Taking Your Business Out of The Crowd

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Taking Your Business Out of The Crowd.

From recent studies of businesses, the 'Capacity' to create new market space that makes competition difficult is becoming very rare. And I think this is one of the major reasons behind the constant fluctuation of the GDP and GNP of the economy of most countries.

In a harvard research done about emerging businesses in 108 companies, It was discovered that 86% of new business ventures were line extensions - continuous Improvements of already existing products and services. Only 14% of new businesses were targeted at creating new markets or companies. While the companies who Invested in the extension and Improvement of already existing companies account for 62% of the total revenue, they deliver only 39% of the total profit. Interestingly, the 14% who invested in creating new markets and companies, make just 38% of the total revenue and deliver a shocking 61% of the total profit.

This is quite an Interesting revelation of how taking calculated risks into unexplored terrains can be very rewarding. But, you'll agree with me that most times, only one out of ten is willing to take such risks, not because they are comfortable with it, but because they are daring.

You can Join the outstanding 14% who are creating new markets and companies and giving the highest turnover. The key is in learning strategic thinking and making strategic moves - Learning how to make new cheese, spread the smell and make people look for them.

Action Step: Don't compete, come out of the competition and create a new market. Yes, you can.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Integrity? I Don't Think So!

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Integrity? I Don't Think So!

“Trust is one of the greatest trophy a person can ever earn.” ~ Paulvan

Isn't it interesting that too many people are looking for who they can trust when they themselves can't be trusted!

When you can be trusted, the distance between you and your throne is very short.

I grew up as a little boy knowing not many tailors can be trusted as I collected some of my christmas clothes in March of the following year, long after new year's celebration.
I also got to discover recently through experience that when a plumber says he got something for N500, he actually got it for N50.

Too many business people undermine the fact that Integrity is the bedrock for continuous patronage, long term business relationship and referrals.

If you recommend your own blood brother who lacks Integrity to other people for business, It might stop your own opportunity when your time comes even if you have Integrity. You must be extra careful who you recommend to people.


Why Is Integrity So Hard To Practice?

1. Fear: A lot of people are afraid they might not get many opportunities as they are not sure what the next moment holds.

2. Greed: this has turned many business people to opportunists'. They enlarge their coast by emptying other people's own.

3. Fewer Role Models: It can be difficult for any employee(business owner) to have Integrity when his employer lacks it.

Action Step: Make the sacrifice now. Integrity is a sacrifice, lack of it will make one a sacrificial lamb in business.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Challenge of Integrity

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Challenge of Integrity

Someone said “Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on principles and values rather than personal gain.”

Another person said “Success without Integrity is failure.”

I honestly feel that deciding to do business with Integrity is like deciding to give up everything so others can go up first, while you Join them thereafter, by reaping the harvest of your seeds. Sounds like the most difficult thing in the world to do as we are in a world of ‘what’s in it for me, more than what’s in it for others.’

Integrity is being true with yourself and others in words and works all the way.

The word Integrity has its origin in a Latin word ‘Integer’ which means perfect, complete, or whole.
Integrity is relative; people’s definition and Interpretation of it differ. When you look again at the meaning of the word, you can understand why a higher percentage of people practice what I call ‘pseudo Integrity’ as against genuine Integrity; not many people believe in perfection, completeness, or wholeness.

When you read through the Vision and Mission statement of many Organisations, you’ll repeatedly find the word ‘Integrity’ e.g. ‘we deliver excellence with Integrity.’ But, truth is, for most of these organisations, Integrity has an associative meaning, understood only within the organisation.

In the lives and businesses of many, Integrity is held in a defective measure, so it produces the opposite result of what is really desired. I’m pretty sure you have met people who tell so much lies, but call it wisdom – that’s what I’m talking about! Worst of all, these same people believe they have Integrity.

Though, Integrity means different things to all of us, still, that doesn’t change the fact that Integrity is truth in its pure and undiluted form.



PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Pressing The Fast-Forward Button

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Pressing The Fast-Forward Button

It is very true that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step; but, it is also a fact that ‘the pace between one step and the next will determine your mileage, and if you’ll ever reach the last mile.’

