While economic conditions have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, most experts agree that employment will remain a consistent problem through 2012 and beyond. However, there may be an upside to this trend.
With so few job opportunities, limited advancement opportunities and stagnant wage growth, many people may start looking to entrepreneurship and self-employment as a means of getting back to work. More importantly, 2012 may be the year this trend really begins to take offer. For these so-called “accidental entrepreneurs,” there are a few important factors to consider. With that in mind, heed some of these healthy entrepreneurial habits:
Broaden your mastery
As an entrepreneur and business owner, you’ll have to dip your hand in nearly every aspect of running a business. Of course, you’re not expected to be a master at both finance and creative marketing, but that doesn’t mean you should sell yourself short. Rather, you should be pushing yourself to be better at everything while still focusing most of your efforts on core strengths.
“You are spending on online advertising, have a part-time sales person, are sitting on Twitter and have your web designer helping you with SEO,” writes Raj Sheth for Small Business Trends. “It’s time to become proficient at some of these things yourself.”
Set higher goals
Some business owners are satisfied with – or at least indifferent about – sustaining current levels. Most, however, want to raise the bar. For many entrepreneurs, goals are perpetual and always being updated. When a target is hit, they push it up even further. Of course, this mentality can be frustrating and leads to a sort of insatiability, but it is nonetheless a healthy habit to find yourself in. Consider taking this time to set your 2012 monthly and quarterly goals. When you hit the first one, raise it for the following period – always be chasing after that elusive objective.
Don’t forget what it’s like to be a customer – your customer
Your customers are your business. They determine the degree of your success or failure. Accordingly, you need to take time to understand their points of view. How would you perceive that new product or service you’re considering? Would they be outraged by a sudden price hike? Do they simply want to be left alone? Go out of your way to “check in” with your customers.
“Also, keep an eye on Twitter, Quora and LinkedIn to see what people might be saying about your product or the competition,” Sheth points out. “You can also post questions on this forum to learn more about what you could do better. For the customers that left, send a gentle, personal email asking them what was missing.”
Don’t forget about yourself
Why did you turn to entrepreneurship? Was it to find employment, or was it because you wanted to actually build something? Whatever your answer, you need to stay in touch with your needs – know when something isn’t working and when you need to remove yourself from a certain project. Take some time to rest and clear your head, then return anew.
