Anyhow, whatever your reasoning, here is a list of some unique quotes that will just maybe make you a little livelier when it comes to being an entrepreneur. Enjoy, they are some of my favorites.

1. “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” Anonymous

2. “You miss a 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky

3. “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln

 4. “I am more afraid of an army of one hundred sheep led by a lion than an army of one hundred lions led by a sheep.” Charles Maurice

5. “You’re most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” Bill Gates

6. “I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.”  Warren Buffet

7. “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Confucius

8. “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison

9. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  Mark Twain

10. “The only real training for leadership is leadership.” Anthony Jay

11. “Whenever an individual or a business decides that success has been attained, progress stops.” Thomas J. Watson

12. “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford

13. “Make it happen now, not tomorrow. Tomorrow is a loser’s excuse.” Andrew Fashion

14. “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.”  James Crook

15. “The greatest reward in becoming a millionaire is not the amount of money that you earn. It is the kind of person that you have to become to become a millionaire in the first place.” Jim Rohn

16. “The ability to keep cool head in an emergency, maintain poise in the midst of excitement, and to refuse to be stampeded are true marks of leadership.”  R. Shannon

17. “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.” Sandra Carey

18. “When the teacher tells you to leave the classroom, you know you’ve won the argument.” Anonymous

19. “A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.” Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

20. “Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.” Mark Twain

21. “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” Michael Jordan

22. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney

23. “Don’t just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it.” Jim Rohn

24. “If you’re not learning while you’re earning, you’re cheating yourself out of the better portion of your compensation.” Napoleon Hill

25. “I shall be telling this with a sigh, Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”  Robert Frost

How and where did you get the idea for your company?

I wish I could say I always had the idea of starting a PR agency but the truth is, 10 years ago I was flat broke, looking for a job and I couldn’t get anyone to hire me. One company gave me some part-time marketing consulting work. That’s where it all started. I just kept signing more clients and hiring people. All the while trying to figure out what the business was going to ultimately be.

Who’s one person you’ve always looked up to?

My Dad. He taught me by example that you can accomplish anything you want in life – you just have to get up and do it. As a 29 year old Cuban immigrant with poor english, he became a home developer. He had no education or past experience but he didn’t know you needed it so he just did it. As a kid I always lived in neighborhoods where my dad had built all of my friend’s homes. I did not realize how crazy that was until I was in my 30′s. Another time he asked me if I knew where he could rent some violins and cellos. Apparently he was promoting a concert and the band who had flown in from another country needed instruments. He had never promoted a concert but he just did it and it was a big success. So I was always seeing him do these things he had no business doing and he did them well so I grew up thinking I could do the same thing. I had zero PR experience before starting my agency. It just never crossed my mind that it mattered. I would never had done it if I had parents who told me I needed certain qualifications or education to accomplish something. He also taught me the love of work. My Dad worked hard, but it never looked like it because he was having so much fun. So, I never think of work as being hard, I work a lot but I am always having fun. When my kids ask me if I am going to work, I say “No! I am going to play.”

What’s the most important action you took that you believe brought success to your business?

I can name 5 or 6 key things but if I have to pick one it would be the decision to laser focus on Consumer Electronics. When Jack Welch took over GE, he got rid of every business GE was not #1 or #2 (that could become #1 in 5 years). I knew I had to do the same thing. By focusing on something we knew we could be the best at, it allowed us to provide our clients with better results than any other agency in the space. We almost instantly had the competitive advantage. Most agencies think they can do PR for any industry and will accept business from anyone who will pay them. It took a lot of self-discipline to stay focused on CE when other industries were offering us money to do their PR, but I knew it would work out in the long run and it has. We are one of if not the most consistently fast growing agency in the country. This year will mark the 4th year in a row that we are on the INC5000 list of fastest growing companies in America. We represent more consumer electronics brands than any other agency in the world. This doesn’t happen without focus and discipline.

We hit on our “big idea” in 2007 and since then, many more ideas that make us great have come from Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, Jack Welch, Lew Wasserman and other captains of industry. I look for ideas outside the PR industry. That is the only way to build a business that is superior to what everyone else is doing. If you get your ideas from your competitors, you are just following them. I have pretty much ignored what my industry is doing. Most agencies are run very poorly with business models that do not really benefit the client or the employees.

