1. Stop Doing, start NOT doing.

Stop with the time wasters. Look at how you spend your time and take off some of the tasks on your list. Remember that 80/20 rule that states 20 percent of your activity produces 80 percent of your results. Once you understand what that 20 percent is that gives you your best results focus on only those.

2. Create boundaries and stick to them!

Our natural time boundaries no longer exist since we allowed computers into our homes. We now work from home, work on the computer, work or “research” while at home… we have lost the balance. Breaching this has led to constant distractions on our attention to the family, and added to our demands. Putting a filter on how we spend our day and sticking to this helps us create healthy boundaries and leads to more focus. Saying no is a big one for women. I once heard that saying “yes” to one thing means you have to say “no” to something else so choose your “yes” wisely. Create boundaries that will help you say no more often and in the end your productivity will rise.

3. Watch & learn.

Learn from the successful and what they do. Success lies in what action that you take with that knowledge that’s important. So learn, read, and understand what action you should take to move your business forward. Then go do it!

4. Focus and be consistent.

Having focus on what you want to achieve and staying on that consistent path will win the race. Consistency will help keep your business on track and you will not get distracted by the shiny coin. Lack of consistency kills progress and adds to stress, so keep taking what I call  “baby steps” towards success and focus on priorities and not lists.

5. Manage your time.

I once heard that it is not about balance but about “harmony”. Managing your time is about having harmony in your life and the best way to have harmony is to love what you do, which in turn gives you energy. Finding your brilliance that I discuss in my business, helps give you energy and allows you to manage all of the items on your priority list.

6. Delegation is Key

Ask for help! Trust and empower others and your staff to give you that support you need. All the great leaders work their brilliance and have others do the rest. It is a win/win when you hire the right people.

7. Take time off!

Valuing your time off is important and again gives us harmony in our life. Meditation gives us that connection with spirit, and allows us to have a free mind to continue on our journey. Allowing our bodies to recharge adds to our mental and physical health. Not taking breaks creates a cluttered mind and does not allow in creativity and effectiveness into our business.

8. Value your family.

Spending quality time with your family helps save those relationships that mean the most to us. Showing them that you care is important, so remember to step away from it all to recharge and show your family that they are important to you. Sometimes our kids just need quality not quantity, so giving them even a few minutes/or hours, helps to create the strength that relationship needs.

Take some time right now to quickly evaluate and examine what is presently happening in your life and business and be gentle with yourself to see what strategies you can work on to create more Harmony in your Inspired Business. The power lies in the action that you take to create that for your business and your life.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Feel Free. Simply include this blurb with it: Darcelle Runciman is a Mentor, Author,  Speaker, and CEO of Strategic Biz Builder.  Darcelle coaches entrepreneurs and business owners on understanding their brilliance and how to increase their profits for their companies by taking strategic steps to gain clarity and retain that balance that we all strive for. Darcelle works with groups, through speaking engagements, tele-classes, online products, and Adventure Mentoring Programs. For more information visit www.darcellerunciman.com or  www.strategicbizbuilder.com .

What I didn’t know was that being an Entrepreneur and small business owner can be tough work! But I was going to find out about that very quickly! So here is the quick version…. Started with a bit of money, got investors, had a vision, had a solid system, build the company with mediocre employees, then learned how to have great employees and really build a team environment. We were the first in the areas we chose and filled a need, took action and advertised like crazy and tried new things. We showed the customer we cared, valued our staff and investors, and had TONS of ups and downs until we got it right! It took many years to build it up to what it was and the biggest hurdle and success was finally selling it and letting it all go.

Now this business after year 2 was making great money, and investors were happy, however there were times when things were tight and economics, unforeseen construction, renovations, staff turnover really caused downturns in the business. Trust me there were many struggles as well as many great opportunities for money to be made. The main problem for my partner and I was that it was something we no longer wanted. We realized that it was not our passion and that the industry had a stigma that would take many more years to change. The industry was being regulated and we were what seemed to always be proving that we were indeed a legitimate company helping people and really valued our integrity and ethics in the business. Our vision was to help people and make money however this was not the business that would complete that for us. So regardless of the financial gain we decided to sell and move on to do it again in what was our individual passions.

