Entrepreneurial innovation and creative thinking are the core of running any business. Here are some tips for finding entrepreneur resources in unexpected places. Seek potential and value in places where your competitors or peers might not, and discover unique ways to strengthen your company.
Leverage the expertise of your personal network. Experts come in all shades and stripes. While your life might not be full of people with fancy degrees, there's a good chance you have friends and family with lots to teach you. Think about the wise people you're connected to socially, and how you can use their knowledge to help you and your business grow.
Your business probably has a board of directors, but do you? Recruit a personal advisory board of five people whose advice you trust. Meet with these sources of wisdom individually, twice a year, to get five different perspectives on your progress as an entrepreneur. This is one way to leverage the expertise of the people in your social circles to help your business.
When looking for potential partnerships with other companies, consider where you like to go as a customer. Any business where you can feel confident about their service or product is a great potential ally for your own company. Narrow thinking cuts off possibilities, so keep an open mind about alliances, and look for partners outside your immediate industry or field.
A favorite dining spot might be the right partner for an awards ceremony in your field, willing to supply meals at cost to your gala guests in order to raise visibility and create buzz. Your favorite coffeehouse might be interested in donating morning pastries for your workforce in exchange for an ongoing contract to supply java for your meetings. Surprising alliances can be a win win scenario, and it never hurts to ask.
Look within your employees' skill sets for hidden treasures. Make time to really get to know the people who work for you, and what they have to offer. Above and beyond the existing duties of their job description, most members of the workforce have lots of unique skills and talents you may be able to utilize on special projects and new ventures.
Once you discover someone's passion, you will find a source of energy that motivates them to work harder, work longer, and accomplish more for you and your business. Ask your employees which facets of their skills or abilities aren't being used by their daily tasks, and find out what they're capable of. You can get more from your workforce without spending a dime, if you look at your employees with fresh eyes and see them as untapped resources.
When in doubt, log on. The internet is packed with helpful business to business resources for entrepreneurs at all stages of their careers, from bootstrapping novice to global leader. When you have a question, ask for help or advice. When you have an idea, do the research to see who else is chasing the same dream, how they are getting closer, and how you can surpass them.
Leverage the expertise of your personal network. Experts come in all shades and stripes. While your life might not be full of people with fancy degrees, there's a good chance you have friends and family with lots to teach you. Think about the wise people you're connected to socially, and how you can use their knowledge to help you and your business grow.
Your business probably has a board of directors, but do you? Recruit a personal advisory board of five people whose advice you trust. Meet with these sources of wisdom individually, twice a year, to get five different perspectives on your progress as an entrepreneur. This is one way to leverage the expertise of the people in your social circles to help your business.
When looking for potential partnerships with other companies, consider where you like to go as a customer. Any business where you can feel confident about their service or product is a great potential ally for your own company. Narrow thinking cuts off possibilities, so keep an open mind about alliances, and look for partners outside your immediate industry or field.
A favorite dining spot might be the right partner for an awards ceremony in your field, willing to supply meals at cost to your gala guests in order to raise visibility and create buzz. Your favorite coffeehouse might be interested in donating morning pastries for your workforce in exchange for an ongoing contract to supply java for your meetings. Surprising alliances can be a win win scenario, and it never hurts to ask.
Look within your employees' skill sets for hidden treasures. Make time to really get to know the people who work for you, and what they have to offer. Above and beyond the existing duties of their job description, most members of the workforce have lots of unique skills and talents you may be able to utilize on special projects and new ventures.
Once you discover someone's passion, you will find a source of energy that motivates them to work harder, work longer, and accomplish more for you and your business. Ask your employees which facets of their skills or abilities aren't being used by their daily tasks, and find out what they're capable of. You can get more from your workforce without spending a dime, if you look at your employees with fresh eyes and see them as untapped resources.
When in doubt, log on. The internet is packed with helpful business to business resources for entrepreneurs at all stages of their careers, from bootstrapping novice to global leader. When you have a question, ask for help or advice. When you have an idea, do the research to see who else is chasing the same dream, how they are getting closer, and how you can surpass them.
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