Entrepreneurial authority JJ Ramberg’s article in the February 2013 issue of SUCCESS magazine “Start Small Win Big Challenge” was written for today’s entrepreneur. Her article cuts through the thicket of issues that challenge us to set business goals, develop sound communication strategies, and effectively manage finances. Her four-step challenge is worth a read, even a re-read.
In the March 2013 issue of SUCCESS magazine, Ramberg “continues this journey with five more steps to help you get where you need to be.”
STEP 5: Talk to Your Customers. Do this in a group setting or individually. Your purpose is to understand the value and potential you bring to your customers. Don’t bring preconceived ideas to your meetings and do more listening than talking. Very sage advice. You need to learn from your customers, not try and sell them something. If you are not a customer of your service or a consumer of your product, become one! This is how you improve.
STEP 6: Put Systems Into Place to Keep Your Staff Focussed. The pace of business can often prove counterproductive with staff. A simple system to keep lines of communication open to ensure that every member of your team is on the same page can be critical to the success of your enterprise. A short, daily “check in” with team members followed by a weekly staff meeting should do it. The important thing is to find a simple system that everyone can key into it without disrupting the daily flow of activity.
STEP 7: Tap Your Network. Success is seldom achieved alone. Frequently, success involves the support and counsel of others. In your network of contacts, make sure it includes the names of those who can help you succeed in your business. Don’t be shy about asking for help, says Ramberg. There is a right way to ask for help. For example, when you ask for help, be specific. Ramberg suggests you should “give them three specific things they can do for you.” This approach makes it easy for them to provide the help you need. A specific request is more likely to generate follow up than a request that is more vague and without a timeline.
STEP 8: Review Your Social Marketing Plan. Ramberg notes the strategic advantage of having a social media presence e.g., Facebook or another social network. This is a great way to reach out and remain engaged with your customers. Do not use social media to sell. Ramberg says, your purpose in connecting with people is to “get them to take actions that benefit your company, such as buying your product.” You want to be on a customer’s mind when they’re ready to buy. Above all, in this medium, offer interesting content.
STEP 9: Get Organized. It’s hard to get anything done when you’re not organized – at home or in the office. Ramberg offers ideas she’s learned from experts on organization.
- Have an office cleanup day. Plan it in advance and create guidelines on what goes and what stays.
- Keep supplies of file folders, blank labels and a label maker on hand.
- Maintain a master calendar of personal and business appointments.
- Know what’s in your in-box – including e-mail.
- Unsubscribe to anything you don’t need. You can always re-subscribe at a later date.
- Combine these five steps with the four steps offered in the February issue of SUCCESS magazine and you are on the path to achieving the 2013 goals you set at the end of December 2012. Ramberg says, you may not have all the answers yet, but keep saying “I think I can.”
The rest, you will figure out.