So what are the lessons learned that you as a small business owner can take away from all of this? Let’s look at it in a list form for easier learning;

1. I was a small business owner with BIG Thinking!

So let’s look at BIG thinking. I had a vision for what I thought a business should look like and I worked towards putting in place all the right things to make it happen. The right backing, finances, business plan because we were going for financing, and we looked at what the competition doing, who were they serving and where was the need. We had a vision of being a million dollar company right from the start and kept that vision strong in our minds.

        2. I had a Solid Systems.

Then it was onto how would we run the company? How is it to be structured? Should it be a partnership or a corporation? What systems could we use that would ensure that we did not lose our shirts. We looked at what kind of system we could run under and developed a back end database program to track and take care of our clients. We made sure we had a solid policy manual (which was also developed further over the years) that would explain how we wanted the company ran for our employees so that they understood what we were asking of them. Then we ensured we gave solid, consistent training and that each office was a replica of the next. Call it a cookie cutter method if you will.

       3. We took Smart, Deliberate, Quick Action when needed.

Being able to adapt to changing market and not wallow in problems is vital for an entrepreneur. Working smart, having good systems and taking deliberate action was an important factor to being able to keep up with the giants in the industry. We advertised and marketed like crazy and did some amazing things like huge billboards and pre-event marketing that had clients lined up at the doors on opening day.

      4. We were able to solidify great relationships.

We created communication with the competition where we shared ideas and information within limits. We created additional product sources and had great relationships with who we were working with, and those relationships helped give us credibility in the industry. We kept the philosophy of win/win ever present in our minds.

      5. We stopped trying to do it all on our own. Let go of Ego.

When we started to learn that in order to run a successful company we needed to trust, and let our employees do what they were best at doing, that is when things began to fall into place. We had to leave our egos at the door and understand that we had taught them, and that even though they needed us still, we had to loosen the strings in order for them to flourish and show how much they valued the company, and what they were doing. We used the skills of each employee and they grew better for it.

       6. We showed we cared, and added value to our customers.

We encouraged our customers, showed them we cared, gave referral bonuses, talked with our customers, advertised and made them feel like they were not alone. We heard more stories about people’s lives then I will share here, but what it did was let people from all walks of life know that they were valued as people.

        7.  We understood the numbers.

We had done our business plan and knew what we needed to grow. We had a balanced framework with our product, our marketing and our financial operations. Whenever we lost touch with that again, it showed. Understanding where you stand, and what you need to achieve your end goal is important and really the key.

        8. We were great problem solvers.

Being a great problem solver is important. Issues come up in any business and knowing what you will do and seeing your end result helps make it easier to predict how you will react and what steps you can take to rectify the situation.

       9. We were always learning and watching our industry.

We knew what was changing in the industry, we focused on what was working, and we made sure if we could that we were the first. We showed value to our customers even though our price may have been different than others.

10.  We had perseverance.

We stayed our course, and were committed to the business. Sometimes this was a difficult thing to do but in the end overall it was a success because we did have perseverance.

Now, did we always do the right thing? No absolutely not! But we did have the ability to see the mistakes and attempt to fix them. Did our employees always love us? No not always, but we did care about people and did our best to create a team environment where they felt included and valued and when we let that slip, it showed in performance from the team.  The things we learned from this business have been incredible for future success and have allowed me to now help others in their journey for fulfillment in their lives. For more on this subject, you can find it in my 10 Complete Secrets to Business Success, or my Business Blockbusters Now product coming out this Spring. For more information please visit my websites and let me know how I can help you create your million dollar business.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Feel Free. Simply include this blurb with it: Darcelle Runciman is a Mentor, Author and CEO of Strategic Biz Builder.  Darcelle  mentors entrepreneurs and small business owners how to use systems and their brilliance to increase their profits and create mo*ney making businesses by showing you steps to take to gain clarity and retain that balance that we all strive for. Darcelle works with groups, through tele-classes, through her online products, and her Adventure Mentoring Programs. For more information visit www.darcellerunciman.com and sign up for her Fr*ee audio on 12 -Tips to Profiting in Business, and her Fr*ee Ezine “Inspired Business”. Also check out www.strategicbizbuilder.com

It has everything to do with it. If your limiting belief is that I can’t achieve what I want in my business because;

I’m too busy, It’s just the way I am, or people just don’t understand me… reflecting on where these ideas came from and looking at if you are being authentic with yourself…. and if they are truly your beliefs…. may reveal something different for you.