What’s the number one tip you would offer to a young entrepreneur?

Figure out what you can be the best at. It might take a while but don’t give up. Also, never stop learning. I read(or listen to) about 20 books a year about business, management and personal development. If you want to be truly successful, you have to keep learning. College will not teach you what you need to know to be successful in business. All of my best decisions have been inspired by great books.

What are your 6 favorite online tools?

1. Engadget/TechCrunch/Gizmodo/TWICE/Mashable – Great websites to keep current in the tech world

2. Google Docs – It’s simple, but I love the ability to be able to have one master document on a particular project or initiative. I’m able to get a number of minds involved at any given time and not have to worry about who has the latest version. Simple, efficient and perfect.

3. LinkedIn – In our business we’re talking to so many different people. The first thing I try to do is to connect via LinkedIN. This way I’m always current. I can congratulate you on a new promotion and follow you as your career progresses. It’s a perfect networking tool.

4. WordPress – This platform has improved our ability to maintain our website 10 fold. We’re able to incorporate features, including individual client media centers, process tracking systems, multiple blog feeds and a number of other capabilities that would have been impossible in the past. Their functionality and user-friendliness is truly amazing.

5. Webex & GoToMeeting – being a business who only has 2 -3 % of business in our same geographical region, these tools have been critical in our ability to present effectively. We firmly believe our time is best served actually doing PR, rather than spending days traveling for a 3 hour meeting.

6. Skype – This has made teleconferencing simple and easy. It’s so widely utilized in our business that we’d be at a severe disadvantage without it.

What we can learn from those who always appear to be on the ball is how to incorporate their organizational skills into our own lives. Perhaps the easiest way is through the use of well made To-Do lists. These handy little goal setters can really provide us with an effective method of utilizing our resources and getting things done the right way.

But there is a right way and a wrong way of putting together a To-Do list, believe it or not. These ten tips will help you to get the most out of your own.

Sometimes Not Getting Organized Is More Productive

Sound a little iffy? It’s true, we often procrastinate on actually getting things done by claiming to need to organize things first. We might separate things into a list of what we must do and then put off the more crucial elements. We may even spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to come up with some kind of schedule that we probably won’t use. Usually, this is to avoid doing something we think will be hard.

One thing I have personally learned about this is that the item I am worrying over is rarely as difficult as I think. Also, no matter how reluctant I am to get started, once I finish I am always shocked that I wasted so much time “preparing” for it when I could have just gotten it done and eliminated the stress.

If organization is something you have time for, and that you know could genuinely help you, go for it. If not, just forget about it and move on to the projects. A nice slap in the face and a pep talk are all that are needed for that spark of motivation.

Advanced Software is A Serious Waste Of Time

Let’s say a To-Do list actually is the best thing for you. Now, you have to create a good one that isn’t also a time waster. Many people will turn to online lists for this purpose, and they can work out alright. But, if I am really being honest, I think these are a total and complete waste of time and energy.

Think about what you have to do to use online organization programs: You sign up, sign in, list your goals, and then you have to sign in every time you complete something. Which ultimately puts you on the Internet. Which will inevitably distract you from what you went there to do. I have yet to meet a person who can resist checking their email, social networking profile or cute pictures of kittens while near a computer.

Want to know the best materials for a list? A scrap of paper and a pen. Or, if you want to go really crazy with it, a notebook you use as a day planner. I know, how archaic of me. But sometimes the classics really are better, ladies and gentleman…a piece of paper will not lure you away to a flash game.

If You Aren’t Going To Do It, Don’t Put It Down

I am terribly guilty of this one. I get a little bit overly ambitious and just overload my To-Do list with crap. About 25% of it factors into a reachable daily or weekly goal, and I end up getting it done. The rest just sits there, and I never had any real intention of doing it anyway. Instead, I turned it into a kind of productivity wish list.

Not only does it waste time sitting there and thinking of pointless items to put on a list, but it is discouraging. The list is longer, the workload seems much heavier and at the end of the deadline you are not happy with what you accomplished. There is no end to the list, just things you couldn’t be bothered to complete. What a letdown!

Just sit down and come up with things that really need to be completed and that you know you can finish. Then you can have that heady moment of accomplishment when you look down and see everything crossed off your list.