“To walk into wealth, work is necessary.”

“When you work with Integrity, you increase your pace to prosperity and posterity.”

Anyone who desires to change the world but refuses to change himself will leave the world like he met it.

Every day you meet people who are running so fast with great business Ideas and are making so much money, but when you look very deeply, especially if you have done business with them before, you’ll realise the business Is resting on a faulty foundation. Why? They lack Integrity.

Genuine Integrity is what makes people repeat business and keep a long term business relationship with you.

The man with Integrity might look like the slowest at the moment, but in the long run, he would have more than enough customers, and businesses to do as people will readily stop doing business with someone once they discover he lacks integrity. And, once people stop doing business with you for lack of Integrity, they might never come back to do business with you again even if you eventually learn it.

Action Step: To fast-forward your business, choose Integrity over quick gratification.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Real Slave Masters

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Real Slave Masters


“He whose life has become the prison of purpose is the real Slave Master.” ~ Paulvan

Until you free your purpose, life doesn't free you.
Your purpose is simply your business.

This whole world is like a great farm with everyone cultivating his own portion. Some are fruit farmers, some vegetable, some tuber crops, some cereals, others oil palm, and rubber etc.

The condition of every one's life is the condition of his/her portion of this great farm. If your portion of this great global farm is beautiful, your life reflects it, if on the other hand it has been overgrown by weeds, and there's little or no nutrient anymore in your soil to sustain your purpose, your life reflects it too.

In life, whatever your purpose is, it is good to start early as there are so many fights to conquer in your building process. The earlier you start the more strength you have to fight and reach your throne on time. The older you become, the less strength you have to pursue purpose. Every man's strength wanes with age.

Don't enslave your purpose: So many peoples lives have become the prison of their own purpose - But, there's still hope! It doesn't matter the phase you are now, or the situation of your portion; there's a fertilizer plan that can restore you if you will put it to work;

I think the real issue with many is how to find purpose;
We've heard and read so much about the subject of purpose and how to discover it. However, here are further help mediums and the fertilizer plan.


While thinking about what can possibly be another great medium to discover purpose, these came to mind;
- SERVICE;
 Look for an Organisation that is doing what you would love to do the rest of your life, and serve there voluntarily. Nothing frees your spirit and purpose like contribution to other people's course.  

- GIVING;
Give to the needy. When you have a quest to discover purpose, that's a need in your life. Go around and meet other peoples' needs, that way you easily attract the solution to your own need.

Fertilizer only fulfils its purpose when it supports the soil. Serving and Giving helps you support others and frees your purpose.

Action Step: Help someone solve the problem that irritates you most today.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Build Your Own Personal Economy

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Build Your Own Personal Economy

In a time such as this, it will be catastrophic for anyone anywhere in the world to entrust their present and future welfare on the economy of their country. You must work out your own financial freedom by yourself!

The word 'Economy' simply represents an Individual's, Nation's, Organisation's, or Community's system of using its own resources (either natural or acquired) to produce wealth.
It also means the state of a country's prosperity or poverty.

From the definition, it is obvious that its practically impossible to be resourceful without resources. Nature is very fair, it has given to every individual, Nations, and communities everything they need to harness their own prosperity.


“In this life, you're not built until you build something.” ~ Paulvan


There is a voice, product, purpose inside every Individual, Nation, and community, craving for manifestation; that voice/product/song/dream etc is the uniqueness, the resource you have been given to build your own economy.


Do You Desire To Build Your Own Economy, So You Don't Have To Depend On The Economy of The World or Your Nation?

Here's How;

1. Find The Answer; The questions you go to sleep and wake up with in your heart. Questions that won't just go away. Questions that seeks answers on how to better your life and that of your family/community, are questions you must find answers to. When you do, you will not just find peace, you will find prosperity

2. Agreement/Acceptance/Alignment; Accept your unique self and destiny. Don't try to be like anyone, or be what your parents say they want you to become. One of the major problems of the world is that too many parents wants their children to go to school and study their own course choice and not that of their children - thereby, making their children kings/queens of a jungle, instead of allowing them to become Presidents of Nations that they are destined to be. A child who pleases others or his parents will end up being in conflict as to what his/her true Identity is, and may never reach their full potential.

