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Side Jobs: Your Way to a Successful Business

Although building a successful business involves knowing a great deal about a particular industry, the good news is that there are many ways in which to learn that don’t require expensive or time-consuming resources, such as a business degree. The following is a list of suggestions to help you learn about your industry and expand your network quickly with the goal of growing your business.

Volunteer your time. There are always people in need of extra help, especially the kind that comes free. Find outlets within your community to volunteer in some capacity that is related to your business. For example, if you want to start a home-based daycare business, consider volunteering your services to relatives, neighbors, and places of worship. This allows you to gain more experience in the industry, demonstrate your exceptional service, get your name locally recognized, seek referrals, and make contacts for potential customers. Think of this donation of time as a worthy investment in your business.
Become a temp. Many employment agencies specialize in placing workers in temporary positions and can even meet requests. Temp work not only allows flexibility to work with a variety of businesses, but it is also a very effective way to improve areas of weakness. For instance, if your business is lacking in customer service, consider taking a temporary customer service position. Most retail businesses have a corporate headquarters where customer service reps are trained and take calls from clients. Such a position would allow you to work on your interactions with customers and apply what you’ve learned to your own business.
Work as a consultant. If you have a specialized talent (web design, marketing, computer troubleshooting, financial projections, etc.), taking on a consulting position will help you make new contacts to bring to your business. You can start by contacting local business owners to offer your services for a reasonable hourly rate. Once they see what a great job you’ve done, they will be able to refer you to other business owners. Furthermore, you will have formed a professional relationship and expanded your business network.
Give back to your community. Local business schools and community colleges are chock full of motivated young people about to enter the workforce. Think about contributing your expertise and experience to their cause. For example, an owner of a business that provides classes in mixed martial arts can approach future graduates of local theatre and film programs. Lots of these students are about to move to a big city for the first time, so the owner decided to offer them a free self-defense class. Most of these students wouldn’t be able to afford the tuition for a normal class, but would eagerly take advantage of such an offer. Additionally, they would recommend the business to friends and family.

Taking on side jobs to build your business is a great way to stay motivated, improve areas of weakness, and build a network of potential customers and colleagues. How have you used side jobs to build your business? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

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Habits to Build Your Business

Think about something positive you do during the course of any given day that would be considered habitual. Jogging every morning before work? Checking in on a loved one with a phone call? Reading at least a few pages a day of a new novel? Chances are you have established some good habits throughout your life that enrich you in some way. Building a successful business also requires good habits. How many on the following list are part of your business protocol?

Set goals. This tip includes both short term and long term goals for your business. Maybe a short-term goal would be to update and enhance your website. What can you do each day to achieve it? A long-term goal might be to expand your overall online presence by year’s end. What can be done each month to reach it?
Define success. Success is measured differently by everyone, so take some time to reflect upon what is important enough that represents success to you. For some, it might be a dollar amount; for others, the flexibility to make one’s own hours. Your definition of success may change throughout your time as an entrepreneur, but having a concrete idea of what it actually is will keep you motivated and on task.
Prioritize. It can be tempting to try completing everything that needs to be done all at once. However, this is unrealistic. Owning a business requires stamina, and without pacing yourself, burnout is bound to happen. Prioritize your tasks and reassess your list regularly.
Organize. Disorganization can literally cost your money. If you need to bring order into your office, do so immediately. If you are already sufficiently organized, establish habits that will encourage you to stay that way. Small business ownership is a sort of juggling act, one in which chaos and clutter have no place.
Personalize. The one huge advantage small businesses have over corporate giants is customer relationships. Assess the relationships you have with your customers and the service you provide them. How can they be improved? What can you offer that goes above and beyond? Word of mouth is a powerful thing, and being a poster-child for exceptional customer service will benefit your business in a multitude of ways.
Identify the bad habits. The creation of good habits must come from the replacement of bad ones. Figure out what you are perpetually doing that is ineffective for your business, and come up with a way to replace those things with good habits. For example, do you procrastinate when following up with customers? Replace this bad habit by dedicating a set window of time every day or week to exclusively contact your customers that need a follow-up. Stick with this plan consistently, and before you know it, it will be second nature for you to stay on top of customer service.
Change one thing at a time. As with anything new, it takes time to make the behavior habitual. Do not try to change your whole work life in one fell swoop. Choose one element on which to focus, and perfect that first before moving on to the next. This will facilitate consistency and long-term maintenance of those good habits.

What habits do you practice that contribute to building a successful business? Please share with us in the comments below!

