Tag Archives: small business
Decide where/when to be able to respond.
Responsibility is truly the ability to respond: respond-ability. It is not a thing that is assigned to you. It is about readiness.
A well-run business has prepared itself for customers. The important decisions about where and when to be able to respond have already been made.
This is especially true when readiness means being able to go with the flow and follow. Follow the customer. Follow the lead. Follow the idea. When opportunity knocks, you’re ready.
These readiness decisions bring focus and allow for quick, firm responses, based on convictions in real values.
Every apparent “over-night success” story I have ever encountered has a back-story of 10-20 years of preparation for the big break. Even those who seem to be plucked from obscurity to the world stage by talent shows, describe many years of practice, learning, and preparation for this moment.
Focus. Practice. Learn. Be ready. Respond. To needs, inspiration, trends, opportunities.
Posted in Natural Entrepreneurial Thinking
Tagged readiness, respond, responsibility, small business
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Recognize investments and expenses.
Entrepreneurs sort spending this way:
- Expense:
Spend this on a regular basis to cover the basics of running the business. I see the value of creating stability by laying a foundation of spending for regular operating expenses. - Investment:
This spending could create more value later. I see strong enough growth potential for results that I value. These results may be money, resources, referrals, market share, and more.
Start with what you’ve got.
What do you have at hand?
Make something with that.
Make a drawing, make a list, and make a prototype.
Natural Entrepreneurial Thinking does not require a venture capitalist for you to get started.
Posted in Natural Entrepreneurial Thinking
Tagged perspective, small business, start, start-up, transition
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Are You a Digital Immigrant?
Back in 2001, Marc Prensky coined the term Digital Immigrants in his article, called “Digital Immigrants, Digital Natives” which was published by NCB University Press (Vol. 9 No. 5, October 2001).
The test: Did you grow up using cell phones, email, chat, blogging and social media?
Yes: You are a Digital Native.
No: You are a Digital Immigrant (like me).
Another test: Do you send around email jokes about ‘remember when’ topics?
Yes: You are a Digital Immigrant.
No: You are a Digital Native.
Another test: Do you use your cell phone more for texting than talking?
Yes: You are a Digital Native.
No: You are a Digital Immigrant.
If you are a SUCCESSFUL Digital Immigrant, you probably:
- enjoy learning new things
- readily ask for help
- ask younger people for help
- are willing to try things to find out how they work
- like to do online research
- know how to tell if an online store:
- is secure
- has coupons out there for you to mine
- offering you the best deal
- leave comments on other people’s websites as you see fit
- know how to use the Share widget that is all over the internet
- have a Facebook and/or Twitter account
If you are a MARGINALLY SUCCESSFUL Digital Immigrant, you probably:
- are quite good at what you do off line
- enjoy email immensely
- can surf the internet, but couldn’t start a free blog if your life depended upon it
- can buy things online, but don’t fully trust when they ask for your credit card
- don’t dare use PayPal or online banking
- would benefit from asking for help more often, especially from people who are still in high school or college
Guess what? It doesn’t have to be so hard!
I’m compiling some tips for Immigrant Natives who:
- want to get started with a web site
- don’t want to blow a bunch of money, due to lack of familiarity with the lingo or concepts
Posted in Tips for Digital Immigrants
Tagged blog, first web site, save money, small business, tech support
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Take Initiative.
“Whatever you dream or dare to dream, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” – Goethe
Posted in Natural Entrepreneurial Thinking
Tagged Initiative, small business, start-up
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