How to Ensure Your Business is Always Taken Seriously

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Take Business Seriously|How to Ensure Your Business is Always Taken SeriouslyIf you feel as if the world is still not taking your business as seriously as it should, it’s time to do something about that. There are plenty of potential things that might be holding your business back and stopping people from taking it as seriously as they should. We’re going to talk today about some of the things you can start doing differently if you want to ensure your business is always taken as seriously as it deserves to be.

Speed Up Your Processes

Speeding up processes and making sure that you’re always performing for your clients in a timely manner is always going to be important. If you want people to take your business seriously, you need to show that you’re offering efficiency and performance levels to your clients on a consistent basis. So do what you can to speed things up and make your processes faster.

Stay Informed Regarding Industry Trends

Staying informed regarding what’s happening in your business’s industry is something that’ll help a lot too. If you’re disengaged and uninterested in wider trends, it’ll show that you’re not really invested in your niche and you’re not engaging with what’s going on beyond the four walls of your office. That’s not a good look and it won’t help to get your business taken seriously.

Show Confidence and Humility

Confidence is always an important factor in the world of business. People notice it, and when you seem confident, they’ll have more confidence in your abilities and your business in return. If you seem like you’re not very confident and you don’t really believe in yourself and what you’re doing, however, that can have a significantly negative impact on how people perceive you and your business’s services.

Don’t Overlook Safety Protocols

It’s important not to overlook the little things that really matter a lot. Things like health and safety might not seem like the most important things in the world, but in many ways they are. You should make use of health and safety consultancy services to up your game in this department because if something goes wrong and people hear about it, it’ll show amateurishness and that’s not what you want.

Don’t Communicate in a Dull and Dry Manner

The way in which you communicate with your team and the outside world will have a big impact on how engaging you’re able to be. The last thing you want is to come across in a dull and dry manner, as that’ll just lead people to perceive you negatively and they won’t take you seriously. So try to work on how you project your message and communicate with the world.

Each of the things we’ve talked about here will help you to make sure people are taking your business as seriously as you want them to. Making that happen can have a big impact on your business’s long-term chances of success, so be sure to make the most of them as you move forward.

9 Keys to Success Strategy Guide

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article | 9 Keys to Success Strategy Guide1. Start with a Clear Purpose.

Successful entrepreneurs are driven by a purpose bigger than themselves. While they realize they need to make money to be sustainable, none of the 100 entrepreneurs we interviewed mentioned money as a primary driver. It is not what motivates them. Instead, they want to do something they are passionate about, solve a problem that intrigues them, create jobs in their town, provide phenomenal customer service, and change the world in their own way.

2. Build on What You Know.

Successful entrepreneurs build companies in industries they understand. About one-third of the entrepreneurs we interviewed worked in the industry in which they started their business. Another third had worked in a related industry. The remaining third were serious and frequent users of the products, so they understood the industry from the customer’s perspective. The better you know your industry, the greater your chances for success.

3. Launch Opportunities Not Ideas.

Ideas and business opportunities are not the same thing. Our business failure rate is high because people launch ideas. A true business opportunity meets the conditions of the NERCM test: (1) Need, (2) Experience, (3) Resources, (4) Customers, and (5) Model. Your chances for success go up significantly when you prove there is a need for your product, you have adequate experience, you bring together sufficient resources, you have customers committed to buy, and your business model is sound.

4. Develop Your Supporting Cast.

Successful entrepreneurs thrive on the experience of others. They recruit talented individuals to fill in the gaps in their skill set. They build teamwork at three levels: (1) they create a “Brain Trust” of mentors with expertise they need, (2) they build a core team of partners who join them in the venture, and (3) they develop strategic partnerships with individuals and companies who can help them grow their business. Talented teams can go further and faster than any individual working alone.

5.Maximize All Available Resources.

