Spring into New Technology With Cloud Based Storage

It is terrific to spring into action by taking advantage of cloud based storage technology. Storage mediums for computers have changed drastically and over the course of the past twenty years. When I purchased my first computer 20 years ago, we used 5 inch floppy disks for storage. Later the floppy disks dropped in size to 3 inches. Later there were jazz drives, portable hard disk drives, compact discs, DVDs, SD card and flash drives available as storage options. Today cloud based storage options are all the rage. Cloud based storage is a way of referring to storage systems that internet based.

photo credit: blmurch via photopin cc

One of the advantages of cloud based storage systems is that in addition to having storage on your device of choice, you have the ability to access your files anywhere you have internet access.  Cloud based storage systems are convenient because most automatically sync your files that are in the cloud drive on your device. This means that even if you forget to manually sync, your files are up-to-date. There are now numerous cloud based storage system that range in price from free to hundreds of dollars per month. This article will deal only with the free cloud based options including:

• Drop Box
• Google Drive
• Sugar Sync
• Sky Drive

Each of the programs has their own advantages and disadvantages.

Dropbox  -can be used to store all kinds of files, ranging from word processing documents, spreadsheets, video files and photographs. Dropbox can be used to store your files in the cloud, on your computer, tablet or smart phone. Dropbox allows you to send people specific links to files you select so you can share your files with ease. Dropbox starts you with 2 GB of storage capacity for free, but allows you to purchase additional storage space. Dropbox has an interesting feature in that if  your friends sign up for additional storage space based on your referral, Dropbox will give you additional storage space. There is no ability to create files in the cloud based version program.

Google Drive -  is similar to Dropbox, but is a Google based program. Google Drive stars users with 5 GB of storage for free and allows users to purchase more storage space.  Google Drive allows you to create  documents from the cloud based program that you can sync and share. Google Drive also gives you the ability to add a large variety of programs from the Google App Store to your Google Drive.

Sugar Sync - similar to Dropbox and Google Drive without the ability to share individual files with others. There is no ability to create files in the clouds based version of the program.

Sky Drive - this is Microsoft's cloud based storage system which lets you store and share Microsoft Office documents, files and photographs. Sky Drive start new users off with 7 GB of storage space. Sky Drive also allows you to create Office documents in the cloud that you can add to your drive and share.

Photo Credit: Janeane Davis, Terrific Tuesday, cloud based storage

As this brief discussion indicates, there are a great number of similarities between the various cloud based storage programs. There is no definitive answer to the question of which program is best overall. It is largely a matter of preference. I have used all of the cloud based programs listed here. In fact, I still use three of them. I use Dropbox with a client in Louisiana because that is the program of choice for that client's firm. I use Google Drive with my blog partners on our website Pushing Lovely. I use Sky Drive for all my own files for my business, blog and personal files. When I signed up for my Sky Drive account several months ago, I got 25 GB of storage for being an early adopter of the program. I like it because I can store files on my desktop even when I am not online. So, the question for you this terrific day is, what do you use for large scale computer storage?

Do It - Spring Into Action - Don't Wait

spring into action. Procrastination happens, that is a fact that cannot be changed or ignored. There is another fact that cannot be changed or ignored, sometimes, you have to just suck it up and do it, spring into action.

photo credit: JD Hancock via photopin cc

There are a myriad of reasons why people do not spring into action. 
Among the reasons people refuse to spring into action are:

• procrastination
• fear of failure
• fear of success
• lack of knowledge

Procrastination is commonly defined as putting off intentionally and habitually. This means that when a person procrastinates, it is her practice to put off doing what she is supposed to do over and over as a regular matter. It is the opposite of springing into action. If you are a person who has a procrastinating spirit, you must start new habits. When you are tempted to put something off for tomorrow, you have to find a way to hold onto it, and get it done today. Instead of finding excuses to put things off for tomorrow, find a reason to get it done today. The reason can be anything that motivates you. Just find it and get it done.  