Add Very Specific Tasks (Never Generalize)

“Clean House” might seem like a good goal, but it is actually pretty general. A house tends to be pretty big, and a lot is involved with cleaning one…presumably. The problem is that it might not be especially in depth, or it could be something as simple as picking up a few things and wiping down a counter. Being general also gives you an excuse to cut out tasks you would have done when you are bored.

So, instead of writing something general, try instead for a more complete list. For example:

• Write post for EpicLauch
• Send assignments to the content editor
• Follow up with Jim on the launch date
• Edit and schedule post at SEOsmarty
• Reply to interview request from Inc.com

Yeah, I know, it seems like a really long list. But is is specific, and you can be sure you hit every one of your marks without forgetting. Even if you get distracted, you just look back at your list and move on to the next task. Plus, the same tactic works for any kind of organization, from work to daily activities.

Aim To Prioritize

What is the most important element on your list? Is there anything time sensitive? Can something wait until the very end? These are important questions to ask yourself when making a list, which should be ordered based on priority. While this might seem like a no-brainer, you might be surprised by how many people instead go based on what is easiest, or what they most look forward to doing.

Keep in mind that some things might be more important, but still shouldn’t be first on your list. One example is that while picking up your elderly mother at the airport is a very important task, it shouldn’t come before walking the dog. Not unless one of the items later on the list is “Clean up mess made by dog”. In which case, feel free to order it in any way you wish.

Speak In Terms Of Action, Use Plenty Of Verbs

It is a little silly, but our mind reacts better to seeing verbs than any other kind of word. We just respond to it, and it is more likely to spark motivation and get us moving. Why? I have no idea, and since one of my goals on my To-Do list is ‘Finish article’ and not ‘Look up complicated neuroscience’, it will have to remain a mystery for now.

In any case, using plenty of verbs in your list as a call to action will help you get started. Instead of saying ‘Lawn’ write ‘Mow Lawn’. If the verb is already in the description, add more. So ‘Running’ becomes ‘Go Running’. It is a small thing that makes a big difference.

Separate Your Goals With Different Lists For Different Projects

You don’t want your list to get too bogged down with information. You especially don’t want to have to try and figure out which task is for which project. No matter how clearly labeled the categories might be, it is always much better to make different lists for different goals. Even if that means making more than one at the same time.

I never keep my work and personal lists together, because I inevitably get discouraged seeing it all plastered there like that. It just reminds me of all that has to be done. The effect is even worse when I combine work project lists, and then I don’t know which to begin first, and have trouble not jumping from one task to another without a beneficial order.

Different lists for different projects: simple, but effective.

Update Your List Often

An old list is a useless list. Priorities change, items are completed and new tasks become necessary. Which is why it is good to make sure you update your lists as often as is necessary to keep you on fresh tasks. Which doesn’t mean you have to spend a huge amount of time organizing them, but instead a few minutes here and there setting your goals and a deadline to complete them.

I like to have a simple list of the day’s work done first thing in the morning, and another list done every Sunday for the week ahead. It sounds like a lot, but the daily list takes me about a minute to scribble down, and the weekly list takes perhaps a few minutes. Certainly not enough time to make it a chore.

Don’t Overload It

We touched on this a bit before, about only putting things on that are relevant and you will complete. But I want to take it a step further and say that you shouldn’t put too much on your To-Do list even when you have a lot that has to get done. I am talking about genuine priorities, as well.

The reason for this is that you will add unnecessary stress by having a To-Do list that is full of so much you will feel incapable of getting it all done. Instead, you should limit it to maybe five or seven items. Once you finish that list, if there is more to do you can make a new one. Doing it this way will make it all seem more achievable.

Customize It To Your Preferences

Once you get past high priority issues that have to be dealt with, you have the rest of your list that doesn’t really match up in importance. That is where you can customize the tasks according to your personal preference.

I prefer to do the harder tasks first and then save the easier items on my list for the very end. That makes it easier to work my way through the list and take it easy as I get closer to the end of my day, when I am inevitably more tired. But other people do it the opposite, or interchange.

Conclusion

Making a To-Do list is an excellent way to keep up with tasks, organize projects and keep yourself on the ball. But sometimes it takes we have a tendency to do it the wrong way, and so there are fewer benefits in the effort. Don’t fall into that trap…try these ten tips to make the most out of your organization attempts.