Effectiveness is achieving important company objectives. Efficiency is doing it with as few resources as possible. Successful entrepreneurs are masters of efficiency – they have a real knack for finding and utilizing a host of resources other than money. They borrow rather than buy, defer compensation, partner with their first customers, negotiate excellent terms with suppliers, and use someone else’s plant rather than build one – they think resources first, cash second.

6. Work with a Zealous Tenacity.

Successful entrepreneurs are high energy people. They have two related and vital qualities: (1) a tremendous zeal for their business, and (2) a dogged tenacity to win. Zeal is the fire that fuels the venture, and tenacity is the trait that produces the results. These two qualities combined get you through the challenges of building a business and dramatically increase your chances for success.

7. Build a Community of Raving Fans.

Customers approach companies with preconceived notions of how they should be treated. If their expectations are met, they are basically satisfied. The problem is, satisfied customers are not always loyal customers – they will patronize competitors’ businesses as well. Giving customers more than they expect to receive will set you apart from your competitors and help you create a community of raving fans that love your business.

8. Pivot to Multiple Revenue Streams

Winning entrepreneurs continue to seek out and develop multiple streams of revenue. They do this by (1) offering related products to their growing customer base, (2) finding new markets for their growing product line, and (3) utilizing their growing resources to create new ventures. Over time, they end up juggling a reasonable number of projects in the same or related industries. Having multiple revenue streams reduces the vulnerability of a single product line, and increases the chances for long-term success.

9. Serve Your Broader Community

Successful entrepreneurs are intimately involved in the fabric of their communities. They are using their resources to assist individuals and organizations that need their skills, experience and expertise. They are addressing issues in education, literacy, health care, and the environment. Their communities end up saying, “This business supports us, so let’s support this business,” even though this was not the original intent of the service offered. Serving communities is good for everyone.

About the Author

Mike GlauserMike Glauser is an entrepreneur, business consultant and university professor who has built successful companies in the retail, wholesale, and consulting industries. His passion is helping people create successful businesses, gain financial freedom, and live the life of their dreams. His latest book, Main Street Entrepreneur: Build Your Dream Company Doing What You Love Where You Live (Entrepreneur Press), is a roadmap for doing exactly that. Learn more about Mike at: www.mikeglauser.com.

8 Tips on Becoming a Successful Real Estate Agent

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Becoming a Real Estate Agent|8 Tips on Becoming a Successful Real Estate AgentBecoming a real estate agent can sound very appealing when you think about the flexible hours, large commissions, and the satisfaction of helping people sell a house. But beyond the trappings, there is some serious work that goes on. Real estate professionals will tell you that every sale is the product of a lot of hard work and dedication.

Below we share a few tips for becoming a successful real estate agent:

1. Build a solid client base

It is important to have a dedicated client base that you can tap for leads and sales. A well-developed network is vital to your success as a real estate agent. Afterall, you need people interested in the services you have to offer. More than being vast, you also need to build strong connections. Start by tapping the network you already have through family, friends, past colleagues, school and alumni networks, or clubs and organizations you may be part of.
Once you have established your network, it is important to maintain the relationship with your clients. You do not need to be in touch constantly but be sure to check in from time to time. You want to be the top-of-mind person for your network when they think about real estate.

2. Know how to screen your inquiries

The most skilled real estate agents can quickly assess if the inquiring client is serious or just casually looking. You can find out a person’s level of interest by requesting feedback from them regarding the property and use their answers as a way to measure their engagement. Learn to develop this skill so you can prioritize leads with a higher chance of return. This will save you a lot of time and energy.

3. Project a professional image

It pays to be personable, professional and good at communicating with people. Focus on developing soft skills like empathy and being sensitive to the needs and motivations of different clients. With some clients, you may need to be chatty and bold while with others, you may need to sit down and listen to them to make a sale. After all, every client is different. The best sales agents and can pick up on the verbal and non-verbal cues of a client and adjust their sales pitch accordingly.

