Moe Tamani's Internet Marketing and SEO Blog, Articles and Search Engine Optimization Tips » entrepreneurs

2 Reasons to reconsider going at it alone

Seomul Evans — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:51:45 +0000

2 Reasons to reconsider going at it alone

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Everyone knows that striking out on your own and being wildly successful is the best feeling in the world. After all, you only have to answer to yourself, everything is done the way you like it, and there’s no compromise. But it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Running a solo business means that you’re responsible for everything. You wear all the hats. And when you’re sick or in desperate need of a break, no one else is there to pick up your slack. Here are 2 things to consider when you’re considering starting your own business… alone.

The Physical Challenge. When you work for someone else, you only have to worry about doing the things that you need to do. Everyone else is responsible for other aspects. Someone else signs your checks. Someone else cleans the building. Someone else orders the supplies and stocks them so that they’re there when you need them. If you work alone, that “someone else” is always you. And try as you might, you simply can’t take care of all of those things yourself.

The Spiritual Challenge. Like it or not, we are all interdependent. Sometimes we allow others to rely on us and sometimes we need to rely on others. This isn’t just a business truth, it’s a universal truth. If you’re bound and determined to make your business work on your own, then you aren’t allowing yourself to depend on anyone else…ever. So what would happen if you accepted help? Would you feel guilty? Would you feel less competent? Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try saying Yes when someone asks if they can help you.

The challenge is that you’ll always need help, and you probably can’t pay for all of it. Here are some time-tested ways to prioritize your life and your work as you try to run your business almost-by-yourself.

Invest in Your Learning. Learn from the people who have done this successfully, even though it means you may have to put off one of the five million things on your “To Do” list for another few minutes. Check out books, take classes, and find others who have run businesses by themselves and take them out to lunch — then pick their brains. Don’t take everyone’s advice; just follow your gut as you determine whose wisdom works for you.

Let Someone Else Crunch the Numbers. Never, ever do your own taxes when you run your business by yourself. Once you have that taken care of, hire a bookkeeper to ensure that your books are clean every month. Learning from a professional about how your money comes in and goes out of your business will teach you a lot about your business.

Get Virtual Assistance. Virtual assistants are a dime a dozen, so it won’t be hard to find one. Make sure the assistant you hire is strong in the areas where you’re weak. Start by hiring them for a single one -or two-hour project and then do the same the following month. As your relationship continues you’ll gain confidence in your assistant and be more willing to ask for help. And your assistant will learn how you like things done and will feel more comfortable doing what you ask. You may not be ready to hire a full-time assistant right away, but working with someone a few hours a month will help you learn how to most efficiently utilize their services and prepare you to have more permanent assistance.

Another person you might consider consulting for help is an internet marketing professional. If creating a website isn’t your forte then an internet marketer can be an invaluable help to you and your business.

The simple truth is that you can’t do it all by yourself. Learn as much as you can, let someone else work the numbers, and get comfortable accepting help. Then watch your business grow.

Have a New Business Idea: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

MoeTamani — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:13:35 +0000

Have a New Business Idea: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Starting your own business is no small task. The amount of effort, time, and money that goes into such an endeavor can be overwhelming at best. So the primary concern for most entrepreneurs looking to start their own business is: Is this even an opportunity worth pursuing? If that question has been weighing on your mind, here are 5 questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I Love This Idea? If you’re interested in opening your own business simply for the money, then chances are you’ll never get your business off the ground. The process of opening your own business is so time-consuming and difficult that you’d better be doing something you love, something that fascinates you to no end. The whole point of entrepreneurship is the opportunity to do whatever it is that you want to do, so choose to do something you love.

2. Is Someone Else Interested? Let’s face it, you can start a business focused on something you love, but you’re not going to get very far unless someone else loves it too. Even in the earliest stages of growing your business, you need to find someone who’s willing to pay you for your product or service. That’s the only way you’ll be able to keep sinking money into your business. Ask your customer(s) for feedback on what you’re doing right and what you could be doing better.