 

Fear of failure is another thing that keeps many people from springing into action. Some people think if they do not try, but sit on the sidelines, they are not playing the game and therefore cannot lose. Don't fall for this faulty way of thinking. Failing to take action now, even if it is because you are afraid to fail, is taking an action. Since you are taking action anyway, choose to take an action that gets you closer to achieving your goals.  You cannot let fear of failure control you. Instead of letting fear keep you from acting, do a worst case/best case scenario analysis. Imagine what is the worst thing that could happen if you sprung into action. Then think of the best thing that could happen if you sprung into action. Once you have done this analysis, you have no fear of the unknown. If you know both the best and worst possible outcomes from taking action, you no longer have to be afraid. Don't let fear rule you, spring into action, now.

 

On the opposite side of fear of failure, is fear of success. Incredible as it may seem, there are people who are afraid to succeed. For these people success is scary and something to be avoided. Success can mean new opportunities and new responsibilities. Sometimes people are comfortable where they are, moving on to something new, even if it is something better is scary. You cannot let fear of an unknown future stop you from moving. You must find a way to be brave. The future ahead may be sunny and bright if you succeed, enjoy that success. Accept the new opportunities and responsibilities with a brave heart. Be still and know that success breeds success. This means the first success you are afraid to encounter may lead you to more success, act, spring into action.

Lack of knowledge is another reason why some people refuse to spring into action. It is important to realize that sometimes, the necessities of life dictate that we must act even without full knowledge. Indeed, in many instances, full knowledge is not provided until after action is taken and results are analyzed. There are a great many unknown factors in most calls to action. However, a way must be found to move in spite of the fear of what is not known. If you find yourself in a situation where you must take action, but are experiencing fear due to your lack of knowledge, stop, acknowledge the fear, spend five seconds or less realizing the fear comes from a lack of knowledge. Once that step is complete, stop, spend a few moments gathering whatever knowledge is available, then spring into action. You must learn to gather knowledge as you move forward and practice doing so.

In conclusion, when it comes to carrying out your plans, spring into action now,there is no reason to wait.  Procrastination, fear of failure, fear of success and lack of knowledge are all things that stop a person from springing into action. Do not let these things control you. Instead spring into action, do what is needed to reach your goals and accomplish your mission. So, the question for you this magnificent day is, what are you going to do to spring into action and get things done now?

Do It - Spring Into Action - Don't Wait

It is magnificent to do it now, to spring into action and get things done. There are a lot of reasons to explain why people refuse to spring into action. Procrastination happens, that is a fact that cannot be changed or ignored. There is another fact that cannot be changed or ignored, sometimes, you have to just suck it up and do it, spring into action.

photo credit: JD Hancock via photopin cc

There are a myriad of reasons why people do not spring into action. 
Among the reasons people refuse to spring into action are:

• procrastination
• fear of failure
• fear of success
• lack of knowledge

Procrastination is commonly defined as putting off intentionally and habitually. This means that when a person procrastinates, it is her practice to put off doing what she is supposed to do over and over as a regular matter. It is the opposite of springing into action. If you are a person who has a procrastinating spirit, you must start new habits. When you are tempted to put something off for tomorrow, you have to find a way to hold onto it, and get it done today. Instead of finding excuses to put things off for tomorrow, find a reason to get it done today. The reason can be anything that motivates you. Just find it and get it done.  

 

Fear of failure is another thing that keeps many people from springing into action. Some people think if they do not try, but sit on the sidelines, they are not playing the game and therefore cannot lose. Don't fall for this faulty way of thinking. Failing to take action now, even if it is because you are afraid to fail, is taking an action. Since you are taking action anyway, choose to take an action that gets you closer to achieving your goals.  You cannot let fear of failure control you. Instead of letting fear keep you from acting, do a worst case/best case scenario analysis. Imagine what is the worst thing that could happen if you sprung into action. Then think of the best thing that could happen if you sprung into action. Once you have done this analysis, you have no fear of the unknown. If you know both the best and worst possible outcomes from taking action, you no longer have to be afraid. Don't let fear rule you, spring into action, now.