Action Step: Stop pursuing money and pursue purpose.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Positive Energy

2 Minutes Business Article


Title: Positive Energy

“Never say die until you're dead.”
~ Malcolm Forbes


A long time ago, one cool evening,while on my way from the office - all the way, my friends were engaged in a very serious conversation about how bad the Nigerian economy is, and how the country will never rise above her challenges. We hear such conversations very frequently as a lot of people don't believe in this country anymore,and have given up on her. Usually, I try as much as possible to avoid and never be part of such conversations, but, on this very day, I was stuck with them, as there was no where to run to.

They said so much, and related to so many cases of corruption. One said, the best solution to Nigeria's plight is that they should shut her down as a country, and all the citizens should decide which country to go nationalise themselves in. Another said, the best solution is to divide the Nation into three. At this point, the level of negative energy and resentment in the air was so strong, you could touch it. This was when I finally decided to speak. By this time, we were almost home.

Here's what I said; 'as a rule in life, no matter how bad a situation is, if change must happen, you must remain positive on the inside, speak positively on the outside, and never say any wrong word.'

Please, don't Join the mob! Irrespective of how Obvious and tough your business or Nations challenges are, don't complicate things by Joining others to complain and rave.

People who speak negatively concerning a situation, do so because that's all they can see; the one's who speak positively on the other hand, do so not because they are more disciplined or resilient, but because they see better. What do you see? Develop the discipline to always see things not with your outer eyes but with your inner eyes. And then, speak positively. That's the only way we can transform our businesses and our Nation.

Action Step: Tell your trusted friends to collect a N200 or $2 bill from you each time they hear you speak negatively.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Advantage Of Adversity

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Advantage Of Adversity

In all simplicity, I wish to tell every young person reading this, and every 'not so young' person who is not getting their desired result in life to take their life more seriously. By now I believe almost everyone agrees that life has no place for people who take things with levity. The very lucky people are not so many! People who just wake to find that all their struggles in life are suddenly over because they met a helper.

Almost every one will work out their own emancipation in this generation. The one's who might even eventually become lucky must have paid their dues one way or another.  
Taking a deeper look at the trend of things so far in life, It seems to me like even 'life' personified, Is looking for people who can sustain things, and not people who will waste them. “Life will bless the internally made and prepared, not the externally made and prepared.” The externally made and prepared will always be materialistic, the Internally made will always be selfless! And business is not for materialistics people

“There is more hope for the one whom life has prepared through adversity than he who has wealth and education, but has not internalised the basic principles that only real life lessons can teach.” ~ Paulvan

My Father in faith whom I have mentioned a couple of times in my articles, gave me a book sometime ago,Titled, 'The University of Adversity'. The book changed my life! The personal lessons I learnt: It teaches that the difficult challenges we face individually in life prepares us for greatness by purifying our purpose, refining our motives, and helping us redefine what success truly is in a way that makes us become stewards instead of squanderers.

Don't waste your challenges, don't waste your adversity, create something timeless out of it by allowing it purify your purpose, desires and motives for success.

Action Step: No matter what you are going through, choose to remain Positive.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

You Are Very Creative! 2 (Creativity Hampering Activities)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: You Are Very Creative! 2 (Creativity Hampering Activities)


I once heard a story of how a man went to visit his friend at his office, and while his friend was showing him around,he saw an office of glass doors and windows,it looked special. Inside the office was a man sitting on a chair, no tables, no computers, no shelve nor a safe lock. After sometime,he noticed the man had been sitting there for long. Irritated, he asked his friend,the CEO/Manager, 'how can you allow such idleness in your office?' His friend replied, 'just leave him there, that's his office. All he does is to think for the company. The last Idea he gave saved us millions, so, just leave him alone!'
Would you like to be payed for just thinking and initiating profitable and creative ideas that will bring about solutions?

