Written by: Sue And Chuck DeFiore
Starting a business is like
starting your own baseball team.
Start-up (Spring training) is when you are doing your research,
deciding on a business name, zoning requirements, setting up your
business, deciding on what form your business will take (sole
proprietorship, corporation, LLC). You're assembling all the parts of
your business (team), getting ready for the season (your opening day).
Once spring training is over, and the season begins (your business is
open) you start making your run around the bases. Getting to first base
is the hardest (obtaining your first customer, making your first sale,
doing your first consultation). You are helped along to
second
base by the support staff (players) you assembled. Moving around the
bases constitutes all the steps, hurdles, obstacles, however you want
to think of daily business grind. This is part of running a business (
and what the game of baseball is all about). Having game plans to deal
with certain contingencies.
Being aware of what your staff is capable of. Some of your staff will
be single hit players. Others will hit doubles.
Some will
hit or make the triple play, while others will hit home runs. Your
employees (players) look to you, the business owner, (their coach), and
learn from you. They will look to you for direction (signals), on how
they should respond (play the game).
The season (your first year in business) gives you the opportunity to
assess your staff (your team) to ascertain where they work best. Do you
need to make changes (change the line-up). Obviously, some will perform
better than others. It's up to you, as the leader (coach) to decide who
belongs in what position, where their strong points are, where their
weaknesses are, and how to utilize them to the best of their abilities.
Be sure to set up staff (team) meetings.
How successful your team is (your business) will be determined by the
end of the season. Are you just one of many new businesses in your
area, or will you make the playoffs (distinguish your business, find
your niche, make a name for yourself in your area).
Making the playoffs and/or winning the championship means your business
has made it. You paid your dues. You're in it for the long
run.
You're part of the business community (recognized by the other teams).
Now you're ready to play every season. You use spring training of each
year to feel out the other teams (find out what your business
competition is doing) and make any adjustments you need to keep your
business (team) in the thick of things for the coming year.
If you listen real carefully you'll hear......"Let's play ball!"
Copyright 2002 DeFiore EnterprisesInterested in having your own
successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck
and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses
for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit
http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and
tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate
investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site?
Subscribe to our "how to" Home Business Solutions Digest, it's like
having your own personal coach:
mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com
