Small business success is very similar to learning to walk, talk and spell; the basics have to be understood before moving on to the next step. I am blessed to have twin, two-year-old girls in my life, and I am constantly amazed at how much I learn from them on a daily basis. As I watch them run around and explore, I find myself realizing just how much my observations apply to being successful and happy in life and in business.

    So, take heart in the following tips - they may come from little people but they have the power of giants.

   1) Mirror and mimic…no need to reinvent the wheel. Someone has already spent the time, effort and money doing it. Find out what is working in your industry - or unrelated industries - and then apply it to your business. Are they using a form of advertising that seems to be helping them grow? Are they offering a variation on a product that is selling well? Are they using joint ventures to grow their business? Copy the concept… but use your own personality in everything you do.

    2) If it’s working, keep doing it…until it doesn’t work anymore. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches go down easily, but pot roast ends up on the floor. So, why force the pot roast? Granted, it’s easier to tell what works with kids than with your business (especially if you are not tracking your marketing efforts), but if your advertisements are working, keep using them. If your sales script is working, keep using it. Business owners tend to get bored with their marketing efforts more quickly than their clients do.

    3) If you have a favourite outfit…wear it. A comfortable tie, outfit, shoes, etc., which gives you the confidence to accomplish something is worth all the superstition. (My girls have their favourite pyjamas and they sleep better when wearing them). If that suit seems to close more deals for you, wear it. Lucky shoes? Wear them. Myself…it’s crazy Hawaiian shirts!

    4) Always mark your spot…what’s yours is yours. To quote myself, “When you find your passion in life, embrace it tightly, protect it fiercely, nourish it endlessly, trust it unconditionally, and, most importantly, follow it to the end of the earth.”

    5) Bring attention to yourself. There are two ways to get attention in a busy world:
    a) Make people do a double take and ask “say what?”
    b) Find the person you want attention from and ask…ask more...ask again…ask in a different way - but be nice about it and make them happy to help in the end.

    6) Always wear your life jacket…when starting something new. You need support to get you through the tough times, because they will happen. Find a life jacket.

    7) Jump in and splash around. Most people drive right through (or walk around) rain puddles - be the one to jump in, splash around and make some tracks. It’s those often ignored opportunities that leave their mark. What are your puddles?

    8) When you learn to build a snowman, it becomes easy to recreate the motions. Keep applying old knowledge to continually build new things. My girls use snow (and non-snow) to build what they continually call ‘snowmen’. When you learn a new skill, keep practising and using it every chance you get.

    9) You don’t need a reason to have a ‘happy party’. Celebrate good friends, great clients, acquaintances, or no reason other than to have some fun. A ‘no reason, no sales pitch’ party for your clients will be very much appreciated!

    10) Stop, drop and watch the ants go by. At those busiest of times, the best thing you can do is stop being busy. Relax for a second and lose your mind for a while watching ants, cars driving by, people walking by, etc. - just watch and learn.

    To your happiness and your success in life and business!

    If you would like the first 10 success tips that were published in ‘Rising Women’ (volume 5, issue 6) please send a blank email to top10lessons@goldbar.net

       Troy White, of The Fresh Idea Company, is committed to helping
entrepreneurs jump-start their business success & growth through uncommon, yet highly profitable, marketing techniques. Call 1.877.259.4566
email: troy@freshideacompany.com  www.freshideacompany.com