Consistency Is The Key

Writen by Brenda W Hargroves

If I were asked to associate one word with entrepreneurship, that word would be consistency. Consistency is the thread that runs through all discussions about entrepreneurship. Every aspect of successful business ownership requires practicing this trait.

Effective marketing is a result of consistent networking. Review upcoming events; check your calendar and if you have the time, plan to attend as many events as you can manage. Many times just showing up can be a positive experience. You might make a new contact, or run into someone you haven't seen in a while, or see someone you've been planning to speak with about a specific topic. Many times you will leave an event feeling satisfied with your decision to come, despite misgivings.

Constantly attending community affairs helps you to feel more comfortable about working the room. It helps you to overcome the discomfort of entering a place where you don't know anyone. After a few times in this awkward situation you will learn to introduce yourself and initiate conversation with almost anyone. It is also important that you constantly collect business cards and continuously update your mailing list to reflect new contacts.

Your business develops its brand by the way you interact with the public. And we all know the public can be fickle. If your company continuously provides the best service or product possible and is consistently fair and honest with its clients, the word will circulate. You are likely to be the proud owner of a business positioned to stand the test of time.

How are things looking internally? Does your backroom operations run efficiently? Do you meet deadlines you've set for yourself? Or, are you constantly trying to finish tasks at the last minute? How are you at showing up on time for appointments? Do you arrive 5-10 minutes early? Or are you 5-10 minutes late because you couldn't find your keys?

Developing a consistent system for managing your business is crucial. Notice, I did not say a standardized system. The way you manage should be whatever successfully works for you. As long as you are comfortable that your system meets your business goals, keep on doing what you are doing.

Let's go back to discussing the public, your target audience. We all know that the more a slogan or logo or any distinct item is ingrained in people's minds, the more comfortable they become with its associated product or service. Consistently present something to your audience in the form of advertising. It does not necessarily have to be a slick logo or catchy slogan, you can offer a newsletter, a giveaway, or host a community event. As long as you routinely make whatever you've chosen available and develop a reputation for providing that particular item, you are encouraging a form of branding for your company.

The success and endurance of a small business depends on many variables. It is the owners who continuously set and achieve goals and possess constant faith in their business who generally achieve personal gratification from their entrepreneurial attempts. Remember, consistency is the key.

Written by Brenda Weathers Hargroves, small business coach and author – Brenda's consulting firm, Business At Hand, is located in Lutz, Florida. Her mission is to share successful methods for implementing and operating a small business or social entrepreneurship venture. She offers individual/group entrepreneurship coaching sessions, small business workshops/seminars and encourages book signings. To contact Brenda for assistance call (813) 962-8918 or send an email to businessathand1@hotmail.com. To purchase her book, The Heart and Soul of Entrepreneurship, or for more information about her services visit her website at http://www.businessathand.biz