Archive for the ‘Privilege Club’ Category

2nd January 2011 seems a great time to ask yourself if you are likely to be earning what you are worth this year.  But how do you start answering this?  You could start with checking your frame of mind.  If you firmly believe ‘opportunity is now here’ that will give you a fantastic advantage.  It will put you in the starting blocks way ahead of the pessimists who persist in seeing ‘opportunity is nowhere’, allowing themselves to be dragged down into the waves of negativity that washed the shores of 2010.

More than just positive thinking?

But of course a positive mindset and an array of mantras will only get you so far.  Top of the agenda for many of the business owners and professionals that I work with and coach is ultimately that of profitability. We can dress it up under other guises as much as we want, but at the end of the day, that’s what most of my clients are striving to increase.  And that takes more than just positive thinking.

Are you working in the business or on it?

One of the challenges for the professional turned business owner – dentist, veterinarian, doctor, architect, surveyor  for example – is to be able to balance working ‘in’ the business with working ‘on’ the business.  And those are two different things entirely.  What is very clear is that going into 2011 business owners need to do everything in their power to get the right balance.

How does the problem start?

The problem starts something like this:  Many professionals have been expert in their field.  They have great technical skills and their success at ‘operating’ has often got them to a position where they can take that ‘entrepreneurial leap of faith’.  Getting the business up and running is stressful enough, but it’s exciting.  Sustaining the business, expanding horizons, taking on and managing staff, attracting and keeping more satisfied customers, and increasing profit – now that’s another matter again.   Exciting?…possibly. Challenging?… yes.  Stressful ?…yes.  Risky?….. – definitely.

Are you self-sabotaging?

What compounds the problem is that many of these business owners go on to ‘self-sabotage’.  Compared to other entrepreneurs, these ‘professional cum business owners’ may have a more negative belief towards commercialism, marketing and self promotion.  They may be more motivated by some great and higher values and ideals and they don’t have money as the number 1 goal on the list.  Unfortunately it can lead them into business activities that don’t add up financially and lead them away from success.  They become ‘under-earners’ and the business and staff may suffer too.

So start changing the dynamic

There’s so much help, advice, training and tools out there to help any business flourish.  But for the ‘professional turned business owner’ in particular, if this article resonates with you, here’s some thoughts on starting to change the dynamic:

1. Be open minded about revenue streams that increase financial stability
2. Avoid gravitating into your ‘operating’ comfort zone.  It could become your ‘danger zone’.
3. Stop doing everything yourself  - delegate, outsource, automate
4. Learn to say ‘No’, but with respect and care
5. Reconsider work or clients that don’t pay enough
6. Listen to your internal ‘chatterbox’. Are you telling yourself negative beliefs about money or self-promotion?
7. Do you realise that you ARE in the sales business?
8. Do you see yourself as a manager?  Look in the mirror.  Have you got what it takes to manage a business and people?  What extra skills and support do you need?
9. Are you recognising the power that comes from the free marketing given by the happy, satisfied customer?
10. Look at your financial goals.  Double them.  With the right mindset, skills, and techniques, you won’t need to double your effort to reach them!

 Wishing you all the very best for a prosperous New Year

Alison Miles-Jenkins

Author of  “Help! I’m a Professional not a Manager “ and Managing Director of the award-winning consultancy  Training To Achieve UK

Contact Alison for your FREE copy of her guide.  You can also join her Privilege Club….for FREE!

Free membership to our Privilege Club as we celebrate our 21st birthday!

As we celebrate our 21st anniversary of providing corporate training, management development, personal development and coaching, we are opening up membership of our free Privilege Club.  Until 2011 this was by invitation only.  Now anyone determined to benefit from exceptional training and development can join.

Members of TTA Privilege benefit from:

• Preferential rates for learning and development workshops, one to one coaching and consultancy
  

  Join our club

• Being the first choice of contact for unique offers and promotions
• Unlimited post-event email and telephone support for all workshop delegates
• A referral scheme discount as part of our fee structure
• An annual competition to find the top achieving employee of the year from our client base

Please take maximum advantage of what’s on offer to you, by emailing us at enquiries@trainingtoachieveuk.com to activate your free membership now.

Alison Miles-Jenkins

Managing Director

“Helping individuals and organisations achieve by releasing their potential to become the best they can be”