Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur, and it is very true that most new businesses do fail within their first year of operation. Most entrepreneurs start out with the same ideals and goals, but a lot don't do all that they can to be able to achieve all of their goals. Why is this? Anyone can be a success if they really set their mind to it and work hard for what they want. Although there is no guaranteed formula for success, there are steps everyone can take to insure that they are successful with their small businesses:
You Need to Have Passion For What You Are Doing
If you are not passionate about your business, it is never going to go very far, because you just won't care one way or another. You need to really love what you are doing if you want to be truly successful at it, and if what you are doing seems more like a job than a career you love, maybe being a small business owner isn't the thing for you. But, if you are truly passionate, you can really go far. So whenever you are faced with a choice, a decision, or an opportunity, choose in favour of your passions. Your passion is what is going to make your business a success, and get you through all of the rough times that sometimes go along with entrepreneurship.
You Have to Be a Little Bit Crazy
To be really successful as a business owner, you need to start thinking outside the box. Be a little bit crazy in your marketing strategies, and you are going to get noticed. Now, this doesn't mean that you should be over the top of anything, but being a little bit different can really help, especially when there is so much competition out there. If you are a typical, boring business, people are not going to be interested. But, if you show a little bit of creativity, you are going to grab the attention you are looking for. Just look at Sir Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Airlines. He is not only a hugely successful entrepreneur, he can also be pretty outlandish at times, even going as far as performing a lot of crazy daredevil stunts. But, he gets noticed, and that is all that matters.
Shyness Won't Get You Anywhere
You are going to face a lot of resistance as a business owner, and you need to have the confidence to overcome any resistance to get what you want. You can't be shy when you are an entrepreneur, because it is you who is responsible for making your business work. You will need to deal with creditors, customers, vendors, and many others, and if you are shy or wishy-washy about it, you are not going to get very far. Be confident, and let that confidence show in all of your dealings, and you are going to go far.
You've Got to Really Want It
To be successful, you need to have a desire to succeed, according to Napoleon Hill, author of How to Get Rich. Without a real desire, you are not going to get very far in your business, because you won't have the interest that you need to really try to make it work. When you really want something, you won't let anyone, or anything, stand in your way to get it, and this includes success in the business world.
You Need to Have a Plan
Without a good plan set up, you won't be able to have the business you really want. In order to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and you are making profits, you need to plan every little detail of your business in advance. Think about everything you are going to do, and not just while you are setting up your business, but for the entire time you are an entrepreneur. Without a good plan, things could go to pot pretty quickly. Your plan needs to be precise, but not so rigid that it doesn't allow for changes. It is an ever-changing world out there, and entrepreneurs have to be prepared to face changes head on. A flexible plan will allow for those changes, and you will flow through things easily.
Andrew McCombe is the owner of Activate Your Business where they teach new and existing business owners to Start, Grow and / or Automate their business(es) with EASE, so they can live a life of EASE. For more information visit http://www.activateyourbusiness.com.au