10 Small Business Essentials for Tough Times

Small Business Essentials in Tough Times

by David Staughton CSP CCEO, Keynote Speaker on Business Growth in Tough Times and Expert on Small Business

Would you like to grow your sales & profits?
Need some new ideas to improve your Results?
Want to know the Secrets to Business Success?

Most Business Owners want a successful business.

But the path to success has many obstacles – in fact 8 out of 10 businesses will ultimately FAIL.

If you want your business to survive then follow these 10 essentials for business success!

1. Just have ONE CAPTAIN

Decide who’s really ultimately in charge because “shared responsibility is no responsibility”.

Business relies on strong, decisive leadership.

Work out who is responsible for what. (Decide the Roles)

2. Create and Communicate More ORGANISATIONAL CLARITY

Be really clear about the roles and responsibilities within your company and articulate your vision.

Start with an updated Org Chart, Job Descriptions, revisit your Vision, Mission and Values.

3. FOCUS on the VITAL FEW or Critical Main Things

Focus on Just ONE or TWO Challenges at a time.

It’s really important to focus on the direction of your business, with special attention given to the FINANCIAL side of the business. Make a Plan and Prioritise. Try Liveplan

4. PLAN AHEAD (Remember the 6 P’s)

Prior preparation prevents a pretty poor performance!

Any planning helps – tax plans, cashflow plans, sales plans, marketing plans, biz plans. even a TO DO LIST helps!

Get clear on the plan.

5. Develop your BUSINESS SYSTEMS & PROCESSES

‘Systemize the routine; humanize the exception’ – says FedEx founder Fred Smith.

Read this blog on Basic Business Systems & Processes

and this Blog on creating systems to help replicate and scale your business

Also Have a look at Waywedo – a systemising program

6. PRACTICE & IMPROVE

Make sure you offer cutting-edge customer service.

Aim for continuous improvement.

Survey people and ask for their ideas.

7. THINK DIFFERENT – Be Still and Silent

Spend more time THINKING about various ways to be different, innovative, creative and exclusive.

Try SSS – Some stillness, Silence and Solitude. Meditation and Mindfulness helps.

8. AVOID DELAY – Don’t Pretend

Learn to take action right now!

Implement, try and fail and try again. Just DO IT!

9. Go the EXTRA MILE – play the LONG GAME

Build great rapport and long term relationships by doing that little bit extra.

Think of the future benefits of great relationships – not short term wins.

10. CASHFLOW IS KING – Watch your cashflow and Adjust your PRICES

“If your sales volume is going up, put UP your prices,
If your sales volume is going down, improve your customer service and marketing effort”

If you Want to Implement these Ideas – Get yourself an Accountability Buddy or a Coach

ABOUT THE BLOG AUTHOR – David Staughton CSP

David “Big Dave” Staughton is an Award-winning Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) with over 15 years of professional speaking & consulting experience. He is a past board member of Professional Speakers Australia and an advisor to a large Australian speakers bureau.

Big Hat Professional Services provides Workshops, Webinars and Training on Sales, Service & Growth Strategies using Certified Speakers and Trainers.

Dave’s most popular SPEAKING TOPICS cover Strategy, Service & Sales and Leadership & Teamwork for small business.

He is also a successful serial entrepreneur and an expert on Growing Small Businesses

Dave can offer….

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