Let’s be honest — running a Solopreneur business can feel a bit like trying to build an aeroplane while you’re flying it. Some days it’s thrilling, some days it’s bumpy, and some days you wonder if you packed the parachute.
Here’s the thing: the businesses that really succeed aren’t the ones with the fanciest branding or the biggest Instagram following, they’re the ones that have a plan, know their numbers, and keep levelling up their skills.
So, if you’re ready to take control, boost your resilience, and make sure you’re primed to sell your products and services with confidence, here are four things you’ll want to put at the top of your list.
1. Review (or Write!) Your Business Plan
Please don’t think of your Business Plan as a chore. Think of it as a fresh start; a road map of where you are going to take your business in the next six to 12 months.
Time and time again I have seen great small and micro businesses floundering because they don’t have a real understanding of how their business ‘works’ or an action plan that makes taking decisions, creating effective marketing campaigns and knowing how best to spend money in order to make more.
Your Business Plan will do this.
It’s a living, breathing document that needs to be used and regularly reviewed.
2. Know Your Numbers
I have said it before – and I am sure to say it time and time again – you are responsible for the money in your business whether it’s a plus or a minus figure.
For many small and micro business owners, keeping financial records is the most boring / frustrating / scary / confusing part of owning a business. So, rather than dealing with it face-on they either ignore it or pass all control over to a third party (an accountant or a bookkeeper).
Don’t get me wrong, I am a total advocate of every business – regardless of how small they are – using the services of an accountant; after all, their whole job is to help you pay exactly the right amount of tax.
What I am talking about here is not the financial accounting; it’s the financial management.
Not knowing my numbers was my biggest failure and it became the biggest learning in my own business.
I took control by:
- Facing the problem of too many costs and not enough income
- Understanding the difference that paying for things that helped me make my business more efficient and effective actually helped to increase my income by bringing me more customers
- Creating a system that I understood and could manage
- Setting prices that were based on business costs as well as knowledge and expertise (rather than guessing a figure or trying to undercut a competitor)
After that, I started to make money.
Your system doesn’t have to be complicated or automated. It just has to be regular.
3. Go Back to Micro Business School
‘Business’ is a set of skills; it’s not magic or alchemy and, just like life, there is always something new to learn. So, take the plunge and take the opportunity to learn and develop new skills.
If you’re interested in learning practical, applicable business skills, keep an eye my Eventbrite page for upcoming webinars and events.
One quick tip for any learning – block out time in your diary immediately after the course to go over your notes and practice what you have learned. And then start using those new skills straight away. If you don’t, you will forget and you’ll back to square one.
4. Get Advice and Support
The next time you read or hear someone speaking about their fool proof, overnight success, no real effort needed, did it all on my own with some cardboard and sticky-back plastic route to a six-figure turnover think of this word – RUBBISH
These kind of things are often said before you are asked to sign up for a five figure programme!
Something I have learned personally and observed continuously!
Success takes time, effort and failure. Lots of failure. Just ask James Dyson.
If you look behind successful people you will see years of learning, personal development, trial and error – and investment in business support.
You will hear the most successful business owners and entrepreneurs talk about their need for ongoing advice and support.
If you are looking to make your way in business, find a mentor
Richard Branson
So, what are your Back-to-Business action points going to be?
If you have some, but you’re not sure where to start, book a Breakthrough Session and let’s have a chat.