Sandra Martini's Success Strategies

Do you have the "Big 3"?

I was chatting with a local retired businessman earlier today and we got on the topic of management and leadership -- of people, teams and business in general -- and he said that as long as you follow the "Big 3", you're starting from a great place.

So what exactly is the "Big 3"?

Three little words which, when used to govern our behavior, in business and in life are a recipe for success: Firm, Fair and Consistent.

Firm with your time and boundaries.

Fair with everyone you interact with (I think of it as a win-win for all) and

Consistent in your actions so your clients know what they can expect from you.

How can you incorporate these three little words into your every day actions?

Strategic Implementation: A direct path to your goals

While sitting outside writing the other day, I noticed a couple of finches near my birdfeeders.

Those of you who have birdfeeders know that finches enjoy their own food, different from what I feed everyone else so competition wasn't the problem.

The issue was that my "big girl" Sasha (black lab/rotti mix) was sniffing around the feeders.

One finch sat on a branch close to the feeder and flew in for bites whenever Sasha roamed away. He stayed close, was focused on his goal and kept getting satisfying bites.

The other finch however, flit about from branch to branch vaguely watching the feeder (or Sasha) as other things caught his attention.

When Sasha roamed and he could easily swoop in for a nibble, he always ended up being too far away and missed the opportunity. You could almost feel his frustration.

If only he'd been strategically implementing. . .

So what exactly IS "Strategic Implementation"?

It's generally defined as:

• A process by which strategies and policies are put into action through the development of programs, budgets, and procedures and
• The methods by which strategies are operationalized or executed within the organization; it focuses on the processes through which strategies are achieved.

WOW -- let's put that in "small business lingo" shall we. . .it's strategically (meaning "eye on long term goal") creating and implementing (meaning "getting stuff DONE!") your marketing funnel by developing systems to streamline the entire process (meaning "work smarter, not harder).

And without the Corporate language: Strategic Implementation means. "While keeping your eye on the long term goal, work as smartly as possible to get stuff done."

Sounds easy enough so why are most small businesses struggling?

Quite simply, many business owners are implementing just for the sake of implementing and being busy.

They've no idea HOW to strategically implement. So what should you do if you're in this rut, and likely don't even realize it?

Make It Real: My Request to You

If you're in the mode of being "busy" rather than "effectively productive", you'll want to stop what you're doing RIGHT NOW, grab a pen and paper (no computer) and do the following:

1. Write down WHY you're in business -- not your mission to help others, but what is your business going to do FOR YOU.
2. Write it again.
3. And again.
4. Now write down what you did today that will bring you closer to THAT goal.

If this exercise served as a quick wake up call, you'll want to reassess how you spend your days and find ways to outsource or delete the rest so that you can maintain focused implementation on those items which pull you ever closer to your goal.

Are you part of the hype? Why letting go is the fastest way to move forward

It's interesting how many of us are shy or uncomfortable about acknowledging where we are in our business (or life) because we think we *should* be further along than we are or that we don't measure up.

I've been noticing a trend with some of my "Get Acquainted" calls:

Entrepreneurs are frustrated that they're not achieving the level of success others perceive them to already have.

Read that line again.

Why do others perceive you to have success beyond where you are?

It's typically because as humans, we want to feel included and, "in this world", that means being "successful" in a "make 6 figures or beyond, go on high end vacations, wear Manolo Blahniks and only fly first class or in a private jet" type of way so people will want to hire you. . . as opposed to whatever "successful" means for you and having people hire you because of the uniqueness only you can bring to a relationship. My advice: "Let go of the hype, determine what successful means TO YOU and FOR YOU and then let's create a roadmap to get you there."

You MUST accept where you are today, right at this instant, before you can move forward to where you want to be!

You can't move your business forward by pretending you're somewhere further than you are. Trying to do so will result in overwhelm, chaos and, usually, financial stress.

Next Action Step

First, define what "successful" means to you. Forget everyone else.

Second, we're 2 months into 2009, take a look at your original 2009 goals and decide if they're still realistic. If so, great. . .plot your roadmap. If not, revise and then plot your roadmap.

Third, look around at others in your industry: Is there someone you can use as inspiration for taking action in your business.

You don't have to love everything about the person, we just want them to motivate you into action.

It’s the trying to be something or someone you're not which sucks the motivation out of you, not where you currently are in your business, so ACCEPT who and where you are and then you can move forward!