 

On the opposite side of fear of failure, is fear of success. Incredible as it may seem, there are people who are afraid to succeed. For these people success is scary and something to be avoided. Success can mean new opportunities and new responsibilities. Sometimes people are comfortable where they are, moving on to something new, even if it is something better is scary. You cannot let fear of an unknown future stop you from moving. You must find a way to be brave. The future ahead may be sunny and bright if you succeed, enjoy that success. Accept the new opportunities and responsibilities with a brave heart. Be still and know that success breeds success. This means the first success you are afraid to encounter may lead you to more success, act, spring into action.

Lack of knowledge is another reason why some people refuse to spring into action. It is important to realize that sometimes, the necessities of life dictate that we must act even without full knowledge. Indeed, in many instances, full knowledge is not provided until after action is taken and results are analyzed. There are a great many unknown factors in most calls to action. However, a way must be found to move in spite of the fear of what is not known. If you find yourself in a situation where you must take action, but are experiencing fear due to your lack of knowledge, stop, acknowledge the fear, spend five seconds or less realizing the fear comes from a lack of knowledge. Once that step is complete, stop, spend a few moments gathering whatever knowledge is available, then spring into action. You must learn to gather knowledge as you move forward and practice doing so.

In conclusion, when it comes to carrying out your plans, spring into action now,there is no reason to wait.  Procrastination, fear of failure, fear of success and lack of knowledge are all things that stop a person from springing into action. Do not let these things control you. Instead spring into action, do what is needed to reach your goals and accomplish your mission. So, the question for you this magnificent day is, what are you going to do to spring into action and get things done now?

Improve Family Life - Spend Alone Time with Each Child

You can find serenity for your family by spending alone time with each child. Most parents who have more than one child know that one of the most precious gifts you can give a child is one on one attention. Very often in families with one or more children parents spend time with children in a group rather than on a one on one basis. When you are part of a multi-child family your children  often will get only a very little private time with you.  Quality of life in your family will get better if your children feel special, loved and are able to have private time with you.

photo credit: hepingting via photopin cc

Being a parent to more than one child is challenge for a variety of reasons including:

• children crave attention
• children want to feel special
• children want to feel their valued
• children want confirmation that their parents love them
• there are  a finite number of hours in each day
• there is a finite amount of energy each parent has at any particular time

By spending time with your children on a one on one basis you are able to satisfy all these desires. The great thing about one on one time with your children is that you do not have to spend a lot of time or do a lot of expensive things in order to satisfy a child's desire for one on one attention. the following are a few activities I have done with my children that  made them feel special:

• ask child set the table to for dinner as you prepare dinner
• have your child read you a story as you drive to errands
• take your child to the local coffee shop to watch movies on your phone, tablet or laptop computer
• let your child help pay bills by picking a bill from the pile to be paid next
• brag to your child about a work accomplishment
• allow your child to sit and tell you her favorite thing that happened at school each day
• get one child up a few minutes earlier than the rest for hot chocolate time
• allow one child to stay up a few minutes  later to share secrets

As this list shows, there are a lot of things you can do easily to give a child a little one on one attention and make the child feel special all at the same time.  So, the question for you this serene day is, what are your tips for giving your children each one on one time and making them feel special?

Make an Action List - Spring Into Improving Your Business

It is thrilling to spring into action and improve your business by creating an improvement  action list. One of the worst things a business owner can do is get complacent. A complacent entrepreneur does not think about ways to improve her business.  Complacency means the death of innovation, improvement and growth. If you find yourself growing complacent with how things are going in your business, step back and look at your business through the objective  eyes of an outsider.

photo credit: IvanWalsh.com via photopin cc

When you look at your business with objective eyes, look at the following areas (not listed in order of importance):

• income
• expenses
• cash flow
• employee turnover rates
• customer retention rates
• return on investment
• adherence to business plan
• retained earnings

If all these things are at the top of the range  expected for a business of your size, in your industry, excellent. If there are one or more areas that are not at the top of the charts, you have the first items that should be placed on your business improvement action list.

photo credit: Poster Boy NYC via photopin cc

A business improvement action list is a list, not in order or priority, of areas where action needs to be taken so that improvements in the business can be made.  In some businesses, the action list is something that all members of the business  can contribute to creating. In those businesses all owners and employees are encouraged to think of ways to make the company better and to share those ideas. Management goes through the lists on a regular basis and selects items to act on, decides where improvements will be made. At other companies, business improvement lists are created by select persons only. Either method is fine. The method for creating the improvement action list is not the important part. The important part is being on the lookout for areas to improve.

