Dave Crenshaw's Blog, page 43

The Focused, Single Page Business Plan: A free sample from lynda.com

Small business owners often tell me that the most difficult part of the journey is knowing where to start. With a whirlwind of ideas and possibilities it’s easy to get lost and drift aimlessly—especially if you don’t carry a map!

Chaos Inc. thrives off entrepreneurs without a plan. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Lynda.com to help you conquer it all, starting with that first, oh-so-daunting step we call the business plan.

So, if you’re thinking of taking a leap into the wonderful world of entrepreneurship, or simply need to realign your business, take a look at my focused approach to a simple business plan. Then take advantage of this free trial run of my Lynda.com courses for solutions to your small business!

Crafting a business plan as a point of reference instead of an all-knowing guidebook is one key to a successful small business.

Begin by establishing two measurable targets for each quarter. This solidifies those important goals, keeps you from getting sidetracked, and allows room for tweaks thanks to your Most Valuable Indicators.

Don’t forget to highlight your Most Valuable Employees, Lines, Customers, and Message to build on the spirit of your business! Then onto the pièce de résistance: your Harvest Strategy.

So what sort of plan is your business built around? What elements do YOU think belong in a simple business plan? Please share your invaluable feedback!

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The 3 Sides of the Entrepreneur’s Mirror- What’s Your Reflection Telling You?

Michael Scott of The Office once said, “I don’t understand how someone could have so little self-awareness.” How aware are you of yourself?

More important, how aware are you of the effect you’re having on your business…and vice-versa? If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about yourself, you need look no further than the entrepreneur’s mirror: your business.

Take a peek at my three ways that entrepreneurs are reflected in their businesses. You may be shocked at what you find.

Getting a picture of yourself not only helps you as an individual, but it also helps the growth of your business.

It’s important to know the areas in which we excel, and more importantly, the areas in which we’re lacking. If your business is great with sales and supplier relations, you can rest assured knowing you must be a fantastic people person. And if your records are slightly unkempt and your margins rarely make sense, you may learn that’s an area that requires someone else’s expertise.

And last but not least—your personality is reflected in your business! Your spirit, soul, and persona are all reflected tangibly in your business. And that’s exactly what gets—and keeps—customers flocking to you!

So take some time to look into your entrepreneur’s mirror and understand what personal traits are reflected in your business. And share those reflections in the comment box below.

I’ll start you off: “I’m really good with —-, which can be seen in my —-“

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4 Simple Steps to Managing Email

The dreaded inbox. You can’t live with it and you can’t live without it. It’s the first thing small business owners check in the morning, and the last thing they check at night. Chaos Inc. loves to keep you buried in your inbox.

Ever get the feeling that email management—or lack thereof—is beginning to consume you? Well, if it’s broke: fix it!

If you’re tired of lying in bed every morning, scrolling through emails with one eye open, then this video is for you. Take a look at my four steps to managing email to regain control of that inbox!

Now it’s time for action:

For starters, schedule a time to process everything. Having a specific time to go through your stuff keeps everything from hanging in limbo.

Speaking of limbo—getting overly-focused on folders is another form of analysis-paralysis…and a perfect recipe for chaos. Keep it simple and stick to one big archive folder.

For those emails that are just a distraction, apply a filter and get them out of the way until you need them. Make your email work for you—not vice versa!

What’s YOUR process for making sure emails don’t take control of your day? Share below in the comment box to give your fellow entrepreneurs some fresh insight!

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5 Steps to Social Media Advertising Success

Social media advertising is a huge opportunity. Yet often it has entrepreneurs feeling like their wheels are spinning and they’re not getting any traction. All that wasted time and energy provides the perfect distraction for Chaos Inc. to sneak in and take over your business!

That old “throw money at the problem” approach won’t cut it either—you just need the right plan of attack!

So stop stressing over how many “Likes” you got today and start watching my Five Steps to Social Media Advertising Success to actually get SALES. You’re welcome in advance.

Social media advertising has the power to bring sales to your business—if you use it effectively and efficiently.