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Tips for Building and Leading a Team

Have you ever listened to a vocal ensemble sing a piece of music? Usually, there are several different parts being sung such as bass, tenor, alto, and soprano. Each of these parts don’t sound quite right when isolated, but put together, they contribute something that is greater than any one part. The same can be said about teamwork in direct sales and small business. No one is ever a success or failure without the help of others; so building an effective team is important to the growth of your business. Here are some things to keep in mind for both building a team and leading it well.

Building

Identify your ideal team. Decide what characteristics are important for your potential team members to possess. With this as your focus, you will be better able to find like-minded people who will be compatible with you and each other.
Find quality people. You don’t want to hire just anyone to join your business, so put in place some measure to recruit smart and talented people. For example, create an entrance interview where potential employees write down how they work best, what they consider a good reward, and how they are effectively motivated. This creates an understanding among team members and you of how to best work together toward a common goal.
Provide training. Was Babe Ruth a record-setting hitter the first time he picked up a baseball bat? Even the most talented person doesn’t walk in on the first day knowing how to do everything right. Provide some initial training when someone is hired, and continue to offer professional development and mentor opportunities throughout your team’s time with you.
Implement a recruiting system. Recruiting can be done through traditional advertisements, the use of social media, word of mouth, etc. Find a system that works best for your business, and be open to recruits about what your business goals are.

Leading

Delegate. It may be difficult to give up some control, but empowering your employees by delegating important responsibilities demonstrates your trust in their decisions and creates a positive culture of teamwork.
Have an open-door policy. Your team should not hesitate to come to you for guidance, questions, and feedback. Making yourself as accessible as possible will prevent many employees from making mistakes.
Challenge your team. Encourage them to think outside the box, even if it’s a bit more than you think they can handle. Part of being a good leader is helping people recognize and utilize their own talent.
Acknowledge their talents. Although you want to create a culture of teamwork, it is also important to give credit to individuals when warranted. Doing so will keep them motivated to continue doing good work.

Remember the famous saying, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Building and leading a great team requires careful planning and continuous learning. Surround yourself with intelligent people who are willing to work hard, and the sky’s the limit.

How have you created a better team? Share your tips in the comments below!

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Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

The proverbial comfort zone: it is what prevents us from pursuing our dreams and achieving our goals. The good news is that your zone isn’t a jail cell, but instead a place that you’ve created over time. Because of this, you are free to leave anytime, but you have to be ready. Below is a step-by-step guide to breaking out of your comfort zone and growing your business.

Understand the return on investment (ROI) in stepping out of your comfort zone. Some of these benefits include standing out in a crowd, overcoming your fear, trying new things, and learning more. Imagine what these benefits can do for your business.
Identify someone in your field that you look up to and admire. List that person’s qualities and accomplishments. Cross out the ones that you have in common. From the items that remain, rank them in order of importance to you. You now have a set of objectives to start on, so take them one step at a time. What can you do right now to begin to achieve the first one on your list?
Put all your cards on the table. Fear is the most powerful emotion, so assess what you are afraid of that has prevented your business growth. Pledge to yourself to jump in head first. For example, if the idea of public speaking makes you want to run for the hills, call your local library and set up a workshop. The venue is small, but will force you to face your fear and make it easier to do again.
Expect and embrace change. The nature of our comfort zones is that they are predictable. Even if what you are doing on a regular basis is making you money, you may be leaving a lot of money on the table if you don’t try something new. Adjust your mindset to one that willingly accepts change because stepping out of your comfort zone will bring about a great deal of it.
Visualize yourself doing it. Whatever it may be that you are afraid of doing, close your eyes for a few minutes and picture yourself doing it successfully. The mind is a very powerful thing, and by continually focusing yourself toward the positive, you will be more likely to achieve your goals.
Work backwards. When developing a plan of action, pinpoint your endgame first. When you have an outcome in mind, your actions will be more specific and effective. Furthermore, you will be better able to stay motivated while working toward that end.

What advice do you have about leaving your comfort zone? Please share your suggestions with us in the comment section below.

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How To Get More Referrals

How To Get More Referrals

It’s no secret that referrals are an excellent way to boost sales; potential customers are much more comfortable doing business with people they meet via personal recommendations. Wouldn’t you be? Why is it then that they seem so difficult to come by? Pursuing referrals is a lot like any other skill; it takes commitment and practice. The first step is making the search for referrals a regular and necessary part of your business. Implement the following suggestions to start doing so.