Growth is important, but you should focus on growing profitably.  Failing to focus on profitable and sustainable growth can actually destroy a great business. In fact, according to post published in the New York Times this past year, out-of-control-growth is the third biggest reason why businesses fail. It’s quite possibly the single biggest reason why great businesses fail.

There are a number of reasons why a great business can fail to grow profitably. When you are growing your company, you must avoid making the following mistakes:

Lack of resources

Many businesses dream that they double their customer base overnight. As tempting as that sounds, you should ask yourself if you are able to serve all these customers. Do you have the manpower, physical capital and cash to serve all these customers?

Sometimes you are just going to have to say no to customers. Telling a customer that you can’t take any new clients now may not be easy, but it is better than doing a shoddy job or missing deadlines when you start spreading yourself too thin. However, I would encourage them to be in touch when you aren’t as busy. They may not need your work by the time you free up, but if they do they will remember that you are in demand and can manage your commitments responsibly.

Expanding into markets with no potential

You can’t suck blood out of a stone. I have no idea where that phrase came from, but I at least understand what it means to entrepreneurs. Some markets just aren’t profitable. You can spend time, energy and lots of capital reaching them. Why waste so much of your time and money reaching a customer base that doesn’t have the need or means to buy your product or service? It would make much more sense to stay small and serve the customers that are going to pay off for you.

Not being able to meet cash flow

You can’t run a business without cash. You can bring in lots of sales with good profit margins. The problem is that many business models depend on customers who will be paying after you have delivered your products. If your business pays on net 60, you will need to wait up to two months before many of your customers pay you. Even longer if they are delinquent on their payments.

You will also need to wait until you are able to finish delivering their work. In the meantime, you will have to pay all your own expenses on time.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is going right for a really big client. While going for the big fish can be tempting, it can also be really costly. Filling the needs for bigger clients usually requires more of an investment and it may take a lot longer to pay off. You may find it takes six months or longer to deliver for a corporate client and they may not give you an advance no matter how much you ask.

You need to plan your cash cycle so that you can meet all your expense obligations while expanding. Sometimes you are going to face an opportunity you can’t say no to. I wouldn’t pass it up, but I must warn you not to take it until you know how you are going to be able to manage your cash flow. If you are going to take on a huge project, you may need to take out a loan to meet your expenses if you know you aren’t going to get paid for a long time.

One other thing: make sure a new account has a track record for paying their bills. Some businesses that promise big payments for your work may stiff you at the end.

Functional limitations with a market

You may have heard that many people in your industry are making a killing serving clients in Japan or marketing to New York commercial real estate brokers. Clearly, you may face some great growth opportunities doing that. What’s the catch?

These are very complex markets to be dealing with. Your competitors may have connections and knowledge about an industry that you are not privy to. Unless you have the money to hire a consultant with the expertise in those markets, you should avoid pursuing them. Going after them will only be a cash drain.

Growing too quickly has destroyed plenty of businesses. As sad as it is for any business to fail, it is most depressing when an entrepreneur fails because they were too good at what they did. Don’t let yourself fall into this trap. Make sure you plan your growth so that you stay profitable and never have to worry about getting in over your head.

License and registration fees

The license and registration fees you’ll be expected to pay will vary depending on the county, city and state in which you plan to operate your start-up. The type of business you’re going to run will also affect how much you’ll have to pay to maintain the proper documents. Federal industry regulations and local policies can affect your start-up costs in different ways. When planning to start a new business, thoroughly review license and registration expectations at the city, state and federal levels. You’ll then be able to use this knowledge to accurately budget for all of the permits and licenses you’ll need.

Surety bonds

Government agencies require most business owners to purchase surety bond insurance before they can get a business license. Government agencies use surety bonds to ensure that business owners do their jobs according to industry regulations. Bonds also reassure customers that they are working with a reliable company.Unfortunately, many new businesses overlook surety bond costs until they find out they have to purchase one.

Depending on the type of bond you need, surety bond premiums can range anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars each year. Similar to licensing, your business location will influence the bond rate. For example, when purchasing a surety bond in Illinois, you’ll likely pay a different premium than when purchasing one in California. The owner’s personal financial credentials will also impact your surety bond rate. As a general rule, the stronger the application, the lower the rate.