When a company is downsizing, the most difficult people to let go are those who consistently provide creative solutions to the company's challenges.
As an entrepreneur, one area of your business you don't want to play down on is creativity. You must open yourself up to unending challenges that will always stretch your creativity.


Creativity Hampering Activities:

- Too Much time spent watching a television:
Some years ago, the major way to escape from my frustrations was television - watching films and all sort of brain draining programmes. Each day, after many hours in front of the TV, I usually felt very sick in my mind and would go to bed overwhelmingly depressed, and then have nightmares(Very bad dreams!).
As simple as this sounds, making the adjustment can make a great difference.


- Too Much Unproductive Internet Browsing:
A Nigerian report says, an average Nigerian spends at least four hours a day on facebook. I agree because of how tempted I am everyday to do same. But, I'm so discipline - I just do my postings and run away.
These days at work or on projects, people don't submit report on time or meet deadlines anymore because of unproductive browsing and chatting. And many have even lost their Jobs as a result!


Action Step: Reduce your Television watching/browsing, and that of your family by 60%, do more of reading, and creative thinking Instead.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

You Are Very Creative!

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: You Are Very Creative!

“Guide and enhance your creativity with due diligence, for out of it comes lasting business ideas and products.”

Don't stop at Imagination, stretch and complement your imagination with the creative power in you. Imagination builds the Intangible, Creativity builds the tangible,they work together - as a woman must meet with a man if they must have kids. No couple can imagine a child into reality you know! The coming together of the man and woman is the creative/creating part.


Statistics says about 75% of people believe they are using their creativity optimally. That's what happens when people become comfortable, and traditional in their approach to life.

Barry Gordon, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, says "the 10 percent myth, that human's use only about 10% of their brain power,is not true as most parts of the brain work at the same time everyday". The notion is associated with Albert Einstein who used it to explain his own unlimited mental power. In as much as it is true that the human mental power in unlimited, the 10% myth has actually tampered with the average man's creative power as he believes that the human brain can never be fully tapped, so he sleeps, or never attempts to go beyond 10%.

However, Barry Gordon's research shows an Interesting fact which reveals the 10% myth is only true when we're resting; It says; 'At certain moments in anyone's life, such as when we are simply at rest and thinking, we may be using only 10 percent of our brains.'

In other words, the less we exercise our creative ability, the less creative we become.

Muscles become stronger with use and weaker without use.



Action Step: You are the most creative person on earth! Begin now, start exercising your creativity everyday!


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Law Of Believe

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Law Of Believe

'Be' 'Live'. 'Be, and then, Live!'. I'm coining out two words from the
Word 'Believe'.
As far as life is concerned, you become what you believe. But, the difference is; what you believe and then become, will determine whether you truly live or merely exist.

What you believe is so powerful that if you work towards it, you'll reach a tipping point in your life where you go on Auto-pilot and things are just happening on their own accord with less effort on your part.

According to Brian Tracy;
The Law of Believe states that; whatever you truly believe, with feelings, becomes your reality.

So, in actual fact, you are right about what you believe about yourself, whether good or bad!

Since this is true by principle, why not choose to believe the best you can about yourself?

A person might have the best entrepreneural or business skills, but, with self limiting believes, one will most assuredly be limited in life and business.  

I talk to young entrepreneurs frequently, and, I'm so amazed at what I hear them say; a lot of people believe they can't make it in business in Nigeria because of the economy.


“Nigeria cannot limit a Nigerian, only the mind of the Nigerian can.” ~ Paulvan


Action Step: Change every unhealthy believe you have about yourself and Nigeria.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Deep Facts About Economics

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Deep Facts About Economics

“Economics is everywhere, and understanding economics can help you make better decisions and lead a happier life.” ~ Cowen Tyler


Thought:..

Understanding economics is having insight into the way life works; the necessity to meet unlimited/unending needs through unlimited production(creation), and consumption(Use).
We all consume, so, we must all produce. Creators/Producers are gods! entrepreneurs are gods!


“In all recorded history there has not been one economist who has had to worry about where the next meal would come from.” ~ Peter Drucker


Thought:..