4. Develop a business plan and build your skill set

It is easy to get caught in nailing your first client or sale, but do not forget to look past the short-term rewards. Play the long game by building a solid business plan for your career. Take time to develop skills you lack. You can do this by studying and knowing your market and customers. There are real estate agents who work with buyers, and there are those who work with sellers. It is helpful if you build your skills and are able to do both. Invest in yourself and keep updated on the latest trends and changes in the market.

5. Create and stick to your budget

Whether you are just starting out or have many successful sales and a stack of commissions coming through to your bank account it is important to stick to a budget. Track all your expenses alongside your funds. Know how much you spend each month on necessities and discretionary expenses. Plan for a successful future by setting a monthly budget and sticking to it. Your income should be enough to cover your daily expenses and business costs by making allowances for any emergencies. You should also have funds set aside to enable plans for growth.

6. Build your branding online

You need to be where you clients are and where they are searching for properties. A good place to start is on the worldwide web. Thus, it is imperative that you have an online presence. Create an account on the preferred social media apps of your target market. Make sure to also be consistent in the communications you have across platforms. Next, update your profile consistently with your available listings and your predictions for the real estate market. Finally, create a content plan that will help you build credibility as an agent who knows what they are talking about.

7. Use Tools and Technology

Make use of commercial products built for real estate agents to keep yourself organized. Specialized software programs can help you generate leads by organizing and managing your client database. You can also use programs to schedule your showings and receive feedback or get leads sent straight to your phone from your sign riders. Check out websites like Pro Agent Solutions that can help you to get started with a variety of software and tools for real estate agents.

8. Know the law

To get your real estate license, you will have to log in some hours completing real estate courses and pass your state licensure exam. You also need to take refresher courses and continue your education to keep your license valid. Make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of local and national real estate legislature. You want to be a resource person your clients will go to for advice and consultation on matters concerning real estate in your area.

To recap, be prepared to work hard, develop strong relationships, know your market, build your skills, and make use of smart technology. By following these tips, you can set yourself on the path to success as a real estate agent.

Lone Entrepreneur To Business Empire – Vital Things To Remember

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Business Empire|Lone Entrepreneur To Business Empire - Vital Things To RememberThere is no shame in starting small in the world of entrepreneurship. Indeed, some of the most iconic business people of the 20th and 21st centuries have begun their empires in the garage or dorm room with little more than a dream and a prayer. However, effective and profitable expansion is far more than increasing demand for the products or services you offer. Indeed, getting from lone entrepreneur to empire leader can be tricky. Unless you follow the suggestions in the post below!

Don’t expand too fast

One of the biggest mistakes that happen around expansion, is when things go too quickly. The problem with going from a one-person organization to a larger one is that all aspects of your business need to be able to effectively scale with you, including your website, supply chain, manufacturing process, logistics, and admin to name a few!

Unfortunately, unless you carefully account for this as part of your expansion process, it can easily fall apart, something that means you are left with an increased demand for your products that is unmet, and the damage that this can do to your coffers and reputation.

With this in mind, choosing systems, and provisions that are designed to be flexible and easily scalable is vital. Also, swapping to automation for things like admin, and stock orders can help you keep up with demand, as you expand while also keeping your costs low.

Do offer products and services that make efficient use of your time

One of the most vital things to remember as you make the transition from lone entrepreneur to business empire leader is that your time is precious. Indeed, it will have a literal monetary value, and to expand you need to find ways of making the most money with the limited time you have.

Of course, how you may do this will differ depending on the sector in which you are operating. For example, a graphic designer may translate from working directly on projects for clients to offering content, constantly and advice for other designers looking to go freelance, something that could be more profitable over the long term.

Similarly, instead of working with single clients, a personal trainer may get a Group Exercise Certification so they can teach large classes together at once. Thereby increasing their income massively, while still using up only an hour slot.

