Posted by NVLSlady/VA on 8/29/13 11:23pm
Msg #482600
Essential Qualities for Business Owners
http://www.wbsonline.com/resources/essential-qualities-for-owners/
(I'll take a helping of #2 and #8, please)
1. Willingness to sacrifice — you must be willing to accept the fact that, as a small business owner, you are the last one to be paid. Your bank, your vendors, and your employees are all in line ahead of you and must be paid before you see any of the money. You must also be willing to sacrifice much of what once was your free time to your business. If you like working nine-to-five, knowing how much you'll make, and taking three weeks of vacation every year, don't go into business for yourself.
2. Strong interpersonal skills — if you thought that getting along with your boss was tough, wait until you have to deal with suppliers, customers, employees, lawyers, accountants, government officials, and everybody in between. Successful owners are able to work with all personality types, and they're able to find out from their customers what they like and don't like.
3. Strong leadership skills — successful owners understand that others are looking to them to be led to the promised land. Others will be looking to you for answers, and if you're not ready for that responsibility, you probably shouldn't own your own business.
4. Strong organizational skills — successful owners are able to keep track of everything that's going on in their business and they're able to set priorities and get things done. They know that if they lose track of what's going on, they're sunk.
5. Intelligence — we're not talking about the ability to score well on standardized tests. We're talking more about street smarts and common sense. Successful owners are able to anticipate problems before they arise and to take preemptive steps to avoid them, and they know how to solve crises after they occur.
6. Management ability — small business is all about managing relationships, with your customers or clients, with your employees, with your suppliers, with your accountant and lawyer, with your banker, and with your family. If you don't think you can effectively manage those relationships, you shouldn't start a new business.
7. Business experience — without some solid business experience, you're probably not going to be able to borrow any money. Your banker will want to know about your experience, not just in business, but in the same field as the business you're hoping to start. If you lack the experience, go get it any way you can: volunteer at an existing business or try to get a part-time or weekend job in the field.
8. Optimism — how will you react when business isn't going as well as your expected? A pessimist may fold the tent, but an optimist who believes in the business will keep going. Successful owners are optimists who are able to weather the rough spots.
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Reply by Darlin_AL on 8/30/13 9:05am
Msg #482612
The phone call is usually our primary contact. Answer happy, no matter what. If you are among those who feel it is only a "mere" scheduling person: put yourself in their shoes. Who would you rather call? a pleasant person who seems to have had their cheerios today, or a "what do you want from me?" attitude? Every time you answer that phone, think $$$$$!!!. Thats' my #1 because I would not have started my business if I did not have the knowledge & experience to organize & process all phases the paperwork myself.
For those who ask "how to/do you invoice" I suggest you take a step back & formulate the steps you need to follow for each order--start to end. Write it down! I use the printed confirmation for my worksheet from contact borrower notes (current DL? Table? Lights?) to the last, was it invoiced by me or on their site? Otherwise you'll be wondering why they haven't paid yet.....they haven't rec'd your invoice.
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