One of the things I often say to the prospects I go to see, is that I assume as business owners they know what they should be doing, especially if they have been running a profitable business for a while. However, the difference between knowing something and actually doing something is considerable, and one of the reasons why business owners get a bit stuck, and the business stagnates, is because they simply don’t do the things they know will make a positive difference to how their business moves forward.

Another thing which many business owners fail to do, is to keep on learning and developing themselves. The same complacency which lulls them into not taking continuous positive actions, also convinces them that they already know all the answers, and they don’t need to learn new things. This inward looking, perhaps slightly over-confident attitude, can often be the start of a business stalling and then bit by bit regressing while others take their market share and gradually ease them to the back of the queue.

So I always urge my clients to keep an open mind on things, and constantly look for new sources of knowledge and ideas. Networking is often a good way of doing this, as there are different people with different opinions who can challenge your way of looking at things.

Seminars and workshops also help to remind you of things you already know (but don’t do), and of course give you new ideas, and often teach you things you never knew. So don’t cut yourself off from the outside world because you think there is nothing more to be learned. Find meetings and seminars which you can go to, and pick some here and there which will teach you and inspire you. You never know it could change your business. If you would like to start the process with an interesting and varied early morning presentation, keep your eyes peeled and come along to our next event.