SubscribeSMALL BUSINESS LEADER December 2009
Small Business Leader
Marian Banker, MBA, Business Leadership Coach, and creator of the Business Success System.
"Prepare for Recovery: Think Like a Leader" ISSUE #123
December, 2009
Note from Marian
? It's starting to look a lot like Christmas,
everywhere I go. ?
New York City is known for its fantastic holiday traditions and decorations. Last weekend I captured some of what is already up. The Christmas tree lighting in Rockefeller Center takes place this week.
Brain Exchange Brain Exchange
With 2010 just around the corner it's time to start making decisions and setting your plans. Before you do, join with me and some of your peers for a Brainstorming Tele-Session. Our topic is Recovery in 2010? Are you ready? It takes place on Monday, Dec. 14th. Register below. It's my gift to you.
There are only only a few copies of the Business Success System Course left in inventory and I'd like to move them out before end of year. So the deal is if you
order now you'll get a $50 discount plus F*R*E*E shipping to anywhere in the U.S.A. It's a great gift to give yourself. But the deal is only good till they're gone, so don't wait.
As the economy moves into the next phase of recovery it will be those who think and function as leaders who will be the winners. Read this month's article, "Prepare for Recovery: Think Like a Leader", to get yourself into the leader mindset. It's going to be a great year for those who are prepared.
Happy Holidays! Follow me on Twitter
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Marian Banker
Publisher
Small Business Leader
marian@primestrategies.com
http://primestrategies.com
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Special Offers
End of Year Special
BUSINESS SUCCESS SYSTEM COURSE
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Limited supply in inventory. Grab this navigation tool NOW to help you make well-calculated strategic business decisions in spite of challenges and crossroads. Arm yourself with this system to organize your thinking and direct your actions. You'll be prepared to make sound business decisions with confidence. VERY limited supply. Use promotion code BSSC50 to receive the discount and free shipping. Offer good only till they're gone. http://primestrategies.com/business-success-system.
My Gift to You
Brainstorming Tele-Session
RECOVERY IN 2010? ARE YOU READY?
There seems to be a glimmer of optimism in the marketplace. Some businesses are hiring; corporations are starting to spend, home sales are up, the stock market is up. Many small businesses are starting to see a break in the logjam we've been in. That's means there will be more business to be had in 2010. Are you ready to get your share of it?
Ready or not, the new year is less than a month away.
Join me and many of your small business peers for a FREE one-hour brainstorming tele-session on Monday, December 14th from 1 - 2 p.m. EST, where we'll discuss our challenges and plans for 2010. What's working, what's not? What are others planning, what challenges are we facing? You'll be able to both give and receive as we share our entrepreneurial intelligence.
Use this free session to gain new ideas and new strategies to help you make the most of 2010 for your business. It's my gift to you. Click here to register.
Super Value
VIRTUAL WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SUMMIT
16 world-class small business experts share their secrets about how to create successful businesses. (If you missed it during November, just register online and you'll get access to the order page.)
Feature Article
Prepare for Recovery: Think Like a Leader
By Marian Banker
As most of you already know, my mission is "transforming business owners into business leaders". As the economy moves into the next phase of recovery, it will be those who think and function as leaders who will be the winners. Leaders will have identified pertinent opportunities and prepared themselves for advantage as things improve.
Are you thinking like a leader? Let's see.
1 - A leader accepts responsibility for business results. As a leader it's your job to recognize and solve problems, make good decisions and take effective action. The more you can systematize the process the easier it will be. But the final outcome, success or failure, is up to you.
2 - A leader is Vision/Mission driven - Do you know what you want for your business? Do you have a clear mission? If not you're just flapping your sails in the wind. You won't be going very far very fast. The clearly thought-out vision is the magnet that pulls you forward. And the clearer, the better. You'll be less likely to get off track, but when you do, the vision will be there to help you get back on track.
Your mission is what you do to achieve your vision. Business leaders have strong missions that take into consideration accomplishing something of value beyond themselves.
3 - A leader is proactive with a Plan - You can be proactive by gathering pertinent information, analyzing it, making decisions and planning a course of action. The plan is the framework or foundation for the actions you'll be taking. You've chosen those actions because you believe they will lead to your goal and, ultimately, to your vision. Plans should always have a timeframe so you'll be able to determine the success of your actions in reaching your predetermined goals.
4 - A leader knows his strengths and limitations - Many small business owners try to do everything. That's a mistake and a big waste of time. It's also the number one cause of feeling overwhelmed. A product developer may not be a good marketer. A strong sales person will probably not be good at administrative details. A leader will delegate those things they are not good at or don't enjoy. Good delegation, with clearly communicated goals, is key to seeing the results you want.
5 - A leader is willing to take a stand - One of my definitions of a leader is someone who is willing to step out in front of the crowd and present his ideas even when they are different from those of the rest of the group. You say "this is what I believe - and why I believe it". The act of stepping out calls attention to you. What you say will be remembered and connected with you.
Who takes a stand? These are people who have the courage, commitment and confidence to state their message and stand behind it. The more powerful the message, the more they will attract believers and followers. Used positively, taking a stand is a great way to allow your market to find you. Those who relate to what you say and do will be your followers. Look at people with lots of followers like Jim Cramer (Mad Money), Suze Orman, Oprah. They all have a clear "stand". And they all have courage, commitment and confidence.
6 - A leader is willing to do the work - A leader must sometimes make sacrifices - it will be hard and sometimes very scary, but the reward is worth it. You'll spend untold hours of your time to accomplish what you'd like; but you are on a mission. You're willing to do the work.
7 - A leader is innovative and creative, and adapts to the environment. - Are your old ways still working? If not, wake up to how business is being done today. Your competition is out there optimizing their presence using the most basic business tool today - the Internet. Listen to your customers, your colleagues and your team. Be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Remain flexible and nimble because the rate of change in the business environment will likely continue to accelerate.
We are already 10 years into the 21st century and things have changed a lot since it began. We have instant access to information, contacts and ideas from many locations, environments and cultures. Our job is to make sense of it all and pull from it what will help us forge our place in the new business economy.
Are you thinking like a leader as you prepare your Plans for 2010?
To help you put things in perspective as you plan for next year, join me and many of your small business peers for a FREE one-hour brainstorming tele-session on Monday, December 14th from 1 - 2 p.m. EST. Register here,
Success Tip
Question all your assumptions. It's not business as usual. Some markets are shrinking; others are growing. Your product or service may need to be tweaked or repackaged based on what is expected over the next 12 months. Make those changes now and track your results.
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About The Publisher & Feedback
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
Marian Banker has been publishing Small Business Leader since January, 1999. Her focus is on bringing to the busy entrepreneur a quick look into the current world of small business from the perspective she's gained through coaching, consulting and training entrepreneurs in both service and product based businesses.
Marian offers individual coaching, business support groups, seminars and workshops on topics of critical interest to small business owners. Her monthly Lunchtime Telephone Roundtable has proven to be a popular way for business owners to come together around a specific business topic without leaving their office. See notice about this month's topic in the content above.
To learn more about her services, visit http://primestrategies.com.
FEEDBACK:
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