If an entrepreneur works under the ABI plan aka the always be improving method she will always find areas to improve and over time will improve every area of her business. Improving a business is similar to improving  home. You start with a remodel of the living room including new curtains and furniture. Once that is done, the dining room looks dated in comparison. Once dining room has been improved the kitchen looks out-of-place. Soon the entire house has been recreated. A similar thing happens when one starts improving her business. If you improve your employee retention rate you will notice improvement to the customer service procedures are needed.

Photo Credit: Janeane Davis Thrilling Thursday improvement action plan

If you want to be successful as an entrepreneur, it is important to avoid complacency and to always be on the look out for things to improve in your business. It may not be possible to remember every item that needs to be improved or ideas on how to make the improvements. That is why it is important to have the list in writing. It can be stored electronically or via the proven and true pen and paper method. This is another area where method of putting the information together is not important. What is important is that the list gets created, maintained and at some point, acted upon. So, the question for you this thrilling day is what are you going to put on your business improvement action list?

Spring into Networking in the Real World and Online

It is wonderful to network by using contacts you have met only on-line as well as those from the real world. The world is getting smaller and smaller as technology enables us to meet people from around the world on-line and travel gets easier and easier in the real world. As we meet more and more people with whom we would like to maintain relationships, networking becomes increasingly important.

photo credit: Thompson Rivers via photopin cc

Normally the term networking is used to describe a situation under which two or more people with common interests who support one another share information and services. Due to the popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and the like, many people have a network of people they know only in the virtual world. In my own life, I started a business with two women I know only on-line. We will be meeting in person later this year, by then our business will be eight months old! People who work at home, are sole proprietors or naturally shy may find that social networking allows them to build a network of people who will provide support, friendship and opportunities to smile at a convenient time and in a convenient place aka whenever you want on your smart phone, tablet or laptop computer.

In the real world there are more ways to meet people than this article has room to explore. This is the place where traditional networking takes place - the real world. We meet people, get their business card, write down their phone numbers or type their contact information into our electronic device of choice. No matter whether the contact is an on-line contact or a real world contact it is important that we maintain the relationship and not let the contact wither on the vine so to speak. Here are a few ways you can build or maintain a relationship with your contacts:

• contact day
• clip list
• social media groups
• text message
• computer video chats
• quick call

Contact day - start a list of people you want to maintain a relationship. Create an actual list so that in one place you have the name, address (physical or e-mail) and phone number of people with whom you want to make sure you maintain a relationship. It is important to have all the contacts on-line and real world all in one place so you can go through the contact steps all at one time, all in one place. Next pick one day per month as your contact day and on that day reach out to those on your contact list. Reach out to the people on your contact list via email, telephone or by good old-fashioned hand written letter.

Clip list - as you read magazines on your tablet device or surf the internet, if you find an article that will be of interest to someone on your contact list clip it and save it to give to that person. I use a clipping program for Evernote that lets me save web pages to an Evernote file I have created. Then I can send the "clip" via email right from my Evernote program in a matter of seconds. If you send your contacts timely, relevant and useful information, they will like hearing from you and look forward to receiving your messages.

Social Media Groups - this is a great way to stay in contact with and  maintain a relationship with on-line contacts. An amazing amount of networking, job referring, support and advice takes place via social media groups. My favorite social media group, Pushing Lovely on Facebook amazes me each day with the support, advice and encouragement that members provide to each other. It is particularly amazing because this is a group of women that meets mainly on via Facebook updates.

Text Messages - this is a great method of contact for people who are shy or have a lot of people to contact. With text messaging you are able to send a short message of encouragement, support or advice to a contact in seconds and a response is not needed. In mere minutes, you are able to send quick text messages on any subject to dozens of people and thus keep in contact with ease.

Computer video chats - the availability of technological advances and programs like Skype and Google+ hangouts it is very easy to talk with people and see their faces. This is a great method of communication and helps build and develop relationships. These programs make it easy and inexpensive to see a person you are speaking with and is much easier to arrange than an airplane ride across the country.

