Perfect Business > Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs

Polish It Until It Shines

So you’re already a member of the business world, but do you own the business that you’ve always wanted? If not, what is standing in your way? What makes your business different than your ideal pursuit?

Perfect Business provides you the tools to bridge the gap between reality and your ideal standing in the business world.

Investor Information

Existing businesses should continually evaluate both cash flow and expected capital needs. Many businesses run into timing issues when customers don't pay quickly, but bills keep arriving on time. Anticipation and preparation for these challenges will help your business run more smoothly.

Most fledgling entrepreneurs consider raising capital from only four sources:

Personal funds - savings or home equity
Outside investors - family, friends or angel/venture capital investors
Business loans - SBA guarantee or secured bank loans
Credit - credit cards or business purchases on credit

View our PB Investor Center where you can view great videos from Investors!

Ready...Set...Grow!

Use our 7 Keys to Success to guide you as you sharpen your business strategy for future growth. Get back to the basics by focusing on a clear vision. Refresh your outlook and widen your network by interacting with other users through the PB forum.

Leadership and Management

Check out our articles section to find some tried and true leadership and management strategies. Above all, it important to know the difference between leadership and management, and to understand the necessity of both. A business owner who sees himself or herself as merely a business manager might handle day-to-day affairs with ease but likely lacks the focus, vision, and supportiveness necessary to prompt company growth. A leader, on the other hand, looks confidently toward the future direction of the business. A leader communicates well with others and maximizes their individual potential by empowering them to achieve greatness. A great leader must also have managerial skills as well, however. Without the ability to effectively direct others and enforce existing protocol, a leader cannot be successful. In order to head a successful business, it is important to understand these similarities and differences and to incorporate both roles into your company strategy.

Interviewing 101: Best Interviewing Tips

Have a plan. Write out questions and follow-up questions before the interview begins.
Never ask yes or no questions. Ask “why” or “how” instead. These words gather you more information than just a simple one-word reply.
Ask questions honestly and respond to answers in a genuine way. Just be yourself!
Start off with the easy questions to set a comfortable pace, and then ask questions that require more in-depth and personal responses.
Listen. This one sounds simple, but it’s one of the more difficult tips to employ. Make sure that you’re listening so that you can form a great follow-up question. Stay on top of the conversation; don’t let it get ahead of you.
Silence can be a good thing. It can prompt the interviewee to think more deeply and elaborate.
Show your appreciation. Thank the person for their time and patience. This shows a level of professionalism and preparedness.

Sales and Marketing

Marketing is one of the 7 Keys to Success because it is a necessary part of running a successful business. Without marketing, how would you attract new consumers? Marketing includes all of the actions taken to promote a business. These can include things like branding, advertising, sampling, events, and product placement, among others. It is important to evaluate your target audience and to choose your marketing techniques wisely, as you want to reach as many new customers as possible in the most cost-effective manner.

This video describes some effective PR and social marketing tactics that are free: PR and Social marketing Tactics that Work

Another Key to Success is product or service. In order to offer a product or a service to customers, you must know the ins and outs of what you’re selling. You must be able to describe its value to your target market and differentiate it from similar products or services in order to remain competitive. It is important to be clear and consistent and the continuously re-evaluate your product or service and it’s standing in the market. Is your product meeting the needs of the market? If not, how you can you better meet these needs and anticipate future ones, as well?