To SME Owners
We all have a mentor, if you think you do not need one read on, mentors can help you do great things, yes you must be honest with them and they must be honest and up front with you.
We learn every day, well we should if you are not, then you need to open your mind, there are new dynamics in every situation. When I was in my 30's I was so arrogant, it was my way or the highway, yes only with ten plus years business experience. But maturity can be learnt the hard way!!!!!!
Here is what a mentor can do for you,
- cut out the emotion, do a reality check, I love this one.
- they walk the walk and talk the talk
- they have been there and done it
- they add value too you
To name a few, go find a mentor that is there for the long haul, not just in and out.
cool
Till next time may the Force be with You.
Monday, 28 September 2015
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
World Cup RUGBY fever
To Sme Owners,
Many of you may be aware that from the 18th Sept to 30th Oct, the top rugby nations will take to the field to battle for the WORLD CUP. How does this relate to your Sme business, on our Supersport tv channel, they are running build up to the world cup, interviewing those players that have been there and done it.
They were asked "what does it take to win the world cup" Here are some of the comments, which are relative to our businesses.
- Be well organised both on and off the field of play.
- Be able to adapted
- Ensure consistency
- Have the right team/skills
- Have total belief
- Have structure
- Be smarter than opposition
- Have some luck.
COOL
Yes these are pro sportsman, but we are the pro business people, makes one THINK.
Till next time may the Force be with You.
Many of you may be aware that from the 18th Sept to 30th Oct, the top rugby nations will take to the field to battle for the WORLD CUP. How does this relate to your Sme business, on our Supersport tv channel, they are running build up to the world cup, interviewing those players that have been there and done it.
They were asked "what does it take to win the world cup" Here are some of the comments, which are relative to our businesses.
- Be well organised both on and off the field of play.
- Be able to adapted
- Ensure consistency
- Have the right team/skills
- Have total belief
- Have structure
- Be smarter than opposition
- Have some luck.
COOL
Yes these are pro sportsman, but we are the pro business people, makes one THINK.
Till next time may the Force be with You.
Thursday, 27 August 2015
As a MANAGER do you do-----
To SME Owners
I often here Sme owners, complain about their staff, many a time it is warranted, but, the trick is to obtain as much productivity from staff as possible, very ,very few staff are 100% on the ball, that's just business life happening.
Go implement the following and I am sure you will create a winning vibe.
-let you staff know what you expect from them, keep in simple
-give them the tools,and opportunity to perform,
-give them regular feedback on how they are doing(this is where most Sme owners fall down)
-coach, mentor them on two key areas where you believe they need to improve,
- REWARD them according to their CONTRIBUTION.
Guys, it is as simple as 1,2, 3, 4 5 step plan, enjoy.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
I often here Sme owners, complain about their staff, many a time it is warranted, but, the trick is to obtain as much productivity from staff as possible, very ,very few staff are 100% on the ball, that's just business life happening.
Go implement the following and I am sure you will create a winning vibe.
-let you staff know what you expect from them, keep in simple
-give them the tools,and opportunity to perform,
-give them regular feedback on how they are doing(this is where most Sme owners fall down)
-coach, mentor them on two key areas where you believe they need to improve,
- REWARD them according to their CONTRIBUTION.
Guys, it is as simple as 1,2, 3, 4 5 step plan, enjoy.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Your MIDDLE Managers
To SME Owners.
It is critical that the structure of your business involves, middle management/ supervisor level,
WHY, they play a very important role in your business processes and developing the staff they have report to them.
Yes we hear all the time, cut this level in your business, save costs this way, no, incorrect strategy.
Your middle level serve as a conduit for the free flow of ideas and information up and down the line.
Staff can and will do better if they believe you expect them to, being a control freak in counter
productive, but it is up to you if you want to work 6 days a week, 14 to 16hours a day.
By having middle management, it will test your own leadership style, good, we need great leaders in SME businesses to day.
So take time out , draw up the 5 KRA'S ( key responsibility areas) for your new middle management position
Till next time may the FORCE be with you..
It is critical that the structure of your business involves, middle management/ supervisor level,
WHY, they play a very important role in your business processes and developing the staff they have report to them.
Yes we hear all the time, cut this level in your business, save costs this way, no, incorrect strategy.
