The Secret To Creating And Sustaining A Successful Business
I’m currently reading a book that a friend gave me recently – The One Minute Entrepreneur by Ken Blanchard, Don Hutson and Ethan Willis.
This is a nice, easy read with lots of short chapters, each reinforcing a number of simple points that are worth remembering if you’re a business owner.
Here are some tips that are given to the main character of the book, Jud, when he’s considering starting his own business and looking for advice from an expert:
“…there are only four things to remember to be a successful entrepreneur.
First, your sales have to exceed expenses. A lot of people, when they start a business, want to get fancy stationery and business card, and a nice office, and they don’t have any customers. That’s a formula for disaster.
Second, collect your bills. There are all kinds of people who go out of business with people owing them money. Be reasonable, but don’t be your customers’ banker.
Third, take care of your customers. They pay your bills and write your checks. Remember: You work for them.
Fourth, take care of your people. I’m amazed at the number of entrepreneurs who abuse their people and then expect them to take care of their customers. As you build your business, your people are not your company’s most important asset. They are your company. When you shut the doors at the end of the day and your people head home, your business goes with them.”
That sounds like some pretty good advice to me 🙂
