I’m the Chief Navigator and I Demand to Know Where I’m Going! THREE Strategies to Starting a New Business or Career!
My dad often said this when we were in the car and to put it bluntly, “We were lost”. Oftentimes we’re leading and everyone thinks we have Google Maps tucked away in our cranium somewhere on instant recall but honestly, WE’RE LOST! My dad, like the rest of us driving the bus, didn't let us know we were lost but at least had the humility to make light of it.
So maybe we’re not lost but Google Maps would be ever so handy in the game of leadership and starting a business. When I started Oxygen Plus, in pure “Activator” fashion I took off running the 100M race. The problem I found out was that starting a company is more akin to the 3000M run (notice the difference in race vs. run?). I had already written a book, had several successful beta test clients over the years, and delivered numerous keynote speeches leading up to launching my company. So the next logical step is getting clients, right? I promptly sunk a decent amount of change on sales consultants before coming to the conclusion that maybe…just maybe…I should create a FOUNDATION before trying to land clients. Or more accurately I think God laughed at my Activator button, let me take a few left turns, and then put the necessary relationships in my life to WAKE ME UP!
Strategy #1: Create a Personal Board of Directors - I know, I’m being a little facetious but the bottom line is, Great Coaches and Leaders, employ even GREATER Coaches and Mentors. They learn from those that have been down the long and dusty road many times and lived to tell about it. Early on I created my own Board of Directors. I really couldn’t afford to pay anyone but I knew enough business leaders to ask for advice (retired Executives are GREAT resources!).
Strategy #2: Cash over Flash - Paying money up front for websites, applications, office accommodations, etc. may be critical, but keep it simple! Cash flow is important and it may be 2-3 years before you can pay yourself. Watch the pennies and focus on the client and what will bring in cash flow. I made the mistake of paying for a Sales coach before creating a foundation. I eventually worked with a business coach with a focus on who my ideal clients were so that I could focus accordingly. This was money well spent!
Strategy #3: Start With the End in Mind! - It’s simple advice! BREATHE before starting anything of importance, Visualize, and see the END IN MIND. I have clients envision their life/business venture five years out with great detail so that we can work backward. As you work backward from your vision, identify 30, 60, 90-day strategies to get started. Incorporate a Board of Directors mentioned above for their advice. Pivot if you must, but stick with the plan and have PATIENCE!
Please reach out as I love to hear any stories regarding getting started, successes, and ultimately creating a stable Foundation. I often post (without using names) great stories like yours and mine and my readers “love a good leadership story”!
