By Paul Penfold

In my opinion, small business owners are true heroes.

Not only do they employ over 60% of the workforce but they also have to overcome huge personal challenges to become successful. And lets face it, the odds are stacked against them with 90% of new businesses failing in the first 5 years.

But when you think about it, just about every large business can trace its origins back to one or two people with a good idea.

For instance, Henry Ford started the Ford motor company at around the age of 40 working from his kitchen table. The Google guys, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Michael Dell all started much younger and from their bedrooms or garages.

So what makes the likes of Henry Ford, the Google guys, Gates and Dell succeed like crazy when so many of their counterparts are slaughtered along the path in their pursuit of wealth and independence? 

There are seven principles (some may say secrets) to business success. They’re all practiced by the most respected business people every day. And, regular application of these principles will virtually guarantee that you’ll be on your way to the top of your field.

Secret No. 1: Know where you’re going!

You’ve probably heard the analogy about driving interstate at night time. It goes something like – even though you can’t see you destination when you start out because your headlights only light up a small section of road, you’ll reach your destination because you know where the road leads. 

Well the same applies to business.

Henry Ford wanted to build and sell cars that the average family man could afford. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs wanted to have the world’s biggest and best computer software companies. Michael Dell wanted to sell computer hardware, and the Google guys wanted to provide a platform where all the world’s information could be easily accessible. 

Take some time out and get clear on your goals and direction. Have a clear mission and vision. Make the decision to be the very best in your field. Make the decision, today, to join the top 5 or 10 percent in your industry. There is no one and nothing that can hold you back from being the best, except yourself.

Secret No. 2: Sell, Sell, Sell!

Unless your revenue is substantial, or you would consider yourself a medium to large sized business, everyone in your organisation should be focussed on selling. They don’t necessarily have to be on the phone asking for business but they need to realise everything starts and ends with the sale. So many small business owners concern themselves with offices, stationery, car spaces, signage for the door and even which coffee gets served rather than investing their time wisely, and that’s selling.

If you have employees who are not directly selling make sure they understand the selling process and understand the importance of supporting the salesperson.  

  
Secret No. 3: Become an expert marketer.

It’s my opinion the expert marketers see the world differently. Expert marketers see opportunity and know how to take that opportunity and make it work for them.

For instance, Tom Monaghan saw opportunity when he bought "Dominick's Pizza". After he bought out his brother and renamed the business Domino’s Pizza it went on to become one of the most recognised names in the industry through clever marketing. The “delivered in 30 minutes or it’s free” campaign was so strong that people still associate it with Domino’s years after the offer was withdrawn.

Apple’s I-Pod is a profit bonanza mainly due to back end sales from I-Tunes. Starbucks saw the opportunity to sell coffee with a twist that appeals to the masses. The list is endless. 
Becoming an expert marketer will unlock outrageously large profit centres within your business. Set aside an hour each week and study a good marketing book and you’ll soon start noticing opportunities all around you.

If you haven’t already done so, I’d recommend you download (and read) Scientific Advertising from the Words That Sell website. It’s Free!

Secret No. 4: Be around the right people.

Surround yourself with positive, successful and happy people. Steer clear of negative, critical, complaining people. Remember, you cannot fly with the eagles if you continue to rub shoulders with the turkeys.

Secret No. 5: Personal fitness.

You need high levels of energy to run a successful business. Be sure to eat the right foods, get the right amount of exercise, and get plenty of rest. Take time out each day and dedicate it to your personal fitness. 

Secret No. 6: Visualisation exercises.

Talk to elite athletes and they’ll tell you how they dreamt of winning races and being the best in their sport from a very young age. Visualisation exercises are extremely powerful and yet seldom used. Imagine yourself at the helm of your hugely profitable business and imagine what that would mean to your family.

Imagine yourself performing at your very best all day long. Feed your subconscious mind with vivid, exciting pictures of yourself being positive, confident, competent, and completely in control of every part of your life.

Secret No. 7: The words you use define who you are.

Control your inner dialogue. We’ve all got that little opinionated voice in our heads. Be aware of what it’s actually saying because that little voice is more than likely your biggest critic and voice of unreason.

Here’s a little tip …

When you hear that little voice in your head spraying out negativities try this. Imagine someone walking along the street coming towards you saying the same negative  things that your inner voice is saying. Would you listen to that person? Of course you wouldn’t.

So – only use positive words about who you are and what you’re capable of. To receive inspirational messages in your inbox each morning, make sure you sign up for our Inspirational Everyday Daily Dose messages at http://www.inspirationaleveryday.com

Bonus Secret No. 8: Just do it!

Don’t sit around and wait for it to happen. Don’t sit around for weeks, months and years planning for it to happen. Just do it!

Set aside a portion of your day and devote it to nothing other than taking action to achieve your goals. Be proactive rather than reactive. Make it happen.

If you’re not happy with the money you’re making from your business or job, do something about it. Apply any of the previous 7 secrets and you’ll see results. Apply all of them with the right “grab the bull by the horns” attitude and I’ll guarantee you’ll be successful.
If you need more sales then get out there and talk to more customers.

If the phone’s not ringing improve your marketing. If there aren’t enough hours in the day then speed up your tempo or delegate.

All successful business people are intensely action-oriented. They have a sense of urgency. They’re hungry. They just do it!