Dave Thomas: Tribute to a Truly Great ManWritten by Alvin Apple
Yesterday we lost one of most important businessmen in world. Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's fast food chain, died of liver cancer at age of 69. He has left us with an amazing legacy of making it from nothing, of succeeding in face of terrible odds, of finding amazing success without possessing any of usually associated advantages. Dave Thomas was a completely self made man, and it is from him that I have taken my philosophy of doing business.Dave started out as a fry cook in a diner, and worked his way up to management. He bought a group of failing restaurants, completely turned them around and then sold them back to their original owner for a huge profit. He started and maintained one of most successful fast food businesses in world, and never once showed a disdain for getting his hands dirty. Dave was an everyman who showed us as Americans that anyone can do it. I have been running my own businesses now for about 20 years, and Dave's advice and ideas have always rung true to me. My very first business was a janitorial service, and I did all work myself, from vacuuming and washing windows, to scrubbing toilets and taking out trash. Too often these days, people who want to start up a home business simply buy a computer and a desk and sit back waiting for orders to come in. Dave believed that to make it in business you've got to hustle. When you're just getting started you've got to do everything you can dream up to promote yourself and your product or service. Quite often this means getting your hands dirty, and working yourself to bone.
| | Are You Ready To SucceedWritten by BB Lee
Are You Ready To Succeed by BB Lee (C)2002(672 words) The Right Stuff! Do you have right stuff to start your own home based business? That is first question you must know answer to before you strike out on your own. Visualize! Next step, visualize what your life would be like if you were to start your own home business. Are you getting a good picture? Do you like what you see? Or do you shudder at thought? Research! Still determined to start a business? Time to do a lot of research. Research is needed if you plan on succeeding in your new business venture. To find answers you will have to ask a lot of questions. First, seek out other business people who would like to mentor new business owners. Research at your local library or Online. A great place to start The Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov Honesty! It may be difficult, but you have to be honest with yourself. Do you have needed talent, skills, experience, to handle daily task of running a home based business. If not, do you know where to obtain education, certification, or training? Finances! Are you financially secure enough to run a home business. You will need enough money to tide you over while you are trying to establish your business. Are you willing to give up a steady salary for uncertainty of running your own business. Will your spouse or others help support you? Do you have a sizable bank account or other financial resources to tide you over for several months or even a few years? Support! Are you at odds with your family members over this business idea? Family members may not be supportive because they are fearful of what could happen without a steady income. You must face this possibility and understand why they may oppose your plans. Time! Are you thinking of getting rich over night with your business idea? Remember, success might take years. Even, if you have your game plan together. The Game Plan! Map out a business plan for at least one full year. Write down what you plan to accomplish in this time frame. Where you expect to be. At end of year, reassess your game plan; are you where you want to be? Do you need to re-think your strategy? You will probably redo it numerous times if you are in it for long run.
|