Technology

No matter what industry your business falls under, you’ll most likely need to budget for some technology costs. Entrepreneurs often don’t realize the costs associated with these basic technological services as they’re so often taken for granted. The type of equipment you need for your start-up will vary depending on your specific needs.

At the very least, you’ll probably need a computer or two with online access that allows you to connect with customers. Some other needs might include company cell phones, data entry software and other miscellaneous devices. Although these tools can help you manage your business more efficiently, they often come with a steep price. Not to mention the fact that upkeep can cost more than you might expect, so be prepared when planning your initial budget.

Utilities

Lighting, heating, cooling and water bills can pile up quickly, especially for start-ups that require large facilities. These costs can be even greater for enterprises that operate in harsh weather climates.

Although you need to plan for these expenses when first opening your new business, you’ll also need to be prepared to have funding set aside for these costs on a yearly basis. To minimize financial setbacks, not to mention legal trouble, be sure to keep up with these costs and pay all bills on time. Doing so will save you time, money and headaches later on.

It took him almost 4 years to create a solution: a prefabricated paper bag that was easy to use and strong enough to carry up to 75 pounds of groceries. Within 3 years, the company was selling more than a million shopping bags a year.

But here’s the thing: Walter didn’t invent the Deubner Shopping bag. The difference between innovation and invention is that innovation refers to the use of a new idea or method, whereas invention refers more directly to the creation of the idea or method itself.

And contrary to popular belief, innovations don’t occur in a “light bulb” moment. There is a specific methodology for innovation that world leaders use.

So what do these bright minds know that most people don’t? Well, here are 5 common mistakes entrepreneurs make when it comes to innovation:

1. Failing To Ask Questions

If you ask focused questions and listen carefully, employees, customers, suppliers, and even your competitors can provide insight and inspiration. Here are a few ideas on how to do that:

• Spend time observing. Most entrepreneurs are so busy building their products, they never took the time Walter did, observing their customers in real life.

• Look at what your competitors are doing. There’s a good chance you can improve on what they are doing simply because you have a fresh pair of eyes on the matter.

• Conduct surveys of both your employees and your customers. Surveying is a tried and true method but most companies never got it right. Surveys need to be conducted, analyzed and implemented in a timely manner.

Imagine launching a campaign and analyzing surveys one year later – which many companies do, by the way.

2. Lack of Courage

No innovation that changed the world succeeds the first around. Read that again.

If your idea doesn’t work the first time, know that it may work in ways you never expected. Post-It Notes, for example, was attempting to manufacture a new, super strong glue. The formula failed, but the failed product was converted to a successful adhesive that became phenomenal success of Post-It Notes.

Have too much to risk it? Here are two things you can do:

• Work on the innovative project on the side, as a hobby. And if it turns out to be successful, you can then promote it as a full-on project.

• Run a small scale version of the project, with barebones functionality. All you want at this point is get a feel of the reaction. Almost all innovations start like this. Think of Facebook when it first launched.

3. Lack of Commitment

Often business owners have, what could be a great idea, but they set it aside to deal with the daily grind of operating their business. They believed that coming up with a new idea to improve their business is the hard part. Wrong!

If anything, that’s the easy part. Ideas are a dime a dozen. The difference between a great idea and an idea that skyrockets your business is implementation. Walter spent 4 years to do that.

But in the time meantime, he didn’t abandon other parts of his business. He started the project on the side and he started small – part of the reason why is because small projects require small commitment, and therefore have a higher chance of lasting through difficult times.

4. Complacency

Too frequently executives and business owners become satisfied with the status quo. Why worry or risk profits trying to “reinvent the wheel”? It’s a problem called complacency.

All innovations originates for an unquenchable thirst to do things better. And once the leader – you – becomes satisfied with the way things are, it’s almost impossible to innovate. Why?

Because innovating is a painful process. It involves changing the way things work, endless hours of implementation and continuously adjusting and improving the new product.

Ask yourself this simple question: would you go through all that if you’re happy with the way things are?

5. Restrictive Thinking

All rules come with an exception, we teach in our business management courses. Making business decisions based on numbers is a great practice, but even then, not all decisions CAN be made based on numbers.

If the available market research does not validate the endeavor, many business owners reject the idea as unworkable. This kind of restrictive thinking results in the death of many fine ideas.

