If you are looking for powerful yet simple strategies for business success, look no further.

Your business will grow massively if you make these 11 tried-and-true strategies your daily practice.

In this article I refer to a brick-and-mortar business. However, where applicable you can modify the tips to suit your online business.

Although I don’t have a brick-and-mortar business, I’m qualified to shed some light on this topic.

• In the last 5 years I worked part-time for four different small to medium-sized businesses in Calgary, Canada. And had a relatively close business relationship with the management of each.

• Today? Only one business of those four thrives. One is doing so-so.  And two other are no longer there.

• Having just recently finished “The Law of Success Course in Sixteen Lessons” by Napoleon Hill, I look back and see what is responsible for success in these businesses and what’s not. Thank you Napoleon Hill for opening the door into this worthless knowledge!

• Remember that the majority of world top entrepreneurs in one way or another, knowingly or unknowingly, use the strategies described by Napoleon Hill in his books “The Law of Success In Sixteen Lessons” and “Think and Grow Rich”.

 

Okay, let’s call the business that thrives Biz A.

The one that is doing so-so, Biz B.

And the two that are no longer there, Biz C and Biz D.

 

1. Have faith that your business will become successful

I don’t know what the owners of those four businesses were thinking or how they felt about their businesses every day.

Yet I’m certain that the owners of Biz A had a strong faith in the success of their business.

Here is a fact. Faith is everything. It’s always been and always be.

Have no doubt that your business will become successful and it will.

It’s crucial to have faith no matter what happens and how dim things seem to be.

Even better: Every day, start imagining that your business is already successful and let your emotions loose! Celebrate, laugh, smile, hold your head high, plan travels, adventures and your next step in life!

In other words, you want to think only about the success of your business NOT failure.

 

What to do when you are doubting

When you catch yourself doubting or thinking about the failure of your business or have similar negative thoughts, immediately shift your focus to something that makes you happy.

Examples of things that make most people happy: Dance for a few minutes, sing your favorite song, watch a funny dog clip, go sunbathing outside, express gratitude for things that make you smile every day — your kids, your spouse, your dog.

Once you are in a happy disposition, go back and again start thinking about how massively your business is about to grow. Very important point: It’s much more effective if you think and at the same time experience emotions.

To put it another way, you want to associate your thoughts with feelings of success.

For example, because in your mind your business is already successful, you can feel proud, you can feel like jumping from excitement, you can feel financially free, you can feel like you can do anything or go anywhere you want!

Not sure how your thoughts and feelings determine whether your business is successful or not? Look into quantum physics and you will find an answer.

However, the faster and easier way to find an answer is to listen what highly successful people have to say. For example, Kevin Trudeau. I’d advise you start with his How To Be Super Successful seminar.

 

Bottom line

Constantly keep in mind that your faith — your thoughts and feelings — directly impact how successful your business is going to be.

 

2. Have goals for your company

Owners of Biz A had company goals for the next 2-3 years (I don’t remember exactly). In fact, in my second interview, I was given a 5-page document describing the company’s goals for the next 2-3 years.

This is the only company (out of 9 I worked for after graduation) that presented me with such a document!

 

3. Treat your customers royally and be ready to sacrifice your time off

I saw one of the owners of Biz A constantly over delivering. (Biz A has two owners: wife and husband).

For example, a wife, would often accommodate a client on the same day if something unexpected happened (sacrificing her personal time).

 

4. Have monthly meetings with your employees to keep the spirit of the company healthy

Owners of Biz A organized meeting with employees / contractors 1-2 times per month.

Problems, the coming events and the goals of the company were discussed in these meetings. Everyone was welcome to suggest ideas and improvements.

Remember, if people who are part of your business are not too happy, you won’t be too happy with your profits or reputation either.

 

5. Exercise pleasant personality and be enthusiastic with your employees and customers

In Biz A, all had relatively pleasant, calm, enthusiastic personalities. All, except one, and she eventually was let go because of her not very agreeable personality.

A tip? When you feel like you are in a bad mood, take the day off because in the end it may cost you your employees or clients / customers.

 

6. Give business to your competitors if it is in the interests of your customer

I’d sometimes overhear one of the owners (wife) sending an individual to her competitors if the location or professionals there would serve an individual better. That’s the highest degree of business ethics!

On the other hand, when working for Biz C, sometimes I’d send people to competitors if a requested product was not carried or not in stock. Once I did this in front of the owner. The reaction of the owner? He became very upset and said that he doesn’t want me to do it anymore. (Just a reminder, Biz C is out of that type of business today).

 

7. Tell with actions, not words

I’d sometimes see the owners of Biz A doing the cleaning and other unpleasant work, thus silently telling that they want everyone to take part in a dirty work.

 

8. Be above “give-and-take”. Give without expecting back

On my second interview the owner of the Biz A casually said “… and here  we don’t have such things as I’ll do this for you if you do this for me“. I was surprised… in a good way.

Yet another example of the highest degree of business ethics (and morality in general).

 

9. Make your customers feel welcome by creating an ultra-clean inviting environment

Owners of Biz A go far to make the clients feel welcome. I’ll list what grabbed my attention the most:

♥ Ultra clean, tastefully designed, recently renovated office

♥ A diffuser with essential oils and relaxing music

♥ Client rooms equipped with fans for better circulation

♥ Ultra clean bathroom. Wiped dry sink (this was a requirement!), cotton hand towels, spotless mirror, running diffuser

♥ A jug of water with ceramic cups, selection of organic teas and Swiss chocolate

♥ Tastefully hanged signs with words such as “Love”, “Hope”, “Inspiration”

 

10. Organize regular events and gatherings

Biz A had one big event at the beginning of fall and the second during Christmas time.

Plus there were small gatherings every couple months.

Clients, everyone working in the company, and all those walking by (if the event was outside) were invited.

 

11. Package your products beautifully

Biz A sells health products which are wrapped in blue paper and put in a pretty white paper bag with a blue company logo on it.

 

Re-cap on the four businesses

Above I mentioned that Biz A thrives, and it does really thrive. In fact, currently, it is one of the most reputable alternative health clinics in Calgary.

The only suggestion for Biz A is to be more open to revisit the salaries when asked so. This suggestion may not be very objective though as I speak only from my own perspective here 🙂

 

Major pitfalls to avoid when running a small business

Note, I’m only mentioning the things I observed or experienced in Biz A, Biz B, Biz C or Biz D.

Obviously, there are more pitfalls to stay clear of when owning a small business.

♥ Unclear, insufficient communication with customers / clients, employees / contractors, and partners

♥ Failing to keep promises

♥ Varying degree of consideration and respect for different employees / contractors

♥ A long delay or unwillingness to revisit or raise a salary when asked

 

Conclusion

Implement above tried-and-tested 11 strategies and see your business grow a little each day.

If you continue doing all the above no matter what the circumstances are, your business eventually will become massively successful!

Strive to improve something from above every day.

Always keep in mind that the most crucial strategy is Strategy #1. Your faith in the success of your business directly determines whether your business will become successful or not.

If you have unshakeable faith your business will not only become successful, but it will thrive no matter how fierce the competition is or how bad the economy is.

 

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Main references:

Principles taught by Napoleon Hill and Kevin Trudeau