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BUSINESS TOOLS: 12 Tips to Running a Prosperous Self-Financed Company
Todd Jamieson
**** Copyright Todd Jamieson 2004 ----- Todd Jamieson, EnvisionOnline.ca (www.envisiononline.ca) ****
1. BE AN EARLY RISER
90% of the world does business from 9 - 5. Why not wake up at 5 am - and get the business done while you are fresh. Many successful business owners I know get off to an early start.
2. EAT HEALTHY AND EXERCISE
When I first started my diet consisted of chips, chocolate, burgers, fries, coke and coffee. By 3 pm every day I was burnt out and running at 50% of the efficiency. A poor diet can lead to obesity, heart trouble and a high stress level. Try living caffeine and sugar free. Your body will thank you!
3. KEEP YOUR BOOKS UP TO DATE AND IN ORDER
Keep your books up to date - it will give you a clear picture of where you are at. Keep your receipts for everything - you can sometimes write off more than you think. Hire a bookkeeper when things get complicated - it will be the best investment you ever make.
4. DON'T OVERSPEND ON LEGAL FEES
Bring your legal docs in house - update them once a year. No need to waste money on this.
Lots of stuff and filings can be done through the web for free.
5. GET A GOOD LAWYER FOR LITIGATION
Get a good lawyer for litigation and only use them when absolutely necessary. DON'T USE A GENERAL PRACTICE LAWYER, general practice lawyers are like jack-of-all-trades, use a REAL business lawyer.
6. BUILD A STRONG BUSINESS NETWORK
A strong network cannot only help sales - but it can help with purchases or equipment etc.
7. MAKE SELLING YOUR "PASSION"
Learn to sell - no matter what your background is. And learn to SELL really well. Ultimately tin the end he buck stops at you - so make sure that all principle people in the business can sell. Always be learning about selling - take a course, read a book. And always be thinking about selling.
8. BECOME A MASTER NEGOTIATOR
Learn to negotiate really well. Use it with customers, purchases, lawyers, bankers, selling - in every situation if you cannot negotiate effectively - you can potentially over spend thousands of dollars a year.
9. ALWAYS BE LEARNING
It is extremely importantly you learn to like to read. Read books, articles, newspaper articles etc. as often as possible. It is important that you stay up to date on your industry - new tactics for sales people - anything that will affect your success.
10. FIND MENTORS
Find someone who has traits you would like to have. Have as many mentors as you want - you don't have to tell them they are your mentor as well.
11. HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED GOALS
Make a goals worksheet daily, weekly, monthly, annually and for 3 year, 5 year and 10 year goals. Update it from time to time. Over 90% of the population does not write down their goals. You will instantly be in the top 10% of society just by doing this.
12. DON'T BE AFRAID TO "JUST ASK"
You never know until you ask. Sometimes the best deals are easily closed just be asking. Don't worry about offending the other person - it's business. Persistence pays in business. Being persistent is accepted by the average businessperson. Just use proper tactics and be diplomatic. Wining or begging is not good, but a weekly call for a sale is accepted and usually will win you the sale over not calling at all.
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(c) Todd Jamieson 2004 ----- Todd Jamieson, EnvisionOnline.ca (www.envisiononline.ca)
About the Author:
Todd Jamieson is Founder and President of EnvisionOnline.ca, an Ottawa-based web development and consulting firm. He holds a Bachelor of Business in Marketing from Bishop’s University and has over ten years experience with Internet and database technologies. Jamieson has worked as Project Manager on more than 200 web sites, web applications and Internet e-business initiatives for small and medium sized enterprises. He is also actively involved in a number of other small businesses and is Associate Director of Exploriem.org, Professional Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs Organization. He lives in Ottawa with his spouse, Erin.
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