We all have reasons for the things we do that we don’t tell others. Even if they think they have us figured out, they don’t know our deepest fears or wishes. Small business owners are no different. They each have their own reasons for working for themselves and though they may tell you some of them, they will never tell you all of them. They also won’t tell you, no matter how bad things may be with their business, why they can’t or won’t stop and get a “real” job.

Seriously independent. Always ready to strike out on their own, business owners as children and teenagers tended to do things a little differently than others. Never those to follow the crowd, their behaviour could have been seen as audacious or downright dangerous. As adults, this sense of independence has never left them and working for someone else just isn’t in the picture.

Lifelong learners. The cubicle life is boring and rarely allows employees to grow or learn on their own. There is always a map to be followed and business owners like to draw their own maps, not follow those of others. Creative and deep thinking, they know there is a way out of whatever problems they’ve encountered and one way or another, they will figure it out. Don’t tell them they can’t.

Quietly competitive. Never obvious in their desire to stay a step ahead of everyone else, business owners feel that giving up is not just a matter of pride, it’s a huge loss that puts them behind everyone else. Whether you realize it or not, they all think that working for themselves obviously makes them just that little bit more intelligent than those who do the 9 to 5 everyday. Their success is extremely important to them.

In charge. Entrepreneurs are exactly the opposite of those who would join the army. They refuse to be told what to do and follow their own orders. Each day can be different and bring excitement which they wouldn’t find in an office or elsewhere. They organize their own time, their own work and their own lives and wouldn’t have it any differently.

Working for yourself may be a long held ambition or it can be something that you ease into gradually as you find it suits your personality. The reasons for not giving up can be as varied as the personalities involved. Each of us knows what suits us and why we can’t and won’t give up.

© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2015

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    Do any of these describe you? Rigid thinker, overly sensitive, overly confident. Have you no interest in learning new things and are you impatient and tend to give up easily?

The answer to your business problems most likely revolves around your personality and your attitudes, chosen or not. In a business world where changes are constant, the traits most needed to succeed as an entrepreneur have also stepped up a notch.

Never one to be afraid of competition, you now have the international community to think about when you are updating services. While past entrepreneurs were told to rely on themselves but also to take the opinions of others into consideration, those outside ideas may just be the ticket to innovation now and what turns around the momentum of your business growth.

Do you come across as a hustler? The persona that you show the world may just need to be turned down a little now, otherwise you may come across as someone who is trying to scam others. The risks that were once a given as a business owner, now should be a little less risky, and the expenses just a little bit less. Frugal business is the newest way to compete and succeed. While your customers still expect you to be confident in yourself and what you offer, you had better be able to back up every word since now they are comparing your products to a multitude of others that are available.

The new entrepreneur needs to be flexible in how they run their business and what they offer their customers. Resilience is more important than ever and many small business owners realize this as they take courses in their spare time and prepare for other opportunities. Their vision isn’t as one sided as it was at one time and their sense of self has expanded to include seeing themselves wearing many hats. The flexibility that has always been so important has grown to include other ideas of how to run their business and when to decide this is no longer what they wish to do.

The patience and goal oriented way they have lived has paid off, in that they now know there are many ways to run a successful business and that what once worked has changed tremendously. The successful entrepreneur does not get frustrated easily and they don’t make a big deal of the little things, for there will be many little things. Their business manner has relaxed into a more personable way of dealing with the public – one on one, rather than just business owner to consumer.

As a long time business owner, you realize that self-discipline has always been an important part of your life, within your business and also outside of it. You know that to stay grounded, living in the present is the most important thing you can do and being realistic is one trait you have always possessed. The business world may be changing and some of the traits needed to survive may also be changing but knowing within yourself what you, personally, need to run your business successfully, is the most important trait you may ever rely on.

© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2015

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  INFLEXIBLE

rigidly firm in will or purpose : unyielding

not readily bent : lacking or deficient in suppleness

incapable of change : unalterable

Small businesses are caught up in the ever changing trends and economies that now make up our world. Quite often, business owners will need to respond quickly to changes in their market if they want to keep up and compete with others.

Becoming flexible in your way of doing business has become a necessity. Can you offer your clients choices, based on their needs and preferences? We all like having options and your customers will want to deal with someone who thinks quickly and can tailor a product or service to their needs.

Figure out what works best for you. Try a variety of marketing options and communications. What may work best for a fellow business owner, may not be what works for you. When you feel comfortable with what you’re doing, you will be more likely to see your customer’s viewpoint when it applies to them. Never forget that you have an unknown number of competitors out there and if you are unable to offer choices or refuse to offer choices, there is always someone who will. Most people are still looking for good quality and though they may also want a bargain, the majority are willing to pay that little bit extra to have you provide exactly what they need.

Niche markets in particular have to pay attention to what they are offering. Though your market may be smaller and the variety of products or services also less, this doesn’t mean that the less you offer, the more customers you will have. Balancing quality, selection and options will mean more success for your business.

Challenges will always be part of running your business. Flexibility in the way you run yours can help you weather almost any storm, especially in the present economy. Keep an eye on market demands and if you need to shift your focus to another area of service, be willing and able to do it. Adaptation and flexibility go hand in hand. It has always been those who are willing to adapt who survive.

Just as when you started your business and felt you could do anything, your attitude will help. Listen to what your market wants and needs, their suggestions for possible changes. Realize that you are totally capable of changing, as much as you may resist it. Change can be enjoyable and a breath of fresh air that keeps you interested in what you’re doing. It also can be just what your business needs for continued success.

© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2015