“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it” – Goethe

Here’s a five step strategy on how to create your own business, illustrated by a personal example.

1. Set a Goal: It was July 1991 and I was sitting at the dining room table in my parents house. I’d read about goal setting and the power of writing goals down. For a few years I’d been thinking about starting my own business. I opened a page in my diary and wrote my goal “In April 1992 I will have my own business”.

2. Believe in YourSelf – Had I any idea what the business would be? Not particularly but because I worked in computers it would quite likely be in that industry. Had I any idea about how to run a business? Very, very little. Would most people think it was a great idea and tell me – “what a great idea Sean, go for it!” Very unlikely (in 1992 it was very difficult to get any type of a job in Ireland!). I was more likely to be told “cop on to yourself and stay with what pays the bills!” So I only told a few people. [Read more…]

What is it they say – “If it wasn’t for the customers, business would be a joyous thing!” Have you ever wondered what your customers think of you and thus by extension -your brand? If you are addressing your brand strategy correctly, you are striving to build strong relationships with your customers. You are probably doing your utmost to make sure that their every touch point with your company is a good experience. Do you have processes in place that addresses any problems that may arise? You don’t want your customer to dance around voice mail hell or get the cold shoulder by service managers.

Customer service should be exactly that ‘service’…

[Read more…]

Ok you may remember in Part 1, how I told you all about how through hard work you would make a success of business and that no business – no matter how easy the owner makes it look has ever had an easy ride of things.

Well, here in Part 2 I’m going to let you into another dirty little secret of business that the business world will never really own up to.

So what’s the big secret? [Read more…]