No matter what stage you are in regarding starting a business – just in the idea or dream stage, or actually running a successful multi-million dollar (or more) a year company – in order to successfully plot the road ahead you’re going to need to have some of the following basic traits. While reading this list, try to think of which ones might apply to you, and how you might be able to change so that where you’re currently weak, you can become strong!
1. You are full of passion – Owning a business isn’t something you can do half way; you need to be all the way in or not even bother trying. One of the ways you can ensure you are 100% behind your business is to be passionate and in love with what it is you do. For example, I’m a huge nerd and love SEO and online marketing. That’s why I get so excited about running Carr Online Media, LLC and being a great Fairfax SEO consultant.
2. You are bold and not afraid to put yourself out there – If you want to blend in with everyone else you’re going to have a really hard time grabbing the attention of new customers. Nobody wants vanilla. Be out there, take a stand, and don’t be afraid to tell people why you’re the best choice for the job!
3. You are curious and love asking questions – The day you stop asking a lot of questions is the day your business starts dying. Growth thrives on questions. That’s how you come up with the next big thing. It’s not about sitting waiting for something to happen, it’s all about actively searching out the who, what, when, where, why, and how!
4. You like problems because with every problem comes a solution – Want to know what the biggest money-making word in business is? Can’t. If someone says they can’t, they’ll pay you if you can provide the can. Problem solvers make money, no doubt about it.
5. You are a strong, confident communicator – Know your message and firmly believe in it. Articulate it. Don’t stumble over your words or kick at the ground when someone asks you about your business. Take your time when you talk and speak in a sturdy voice!
6. You know when to take on risk – In and of itself, being an entrepreneur is a risk. You’re dealing with the unknown. Once you get to a certain point of success, things will plateau unless you are willing to take calculated risks to grow your business. Don’t mortgage the farm on something unproven, but don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone either.
7. You are a master at improve – The first rule of improve is you can’t say no. Think about how easy it is to say no. We do it all the time. Instead, follow the second rule of improve and just as you are about to say no say, “yes, and…” For example, let’s say you’re approached by a customer you might not usually accept. Instead of saying no right off the bat say, “yes, and let’s meet for lunch to talk about how we can have a mutually beneficial partnership.” Maybe nothing will come of it, but you’d never know for sure if your automatic response was no.
8. You surround yourself with capable people whom you trust – It’s not easy to run a business, especially consider you have to deal with stuff like taxes, legal stuff, accounting, marketing, etc. You can’t be responsible for it all. There’s an old saying that goes: “Jack of all trades, master of none.” If you spread yourself too thin you will fail. Know what you’re not good at and hire people who are good. Then, empower them to do their job.
9. You are not afraid to ask for exactly what you want – As a business owner, more often than not what you want is a sale. So, when you’re meeting with a potential customer and everything is wrapping up, don’t leave things open ended. Firmly state that you want their business and that you will follow up with them to discuss the details. Don’t leave room for ambiguity.
10. You are so focused on customer support that the money doesn’t matter – You know the most effective way to get new customers? Word of mouth. If you provide second-to-none customer service, your current customers will tell people. The people they tell will become your new customers. From there, your customer base keeps growing, just like your bank account!
So, there you have it. Again, you don’t necessarily need to have all of these traits, but the more you have, the easier I think it will be for you to ensure a successful endeavor with your business. I, for example, have problems with taking on risk, so I’m slowly but surely trying to take calculated risks to grow by business.
How many traits do you see in yourself? Where can you improve?