Treat your followers like you’d treat new friends. Provide them with a free offer—something appealing to introduce yourself. Provide them with a focused landing page so they don’t bounce around your site like they’re looking for the bathroom.

Then craft an evolved ad geared towards their specific needs, which you’ve narrowed down after a variety of trials and errors. Showing you’ve taken the time to get to know your new friends opens the door to loyalty and many more MVCs!

So, what social media advertising tactics have you employed to make new friends? One of my personal favorites is engaging with you—my Most Valuable Followers—in the comments section below!

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Don’t Ever Multitask on These 4 People – The Myth of Multitasking

As entrepreneurs and small business owners, you get pulled in a lot of different directions—often at the same time. But multitasking something as simple as a conversation can allow Chaos Inc. to take over more than just your business.

The myth of multitasking doesn’t only apply to tasks, but it applies to interactions with people, too. Allowing distractions leads to ineffective communication and damaged trust—both costly mistakes for small business owners.

If you’re so busy you can’t finish this video without multitasking, this topic is right up your alley! Check out my list of four people who are radically affected by your multitasking habits. Tsk tsk.

Ain’t nobody got time for multitasking!

These groups of people deserve your undivided attention in every interaction because they play a huge part in your success. From customers to employees and spouses to loved ones, they require as much engagement as your business.

Lead by example when you’re at work by being attentive to employees and customers. These little efforts increase loyalty from both groups. And when it’s time to clock out, clock out. Leaving tasks and jobs at work is the best way to keep your life balanced.

What ways have you learned to focus on these oh-so important groups? Have you felt the wrath of the myth of multitasking in relationships? I dare you to give the comment box below your undivided attention!

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3 Steps to Targeting Your Customers & New Course: Small Business Secrets

Small business owners and entrepreneurs often prioritize one thing: getting more customers. That’s not bad, but your strategy can’t just be all about quantity. We must consider quality, otherwise Chaos Inc. takes control.

If only you had someone walking you through the process of targeting the BEST customers…

Well, now you do! This week lynda.com launches my brand new course: “Small Business Secrets.” Every week I provide in-depth instruction with hands-on exercises to help you grow your small business. It’s like having a private sit-down session with me in your local coffee shop.

Watch the video below for a taste of the new course, then visit davecrenshaw.com/free for a 7-day FREE trial!

Instead of taking on that one-size-fits-all mentality, try sending unfit customers to your competitors.

Remember, this kind of meat-and-potatoes instruction in available only to Lynda.com subscribers. Pick up your 7-day free lynda.com membership here: davecrenshaw.com/free

This will also give you access to 1700+ courses, including my newest, Small Business Secrets, and my popular, Time Management Fundamentals.

Let’s hear from you! How do you ensure all your clients fit the MVC profile? Got any stories about saying “goodbye” to least valuable customers? Please share your insight below.

The post 3 Steps to Targeting Your Customers & New Course: Small Business Secrets appeared first on Dave Crenshaw | Conquer Small Business Chaos.

4 Reasons You Should Welcome Competition in Business

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are some of the most fearless folks on the planet. But when it comes to competition in business, they sometimes run for the hills!

That little voice of anxiety is Chaos Inc. telling you to stay frozen with fear in your little room. Time to LET IT GO! Competition in business is healthy, productive, and even—dare I say it—fun!

Watch your fears melt away while you watch my 4 reasons entrepreneurs should welcome competitors….or at least say they never bothered you anyway.

Fearless entrepreneurs can rest easy knowing competition is not as intimidating as they thought.

Remember how nice it felt to say no to the wrong customers? Well now you’ve got a place to guide them on their way out your door. The contrast between you and your competition is exactly what makes you more invaluable. Plus, you can thank them for the boost of attention that your firm will get when they set up shop!

Competition in business is the reason customers—you included—have such great options. That type of progress in industries drives sales like you wouldn’t believe! And if you’re already thinking about that exit strategy, this could be the perfect opportunity to get bought out. Win-win!

