As an executive, owner, leader – you always want to grow. How can we get more customers? How do we increase our market share? How do we grow our team? While that is the name of our fast-paced capitalist game, let’s not forget about the basics. To a tango dancer, it’s the basic walk, essential before the flamboyance we see in film. For a new employee, its consistency and reliability, before you blow your boss out of the water with your ideas and innovation. For a teenager, it’s showing you can mind your grades, before you’re allowed to party. You get the picture. Without the basics, your vision has a weak foundation on which to rest.\n\nHere are a list of Top 10 things executives and entrepreneurs often forget. (Surprise! This blog is not about strategy.)\n\n1. Be Nice\n\nPeople like to work with people they like. That not only means your clients, but also your partners and employees. Keep a pleasant, open disposition that encourages communication and camaraderie.\n\n2. Follow Up Quickly\n\nRemember when you just started? How you jumped on every lead and card? Just because you’re established doesn’t mean you should discard the enthusiasm and responsiveness that got you where you are. Have a meeting, met someone new? Follow up within a day – even if it’s to let them know additional thoughts are coming.\n\n3. Don’t Spend Money You Don’t Have\n\nWhile I know lines of credits are necessary to operate a business, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Unnecessary debt makes you inflexible to market demands and unable to scale back when times are tight. Play it safe and bootstrap when necessary, saving your credit for critical investments.\n\n4. Talk to Your Customers\n\nSometimes you get so busy serving your customers you forget to take their temperature. How do they feel about your company? Are they happy? Is something happening in their lives (professional or otherwise) that you can help them with? Be a sport and pick up the phone.\n\n5. Focus\n\nThe more you know the more opportunities arise. Maybe I could do this? Maybe I could do that? A healthy amount of diversification is recommended, however most of your time should be spent on that that you do best. (See Brandon’s blog for more on that.)\n\n6. Mind Your Receivables\n\nOne of my very first clients taught me a valuable lesson – no matter how big you get, when it comes to receivables, you are always a small business. It’s easy to get carried away networking, planning and doing all the awesome things you do. But don’t forget, if the money isn’t flowing, you can’t get anything else done. Be proactive and forward with your receivables. Get to know your customers’ processes and people to get money in on time.\n\n7. Shut the F*** Up\n\nA partner of mine said it perfect the other day – “it’s time for a little shut the fuck up time.” Seriously, we all know you’re smart – that’s why you’re at the table. But talking incessantly doesn’t make you look better. Listening and asking questions does because it enables you to come up with solutions and show interest.\n\n8. Follow Your Gut…\n\nIf it doesn’t feel right, it’s not. NUFF SAID. Cut it out and move on to bigger and better things.\n\n9. Take a Minute\n\nEmotions are natural and beautiful, but don’t let them get costly. Whether it’s a difficult client or a challenging opportunity, don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Take a minute, go for a walk, hit the gym or whatever. Think through the situation, look at it from all perspectives before you make a move.\n\n10. Ask for the Business\n\nYou’ve heard this. And I am saying it again. Don’t forget that you’re in the game to play. No one’s going to guess what you want. One of my favorite clients is heading up a multi-million dollar, multi-faceted dynamic operation. If anyone is busy it’s him. But he never ever forgets to ask for the sale. And guess what? He gets it every time!