Instead of worrying over what they'll eat, entrepreneurs/economists' worry over what others will consume/eat; that way, what they'll eat is taken care of.


“We need to revise our economic thinking to give full value to our natural resources. This revised economics will stabilize both the theory and the practice of free-market capitalism.
It will provide business and public policy with a powerful new tool for economic development, profitability, and the promotion of the public good.” ~ Paul Hawken


Thought:..

I'm of the opinion that a lot of natural resources are fast depleting as a result of lack of use, or abuse of use.
Nature has provided all the raw materials we'll ever need, so, we must go ahead and keep creating. That way, we exercise our freedom to live and not just exist, and create a space for ourselves in the global free-market as capitalists'.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Economics 103 (Cutting Cost)

2 minutes Business Article

Title: Economics 103 (Cutting Cost)

Cutting cost in our personal lives once we have reached a particular level of comfort can be a major challenge - we experience a similar situation even in business.
It is very true that expenses always rise to meet income.(Very few people have power over pakinson's law)

Some of the costs' that are keeping bills really high in our businesses are things we can easily find alternatives for. Usually, the effort pays off when we make it.
 
The discipline you learn by cutting cost in your life and business can be a cutting edge maturity for long term sustainability.

You may want to add to your weekly goals a 'cutting cost' debriefing time - this will help your business explore alternatives and make better cost saving decisions that can even save your business in the long run.

One Area To Consider:

Suppliers

As cheap or considerably okay as you think the services of some suppliers/Vendors are, you're simply overspending. Sometimes, it's not easy to look for alternatives especially when you don't have the time (that's the excuse of most people; they overspend because they don't have the time to either seek out alternatives or do it themselves).

It's okay to trade money for time when you have plenty of it as an Individual, (that's the way of the rich) but, it's bad for small businesses, and even big businesses if it's done without limit.

Action Step: Look for alternative suppliers for your business today. It's Okay to have more than one per service.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Economics 102 (Money Matters)

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Economics 102 (Money Matters)

The time is already here, where the entrepreneurs who will last in business and always see/have bigger opportunities open up for them are those who are always willing to give more through their products and services than they get in payment.

I saw it first hand, growing up as a young lad in a military barracks; how price can propel competition, and how the prices of products are determined by the laws of demand and supply.

I saw in the neighbourhood how two women would be selling the same products, and the demand on one will be higher than the supply because she kept her price low, and had good product; whilst the demand on the other woman's product was low because she would not bring her price down for anything.

On making findings, the one's who kept their prices high would always say they got their goods at a higher cost, so can't sell low.

What they didn't do!

So many entrepreneurs find themselves in a similar situation today; they buy high and can't sell low, so, demand is low.

The laws of demand and supply thrives even in real estate. But with slight difference: In most cases, if demand increases, supply remains same as land or houses cannot be produced like common products. However, in real estate, price can rise when demand increases; while for most products, increase in demand galvanises a competition that brings down prices, except if there is monopoly.

The Idea is this: whatever business you do, build a reputation for giving more in service than you get in payment.

Action Step: Cut down the price of any product you've not been able to sell for long. Seek for one way to help your customers today.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Economics 101

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Economics 101

“In my considered opinion, salary is payment for goods delivered and it must conform to the law of supply and demand. If, therefore, the fixed salary is a violation of this law - as, for instance, when I see two engineers leaving college together and both equally well trained and efficient, and one getting forty thousand while the other only earns two thousand , or when lawyers and hussars, possessing no special qualifications, are appointed directors of banks with huge salaries - I can only conclude that their salaries are not fixed according to the law of supply and demand but simply by personal influence. And this is an abuse important in itself and having a deleterious effect on government service. ~ Anna Karenina

Running a business on sentiment will run the business down.

It is common sense in business to make sure your income always exceeds your expenses.

As simple as this sounds, there are people who are out of business now who never saw their liquidation coming. They didn't have a system that regulated demand and supply.

I've met people who don't like numbers, can't hire an accountant at their start-up level but are really passionate about business. They are usually in and out of business.
You must love numbers and always do little accounting as an entrepreneur to sustain your business.

