Is 2012 the year YOU start your own business? If starting a business is in your future, you need to be prepared for all the challenges and successes that await you. This week, I took a look back at not only my trials and tribulations, but also my summits and successes from the previous year. I came up with this list of important business components that you simply cannot overlook if you want to see business success in the new year!
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Identify Your Target
Whether your business is your vision, your dream, or your mission – you’ll fall right through the cracks (and quickly) without a well-thought-out business plan. Successful business plans are centered on achieving a viable profit from a clearly identified target market. If you don’t know your target, you can’t tailor your branding and your marketing to the needs of that audience. And remember, “everyone” is NOT your target market!
Pure Passion
Do what you love and love what you do! When you back your business plan with a passion for your industry and an unwavering drive toward success, you’re already ahead of the game. With passion comes devotion and perseverance, three aspects ANY successful professional will tell you are necessary keys for long-term success.
Backups that Stack Up
As business owners, we need a dependable support network to back us up, so we can focus our attention where it’s most needed at any given time. From the little details to the big picture, these individuals shine light on great ideas and ease the day-to-day workload.
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Your supporting team should include a:
- Reliable Bookkeeper
- Every business needs a Bookkeeper. Even if your business is small, it’s likely you don’t want the additional task of monitoring the ins and outs of your money. The good news is, nowadays it’s easy to find remote bookkeepers to do your books in only a fraction of the time that you can – saving you time and money.
- Virtual Assistant
- Virtual assistants are all the rage right now – and for good reason. Talk about a time saver! Virtual assistants work remotely and do all the things a business owner doesn’t have time to do, such as: open and answer emails, follow up with customers, and schedule appointments and meetings. Mine, helps me do research.
- Business Coach, Accountability Partner and/or Tribe of Colleagues
- Finding meaningful partners who keep you focused is vital to the well being of you and your business (and, keep in mind, these people/groups can overlap)! Support and education are what every business owner needs— and, more often than not, we’re too close to our own business to see the easiest way to a practical solution. Coaches, partners and tribes help us see the big picture and keep us responsible and accountable for our goals.
NETWORK!
I cannot emphasize this enough: network, network, network! Never underestimate the importance of networking both online and in person. Building relationships builds your business: you build your reputation, your credibility, and you increase the opportunity to meaningfully interact with your target audience and possible business partners. And always be sure to follow up!