Make Mine to Grow: Building Your Solo Business to Outgrow You!
Many solo entrepreneurs choose to curtail their businesses growth for the purpose of lifestyle. Others have visions of expansion right from the start. Being the only person in a business, wearing all of the hats, is just a stepping stone to increased prosperity. What steps can you take if you plan to expand your business some day?
Right from the beginning, develop a business plan and marketing plan. Think of them as road maps to where you want to go with the business and directions on how to get there.
They provide the foundation for the future success of your business. Although it may seem like a daunting process before you start, creating snapshots of the most important elements of your business is priceless.
The critical component in preparing your business to grow is to make a habit of developing documented and well organized systems. If you use the same documents regularly, turn them into templates to use repeatedly. Better yet, have them turned into Microsoft Word forms you can fill out quickly on the computer.
Take the time to write important documents like policy or privacy statements, and save a copy on your computer hard drive and a printed copy in a book. One of the best ways to formalize and organize your business is to get a large 3 ring binder, buy some page protectors, and start creating a corporate book. It might seem like overkill now while you are "it," but will be extremely useful when you bring on your first employee.
In this corporate book, you can store contract templates, forms, terms of service, government certificates such as your DBA statement - plus anything else that supports the past, present and future of your business. Keep a copy of your business and marketing plan there as well.
As you develop the business, keep a Word document handy on your desktop called "Standard Operating Procedures." Every time you find yourself doing something repetitive, or routine, pop open the document and jot down some notes about what it is and how you did it.
You can flesh the details out later, but when the time comes to off load some of the tedium of running your business to someone else, you will have a terrific starting point for which "hats" someone else can wear. Your first new employee will be able to quickly get up to speed and provide the same level of service you have been providing, armed with a document like this.
Take the time to set up a good business accounting system like Quick Books Pro or Quicken. When you are using this or any other software system, pretend at all times that someone else must see what you are doing and understand it. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms without explaining what they mean, since whoever takes over this system might not have any idea what you were saying. When faced with doing something very quickly or taking the extra moment to document the transaction with a note of some sort, take that opportunity to leave a trail for anyone who might take on this duty for you later.
Set up a "creative" system as well, for any design or branding information.
It could be a directory on your hard drive that is backed up regularly, or a folder in your drawer ? as long as its all together. Save everything that has to do with the image and marketing of your business in one place ? original logo, artwork, ads you have run, fonts, and colors that are used for a consistent identity. Having this information organized will not only give you the ability to quickly market your business with a consistent brand, but will also provide the beginnings of a corporate identity program that can be shared with future employees and vendors.
It is critical to any business that you do regular backups, have a disaster recovery plan, and have assessed any threats to your business information and that of your
clients. As you set up these systems, do it in a way that also adds a sense of history. For example, if you back up weekly, store all of these backups somewhere with dates and specifics written on them, in case you ever need to return to that time period for any reason.
When the time comes to consider growing your business beyond yourself, review the documents you've developed, and make a list of the tasks you could probably delegate to someone else.
There are many ways you can test the waters of growth. You might want to try hiring a temporary assistant or a part time virtual assistant. You should also consider what you can best bring to the business, and which areas you might want someone else to handle. Then consider outsourcing aspects of your business to another independent professional. In whatever direction you decide to grow, you will have already created a strong foundation on which to build.
Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek (c) 2003 All Rights Reserved
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Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek is a veteran web designer and an online marketing & communications consultant who has been working from home and virtually since 1995. You can subscribe to her free monthly newsletter called Increase Your Reach:
Infuse Your Marketing with Technology at http://www.soho-it-goes.com
NOTE: You?re welcome to ?reprint? this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the ?about the author? info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to ezine@soho-it-goes.com
10 Reasons Why You Need to Ditch the Super Mom Syndrome
For any of you Moms out there that are doing it all, attempting to gain Super Mom status, let me give you my own personal opinion?It's not worth it!!!The pursuit of the Super Mom is an endless search that will be of great cost to you in the end.
Here are 10 reasons why you need to put an immediate halt to this pursuit.
- There is no such thing as a Mom who can do everything perfect because as far as I am concerned, perfection comes at a very high price. Seemingly perfect to other people, is often not the way things really are for the perfectionist.
- The Super Mom Syndrome is literally killing women.
Stress related diseases are on the rise and the demands that women place on themselves today directly contribute to the stress in their life. This stress is often all consuming. - There are far too many roles in our life today.
Trying to keep up with the different hats we wear on a daily basis is sometimes impossible.
Feeling the need to be perfect...
