Publishing Business Success Series
	9 Super-Slick Secrets to Boost Your  Business Performance

 

  William A. Ward once said, "Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare
  prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently". Use Ward's advice while pursuing
  the following tips.

  1. Stay current Join an industry association related to your product or offering.
  Subscribe to all the magazines that cover your business. (They are tax
  deductible!) Look at joining an organization like NASE ( National Association of Self
  employed). They have great sources of advice and information as well as great
  discounts on insurance, rental cars, and other business expenses. Read and constantly
  be researching topics about your business. It's easy on the internet!

  2. Make sure you have a financial plan. Also a budget and a measurement process to
  keep track of how you are doing monthly. If you don't know where you stand financially
  and have no short term and long term financial goals, then you are just letting fate
  dictate your success and we know those odds aren't too good. Control your own
  destiny!

  3. Cash forecasting It sounds boring and difficult, but it's not. Keep it simple. Look at
  your next 3 months projected income or revenue, then just lay next to it all the
  expenditures you need to keep the business running. The difference is your cash flow.
  You must do this to avoid surprises. Most businesses hit the brick wall because they
  fail to understand their cash flow.

  4. Get an advisory board or a mentor. Sounds crazy for a small operation? It's not! The
  board can be family members that you trust, or friends. Ask them to be your board of
  directors and review your business plans and results with them. Having someone to
  bounce ideas off and get an objective opinion is critical. Or, hire a business coach.

  5. Maintain a balance between work, play and family This is critical for long term
  success. We all put in crazy hours on a short term basis to get a hot project done or
  the product out the door, but if you do this on a long term, regular basis it is a
  dangerous sign that you are losing perspective. You need to be able to step away on a
  regular basis and get your batteries re-charged. And also have time for family because if
  they suffer it is almost a sure bet your business will suffer too.

  6. Network, It's easy to get isolated in a home business or your own small business
  operation. Force yourself to get out and meet with others that can provide a business
  support structure for you. One of the benefits of a corporation is the workings of teams
  and the on going support structure it provides. You need to create that for yourself. Don't
  think you can do it all by yourself; by talking to others in business you will find out great
  ideas and it will help motivate you.

  7. Discipline/Motivation One of the hardest aspects of a small business or home based
  business is creating the discipline or motivation to work each day. It is so easy to get
  distracted and put off the essential tasks that need to get done. Keep your work place
  and hours separate from the rest of your responsibilities. Develop a to-do list
  EVERYDAY. Set goals for the week. Review how you are doing against them. We all
  struggle with this and it is one of the key elements of success.

  8. Don't rest on your laurels Be prepared to always change. Force change. Look for
  things to do more efficiently or how to improve your offering or product. Constantly
  evaluate your competition and benchmark yourself against them.

  9. Do something you love If you are in a business that you hate, then it is a good bet
  you won't be successful. Find where your true talents and skills are and get in a
  business that exploits them. The saying, " if you do what you love and the money will
  follow" is so true. Remember success is more attitude than aptitude and never forget
  that failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

  Good luck in you ventures.