During the tough economy of the last few years, a lot of businesses have been weeded
out and those that have survived will come back that much stronger.
My Internet development company, Media Genesis (www.mediag.com),
experienced a 29% growth in 2003 and posted the highest revenue since our founding
in 1996. How did that happen?
Often it's the business fundamentals that are being missed so make sure the following
resolutions are on your list for this year:
1) Set/Track Goals - only 4% of individuals document and track their goals.This
is a primary reason most people don't achieve their potential or accomplish as
much as they should. Everyone is busy, but are we making progress on the most
important items in our business? Write down your goals for this year and establish
a plan and timeline for meeting them. This can help both professionally and personally.
My wife and I review and record our personal goals every January. It's amazing
how much more you can accomplish.
2) Network - business doesn't just happen without hard work. One key ingredient
involves lots of networking. Many are not born socialites but it's very important
for your business. Networking benefits include:
Gaining exposure for your business
Building a base of experts across varying industries you can consult
Gaining valuable feedback for your products and services
Attending chamber functions provides for excellent networking opportunities and
the programs are an inexpensive method of educating your employees.
3) Develop Leadership Skills - as I tell my kids the only way to get better
at something is to practice. Classes and books can get you started but experience
is what will make the difference. In today's competitive environment all employees
need to have leadership skills. Serving on chamber committees provides an invaluable
lesson in leadership, teamwork, and goal setting.
4) Give Back - I believe in karma, so it's not unusual that I participate
on several chamber committees, volunteer time to work with grade school students,
and donate company resources for worthwhile non-profit projects. Media Genesis
doesn't run itself, but it does do very well without me for a few hours each week
so I can give back to the community. You need to have a healthy balance between
giving and receiving. Your contributions will be richly rewarded in many ways.
5) Have Fun - hitting your numbers in business is serious, but adding fun
to the equation makes it a lot easier. This includes fun with your coworkers,
customers, and business partners. People like to work with others they enjoy.
These may sound basic but all too often we miss the fundamentals. I just went
to a basketball skills seminar with my 12 and 14 year old sons. The seminar only
focused on the basics, but when we got back home and watched college and professional
games -- you bet they were using those basics over and over again. The Chamber
can be a powerful tool for your business and employees. It's not enough to join
- you have to pick up that tool and put it to work.
In subsequent articles this year I will elaborate on each of the five resolutions.
Please email me at any success stories I may be able to incorporate or to explore how you can benefit
from active involvement in the Chamber.
About The Chamber
During the tough economy of the last few years, a lot of businesses have been weeded
out and those that have survived will come back that much stronger.
My Internet development company, Media Genesis (