Partner Article

6 rules for entrepreneurial success

Nobody says that you have to be an entrepreneur to start or have your own business. Thousands choose to make just enough to either get by or give them a living – the so-called “lifestyle business”.

But then what brought you to the point of going it alone? Is it out of necessity or because you have a burning desire and you feel you’ll regret it forever if you never tried?

Perhaps it is a cocktail of other things but, and here’s the rub, if you really feel that you have it in you. If you really feel that you have the vision, ambition and determination then go entrepreneurial!

It’s a challenge and nobody wants to fail so here are my 6 rules for success.

Rule 1 is Discipline. You have to diligently put in the necessary hours to make it happen and likely more than you are used to working! Set your own rules on discipline and stick to them – no turning over in bed when it is a wet Monday morning!

Rule 2 is The Office. It doesn’t matter where it is in a corner, in a shed, or like Harry Potter under the stairs have an area that is “your office”. It is where you go to work, where it is organised ready for you to get working.

Rule 3 is Preparation. You are about “selling” now because nothing happens until something is sold is the true saying. You won’t sell effectively and efficiently if you try and “wing it”. Good preparation will set you apart from the average. Know as much as you can about your prospect customer and as much as you can about your own business. 90% of your success will likely be down to good preparation.

Rule 4 is Get Started. The Americans are probably correct when they say“ you don’t have to get it right you just have to get it started“. At Start Up events I’ve presented I’ve seen the same faces coming year after year still thinking about doing it. I’m not saying you should launch wild – do take some of the abundant advice that is around – but get on with it!

Rule 5 is Do What You Do Best. If you are a craftsman or a fashion designer then do that – it is what you do best. Don’t think that you have to go on a book-keeping course or be a computer programmer or a tax specialist just to run your business. You can affordably hire someone in to do that for you. I pay a small amount each month to my accountant to handle all PAYE and TAX – imagine how many hours I am saving and the reduction in frustration!

Rule 6 is Attitude. It’s not last but it should be first. Attitude kick-starts success like nothing else. Have the right attitude and people will go to the ends of the earth to help you. You don’t need a “grumpy Lord Sugar” attitude – that’s just for his television persona. The right attitude means that customers will want to come back to you and they will want to tell others.

So that’s my six rules for you being your own boss. I guess there are many others but apply these and you’ll start strong.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Malcolm Gallagher .