Demand is the amount of products consumers are willing to buy per time.

Supply is the amount of goods or services a business is willing to provide per time.

You must run your business consistently based on these two laws. And regulate your expenses based on them as well if you must stay profitable in business.

Action Step: Become more interested in the cash-flow/financial statement of your business.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Entrepreneural Success Made Easy

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Entrepreneural Success Made Easy


Stay As Current As The Internet

I have friends who didn't go to any University but are working with Telecommunication and Media Companies simply by doing a course on the internet.

I heard some Kids in the US said to their parents 'Why do we need God when we have google?' Can you Imagine that? Google is good, but Only a fool will choose google over the God who made the people who made google. Anyways, that's just by the way!

Keep Your mind renewed if you don't want to wake up one day only to find out that the world has relocated from where it used to be and is now 20 years away/ahead of you.

A research was done in Sweden 1979 on close to a hundred Swedish Adults and teenagers about what Learning actually meant to them: Some said it is an abstraction of meaning. Another group said it is memorizing. Another believed it is the understanding of facts and principles which can be use in practice. To another, it is increase in knowledge. The last group believe Learning is an interactive process aimed at understanding and interpreting reality.

Some had a surface understanding of what learning truly is, whilst others had a deep perspective to it. And the difference is always obvious even today.

What is your own perspective to Learning?  

I believe until knowledge becomes experiencial, learning has not taken place. Experiancial in the sense that until life presents a challenge in business or any area, and you are able to apply what you have learnt to navigate your way through and come out of it successfully, learning is yet to happen.    

We all prefer any day to listen to a man with experience more than the one with just knowledge.

Continuous learning keeps you happy and going all the way.

Action Step: Go online now and learn something new about your business

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Why Entrepreneurs Fail 2 (Learn From The Butterfly)

2 Minutes Business Articles

Title: Why Entrepreneurs Fail 2
(Learn From The Butterfly)

Over the years, research has shown that when someone is appointed to a higher leadership role, they have a 40 percent or more possibility of demonstrating disappointing attitude and performance. Also, 82 percent of newly appointed leaders don't succeed because they fail to build partnerships with peers and subordinates.

Why Entrepreneurs Fail:

3. Lack of Leadership Skills:

Developing Leadership skills for an Entrepreneur is as important as a butterfly getting out of it's cocoon else it will never fly.

The butterfly undergoes four stages in it's life circle; The Egg, Larva/Cocoon, Chrysalis and Adult.

This is due process. That is the way nature has programmed the butterfly to emerge. And to attempt to circumvent any of the level is to never become a butterfly Or fly.  

The flight of many leaders/entrepreneurs is stunted because so many of us try to fly at the larva level when we should still remain in the cocoon/preparatory level. And, the preparatory level never ends as every high level of leadership prepares you for a higher one.

The cocoon protects the caterpillar; learning, working, and walking with your peers and subordinates protects you and helps you to reach your full potential as a leader/entrepreneur.

Leadership Skills To Consider:
- Respect Others - Empathise - Don't Do Divide and Rule - Don't Define Yourself By Your Position - Be A Team Player.

Action Plan: Look for one leadership weak point in your life that can make all the difference and work on it.


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Why Entrepreneurs Fail

2 Minutes Business Articles

Title: Why Entrepreneurs Fail

Almost every positive minded person agrees that failure is not a person but an occurrence, yet, so many beat themselves after every failure experience, but still don't learn the expected lessons. We see these everyday!

Are you an Intending business Owner or already in business? Here's something I observed while still in the Corporate world that would be of help.

To some it's a reminder to simply re-evaluate since it's already in practice in their respective Organisations - to others, it's a call to quick action.


Why Entrepreneurs Fail:

1. Fuzzy Vision: I've met entrepreneurs who started business because they felt they had a good idea and the fund. These are not enough. To run a successful business, you must be very clear about where you are going.  

2. Lack Of Clearity: When the employees and clients of a business owner are wondering ' what is he really Into?', there's problem! Working in a place where the leader doesn't have a well defined vision will mean working without proper Job description. And nothing can be more frustrating. Also, it will affect the clients, as no one wants to do lasting business with a general contractor.


