A what-if plan can help you spot the increased needs for space, equipment, personnel, and other variables so you can make good decisions. Such a move stands a good chance of alienating those who might otherwise be enthusiastic backers of your plan. Your board should be able to challenge your thinking, help you solve knotty problems, and even change management if necessary. However, like a bank, you will still need to prove your credit worthiness and that you can repay the loan or have someone cosign for it.
Take more time off. You deserve it!
This
minimum training program
will keep people focused on doing things right. That
way you get
several points of view, and it is a much less onerous commitment for everyone involved. Maybe
a favorite retail
store suddenly comes up for sale (this is exactly what jump-started coauthor Jim's entrepreneurial career), or a friend informs them of a can't-miss opportunity, or a customer of the business they're working for now invites them to do some freelance consulting ' an invitation that turns into a business opportunity. Remember
there is no
fate. Many manufacturers want control for reasons of pricing, after-sale service and image
It
does not require
a magic key to unlock the door to business efficiency. You
may also try
reading some quality self-help/family-relationship books. Ongoing
organizational systems will
keep your employees headed toward the desired end result. A
good professional in
one of these slots can go a long way toward helping you succeed.
Is Your Company Getting Rusty?
If
your company doesn't
grow in financial value, your company is stuck, and thus can't grow, hire better employees, increase its capacity, or expand. What
will keep people
focused on the results you expect? Thus,
if you don't
have the ability to run the business and it performs poorly, you have a lot more to lose financially. When
I talk to
business owners, most say they aren't happy with their company, employees, customers, or financial results.
One ad, one message
You
need to train
to retain and improve employees. People
want to relate
to Peyton and share his aura, if only obliquely. Start
by making a
list of your top customers. However,
your business plan
is more than insurance.
Reposition yourself so the price competition is indirect
Try
writing a personal
essay on your business goals. Direct
target marketing can
include taking your top ten customers to lunch or a ball game, manning a booth at an industry trade show, speaking at a conference, sending helpful articles or brochures to your mailing list, sending thank you cards and customized gifts to loyal customers, or sending a monthly top-ten business tips list to your e-mail newsletter subscribers. Most
companies you compete
with probably provide good service, good quality, and good prices. You
have systems in
place for your people to be inspired, recognized, and praised on a regular basis.