Canadian Small Business Women

Connection, Synergy, Community

Perseverance – Holding Strong in Tough Situations

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During the course of the last few years I have looked at many young people starting their careers and new entrepreneurs launching their businesses and I have notice a definite pattern.  The success stories come from those who have continued to persevere through the difficult times.

Many young people come out of school with this great expectation of embarking on this grand new career. They have already spent their first week’s pay prior to getting the interview. They have furnished their new apartment, bought their first expensive car, and the new clothes to suit that career, in their imagination.

Then reality occurs and although they have a plan and have done all the right things, the interviews and job offers are low paying and in many cases not in the field they even studied. In other instances, the job offers are distant and far away from home and this leads to the feeling of solitude and loneliness. They don’t have that support system we all need.

New entrepreneurs have invested much of their own funds and have taken loans to sustain their launch and business endeavours. They have invested in websites, marketing, networking events, chambers, and have sacrificed important family time to launch business with passion.

Then this reality hits and the economy is not co-operating, the business contacts are not connecting fast enough, the loans are due, and the desperation starts to overwhelm them.

Through all of this some choose to fold and others choose to fight! It is the strong in mind, passion and belief of self that succeed.  The young people who will take that first job no matter where it is or how low the pay and make it into a career.  Their perseverance is finally paying off! Once we allow ourselves to be open to a different route (not the only we planned unfortunately), we open ourselves up to new methods, opportunities and adventures.

Our wonderful entrepreneurs have to allow the brainstorming sessions with those they trust and rely on to find diverse methods of becoming more known.  There are many inexpensive methods to advertise and through a great network of colleagues they can guide you through.  The perseverance in your passion takes great sacrifice and trust.

Believe in yourself and allow the universe to expand your belief to others.

Anna Ottaviani is a Board Certified NLP Master Practitioner & Master Coach, Board Certified Master Hypnotherapist,Creating Your Future® , Time Line® Therapist Practitioner and Reiki Master. Her methods are unique and tailored to each individual client. She can be reached at www.sucessfullyyou.ca or by phone at 289-221-5772. You can follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/successfullyyou?ref=ts&fref=ts

What Sets Us Apart?!?

anna

What sets us apart!

I speak with my entrepreneurs and one question I ask them is “What makes you different?”
The answers vary. Words like “new” technique, “improved” materials, and “specialized”
equipment come into the conversation.

Then I ask them again, “What makes YOU different?” This is when I see the furrowed brow
and confused looks. In a time with prices are competitive, margin is tight and the market is
extremely competitive, YOU become the selling feature.

There are diverse types of consumers. Some base their decision solely on price, others
on easy accessibility to the product or service, many on quality of the product or service.
However, all areas being equal the selling feature will be your customer service skills. I
have included some simple and effective customer service reminders.

1. The quality of customer service starts with you and with your employees. We need to treat
our internal customers (employees) well. It will show. Companies don’t help customers… people do.

2. Who your customers are? Do you recognize your clientele? Could you call them by name? We all
like to feel important; calling someone by name lets them know you value them as customers.

3. Do you go the extra mile? Include a thank-you note; send a birthday card; write a
congratulatory note when they get a promotion. These are all simple ways to keep in touch with your
customers.

4. Always listen to the customer complaint. You will never win an argument with a customer, and
you should never, ever put a customer in that position.

5. If a customer makes a request for something special, do you do all you can? If the
customer cared enough to ask, then do your best to accommodate them.

Such very simple steps that as businesses we need to remember to enhance our reputation.
People do business with those they like and respect. So I will ask you once more….

“What makes you unique?”

Anna Ottaviani is a Board Certified NLP Master Practitioner & Master Coach, Board Certified Master Hypnotherapist,Creating Your Future® , Time Line® Therapist Practitioner and Reiki Master. Her methods are unique and tailored to each individual client. She can be reached at www.sucessfullyyou.ca or by phone at 289-221-5772. You can follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/successfullyyou?ref=ts&fref=ts

3 EASY WAYS TO LOSE YOUR BEST EMPLOYEES

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1. Lack of Business Planning

Nightmares begin when an employee realizes that an employer is clueless as to what is needed to drive results and make business thrive. How can an effective business plan be made in the absence of a leader who is resourceful enough to develop a strategic roadmap? How can realistic goals be set? An employer that lacks knowledge in the areas of industry trends, regulations governing the business, and structures necessary for success will always be in firefighter mode; constantly putting out fires that could have easily been avoided by a simple plan. The most dedicated employee will walk away from the constant chaos and instability. Successful organizations have clear visions, goals and mandates. That is, they know what they want, how to get it and set clear rules that guide the “how” in the equation. They are aware of external factors that affect the business and plan by using internal resources to respond.

2. Lack of Consistent Organizational Processes

The absence of set processes that lead to successful completion of tasks can leave an employee feeling that nothing has been accomplished at the end of a busy day. Processes and procedures determine how we get from point A to point B in the business plan. They feed off of the organizational goals set and into each employee’s job description. Yes, I know, as a business you have to respond to changes in technology and marketplace, I agree! However, you must ensure that changes made to processes make sense, are in alignment with business reporting obligations, and lead to goals being achieved.  Don’t forget to attach metrics to changes made. This will track effectiveness and allow you to make adjustments through a continuous improvement strategy.

3. Lack of HR Planning

Human Resource planning is more than just the hiring and firing of employees. It goes beyond recruitment and must include management. Employers often focus on customer retention and plan on keeping even the worst customer happy. But what about employees? How are you managing your human capital effectively? What is your plan to keep your best employees happy? How do you plan on developing the eager but least skilled employees? How do you deal with employees who wreak havoc in the workplace? Bad employers ignore them all and expect that the promise of a bi-weekly pay check is the answer to keeping everybody in line. Successful employers, regardless of size, understand
Succession Planning, Training and Development, and the need for the administration of clear HR policies that protect and support staff. The effective management of Human Resources will allow for the retention of top talent and make strategic partners out of all employees.

Nikki Waheed is a Career Coach and Job Developer, working with employers to increase diversity and equity.  She can be contacted through email via canadiansmallbusinesswomen@gmail.com.

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