12 Success Tips for Entrepreneurs From NICE Global CO-Founder Paul Herdsman

Many dream of becoming their own boss and starting their own company. What separates those who succeed from those who fail? Here are some things that I, Paul Herdsman, have learned on my way to co-founding my own successful global company.

1. Positive attitude. – It’s important to have a positive attitude toward everything that you do. Positive thinkers have been proven to be better problem solvers, have more energy, and be more resilient. One of the easiest ways to increase your positivity is to express your gratitude. Being thankful for what you do have will help you release any negativity that may be present. Consider beginning each day and ending each night by creating a list of five things that you are grateful for.

2. Take risks. – In order to succeed, you must be willing to fail. You won’t know if your idea will be a success unless you take that first leap of faith. There are many risks involved with entrepreneurship. To navigate them, remember to gather relevant information and assess the risk carefully before proceeding. The ability to assess a situation and decide whether or not it is a good risk to take is essential to being a good entrepreneur.

3. Do work you care about. – Running a business takes a lot of time and energy. Make sure you enjoy what you are doing. When you are doing work that you care about, it shows. Ask yourself: What are you passionate about? What makes you excited about

4. Have a vision. – A good entrepreneur is clear about the path that they want their venture to take. Start out by having a clear picture of what you want your business to look like in the next ten or fifteen years. As you define your vision, ask yourself: What is your goal? What is preventing you from reaching that goal? What do you need to change to get back on track? The next time you are caught up in the minutia of the day-to-day tasks of your business, reflect on your vision and why you started your business in the first place. It is a powerful tool for shifting your mindset.

5. Build the right team. – It’s impossible to do everything alone. Surround yourself with the right team and they will propel you to success. Who you spend time with is who you become. As you are building your team, pay attention to character and values. You can teach someone skills, but you cannot change someone’s values. Look for team members who complement your set of skills and weaknesses. An effective team is a group with a diverse set of skills that can look at problems from different angles.

6. No shortcuts. – There are no shortcuts or magic formulas to having instant success overnight. While it’s true that some quick wins happen from time to time, the majority of entrepreneurs who achieve success have put in the work. Successful entrepreneurs need to effectively perform numerous functions, including sales, marketing, finance, and operations. Are you willing to dedicate yourself to long work weeks, prioritizing work first, and doing whatever it takes to succeed?

7. Learn from your mistakes. – Mistakes are inevitable. Over 50% of small businesses fail within four years. Those who succeed are those who are not afraid to fail again and again and learn from their mistakes. What distinguishes a great entrepreneur from the rest is his or her ability to acknowledge mistakes, learn from them, and adapt. Consider keeping a list of past mistakes and reflecting on what you’ve learned from each one. Remember that each failure is an opportunity to learn.

8. Know your customers. – Know the people you serve better than anyone else. If you know your customers and their needs, you will be able to deliver the solutions that they need. Staying connected to your customers and listening to their feedback is essential to growing your business successfully.

9. Deliver above and beyond. – Always deliver more than the customer expects. It’s a way to be noticed and remembered. If you deliver above and beyond, your customers will become your best advocates. Why should consumers choose your company over all of the other companies in the marketplace? What do you provide better than anyone else out there? Give people a reason to choose you.

10. Be persistent. – Persistence pays off. The world is full of people who had wonderful ideas and aspirations, but did not have the stamina and persistence to see them through. Be mentally prepared to do whatever it takes to succeed. Don’t be discouraged if things take longer than you expected.

11. Find a mentor. – As business owners, we are so close to our businesses that it is sometimes hard to keep perspective. Find someone you trust that you can go to when you need advice or an outside perspective. A good mentor is invaluable to your success. When looking for the right mentor, look for someone who is trustworthy, who you respect, and who is a good listener. Seek out someone who is doing exactly what you want to do. You may be surprised with their willingness to help you out as you try to start and grow your own business.

12. Learn to say “no.” – Your time is a precious commodity. There are only 24 hours in a day. Focus those hours on what is most important to you. Along the way, you will be presented with many good ideas, but you cannot pursue every single one. Focus your time and energy into the very best ideas that support the core principles of your business.

About the Author

Paul Herdsman is the Co-Founder and COO of NICE Global, a full service business solutions provider located in Jamaica. Its turnkey services offer companies improved customer retention, lower overhead costs, and increased revenue. NICE Global prides itself on making sure its employees are happy, skilled and able to grow as individuals on a personal and professional level.

Follow Paul on Facebook and Twitter.

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