Don’t forget your expertise is always valuable to someone

Last of all, if you want to transform from a lone entrepreneur to the founder of an empire, you need to remember that the most valuable asset you have is your knowledge and expertise.

Indeed, there are many ways that you can leverage this to expand your business. From going into consulting where you can command a higher fee, to offering products such as e-books and video tutorials on specific topics. You can even use your expertise to help with your marketing efforts. After all, content is still king and you can bring plenty of prospects to the table by offering them valuable information they can get anywhere else. Which along with the other suggestions above can help you build your successful business empire.

8 Best Degrees for Entrepreneurs – Launch Your Business the Right Way

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article | 8 Best Degrees for Entrepreneurs - Launch Your Business the Right WayEntrepreneurship is one of the most rewarding paths to take in life, but it’s also a risky road fraught with dangers. If you’ve decided that entrepreneurship is right for you, then there are certain degrees that will give you a much better chance of success. The following qualifications will help provide the foundation you need when starting your own business:

1. Economics

If you’re going to start a business, then it’s important to know how businesses operate. A degree in economics will teach you about microeconomics and macroeconomics, which will give you a solid understanding of how companies work from top to bottom. You’ll learn about different types of markets so that, when creating your company, customers have plenty of options from which to choose. And if you plan on hiring employees, then an economics degree will teach you how to run a company so that it makes the most profit possible.

2. Mathematics

Whether studying pure mathematics or applied mathematics, this course of study will provide all sorts of knowledge that is essential for entrepreneurs. You’ll learn the fundamentals like writing equations and simplifying them before moving on to calculus and differential equations. If your business requires any sort of statistical analysis (which it probably does), then you should opt for a degree in statistics instead. Like with economics, studying math will give you a better understanding of how businesses operate and make decisions so that when it comes time to make yours, you’re prepared.

3. Engineering

An engineering degree is one way to avoid getting ripped off when looking for help with certain issues facing entrepreneurs such as patents. An engineer’s job isn’t just about creating solutions though: it’s also about identifying problems before they occur by making sure things are built properly from scratch. Studying this course of study will give you the technical know-how needed to be successful alongside the critical thinking skills needed to identify problems before they become too big to solve.

4. Sales and Marketing

Entrepreneurs are natural salespeople, but that doesn’t mean that you can just skip out on studying this course of study altogether! Whether you go for a degree in marketing or public relations, learning the ins and outs of salesmanship is essential for anyone looking to start their own company. This way, when creating your offer, there will be no doubt in the minds of potential customers about why they should buy from you.

5. Economics/Mathematics

Pairing two degrees is always an excellent choice, since you’ll learn twice as much for half the price. Studying both economics and mathematics will give you a strong foundation for starting your own company. You’ll understand both the practical and theoretical sides of the business, giving you a better chance to succeed than those with one or the other.

6. Business Administration

Studying this course of study will give you all the skills needed to manage a business properly. You’ll learn how to create budgets and forecasts as well as how to make plans for future growth and profitability. Since every entrepreneur needs at least some knowledge of these topics, it’s advisable that anyone looking to start their own company go for a degree in business administration if possible.

7. Entrepreneurship

A degree in entrepreneurship is one of the few ways you can study something that doesn’t exist anywhere except in your mind. You’ll learn all about how to start and market your business while also gaining some insight on what might go wrong before it does. If you want to be truly successful when launching your company, then this course of study will give you everything you need to know.

8. Law

With lots of accredited online law schools to make your learning easier, a law degree will open doors for you throughout the business world. You’ll learn how to draft contracts and create protection for your company while also learning how to resolve disputes and litigate in case any roadblocks come your way. If you plan on joining an existing company instead of creating one from scratch, then earning a degree in this field is virtually essential.

Studying any of these things will provide you with all the knowledge you need to start or run a company. Whether it’s a degree in entrepreneurship, economics/mathematics, sales and marketing, engineering, law, or business administration, this is one of the best ways to make sure your company thrives from the very beginning.