Each year, our leader works hard to budget funds for her staff to attend events where learning opportunities abound. Why? Because she believes in learning as a form of motivation. Because she knows we can’t deliver the quality of service we want to unless our brains are up-to-date with the most current knowledge. She knows it’s a smart investment.
This year, we had the opportunity to attend our Association for Small Business Development Center’s #ASBDC annual conference. Ironically, we weren’t even back in the office before we began talking of the great take-away’s. Sitting in an airport terminal at 10 pm, we exchanged ideas of how we might help this or that business with what we learned. After all, we know running a business IS a continuous learning curve!
Here’s a few take-away’s which you might find handy in your #smallbusiness #ownership:
- Know what your “secret sauce” is. (Thanks, Jackie B. Peterson of the #OregonSBDC). When you’re talking to customers or prospective customers, know they’re likely understand what you’re saying, but may not necessarily get how it applies to them. Give them examples. Ask questions of them which may give you a clue of how to relate your product or service to them.
- Collect testimonials and success. (again, thanks, Jackie!)… Have you become lax at collecting testimonials or feedback from your customers or jobs finished? Have you collected these, but they sit in a file, unused for your marketing? Get using it!
- Not having luck with the employees you’ve hired? Get introspective in your hiring process! According to #UGASBDC, one of the many reasons hires sometimes don’t work is simple – the person hiring doesn’t take enough time to implement a hiring process. If you are unsure of how to implement one, contact the #ScrantonSBDC. We can help!
- What’s your “bowling ball”? Thanks, inspirational speaker, #DanThurmon @danthurmon! As a leader of a small business, think about what’s weighing you down the most. Dan also notes that sometimes you have to actually let go, to get a grip! Maybe it’s a ‘good’ pet project that just isn’t worth your business investment any longer. Maybe it’s a piece of your daily grind and role that you enjoy, but just don’t have time to maintain it. Think about this.
- Juggle mindfully. Mindfulness isn’t just for yoga! Whatever priorities you juggle, treat them as if you were juggling something fragile. Whether it be financial priorities like growing your business credit profile, or doing good due diligence on a new deal or partnership you’re considering entering, make decisions with your own health in mind. After all, you are your business. Use strategy, research, decision-making and time as your strengths.
As always, the Small Business Development Center at The University of Scranton can act as a resource to your learning. Contact us!
Gretchen H. Kukuchka
Business Consultant
The University of Scranton
Small Business Development Center
Artwork adapted from freepik.com
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