As 2010 draws to a close, how happy are you with the progress your business made this year?
Many business owners have had a challenging year in 2010. We know from small business failure rates, that the majority of them will stick with whatever they have been doing, mistakenly thinking that things will “just get better”.
Only a tiny minority of small business owners will proactively change course and get their business on track. These inspired people understand that success comes only when you are following the right strategy. They know that no matter how hard they work on the wrong plan, it still won’t work. They know the difference between movement and progress. That’s what today’s post is all about.
Movement
When you are working hard, it feels like you are making progress, even if you are going nowhere. All that activity and determination, combined with your best intentions, creates the illusion of progress. Now, when that kind of effort and intent are focused on an effective strategy, you will indeed make progress. The challenge here, is that many people simply do not know what to do in order to succeed. So, they end up doing what they already know how to do, even if it’s not working. It’s demoralising and completely unnecessary.
Progress
Progress comes when we do the right things, correctly. This means finding out exactly what YOU need to actually do, in order for your business to progress. Now, being as your business is unique, you need to know what specifically to do, based on your unique situation. YOUR strategy needs to reflect the following:
- The amount of time you have available to market your business each week. If you are following a strategy that requires more time than you currently have available, it will not work.
- How much you can invest financially in your marketing.
- The profile of clients or customers you want to attract. An effective strategy is based on attracting only the best quality clients for your business. Low value clients are demoralising to work with and they can make work a lot more stressful than it needs to be.
- Your plan also needs to reflect your unique abilities regarding things like copywriting, negotiating and networking etc. Your strengths, weaknesses and assets have to be incorporated into your plan. Otherwise, you risk engaging in marketing that will be completely ineffective and enormously frustrating.
This blog is read by small business owners all over the world, in every industry and profession. As a result, I try hard to be as relevant as possible to as many people as possible. However, there are clear, obvious limitations on how much progress you can make, without working to a plan of action, that’s built around your unique situation. This is why I offer you a service, where I personally help you to develop the strategies you need and show you how to put them into action. There’s a waiting list and it will cost you a few thousand pounds to have me mentoring you for a full 12 months, but it’s a wonderful investment for those who want to enjoy the rewards of a successful business.
Whatever route you elect to take, make sure it’s moving you forward.
Let’s work together and grow your business. To find out more click here!
IMPORTANT: If you want to make more sales, boost your profits and grow an amazing business, this will help you!