Who are you really? What do you really believe? Lorraine Harvey has a wonderful story she tells in our recorded teleseminar which you can download by visiting one of our websites about how her daughter had a limiting belief around a simple subject that was passed down for generations. Generations! It is a great funny story of how true this can be for all of us! How one idea that is passed down determines how we see the world and what we accept as truth but whose truth is it really?

Where are you in your own way? What steps can you take to move forward? Understand your values, know where those beliefs came from and challenge everyone of them until you know at your core that those values are yours because only you are going to make the choice of how you will live.

Understanding that you are the reflection of who you believe you are is significant especially if you are looking for lasting change. So look at those beliefs to make damn sure they are yours and not your ancestors is a great place to start. lol

Yes…then there is something else….  A Big one….    

Confidence in ourselves and our abilities is everything! Becoming self aware you realize what you are really hiding, and what things are really limiting you from moving forward.

I talk about discovering your brilliance in the powerful thinking teleseminar and about how understanding your strengths is all about energy and creating that space of acceptance and self worth that then allows you to look at yourself in a whole new way.

Believing in yourself your skills and your brilliance, understanding your values and limiting beliefs …and pushing through your fears despite them… are all the vital ingredients for that success you are looking for in your business and personally… and when you find that strength in yourself you will begin to believe that anything is possible.

Now on the business side, once you are ready to take action for your business, here are 5 quick steps to help:

1. Ensure you have an exit strategy,
2. Make your marketing message clear,
3. Take advantage of social media and use it for promotion of your business
4. Understand who your target market is, and what their triggers are, and show them the benefits while creating emotion.
5. Think BIG!!! What are your big goals for the remaining year and next? You have to have big goals in order to move forward if you want to tap into more than just a small portion of the local market. What is your plan? What’s your strategy?

Some of my goals are to help people worldwide, and to become one of the biggest philanthropists in the area. So this will take work, perseverance and dedication, and my Drinks with Darcy program is one of the things that helps me get there. Some of the proceeds go to KIVA Loans, which help working poor around the world.

My Passion is working with business owners and entrepreneurs and looking at their business strengths to assess if they are working with a solid strategy for growth, and if not to plan ways to help them Rock their business.

You can hear more about these topics by downloading two different products which are  7 Blocks in Business and how to fix them! With Rose-Anne Kumpunen and myself.  You can go to www.businessblockbustersnow.com to access the free download and then purchase the full teleseminar recording. Our full program is coming soon so keep posted!!!!

You can also learn about Power Thinking, and steps to personal and business success by visiting www.strategicbizbuilder.com  or www.lorraineharveyseminars.com to purchase the download.  You can also find out more about what I do and sign up for my weekly EZINE on www.darcellerunciman.com  These programs are meant to help you get your business closer to the success you deserve by taking concrete steps towards learning how to create that framework for your business.

I look forward to working with more of you to help take your business to the next level. “Remember to Inspire yourself daily, Plan your business wisely, and Create a Living worth living for.” Darcelle

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Feel Free. Simply include this blurb with it: Darcelle Runciman is a Mentor, Author and CEO of Strategic Biz Builder.  Darcelle  mentors entrepreneurs and small business owners how to use systems and their brilliance to increase their profits and create mo*ney making businesses by showing you steps to take to gain clarity and retain that balance that we all strive for. Darcelle works with groups, through tele-classes, through her online products, and her Adventure Mentoring Programs. For more information visit www.darcellerunciman.com and sign up for her Fr*ee audio on 12 -Tips to Profiting in Business, and her Fr*ee Ezine “Inspired Business”. Also check out www.strategicbizbuilder.com

Look at successful people what do they have in common? Every success comes down to confidence. They have confidence in who they are and what they do. Developing your confidence really are the keys to achieving anything you want. So how do we gain the confidence to achieve success and maintain a balance to our lives all at the same time?

Acquiring Confidence is about making choices and it comes down to 4 things:

1.      Understanding your Brilliance.

Understanding your “Brilliance” and what you are passionate about will allow you to apply more of what you enjoy doing into your work and will help build your confidence. I talk more about this in my ebook “Discover your Brilliance.” Knowing what you want and then having a plan to get there will help you fulfill your passion and inevitably lead to your success.