Quick call - never forget the value of hearing someone's voice on the telephone. For people of my generation, a telephone used to be for talking and not just texting. It is still nice and appropriate to make a telephone call to stay in touch with people on your contact list.

Photo Credit: Janeane Davis Wonderful Wednesday Networking IRL and OL

In conclusion, it is wonderful to network with people you know in the real world and those you know only on-line. When we think of our personal and professional networks, we must increasingly look for more and creative ways to maintain connections with those who are important to us or whom we want to be important to us. So, the question for you this wonderful day is how do you network?

Dare - Spring Into Action - Why Get a New Tablet

It is terrific to take a dare and explore how the latest technology can make things better for your business. It is a well-known and established fact that sales of tablet devices have increased in popularity over the past several years. In some cases, consumers are choosing to purchase tablet devices instead of desktop or laptop computers. Entrepreneurs would be well served to take this fact into consideration when purchasing technology for the office.

photo credit: viagallery.com via photopin cc

A tablet or tablet pc is commonly defined as a portable computer that use a touchscreen as the primary input device. On computers one typically says she is opening a program. On tablets, one typically says she is opening an application or app. Most tablets are smaller in terms of square footage and weight than a traditional laptop computer.

Tablets are made by a variety of manufacturers on a variety of platforms including Android, Apple and Windows. Which platform is the best? It depends on your personal preferences and business needs. I am not an Apple person so I never buy or recommend their products, but I admit it is my personal preference. In reality, most tablets are very similar in form and function so it is best to buy something that fits your personal taste preferences.

Tablets are commonly used for entertainment applications such as watching movies, listening to music or even reading books. Entrepreneurs should note that tablets are useful tools for business owners  and can be used for a variety to business tasks including:

• writing
• research
• presentations
• information storage
• photographs

Among my entrepreneurial activities, I own a consulting firm geared toward advising small businesses, write a daily blog that accepts paid advertising from sponsors and have started an e-book publishing company.  For my work, a tablet is a waste of money and space if I cannot use it to write with ease. I have used several brands of tablet and find that I am able to use them for writing both with and without a stylus with ease. For entrepreneurs who travel, tablets have the additional advantage of being small in size and possessing better battery life than most laptops which make them easy to use on buses, trains and airplanes. Once upon a time a visit to the local coffee would reveal many entrepreneurs with their laptops out as they drank coffee and handled business matters. Today, those laptops are increasingly being replaced by tablet devices.

Most modern tablets have the ability to connect to wi-fi networks or have built-in internet connections. This means that they can be used to do research via the internet with ease. The ability to do research on a tablet device, to store and have that research in pocket or on hand later is an incredible boon and benefit for busy entrepreneurs.

There are several tablets currently on the market that are large enough to use by entrepreneurs to share presentations with clients and employees. Gone are the days when giving a presentation meant pulling out a big white screen and a cumbersome roll of slides. Entrepreneurs are now able to give presentations on the fly with no notice or help from AV club geeks by pulling a tablet out of a purse or briefcase pocket. The ability to give a presentation in line at the bank or while watching children play at the playground have made it easier for entrepreneurs to do business.

Additionally tablets are good for information storage as well as the taking and reviewing photographs. Another note about tablets is that they make it easier to manage a calendar and to do list than a smart phone does. Tablets have large bright screens that make manipulating information and dealing with data a breeze.

Photo Credit: Janeane Davis Terrific Tuesday dare to use a tablet

In conclusion, technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the past five years and will continue to do so in the future. Take out your tablet for more than just watching movies and start using it for running your business. So the question for you this terrific day is what are you going to dare to do with the latest technological advance?

