10 simple ideas for business success

10 Simple IdeasMichael W. HawkinsCEO, Netizen Corporationhttps://[email protected]

© 2016 Netizen Corporation | www.Netizen.us | 800-450-1773

#1: Employing Veterans

#1: Employing Veterans

Ingrained Characteristics:• Reliable And

Trustworthy• Attention To Detail• Leadership And Team• Dedicated To The

Mission• Integrity And Ethics• Unafraid Of Hard Work

“Building a startup, or any organization for that matter, is like starting a revolution. As an entrepreneur you’re convincing anyone you can – your employees, your clients, your partners and your family – that you’re engaged in something worth fighting for. It’s a grind. It’s a battle. So who better to hire than a soldier?” – Forbes Magazine, August 2013



#2: Give First


#2: Give First

Why It Works:

• Focuses On The Solution

• Promotes Expert Image

• Develops Relationships

• Provides Something To Remember You By

• Treats People As People, Not Simply “Leads”

How It Works:

• Provide Something Of Value • No Expectation Of A Return• Offer Expertise, Insight, Etc.• Keep In Touch, But Don’t Badger• Focus On Sustainable, Long-Term

Relationships Not Short-Term Sales


#3: Employees As Family


#3: Employees As Family

• Train, Mentor, and Counsel Them Often• Make Them Feel Important To Accomplishing The Mission• Set Clear Expectations, But Accept Failure At Times As

Learning• Treat Them As You Would Want To Be In That Role


#4: Hire The Person, Train The Skills


#4: Hire The Person, Train The Skills

• Skills Are Taught, But Certain Attributes Cannot Be Easily• Look For Character, Work Ethic, Ambition And Attention To Detail• Develop A Learning Or Training Plan To Get Them Up To Speed

Remember: A Great Technician Can Still Become A Bad Hire In The Wrong

Setting.

#5: Continuous Learning


#5: Continuous Learning

• The Most Successful People All Have This Attribute In Common

• Must Have A “Thirst” For Training, Reading, Education, etc.• There Is Something New To Learn Every Single Day• Find A Mentor And Meet With Them Often


#6: Develop An Ethos


#6: Develop An Ethos

• Like A Business Plan But For Corporate Culture And Ethics

• Give The Team Something To Rally Around And Believe In

• Keep It Short And Simple• Let People Know They Are

Working For Something Greater Than Their Individual Selves

The U.S. Army “Warrior Ethos”

• I will always place the mission first.

• I will never accept defeat.

• I will never quit.

• I will never leave a fallen comrade.


#7: Leave Your Ego At The Door


#7: Leave Your Ego At The Door

• A Strong Business Is Not Built Around A Single Person• Always Share The Limelight With Your Team• Recognize Others Often And Celebrate Victories, However

Small• Involve The Team In The Decision Making Process• The Best Leaders Show Confidence, But Can Admit Their

Mistakes


#8: Form And Leverage Partnerships


#8: Form And Leverage Partnerships

• The Spirit of “Coopetition”: Competing One Day, Partnering The Next

• Leverage Complimenting Strengths To Reach Adjacent Markets• Don’t Be Paranoid. Ideas Don’t Win, Execution Of The Idea

Does.• Partner Companies Must Be Compatible In Vision, Culture, etc.


#9: Be Transparent


#9: Be Transparent

• Share Openly When Appropriate. Which Is Often.• Share Your Knowledge And Expertise With Others Freely.• Admit Mistakes And Learn From Them.• Don’t Hide Bad News, Especially From Employees.• Reputations Are Built Over Years, But Can Be Destroyed In

Minutes.


#10: Be Adaptable


#10: Be Adaptable

• “Semper Gumby” As The Military Says

• Adaptable Companies And Leaders Seek And Find Opportunity Everywhere.

• Maintain Long-Range Fixed Goals, But Update Your Short-Range Plans To Achieve Them Often.

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” – Mike Tyson


BONUS: Never Give Up

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

- Thomas Edison

“Proceed as if success is inevitable.”

- Unknown