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CONTACT SCBJ Kurt Batdorf, Editor kbatdorf@scbj.com

Hard-won lessons for lasting biz success

By Alice Cunningham
Guest Columnist

Take this list to nearest mirror, look yourself in the eye and consider the path to success you are traveling to grow your business. Just a few meaningful changes can result in a smoother journey and a faster road to success. This I know for sure based on more than 30 years of experience in the entrepreneurial trenches.

* Mistake No. 1 — addicted to being right: If you’re ultra-competitive, watch for signs that you argue every point to the death — right or wrong. Make a practice of listening to every side of an argument. Owning a business does not make you right about everything. What’s the point in having a staff that agrees with you 100 percent?

* Mistake No. 2 — being a control freak: You know if you’re a control freak. You can’t delegate, you’re a workaholic and you are picky about every detail. The ONLY way to grow your business is to find people who are better than you are at every task, let them do it and manage the results. To grow, you’ll have to find great people and delegate or work 100 hours a week.

* Mistake No. 3 — having a captious personality: Are you quick to point out the trivial faults in other people and never give compliments? If you bask in the negative and focus on pointing out the problems, nip this tendency now. Make a habit of praising the good. Take a trip from animal trainers who reward their subjects for doing the desired behavior. Be lavish with praise and short but to the point with criticism.

* Mistake No. 4 — blaming other people: Accept personal accountability in yourself. Insist on it from those who work for you. If you blame your staff, outside forces, competitors, the economy, etc. for all of your woes, you’ll never accomplish what you set out to do. Problems are a normal part of doing business. A business is never going to be perfect. Take the blame and move on.

* Mistake No. 5 — seeing the trees and not the forest: If you’re mired in the day-to-day with every detail demanding your attention, step back, dust off that vision and set bigger goals. See the greater good.

* Mistake No. 6 — possessing a careless tongue: Do you have a careless tongue? Are you prone to gossip and addicted to using sarcasm? If you find that you simply can’t hold back inappropriate comments that are better left unsaid, now’s the time to take stock. Just because you are the owner doesn’t give you a license to say anything about or to your employees, suppliers or staff. Set an example for your staff by holding every confidence to yourself, respecting everyone and treating others as you’d like to be treated. Think of Switzerland. Be neutral.

* Mistake No. 7 — having a lack of balance in your life: Entrepreneurs who have a lack of balance in their lives are usually workaholics. You may be addicted to your work and forgoing all of life’s pleasures. Get off that dead-end track now. Your business will prosper as you allow yourself to be more of a whole person. Remember this adage: No one ever says on their deathbed that they wish they spent more time at the office. You’ll get your best ideas when you’re away from the day-to-day. Relax.

* Mistake No. 8 — expressing uncontrolled anger: Do you blow up at your employees? If you have no self-control and often allow your anger to get the better of you, you’ll leave a trail of hurt feelings and animosity in your wake. Take a deep breath. Go walk around the block. Words spoken harshly during a blow-up can produce no good results. It will take thousands of words of praise to begin to undo one blast of uncontrolled anger.

* Mistake No. 9 — taking yourself too seriously: If you’re always turned on, can’t loosen up and take every little thing seriously, you’re in for trouble. Most people want to be in a workplace filled with humor and respect. Laughing at yourself is actually good for you. Lighten up.

* Mistake No. 10 — are you a victim of the “slot machine” syndrome? This is the practice of pulling a handle and wishing that money would fall out of the machine. Because of all the marketing hype about easy ways to succeed, falling for this can be a dangerous and costly habit. The only sure way to success is goal setting, consistent hard work and patience.

Alice Cunningham is co-owner of Olympic Hot Tub Co., an award-winning company with 31 years of business success. She speaks often to professional groups about entrepreneurial success. Reach her at alice@olympichottub.com or by phone at 206-286-0700. Visit the company’s Web site at www.olympichottub.com.