Completion - Spring Into Action Now, Don't Wait

It is magnificent to get important tasks completed, so spring into action now! People spend a lot of time managing their to do lists. Trying to figure out what to put on the list, how to organize items on the list and what to keep off the list. The thing people do not spend careful thought and attention on is actually completing the things on the list. That is a shame, because the completion is the most important thing when dealing with items on a to do list. Before reading this article, look at your to do list to see  your list completion rate.

photo credit: Arwens Abendstern via photopin 

The goal of this article is to talk about completion, getting things finished, done and crossed off the to do list.  Here we will explore who needs to work on completion, why completion is necessary, and some ideas on how to complete items on the to do list. This topic is relevant because almost every person who is alive has a to do list. Look at the following people for example:

• infants alive only minutes have  to do lists: eat, dirty diaper, cry
• toddlers have to do lists: eat, play, drive parents crazy
• teenagers have to do lists: eat, go to school, drive parents crazy, plan for future
• adults have to do lists: work, take care of home, raise children, pay bills, take care of parents

As this list indicates, almost every person alive has a to do list. This means everyone needs to be concerned about getting things off the to do list. There are two popular ways things can be removed from the to do list:

• complete the items on the list
• cross the items off the list even if they haven't been done and hope for the best

It is obvious that the first option above is the better and more productive of the two  options. Therefore, the mission of a person with a long and ever-growing to do list should be to get the list completed. While it is relatively easy to escape the completion of the items on the to do list, it is rather difficult to stop the growth of the to do list. Completion will bring us satisfaction, accomplishment and a sense of well-being. After all, we create our to do lists because there are things we must accomplish, things we must get done. This is why we feel unsuccessful and like failures when we do not get our to do lists completed. The inability to get the to do list completed is such a common problem that there are a myriad of programs for our computers and smart phones to get our to do lists done. Some of the currently popular methods include:

• do the easiest job first
• do the hardest job first
• first eat the frog
• attack the list by priority and importance
• do the job that generates the most return first
• prioritize tasks according to level of importance
• tackle tasks based upon due date

It does not matter what method you use for completing tasks, the most important part is the act of completion, not the completion method. When it comes to doing things on your to do list, if you do not have a favorite "get it done" method, start with the item at the top of the list and get it done. Once you have done this repeat this process until every item on the list is done. It will be hard and it will be time-consuming. However, none of that matters. When it comes to dealing with the to do list, life demands that you show up like a grown up and get through the list. Grown-ups get done, what needs doing, even when it takes a long time, even when it is hard.

Photo Credit: Janeane Davis, Magnificent Monday, completion, spring into action

In conclusion, it is a great feeling to cross things off the to do list and to be able to say you have completed something you set your mind to accomplishing. So, the question for you this magnificent day is, what are you going to complete today?

Spring Into Action - Make One Improvement at Work

It is fantastic for an entrepreneur to spring into action by making one improvement in her business. It is scary to look at a long list of improvements needed and not know where to begin or if the list will ever get completed. There is reason to smile however. The list can be completed, it can be managed. Step by step, piece by piece, the list can get done, and completing tasks is contagious. Spring into action and start making improvements with your business because it is necessary, it is important and it can be done.

photo credit: Arno Meintjes Wildlife via photopin cc

Most entrepreneurs have a long list of improvements needed for their businesses. Those lists get longer and longer with each day that passes. Sometimes it is overwhelming to admit just how much work is needed to keep a business up and running. For many people, when the list of improvements needed is too long it gets scary. Those people go from scared to paralyzed and then stay at paralyzed. It does not have to be that way. Imagine for an instant what things would be like if instead of acting scared and being overcome by paralysis, one chose to eat the elephant.
Think about the old riddle,

     Question:          How do you eat an elephant

     Answer:            One bite at a time

When you think about it, the riddle just makes sense. An elephant is a big thing, a giant thing, a thing way to big to think about eating. Just the thought of sitting down to eat an elephant is an overwhelming thing. However, if instead of looking at the whole elephant you look at the job of eating an elephant as just taking a bite, the task seems more manageable. A person can take a bite because a bite is not scary. A bite of chocolate makes you want more. A bite of a red velvet cupcake makes you want more. A bite, a first step is not scary at all. A bite of the list of improvements needed is not scary, it can be managed.

