Did you know that 58 percent of businesses in the United States have already reported increased revenues due to strategic business coaching? The Sales Executive Council has done definitive research on the ROI of coaching and decision makers are listening and implementing coaching programs. This research has caught the attention of business owners.
The Industrial Age taught us to achieve goals in ways that reflected the system of mass inventory production. When we figured out how to create factories and industrialize production, we changed the way we lived and worked. In contrast, the Information Age radically changed modern lifestyle. Technology disrupted and re-invented some of the most important elements of our society – including how to grow your small business.
When you run your own business, there are a variety of items you need to be successful ranging from an achievement mindset to learning the skill of business to technology and systems development. There are, however, a few things you and your business can do without including:
When it comes to engaging a business coach, there are a multitude of choices available. What really matters, however, is whether or not the business coach you engage actually makes an impact on your business. You’ve made a substantial investment in your business therefore, you’ll want to perform some due diligence in researching business coach candidates and ensuring that the one you select is a valuable asset to your business. In order to do this, you need to know what makes an effective business coach to begin with to give yourself a starting point for measuring potential candidates.
Imagine my intrigue when I read an article of a business that intentionally avoided growth as a company objective. That comes as a surprise to most entrepreneurs. It’s hard to fathom, isn’t it? Could a business actually exist without a primary objective of growth? In spite of conventional wisdom, some businesses who are adopting the ungrowth growth strategy are experiencing stunning business growth that is the envy of any of their competitors!
The numbers are in on the “nonemployer business” (i.e. solo entrepreneur) – and they’re not pretty. An article released by The Business Journals noted that as of 2010 (the latest year for figures) there were 22 million U.S. businesses classified as “nonemployer businesses” with combined receipts of $950 Billion. Not a bad figure when you’re looking at the entire pie. When you divide the average revenue among the 22 million businesses, however, the typical “nonemployer business” made $43,000 in 2010! Granted, when you’re grading on the curve, you get the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty “nonemployer business” revenue. None the less – we have to do better!
Solo and micro entrepreneurs (those who employ less than 10 people) add tremendous value to the economy. They’re an important source of competition in our global economy. They create jobs, enhance income, and add tremendous convenience to the business environment. In fact, here are some additional startling statistics:
Did you know that only 2% of entrepreneurs consistently follow-up with potential clients? In this crazy economy, one would think it would be much higher, especially since studies show that 80% of all sales are made after the 5th attempt. 
