by Ann Evanston | Apr 29, 2009 | Business Strategy
ANY business is going to require money upfront to be successful – whether you have a concept and develop it yourself as a brand and a business, or whether you BUY into someone else’s brand. Believing that you can start a business without any money is a bad decision! Interestingly, this is the BIGGEST difference between men and women who start businesses. MEN raise the capital, even if it’s $1,000 to start. Women try to start a business with no capital, struggle, get frustrated, and quit. Some say that men are in business to make money and women are in business to make a living — maybe this is why men thrive and women oftentimes just survive!
If you want to start a business, you will need money, period. So choosing to buy into someone else’s brand requires that you are smart and ask the right questions to make sure the business is not a scam. Some of those questions need to be asked of yourself!
I have two businesses. One is my own brand and one is someone else’s. Neither are scams, and both have been profitable, even in 2008! In addition, I know several many who have invested in Multi Level Marketing brands and are VERY successful. Becoming self-employed requires that you are willing to do whatever it takes to grow your business!
Consider:
1- How comfortable am I with sales? Do I understand the sales process and how to close a sale? If you are not comfortable doing this, you will struggle. Let’s face it. In big companies, someone else does the sales, but as a solo-preneur, you close the sales.
2- Do I believe in the product? When you use, love, and believe in a product, it is easier to sell. Do not decide to start a business because of the idea that you will get rich quickly. Start because you believe in your business, and the money will follow.
3- What kind of training and support will I get? If you have decided to invest in a brand, find out what the investment will get you. Any good company will have training and support sessions and phone calls to help you succeed. Check out The Direct Selling Association and see if the company is registered and referred. Talk to a REAL person and find out.
4- How will I develop a business plan? Whether it is your own concept or not, having a 1-, 3-, and 5-year business plan is key to success. Getting support from the SBA or local non-profit orgs that help women start businesses is a great way to learn how to do this.
5- Am I afraid of the numbers? You have to sit down and work out the numbers to figure out how the business will be profitable for you. If you sell one piece of jewelry, one lipstick, one hour of your service, one gadget, you have to consider the TIME you put in to make the sale. That demonstrates real value. Better yet, work your way backwards. Figure out how much you need (and then, how much you want) to make every month. Work your way back with the numbers to figure out what it will take.
6- Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make it work? Starting your own business takes discipline, hard work, and the willingness to push beyond your comfort zone. Are you up for it?
7- Do I really want a business, or is this just a hobby? If you truly want to be self-employed, you need to treat it like a business, not a hobby. That means investing in yourself and the business to grow it, even when money is tight. Hobbyists only invest when they have extra cash.
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Apr 27, 2009 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
In my recent interview, I shared what social networking is really about and how to think about it differently as an important strategy for your goals. Strategy is key for any Warrior-Preneur!
Listen to The Social Psychology of Networking Online and Why You Should Do It!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Apr 17, 2009 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
Would you believe that many employees would prefer a bad manager who’s consistent over an inconsistent manager? I’ve heard that statement a lot in my years of coaching and training in corporate America. What is interesting is this is the same psychosocial belief of women who stay with abusive men -: at least consistently bad is better than unknowing or inconsistent.
Now, I’m not saying that you should be a bad leader. That’s not the takeaway here! I am saying that you should consistently apply great leadership skills.
Why is consistency so important? Because people like predictability. They like knowing the rules of the game, especially a leader’s rules of the game.
Imagine a manager who greets everyone with a cheerful “Hello!” on Monday morning then marches in on Tuesday morning, head down, growling that she needs coffee. How should employees approach her the next day? Or the next week? Who knows?
Your consistency will improve how people interact with you on many levels. Knowing what characteristics you portray when you “show up” is important to your success!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Apr 15, 2009 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
The first key step to achieving consistency: knowing your own, personal leadership style.
For example, do you prefer written communication or verbal interactions? Do you want to be prepared in advance for meetings, or do you think better on your feet?
There’s no right or wrong. These preferences are a part of who you are. Once you understand your unique approach, you can better communicate your preferences. Your employees will be happy to comply with your requests. They’ll understand that you prefer e-mailed meeting notices to impromptu gatherings or executive summaries instead of lengthy reports. Remember, the people who work for you like knowing the rules.
Understanding your own style can also help you recognize preferences among your employees, and especially your customers. For instance, you may like a glowing public acknowledgment of a job well done while your project team leader may prefer a framed letter of commendation. Responding to these subtle differences will elevate you in your employees’ eyes, and increase loyalty in your customers!
Did you know? Ann has developed The Warrior Styles to help you better understand your styles and those around you! Interested in the Assessment? Contact her!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
by Ann Evanston | Apr 13, 2009 | Business Strategy, Mental Mind Shifts
To achieve your desired results, clarify what you expect from your relationships, your business, your employees, even your personal relationships. As Brian Tracy says in The Psychology of Achievement, you must 1) tell people what to expect, and 2) follow through on those expectations. See many of us make the deadly mistake of assuming that people know!
That makes sense, right? If you ask employees to arrive by a certain time each morning, and someone shows up late without consequences, your staff assumes your timeliness standard isn’t important. Without follow through, more and more employees will arrive late. Why? Because when you do not follow through, you send a message that it is no big deal. Same true in your business. If you say to someone that you meet at a networking meeting you will call them and then do not, you send a message what it was “no big deal.” And that is deadly as a small business owner.
Over my 15 years of coaching leaders and business owners, I’ve added two of my own key steps to Brian Tracy’s advice. The first is to know what you expect. Think about how you, as a leader, view flex time, paid time off, and other policies, and come up with your own standards. That way, you’ll know exactly what to tell your employees. This will increase your odds of being consistent.
The next piece is to communicate assertively. Otherwise, your staff will be frustrated. Want an easy way to achieve assertive communication? When you make a request, stop sticking that big, old “but” into things!
Seriously, look at the difference one word can make:
“I know you’re busy now, but I need you to comment on this report.”
“I know you’re busy now, and I need five minutes to discuss this report in the next hour.”
“That’s a really great idea, but that’s not what we’re talking about right now.”
“That’s a really great idea. I’d like to add it to our agenda for next time, will you email me a reminder to do so?”
Notice how the second sentences present clear, respectful expectations.
Next Post: Leadership Style!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