3. Does It Cost Too Much? Chances are that you’re not independently wealthy, so make sure you don’t put too many of your precious few funds into starting up your business. Choose something that doesn’t involve exorbitant start-up costs. If start-up costs require too much of your money, you’ll probably bail out before you reach profitability. If your business does require large amounts of start-up money, try beginning with a smaller endeavor or a related service to help you save money before you make any larger investment.

4. Am I Different? You’re not going to get very far if you’re selling the same product as your competitor at the same price and in the same way. You need to find something distinctive that will set you apart from everyone else in your market. Is your product unique? Do you provide an extra service that your competitor doesn’t provide? If you’re the new kid on the block, it’s going to be difficult for you to compete only on price. You have to find something more substantial that makes you stand out and convince potential customers that they can’t live without whatever it is that you have to offer.

5. Can I Do This By Myself? Do you know how to create a business website? Do you know how to create a business budget? If you don’t know how to do the simplest of business-building tasks, then you’re not ready to start your own business. There’s hope, however. You can always enlist the help of others who have expertise in the areas where you’re green, if you have the funds available. But your best bet is to teach yourself everything you need to know about owning and running own your business before you start. Just look at all the restaurants that fold almost as soon as they’ve opened. Many folks are under the impression that running a restaurant is a snap, but they don’t understand all the complexities involved. Make sure you know exactly what to expect of yourself and your business before diving in headfirst.

Starting your own business is an exciting prospect, especially if you have a business idea that you’re just crazy about. But make sure you’re ready before you jump right in. Find out if others are interested in what you’re offering, make sure you have the necessary funds to start your business, and prepare yourself as much as possible for this huge undertaking. Most of all, enjoy the wonder of being your own boss and running your own company. There’s nothing like it!

4 Basic Business Lessons for entrepreneurs

MoeTamani — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:00:47 +0000

4 Basic Business Lessons for entrepreneurs

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Sometimes, as entrepreneurs, we need to get back to the basics. When we find ourselves swamped with more work that we feel we can ever handle, and when we sometimes forget just what made us passionate about our business in the first place, we need to be reminded of the basics that can help us regroup and get back on track. Here are 4 business basics to consider.

1. Ask for Help. No one ever said that you had to have all the answers to all the questions. Chances are that you haven’t even figured out what all the questions are yet. So don’t be ashamed for one second if you find that you need to turn to experts for advice. Find someone who’s been in business for years and learn from his mistakes. Let him help you climb the learning curve more quickly than you could on your own. You are going to run into problems and challenges that you never expected, much less know how to handle, so find someone who can help you. You might hire a consultant, an investor, or even an employee who has expertise in a field that you know nothing about. You can do yourself a big favor early on by being clear about your strengths and gifts. Find others to fill in the gaps for you.

2. Listen. Your business doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and while you sometimes might wish it did, you need to be constantly engaged with the people around you. Find out what your customers, investors, partners, and suppliers have to say. They will give you different, and valuable, perspectives on your business that you can’t find by yourself. While some of their feedback may be hard to swallow, digesting and letting it guide your future decisions will only make you, and your business, stronger. You can also get good ideas by going to trade shows and reading industry publications. Subscribe to GoogleNews feeds about your industry

3. Go With Your Gut. While it’s always a good idea to graciously accept feedback from the people around you, check your gut before making any drastic changes. Your instincts will guide you correctly almost all the time. This is also important to remember as you try to keep up with the business world around you. You’re never going to have all of the information you need to make bulletproof decisions, so sometimes you’re simply going to have to trust your gut. Sometimes you’ll even decide to take the path contraindicated by all of the research around you. Don’t be afraid to listen to your inner voice. It will lead you in the right direction.

4. Give Incentives. A great way to increase business is to offer incentives to customers and potential customers. Do a little bit of research to find out where else your customers are spending their money. What if you could partner will the other businesses that your customers patronize and work out a deal to offer together? Could you turn their referral fee into a client discount? The caveat here is to ensure that whatever you’re offering is perceived by your customers as having real value.

