A recent Forbes article identified 7 habits of great small business owners. It’s true that when looking at small businesses, some simply stand out from the pack, and this usually has to do with the leadership steering their efforts. While there is certainly no secret recipe for being a small business owner, adopting the following 7 habits sure doesn’t hurt!
Take care of yourself
Smart small business owners recognize that having a sharp mind means having a healthy body. They pay attention to eating healthy and making time for physical exercise, knowing that they need those things to care for their most valuable tool: their brains!
Have a life outside of your business
Spending too much time focusing on just one thing will more often than not lead to hitting mental blocks. Leading a balanced life means a diverse range of mental stimuli – you never know what will trigger a great idea! Achieving a balance between work and your personal life will also give your brain the rest it needs to be focused.
Always look forward
Being a great small business owner means being a great leader, and being a great leader is about being a forward thinker. Be bold! Go beyond proven business and market trends! The best small business owners are pioneers, even in small ways, which means taking chances.
Get organized
Keeping your meetings, deadlines and business plan on a highly organized schedule will set you apart from other small businesses that fumble in disorganization and are ultimately ineffectual.
Nurture relationships
Everyone knows that entrepreneurs are busy. But making time to maintain and nurture relationships with your clients and professional associates is incredibly important. Those are the people that make your business work!
Be decisive
As a small business owner, your job is to lead your company. How can you do that while being indecisive? Making decisions with a sense of confidence and trusting your gut will make you an effective leader. And if you don’t feel well informed enough to make a decision, don’t be scared to bring in an expert or consultant – like your PCV advisor!
Trim the fat
Proactive small business owners are constantly re-evaluation which parts of their company can be more streamlined. Knowing how your company’s time, manpower and financial resources are distributed, and keeping efficiency top of mind, is how small business owners keep their company ahead of the pack.