That’s My Opinion By Ron Sturgeon
rons@rdsinvestments.com
Tools for Success – Be Your Own Advocate Because No One Else Will
ll the tactics I use in business have helped me to reach a high level of success, even though I started with noth- ing and did not attend college. You too can use these tactics to become highly successful, regardless of where you start from or how much education you have. One of the first lessons I learned in business was to be assertive in promoting myself. When I’m successful, I talk about it. I am also willing to share what I have learned from a long career in business as a mentor.
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In business as in life, you will find that what goes around comes around. Your reputation as a helper of other business- people will be remembered and repaid in ways you cannot foresee. However, know that when you begin to promote yourself, you will find that some peers will resent you for doing it. Don’t let that stop you. They are a minority. Don’t let them deprive you of opportu- nities by creating too much anxiety about what others think. Years ago, Donald Trump spoke about this at a seminar I attended. Yes, he’s polarizing, but he is not shy about pro- moting himself and has been very suc- cessful as a result.
If you get nothing else from this article, remember this: No one is going to be your advocate; you must do it yourself. If you don’t tell your story, who will know when you do charitable things? When you do innovative things? When you achieve new milestones? When your business gets so successful you have to hire new staff or give a star in your organ- ization greater responsibility? All these events are newsworthy, whether you share them in an employee newsletter or send out a press release. You do have a mailing list, right? This would be key business contacts, bankers, and close friends. You should be gather- ing contacts and networking continu- ously, but if you want to start on a small
28 Automotive Recycling | September-October 2015
non-computerized scale, take a sheet of mailing labels and handwrite labels for the key people. Now when you have news, a new brochure, anything (try to mail something at least quarterly), copy the labels in your copy machine and slap them on some envelopes. I maintain my list on my iPhone, syncing with Outlook, and have over 3,000 contacts divided into categories like business, personal, news, etc. I can output and create labels in a minute. Many of you have received vari- ous things from me through the years.
No one is going to be your advocate; you must do it yourself.
You have a lot more news opportunities than you think.
Just added a new delivery truck or a new water recycler? Put three more employees to work? Promoted someone to a management position? Put a new quality control system in place? (Even if it sounds simple to you, it sounds great to others, and can even become part of a unique selling proposition).
My girlfriend sells insurance and utilizes events to connect with prospects. (We have co-written a book about how to use events to grow your business. You can find it on my web- site or on Amazon). Because of the events, she routinely has customers come to her and say, “I feel like I know you. I see your name all over town.” This has to be good for business. When you are out telling your story, sharing, and mentoring, customers feel connected with you and that con- nection will lead them to you when they need what you sell.
If you have news to share, how are peo- ple to know if you don’t tell them? Make sure you add your bankers to your good- news mailing list; they will love getting news about your business and sharing it will strengthen your relationship. Most business owners don’t make a habit of sharing successes with their bankers, and so they miss a chance to show how “on it” they are.
Even a carefully chosen failure and the lessons you learned from it can be part of your story. Don’t be afraid to speak at the local clubs about your success or some- thing innovative about your business. Ask to speak to budding entrepreneurs at the local high school or college. Your real- world experience is much more interest- ing than a textbook or journal article by a Ph.D. And, yes, that speaking engage- ment is newsworthy; your banker respects those who give back. Your employees will love a boss who is a mentor. By the way, the public speaking will also make you much better at leading when it counts. Remember only you can make busi- ness great!
Ron Sturgeon, an author and founder of Mr. Mission Possible small business consulting,
www.autosalvageconsultant.com, combines over 35 years of entrepreneurship with exten- sive experience in consulting, speaking, and
business writing. Ron shares his expertise in strategic plan- ning, capitalization, compensation, growing market share providing field-proven, high-profit best practices.
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