Stephen Wood of Success Enterprises Consulting Pty Ltd looks at what happens when people try to run their business as a hobby rather than as business
The fuse ….
An article in a local newspaper recently bemoaned the fact that some people just do not treat their business as a business. They behave like it is a part time hobby. They turn up, do a few bits and pieces, sell that output (as time or product) and then sit and wait for the next job to arrive. They hate marketing, dislike networking or trade shows and sure as anything will not promote their business – they see it as being too pushy!
Theses people do not run a business. They have hobby.
Or they have a contactor’s job.
They turn up and get paid for the work that they do. Then they wait for the next gig to arrive.
... must be lit ...
That is all well and good during times of excess demand - when suppliers are constrained and customers have to wait.
Now in 2009, the recession is here and consumers and business are feeling the pinch, and are holding themselves back from "unnecessary" purchases.
The companies that will be guaranteed to win, will be those that actually run their business like a business.
They have a strategy that they are following. They know what they will be selling and to whom. They know why the client will buy and what makes them special in the client's eyes.
They have an organisation around them – which could be internal staff members or it could be external support staff and advisors.
Then they have a method for finding and winning business. You know, if a freelance writer is going to be able to win some business on the golf course, then that is a good place to be. Otherwise I would recommend going to the networking events, the trade shows, leveraging my existing database for warm calls and taking brave pills in preparation for making cold calls.
They go after the business .... and actively win it. Those individuals who have a business then work really hard to make sure that they keep theirpromises. Delivery on time, first time, every time.
.. to make the firework sparkle.
I started my first business during the recession in 2003 in the UK. That time was a great time for discovering how to create offers that were compelling to my clients.
Now in 2009 the situation is the same. I would advise all business owners to be clear about what your compelling offer is.
Then go and win your clients.
This article was written by Stephen Wood.
Stephen is a Director of Success Enterprises Consulting Pty Ltd – which helps clients work out how to grow their business and increase profitability
Success Enterprises Consulting Pty Ltd
www.success-ltd.com
