Entrepreneurial innovation and creative thinking are the core of running any business. Here are some tips for finding entrepreneur resources in unexpected places. Seek potential and value in places where your competitors or peers might not, and discover unique ways to strengthen your company.
Leverage the expertise of your personal network. Experts come in all shades and stripes. While your life might not be full of people with fancy degrees, there's a good chance you have friends and family with lots to teach you. Think about the wise people you're connected to socially, and how you can use their knowledge to help you and your business grow.
Do you have a personal board of directors? This isn't the same thing as a board for your company, this is an advisory group just for you as an individual and a businessperson. Make a list of five people you know who give great advice, from five different perspectives, and plan to meet with these individuals at least twice a year for private check ins about your progress and your goals.
When looking for potential partnerships with other companies, consider where you like to go as a customer. Any business where you can feel confident about their service or product is a great potential ally for your own company. Narrow thinking cuts off possibilities, so keep an open mind about alliances, and look for partners outside your immediate industry or field.
For example, a favorite dining establishment might be an ideal partner for an awards gala in your field. Ask if that restaurant might supply food to your guests at cost in order to raise visibility and reach new potential customers. The coffee shop you go to regularly may be happy to stock your company breakroom with free pastries in exchange for a reliable, exclusive contract to supply java to your meetings. Think creatively about possible win win scenarios, and remember that it never hurts to ask.
You may be missing potential resources within your own company. How well do you know your workforce? Make time for in-depth conversations with the people who work for you, and see what treasures might be hiding within the skill sets of the employees you've already hired. Many will have unique talents or special skills ideal for your projects, or for new growth ventures down the road.
Once you discover someone's passion, you will find a source of energy that motivates them to work harder, work longer, and accomplish more for you and your business. Ask your employees which facets of their skills or abilities aren't being used by their daily tasks, and find out what they're capable of. You can get more from your workforce without spending a dime, if you look at your employees with fresh eyes and see them as untapped resources.
When in doubt, log on. The internet is packed with helpful business to business resources for entrepreneurs at all stages of their careers, from bootstrapping novice to global leader. When you have a question, ask for help or advice. When you have an idea, do the research to see who else is chasing the same dream, how they are getting closer, and how you can surpass them.
Leverage the expertise of your personal network. Experts come in all shades and stripes. While your life might not be full of people with fancy degrees, there's a good chance you have friends and family with lots to teach you. Think about the wise people you're connected to socially, and how you can use their knowledge to help you and your business grow.
Do you have a personal board of directors? This isn't the same thing as a board for your company, this is an advisory group just for you as an individual and a businessperson. Make a list of five people you know who give great advice, from five different perspectives, and plan to meet with these individuals at least twice a year for private check ins about your progress and your goals.
When looking for potential partnerships with other companies, consider where you like to go as a customer. Any business where you can feel confident about their service or product is a great potential ally for your own company. Narrow thinking cuts off possibilities, so keep an open mind about alliances, and look for partners outside your immediate industry or field.
For example, a favorite dining establishment might be an ideal partner for an awards gala in your field. Ask if that restaurant might supply food to your guests at cost in order to raise visibility and reach new potential customers. The coffee shop you go to regularly may be happy to stock your company breakroom with free pastries in exchange for a reliable, exclusive contract to supply java to your meetings. Think creatively about possible win win scenarios, and remember that it never hurts to ask.
You may be missing potential resources within your own company. How well do you know your workforce? Make time for in-depth conversations with the people who work for you, and see what treasures might be hiding within the skill sets of the employees you've already hired. Many will have unique talents or special skills ideal for your projects, or for new growth ventures down the road.
Once you discover someone's passion, you will find a source of energy that motivates them to work harder, work longer, and accomplish more for you and your business. Ask your employees which facets of their skills or abilities aren't being used by their daily tasks, and find out what they're capable of. You can get more from your workforce without spending a dime, if you look at your employees with fresh eyes and see them as untapped resources.
When in doubt, log on. The internet is packed with helpful business to business resources for entrepreneurs at all stages of their careers, from bootstrapping novice to global leader. When you have a question, ask for help or advice. When you have an idea, do the research to see who else is chasing the same dream, how they are getting closer, and how you can surpass them.
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