1. Build a compelling three-year vision.
I talk with business owners frequently about their businesses and the future. Our conversations often produce comments from the owner that start with phrases like: “Someday I’ll begin to tackle that project," or "When I get a moment to breathe, we need to begin some strategic planning for this business."

You probably have said the same types of things about your business. The truth is an overwhelming number of business owners don’t ever collect the profits they desire from their businesses or get to be happy with the way in which their businesses are running.

Stephen Covey wrote in the 7 Habits of Highly Successful People we should begin with the end in mind. How will you get to the end or goal if you don’t know what it is? This process of defining your success is an important strategy to accomplish all that you want to achieve. My program will help you get that 3-year business vision on paper and out of the air.

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2. Control the dollars. (Chaos rules in the absence of control.)
On the sea, the captain is directly responsible for everything that happens on his ship. That is accountability that reaches right to the top. Your business, your ship, requires that you be accountable for everything that happens (yes, even through delegation). Your business succeeds or fails as a direct result of your decisions. A clear financial plan that includes where the money will come from (sales) and where it will go (expenses) will serve as your map to success.

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3. Make time to plan. (Work on the business instead of in it.)
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. We business owners get so tied up with the day-to-day details of running our businesses that we lose sight of why we are in business for ourselves. We spend our entire business days with problem solving and never seem to find the time to do some planning and creating. Having the time to exercise our creativity to find new markets and customers, streamline operations, develop systems for our employees is a scheduled event. Planning time will never come without taking direct action to schedule it in.

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4. Lead for Success. (It starts at the top.)
Leadership of a championship support team starts at the top of the organization. Leaders eliminate, they don’t tolerate. Leaders recruit for an organization that is well constructed and has systems in place for success. Leaders delegate but don’t abdicate. They share their vision with the support team so that all understand the direction of the business. The responsibility for leadership of the organization starts at the very top and flows down the chart. Leadership skills won’t fight gravity and move up through the organization.

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5. Be a catalyst for customer service.
Customers expect good service and will not tolerate bad treatment. Just as we expect neat and clean as a standard and reject clutter and dirty as unacceptable, our customers demand superior service to keep their business. What does the physical layout of your business say about you? Is the customer getting what he paid for? What spontaneous system do you have for solving customer complaints and problems with your company?

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6. Master the selling process.
Are you and your staff meeting your customer and prospect’s objections to money, time, fear and work with answers and solutions? Are your solutions specific and geared to eliminate the problem that the customer is looking to solve?

Do you have a 2-minute “elevator speech” that describes what your company does for your customers in a way that clearly tells your story in away that will create curiosity for the customer to want to know more?

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7. Market methodically.
A low cost marketing engine allows you to stay in contact with your prospects, add value with free information, and develop a referral system with a web site. You can develop your marketing reservoir with writing, public speaking, networking, and strategic alliances.
An e-newsletter is one method of keeping the clock wound.

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8. Achieve balance between work, rest and play.
What is your balance concerning areas of self, family, business, finance, physical social, intellectual and spiritual? If it’s all business, it’s time to establish priorities, create reserves and eliminate tolerations in your life. There is no joy leading an unbalanced life that keeps you constantly at a dangerous tipping point.

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