Are You An Ego Maniac?

Running a business will require you to wear many hats. Are you willing to do this and ask for help? The problem I have noticed in the past with new business owners is the issue of ego. We all have to wear many hats, but that doesn’t mean we are all experts in different fields!

You, as a business owner, will need help and you will probably have to meet with other business owners from time-to-time to seek out advice. Are you willing to do this? If not, you will run into problems with your day-to-day operations and you will have trouble with growth.

It is always great to be confident. It isn’t great to be egoistical and you will only harm your business and your brand. Even Sir Richard Branson still asks other business owners for advice. It is one of his strengths, not a weakness.

Here are three ways to discover if your ego may be getting slightly out of control.

First, ask yourself if you know how to follow and then site an example of the last time you did follow. If you can’t, you better start asking yourself why not.

Next, ask yourself if you are reading enough. When I say reading, I mean books on leadership. When was the last time you picked one up and finished it? If you haven’t done so in more than a month…. It is time!

Finally, do you volunteer? If not, start. Volunteering will help others and give you time to engage with people who can inspire, even possibly work for, you. Volunteering is a great way to give back and gain a fresh perspective on life and business.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett

Best-Selling Business Books You MUST Read.

Alright, here it is. My list of best-selling business books that should be a 'must read' on your summer to-do list. I have read all of these books, which is my I am recommending them.

You can click each title to buy it on Amazon.com.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell.

What You're Really Meant to Do: A Road Map for Reaching Your Unique Potential by Robert Kaplan.

Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons In Life by Richard Branson.

Happy Reading,
Twyla

Sir Richard Branson.... one of my heroes.

I have many heroes. So many peopled helped me on my journey this far- both professionally and personally. One person, who I haven't met, that really inspires me is Sir Richard Branson. I recently watched a video of him. He stated many would-be business owners suffer from "analysis paralysis". He is so right. I consult with many business men and women. I talk with people who have great ideas and they never get them off the ground. They are so busy analyzing what could happen that they fail to attempt to make anything happen. Don't let this be you!

It is always good to assess risk. Heck, I do this for a living. But there comes a point where you have to just go for it. Richard Branson started Virgin with $200 invested in the concept. Talk about just going for it. He had every reason to fail, but didn't. Why? He went for it. He had the passion to ignore what could happen and just made it happen. We need more business people who overlook the odds and invest in their passion, not the data!

I'm not saying failure can't or won't happen. Even I have had to shut down businesses. You move forward. You keep going. You don't stop or talk yourself out of starting anything. You have to be a man or woman of action or you will never know the taste of success.

Twyla

Are you creative?

A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts. – Richard Branson

Are you being creative in your business efforts? Some of the best businesses in the world provide products / services that solve some of the world's most obvious challenges. But putting a price on creativity can be daunting.

How much should you charge? Do you charge a flat fee or hourly? Are there levels of your creative services and products that can be sold individually or bundled?

When you are structuring a business plan it is important to evaluate your time AND your creativity. Your "creative instincts" (Richard Branson) can make your business the next million dollar baby!

Need help with your business plan? I am available to consult and even write your business plan.

Twyla