Connect with us

Startups

4 Lessons That Could Save Your Business and Lead to Success

Published

on

business tips

It’s been a grueling six years since I embarked upon a business idea that I had of owning my Counseling practice. I had been an employee in a non-profit organization for about twenty-one years. I had not actually owned my own business before but having read many business books, listened to tons of audios – podcasts and online courses and participated in countless webinars and seminars.

Having devoured as much information as I possibly could, I felt the time was right for me to resign from my career and start my own business. I did so in 2008. After a series of health issues and other challenges, I hobbled financially through the next couple of years. The business leveled off and I felt positive about the future.

Over the next couple of years, the business began to feel like another job. This wasn’t what I had envisioned. Having time freedom was high on the list of why I left my job of twenty-one years. But now, here I was feeling exhausted and not seeming to break the financial “glass ceiling” that I had set for myself.

The excitement of going to the office began to wear off. My client load began to decrease. This I chalked up to be seasonal, which at times was so. But, I began to question whether I had just exchanged one job for another or indeed, had a business.

I wanted a business and not a job. I hired another coach who provoked me with some deep questions. This energized me and has created a new approach that has already led to some very promising results.

The following four lessons were critical to this turnaround:

1. Be honest with ourselves

Coming to a place where we admit that what we’re doing isn’t working is difficult. It is quite humbling. This is the last thing that we want to do. We may feel like a failure doing so. But we can easily keep doing the same thing over and over again, but as we know, the results will remain the same.

Albert Einstein is broadly credited with this definition of insanity, “doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.Being honest with ourselves and admitting that what we’re doing isn’t working, is the place to start. This is what I had to do, which began the turnaround process.

“Accept everything about yourself-I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end. No apologies, no regrets.” – Clark Moustakas

2. Reach out for help

Reaching out for help is humbling. It says we don’t know what we thought we did. It conveys the fact that someone else knows something we don’t, which is the last thing that we want to admit at this point in our business and life.

Choosing the right place and person for this, is important. You want to choose someone who will not sit in the seat of judgment on your case. You want someone who will be objective, experienced and willing to tell you the truth in love.

The safest place for me to have done this was to hire a coach. I had friends and family members who could possibly have given me some very helpful advice and save me a few thousand dollars. However, a part of me didn’t want them to know what was really going on. I felt safer speaking to someone “outside.”

Finding someone who we can trust with this very important pivoting decision is critical. Utilizing our current network of associates is a great place to start. Whether we start here or not, the point is to get some help.

3. Remind ourselves of why we began

This is such an important aspect to one’s success especially as an entrepreneur. It’s so easy to get so far removed from why we started our business as growth and other demands take over our every waking moments.

My desire to impact the masses through speaking and writing, was swallowed up by me just trying to keep my clients happy. The administrative aspects to the business also became a consuming part of the job. Not having the help that the business needed, only made my work more demanding and frustrating.

By me reminding myself of my “WHY”, it helped me decide what I had to give up doing even though I enjoyed them.

This will be true of you as well. You have to get back to the reason you started this business in the first place. You might even want to explore if that reason is big enough. This might be a good time to do some modifications to your why.

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche 

4. Do what we do best

By reminding ourselves of our “WHY” will lead us back to what we do best. We will be able to recall what it was like when we first started. Most times what got us to where we are, is what is forgotten as we get more and more involved in the mundane but necessary aspects of our business.

However, when we can find a way to return to our “first love,” it infuses energy, drive and passion back into our business.

These four lessons will be pivotal in saving your business as it has done mine. Which of these do you most relate to and why? Comment below!

Image courtesy of Twenty20.com

Kingsley Grant is a Professional Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Mindset & Communication Coach, Host of the Midlife Launch On-Demand Online Radio (Podcast), and a published Author. He focuses primarily on helping midlife professionals leverage their experience and expertise to financially support the lifestyle they want for themselves. Kingsley writes for the Huffington Post and The Goodmen Project and is a national and international speaker. He is a proud dad, husband, a man of faith and an entrepreneur at heart.

Advertisement
1 Comment

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Startups

How to Build Your Dream Tech Startup Team

Are you starting a startup business? Look to build a tech team for your “newborn organization,” and check out this article for useful tips.

Published

on

building a startup team
Image Credit: Midjourney

Building a tech startup in today’s competitive market is a daunting task. While an innovative software business idea is considered a great foundation for success, it is not a guarantee. Instead, how you build your tech startup team plays a crucial role in determining the ultimate success of a venture. (more…)

Continue Reading

Startups

15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

Published

on

Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

Continue Reading

Startups

How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently

No matter how groundbreaking your product or service, your startup could quickly be on shaky ground without proper financial management

Published

on

managing your startups finances

Running a triumphant startup requires juggling numerous responsibilities. From managing operations and coordinating with team members to developing innovative marketing strategies and nurturing relationships with clients, the to-do list seems endless. (more…)

Continue Reading

Startups

5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

Published

on

how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending