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 October. 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

Evidence of the human network can be found in the rapid rise of social networking. There is a multitude of online websites that offer individuals the opportunity to be connected to just about anyone, anywhere. You can fill in all your relevant information and be “matched” with others who have common interests. You can post your resume and recruiters can check the details on line and you can potentially get a call from someone who has never met you, but feels you have what they might need as far as a job opportunity is concerned. While all of this is wonderful, what happend to the old fashioned face-to-face networking that was once the only way to build relationships?

The human network can connect people to people in myriad ways, whether via emotional, cultural, idological, familial, or behavioural ties. Through most recent advances in communications technology, people are now more than ever inextricably linked through e-mail, photographs, wikis, blogs, podcast, instant messaging, and more.

While this type of network is called the wave of the future, I still prefer my “Human Network” and it is just that–it’s people.

People I take the time to meet face to face, to build a rapport with, to find out what we have in common. If there is a fit between us, I find out how we can help each other or to whom I can refer you.

I am finding that too many people are becoming connected through technology and never actually meet face to face with the “humans” in their network. They are losing the art of conversation and forgetting all about the importance of body language. In fact, people are becoming reclusive, depending on their technology to get them where they want to go. Many of the people in my workshops are not comfortable with this one to one information exchange and are opting out of what is, in my opinion, the best way to network.

I have over 25,000 people in my database, and every one of them I have met at some time. While I use technology to keep in touch with them, I have met all of them face to face.

I feel that taking the time to meet, to get to know each other, exchange information about ourselves- who we are, what we do, and what we need- is crucial to the success of any relationship. So, I host networking events, where participants are forced to become part of my “human network”.

My company ConnectUs Communications Canada is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and I have people in my database that have been with me from the beginning. The secret to my success is that I keep my contacts informed. I update their information when I touch base with them. I send them my newsletters, and sometimes I send them an article that might be relevant to their industry sector. My mandate is to keep my human network current, relevant, and ready to work with me if the need arises.

In order to maximize your “human network”, you need to know your communication style so that when you are in a face-to-face relationship, you know how to communicate with each other. Remember, people like people who are like themselves-they buy from them, sell to them, and refer them.

Being part of a human network means that you have to take the time to learn about the other person. I use a systematic approach to networking that never fails. Each person I meet is an opportunity for me to get to know them and to find ways to add value to our relationship. I am a strategist and I do my best to come up with strategy that benefits both of us.

With effective networking, there should be a win on both sides of every introduction. I am also a negotiator and I find that it is best to lay my cards on the table and tell the other person exactly what to expect from me, as well as what I expect from them. By being up front and clarifying our relationship, we both know what our responsibility will be to each other. Ultimately, we come up with a timely and relevant solution to really maximize our meeting.

If you want to maximize your “Human Network”, learn the art of effective networking.

Use the ConnectUs RISE philosophy. First, you build Rapport, and then exchange relevant and timely Information. Once you have done that, it is important to find practical Solutions that will benefit both of you. Ultimately, it’s an Ethically established relationship that maximizes your Human Network. (printed with permission)

Donna Messer is a speaker, author, and trainer. Founder of ConnectUs Communications Canada, the company designs, develops, and delivers resource-based training programs around the world. Donna specializes in building rapport between companies, countries, and individuals. For more information on The Human Networking System. www.connectuscanada.com