Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Finding Entrepreneur Resources All Around You

By Lessie Kaufman


The keys to running a successful business are innovation and creativity. That means seeing possible entrepreneur resources in places that other businesspeople might not even think to look. Read on for tips to discover value and potential in unexpected places, and find new ways to grow and strengthen your company by thinking outside the box.

Experts can come in all sizes and colors, and not all of them have prestigious degrees or job titles. Chances are, you know a lot of people in your life who have something to teach you. What knowledge can you tap into through friend and family networks that can help you grow?

Consider recruiting a personal board of directors, not for your company, but simply for yourself as an individual. Identify five people in your life, with five varied perspectives, whose advice you trust. Schedule private coffee chats with each of these individual advisers at least twice per year, and talk with them about your goals and your individual progress as an entrepreneur.

Any business in your community where you have consumer confidence might be a good partner for your own company. Where do you enjoy being a customer? Entrepreneurs who only consider partners within their own industry or immediate field miss out on many potentially beneficial alliances.

Surprising partnerships can benefit both businesses. Your favorite restaurant might be a great partner to throw an awards ceremony for your field, willing to supply food for your gala at cost to raise their own visibility. Your regular coffee shop might be willing to donate breakfast pastries for your breakroom in exchange for steady business supplying lattes to your afternoon meetings. You never know until you ask.

You may be missing potential resources within your own company. How well do you know your workforce? Make time for in-depth conversations with the people who work for you, and see what treasures might be hiding within the skill sets of the employees you've already hired. Many will have unique talents or special skills ideal for your projects, or for new growth ventures down the road.

Once you find an employee's unexplored potential, that passion translates into better work, longer hours, and more successful milestones, without you investing an extra dime. Ask your workforce what facets of their skills aren't challenged or engaged by the work they do each day, and listen to what they offer you. Try to look at your workers with new eyes, to see resources you might have missed.

Last but not least, look to the internet. Whether you are already a titan in your field, or are just starting out, there are resources online for you. When you have a burning question, log on to ask for advice or help with that specific issue. If you have a new idea, do some research online to see who else might be pursuing that business idea, and what you can learn from their approach to help you achieve your own dreams.




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