I am often asked, “What is the one thing that successful business owners do that makes them succeed?” Wow! This is a question that I always have trouble answering. Because usually there is not just one thing they do differently. I used to say they work hard. But many struggling business owners work just as hard, but don’t come up with the same results.
This week I re-read Dan Kennedy’s lead story in the September 2011 issue of NO B.S. Info-Marketing Letter (you should seriously consider subscribing if you don’t already). In it he says, “The number one thing successful companies do is that they implement their ideas!” After giving it some thought, I have to agree with him 100 percent! Being able to implement their ideas on a consistent basis is the number one thing that successful business owners do differently.
Dan Kennedy explains:
“To implement means: to put a decision, plan, strategy, etc. into effect. That means there is action tied to a strategic purpose, and there is something done. Not being done. Done. Not being put into effect. Put into effect.”
There is a lot of good thought in that definition! Action tied to a strategic plan is the key.
He goes on to say:
“There is a “willy-nilly” nature to most entrepreneurs’ activity precisely because steady-handed, methodical implementation of what works most reliably is boring, and putting into effect evergreen systems is difficult and tedious.”
Many business owners are just busy working on the wrong things. They are busy putting out fires instead of taking the time to plan, delegate, train their employees, and establish systems to ensure that their customers have a consistent experience with their business.
How good is your company at implementing your strategic ideas? What should you do to improve?