Manypeople - whether they realize it or not - let the fear of working from home bethe biggest hurdle that they have to jump in the start-up of their business.The belief that they lack the discipline to effectively communicate withothers, that they would be too distracted, lured away by household chores,tempted by the television or challenged by the obligations of parenthood, stopsthem from ever truly giving themselves a chance. And often, they don't evenrealize that this is going on - it is almost subliminal.
Whatis not recognized is that the typical office has its own set of environmentaldistractions. Chatty neighbors, endless meetings, the loss of concentration,petty jealousies, angry co-workers and belligerent bosses. Of course, workingin an office has its positive aspects also - the sense of community. This isthe big lack that one has when one starts a business at home and this aspect of"community" must be created by all businesses that start as solos.
Sowhat are we really saying here - because most of us involved with iSpeedway aredoing our businesses from home. What are the special needs that we have - thespecial environment that we must put into place and the special tools that weneed to create for ourselves.
This month we are starting a series to deal with these issues.
Thefirst thing you need to understand is what you do have - your strengths. Whatis it that we all have? It is the ability to make this business work, if we arewilling to climb out of ourselves and do so. You have already purchased thebest technology in the business - now you have to couple with it -- the bestattitude.
Doyou have all of the information you need? You bet you do. As long as you haveaccess to the internet, you have all the information you could possibly need oruse. In fact, having information is never our problem - it always centersaround what we do with it and what our attitude is.
Let's get back to the basics and start with ten fundamentals.
First - get in the mood to succeed now and notlater.
Second - find your music and know what it isthat you want this business to do and to look like, when you get it up andgoing.
Third - make sure that you give your businessan atmosphere that allows it to grow. A hostile environment will not work. Ifyour family members are negative and are tearing down the business, either dealwith them directly and get the situation turned around, or if that cannot beaccomplished, then consider removing the business from this environment orconsider whether this business is for you.
Fourth - learn how to use your website, notjust casually, but intimately and expertly.
Fifth - make sure that all the tools on yourwebsite are up and running.
Sixth - learn your product line and make surethat you are price competitive as best you can, but the most important issuehere will always be your product knowledge. This activity is going to take timeand consistent research. Do not think that this is a one-time activity. Stayingon top of a product line is on-going work.
Seventh - decide how you are going tocommunicate with your customers and then learn how to do it well.
Eight - choose what is going to be your"unique" positioning in the marketplace. What is going to make youdifferent from the next person?
Nine - develop a business plan and stick toit
Ten - choose a financial advisor, setyourself up with the proper accounts, and listen to what he or she tells you.
