Yesterday I was investigating the answer to the question of the common character traits among successful startup entrepreneurs. And at the entrepreneur.com there was one particularly good but wrong answer to that question. Entrepreneur.com had made a list of the things that entrepreneurs do rather that how they are. And I find their list very inspirational…
So, here’s the list of the 25 common things that successful entrepreneurs do. (I cut away the long boring obvious descriptions – if you want those, those are at the entrepreneur.com)
- Do what you enjoy. (If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, chances are you won’t succeed)
- Take what you do seriously.(Believe in your business and in the goods and services that you sell)
- Plan everything.
- Manage money wisely.
- Ask for the sale. (Ask people to buy what you are selling)
- Remember it’s all about the customer.
- Become a shameless self-promoter (, but without becoming obnoxious). NOTE:entrepreneur.com just gave you a permission
- Project a positive business image. (Make a positive, professional and memorable impression)
- Get to know your customers. (…so that you can offer personalized attention.)
- Level the playing field with technology.( Use technology that you understand and can easily use)
- Build a top-notch business team.
- Become known as an expert.(…people seek expert advices and solutions)
- Create a competitive advantage. ( Define your unique selling proposition by making sure you have a right answer to the question: “Why will people choose to do business with you or purchase your product or service instead of doing business with a competitor and buying his product or service?”)
- Invest in yourself. (Network actively and study business and marketing)
- Be accessible. (provide customers with what they want, when they want it)
- Build a rock-solid reputation.
- Sell benefits.(Inexperienced entrepreneurs sell features or price. Professionals sell benefits to the customers)
- Get involved. (get involved in the community that supports your business.)
- Grab attention. (Every promotional activity that you engage in must somehow generate money)
- Master the art of negotiations.
- Design your workspace for success.
- Get and stay organized.
- Take time off.
- Limit the number of hats you wear. (learn to delegate)
- Follow-up constantly. (Idea is to get customers coming back to your business for the next purchase)
What a wonderful list of tips.