If you own your own business, take some time to reflect on these four business basics. They’re simple, and you’ve probably heard them all before, but they’re also keys to effectively running your company and thus deserve to be revisited regularly. Find the help you need, listen to the people around you who can give you a different perspective on your company, listen to your own inner voice, and give potential customers a reason to do business with you. When you abide by these keys, you’ll remember why you started your own business in the first place, and you’ll learn to enjoy it again.

3 Keys to Startup Success

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:40:19 +0000

3 Keys to Startup Success

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Here are 3 keys to saving yourself an enormous amount of time and expense as you prepare to start your own business.

1-Don’t Spend a Lot on Marketing…at First. This may sound like a crazy notion, but don’t spend a lot on marketing until you’re clear about your business. This sounds crazy because, if you’re starting your own business, then you should know exactly what your business is about. But part of starting your own business is running into brick walls and changing directions when necessary. What this amounts to is the fact that your business will look very different one year out than it did on your first day. So don’t spend a ridiculous amount of money on marketing until you’ve hit those brick walls and are very clear about the direction you’re heading.

There are some things you can spend money on at first. These things are critical items that don’t cost much money. These things include business cards and brochures. Try printing your own business cards on your computer instead of paying a printing company to do it for you. You can also create a text logo rather than a full color graphic, at least for the first year. Or you can get a starving graphic design student to create a logo for you on the cheap. Rather than spending a fortune on your website, purchase a domain name and start a blog. Later, when you’re clear about your vision, you will be able to work effectively with a web designer to get exactly what you want.

2- Sell Quickly. When you first start out, you need the shortest sales cycle possible. Make sure that at least one of your products or services costs between $100 and $300. This gives prospective customers the option to check you out and see what you have to offer. The risk is minimized for both of you. Additionally, avoid the trend of not publishing your prices online. Let potential customers know at the beginning what your products or services are going to run them. When you’re ready to offer bigger-ticket items, those prices can be negotiated, but let customers know what to expect right away at the beginning.

Another important thing you can do is keep track of your processes as you go along. Resist the temptation to “go with the flow” as each new project comes along. Every time a client asks you about a new project, you should have a clear idea about the steps it will require and the time it will take. This will ensure that you can set your prices early and accurately.

Finally, make sure that you have at least one product or service that you’re willing to sell for a low amount or even give away. Ideally this is something you can upsell, or a product that will cause your customers to refer others to your business.

3- Be Technologically Proficient. It’s no surprise that fluency in technology goes a long way toward a successful business. But you really can’t overestimate the importance of technological proficiency. Start by taking a class in any programming language. This will make it easier for you to communicate with programmers and understand the limits of available software. It will also help you get over a potential fear of technology that can limit you immensely.

You can also make a big difference by making small moves. Update one page of your website every week instead of tackling the whole thing at one time. Use electronic billing rather than waiting until you have the resources to automate your receivables and payables.

You’ll find that, as your business grows, hindsight will tell you how you should have done things differently. But if you follow these three steps, you’ll start out ahead of the curve and see profits more quickly.

5 Steps to Starting Your Business, Even When the Money’s Not There

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:40:16 +0000

5 Steps to Starting Your Business, Even When the Money’s Not There

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

Let’s face it, there are very few things more attractive than being your own boss. In fact, thousands of entrepreneurs start their own businesses each year. They don’t have some magic formula for success, however. They simply make the conscious decision to turn that business idea into a reality. What about you? Are you ready to take the first steps towards being your own boss? If you’re like most first-time entrepreneurs, your primary concern is probably money…or lack thereof. But even if you don’t have the funds ready right now, there are still some steps you can take toward starting your own business.