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Reality TV Shows Spark New Phenomenon In Fashion 'Celebrity Inspired Tees'
Beverly Hills, CA (ContentDesk) November 29, 2005 -- Reality television shows for celebrities have proven to be very successful and has sparked a new phenomenon in the fashion world now affectionately being called, "Celebrity Inspired Tees." Fans are showing loyalty by the thousands by clamoring to wear celebrity phrases on t-shirts, hats, belts and coffee mugs. Multi-Millionaire Donald Trump, Socialite Paris Hilton and reality show newcomer R& B star Whitney Houston all have one thing in common, phrases they have now added to their fans everyday vocabulary. As an example when Paris Hilton in her reality show "The Simple Life" uttered two simple words "That's Hot" it spurned a demand for belts, tees, hats and sweaters bearing her famous sexy words. Even millionaire Donald Trump relished in the victory of creating a two syllable word that thrusted him into the reality show spotlight with "You're Fired." We also can't forget "Bling Bling" which became the catchphrase of the year when the...
Reality TV Shows Spark New Phenomenon In Fashion 'Celebrity Inspired Tees'
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Alpaca Fashions Go Mainstream with Traditional Earthy Appeal and Online Shopping Convenience
Vashon Island, WA (ContentDesk) September 1, 2004 -- The PurelyAlpaca.com store is a unique on-line clothing and accessories store based near Seattle, WA. PurelyAlpaca offers unique high quality alpaca products such as alpaca sweaters, socks, hats, gloves and unique art from around the world. The products blend the "Earthy" aspects of this clothing product with the latest in online shopping to its USA and CANADA clients. PurelyAlpaca.com focuses on quality products primarily made from the naturally non-allergic alpaca fiber. The fiber has been rapidly growing in popularity world wide due to its comfort and elegance.
Its address on the internet is www.purelyalpaca.com "In this age of high stress living, many people are turning to the natural appeal of alpaca. They see the beauty and gentle nature of the animal as well as its natural appeal", says Brian Schieber, PurelyAlpaca.com President, himself an owner of...
Alpaca Fashions Go Mainstream with Traditional Earthy Appeal and Online Shopping Convenience
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Platform Development Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!
Platform-Building Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by "experts," that is people who have a) earned credentials in the field they're writing about, b) germinated information via articles, live presentations or other media, or c) had extraordinary, unique or memorably told life experiences relevant to their topic.For an autobiographical work, such as a memoir, an author needn't have any special expertise?she is the foremost authority on her own life. For a how-to or self-help book, however, the first thing mainstream publishers want to know is, "Does the author have a platform?"Among the multiple definitions of "platform" in Merriam Webster's 10th edition are 1) a place from which to speak, 2) a set of principles, and 3) a vehicle for carrying things. All these are important to an author's platform. The good news is, in the six to eighteen months it will take most authors to write either their book proposal or their entire book, they...
Platform Development Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!
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Universities Use High-Tech Massage Chairs To Help Their Faculty Unwind
(ContentDesk) March 31, 2006 -- Many universities are now making massage chairs available to their faculty, both in an effort to reduce stress and improve work performance, but also as a novel teaching tool. College faculty members are expected to fill many roles during the course of their day; they are friends, mentors and even surrogate parents, and wearing all of those hats can really wear a person out. In order to help their faculty stay energized, many schools have begun using a new breed of super-advanced massage chairs from companies like Premier Health Products and Panasonic to help reduce stress, and make their faculty more productive.Faculty members are encouraged to take a massage between classes, or in the morning as they start their day. Many professors may not find the time in their busy schedules for traditional massage therapy, but massage chairs offer a quick way to get many of the same benefits with no sticky oils and no appointments.At some institutions, massage chairs...
Universities Use High-Tech Massage Chairs To Help Their Faculty Unwind
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UKIPHome Blog Interview Reveals Campbell Bannerman’s Small Government Vision for the UK Independence Party and Opposition to State Funding of Political Parties
(ContentDesk) July 24, 2006 -- In an interview with UKIPHome, the independent blog seeking to promote progressive reform within the UK Independence Party, Party Chairman and leadership candidate David Campbell Bannerman has detailed a clear, positive, small government, and perhaps small c conservative manifesto that could transform UKIPs fortunes.With the campaign to elect a new leader of the UK Independence Party in full swing, there has been much focus on UKIPs two most politically experienced and high profile members, Nigel Farage and David Campbell Bannerman, who have both thrown their hats into the ring in a bid to replace Roger Knapman, who steps down as leader in September.Two other candidates have joined Farage and Campbell Bannerman in the leadership election but
it is widely acknowledged that the victor will be one of these two as a result of their high level political experience, relative electoral success and wide recognition amongst the partys membership.In...
