"Building your Business for Success in 2002." By Paul Barrs. (c) 2001
It's a strange anomaly.
Most people who set out to start their own business, no matter what type, build it for failure, not success.
Crazy isn't it? But true.
The saddest part in all this, is that they don't even know that they are destined for failure long before their dreams shatter and break apart.
Statistics tell us that within 5 years of start up 90% of all small business will go under.
My personal experience shows me that 98% of all home based business will do same.
Why?
Because they lack fundamental skills, education and development to plan ahead, foresee pitfalls, and capitalise on gains.
Here is a key secret to business success. It's "Easy to Do", it's also "Easy not to Do."
That applies to everything. It's easy to do a business plan. It's also easy not to do one.
It's easy to create a marketing plan, but it's also easy not to create one.
It's easy to pick up phone and call a new potential customer; it's also easy not to do it.
That one thing will determine your success, or measure your failure.
However, on a brighter side, there are three specific things that you must focus on doing if your want to develop a powerhouse and dynamic business in 2002.
Those three things are:
1. Get potential customers to your business. 2. Get those same people to come back. 3. Get them to refer their friends, family and associates.
Sounds simple doesn't it?
It's aasy to do, it's also easy not to do. And if you're not consciously aware of this business reality, you're probably not doing these three things.
Let's look at them.
1. Get potential customers to your business.
It does not matter what your business, your product, or your services. Whether you are online or offline makes no difference. You absolutely must focus 50% of your time and energy on gaining new customer enquires. (Initially 80% if you are just starting)
Use every method available to you. Utilise every single resource. Study and learn what it takes to get people to call you, or visit your website, or mail you a form.
I know I'm pointing out obvious, but if your head is stuck in product development, or management and accounting you won't be able to see trees from forest.
Customers are your lifeblood. They are your bread and butter. They represent every reason why you go into business in first place - to make money.
So get them and get them quick.
2. Get those same people to come back.