On a day like Friday the 13th, it seems like luck is on many people’s minds. Speaking of luck, Thomas Jefferson is noted saying, “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” Running a business is no easy task. It takes hard work, dedication, and a tiny bit of luck. Lets take a look into what you can do to increase your chances of success as you run your business from day to day.
Find and network with mentors
No matter the industry you may find yourself working in, there is a great chance that there are people who have walked the path before you. These leaders are the ideal mentor for you to learn from. Number 4 on Entrepreneur’s List of Resources You’re Not Using, is other small business owners. Other owners, retired or still in the work force, can give you helpful advice on things you may be struggling with. Or they even open your eyes to a problem that you didn’t realize you had within your company.
Look for help online
Being a small business owner or entrepreneur, you are not alone. And you sure are not the only one who has questions about what to do in certain situations. This is why you should take advantage of websites that have gathered together information on running a business. Most allow you to talk and work with other entrepreneurs, ask questions, and offer videos and tutorials on specific skills. Some of our favorites include. Inc., Entrepreneur, Small Business Trends, and SCORE.
Dig into your Google Analytics
If you have a website for your business, Google Analytics offers a wealth if data that you as a business owner can’t pass up. Find out who is visiting your website, where they’re from and what they’re looking for using this tool. Google Analytics can give a better understanding of your target demographics and the traffic your site sees. Even if your business isn’t totally web based, the insights Google Analytics can offer will help you better understand who your customers are. I highly recommend using this to your advantage. And fear not, there are numerous places online that have tutorials on how to take advantage of the tools found in this program.
Freelancers has something to offer
Sometimes there will be a job that needs to be done, but it may be outside of your skillset. Other times you may have a task that needs to be taken care of but you don’t have the budget tohire a full time worker. This is where a freelancer is the perfect addition to your work place. Enter Upwork, an online network dedicated to getting freelancers connected to the businesses that need them. You can see portfolios and previous work experience, and Upwork handles all the payment paperwork too. If you are looking for a quick job done try Fiverr, a site where to can find people willing to do just about any professional task for five dollars.
Slack
Slack bills itself as team communication for the 21st Century. If it’s only you and one or two other people working in your office, this might not be something you need, but as your team expands, Slack offers a better alternative to email and ‘reply all.’ The Verge wrote a great article about all the things Slack does, you can read it here. Have an ongoing chat with your team, and send photos or files seamlessly. You may never send another email again.
Today’s entrepreneur or small business owner faces the tough challenge of trying to keep pace in a busy marketplace while standing out in an age where we’re all connected and expect information at a moments notice. Make the most of your time and efforts by using any and all resources available to you.
Smart Circle. Smart Sales. Smart Opportunity.
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