Your middle level serve as a conduit for the free flow of ideas and information up and down the line.
Staff can and will do better if they believe you expect them to, being a control freak in counter
productive, but it is up to you if you want to work 6 days a week, 14 to 16hours a day.
By having middle management, it will test your own leadership style, good, we need great leaders in SME businesses to day.
So take time out , draw up the 5 KRA'S ( key responsibility areas) for your new middle management position
Till next time may the FORCE be with you..
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
Think you know your Clients
To SME Owners
Yes we all fall into thinking that we know our clients really well, but do we.
Have you got in place effective, ongoing plans and strategies for assessing clients and their needs.
- if not you could lose the upper hand when it comes to doing ongoing business with them.
- so as a SME owner how are you keeping in constant touch,
- what promotional plans have you in place to connect, what are the key TOUCH POINTS.
- which clients refer business to you
- how are your clients growing
- do you have a feel for your clients market, their opposition, their suppliers.
YEP this is all important stuff, your competitors are fighting every day to take your clients away, simple English.
So go set up a system so you can be up to speed on YOUR CLIENTS.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
Yes we all fall into thinking that we know our clients really well, but do we.
Have you got in place effective, ongoing plans and strategies for assessing clients and their needs.
- if not you could lose the upper hand when it comes to doing ongoing business with them.
- so as a SME owner how are you keeping in constant touch,
- what promotional plans have you in place to connect, what are the key TOUCH POINTS.
- which clients refer business to you
- how are your clients growing
- do you have a feel for your clients market, their opposition, their suppliers.
YEP this is all important stuff, your competitors are fighting every day to take your clients away, simple English.
So go set up a system so you can be up to speed on YOUR CLIENTS.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
Monday, 13 July 2015
CONFRONTING REALITY
To SME Owners
- It is always a great way to look yourself in the mirror.
What position is you business currently in, are you losing clients, are staff being drama queens, have you got mavericks that do not work the system.
Then check out your LEADERSHIP STYLE, most of the issues in SME business today are due to owners not being on their game, they blame the economy, they blame the government (which government is always on their game!) they blame there staff, but you employed them.
Go check out what it really takes to take you business to different levels, I had a chat with a Sme owner recently, re staff, great staff equal a great business, he said, great staff adds up to higher overheads, staff costs, !!!!!, amazing.
Make sure your emotional IQ is a focus, are you a great motivator and mentor. COOL
Till next time my the FORCE be with you.
- It is always a great way to look yourself in the mirror.
What position is you business currently in, are you losing clients, are staff being drama queens, have you got mavericks that do not work the system.
Then check out your LEADERSHIP STYLE, most of the issues in SME business today are due to owners not being on their game, they blame the economy, they blame the government (which government is always on their game!) they blame there staff, but you employed them.
Go check out what it really takes to take you business to different levels, I had a chat with a Sme owner recently, re staff, great staff equal a great business, he said, great staff adds up to higher overheads, staff costs, !!!!!, amazing.
Make sure your emotional IQ is a focus, are you a great motivator and mentor. COOL
Till next time my the FORCE be with you.
Thursday, 2 July 2015
Something NEW
To SME Owners
Yep 6 months gone in 2015, ask yourself the following.
- What did you change in your business the past 6 months that will have an impact on the next 6 months in a positive way.
-Did you just do the same old stuff, which will get you the same old results, and will put undue pressure on you.
- What new things did you introduce into your business.
- Remember there are winners, loses and marginal players in your market, the trick, is to define in your terms how will you measure being a winner.
- look at the key changes you made, if you did not make any, big concern, see what the risks will be,
you are a risk taker, that's what makes you different. Go smash your opposition, but be humble, go do more thinking and research.
Till next time may the FORCE be with you.
Yep 6 months gone in 2015, ask yourself the following.
- What did you change in your business the past 6 months that will have an impact on the next 6 months in a positive way.
-Did you just do the same old stuff, which will get you the same old results, and will put undue pressure on you.
- What new things did you introduce into your business.
- Remember there are winners, loses and marginal players in your market, the trick, is to define in your terms how will you measure being a winner.
