A Stop Doing List - What a Concept!

In our society we get caught up on doing so much that we keep list after list of things we need to do. In business it is very much the same. Most people mistake activity with productivity. Interestingly enough, Jim Collins in Good To Great noted the companies that make it to great learn not only what to do but what not to do.

Today I received a call from one of my first clients. We met at a Chamber Business Expo in 1994 and have been working together ever since. He asked me if I knew anyone who could handle the bookkeeping end of his business. He was throwing his hands up in disgust. He was done trying to do everything himself. Of course I had a great contact for him.

For me it was a valuable reminder of two things:

• It pays to be a human Rolodex! One of my gifts has been, when my clients need something done, they call me first to see if I know anyone who can get it done. I have always made it my business to meet contacts, get to know what they do and then refer them when appropriate.
• When you outsource the areas of your business that don't make you money but actually cost you time, you can focus your effort and energy on making money in the areas that you can make the most money.

So while you are creating your to do list, make sure you start a stop doing list. Enjoy and be profitable.

When is it time to document?

I have had the pleasure of working with a great client recently that has been very successful. He's the ultimate entrepreneur who flies by the seat of his pants. It suddenly became apparent that he could not translate how he did what he did in a way that someone else could duplicate. Also, not everyone liked that approach. They were looking for a little bit more direction. It is really neat to be able to help his company not only reign in the vision, articulate it and then share it with the group. We are also documenting the process so it is no longer subjective or in the head of just one person. This will be something anyone can plug into.

So the question becomes "when is it time to document?" My answer is now and always. Even when it's just you, if you think you ever want to grow your business or more importantly, some day sell the business, it has to be documented. If it is not documented, you do not have a business with out the source, the owner. If you don't document, and the source is not available, the business stops. So by all means document the process.

Get Clients Now! It Works if You Work It

I had a great training session today with a group of 8 entrepreneurs. Each was unique in their offerings and business models. They all shared one goal, to get more clients. As we worked through the program and developed the plan, it became clear that they were feeling alone in their struggle to build their business; frustrated and feeling isolated. It was very nice to see the room relax and lighten up as each shared their struggles, goals and aspirations. It was amazing how they all had so much in common even though their businesses are so very different.

I share this because I think there are a lot of entrepreneurs out there thinking, no one understands what it's like to have someone hang up the phone on them. No one knows what its like to get rejected. And yet, I find that cannot be further from the truth. Owning your own business, being your own boss can be very rewarding and also very daunting. The key is to create a community so you are not alone. For me the Get Clients Now! program does just that. The eight people that sat at that table today will always have a connection. Whether they stay in touch or not, there is someone out there that knows what they are going through and is rooting for them. And if they are lucky, if they use the system, they are helping them stay accountable.