Are You Doing Business or Bin’nez?

I have a friend. I will call him Sam. Sam wants to be an entrepreneur.  He is smart and really wants to accomplish this goal.  I know he can.  Years ago, my brother told me that how you spend your time now will determine your future.  What you do today will determine how you live tomorrow.  Most of us know this.  Sam knows this.  But how does Sam spend his time?

He spends a lot of time on Facebook railing at “haters,” rogue politicians, and celebrity gossip.  To be in ANY kind of business you must be around your peers, as often as possible, NO excuses.  Why, you ask?  Business is like anything.  The more you know about it the better it will be.  Your business is your baby.  The more you know about him/her the more intimate the relationship will be.  Yes, your business is your baby.  It has a birthday, it must be nourished, and stimulated.  It will grow and be strong or it can be malnourished and fall apart.  It must be tended to everyday.  When you network, you learn about your business and what it needs.  Associating with likeminded people will show you what to do and how to do it.  It will introduce you to new ideas and help you drop old ideas.  It will keep you stimulated and excited.  When you face challenges, and you will, it will help you strategize and be strong again.  Without relationships you will not have a business.  I notice when people in specific interests associate with each other they talk about their challenges and triumphs.  Success is not an accident.  You must plan for it and work that plan.  You cannot do that alone.

Another thing I have mentioned to Sam is to join some professional organizations and become an active member.  Obviously, a professional organization has the people you need to know and access to the training you will need.  Yes, you need to be noticed and recognized as a mover and shaker in your industry.  You don’t have to be the most successful to be a shaker just someone who is constantly growing their business.  When you are an active member, people notice you.

To be a successful business person you should be reading about your industry.  Business is changing every day.  The only way to stay on top of the changes is to read industry publications.   Today you can read anytime or anywhere thanks to technology.  

Sam, ladies, anyone who will listen.  You must treat your business with respect and dignity.  That way your business will reward you with great success.  Today more than any other time in history we have incredible tools.  The playing field is leveled.  Let’s get moving so we can be all that we came here to be.

Sigrid Channer