Journal. Jot down any and every idea you have about your business, whether it seems huge and significant or minor and meaningless. Carry your journal with you everywhere you go…in the car, to the store, to your current job. Not only can you keep track of the great ideas you’ve already though of, but it’s a great way to generate new ideas. Simply by writing your thoughts, you’ll be able to tap the most faraway recesses of your brain where all the good ideas are stored. Don’t be afraid to write down everything, even if it seems silly or stupid. Even the silly ideas can generate better ideas that could end up being the cornerstones of your business.
Create Your Business Plan. Chances are that you’ll require some amount of financing for your business, and almost any lender will want to check out your business plan before giving you any money. One of the greatest benefits of creating a business plan is that it gives you a hefty dose of reality regarding just how much money you’ll need to run your business, and how much needs to be done between now and the time you plan to launch your business. There are plenty of online resources to help you go about creating your business plan, and the Small Business Administration is also a good resource to check out.
Check Out the Competition. It doesn’t cost a dime to do investigate your competition. How do they market themselves? What do they do to set themselves apart from the crowd? By investigating the competition you’ll both find out best practices for your own business, and you’ll discover if there’s a place for your business in your market niche. Your investigation may reveal that the market is saturated and that now isn’t a great time to introduce your product. In that case, you’ll have saved yourself a lot of time, money, and heartache. You might also use this time to visit social networking sites to find out what consumers are saying about your competition. If the comments are negative, think about what you can do in your own business to avoid the shortcomings of your competition. If the comments are positive, what are some small things you can do to emulate their good business practices?
Check Out the Bureaucracy. If you’re going to create your own product, take the time to find out if there are rules and regulations for putting that product on the market. The Small Business Administration is a great place to get this information, as is the local library. Be sure to investigate local rules as well as state and federal regulations.
Start Building from the Ground Up. Even when you don’t have the money to start your own business, it’s never too early to start climbing the learning curve. Do you know how to keep the books for your business? Do you know how to go about getting a license for your business? What about compliance with tax codes, both state and federal?

Even if the cash isn’t at hand, there are many things you can do to start building the foundation for your business. Use your time wisely, and when the money is available you’ll be ready to go!

10 Networking Tips for Entrepreneurs

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:26:36 +0000

10 Networking Tips for Entrepreneurs

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

If you’re an entrepreneur who gets nervous at the very mention of the word “networking,” you’re not alone. While many business owners love the opportunity to talk about their business, others simply don’t feel comfortable walking up to complete strangers and starting conversations. The good news is that if networking is done properly, it doesn’t have to be traumatic or a big waste of your time. Use these 10 tips to prepare you for your next networking opportunity.

Keep Networking Tools at the Ready. Keep business cards, brochures, and a carrying case full of other people’s business cards with you at all times. You’ll feel more confident and look more professional if you can put your hands directly on the information you need right away. Also keep a professional-looking name badge with you all the time.
Set Networking Goals. The next time you attend a networking event, decide on an appropriate number of people that you’re going to meet. If you’re feeling energetic, 15 might be an obtainable goal. If you’re feeling less than bulletproof, go for a smaller number. But don’t leave until you’ve met your goal, and get cards from everyone you meet
Act Like a Host. Don’t sit back and wait for people to come to you. Greet people immediately and help them meet others you know.
Listen and Ask. There’s a reason we all have two ears and one mouth, so do twice as much listening as talking. Let the other person talk about himself first, and then share some about yourself and your business. They don’t need to know your whole life story, but you also shouldn’t assume that they know who you are or what you do.
Don’t Make Deals. Networking events are not sales pitch venues. They are opportunities to build relationships and partnerships. If you want to use the connections you’ve made later, that’s fine, but you’ll find yourself a networking pariah if you use these events to close deals.
Refer. A good networker is looking out for the good of everyone he or she meets. This includes providing referrals to other professionals. Even if you can’t provide a specific referral, at least pass on some helpful information.
Exchange Cards. Each time you exchange cards with someone, ask for two. One is for you to keep and one is to pass along to someone else who may be in need of their services.
Be Efficient. Don’t spend your entire time with one person. A good rule of thumb is to spend a maximum of ten minutes with each person you talk to. And while it’s tempting to cling to people you already know, drag yourself away to talk to businesspeople you’ve never met. If you find someone you’d like to talk with further, set up a time to get together later.
Use Business Cards as Notebooks. After you get a business card from someone, jot down information on the back that will help you remember who they were and what you talked about, plus any helpful information for the future.
Follow up. This is probably the hardest rule to follow. Given all the work you just did talking to strangers and exchanging cards, you’ll be tempted to simply rest in the fact that you checked off your networking requirement for the month. Set a deadline within the next week to follow up. That way you won’t keep putting it off. And follow up with any promises you made to the people you met. This goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how many business owners drop the ball.