- look at the key changes you made, if you did not make any, big concern, see what the risks will be,
you are a risk taker, that's what makes you different. Go smash your opposition, but be humble, go do more thinking and research.
Till next time may the FORCE be with you.
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
Good Growth vs Bad Growth
To SME Owners.
Yes well all want good growth, we have heard it before, lets have the RIGHT GROWTH.
Growth in most forms increases sales, but it must be cost effective, it must be at the right margin.
Right growth is sustainable, the right type of clients, the good paying clients.
Growth should come more from ORGANIC and DIFFERENTIATED approach. Some businesses grow due to their clients growing, ie if you supply a retail outlet/ group and they open 10 new stores your sales will grow, simple enough.
Growing by price discounting is a very very short route, it works for sum, not all, it will be interesting to see how Cell C (here in SA) wins business with their new offer.
The right growth comes from continuously looking at your product range, new products, product improvement, but also which is a key factor is your all round service levels.
Cool go take time out to check how your business is growing, watch the type of business your reps bring to the table.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
Yes well all want good growth, we have heard it before, lets have the RIGHT GROWTH.
Growth in most forms increases sales, but it must be cost effective, it must be at the right margin.
Right growth is sustainable, the right type of clients, the good paying clients.
Growth should come more from ORGANIC and DIFFERENTIATED approach. Some businesses grow due to their clients growing, ie if you supply a retail outlet/ group and they open 10 new stores your sales will grow, simple enough.
Growing by price discounting is a very very short route, it works for sum, not all, it will be interesting to see how Cell C (here in SA) wins business with their new offer.
The right growth comes from continuously looking at your product range, new products, product improvement, but also which is a key factor is your all round service levels.
Cool go take time out to check how your business is growing, watch the type of business your reps bring to the table.
Till next time may the Force be with you.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
How is your business Strategy.
To Sme Owners,
Always good to review your strategy in this changing world, change and more change, it is key that your staff understand that they may have to change direction overnight.
Here are a few pointers, for a Hold Strategy.
- segment your market and clients.
- upgrade packaging.
- look at ways to add more value.
- have very tight control on every thing in the business, (yep control freaks will enjoy this)
A Build Strategy
- new product development, innovate!
- aggressive pricing
- focus your business units on speed.
So go look at what you need to change/ adjust, it will refocus your mind.
Till next time may the Force be with You. Blog by Kyle Daines
Thank you to those who view my blogs, from, UK, USA, France, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Romania, Germany. South Africa.
Always good to review your strategy in this changing world, change and more change, it is key that your staff understand that they may have to change direction overnight.
Here are a few pointers, for a Hold Strategy.
- segment your market and clients.
- upgrade packaging.
- look at ways to add more value.
- have very tight control on every thing in the business, (yep control freaks will enjoy this)
A Build Strategy
- new product development, innovate!
- aggressive pricing
- focus your business units on speed.
So go look at what you need to change/ adjust, it will refocus your mind.
Till next time may the Force be with You. Blog by Kyle Daines
Thank you to those who view my blogs, from, UK, USA, France, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Romania, Germany. South Africa.
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Review your sales and marketing material
To SME Owners
When last did you layout your BRANDED material on your desk, boardroom table, and review it.
Building your business brand can be quicker than you think, plus brand building is an ongoing focus.
How does your opposition material stand up to your material, good to do this review once a year.
You do not have to spend big bucks, go to your local quick print shop, like Minute Man Press.
Has your material, got emotion, storytelling in the content, these are very powerful factors,
have you a common thread that focuses your prospective clients on how you will solve their problems.
Does your sales team understand what is being communicated and why, do they believe.
Go review your stuff now, it is an interesting project.
Till next time my the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
When last did you layout your BRANDED material on your desk, boardroom table, and review it.
Building your business brand can be quicker than you think, plus brand building is an ongoing focus.
How does your opposition material stand up to your material, good to do this review once a year.
You do not have to spend big bucks, go to your local quick print shop, like Minute Man Press.
Has your material, got emotion, storytelling in the content, these are very powerful factors,
have you a common thread that focuses your prospective clients on how you will solve their problems.
Does your sales team understand what is being communicated and why, do they believe.
Go review your stuff now, it is an interesting project.
Till next time my the Force be with you. Blog by Kyle Daines
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