Have you ever had to take competition by its ugly horns and show it who’s boss? I admire entrepreneurs’ examples of kicking chaos to the curb, so share below!

The post 4 Reasons You Should Welcome Competition in Business appeared first on Dave Crenshaw | Conquer Small Business Chaos.

4 Reasons Entrepreneurs Should Welcome Competition in Business

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are some of the most fearless folks on the planet. But when it comes to competition in business, they sometimes run for the hills!

That little voice of anxiety is Chaos Inc. telling you to stay frozen with fear in your little room. Time to LET IT GO! Competition in business is healthy, productive, and even—dare I say it—fun!

Watch your fears melt away while you watch my 4 reasons entrepreneurs should welcome competitors….or at least say they never bothered you anyway.

Fearless entrepreneurs can rest easy knowing competition is not as intimidating as they thought.

Remember how nice it felt to say no to the wrong customers? Well now you’ve got a place to guide them on their way out your door. The contrast between you and your competition is exactly what makes you more invaluable. Plus, you can thank them for the boost of attention that your firm will get when they set up shop!

Competition in business is the reason customers—you included—have such great options. That type of progress in industries drives sales like you wouldn’t believe! And if you’re already thinking about that exit strategy, this could be the perfect opportunity to get bought out. Win-win!

Have you ever had to take competition by its ugly horns and show it who’s boss? I admire entrepreneurs’ examples of kicking chaos to the curb, so share below!

The post 4 Reasons Entrepreneurs Should Welcome Competition in Business appeared first on Dave Crenshaw | Conquer Small Business Chaos.

The 5 Harvests of The Entrepreneur – A New Kind of Exit Strategy

Small business owners have the tendency to lose steam when they’re working toward their big goals. This lack of motivation is exactly what Chaos, Inc. needs to huff, and puff, and blow your whole exit strategy down.

Every entrepreneur needs what I call the five harvests. Think of these like Thanksgiving celebrations where you thank your hardest working employee: yourself.

Ready for me to pass the gravy? Then watch my latest video:

Ready to go from livin’ on a prayer to livin’ the dream? There are some clear milestones you’ll have to pass along the way.

First, you’ll need to define it. That “it” is the goal that will define your success as an entrepreneur.

Then, to keep motivated, you’ll need to reward yourself. By breaking down those rewards into bite-sized harvests, you’ll feel short-term and long-term motivation. Taking daily breaks to re-energize and participating in weekly hobbies brings back the F-word in your business: Fun.

Follow those small rewards up with a couple of bonuses. Try celebrating each month by acknowledging your accomplishments, and even giving yourself an annual dividend in the form of a shiny new toy or a week off with your family.

These small payoffs will keep you excited, refreshed, and driven to keep on working toward your ultimate exit strategy!

Bonus tip: One thing that motivates me is hearing from you. Nothing inspires me more than hearing the lessons you’ve learned along this windy road of entrepreneurship! Please share your thoughts below.

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4 Small Business Cash Flow Must-Dos

“Cash flow” can feel like four-letter words to small business owners. Whether they’ve got a steady stream or a lazy river, there are some things entrepreneurs must do in order to ensure Chaos Inc. doesn’t drain them.

Stressing out over cash flow leads to chaotic management, self-doubt, and saying yes to just about anything.

So take a gander at my 4 must-dos for small business cash flow—even if you’re presently backstroking through coins like Scrooge McDuck.

You can’t have the cash without the flow.

For a continual cash flow you must provide consistent effort, much like a waterwheel. By putting balanced and stable energy into each aspect of your business, you’ll avoid those panic attacks about covering monthly bills.

Speaking of monthly bills—take advantage of them! Paying on time is wise, but paying too early is wasteful. Billing terms are set for a reason and I give you permission to make each day work in your favor!

I do not give you permission to offer the same for your customers. This means no long-term credit and no trading. Period.

I’ve really enjoyed seeing how innovative all you entrepreneurs are! Share some tips below so your fellow small business owners can shower in the cash flow, too!

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