Ask! This seems obvious, but many people shy away from asking for referrals directly from their customers. There are, of course, certain ways to ask that are more effective than others, such as being specific. For example, instead of asking, “Who do you know that would want my services?” a better question is, “Who do you know that loves to cook?” A specific question will draw more names from your customer and will also bring you relevant leads rather than a whole list of people who may not be interested in what you offer.
Help others. You may be missing an opportunity to put yourself in a mutually beneficial situation. Attending a charity event in which a friend or family member is involved can be useful in obtaining referrals. You will be helping someone out, contributing to a cause, and meeting new prospects all at the same time.
Build strong relationships. Of course you want your clients to trust you, but you also want them to be enthusiastic about doing business with you. Find out what your customers are passionate about and cater to that when interacting with them. You will be able to add a personal touch to your business dealings, which will in turn impress your customer, who will want to tell his or her friends about you. Always be professional, courteous, and caring.
Set a precise goal for yourself. Make it part of your daily work day to ask for referrals. Keep track of how many you ask for every day, and as you feel more comfortable pursuing referrals, challenge yourself by increasing that number and setting a new goal.
Send out holiday cards. It’s that time of year again, and holiday cards, if done well, can really stand out and lead to referrals. Remember that most people put their cards on display, where party guests and family members will see them. So take some time to create a unique card that is noticeable, and send it early so it will be one of the first to make it to your customer’s display.
Offer rewards. When a customer does give you a referral, let them know how much you appreciate it. A handwritten note sent through snail mail is very thoughtful in this age of emails, texts, and video chats. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to get creative. For example, whenever a customer gives you a referral, send the customer a scratch-off lottery ticket along with a quick thank you card. Because you’re showing that you are genuinely grateful, they won’t think twice about referring you to others again and again.

What are some creative methods you have used to acquire referrals? We’d love to hear from you!

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How to Mentally Reboot

How to Mentally Reboot

You’ve heard the phrase “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Forget dull; suffering from work-related stress can cause a myriad of physical and mental issues if not dealt with in a timely manner. From CEOs to the self-employed to stay-at-home moms, we all get burned out every once in awhile, but it’s important to recognize when we need a mental reboot.

Common symptoms of work-related stress include: a feeling of apathy about a job you once enjoyed, constant anxiety about meetings, deadlines, or even everyday tasks, depression (feeling helpless or overwhelmed), and physical fatigue.

So is your work burnout a lost cause? Not if you commit to a few simple steps to recharge those batteries.

Exercise, eat well, and get plenty of rest. These are the basic rules of good health. You don’t have to spend lots of time and money at a gym when you can take a power walk around the block a few days a week. Getting your heart rate up will release endorphins that clear your head and help you feel refreshed. Furthermore, you can reap the benefits of physical activity if you eat well. This may take some planning, but you’ll notice a huge difference in a short amount of time. Exercise and a balanced diet will in turn allow your body to get enough rest. A good night’s sleep can work wonders for the overly stressed.
Do something you enjoy. Go see that movie you’ve been dying to see, take a spa day, or hit the golf course. Recreation is an essential part of an enjoyable lifestyle. Depriving yourself of it in the name of work can negatively affect many aspects of your professional and personal life.
Talk to people you trust. Discussing your frustrations with someone not involved with your work can help you gain some perspective. If nothing else, just being able to express what is bothering you will help you feel better.

Finally, once you have been able to recover from the effects of work burnout, it’s time to reevaluate. How did you get burned out in the first place? How can you prevent it from happening again?

First, and this may take some serious reflection, prioritize your life. Is your work just a job, or is it the center of your life? Whatever you decide, it should match your overall objectives.
Second, set goals that include personal limits, like amount of hours worked per week or breaking up projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Finally, plan some vacation time and stick to it. You don’t even need to get away from home to have a vacation, but certainly plan some down time. Your work will still be there when you get back! Everyone needs some “me” time periodically.

When you mentally reboot, you not only help yourself to cope with the stresses of work, but you also make it possible to do your job to the best of your ability. And your family benefits too, because you’ll be able to bring your best to every aspect of your life.

How do you mentally reboot? What would you add to this list? Would love to read your comments below!

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How Are Those Goals Working For You?

How Are Those Goals Working For You?

Many of our goals are similar to those of our neighbors, friends and family. Most of us would like a nice house, a new car and more stuff. But are these things what dreams are made of? Are these our true goals? Or are we following what everyone else wants?

Sometimes it’s important to stop and ask yourself: How do I know what I really want? How do I find my OWN purpose and passion?