Networking is one of the most important things you’ll do as an entrepreneur. Follow these 10 tips for efficient and effective networking, and you can make it work for you!

10 Stress Relief Tips for Entrepreneurs

admin — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:10:14 +0000

10 Stress Relief Tips for Entrepreneurs

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

The most exciting thing about being an entrepreneur is getting to participate in every aspect of your new business. The most exhausting thing about being an entrepreneur is getting to participate in every aspect of your new business. Because there are so many things to do and so little time to do them, entrepreneurs need to be very intentional about taking time out to decompress. Here are 10 quick and easy ways to reduce stress.

Breathe. It goes without saying that breathing is important, but this kind of breathing is slow and intentional. It originates in your diaphragm rather than your chest. To make sure you’re doing it right, put your hand on your belly, right below your belly button. As you take a deep breath, see how your hand moves out while your belly expands. Hold it for a few seconds and then slowly breathe out. Do this for several minutes and notice how your heart rate slows and you feel more relaxed.
Visualization. There’s no right way to do visualization, so pick images or sensations that are most calming to you and take the time to see those images in your mind. If you can’t think of anything, try imagining yourself in a shower in which the hot water washes away your stress. When you’re visualizing your relaxing scene, take the time to notice the details. What does it smell like? What does it sound like? Take a few minutes every day to do this while breathing slowly and deeply.
Self-Massage. You don’t have to spend a day at the spa to benefit from massage. Just rub the palm of one hand with the thumb of the other in a circular motion.
Drink Something Good. Homeopathic remedies are more readily available than they have ever been. Peruse the aisles of your local health food store to find teas and other tonics that have stress-reducing abilities. If there’s a licensed homeopath in your area, you could also consult with him or her.
Smile. Even if there’s no one around. The act of simply smiling can make us feel happy and relaxed. It actually triggers the limbic system and makes you more calm and peaceful. You make look silly, but you’ll feel better.
Rate It. Rate your stress on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 being a minor irritation and 10 being a total disaster. You might find that most of the issues you’re encountering are actually less than five. This means that, while they may be annoying and bothersome, they’re actually quite manageable.
Release the Stress. Stress manifests itself more in certain parts of our bodies than in others. The jaw is one. Try this exercise to release the tension. Place the tips of your index fingers on the joints of your jaw, right in front of your ears. Clench your teeth and take a deep breath in. Hold your breath for a moment and then say “Ahhhh” as you exhale. Repeat.
Make a Mantra. Write your own positive affirmation. It should be short and memorable, and should play up your ability to cope with stressful situations. The next time you feel stressed, repeat your mantra ten times and notice that you feel calmer and more composed.
Don’t be a Victim. Nothing compounds stress like sitting around and asking yourself what on earth you did to deserve such a mess. But the problem is that, while self-pity may feel good for a little while, it also makes you feel helpless and victimized by the circumstances of your life.
Write it Down. The next time you feel overwhelmed with stress, write down all the things that are causing it. The first advantage is that you will have externalized your stress, meaning that you no longer have to carry it around inside your head and let it manifest itself physically. The second advantage is that you can objectively look at the things that are stressing you out and start problem-solving ways to address them.

Don’t let stress get the best of you. Take a few minutes each day to care for yourself and relieve your stress. You and your business will definitely feel better!