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Yet More Care Hair Myths - The Truth And The Lies
Those hair care myths just keep coming! In this third of 3 articles, we examine some of the most widely known myths - and dig out the truth?1. Hair should be washed every dayFALSE: There is no correct schedule for washing hair. Every person should shampoo according to the specific needs of their hair type and texture. While some people do benefit from a daily shampoo, others benefit from a variety of shampooing schedules.2. More lather = a more effective shampoo = cleaner hairFALSE: Lathering agents are often added to shampoos, but more foam doesn't mean cleaner hair.3.
Hair develops immunity to the same shampoo over timeFALSE: There is no scientific evidence to prove this myth.4. Brushing your hair is better than combing itFALSE: Actually, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush. Brushing it will only lead to split ends and hair breakage.5. Split ends can be repaired without trimmingFALSE: The only successful treatment for removing split ends is with a scissors. Some hair...
Yet More Care Hair Myths - The Truth And The Lies
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Fashions from the Soul: Donna Vinci Couture Spotlights Elegant Outfits for the African American Plus-Size Woman
(ContentDesk) April 4, 2004--The intuition and remarkable creativity of fashion designer Donna Vinci has garnered him a devoted following amongst African American churchgoing and professional women. Imagine stunning elegance that comes from the soul: Classy gospel couture for women of all sizes featuring magnificent hats and flawless workmanship. The slimming shapes, novel designs, quality fabric and ubiquitous color all combine to create a style that is as transcendent as the spoken word.Donna Vinci fashions are easily appropriate for every special occasion from weddings, Easter or Mother's day, to giving entirely new meaning to your "Sunday Best." To view all the latest collections visit www.donnavinci.com. "Women should celebrate their curves, and I thank the Lord that a designer has finally realized the needs of today's women," said Grammy-nominated ? and notoriously fashionable ? gospel diva Dottie Peoples, the...
Fashions from the Soul: Donna Vinci Couture Spotlights Elegant Outfits for the African American Plus-Size Woman
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Massage Chairs Offer Relief from Obesity Related Back Pain
June 2, 2005 -- According to the American Obesity Society 64.5 percent of Americans over twenty years old are overweight and 30.5 percent are obese. These figures represent the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States which is costing billions of dollars in additional health care expenses. Each year, increasing numbers Americans are finding themselves classified as clinically obese and are suffering from one or more of over thirty obesity related diseases.
Premier...
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Travel Nursing Career - A Dream Come True?
Deciding what job to pursue after college entails more brain cells that most activities. Unlike deciding on what car to buy or what clothes to wear, one must give the decision its due because it will effect your happiness and quality of life for the next three to four decades.Most people believe that a career in travel nursing is stuff that dreams are made of. For those currently following this career path? most of those who have experienced this lifestyle agree that it is a great way to make...
Travel Nursing Career - A Dream Come True? Make Mine to Grow: Building Your Solo Business to Outgrow You! nursing courses
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Do They Really Need a Dog Bed?
When Lucky was starting to show signs of aging, we were concerned about her comfort. She would have a hard time getting up in the morning. Her legs would shake and she would take five minutes just to get up, where once she could pounce up in a second.Her hips were really thin and her muscle mass was decreasing rapidly.What we found out was that we could help her by getting an orthopedic dog bed. The sad part is, we probably could have helped her avoid this by getting it for her when she was younger.See,...
beds
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Powerful and Cheapest Apple Computer Accessories for You
8thJuly 2006,G4 Power Mac Speaker Guard
Stylize your G4 Power Mac with this innovative speaker guard. It is one of a kind and delicately hand crafted from 100% aluminum. Its unique design protects the speaker from dust and other foreign objects. Using the latest laser technology, the holes are skillfully cut to maintain optimum sound quality. Its specific shape is designed to fit perfectly into your G4 Power Mac Speaker opening without using any adhesive.
Plus, you can choose...
laser printer Powerful and Cheapest Apple Computer Accessories for You Make Mine to Grow: Building Your Solo Business to Outgrow You!
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Mother’s Day Unique Gift Idea Features Lobster Feast For Mom
Chicago, IL (ContentDesk) May 4, 2006 -- Mothers Day just got a little tastier with a great new gift idea from Lobster Gram Moms Magnificent Lobster Feast . Featuring sweet, cold water South African lobster tails, Crab & Shrimp cakes, creamy Shrimp & Corn chowder and even...
Mother’s Day Unique Gift Idea Features Lobster Feast For Mom
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