| |
| |
|
patsbusiness2.com
|
|
|
|
Don't Quit Before You Get to the City!
We were more than excited. Our women's doubles tennis team had won our division, successfully competed in three rounds of the playoffs and had emerged as finalists in the city competition. We fought hard and the results had paid off, but things didn't always look so promising. Just last season we finished in 3rd place. Three of our members decided to throw in the towel and left to find new teams. At the beginning of the season, we barely had enough members to complete the roster. We needed 10 ladies to play each week; we had 11. At our first team meeting their were only 4 in attendance. Competitively speaking, we didn't have a lot to offer. We had no coach; we barely had players; and it wasn't readily evident that the ones we had were committed. The scenario looked bleak. Seven weeks later we were on our way to the city. Here's how we pulled things together: 1. We had a committed leader - When our team was on the verge of falling apart our team leader (captain) could have made one of two decisions: 1. She could have bailed out or 2. She could stay with the team regardless of the challenges. Lucky for us, she chose the latter. Your staff and employees will follow by example. If you are not committed to the vision of your company, others around you can't be either. Even when things look gleam ---sales are down, prospects are few and it appears that you just won't make it, remember dedication and hard work can see you through. Our captain decided to stick with us and in turn we stuck with her and the team prospered. Regardless of what it looks like, continue to motivate your team by staying confident and realistic. 2. We were able to build on the talents of the team - Although our team was challenged, we knew we had talent. It was just a matter of cultivation. Individually and collectively we were a talented bunch and by recognizing that we were able to build on those strengths and see the potential. It will be difficult to build on your teams' talents if you don't know what they are. Likewise, if the team doesn't believe in themselves, you won't get good results. To help you work through this, start out by making a list of individual talents each member of your team brings to the company. Let each individual know what those talents are. Secondly, celebrate small successes. After we got through the first week with three points, we had something to build on. We were able to take that success, make some modifications and grow from there. Do the same for your company. 3. We found a good coach - One thing our team was lacking was a coach. We came into the season without one because the one we had previously failed to motivate and connect with the team. There are teams that choose to play without coaches. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. Our team realized that we needed a coach, but three weeks into the season, we didn't have one and we didn't have a lot of prospects. Ultimately we found a coach. Not just any coach ------ a great coach! You'd be amazed at what a coach can do for a team. We learned new techniques and new strategies which effectively took our team to the City Finals. Not only did he provide us with new strategies, but he turned out to be a great resource and connected us with two new players. We found a coach that brought expertise, resources, and players, but also one that made a connection with our team, which overall boosted morale. In a competitive environment getting to the top is not easily done alone. You may have to pull in someone to help. If you're not seeing the results you want, find a good business coach that can help you and your team see your vision and reach your goals. Sometimes business owners throw in the towel too soon and miss out on the rewards that are awaiting around the corner. Entrepreneurs have a lot to contend with and a struggling business is an easy distraction. If this is the scenario that you're facing, I know how stressful that can be. Sometimes a company or team is so far gone that the only answer is to part ways and take your loses. However, before you call it quits, make sure you're not a season away from going to the city. Sheronde is a business consultant and trainer specializing in small business marketing and development. She is the author of Sipping Tea and Doing Business: A Holistic Journey to Business Success. For more great tips for business and marketing, you can contact Sheronde at 770-210-0726 or visit online at http://www.sippingteaonline.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Small-Business - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Creating a Dynamite Account Plan Why do you need an account plan?When you first decide to approach a company through an introduction, networking event, or from your daily routine, you will need to put together and account plan. This account plan will be part of your power page and it will contain information about your own personal approach to winning the account and a plan on when to follow-up. Basic Psychology of Franchisee Ownership and Expansion If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system; before you expand your franchise to include more stores there are some questions you might ask yourself. If, however, you bought your franchise to expand, grow and amass a small empire of your own, your franchisor will be the last person to stand in your way. Boy oh Boy, The Obstructions and Obstacles The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction, Obscene?. Home Based Franchise Case Study Here is an interesting case study of a company, which franchised mobile car wash units. It started with the humblest of beginnings indeed. Administration Of Your Small Business You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of your business, that is, the growing list of things to do that relates to your small business. You've shoved all other appointments aside and starts getting down to working on the nitty gritty details, you're ready to go all out and tick everything on the list off! But where in the world is the list?The Administration part of the small business may seem simple but unless one gets down to doing it and doing it right, nothing else will get done. Why Small Business Must Turn to PR If small business had no important outside audiences, it wouldn't exist.But since they do have external "publics," it's doubly unfortunate when those same small business owners seem unconcerned about the very outside folks whose behaviors can place a choke-hold on their business!And worse, are so casual about public relations, the best way to move those behaviors in their direction. How to Profit Handsomely From a Secret Business Model Virtually No Small Business is Using! Have you been searching for the perfect home-based business? I have spent nearly twenty-five years searching for the holy-grail of home-based businesses. Now this article is not about a business, but rather a system that Fortune 500 companies always use but it's rarely used by home-based businesses, affiliate or network marketing companies. What Happened to the Money and Freedom? Ask anyone trapped in a cubical about their entrepreneurial dream and they will tell you, "I want to own my own business. I'll make more and have more time. Designing a Franchise Training Program If you intend to franchise your company you will need to design a bullet proof training company for your new franchisees. This is above and beyond the training program you will design for them to administer to their new employees. Small Business Success - It's a Matter of Confidence I was floored! I couldn't believe what they were saying! But there they sat -- three of the biggest film stars of our age -- telling the world they had issues with confidence. I was watching an interview where Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore were talking with Oprah Winfrey. Three Small Business Secrets to Getting More Billable Time As small business owners we're in business to make money doing what we love. And that means we need enough billable hours to cover our expenses, our payroll, upgrades in skills and technology, and profit. Small Businesses with BIG NAMES: Protect Your Trademarks and Reap the Rewards You're a small business owner with a hot new product or service and you're deciding what to name it. Perhaps you've even hired a graphic designer to create a flashy logo to go with it. Look Out for that Great Accountant There are many factors to be considered when you are trying to select the accountant who is right for you. In other words how to find that good one. Small Business Planning -- Three Myths Are you -- like 70 percent of small business owners -- working without a plan?Here are three myths that need to be dispelled about strategic planning for small business.1. 4 Areas Where Your Business is Losing Money In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it all. Everything from competition to managed care as reasons why it's hard to create the business of your dreams. The Advisory Board: A Business Owners Most Valuable Resource As a company grows, the owner's role begins to change. More and more of the owner's time is spent "in the shop or in the field" handling day-to-day operations rather than focusing on high-level planning and strategic issues. More Business Card Uses Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often used as giveaways to entice people to attend some event. You will find that most time-share companies will have passes to be used to attend their spiel, plus they also give away other goodies. Small Business Credit Card Advantages Obtaining a business credit card enables the small business owner to separate personal expenses from business expenses. Offering business credit cards to their employees eliminates the need for employees to use their personal credit cards or cash to make company purchases. Mobile Car Wash and Cleaning Post Office Jeeps If you own a mobile truck washing, pressure washing or mobile car wash business you may wish to consider washing postal vehicles. They have one of the largest fleets in the world and they are relatively easy to wash. Increase Profits With a Small Investment of Time and No Money The less a business pays for goods and services the more profit that business generates. How does a small business with limited purchasing power get access to lower cost goods and services? The answer is simple.
|
|
Small Business Information | Traffic Building Information Powered By: Work At Home With Google - FREE! |
| © 2006 |
