business success Archives

ARE YOU YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY?

Obstacles. Hurdles. Barriers. Roadblocks. These are all common sights along the road to achievement. If you have ever worked towards a goal that most people would label as “unrealistic”, then you have undoubtedly faced one challenge after another. In fact, when you reach the point where you feel like giving up, that is usually when things get even tougher. Believe it or not, these external obstacles are actually the easy part. They are obvious. We can examine them and devise a plan to work through them or around them. For example, if you want to start a business but lack the funding, there are a variety of tangible action steps you can take to resolve your funding issues. The real barriers to success are the internal roadblocks. This is where it gets difficult. This is where you battle your own self doubts, worries and feelings of unworthiness. You may have the best work ethic in the world. You may have the strictest discipline and self control. But if your mind is …

How to Build a Team of “A” Players

You really can’t do it all alone. No small business becomes a big business with a single person at the wheel. It takes a team of experts to scale your efforts. The problem is, building that team brings its own stress. How can you know who to trust? Where will you find the time to train? What if you can’t afford to outsource? These and other questions are what prevent entrepreneurs just like you from turning a good business idea into a 6- or even 7-figure empire. Here’s what to do about it. Know Your Personal Work Style & Preferences Not everyone works in a similar style. Some people love to touch base by phone, while others prefer email. Some people require lots of direction and step-by-step guidance, others work better when they can figure it out on their own. No way is right or wrong, but if you’re a phone person and you hire an email lover, there’s going to be conflict. Look for team members who are a fit with your preferred work style, and you’ll be…

The Connection Between Good Health & Business Success

When you’re working on growing your business or even working hard to get that next promotion, it’s easy to put in long, hard hours and in the process neglect your health. I get it. It’s hard to eat right and make time for exercise, or even get enough sleep when you’re working 12 hours a day. The problem is that by ignoring those healthy habits, you may be shooting yourself in the foot. Let’s look at how your health and your financial success are linked. The link is easiest to see when your health isn’t where it should be. Think about the last time you had a bad cold or some back pain. Being fairly uncomfortable didn’t make it easy to get work done, did it? Chances are everything took you much longer because it was harder to focus. Your productivity started going down, and you were more prone to make mistakes. The sicker you get, or the more pain you’re in, the worse the effects are. But even something as simple as a stiff neck, or not getting a good night sleep will influ…

Using Creativity To Problem Solve At Work

We all encounter problems at work and in life. It can be stressful to find yourself in the middle of a problem without a solution. There are ways to solve most problems though if you know when, where, how, and what to look for in creating a solution. Creative problem solving is the process of solving problems with a view of the issue in more than one way. It’s a necessary skill in the workplace but many people don’t naturally have the instinct for it. That’s why using the tools and techniques outlined in this article will help you. Begin by identifying and defining the problem, wish or goal. What is the real problem? What’s wrong or lacking? What do you want to achieve or have happen? Look at the underlying reason for the problem. Is it a simple thing or is there something going on causing the problem? Remember, the solution is not to treat the symptom. Address the problem and fix it instead of putting a bandage on the problem. Gather Data - Gather the information you …

4 Rules For New Entrepreneurs – Practical Tips For Starting Right

It’s a great time to be an entrepreneur—in the last decade, technology has leveled the playing field and propelled an entrepreneurial revolution. As an entrepreneur, you now have more access to information that enables you to make more intelligent choices more quickly. You have an advantage over big businesses in that you’re lighter, more flexible, and faster on your feet. You can target new markets more quickly, and you can turn on a dime. But being a successful entrepreneur requires that you look at the big picture and follow a plan through from beginning to end. Rieva Lesonsky, President and Founder of GrowBiz Media gives some practical guidelines that can help you when beginning your own enterprise: 1.Don’t Quit Your Day Job. Consider starting your business part-time, especially if it’s online, while you’re working and have a steady income. It usually takes six months to a year to get a business going and you don’t want your ability to make your house payment to hing…

In Business It’s Just as Important to Sell YOU!

When many business owners start out, they tend to emulate those they respect in their industry. This is not a mistake but rather a first step on the path to real business success. You will know that you’re on the road to long-standing success, however, when you’re able to sell YOU rather than to stand in the shadows of your mentor, coach, or business idol. Here’s how to let your personality shine through for better business today and tomorrow. * Be yourself - One of the easiest ways to be yourself and share your true personality is through your communications. This can be through your email messages, your blog posts, your social networking interactions and through your content efforts. When you write or speak with anyone in your industry - client, prospects or business associates, let your personality and communication style shine through. For example, if you have a knack for colorful metaphors, use them. If you have a very animated face when you speak, don…

Five Ideas to Get Your Freelancing Noticed

You started from scratch. You built your freelance business up from nothing. You’re doing well and you're proud of your accomplishments. However, you want more. You want to build a bigger business - one that supports all of your personal and financial goals. Here are five top tips to take your freelancing business further. #1 Publish - Publishing e-books, books and reports on pertinent and relevant topics in your industry will make you a household name. When you meet prospects you can say, “Here, let me give you a copy of my book.” Perhaps more importantly, people will start coming to you for your services because they’ve heard of you through your book. Publishing enhances your authority and credibility. It also makes it possible to justify higher rates. You are, after all, a published author and expert. #2 Blog - Okay, so you’re probably blogging already. But are you blogging on other industry blogs? Are you guest blogging for those movers and shakers in your industr…

The 5 Considerations You Need to Make When Creating Your Business Plan

"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." That quote has been bandied about for so long, it is difficult to accurately determine who said it first. It has been credited to Benjamin Franklin and other great minds. Regardless who first made the statement , or since, it has definitely proven true where launching and managing a business is concerned. When creating your business plan, remember the following 5 important considerations that will help you achieve your goals. 1. Raising capital Forbes magazine reported that 8 out of 10 businesses fail within their first 18 months. What is the principal reason behind that 80% failure rate? The primary reason businesses big and small, off-line and online, fail so quickly is a lack of capital. You need upfront money to launch your business. You should also set some plan for a continual influx of capital, whether that be through sales, outside investors and venture capitalists, or diverting your personal income to your b…

The EntreprenHER Show

The EntreprenHer Show by Heidi Richards Mooney, Founder - Women in Ecommerce Vision, Value and Variety Bi-weekly show hosted by Heidi Richards Mooney, Founder – Women in Ecommerce, Publisher & Editor in Chief – WE Magazine for Women, President & CEO Redhead Marketing, Inc. and Creator – HER Business Directory for Women featuring Smart, Savvy, Business Women; women who welcome the opportunity to share the lessons they have learned and the successes they have experienced in their own business. Each guest offers tips and resources that our audience can immediately implement to better manage, market and lead their business and clients to greater success both online and off the web. visit: www.TheEntreprenHerShow.com today to listen to all our shows via Anchor.fm Contact her heidi (at) wecai.org for more info about the show.

What to Expect From a Coach

There are many different coaching styles and just as many opinions as to which is best. Here is a list of what you can expect from the coaching relationship: Visionary: A coach helps you envision your desired outcome. Strategist: A coach helps you map out a plan to reach your goals. Partner: A coach helps you reach the desired goal. Trainer: A coach teaches you the skills, strategies and techniques to address your concerns. Resource: A coach provides resources and connections to ensure your success. Listener: A coach listens. Motivator: A coach inspires. Supporter: A coach provides support in difficult times. Advisor: A coach offers advice to help you grow. Guide: A coach helps you get and stay on track. Helper: A coach assists you with difficult assignments. Assertive: A coach is direct when needed. Accountability: A coach helps you reach your goals by checking in regularly. Coachin…