Some business experts say flat is the new growth. NO WAY — says award-winning entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author, Susan Solovic. Learn how you can ramp up your revenue and fast-track your business growth even in today’s economy.
Every year during Women’s History Month, my thoughts turn to my mother. Why? Because my mom was a pioneer in the field of women business ownership.
Mom became an entrepreneur at the end of World War II which was unheard of in those days. The war left her a young widow, and she was determined to provide for herself. Partnering with her brother who was just returning from the war, they pooled their resources and opened a furniture store in a rural Missouri town. I’ve heard many great stories about my mother’s ability to sell! She was a dynamo, and the business thrived as a result.
Recently I read a report that said nearly half of all small business owners say it’s the economy that’s preventing them from growing their businesses. Really? Come on folks, get over it. The economy is what it is and if you want to use it as an excuse, shame on you.
While the economy is showing some positive signs, there remains much concern. As we out of the woods, yet? I don’t have a crystal ball to give you that answer. I do think most small business owners would agree that it’s still tough out there. But no one ever said it was going to be easy. As they say, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” So……get going.
I never really thought I’d agree with Donald Trump, then I stumbled onto this comment he made: “I was relentless, even in the face of total lack of encouragement, because much more often than you’d think, sheer persistence is the difference between success and failure.”
Successful selling begins with good preparation. Before you make a sales call, take time to do o your research. Know a little history about the company and your prospect. Visit their web site. Do an Internet search using one of the main search engines such as Yahoo or Google. Look for recent press releases or other pertinent information. Pay attention to the company’s advertisements and marketing strategies. And don’t forget to check out their competition.