Entrepreneurs are a different breed. They have a different mindset, passion and vision than most people. It takes determination to start a business from the ground up and persistence to make it through the good and the bad. There are certain qualities every entrepreneur possesses, but what’s the difference between being good and being great? Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind as you move through your journey of entrepreneurship.
- Do something you like doing. While this might sounds cliché in it’s original form, it’s an important statement. There are some people in business who are money driven. It doesn’t matter to them if they believe in the product they are selling, as they only have ROI in mind. Eventually that comes back to drain them and gets in the way of their happiness, ultimately impacting their business. The best entrepreneurs are passionate about their business and what they provide to their customers.
- Always keep your customer in mind. As a successful businessperson, you absolutely must get to know your customers. It’s not enough to think about them each time you release a new product or send out a new email campaign. The best entrepreneurs know they can’t run a company without intimate knowledge of the customers who are buying what they are selling. It is necessary to be consistent in reaching out to your current customers, as well as your potential ones, and gathering their feedback. Finding out what they want, and what you can do better, is the path to breakout success.
- Finance accordingly. There will be times when money gets tight, especially when kicking off a new company. Even companies that have been around for years still need to keep in mind the amount they bring in and how much to allow for expenses, whether it be on marketing, new supplies or employees.
- Keep up with technology trends. This doesn’t mean you need to be an expert on every new technology. However, the number of technology tools entrepreneurs can utilize are immense. Tech-marketing tools, social media software and data gathering kits can be instrumental in helping your business take off. Invest in the technology that grows you and your business. An investment in technology can save you and your team precious time to let you focus on the aspects that make your business great.
- Be your best brand ambassador. No one sells your company better than you do. It is your most important job. Utilize social media, your website, and your friends and family to spread your message to the world. Don’t be afraid to self-promote. Make yourself available to the public and let your customers get to know you. This step of transparency is important to building a positive brand image.
There isn’t one correct way to be phenomenal at what you do. It takes a combination of these strategies to be seen as an expert in your field. Running a business requires trial and error and without a fail fast approach, you cannot be successful. To be a great entrepreneur you must prioritize your business initiatives using the best methods. Take these tips into consideration to elevate your business and keep you on track to your ultimate goal.
Roger Franklin, CEO of Crystal
About the author
Roger’s primary role is to make sure the Crystal team has what they need so they can properly service their customers. He also focuses on methods and solutions that enable their customers to increase the efficiency of resiliency of their video and data networks. He relies on customer observations and communications, as well as the Crystal sales and implementation teams, to understand where operational issues exist and then lead a collaborative group to design solutions. He stays involved with the development team to ensure that the solutions Crystal builds satisfy the needs of their customers. In addition to his day-to-day duties at Crystal, he serves as a member of the board of directors for the World Teleport Association and participate in some of their sub-committees. He stays involved with some video standards groups of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) and the Interference Reduction Group (IRG).
