by Charlotte L. Hanna CMO/Director of PMR/CMBS Global
What an exciting time! You are about to start an online business and you want the world to know that YOU are here and ready to launch! So…do you know the essentials for starting an online business – are you confident that you have covered all the bases?
While the Internet has made it easy enough to set up shop, it can also be an anxious time right before you are about to plug in the “open” sign. But, beyond creating a successful business plan – what else have you done to ensure your success online?
Perhaps you have literally spent hours brainstorming, strategizing, running numbers, creating and developing materials. Maybe you have reached out to those you know and admire, asking them to join you as a part of your newly formed team – or sifted through the applications of many talented and experienced individuals expressing an interest in working with you to find just the right additions. Hopefully, your efforts have all been well rewarded. And now, the time is right to dive right in!
Just in case you still aren’t sure, here are three essentials for any business start-up … that won’t cost you a dime.
The Purpose: Not only must your business have a purpose, YOU must have a purpose – aside from just running the business. If you have enlisted a team to share the workload, you must lead them with vision to ensure the success of all. You must learn what you don’t know, teach what you do and seek out fresh new ideas and resources that will benefit your entire team, which will in turn benefit your clients and customers. Building from your base – You and those you have chosen to assist you – lay a foundation of trust and integrity and never skimp on those materials if you want to be in demand.
The Promise: Whatever you pledge to do, whatever the commitment you make to yourself, your team or your clients – do your best to never break it. Breaking promises shows a lack of respect and is a sure way to fail in business.
The Performance: As Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA wisely said, “Only those who are asleep make no mistakes”. From his humble beginnings in the south of Sweden, Kamprad has used his entrepreneurial drive to become the richest man in the world, with a net worth of $28 billionand Ikea is the top home furniture retailer in the world, with over 90,000 employees working in its 200-plus stores, and annual revenues in excess of $10 billion. But, as his quote makes perfectly clear, he isn’t perfect and not above making mistakes.
No matter how conscientious you may strive to be, you are only human and far from perfect. The same is true for those with whom you work. However, I’m sure Mr. Kamprad would agree that to be truly successful in business, one should always work to set the standard – not follow it, never be content with second best, never settle for below average, and give no place to incompetence.
Don’t sweat the small stuff – and don’t ignore the big stuff. Don’t beat yourself up for things over which you have no control – and change what you can when it is necessary to your survival. In short, do not demand perfection of yourself or others – only the practice of excellence in performance.
Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net
[...] You may be wondering if you have what it takes to launch your own business. Maybe you have already contemplated what it would take, are ready to dive in, but don’t know where to start. Or maybe you have been in business for a while and are now ready to take that business to the next level. [...]