The 7 Biggest Entrepreneurial Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

MoeTamani — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:43:51 +0000

The 7 Biggest Entrepreneurial Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

The world of entrepreneurship is full of potholes and wrong turns. You may work for months and months only to find out that you need to scrap your original idea and try something else. You may follow a particular protocol for years before you realize that there’s a more efficient way to run your business. Much of this trial-and-error experience is to be expected when you’re starting your own business, and you can learn a great deal from your mistakes. But be sure to learn from other people’s mistakes, too. Here are 7 to avoid.

1. Working In Your Business Rather than on Your Business. Every business consists of little tasks that must be done to make the whole operation run smoothly. There is always work to be done. But your job as the owner of your own business is to work on your business rather than in it. You are the one with the vision. You are the one with the dreams. You are the one who knows exactly what needs to be done in the big picture to make your business everything you dreamed it would be. You can find volunteers, staff, and interns to do the work in your business. Internet marketing is one of those things you ought to outsource so that you can focus on your business. So many entrepreneurs keep on messing with SEO techniques for years to realized they have been doing it wrong. Make sure your first priority is working on your business.

2. Assuming You Know Exactly What’s Going On. Just because you’re in the office everyday doesn’t mean you know exactly what’s happening with your business. Find an organizational assessment tool to help you figure out what’s going on in your business both internally and externally. Using an assessment tool will help you look at your business objectively rather than subjectively.

3. Running Your Business Without a Plan. One of the most essential aspects of running your own business is creating and using a strategic plan. A strategic plan lists exactly who does what within the business, and when they do it. If you’re running your business without a plan, you’re leaving too much to chance, and you’ve done too much work to let that happen.

4. Not Working the Plan. Just as important as having a plan is working the plan. If you neglect the plan, you’re wasting money and time, and you don’t have the time or money to spare.

5. Shortchanging Yourself. You wear most of the hats in your business and you do most of the work. So pay yourself first and pay yourself what you’re worth. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is continuing to take on more responsibility without compensating yourself appropriately. While the inherent feeling of accomplishment is one of the greatest rewards of owning your own business, you still need to pay yourself for all you do.

6. Shortchanging Your People. Sure, people are often tough to work with. They get sick. They don’t always do what you expect. But people are also the ones who engage your customers and bring you a loyal following. So avoid the temptation to spend a lot of money on technology and invest in employee development instead.

7. Spending all of Your Time at Work. Most small business owners agree that they could spend all of their waking hours working on their businesses and still find more things to do. You’re probably the same. But be intentional about balancing your work life and your personal life. The law of diminishing returns applies to the time you put into your business, and you’re only doing yourself a favor by taking time off to spend with the people you care about.

Make the mistakes you need to make in order to make your business a success, but be sure to learn from these 7 mistakes and save yourself just a little bit of time and heartache. Enjoy being your own boss and the wonder of running a successful business!

Have a New Business Idea: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

admin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:00:20 +0000

Have a New Business Idea: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

1. Do I Love This Idea? If you’re interested in opening your own business simply for the money, then chances are you’ll never get your business off the ground. The process of opening your own business is so time-consuming and difficult that you’d better be doing something you love, something that fascinates you to no end. The whole point of entrepreneurship is the opportunity to do whatever it is that you want to do, so choose to do something you love.

2. Is Someone Else Interested? Let’s face it, you can start a business focused on something you love, but you’re not going to get very far unless someone else loves it too. Even in the earliest stages of growing your business, you need to find someone who’s willing to pay you for your product or service. That’s the only way you’ll be able to keep sinking money into your business. Ask your customer(s) for feedback on what you’re doing right and what you could be doing better.

3. Does It Cost Too Much? Chances are that you’re not independently wealthy, so make sure you don’t put too many of your precious few funds into starting up your business. Choose something that doesn’t involve exorbitant start-up costs. If start-up costs require too much of your money, you’ll probably bail out before you reach profitability. If your business does require large amounts of start-up money, try beginning with a smaller endeavor or a related service to help you save money before you make any larger investment.