Here are some practical steps to help you get started:

Don’t be afraid to dream. Give yourself a few hours today and daydream about what you want to accomplish. Visualize, imagine success, and write down those activities and/or achievements.
Make a list of what makes you smile, delights you and gets your heart pumping.
Review your list and pick one to focus on.
Briefly, write down what it is and clearly describe how it looks, smells and tastes like. Use this process to turn your vision into words and bring it into your reality. Give it life.
Now that you have a rough idea of what it is, do some more research. Answer who, what, when, where, why and how.
As you continue to define and think about your new goal, start to get yourself excited and make it your own.
Once you have a concrete goal, follow a plan to achieve it. Here’s a simple way to create a plan: http://dsef.org/2011/09/12/the-power-of-a-plan-and-30-days/

Accomplishing goals that really matter to you will not only bring you true success, but offer deeper personal satisfaction. Like with any journey, the beginning is filled with excitement, you’ll open greater opportunities along the way, and in the end you’ll create a lifetime of memories.

So, what’s your purpose and passion? How’s your journey going? We would love to hear about it. Please share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.

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How to Be More Productive

How to Be More Productive

We all procrastinate once in a while, and usually we just wait for it to go away. But we’ve also experienced moments when we felt unstoppable. Like a super hero! So, how can we experience more super hero moments?

The trick to being more productive is to spot when you’re not being productive and be prepared to overcome it. You are practicing self-discipline and you can master it.

Step 1 – Use your calendar to mark short, medium and long term goals.

Step 2 – Create a daily schedule.

Step 3 – Make and prioritize your daily to do list to help you focus on what needs to be done and to reduce unproductive temptations.

Step 4 – Acknowledge and recognize time wasters/unproductive activities.

Step 5 – Decide to stop the time wasting or allow the unproductive activity for 5 minutes and use it as a break, or make it a reward with no time limit when you have completed your productive tasks.

Step 6 – Understand and identify your work strengths and weaknesses.

Step 7 – Use your strengths and/or set aside the time when you’re typically the most productive to tackle more challenging tasks.

Step 8 – Get more organized.

Step 9– Improve time management and efficiency skills. Read up on how others manage their time, and use their methods. Here’s a web page from Dartmouth College to get you started: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/time.html

Step 10 – Keep a journal or chart and write down your accomplishments.

Step 11 – Reward yourself when you accomplish the tasks on your to-do list.

How do you handle moments of procrastination? Do you have a tip to share? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!

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How to Keep Your Team Motivated

How to Keep Your Team Motivated

While many businesses these days are focused on sales and cutbacks, smart business owners know that without good people, you’re not going to make your sales goals or run efficiently. Attracting and retaining quality team members takes work, and the most successful businesses spend time focusing on this.

So how do you do it? Here are some ways to keep your team focused and motivated, and bring out their best:

Develop relationships with your team. Find out what they care about and what motivates them by spending time talking to each team member individually.
Let your team know that their input, feedback, and suggestions are important to you, and put a system in place for exchanging ideas.
Schedule formal meetings as well as social interactions like in a book club or bowling team, or just have coffee together.
Connect on social networks and have a team group online to improve communication.
Recognize and praise positive actions and excellences publicly. Have your team develop a excellence chart and display it publicly.
Develop team incentives and rewards. Money is not always a motivator, and that’s why it’s important to learn what motivates each team member. Consider team incentives that everyone achieves as a group, as well as individual incentives.
Promote personal and business development. Organize and implement ongoing training, motivational products, and highlight great team members and improvements.
Be a coach, be proactive, be the first to lend a helping hand, praise, give advice and most of all be supportive.
Lead and model what you preach.

Instead of simply focusing on sales numbers, find out what motivates your team. You’ll find that your sales numbers will go up because you’re surrounded by people who are invested in your business success!

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Business Tips for Staying Motivated for Success

Business Tips for Staying Motivated for Success

It’s summertime! We look forward to the summer to spend time with family and friends. We kick back a little. And unfortunately, when that happens, our business can suffer. But in order to have a strong holiday selling season, you need to be active now, building the contacts that lead to new business.

Here are some tips that can help you stay motivated through the summer months, and throughout the year!

Create a success chart – write down and highlight every success no matter how small or large and hang it next to your calendar.
Just like you frame your diploma or degree – In large bold type frame WHY you do your business and why you want to succeed.
As you chart your successes – visualize, journal and enjoy every intimate sense of your accomplishment.
Acknowledge and be realistic about the challenges your business faces, but also consider all the benefits of every business decision you make.
Do not waste your time worrying – the more positive you are the more opportunities you will discover.
Embrace every mistake or misstep as a learning experience – focus on how you can learn from the experience, what you’ve learned and how you can overcome it.
Create a community of supporters, mentors, business associates and share your experiences with them. Enable them to chart your successes, share your learning experiences and celebrate with them.

As a business owner, you will of course face challenges along the way. That’s why it’s important to be mindful about keeping yourself motivated. By taking some time to keep yourself on track, you’ll enjoy greater success!