As entrepreneurs, we all go through our day-to-day lives aiming and yearning for success but a lot of things are easier said than done. We might be professional in what we have been doing in the corporate world, but we may be just like dummies in other areas. In the corporate world, we become very reliant on our personal assistants or secretaries. In some companies, when these people are absent, it is difficult for the business to carry on because often the personal assistant is the one who has a knowledge of everything that is going on, down to the last detail. On the other hand, during the start-up stage of your business, when it is your call for most of the business decisions, you may find that you don’t have the right knowledge or skills to make things perfect. You will quickly pick up on your weaknesses when you have nobody else to rely on or to take the blame for you. On the up side, this will also help you hire the right people to fill in the gaps for you.
Soft Skills?
I would say that there are a lot of “soft” skills that are needed to keep things balance, or to take things forward, and keep going even in the face of hardship. For example, you may like to know the art of communication so that you have greater chances to close deals. When this is needed for your own business, you’ve got a much bigger incentive to keep learning. That is why I loved signing up with different mentors’ websites as this is an efficient way to engage with like-minded people who can give you a push whenever necessary. It is not really necessary to pay and engage them as your mentor and often a regular newsletter will provide you with lots of know-hows on running a good business. These invaluable resources are just like a guide book that will point you to the right direction with insight and illumination.
Experience is crucial, but Knowledge is essential
Of course experience is crucial, but knowledge is essential. In this rapidly changing world, we all need to cultivate the habit of lifelong learning. Find ways to invest in yourself, and make time for learning no matter how hectic your schedule may be. Nowadays, some experts even go as far as saying that self-education can be more valuable than formal education. Although formal education provides direction and a solid foundation, you could potentially learn more from home by researching the things you really want to know. You will automatically retain more information if you are passionate about the subject, than when you are not. If you interests and business are directly linked to your learning, you will naturally make a mental note to remember the new information (although it is advisable to make a written note of it as well).
Have you put your business on the web?
This is the information age, hence information moves at a rapid rate. A new piece of information can be released into the World Wide Web in a matter of seconds, changing the way that thousands, and possibly, millions of people do business. This is why it is important for you to stay in the loop. Frequently expand your knowledge in your areas of expertise and your business industry so that you are always aware of new opportunities or threats. This will help you offer better products and services as well as make informed business decisions.
Learning is amazing. It can transform you into a better, more successful person tomorrow than you are today. So let’s keep learning to get to where we want to be faster and with more wisdom and knowledge behind us. Learning starts by trying to figure out where you are right now and what ignites your excitement. Once you’ve discovered that, you will want to learn more and more and that process will never end.
