Tag Archives: business strategy

Get Financially Lean in 2014

Once again, we begin a brand-new year, when we can reflect on the past and resolve to improve the future. For some, this is usually a time of remorse, as they regret all the wasted opportunities that passed their way. Others use this period to make optimistic plans for an even better year to come.

If you’re already in the process of recording your New Year’s Resolutions for 2014, try not to repeat the mistakes you may have made last year. It is pointless to put together a wish list of dreams and goals you would like to accomplish, without equipping yourself with the means to get them done.

This week, I would like to introduce a concept of planning and execution that may change the way you think about and approach goal setting and achievement. This methodology will help you to become more efficient and effective in many aspects of your personal, financial and work lives. Continue reading Get Financially Lean in 2014

Business Lessons from the NBA Finals

I enjoy watching several sports, and I especially appreciate basketball for its fast-paced action. It’s quite entertaining to observe the highly competitive players battle with drive and determination for over 48 minutes, until one team achieves its ultimate objective of winning the game.

Recently, Game 6 of the 2013 NBA finals, which was fiercely contested by the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs, gave me much more than just vicarious pleasure. I was extremely inspired by the action, as I marvelled at the twists and turns of one of the finest games in basketball history.

As the game progressed along to its nail-biting conclusion, I realised that the setbacks and successes the teams had experienced provided several lessons that could be applied to the world of business. Here are some of the entrepreneurial insights that I gained from the NBA finals: Continue reading Business Lessons from the NBA Finals

Business Lessons from Ben’ Down Market

Recently, I travelled west to the parish of Trelawny, to find out more about the income-generating opportunities present in its capital town. A friend had told me of her success in selling some goods in a popular Wednesday sales venue in Falmouth, and I wanted to test the viability of a new product in the famed Ben’ Down Market.

As a resident of Kingston, I am sometimes guilty of thinking that the best economic activities take place in the first city. The reality is that there are many enterprising persons all across Jamaica who are creating wealth in a variety of ways. To learn more about what people were doing to make money in that side of the island, I decided to share market space with my colleague.

My adventure started off very early in the morning, as I was told that to secure a good spot we needed to be at the location by 5:00 am. The sun had not yet made an appearance when we arrived, but already there were dozens of persons working industriously in the bustling environs of the marketplace. Continue reading Business Lessons from Ben’ Down Market

Let’s All Take Action for Business Growth

The development of successful local businesses should be of concern to all well-thinking Jamaicans, whether or not they have an interest in operating their own ventures. A profitable business community is needed to increase employment levels, provide the government with more tax revenues and spur overall economic progress.

It was recently reported that 10,000 government workers would be laid off over the next five years. When you add these numbers to the thousands who have already faced job cuts, and the hundreds of graduates who leave school every year without finding work, it is easy to see that our country is in a productivity crisis.

To overcome our personal and national financial woes, we should all participate in developing sustainable businesses. The authorities must provide a business-friendly environment; financial institutions need to offer lower-cost funds; business owners must learn how to be efficient; and consumers should support local enterprises.

Employees can build businesses, too

If you’re an employee, there are several things that you can do to help your employer to remain viable. Firstly, don’t give 70 per cent work effort and expect to be paid the full 100 per cent of your income on payday. Understand that your committed input is essential for the entire team to succeed.

If you are very distressed about the rising cost of utility bills, be mindful that your employer is facing similar challenges. Make a concerted effort to conserve on electricity and water usage at work. Don’t use office supplies such as paper and printer ink for your personal affairs, and keep personal telephone calls to a minimum.

Even if you think that you are working with a ‘boss from hell’, be thankful for your job, and realise that your employer might actually be doing the best that he or she knows how to do. Many business owners are inadequately trained in entrepreneurship skills and lack the knowledge to efficiently run a viable enterprise.

Sometimes employers are so focused on paying bills, boosting sales, reducing production costs and worrying about security issues that they have little time to focus on the strategic thinking that’s vital for business growth. Unfortunately, too many of them neglect to put enough time and money into the education they need to succeed.

Business owners must seek solutions

I believe that business owners have a big responsibility that transcends just running an enterprise. Entrepreneurs have the potential to positively impact the lives of their families, employees, communities and the country; therefore they are obligated to put their best efforts into making their businesses successful.

