Is there a way to most accurately predict the current and future success of a business? Absolutely. So let’s do just that. (Warning: This blog post will likely join others of its ilk in the most read, least shared category. Truth can be perceived as tough sometimes.)
Birds of a feather….
Yesterday, in church the pastor reminded me of something that I’d heard a gazillion times before. Your success (be it financially, spiritually, morally, or any other way) can be largely predicted by looking at the AVERAGE of those you hang around with most often. The average of your closest friends.
And, of course… the same goes for business.
So, look around at those you hang around with most often. LOOK at them closely. I recently wrote a post that goes into (too much?) detail about the POWER of ASSOCIATION and its impact on your business. If you EVER feel like you’re running in place in your business, that post is a must read… It paints a vivid picture of “the treadmillers.”
Admittedly, I’m a people watcher. A student of life. And I make mental notes of trends. Always. Here’s what I see as we move our businesses farther into 2014.
Business owners limping along tend to limp along together. Need help identifying them? No you don’t. They are the ones that are always “one client” or “one ______” away from a huge breakthrough. They are always bartering. They attend every free networking event they can. They often start their own free business groups — doling out business advice without shame. =) They have more new updated headshots than clients! lol.. They are always re-branding and re-launching. And their testimonials are from people treadmilling with them. They are often lamenting about “greedy” audacious business owners who want to make a profit. They’re easy to spot, and they travel in groups.
Fortunately, business owners soaring high — while far more independent than their limping counterparts– are also easy to spot. They protect big plans — as they nurture them to fruition. (i.e. facebook friends don’t hear every idea they have!) They invest in business development. Because that is their core focus in business. They are very choosy in which networking events they attend. They guard their time. And value yours. They ask for agendas in advance of meetings and expect that you have one, you know… if you’ve asked them to meet with you. They are NOT incessantly available, because they are working. They are decisive, action oriented, and — to varying degrees — immune to criticism.
So, look around…. what is your business peers. Is it time to more deliberately “network” and associate?
