TOP 10 - You can be an entrepreneur

Layoffs are occurring at scary rates on a daily basis because of the economic recession, and some of those affected research starting their own businesses as a means of hope through entrepreneurship.

Like everything else in life, though, starting a small business requires little behaviors that add up and make a significant difference. Kay Kotan, an Independence-based organizational trainer and coach who travels the United States with her program You Unlimited, offers her Top 10 tips for success within small businesses ranging from home-based businesses to those with less than 30 employees. (For more information, visit www.kaykotan.com.)

• 10 The distinction of being hardworking versus responsible. While being a hardworker is a value, Kotan says small business owners often get caught up in the day-to-day grunge work and lose sight of their responsibilities as a small business owner. “The weight of a profitable small business is primarily on the shoulders of the owner,” she says. “When he performs tasks that should be left to others, he is losing sight of his responsibility to himself, his family, his employees and the families of his employees.” 
• 9 Extreme self-care. Small business owners should pay particular attention to regular doctor and dental check-up appointments, but self-care also includes daily habits that promote good health physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally and mentally. “When we are in a higher energy mode, we can’t help but have that transpose into our business and our employees,” Kotan says.
• 8 Delegation. It ties back to the 80-20 rule, Kotan says, because owners must determine what they are best at and then perform those tasks well. The responsibilities or tasks they aren’t best at should be outsourced or delegated among others, she says. 
• 7 Become a solutions provider. Kotan says clients approach small businesses because they have a problem or need to be met. Therefore, small business owners are a business partner with their clients, not just a provider. “Customers know what their problems are, but they don’t always know what the solutions are,” she says. “You usually find out what their problems are with a few key questions.” 
• 6 Systems and procedures. “As small businesses, we think we don’t need employee manuals, but they’re just as important, if not more important,” Kotan says. Set procedures allow small business owners more time away because employees understand what is expected of them.
• 5 The 80-20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle. It’s a principle that’s universally applied, but in small businesses, it’s known that 20 percent of the efforts produce 80 percent of the results, Kotan says. “If you’re getting 80 percent of results from 20 percent of your efforts then it’s up to you to concentrate on the 20 percent that’s giving you productivity,” she says.
• 4 Niche marketing. “Be known for something special in a very special market,” Kotan says. “When you have a niche market, you are advertising to a particular group. It’s less expensive to market to a specific niche than a broad market.” For example, be known as the tire center that provides the most comfortable waiting room for women or as the gift shop with the best purses through a customized vendor.
• 3 Goals and goal assessment. It’s important to set sales goals, she says, but individual employee goals also should be set with a continual assessment of how employees are progressing toward particular goals. Small business owners also should examine their own health and personal goals because they affect them as a business owner, Kotan says.
• 2 Extreme customer service. The difference between extreme customer service and regular customer service, Kotan says, is doing more tasks than competitors would do. For example, instead of mailing clients a traditional Christmas or birthday card, mail them a Fourth of July or anniversary card. Always relate customer service tasks to something personal that you know about clients, Kotan says.
• 1 Answer the phone. “It sounds very simplistic, but it’s about answering it and not on the sixth ring,” Kotan says. “It’s about answering it with gratitude that a client might be on the other end.” For follow-up telephone conversations, Kotan says to ask callers if they would like to be placed on hold or if you should call them back.