2.      Choosing to be Happy. Savour the simple things.

Happiness is a choice. Learning how to stay happy on the inside while going through a difficult time takes will and determination but it is possible. You may not enjoy the negative situation but if you choose happiness and peace, it will guide you through the process with more skill and ease. Happiness is what you choose to feel not matter what knocks you off course, and gives you the determination to get right back on again.

3.      Gratitude. Being thankful for what life gives you.

Being grateful for every opportunity, every relationship, every friendship will in the end help to increase your happiness and that will spill over and come across in how you feel about yourself. Your confidence will show and people will gravitate towards you. Being grateful shows the universe, spirit, and God, that we really care about the world and are appreciative of our lives. It is a choice to be grateful.

4.      Exercise. Without it we don’t release stress in our body.

Getting proper exercise and eating healthy truly reduces stress on our body. After a good workout we feel good, our body relaxes and we enjoy our day much better than just sitting at a desk. It helps our sleep patterns, and adds to our happiness, and relaxation.

These 4 steps help us to create more balance in our lives which gives us strength to move forward through whatever trials we have going on in our lives. It leads us down the path to happiness and growth. Confidence in believing in yourself and that knowing if you do, others will follow.  

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Feel Free. Simply include this blurb with it: Darcelle Runciman is a Mentor, Author and CEO of Strategic Biz Builder.  Darcelle  mentors entrepreneurs and small business owners how to use systems and their brilliance to increase their profits and create mo*ney making businesses by showing you steps to take to gain clarity and retain that balance that we all strive for. Darcelle works with groups, through tele-classes, through her online products, and her Adventure Mentoring Programs. For more information visit www.darcellerunciman.com and sign up for her Fr*ee audio on 12 -Tips to Profiting in Business, and her Fr*ee Ezine “Inspired Business”. Also check out www.strategicbizbuilder.com

1.      Show them the money. What motivates employees more than gifts is cash. I once heard of the idea of adding cash onto a credit card for the employee to use in whatever way they chose. We have done this in the past by offering cash to employees. Paying for performance and incentive packages, profit sharing all of these work towards letting your staff know that you value them and their productivity will grow.

2.      Rinse and Repeat. Handing out a gift once a year does not encourage results. Rewards should be given quarterly, at the very least. Also recognizing birthdays of employees lets them know you care. Use this time however to address not just a specific performance but overall in terms of they helped increase sales, gave great customer service, or they made recommendations that were used by the company that resulted in increased overall company profit. This will help increase employee “by in” and help you run a well oiled machine.

3.      Branding. So you may ask, if we do not give away shirts or golf balls with our branding on it then do we loose out with giving just cash to our employees? Definitely not. How about branding that credit card that you give to your staff, which reinforces your branding every time it is used. If someone decides that they want to use that for smaller purchases then think about how many times they may possibly have that card out. This results in the response of gaining from the company by a positive act by the employee. What you are doing is helping that employee along to do what is right for your company resulting in a win win.

 ”Live Life on Fire”

Darcelle Runciman

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Feel Free. Simply include this blurb with it: Darcelle Runciman is Author, Mentor and CEO of Strategic Biz Builder.  Darcelle  mentors entrepreneurs and small business owners how to use systems and their brilliance to increase their profits and create mo*ney making businesses by showing you steps to take to gain clarity and retain that balance that we all strive for. Darcelle works with groups, through tele-classes, through her online products, and her Adventure Mentoring Programs. For more information visit www.darcellerunciman.com and sign up for her Fr*ee audio on 12 -Tips to Profiting in Business, and her Fr*ee Ezine “Inspired Business”.

When we start out in business we are told we should do a business plan, set up a website and some products and begin our business. However is this really what will move us forward or do it does it set us up for failure? The great debate continues…. What we do know is that having a vision of your company, living with intention, and taking concrete steps with some out of the box thinking is what gives you the momentum toward success.

If you have the passion, and the drive to make things happen along with the intention and the balance to do it, all is possible. There is a shift out in the world and those that embrace it will be successful not only in business but in creating what will lead us to a new generation of “being”. Here are 5 quick steps to help you create the path to your vision.

