be a better way."
Well, of course, there is, and we want to convert the energy that's being spent on putting out fires to a more constructive use. Let's talk about setting your business on fire - on purpose - by being smart. Set those fires yourself and plan in advance how you will leverage the energy that's released.
If the energy is organized and has a mission or target, the chances of hitting the target (goal) will be a lot greater. (Consider a bullet in the cylinder, awaiting the trigger to release its energy). We want to get you and your business organized and focused so the energy you release will propel your business forward in the direction you choose.
Following are the steps that seem to work best if done sequentially, all with the specific purpose of setting your business on fire. Literally translated that means bringing in more revenue, more customers, more brand recognition.
1 - Get your foundation in place
Without a sound business structure, you won't be prepared to handle the surge in activity when your business takes off. Start by being really clear about what value you bring to the marketplace and making sure you are clearly communicating it in a variety of ways that put you in contact with your target market. Set measurable, realistic goals and create a strategy and plan to achieve them.
2 - Focus on Sales
What's the most important part of your business? Sales, of course. How much of your time are you spending on Revenue Generating Activities? I find I need to spend at least 50% of my time on staying in touch with my market and interacting with clients and potential clients. A specific marketing plan with timeframes will keep you focused and allow you to assess the results of your actions.
3 - Commit to being responsible for and accountable for your business results
Set goals based on research and strategic decisions. Commit not only to yourself, but to a coach or a colleague. This adds fuel to your commitment. Communicate your goals and make sure your team and staff know their role and responsibility in achieving desired results. Get their commitment as well so everyone will be adding to the focused energy.
4 - Develop Strategic Alliances
You know you can't build a business without help from others. Strategic alliances are how smart business people are leveraging their connections to reach beyond what can be done alone. I use my connections to add expertise beyond my own for many of my programs. This helps both of us reach new targeted connections where we can share our expertise. I also use marketing and technology alliances to open new networks. Every time you add an alliance you are expanding your network exponentially.
5 - Showcase Your Expertise
Every entrepreneur has expertise in something. The key is to identify and showcase yours. Your combination of training, experience, knowledge and resources makes you unique. Who cares about that expertise and how can you best share what you have to offer? Some people look for speaking opportunities in front of their target market; some who like to write will create articles, newsletters, books, CDs. Give freely of your knowledge; share your unique perspective, focus on helping others accomplish their goals. You will attract those who relate to what you say and do.
6 - Use the Web strategically
Most businesses today can benefit from using the web. This may or may not include a web site, but e-mail is definitely a prime means of communication for most businesses. It's important to learn e-mail etiquette and to stay current on use of e-mail for marketing. Search Engine Optimization has become a key strategy for web sites. Changes happen so rapidly for anything that's web related you'll want to consult with a web marketing professional before undertaking any campaign.
7 - Support Yourself
You want to focus the majority of your time and energy doing what you do best in your business. That may mean product development, marketing and sales or overall management. Enlist the support of others whose expertise complements yours. Consider whether you're better off doing that by adding to staff or through a strategic alliance. Sometimes bartering services can be a great way to get what you need and generate a client/customer at the same time. Keep adding to your team until you've covered all the gaps.
8. - Begin to act "as if" your goal (target) is already achieved
Thinking and acting "as if" magnetically pulls you to your goal. Success becomes easier when you're operating in success mode. And success begets more success. Jill Ammon-Wexler's article offers more on why acting "as if" is so powerful.
Focus, like a laser, can set your business on fire. Follow through with these steps and watch your business heat up.
Read additional Business Success Articles at http://primestrategies.com/success_articles.
8 Steps to Set Your Business on Fire - To learn more about this author, visit Marian Banker's Website.
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Marian Banker
(Visit Marian's Website)
A coach with passion for her work and her
clients' success, Marian will inspire and
challenge you to find and stay on your
right path. She is a seasoned executive,
entrepreneur and professional and shares
that expertise with her clients. You can
count on her as a partner and guide to
accelerate the achievement of your goals.
Producer and host for Small Business
Summit 2006, 2007 and 2008, an all-day
conference that brings together small
business owners and technology providers.
Creator of the "Business Success System",
a step-by-step process with tools, text
and a virtual classroom atmosphere.
Since 1995, has coached Entrepreneurs,
Professionals and Executives in transition
to become business leaders. Emphasis is on
what it takes to lead a business to
success.
Holds a Masters in Business Administration
and has over 25 years experience as senior
executive, consultant, entrepreneur,
educator, mentor and coach.
Founded Prime Strategies in 1996 to
provide the small business community with
coaching, consulting and training in
business leadership, translated into plain
English for the typical small business
owner.
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