It's not easy being an owner of a business. Entrepreneurs wear a lot of hats in order for their business to succeed. Employees may not see them doing a lot but behind closed doors, managers and owners are busy making sales calls, meetings, product launches, competition checks and many other things that would require them to work more than 40 hours a week. Which is why Business News has come up with a list of things that can help business owners become successful entrepreneurs.
Try to add these to your daily routine and eventually become a much more effective and successful entrepreneur.
1. Take "brainstorming" walks: According to Aytekin Tank, the CEO of JotForm, taking long walks during lunch with an employee everyday has helped him brainstorm his way to success. "I find that talking in the same direction together connects people. It is less intimidating, and is a casual yet effective way to brainstorm," he explains.
2. Dress for success: You don't just do it during interviews, you need to dress for success everyday. Which is why David Czinn and Josh Kahn, founders of Fruigees Organic Fruit Snacks, explains that your shoes should always be shined and your shirt pressed. It shows you are ready for anything. Entrepreneurs constantly network so it is essential to look like you're ready.
3. Look backward to move forward: Being an entrepreneur doesn't always mean you need to focus on the future. Never forget to learn from the past. "I found it just as important to look backwards at what worked, or what didn't work yesterday, last week and last month. Looking back yields benchmark data so you can set accurate goals and forecasts," says Christine Barney, CEO of rbb Communications.
4. Do the work: Just because you're the owner, doesn't mean you can just stand there and do nothing (although you can.) Being an entrepreneur means you are proactive but everything that's going on in your business is important. "I learned to love washing the dishes with the rest of my team as much as I love making strategic decisions or brainstorming ideas for new product. Everything you do has value," says Mariquel Waingarten, Hickies co-founder.
5. Inspire: Giving that daily dose of inspiration can be effective. Kathleen Reagan, founder of QueryHorse, writes inspiring quotes on their board everyday.
6. Find the right balance in juggling: Andrea Simon, CEO of Simon Associates Management Consultants, says that being entrepreneur means you have to find the balance everyday. "It's like you're an improv performer in a one-man show, where you write, direct, produce and perform," she says.