4. Am I Different? You’re not going to get very far if you’re selling the same product as your competitor at the same price and in the same way. You need to find something distinctive that will set you apart from everyone else in your market. Is your product unique? Do you provide an extra service that your competitor doesn’t provide? If you’re the new kid on the block, it’s going to be difficult for you to compete only on price. You have to find something more substantial that makes you stand out and convince potential customers that they can’t live without whatever it is that you have to offer.

5. Can I Do This By Myself? Do you know how to create a business website? Do you know how to create a business budget? If you don’t know how to do the simplest of business-building tasks, then you’re not ready to start your own business. There’s hope, however. You can always enlist the help of others who have expertise in the areas where you’re green, if you have the funds available. But your best bet is to teach yourself everything you need to know about owning and running own your business before you start. Just look at all the restaurants that fold almost as soon as they’ve opened. Many folks are under the impression that running a restaurant is a snap, but they don’t understand all the complexities involved. Make sure you know exactly what to expect of yourself and your business before diving in headfirst.

Hire Your Friends: 6 Reasons to Give it a Shot

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:58:11 +0000

Hire Your Friends: 6 Reasons to Give it a Shot

internet marketing Articles from Moe Tamani, the SEO Services Consultant.

So you’re starting your own business. You’re looking for space to rent for your office, and might need some clerical assistance at some point. So why not find a friend with whom to share office space and hire your sister for your part-time work? Sound too close for comfort? Here are 6 reasons to consider hiring friends and family to work for you.

1. They’re Trustworthy. When you hire friends and/or family, you can rest assured that they’re doing what you’ve asked them to do. They value the relationship too much to let you down, so they’re going to give the job everything they’ve got. Compare that to the trustworthiness of an employee you’ve only just met. You’ll rest easier when you know who you’ve got working for you. Don’t abuse the relationship, however. Treat them with the same professionalism and respect you would treat any other employee, and don’t take advantage of them.

2. They Care About Whether or Not You Succeed. Your friends and family want to see you succeed, so they’re going to do whatever they can to make that happen, even if it includes working extra hours and going above and beyond.

3. There are No Surprises. You know your friends and family well enough to anticipate what you might expect from a working relationship. When you hire someone you don’t know, you may be surprised later on by their work habits, annoying personality traits, or inappropriate behavior. Not so with friends and family. You can use what you’ve gleaned from your relationship to extrapolate what kind of employees they might be. You can make an educated decision before hiring about whether or not you could have a successful working relationship with a friend or family member.

4. They’ll Be Truthful. You’ve probably worked with people who will tell the boss exactly what he wants to hear to avoid making waves or calling attention to themselves. Friends and family, on the other hand, will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear.

5. You Know Their Motives. If you’ve been through the process of hiring someone before, you know that there are plenty of people out there who apply for a job simply to have a job. When you hire friends and family, you know whether they want to work for you simply for a paycheck or because they’re truly invested in what you’re doing. If they aren’t genuinely interested in what you’re doing and in being part of growing your business, don’t hire them!

6. They’re Loyal. If you hire a friend or family member because she’s truly interested in your company, because she cares about whether or not you succeed, and because she’s someone you can trust, then you can rest assured that she will also be loyal to you and your business. She’ll focus her time and energy on making your business successful, and she won’t bail out as soon as a better offer comes along.

Let it also be said that if you choose to hire friends and family, you need to be very clear about your boundaries. If you consistently ask them to give and do more and more simply because you know that they will do almost anything to help you succeed, then you’re taking advantage of their loyalty to you. And if you ever feel like the business relationship that you’ve forged with a friend or family member is putting a strain on your personal relationship, open the lines of communication to talk about what’s going on. The last thing you want to do is to ruin a personal relationship because of a business relationship. But if the chemistry is right and you trust your instincts, hiring a friend or family member may be the smartest business move you ever make!