Good Times or Bad Times? Who to Trust in YOUR Small Business
© 2006 - 2009 Kendall SummerHawk
No matter who you listen to about the economy one thing is certain, small business stands the biggest chance of not only surviving, but thriving.
The reason is simple. Small business owners are by nature nimble and flexible while behemoth big businesses are not.
BUT...to be nimble means you have to know who to listen to and who to trust. Should it be the media? I hardly think so!
No, to succeed in small business, no matter WHAT the economic conditions are you have to LISTEN to your clients and TRUST your instincts.
The economy as a whole is made up of many thousands of "micro economies." It's common that when one micro economy is up, the other is down.
I'm experiencing this first-hand in the building of our new custom home. The sub-contractors who rely on new home construction for their bread-and-butter are hungry for work while the sub-contractors whose business includes remodels are booked solid with a waiting list. (Don't believe me? Try getting the attention of any door and window guy right now. Mine has a waiting list weeks long!).
There is a wealth of mo-ney flooding our economy in a variety of different micro industries. And, there is no shortage of clients with problems who will happily pay to have solved.
Which is where YOU step in!
To recession proof your business you MUST know what the complaints, problems, difficulties and inconveniences are for your clients. Not sure what they are? Then it's time to dig in and ask. Your clients WILL spend mo-ney to solve a problem that's important enough to them (that's the exciting part of being an entrepreneur — knowing you are helping people solve something they care deeply about!).
Now about the trust part...did you know that a favorite technique used by Native Americans to hunt buffalo was to incite the herd to stampede towards a cliff? Once the lead buffalo went over the others willingly followed. It's sad to think of so many animals' lives being wasted because of following the wrong leader.
Being successful in business has always meant understanding your clients inside and out, knowing their hearts and minds, and trusting your instincts. You can't follow the herd and expect to thrive because the herd isn't thinking, it's just reacting.
What do YOUR instincts tell you to do? Where does your intuition tell you is an untapped opportunity with your business? That is the direction you want to take, no matter where the rest of the herd is headed.
Listening to your clients and trusting your instincts are the hallmarks of a great, thriving business at all times. Pay attention to what your clients want, then give it to them in new and exciting ways and news of the economy will be music to your ears.
About the author:
Kendall SummerHawk, the "Horse Whisperer for Business" delivers smart, savvy ways entrepreneurs can turn their hectic business into a smooth-running, fun, 6-figure money-making dream. To learn more about her book, Brilliance Unbridled, and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.kendallsummerhawk.com
NOTE: You are welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end). I would also appreciate a copy of your reprint sent to kendall@kendallsummerhawk.com