Free Advice

A few years ago a friend sent me an interesting and humorous list titled, “Things we can learn from dogs.” A few of the catchier items are:

 ·        Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

·        If what you want is buried, dig until you find it.

·        Run, romp and play daily.

·        Never pretend to be something you’re not.

 It triggered my thought process. I noted that many of these “things” have a direct correlation to the traits of successful business people. It led me to construct a talk on “Encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit in employees” and resulted in an interview in the Eastside Journal in March 1999.

 We live in times of rapid change. The stock market is up and down, there’s been the unusual occurrence of fast growth, low unemployment and low inflation. Yet, with all the success, many businesses struggle. Similar to how some firms thrive during down times.

 Maybe, just maybe, some of it has to do with the people who own the companies and the people they hire. Here are a few of my few dozen entrepreneurial traits with a short comment on each.

 Successful people take action (versus procrastination)

 One of the most successful people I’ve ever known is wrong on 50% of his ideas. He does his homework, makes his plans and attacks his market. When he’s wrong he’s wrong and he goes on to the next thing. His successes more than make up for the failures. Most important, he learns from his failures.

 A lesson in this is for owners to expand their horizons and try new ideas. To encourage their employees to take action, to not fear failure and test new and different strategies.

 Be passionate

 Passion is not just for the start-up business. Like the dog, you have to dig until you find it. You first have to know what “it” is. In my class on business buying, I always ask the students why they want to own a business. I get the standard answers, control my lifestyle, make money for myself, freedom, etc. Only twice in approximately 200 classes has a buyer said, “To have fun.” I always conclude this exercise by writing “FUN” on the board and telling the class it’s the most important reason.

 Whether you’re an employee or employer, if you can’t get up every morning loving what you’re doing, it’s time to do something else. Your business needs to be part of your running, romping and playing!

 Become a master at communicating

 Successful people know how to communicate. They can motivate and excite, convey their ideas and delve deep to find the true objective or problem. We’re all in sales and marketing. The best sales people know how to solve problems vs. simply sell a product or service.

 Employees who are expert communicators get the boss to pay attention. This increases their value to the company. Employers who can communicate their vision have an easier time getting employees to “buy in” to that vision.

Focus on what’s important and get it done

 Managing a business, being a successful salesperson or even being an employee can be distracting. There are many books, tapes and classes on time management. I’ve found successful people realize what needs to be done and they do it.

 Employees prove themselves when they meet, or beat, deadlines. Customers grant more opportunities to companies who make promises and keep them.

 Successful entrepreneurs are born with some traits that lead to success. They learn, from education and experience, many more. Since we’re all different there is no master list, but some do rise to the top for everyone.

 © Copyright John Martinka 2001. All rights reserved.