Communication Tips and Tools

May 2014

Entrepreneurs, executives and managers... or if you're one of the masses who have said something like "If I had the money, I'd start a [fill in the blank] business"... the Tips & Tools section below is for you.

If you're not in any of those categories, you're welcome to go directly to Laughs & Lessons (or Inspiration). However, if you forward this to a friend (or two), they'll probably buy you lunch. Well, maybe just a sincere thank you.

TIPS & TOOLS: Success is more than the numbers

Certainly business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs need a solid understanding of "the numbers" - sales forecasts, capital needed, budgets, and break-even projections.

While numbers are essential for any business owner, there are five factors that have little to do with the numbers. Yet, they may have just as great an impact on the SUCCESS (or failure) of that business.

These crucial factors can easily be overlooked or given less attention than they deserve. The five success factors are:

Know your entrepreneurial personality
Understand and manage the heightened level of responsibility
Understand how to use goals
Establish steadfast values inside your business
Get and keep the right attitude

To use a sports metaphor, the numbers are speed, size, experience and natural ability. These five principles are about the will to win, team chemistry and work ethic. In other words, the intangibles that often make the difference in winning or losing.

Here's an overview (pdf) of each factor. Want a story to illustrate the points? Check out the link in the right column under "More Tips & Tools".

INSPIRATION - The Essence of Leadership

The Essence of Leadership is a 2 1/2 minute video with some great advice (and images); for example:

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb...

That's where the fruit is."

"Customer service is not a department...
It's an attitude."

Click on the image or here.

Happy Memorial Day. Drive and play safe this holiday weekend.

Larry Brummond

The Write Touch Inc.

Laughs & Lessons

Entrepreneur's Motto: I started out with nothing and still have most of it left.

Kids tend to get their career ideas from what their parents do. My son wants to be an entrepreneur. He tells his friends "My dad spends almost all his time at work. It must really be fun!"

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As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.

------ Zachary Scott

More Tips & Tools

If you'd like to see how the success factors in Tips & Tools were applied in a real business situation, you can download a chapter on the topic from BMA Colorado's:

"Advice from the Top -
The Expert Guide to
B2B Marketing"

This is one chapter of a wealth of marketing and communication lessons; 24 chapters in all.

Here's all the information, reviews and the

Table of Contents

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Even More Tips

From May 6, 2014 Business Marketing SmartBrief

4 tips on how to:

Tap into B2B buyer emotions