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at different resources that persons can use to learn more about building profitable businesses. These include getting formal business training, attending seminars, obtaining information from the Internet, and reading books and business magazines.

It is said that experience is the greatest teacher; in the business world, this adage is very applicable. In the classroom, most people are able to learn from their mistakes and get better with practice.

However, in business, one impulsive decision or ill-advised plan of action can unfortunately lead to the organisation’s demise.

Knowing the right steps to take in business would be easier if more owners had the benefit of expert guidance from coaches and mentors. Star athletes realise that having the right coach is instrumental to their success. Similarly, a knowledgeable business advisor could help to turn a fledging enterprise into a winner.

Business coaches can provide answers

Marcia Woon Choy, Jamaican franchisor with ActionCOACH, the world’s largest business coaching firm, confirmed that coaching is essential. “Coaches help people to achieve their desired results,” she explained. “A business coach guides owners by using tested, proven and systemised ways to build and improve their organisations.”

The first phase in the coaching process is to help existing business owners clarify their personal and business goals and their expected results, Woon Choy revealed. “Many persons struggle because they’re not clear about what they want their businesses to accomplish.”

Once these goals are clarified, the coach works to get alignment on these objectives from partners and team members. Getting consensus from all parties is essential, Woon Choy indicated, as to succeed in their businesses, the owners must develop commercial, profitable enterprises that can work without them in it.

Business owners are trained how to implement effective systems with the use of workshops, DVDs, CDs and books. Some of the critical lessons taught include the six steps to get massive results, five ways to increase business profits, and four ways to make businesses work more effectively and efficiently.

The next stage is to develop a phased action plan that lays out exactly how the business is going to achieve its desired results, Woon Choy continued. The coach has to continually keep persons accountable for carrying out the steps, as without their commitment to learn and apply each element, the process will not be successful.

By getting the education and working with a business coach, Woon Choy maintained that entrepreneurs would learn how to generate more cash flow, become more profitable, achieve more teamwork and obtain more personal free time. “It’s all about putting the systems in place that can allow your business to go on auto-pilot.”

If you want to achieve financial freedom by building a profitable enterprise, then taking action by hiring a business coach might be beneficial.

Copyright © 2011 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, May 19, 2011

Read other articles about Money Advice:

What Do The Rich Know About Money? Help for Young Jamaican Entrepreneurs

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Cherryl is a financial consultant and coach, founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.financiallyfreenetwork.com and www.financiallysmartonline.com. Contact Cherryl

Why Do Many Small Businesses Fail?

I often receive enquiries from persons who are looking for advice on how to be successful in starting and running their own small businesses. I also get feedback from disheartened business owners who have seen their entrepreneurial dreams transformed into financial nightmares.

A common complaint from local entrepreneurs is that it is extremely difficult to operate a business in Jamaica. However, business challenges are not limited to this country, as international statistics indicate that anywhere from one-third to one-half of new enterprises will fold within the first five years of operation.

While owning a business can be a route to achieve personal financial security, it is a reality that many people will experience a negative result from their entrepreneurial attempts.

There are many reasons why business success may be elusive, but I think they can be grouped into three categories – inadequate knowledge, insufficient capital and inappropriate opportunity. Continue reading Why Do Many Small Businesses Fail?

Developing Successful Jamaican Businesses

Many of the financial books that I have read indicate that establishing a business can be a means of increasing your personal wealth. Whereas being frugal and saving consistently may eventually produce a significant nest egg over time, if you wish to fast-track your money growth, then business ownership might be your best route.

Last week we looked at the option of joining an established network marketing organisation as one method of getting involved in a business system. However, many persons who desire to be their own bosses may prefer to personally create a unique entity in order to satisfy their business dreams.

The reality is that starting and building a new venture can be one of the most difficult strategies of wealth creation.

To be successful, an entrepreneur must commit a lot of time and resources, acquire specific business knowledge and skills, and develop a persistent outlook that can overcome the various challenges that will inevitably arise in operating an enterprise. Continue reading Developing Successful Jamaican Businesses