Action Step: Answer again all the questions that Vision asks. What, Where, When, and How. Make sure you're still on point.

PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

The Poor Millonaire

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: The Poor Millonaire

In life, it's not who you know or what you have that makes you, it's what you know and use rightly.

Many years ago I met through a friend the son of a late prominent politician in my country. They had everything, major thriving businesses etc. But, today, non of those big names are around. If I mention just one, you'll remember quickly.

Back then, I would go to his office to pass time and make many free distant calls.(I was yet to come to terms experiencially with the power of relationship and consistent learning), maybe I would have had first-hand Insight to why those companies failed.

My Observation;

Chance;

A good man leaveth an Inheritance for his children children, but, these days good children don't wait for the Inheritance of their father. I'm sure many have heard the story of Mr Tonye Cole of Sahara Energy, how his father refused to support him at a point in his when he needed him most, and he decided to go into clothing business as his first business. Today, anyone who doesn't know Sahara Energy is probably from pluto.

If all the inheritance any good man leaves for his children is money and material assets, then, he hasn't done a balanced Job. The most Important part of the Inheritance a good father must leave for his children are the Values and principles that will help them preserve and multiply the material Inheritance.

A child who becomes a millonaire by chance or Inheritance without the right values is a poor millonaire. Teach your children to choose what they love and love what they choose. And then, help them learn to build and manage businesses in these areas, else, your name/assets and businesses might not survive after you are gone. That's a hard reality.      


Action Step: Start Preparing your children for the future by instilling in them the right values.


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www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Your Competitor's Plan

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Your Competitors Plan

“Don't be Nice, be Wise.” ~ Paulvan

Even If your business is still just at the Idea level, you already have competitors. Some people will never start a business until you start one. And, woe to him that is at ease in business.

If you choose to be the nice guy or act Indifferent in business, you'll be surprise.

Success attracts both enemies and friends, failure is an orphan. A succeeding business is everybody's business.

Here, we have ineffective patent and copyright laws, so, every entrepreneur must learn consistent proactive thinking.


PLAN 1

If your idea is Original and fresh, you don't have competitors until you start. Almost all competitors are advocates of the wheel principle; don't reinvent the wheel, Just improve on it.
Your competitors are waiting for you to start something new so they can start it too. What do you do? Start anyways, powerfully, and don't stop.


PLAN 2

Your competitors want to do your business better than you. Don't assume because you're the original owner of an Idea your competitors will just be nice and allow you take the lead.
What do you do? Do all you can to remain the best around.


PLAN 3

Your competitors want to put you out of business. They are always after your customers. What do you do? Don't be nice, be wise!
The WAR of competition and Innovation in business is unending.



PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com

Quality And Sustainability

2 Minutes Business Article

Title: Quality And Sustainability

The Quality of a product or service plays the major role in determining the sustainability of a business.

In production Industries it is believed that the process is as important as the product. Once the process is right, the product is guaranteed.

In a business summit recently, a major speaker in the country said to us; 'whatever business you do must align with your core values' - In other words, when a business doesn't align with your values, it can be easy to compromise quality. And in compromising quality, once it is started, it can be very difficult to stop, as it is easier to form a bad habit than break one.

In this part of the world, compromising quality is what we're already used to; little wonder why today, someone is in business, and tomorrow he is back in payed employment. People readily choose quick gratification over long-term satisfaction.

I grew up in an environment where today, everyone is celebrating a product because the recipe is just right, but, by tomorrow, it's obvious that quality has been traded off for money.

In the concept of tradeoff in business, it is expected that If it doesn't work, immediate adjustment or rebranding should be made, but, these days people don't care, they're just after the money. So, everyday we have less quality products and services, and people are left with little or no option but to buy repeatedly as there are fewer or no alternatives.


Action Step: Do an Immediate 'Quality Assessment' for all areas of your business and make necessary adjustment today.    


PLConsulting...

BB: 265A987A
@Paulvanplc
www.leadership-plc.blogspot.com