The common response to last week’s newsletter on “Steering the ship” was that most people said they were too busy within their businesses such that they were precluded from actually managing their businesses.
I think that over the years most people have come up with their own ideas and secrets as to how to run, manage and oversee a business. If we all just think hard enough about it (if only we had the time to do this) we could all write quite a few articles on the topic. I have, however, found that occasionally one needs somebody else to jog your memory to remind you about the things that you already know.
Here are some of those things that you already know about and that I find pertinent to any business today:
- Know your market: I read an article just the other day that mentioned Bill Gates was still involved in the future software development and architecture at Microsoft. I found that extremely interesting because as a business owner you must know who your market is and in what direction your market is going. Predicting that will put you steps ahead of your competition;
- Use the internet: Many have criticized me, including my own family, for saying that they must use the internet more. My dad at age 75 is now using the internet to do research about his hobbies, to do internet banking and he is even paying SARS electronically. He has also found a new product for his business online. It just goes to show that it is never too late to learn about and to use the internet. As the internet is still relatively new in SA we still think of using it for fun. The reality of the internet is that it is possibly the most useful tool and information resource you can find right at your finger tips;
- Seek assistance: I often use my family and friends as examples in my newsletters for very good reason - they are often one of my best resources. My dad and brother are both small business owners too and when one of us has an issue or a problem we more often than not find that one of us has already experienced a similar thing and has already found a solution to it, thus short circuiting the problem solving process;
- Use other resources: I have a group of friends that are all involved with IT or technology for small businesses. The amazing thing is that our businesses don't conflict with each other and we are able to use each other as sources of information. We often bounce ideas or problems off each other and are able to find resolutions to most of them; and
- Partnerships: This I say very carefully. There is no better power than having partnerships and I don’t necessarily mean this in the literal sense where you have many partners in a business but rather in the figurative sense. Develop relationships or partnerships with people or businesses in allied industries that can help you out and that you are also able to offer some help to as well. Refer business to each other and grow that way.
In today’s times things are getting tougher and you need to find all possible ways to help you in your business. The above are just a few ideas of what can be done. Use your own imagination as it is limitless!