Steve Jobs, for example, is famous for making minute changes to the details of all Apple products. He’s also famous for insisting on using the best materials only. Could he have told the impact of all those individual changes on the bottom line? Absolutely not. Yet those changes, despite costing Apple millions of dollars and months of delay, got implemented. Steve Jobs knew, intuitively, that these things matter, even if they couldn’t tell yet.

Thumbnail by Laszlo

Traveling and immersing yourself in other cultures is key to making a great first impression in business. The younger you start learning about other places, the less likely your chances of speaking over the British national anthem while the Queen watches you (sorry, Barack Obama).

Here are a few ways travel can help entrepreneurs avoid public humiliation, and grow in the process:

1. Challenge and hone your problem solving skills.

Traveling allows you to broaden your horizons and discover new ideas and ways of doing things. And, let’s be honest, “stuff” happens and problems are magnified when you’re traveling. You can gain problem-solving skills anywhere, from the airport to your client’s desk. If your wallet gets stolen while you’re on the subway in a foreign country, your problem-solving skills will expand exponentially – you have to solve the problem, then and there. You’ll find resources you didn’t know existed, and remembering how calmly you reacted will make it easier to stay calm when your most annoying client emails you ten times a day.

2. Gain independence, but remember to mingle

Whether you’re told to step or think outside the box, people still want you outside said box. Traveling allows you to broaden your horizons. We all have a tendency, especially when we’re younger, to listen to others’ ideas before our own. Moving around gets you in touch with what you think, not what the dominant culture is constantly feeding you.
Beyond that, travel teaches you to manage on your own. This is important for would-be entrepreneurs. You’ll learn to find your own accommodations, make your own food, and navigate your way through different places. Nothing gives you confidence faster.

Don’t let this trick you into thinking that travel is a solo venture. On the contrary, visiting other places forces you to meet new people and engage others, which are essential in business. Interacting continuously is a great business experience that most executives earn as they move up the food chain. Get your experience now.

3. Develop real relationships

When you travel, who you meet impacts your business. You never know who you’re going to meet, and you never know how your experiences can help you make a connection. A few days ago, an author emailed me ranting about a decision from our editors. I noticed he teaches not far from where we lived in Vietnam. Because I could relate to where he lived, I was able to reconnect with this author and ease the situation by using our proximity to break the tension. Having something positive to talk about changes the tone of these conversations and allows us to develop a rapport with our clients. Proving you care about doing right by your business – and your clients – gives you a leg up on the competition.

4. Think proactively

It’s okay to travel for fun; everyone deserves a break. Strategically planning trips to understand cultures can give you a leg up, so don’t travel just for the enjoyment of it. You must define what it is you want to do with your business, and then decide if traveling is necessary and beneficial. Think long-term about where your company might go, both in a business sense and a physical one. Spending lots of money to go to Carnival in Brazil sounds fun, but it sounds less fun when you can’t finance your annual business trip to Iowa. (Brazil gives you beads, but Iowa gives you leads. Repeat that mantra as often as necessary!)

5. Give yourself an edge

Showing that you are dedicated enough to your profession to travel across the world is a statement in itself to your potential clients that you are serious about what you’re doing. Much of my work is with India, many of my teammates are Indian, and we outsource to India, so it made sense for me to travel to India. Think about it: you and I are both bidding for the same job, and if I travel to India and sit down with a potential client while you just talk on the phone, it gives me an advantage. Travel can help you land more clients and contacts.

Traveling and gathering knowledge beyond your own corner of the world is valuable in making you a smarter businessperson and a better decision-maker. Whether you realize it yet or not, the world is made up of people who have the same beliefs you do – and just as many people who don’t share any of your beliefs. By visiting other places, you’re more likely to make a good impression on your intercultural colleagues. If nothing else, it increases the chances that if you throw up in someone’s lap, it will be a friend’s.

Employees are crucial, and you need to keep them. Employees need to be treated like the valuable assets they are. Otherwise, you’ll lose a trained and integral piece of your business to a competitor who isn’t afraid to show appreciation and respect to employees.

Stand up in your leadership position and demonstrate an “attitude of gratitude” when dealing with employees in order to fight off a negative and resentful workplace vibe that eats away at productivity.

Values drive decisions, decisions drive behaviors, and behaviors drive results

Employees are human beings. They each have their own emotional and internal drivers, or values, that motivate them to do the things they do. If you want to work in harmony with others in a way that yields the best results, you should be cognizant and honor the top values of the people you work with. It shows respect, consideration, and good leadership.

