Do you know who is your competition?

I posted this  about “knowing your competition“sometime ago.  It is as relevant today as it was then.  In fact it is more important now than ever with the economy troubles that are not going away and who knows what the government will do next.  Please enjoy and I truly would love to hear your opinion and how things are going for you today!

Most businesses and people are their own  worst competition.

Competition  is a part of life no matter what you do. We  compete against people businesses machines and lots of other things too.  But the competition I am speaking of here is very specific.  When trying  to get into a school create business get a job any thing where you have to make a difference in the people around you.

Are you in competition with yourself?

Here are some ideas on how to literately get out of your own way and allow your business to take off the way you desire it too.

1. Does your customer service set you apart from your competition?

Customer service is more than saying hello when a client enters your doors, or calls you on the phone. Customer service is a mindset that allows a business to be filled with friends and not just clients. It helps you be the place that people want to return to and not one they remember to forget. Customer service is the difference in always picking you first, not because of price, but because they know you will do them right no matter what. Do your clients feel this way? Are they running to your competition because they feel you are not?

2. Are you working in your business or on your business?

There  can be confusion on what it takes to create the success in business Being busy is not always a sign of success. We can be busy doing things that will never create the business you want.  Knowing the difference in being busy for busy sake or actually doing those very important actions that will change our results.   Those actions can be  an unknown or not understood.  Working in your business vs. working on your business.  What is it you are working on?  What are the results?  How will it change the health and growth of your business? If your competition was doing this how would you feel?

3. Do you know what risks your business has, and what way you can turn it into a reward?

Owning your own business can be fun and rewarding. On the other hand, every entrepreneur understands that their are risks they are taking.  But changing the risks into rewards can be as simple as a change in the way you look at things and acting accordingly.  Not looking at those risks realistically  can cost you not only your business but it can create a complete financial breakdown. Most business owners don’t have the expertise to know what to look for in many areas from hiring to taxes.  Do you? If you don’t protect your business proactive you might as well hand over your keys and clients over to your competition.

4. Why are you in business?

Mot people when they start a business no matter what it is,have a dream of helping others, providing a service and changing the world one client at a time.  The money is simply a reward of doing that well. So do you remember why you got in business? Has the everyday pressure of making the bills go away changed your reason?  Are you just working on making money and not caring about those people who you are serving?

5. Do you have a system that will get your business to where you want it to be ?

Most business owners got in business because they have a passion for something they love but have no idea what it takes to be successful.  Having the system that will take you from ground zero to blast off seems hard to find.  So, what should you do to find it?  Would it be worth having that system and having the ability to know what to do each day and doing it?

Remember, doing the right thing the wrong way, still makes it wrong.

What are you doing today?

6. Are you using all the resources that you have to make your business more profitable?

Every single one of us has resources that are known and resources that are unknown.   Using these resources correctly will change the results we have.  Know what makes the most impact on your business and who else is on your team that can do things you don’t want to or don’t have the skills for.  Make sure the investments you are making into your business are the right ones that will have a greater ROI.   Don’t let the bank dictate what you can and can not do to grow your business.

7. Do you have a team of experts that you can learn from to help you grow your business?

You love being in business for yourself.  But that does not mean you have to be in business by yourself?   Would you like to have a team who has been down this road and knows the traps and what they can cost you?   How would  it change your business if had  a team who would guide you down this road who has years of experience and wisdom?  Knowing you don’t have to make the mistakes that others have before you.   Doing the right things in the right ways and getting better results than you would have alone. Do you have that team put together?

8. When was the last time you enjoyed a day growing your business?

Are you working harder and harder and working for less and less?  How would you like to get back to the point where you loved being in business and take the pressure off of where you are going to find your next client?  You can love what you do and know what needs to be done as well.  Do you?

So many times we don’t need other business to have competition, all we need is to do the wrong things and we shove our clients into the arms of others.

Remember you can create the business you want vs the one you feel stuck with.

Have any experience ideas or thoughts don’t forget to tell me what you think !