Self-employment
Small Biz Week kickoffRaw data suggests that it takes a special kind of lunatic to be an entrepreneur. In 2001, Statistics Canada reported that of 1 million small businesses, a full 25% would fail within two years while only 20% would celebrate a 10th anniversary. AUNIE EDWARDS |
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 [ 2005-10-12 ] |
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Author Michael Schell
Despite such gloomy numbers, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, as evidenced by the now 2.4 million small businesses nationwide and the thousands of attendees set to kick off Canadian Small Business Week (Oct. 17-22) with the 9th Annual SOHO-SME Business Conference & Expo on Friday, Oct. 14, 2005 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre(MTCC) (www.soho.ca/2005sohosm/Toronto/fulldaytoronto.htm).
Attendees will network with peers and experts, taking in demonstrations, presentations, exhibits and workshops designed to inspire, motivate, educate and facilitate the small business owner and aspiring entrepreneur.
Such is the stuff of The Approved Group (www.approvedgroup.com) -- a small business with an innovative how-to philosophy for success that combines in-depth research with a series of practical books and workshops designed to teach excellence in a variety of business goals.
For example, as founder of The Approved Group, and author of the Approved series of books, Michael Schell brings his own valuable experience to bear in The Customer Approved Small Business. But the reader needn't rely on Schell's word alone -- every gem of business savvy is backed by the research arm of The Approved Group and substantiated by hundreds of in-the-know entrepreneurs, the decision-makers at major corporations who deal with successful small businesses every day.
Written concisely and with the conviction borne of "been there, seen that," The Customer Approved Small Business reveals such secrets as the seven deadliest mistakes a small business owner can make, as seen through the eyes of the perfect expert -- the customer.
Given his relevant expertise, it is no surprise that Michael Schell is one of several distinguished presenters at the conference. Catch his dissertation on how to "Out-Communicate your Competition and Win the Deal" this Friday, the 14th at 2:30 p.m., Stage A Exhibit Hall, G-Level 800, South Building, MTCC.
Again backed by extensive research with more than 200 corporate leaders, Schell will detail seven essential communication goals that promise to out-sell the competition and develop a winning business.
"Building relationships takes trust and respect and is critical for sustainable success," Schell says. "We live in a time-deprived and competitive world, so we must show respect by being al- ways prepared, always dependable. And in order to build that trusting relationship, we must begin by communicating effectively."
Schell's presentation will reveal his seven secrets of successful communication, their significant impact on small business and the how-to of mastering such skills.
Schell and the conference's other expert guests will provide proof that a business should never resemble a blind leap off a tall cliff to the jagged rocks below. Their input will likely contend that the only lunacy in small business circles is to equate "entrepreneur" with a kind of maverick, "do-it-alone" mentality, thereby missing opportunities like the SOHO Conference to network with like-minded pioneers.
With preparedness and relationship building at its core, a business venture that showcases your personal dream and embodies your limitless possibilities is hardly the stuff of lunatics, but rather the tangible accomplishment of true genius.
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7 DEADLIEST MISTAKES
According to the research in The Customer Approved Small Business by Michael Schell the following mistakes are as common as they are avoidable:
- A business plan: Without a plan, how will your great idea move forward in the right direction and in the right order to deliver and succeed?
- Hiring the right staff: If they aren't motivated self-starters how will they represent your company?
- Keeping the right staff: You need these people -- how will you make them feel appreciated and maintain their motivation for your great business?
- Beta testing: Why not minimize the risk by starting new projects on a small scale?
- Elevator pitch: Many small businesses can't pitch the essence of their existence in one sentence -- a critical skill for acquiring new customers and networking with other businesses.
- Asking the right questions: You need to ask what is the cost of doing something and what is the cost of not doing something.
- Consistent delivery: Predictable, positive experiences are the key to customer loyalty.
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7 SECRETS OF COMMUNICATION SUCCESS
Michael Schell's seven secrets of communication success:
- Advance meeting agenda: Make the meeting count.
- The 10-minute meeting: Prepare, stay focused, save time.
- Written key point summary: E-mail a re-cap to ensure all parties are communicating clearly. You have now established written accountability.
- Accountability: ... to promises made is the cornerstone of reliability and trust. Do not over-promise and under-deliver.
- Objective questions: Leave the potential customer with objective questions -- you have delivered value before even closing the deal.
- Clear concise voice mail: The greatest scourge for the busy is the long-winded, unintelligible voice mail -- respect time by preparing a clear, concise message.
- The art of asking effective questions: Don't ask questions that you can answer yourself -- it is a disrespectful waste of time and no way to establish a relationship.
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