Approximately 80% of a person’s decisions are based on emotion, not reason. Go into your management position recognizing the need for a large degree of both emotional and social intelligence.

Personal values drive decisions and decisions drive behaviors; therefore, it inevitably becomes behaviors that yield professional results. Taking the time to appreciate an employee’s internal drivers will promote a healthy and productive workplace.

Why leaders need to show the love to employees

-       Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, repeatedly warns that people will inevitably lash out when they do not feel loved. Neglect leads to a drain on a person’s energy, and his ability to run at peak performance is ruined. Remember, employees are human and need to be treated as such.

-       When employees do not feel like their work is appreciated, results suffer, morale decreases, and as a result, turnover increases. A high turnover rate reflects horribly on a business. Avoid it with an attitude of appreciation and respect amongst employees.

-       You know that invisible energy that surrounds a company and drives corporate culture? It has an unparalleled affect on employee performance and loyalty. If employees enjoy going to work every day and feel valued, they’re much less likely to leave you in the lurch by accepting another position elsewhere.

-       Ever held a position within a negative corporate culture? Unappreciated workers feel justified in sharing how they feel at the water cooler, and negativity spreads like a virus. Undervaluing employees can create a resentful culture that leaves a venomous undercurrent in an organization, which serves as a dark force against a business’s goals. Prevent this corporate sickness by just showing a little love and gratitude to the people working for you.

How to Fight the Negative Force

 Learn: Take each employee through a personal values sorting exercise or discussion to determine his or her top internal motivators. You become a better leader by learning about each employee and how to personally motivate him or her. It also allows a new culture to blossom in which employees are open, transparent, and authentic about what drives them.

Plan: Create a corporate policy that requires effective and positive communication. Yes, this will not always work, so encourage employees to find a trusted “vent buddy” to blow off steam. Venting privately is healthy. Bitter water cooler talk is contagious. Prevent it.

Organize: Align people with tasks that work in harmony with their top values and strengths so friction is reduced and energy is best utilized.

Demonstrate: You’re their leader. Model the kinds of behaviors that elevate people on a personal level. Remember, behavior drives results.

Use your brand as a sign of expertise

A brand portrays an expertise, or legitimacy, to potential customers. If all customers see is a plain old company name, they usually move on to something else. Think of when you walk through any retail store. You see a product with just the word “jeans” written on them and you will most likely move on until you see a recognizable brand like “Levi’s.” This choice stems from your preconceived opinion on the product based on the brand.

What you want people to do is to see your brand and stop to look. A brand name can be comforting. For example, it can convey quality in a product and buyer’s remorse can instantly be minimized. This is what a great brand can give your customers—guilt free shopping!

Use the mistakes of others to your advantage

Most likely you are not going to be the first in your field. This is a good thing. The first company to do what you are attempting to do was picked apart in the marketplace. Every blemish and issue was brought to the surface for the world to see and review. Take advantage of this. Study and examine those blemishes and issues, compare and contrast them to your brand and learn everything you can from them. Go out, pound the pavement and look for your competitor’s customers. Find out what they love about your competitor’s brand and what they wish was better. Use your brand to highlight what your company can do as opposed to competitors.

Use your brand to create transparency

Think about why people hate big businesses. People commonly view big businesses as heartless or shady. It’s because big business isn’t just big, it’s huge! When a corporation becomes that large, they lose touch with their customer base and the relationships that were forged to build the business and brand are now gone.

Startups can utilize their brand to prevent this big business problem. You have the unique advantage of being small enough to stay connected with your customers. Keep them in the dialogue you are having with your business partners and about the future of your brand. People are more comfortable buying a product that they feel they had some say in creating. Satisfied customers are repeat customers, and repeat customers tell their friends!

Pedal to the metal

Pedal to the metal, full steam ahead, damn the torpedoes…whatever saying you prefer! Now that you have your brand and you’ve identified the holes in the market and the mistakes of others in your field, you’re ready to go for it. Now is the time to find and solidify your place in the market and get your brand out there. Remember our keys outlined above; use your brand as a sign of expertise, use the mistakes of others, and create transparency. If you keep moving forward with your brand in mind and those keys close in your hip pocket, you will be on your way to making your name in the market through your brand.