Television reality programs create the illusion that it is possible in the real world to do so; but, there is a wide chasm between building your own business from your own hard labors and being that one in a million contestant on a reality program.
When you're looking for a long-term career in your chosen field, it's how you conduct yourself on a daily basis that will determine whether or not you are a success. Whether you are offering a personal service or products for sale, how you interact with your customers and clients should be the number one concern.
Three Things in Common for Success
You have seen them throughout your neighborhoods, the little store that has been there for 10, 20, 30, years. Putting aside the decor, for the moment, let's take a look at what has kept them a continued success in their community.
These people have three things in common:
Your Personality Does Count
Unless you have just discovered a business unlike any other on the face of the earth, you're bound to have competition that is also available to your clients. How you conduct yourself and the way they feel around you will determine your customer base.
If you are in the type of business that requires spending long hours with clients going over contract requirements and services, maintaining a professional attitude, at all times, is the way to go.
No matter how close you become with your clients, you must always be aware that you are "on the job." Over-familiarity can lead to professional sloppiness. As an entrepreneur, you are forever representing your own business and rarely know where your next client will come from so it is essential that you maintain the goodwill of everybody if you want your business to grow.
Foul Language Is Simply Unacceptable
Carve this in stone and put it on your desk: Foul Language Is Totally Unacceptable in the Business World. If you're language is so limited that you literally cannot speak without using foul language, assign yourself 10 words a day to look up in the dictionary and practice using them in the right context until it is perfectly natural.
No one will ever chastise you to your face but you will rarely, if ever, rise to the top of your field. Falling back on the "everybody does it" excuse means you need to sit back and take a long hard look at "everybody." I suspect, that they are probably working for someone else and don't have as much to lose as you do, or, they're your after-hours buddies. The truth is, most bosses don't want to have to worry about whether or not you will be offending their associates by your language. The easiest way to handle this is to limit your exposure, and we all know what that means.
Being Proud of Your Success Is Acceptable
It takes determination, energy, sacrifice, persistence, and plain hard work, to make a success of any venture. To have that business still providing a living for yourself and loved ones 30 years down the road is an awesome achievement. You have a right to be proud.
It's important to love what you do. Loving what you do carries you through the hard times of running your business and doubles the joy of success. Take the time to study yourself and the way you present yourself to your clients, and make whatever changes are necessary to help you achieve your goals.
The small business entrepreneur literally lives on the edge waiting for the business to take off. Handle yourself with class, professionalism, and pride (not arrogance) and you should reap the rewards. It's a slow process --not as fast as starring on a reality program -- but it's well worth the effort.
