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Attitude Matters When it Comes to Success
Small businesses can face a
number of challenges as a result of their size.
These include customers who demand a higher quality product and more
personalized service because they're dealing with a small company, and
the expectation that your business compete with and match much bigger
companies in its day-to-day operations.
To meet these demands, it is
vital that small business owners concentrate on creating an excellent
product and ensuring their customers' demands are met.
However, these actions alone will not guarantee success - the right
attitude is equally important to achieving success as a small business.
So what can an entrepreneur do to make sure their attitude is as attuned
to making things work as their product and customer service?
According to Mayumi Mendoza, a small business analyst, the key lies in
developing the right business habits.
Mendoza says many small business owners have a tendency to maintain an
unhelpful attitude to their firms - but thankfully, she adds,
identifying these habits means they can be reversed with relative ease.
The first mindset that Mendoza identifies is anti-customer thinking.
"You put your needs first instead of finding out what your customers
want," says Mendoza. "You operate your business in a way that is
convenient for you."
While this approach may suit you, it is not likely to have a positive
effect on your company's bottom line.
Mendoza says customers do not usually patronize a business on account of
its owner, but rather to take advantage of what the company offers.
So, she says, make sure that you retain sight of the needs of your
clients as well as of what you require.
But this does not mean that the interests of the client should always
come first.
Balanced against the needs of the customer is the need to protect your
own interests as a small business owner.
"Saying 'no' is often needed to help protect the interests of your
business," Mendoza says.
"When sales people approach you, no matter how nice or convincing they
are, hold steadfast and buy only what you need.
"If a client asks you to extend them credit and your policy is cash
upfront, stick to your guns unless there is a strong justification for
changing your policies for this client.
"If you follow your customer's request without determining the impact to
your bottom line and overall financial health of your business, you
might find yourself in the throes of bankruptcy," Mendoza adds.
Being able to step beyond your comfort zone is another part of the right
business attitude. While some degree of caution is important, not taking
risks can be detrimental for SMEs.
And the fact that you are unsure of how a certain marketing strategy or
product plan will turn out should not be an excuse not to try it anyway,
says Mendoza. "You just can't know these things, so don't make knowing
all the answers a criteria for taking actions."
Establishing some basic principles which you apply to all situations is
a good way of improving your attitude to business.
According to Wayne Allyn Root, a sports broadcaster and successful
motivational speaker, principles allow entrepreneurs to revitalize their
attitude and give business a boost at the same time.
In his book, The Joy of Failure (Summit Publishing Group, 1997),
Root outlines a number of ideals which can be helpful in formulating a
new approach to business.
For example, the self-esteem principle says that the way you perceive
yourself will be reflected in your clients' attitude to you and your
company.
"If your goal is success, you
must think of yourself as a success. You must expect success. You must
feel deep down inside that you deserve success," argues Root.
Also, says Root, optimism is a vital business element.
While this may seem obvious, he says that customers have a tendency to
notice pessimism in a business owner, and this may deter them from
dealing with you in the future.
The solution is to turn your approach around.
"Look for the good in others, in your life, in the world around you.
Your new and improved attitude will attract opportunities you never
thought possible," Root says.
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