1. We have choices, take action to move forward.

2. We must have Patience, control your limited beliefs.

3. Never Give Up, persistence is key.

4. Be a problem solver with “out of the box thinking”.

5. Have a purpose and a passion for what you are doing.

When we have more reasons to climb that mountain to see the beautiful view from the other side, the fun of the exploration, and the confidence it will bring, that is when our desire outweighs the loss of a bit of comfort. Take the chance on yourself and achieve what you were meant to do by following your passion.

More on this article at TPE  website on their blog.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Feel Free. Simply include this blurb with it: Darcelle Runciman is Author, Mentor and CEO of DarcelleRunciman.com.  Darcelle mentors entrepreneurs and small business owners how to use systems and their brilliance to increase their profits and create mo*ney making businesses by showing you steps to take to gain clarity and retain that balance that we all strive for. Darcelle works with groups, through tele-classes, through her online products, and her Adventure Mentoring Programs. For more information visit www.darcellerunciman.com and sign up for her Fr*ee audio on 12 -Tips to Profiting in Business, and her Fr*ee Ezine “Inspired Business”.

1. Watch the market and spot opportunities. Just be aware of what is going on, not tied to the T.V. Recessions can mean business closings however it also means those with experience and knowledge can build a strong company . People will continue to spend they are just more cautious so knowing your market and do not reduce your prices but ensure you are giving quality for what your clients are paying for and be innovative.

2. Think creatively. You must have your thinking cap on overdrive. Brainstorm with a partner or mentor like crazy! Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” People will stay home more, spend differently so tapping into that with products or services that assist people to do just that will assist the customer. Come up with solutions to detract from the negatives as everyone still loves to be pampered. An example could be, offering home delivery of products or services.

3. Diversify. Think proactively and about abundance not scarcity. Do not cut quality or costs. Competition may fold, however you have an opportunity to fill the gap, step in and be seen and assist your target market.

4.  Take Action. Taking action is key, and being quick and adaptable to change. Launch new products and innovative ideas. You will then be in a strong position when the market turns. Now do not go out and spend extra money to achieve these goals. Think rationally but do take action.

5. Get good value for your money. Look for free or cheap publicity to market your business, be creative on money saving strategies as well for your business. Feel good about your business.

6. Expand & Start new ventures. Recruit the best, expand your business, with grants or government funding. Expanding a business is a wonderful idea, but a really great way to expand without spending excessively is to instead buy client lists. Some competitors are willing to sell, however buying a client list for a competitor is possible.

Think ahead, be smart but take action toward fulfilling your goals and keep a close eye on overheads, staff, and sales. Remember customers needs are still there, and learning how to tap into them can bring golden opportunities.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Feel Free. Simply include this blurb with it: Darcelle Runciman is Author, Mentor and CEO of DarcelleRunciman.com.  Darcelle  mentors entrepreneurs and small business owners how to use systems and their brilliance to increase their profits and create mo*ney making businesses by showing you steps to take to gain clarity and retain that balance that we all strive for. Darcelle works with groups, through tele-classes, through her online products, and her Adventure Mentoring Programs. For more information visit www.darcellerunciman.com and sign up for her Fr*ee audio on 12 -Tips to Profiting in Business, and her Fr*ee Ezine “Inspired Business”.

"Powered By Inspiration"

I have many wonderful experiences with many learnings as well along the way. Live your life like you mean it as it’s the only one we have. Be inspired by the things around you, friends, family, business acquaintances and others. Be outside in nature or in whatever situation that brings you joy on a daily basis. This weekend’s Adventure Business Retreat was an inspiration for me. I learned as much as we taught on this beautiful sunny weekend. I thank all the ladies for their openness and laughter they brought to the table. Rose-Anne Kumpunen was great leading us into the perfect mediation to start off the weekend. I spoke on Discovering Your Brilliance. Denise Franklin spoke on ways to effectively network in business and Aprille Janes walked us through a beautiful session on exploration and leading us to our creative side. It was a blast. My personal tagline is “Live Life on Fire” and that is because once I made the “mind shift” to be more and that it was ok to discover my own personal brilliance, only then have I been living my passion. I hope to help others become as inspired as I have been by the many wonderful people in my life. Cheers.