jeudi 25 septembre 2014

Discover Entrepreneur Resources Everywhere Around You

By Lessie Kaufman


The keys to running a successful business are innovation and creativity. That means seeing possible entrepreneur resources in places that other businesspeople might not even think to look. Read on for tips to discover value and potential in unexpected places, and find new ways to grow and strengthen your company by thinking outside the box.

Leverage the expertise of your personal network. Experts come in all shades and stripes. While your life might not be full of people with fancy degrees, there's a good chance you have friends and family with lots to teach you. Think about the wise people you're connected to socially, and how you can use their knowledge to help you and your business grow.

Your business probably has a board of directors, but do you? Recruit a personal advisory board of five people whose advice you trust. Meet with these sources of wisdom individually, twice a year, to get five different perspectives on your progress as an entrepreneur. This is one way to leverage the expertise of the people in your social circles to help your business.

What businesses in your community do you spend money at as a customer? Any place where you have confidence in the product or service being sold can be a potential partner for your company. Too many business owners don't consider alliances with anyone outside their own direct field or industry. Thinking narrowly cuts off potentially beneficial relationships.

For example, a favorite dining establishment might be an ideal partner for an awards gala in your field. Ask if that restaurant might supply food to your guests at cost in order to raise visibility and reach new potential customers. The coffee shop you go to regularly may be happy to stock your company breakroom with free pastries in exchange for a reliable, exclusive contract to supply java to your meetings. Think creatively about possible win win scenarios, and remember that it never hurts to ask.

You may be missing potential resources within your own company. How well do you know your workforce? Make time for in-depth conversations with the people who work for you, and see what treasures might be hiding within the skill sets of the employees you've already hired. Many will have unique talents or special skills ideal for your projects, or for new growth ventures down the road.

Once you find an employee's unexplored potential, that passion translates into better work, longer hours, and more successful milestones, without you investing an extra dime. Ask your workforce what facets of their skills aren't challenged or engaged by the work they do each day, and listen to what they offer you. Try to look at your workers with new eyes, to see resources you might have missed.

When in doubt, log on. The internet is packed with helpful business to business resources for entrepreneurs at all stages of their careers, from bootstrapping novice to global leader. When you have a question, ask for help or advice. When you have an idea, do the research to see who else is chasing the same dream, how they are getting closer, and how you can surpass them.




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