How to Sabotage Your Small Business
This article is Part of Business 101: The Career Crucials series.
Whether or not you agree with Donald Trump's politics or hairstyle choice, there's no denying that the man is successful. Here's someone who figured out, through trial and error, how to avoid the traps that sabotage a business. I look at what he's learned over the years, and see how it could all go tragically wrong if we don't heed the same lessons.
"If you don't have the motivation and the enthusiasm, your great idea will simply sit on top of your desk or inside your head and go nowhere."
Be lazy or be a flake. You might have the best idea, but if you don't follow through, you will not be taken seriously. Call or show up when expected and keep your word. Otherwise, clients and colleagues will stop taking you and your ideas seriously.
"You have to think anyway, so why not think big?"
Act small and you'll stay small. If you keep thinking you're just a small solopreneur or business owner, that's how you'll be perceived. To get out of this mindset, read the E Myth.
"I have made tough decisions, always with an eye toward the bottom line."
Ignore your finances and you will end up with no money. Cash flow is important. There will be times when you have to make difficult decisions, ones that you worry might hinder your creative process, because you need to keep focused on finances. This will be temporary. It's better to slow down than to end up coming to a screeching halt. Be honest with yourself and if you need to, refocus on cash-generating ideas for the moment.
"In the end you're measured not by how much you undertake but
by what you actually accomplish."
Focus on too many things at once and nothing will be accomplished. At the end of the day, small things don't matter. Organize your days so that you target the big picture and don't get distracted by petty or unimportant issues.
"I'm a bit of a P.T. Barnum. I make stars out of everyone."
Ignore the contributions of others and you will find yourself playing in your own sandbox. Trump may not be a paragon of courtesy, but he understands that even in a dog-eat-dog world, you should include others and highlight their assets. Be considerate of others and you will find the road to success better paved.
"Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war."
Take business too personally and you will lose perspective. Don't get too attached to holding on to every piece of your business, even if you feel it's your "baby." Look at it this way - owning 51% of a 5 million dollar company is better than 100% of a $100,000 one. Sometimes you need to give some to get more.
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Wow.. This is an eye-opening piece, Heidi.. MOst of the negative notions above were what caused my previous small business to fail.. It clearly reminded me that I was a novice and had no regard to rules like contributions and finances.. This one clearly opened my mind.
I get fired up whenever I get to see my profit moving at a snail’s pace. So I think of all the strategies and ask for advice from my fellow co-owners to make sure that something would be done to make our business more profitable.
Thanks for the lessons in preventing a sabotage in my career as a businesswoman. I used to think less of my business, not really into expanding, but then I realize, where’s my future in that kind of thinking? Act small, stay small.. well, to heck with that! I’m thinking big now!
I’m no Donald Trumpp (yet) but I know I’m gonna build an empire soon. It’s not too late to get fired up in a business, especially when I’m just starting. Thanks for this important pieces of advice, Heidi!
why oh why would I sabotage my own business? I don’t get it… Or is this one of the so-called reverse psychology technique? either way, I am learning from this piece of yours, Trumpp!
Wise words and sayings from the man whom Apprentices want to impress. Trumpp had greatly proven his worth in the industry, so whatever he says would surely impact entrepreneurs like me.
Wise words to get fired up, now that’s more I like it. Thanks for sharing this..
“you’re measured by not how much you undertake but by what you have accomplished. ”
very well said! I like this!
Wise words from The Trumpp, thumbs up for him! Just reading his words already inspired me and fired me up on my business..
why not think big? yes, why not? that’s really something I should always put to mind. Thanks for this Heidi!
Wow, wise words from The Trumpp himself! I think I’ve heard those phrases before when I used to watch The Apprentice, and I must say, he always knows the right words to say! Big thanks for the share 🙂
Just what I needed today. Fired up ! Thanks for the uplift 🙂
Well, those words proved to be helpful, seeing how successful Trumpp has become!
Why would I sabotage my small business in the first place? Oh sorry, I was just a little confused at first… I understood the topic now. 🙂
Thanks for sharing these. Although I don’t have small business yet, these tips and wise words would surely come in handy!
Focus on too many things at once and nothing will be accomplished. = THIS IS VERY TRUE.. I don’t know how long I have realized this, but really, when I realized I’ve been focusing most of my energy on most things that really don’t matter to my present work, I always end up finishing nothing.. sad but true.. I wish I could be more diligent and more mature at work.. Wish me luck!
We all have our ups and downs, like The Trumpp, but knowing that he shares what he has learned to his people is something admirable. I very much like what he said here, Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war. – so so true! sometime we have to get beaten and experience losing to know what to do next and allow it to change your attitude to make it better..
“Act small and you’ll stay small” – oh this had been proven true multiple times. I know a lot of people who think this way and stayed just because they prefer to be low profiled. I don’t know if it’s right or wrong to think small, but in my own opinion, it is better to think big, act big, to be able to make it big in the future.
While I am not a supporter of the politician side of Trump, I admire the man for his hard work and dedication to his company and the idealism he imparts to those who want to succeed. Thank you for this engaging post.