Divorced on day one - we recommend it!

Hi Janie here again with another guest blog - thanks SIO for letting me revisit you.   

So many folks dream of their own business and in this economic climate many will take the plunge, sometimes as there is no alternative.

Clearly no one wants to have any negatives when starting, but starting a business can be like falling in love with all reason going out the window, blocking others advice out and the all the other daftness we allow at the start of a love affair.

One of the best things you can do for you and your business is get divorced on day one.  You might think that finally I have lost it and started talking nonsense, but I assure you all marbles are firmly in place!

What I suggest every business person should do is stand back from their business and always, always look at the business as another being, a separate thing and never consider the business and yourself as one.  Does not matter if you are the sole person, over 70% of businesses are in that boat. As long as you are emotionally involved you will struggle to make good solid business decisions.  

If you treat your business as your baby or your pet, how can you bring yourself to make hard decisions like cutting back on something or even walking away from something that is not working before it is too late, you cannot.  Divorce from day one and it becomes habit.  When you work for someone else you do not feel you are married to the business, your own business should be exactly the same.

This is not saying do not have passion, you will need bucket loads of that and also perseverance.  Giving your business the best chance is only fair, so don't fall in love, just get professional and tough. Few get rich through self-employment but you can obtain freedom, pleasure and a reasonable living if you get it right.

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

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Just because you're selling .....

Hi Janie here again with another guest blog - thanks SIO for letting me revisit you. 

Understanding business - unlocking the secrets of business

Just because you're selling today does not mean the person you meet or who sees your shop is buying today.  Often I meet small business owners who are confused by networking and building relationships, they assume pitch and do it enough then you will sell.  You cannot sell to someone who does not want to buy at that moment.  Pressure selling is a way to guarantee they will never buy from you. Coax, inform, keep your brand in the limelight, and remind, this way when they are ready to buy they will remember you.

Always put yourself in their shoes, do you buy a loaf of bread every time you walk past the bakers, of course you don't, and nor will your customers.  Too much pushing and you become like those pesky telephone sales folks reading from the script.  Remember less is more on the pitch but remember brand is key keep it in the public eye using multiple media multiple times.  Look at Marks and Spencer, just think how many ways and where you see their brand - from shop front to tags in the knickers, TV ads to sandwich wrappers - that is keeping a brand in the public eye.  Small or large same applies!

SEEK IT OUT: Changing the world a stitch at a time

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Expanding your world

Seek It Out has linked up with Craft Blog UK so you guys who follow us can find even more useful stuff on their blog too.  So many helpful hints, tips, how to's etc. out there in the bigger blog world and we want to help Seek It Out followers find them easily.

Seek It Out: Changing the world a stitch at a time

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The Sewing Directory is where you must go to read our latest blog.  WHAT IS MARKETING?  A broad overview for those in business, food for thought and ideas to help you make the most of your business.
http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/what-is-marketing/