If an entrepreneur took her list of improvements needed, and took the eat an elephant approach, the to do list would be a little less scary and a lot more manageable. Instead  of being overwhelmed by the sheer large size of her list of improvements needed, it may be a good idea for her to spring into action, pick one item on the list, any item, and deal with that item, just the one item. Make one improvement, then sit back for a moment and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and pride of purpose. Action is contagious, once the joy of completing one item on the improvements needed list is done, it well help spur on more action.

One by one, bite by bite the list of improvements needed will get smaller and smaller as the entrepreneur eats her elephant. Each completed task attracts attention to another task in need of completion. As the newly established pattern continues, the question stops being, "How do you eat an elephant," and becomes "Would you please pass me a napkin? I am done my meal." The eat the elephant approach is not the only approach, but it is my favorite.

Photo Credit: Janeane Davis Fantastic Friday Spring into Action, Eat an Elephant

In conclusion, it is fantastic to spring into action by making one improvement at a time because it can start an avalanche. The elephant of a list of improvements you have for your business can be managed, can be completed and can be done. So, spring into action, pick something,  anything and get it done. Then repeat that again and  again, just one thing at a time. So, the question for you this fantastic day is, what item on your business' list of improvements needed are you going to spring into action and complete today?

Fall in Love With Your Business and Create a Winning Team

It is thrilling to fall in love with your business and create a winning team to help it grow and thrive.  An interesting fact about human nature is that people work harder, stronger and smarter for loved ones than for strangers. Many entrepreneurs think of their businesses as their children, their offspring, or loved ones. Just as you would not leave your child in the care of just anyone, you should not trust your business to just anyone. In order to succeed as an entrepreneur, you must build a team of people who will work with you and for you in an effort to make your business a success.

 

photo credit: Barack Obama via photopin cc

 

Everyone has heard the expression, "It takes a village to raise a child." Another expression that should become a common feature with entrepreneurs is "It takes a team to run a business." There are all kinds of people who are necessary team members if your business is to be successful:

• human resources manager
• financial adviser
• strategic planner
• operations manager

A human resources manager will be the person responsible for hiring, training and helping to retain employees. It is not easy to find the right employee for each job function and a person who is going to be in charge of human resources, must be able to understand how the company functions, able to assess people and able to manage people and their expectations. It is the human resources manager that works out employee disputes, handles benefits questions and helps keep the office morale where it should be.  The company's financial advisor is responsible not only for the short-term day-to-day finances of the company, but also for helping the company to meet its long-term financial goals. A business exists for many reasons, one of the most important of which is to make money. It is critically important that a business pay careful and close attention to the state of its finances. An entrepreneur must be ever mindful of cash flowing both into and out of the business. Finances are an area of the business that cannot, should not and must not be ignored if an entrepreneur is going to run a successful business. Another important team member is a strategic planner. Yet another popular expression that almost every person has heard is, "If you fail to plan then you plan to fail." An entrepreneur should have a strategic plan, a road map for how things are going to be done. When picking a strategic planner, an entrepreneur should look for a person with business experience, a good frame of reference and the ability to learn new and relevant things on the fly. The operations manager at a company is the person who makes sure that in working day-to-day, the strategic plan gets carried out at the business operates according to plan. All of these roles are important to the entrepreneur trying to run a business.

Out of necessity on many occasions, an entrepreneur fills all these roles alone. Of course, that is not the ideal, but it is a fact that in many small businesses, there is one person who has to do all these jobs without any outside help. However, as soon as possible an entrepreneur should find people to help share the load. An entrepreneur can get others to help with these duties in many ways including the following:

• get a team of advisers - people who will give advice on  a regular basis for free
• hire the people needed to fill the positions
• become associated with an organization like SCORE that provides advice from retired executives
• join appropriate industry groups
• find  and join social media networking groups for your industry and participate in discussions in order to give and receive guidance
• read, read, read and read - if you cannot get outside experts, become an expert yourself by reading everything you can on these areas to build your working knowledge

Photo Credit: Janeane Davis Thrilling Thursday Build a Team to Help Business Thrive

In conclusion, it is thrilling to fall in love with your business and create a winning team because we all work harder, smarter and stronger for those we love.  As an entrepreneur, treat your business like a treasured loved on and find a team to help you run your business. So, the question for you this thrilling day is, how are you creating a winning team for your business' success?

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