Fall is in full swing, and it's hard to believe it's October already! Fall is such an epic season for so many reasons – the colors of the changing leaves, mild weather, my favorite sweater, and the wonderful, seasonal food! As you and your family begin searching for the best recipes for family meals, I want to share one of my favorite recipes with you – my recipe for business success. I've discussed in previous months the importance of getting organized and planning ahead. Here are my detailed steps on how to pull it all together for the perfect professional confection.
Passion
There is nothing worse than waking up to your alarm in the morning and dreading getting out of bed because you don't want to go to work. Find something you are passionate about and pursue it with all your heart! There won't be enough hours in the day to accomplish all of your business needs. Your passion also creates contagious enthusiasm and that will propel you through the tough moments.
Ideal Client
Marketing to the right clients who are a good fit can make or break your happiness at work. The prime function for you as a business leader is not selling a product or a service, but becoming a marketing guru and understanding your audience. Marketing is one of the areas where you must plan ahead amid all of the distractions. Telling your story and what you can offer a client will show your passion to sell your product or service. And another thing: Don't take on a client just for the money; make sure the potential client is a good fit for your process.
Technology
Implementing technology will save you thousands of dollars and time. The hours spent in your business are worth money, so be smart and invest in technology that fits your business model. One of the most powerful tools is automation. Automation keeps your outreach consistent and allows your business to be top of mind with your clients.
Mentors
Seeking advice from experts willing to share their experiences with me has been priceless. Business is not about what you know in your field, but how you apply and learn outside of your field. Get advice from experts in areas you lack and learn from others. Being open to working with a mentor or coach will help eliminate mistakes and set you ahead of your competition.
Delegation
Invest in the right people. When you own a small business, you have to wear many hats, especially while you are growing. Delegating responsibilities and tasks is an important component of running an efficient and successful business. As the business owner, your time should be spent growing the business and leading the big picture, not focused on the tactical, daily details. When you don't have the budget to hire, or you can't seem to find the right fit externally, find out if there's technology that can alleviate some of the burden. In the past, leaning on technology has also been beneficial for my company's growth when we were understaffed.
Consistency
Having a consistent marketing plan in place is important for sustainable growth. Providing timely and reliable value to your clients is imperative, especially with social media. We use automation software to help us keep in constant contact with our clients. We run marketing campaigns that we plan a year in advance. Sometimes, the plan is altered based on what is going on in the world that month, but having a head start is very effective.
Listening
When the market is calling for change, and your clients are asking you to expand your current duties, you listen, right? Listening to what your clients want can help you grow your company. For example, Nashville flooded in 2010, and many vendors lost everything. Businesses wanted to know what they could do to protect their assets, especially important documents, client files, etc. Paying attention to customer feedback and market demands can make or break your business.
To wrap things up, I hope you spend this fall uncovering your passion, being consistent through the thick and thin, and listening to your customers. I have personally experienced the results of this recipe in my business and life, and I want you to experience the same. In the end, you have a gift and you owe it to yourself to share it with the world. If you find you need a little nudge on the way, just drop me a line. I'm here to help you succeed! You got this! I know it.
