by Cara Lumen
Entrepreneur Magazine says 2010 will be the year of the entrepreneur because unlike a large company we are fluid and flexible and can respond quickly. We’re also small and light on our feet since we use Cloud Nine technology to outsource even some of our core systems. And that frees us up to stay fluid, to monitor and respond to the changing moods and needs of our target audience. Between home offices and virtual assistants and tech people from all parts of the world, we can even start up with very little money and the trend now is for friends and family to bankroll a start up. Anything is possible. Your dream can become a reality even now. Especially now.
I hadn’t thought of myself in that light – fluid and flexible, and if I get too bogged down in where I think I should be going I may not be able to see where I could be going.
How fluid am I? How often do I thoughtfully examine the changes in my target community? Do I look for their new concerns? Do I think about what keeps them up at night? And do I keep adding skills and look at my talents and passion to see if I can add something to my business that will meet those needs?
Are my business systems fluid? Do I have a VA and an accountant in place ready to move quickly if I need them to do more for me? Have I located a virtual team to meet the needs of new clients? Are my own systems set up so that I can quickly add more clients or effectively promote a new telecourse? How have I freed myself up so I can stay creatively tuned into the people I serve?
Is my measuring system in place so I can spot what’s working and what isn’t and quickly do more of what is working? Do I reevaluate my business every quarter and redirect its course if necessary?
How flexible am I? One thing I did do well this month is plan my direction for the coming year. I did a lot of thinking and analyzing and I figured out what my community will want from me and I set up some new offerings. I increased the number of courses in my Magnetic Marketing Method Mastery Program. Then I designed a schedule and blocked off time to make it happen. I even know what new information products I will produce. I’m excited about my plan and I’m a bit like a train going rapidly down the track in one direction. So what if something comes along that seems like a better idea? Will I be flexible? Will I fluidly change gears and directions to absorb or accommodate the new idea? I like to think so.
If I keep my attention on the needs of my community I will know when I need to change. When I hear them call I will answer. And if I have my systems in place I will have the time and resources to make it happen.
If you get too caught up in the details of your business, you can’t do your job – the job that says you are the idea person, the one watching the ebb and flow, the one who creates the new programs and services. As the core of your business, you have to be its heartbeat, you have to tune into its rhythm and keep all its working parts going in the same direction.
Are you set up to change directions easily? Do you have the systems in place you need to grow rapidly? More importantly do you have the mind set to respond quickly? Think agile, think quick, think decisive, think fluid and flexible. Then you’ll be ready to keep up with the changing needs of your community and keep your business in tune with the times.
[…] Magazine says 2010 will be the year of the entrepreneur because unlike a large company we are fluid and flexible and can respond quickly. Are […]