Business Wisdom Podcast

Every Business has a Point of Difference. Knowing what that Point of Difference is, gives you a huge advantage. In every industry in every product there are many who - on the face of it - do the same thing, produce the same product/service to deal with the same basic issue. What makes you different? What is the difference in the customer you serve? Identifying what the difference is can make a tremendous difference to the ease with which your business runs. Dealing with your ideal customer. Having more customers in less time. Having fewer issues to deal with means your time and energy is more profitable. A more profitable business typically means a more relaxed and content business owner. In marketing we often hear about demographics, reach, and audience share, but it all comes down to a simple principle: knowing who your customer is, what they need, and telling them you can provide it. And therefore, listening to and communicating with the customer is imperative to selling. It's a three-way interplay of hearing their needs, providing the service/tool to meet them, and showing them you can. The most important of all is succinctly explaining that you can provide the outcome the customer wants. Knowing how to express this is what makes the difference between hard work and easily identifying your ideal customer, identifying the need and fulfilling the customer's wish. Take the time to examine your business to give yourself the clarity to have the business you want. •What is it that you really do? •What is the key outcome your customer wants? •What is the key outcome you deliver? •What is that binds your customer's outcome and your delivery together? Discover your point of difference with me https://enevergroup.com.au/booking-clive

Being aware of what your SWOT analysis indicates, will keep you away from stress, help align your view of your business with the view held by your clients and also has you more present. Let us take a few moments to work through the factors affecting your business. •What are our strengths? •What are our weaknesses? •What are our opportunities? •What are our threats? And do a quick SWOT together in this episode. As a business owner it is easy to get tied up working in the business and to forget working on the business and this is where the Business Wisdom Deck comes in. The Business Wisdom Deck is designed by business strategist Clive Enever and inside you will find 50 actionable tips to help you focus on and grow your business. https://www.enevergroup.com.au/product/business-wisdom-deck/

Growth is happening all around. Even as some businesses are shrinking, others are experiencing strong and continuing growth.

Growth can equal more jobs; if it does, it can also mean higher staff costs.

But sometimes well-handled growth can be about better utilising and training your staff, implementing the right systems, procedures and lines of communication to take the business to the next level.

Size doesn't necessarily equate to success. There are plenty of businesses where proprietors have invested heavily in making their business bigger, only to find at the end of the day the financial return doesn't meet their expectations.

The solution is to know exactly where your growth is occurring or is likely to and invest strategically when required.

Growth can equal more revenue. But the likelihood is it will also require a financial response, whether that's larger premises, higher staffing levels or an investment in better tracking technology.

Growth can be organic in nature but sometimes it needs a concerted effort. This is where intimate knowledge of your market, emerging trends and growing areas pays off. That way instead of just responding to growth, you make a calculated estimate of what will happen and put yourself at the forefront of the game.

Of all the things to consider - and there are many - when asking, "will I grow the business, or will I keep it the way it is", the most important consideration might be the advice from someone not directly involved in the business.

There are many myths around growth and seeing the business as it really is compared to the dream, can save much heartache and have you achieve where you want to be. Seeking advice from someone not directly involved can shine a light on many things which might otherwise slip by under the radar.

Therefore, planning is the key, to know what to expect, what will be required and to budget for the growth leap period.

Whatever your goals happen to be an activity schedule is relevant and essential to achieving them. If you are accustomed to setting goals and then achieving them, you are probably well versed in establishing an activity schedule directly related to the goal. If you are not, then it is time to identify what activity will deliver the goal and then begin the activity. Or perhaps you are one who doesn't understand setting goals and how to achieve them. If this is you, choose something you really, really want to have as an outcome. Now set about the how to achieve part. Begin with a time frame. When do you want this? Is this time frame realistic? That is, is it possible to achieve the outcome you desire within the time you have set? If not, set a realistic time. If it is you are already well on the way to understanding what activity is required to achieve the goal. If you are having difficulty following the above, then just find something you want. Set your mind to achieving it and take action - any action that will take you toward the goal. As you take more actions toward the goal you will begin to relate outcomes to the action taken. This will allow you to be more precise in establishing the right actions to deliver the goal you set yourself. Set yourself some goals and a plan to achieve them. • What are your top 5 goals? • What actions do you need to take to achieve them? • What are your key performance indicators to ensure you are on target to reach these goals? • What will you measure (KPI), or what have you already measured and what are the adjustments you'll make? • How do you intend to simplify your role, prevent overwhelm and expand your goals?

What do you see when you look at changed circumstances? Some see problems and issues while others see challenges and still others see opportunity. The interesting thing about changing circumstances is that they all carry opportunity. Sometimes the opportunity is for you and sometimes it is for someone else. The skill is in knowing you and your business so well that you can tell the difference. Recognising whether circumstances are carrying an opportunity for you or for someone else is the difference between taking action and advantage from the situation or understanding there is no need for you to do anything. Not recognising this can lead to procrastination, poor decision making and stagnation. Remember that circumstances only appear as challenges if we doubt our ability to overcome them. And what is, is. What is, really doesn't matter. What matters is how we react to what is. Knowing what you are about and seeing the circumstances around you from that perspective allows you to move toward your goals with a minimum of fuss. Want to work with me to make the most of your change

More and more small business owners are talking about overwhelm. Quite simply, they're feeling the strain of trying to accomplish too many tasks in too little time.

And they're far from alone in this sentiment. A National Australia Bank survey found just under half of all small to medium business operators felt overwhelmed by the day-to-day of running a business.

3 talking points:

•What is overwhelm

•The seven strategies to address it

•The benefits to your business of nipping overwhelm in the bud

If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's time to work out where your attention should be focused. You can book a discovery call with me at enevergroup.com.au/booking-clive to discuss where to from here.

Listening is a very important skill in business and is essential to every conversation we have. Good listening skills allow us to hear what is actually being said and open up the door for even more communication from the person we are conversing with.

Verbal communication involves both speaking and listening. Listening is key to effective working relationships among employees and between management and staff. Listening skills also impact a company's interaction with customers and other businesses.

In this episode we explore

•The business benefits of really listening to both staff and customers

•The three ways to improve your listening skills (don't pre-judge, don't interrupt, listen for ideas not just words)

•How to foster a listening culture in your business

In both life and business, when it comes to setting goals they are not created in a vacuum. They should be viewed within the context of the values you espouse. Why? Because when the goals align with the values, they are more achievable. They become the stepping stones that get you where you want to go. So, let's delve a little deeper into the relationship between goals and values, and how you can ensure they align. In this episode we will explore: •The difference between values and goals (definitions) •Defining your personal and business values (questions to ask yourself) •Translating that into SMART goals then actionable habits For more insight into the art of defining your values and setting goals book a discovery call with me here https://www.enevergroup.com.au/booking-clive/

The end of the calendar year is upon us - a time to take a break. relax, recharge and rejuvenate. For many that means a time of celebration. For some it is a time of holiday. For most businesses, this time of year means a slowing of activity. That means an opportunity to relax. Use the time to set up your next year of activity. Return to the business in the new year relaxed refreshed revitalised. New opportunities will likely appear in great number through next year and the best way to recognise them is by being prepared. If we are stressed, anxious or worried opportunity can slip by unnoticed. Whereas if we are prepared, we can take advantage of opportunity. This generally means we are achieving growth, gaining a better result. Make the most of whatever is available to you at this time of year. If you are working, deliver your best. If you are holidaying, focus on holidaying. Whether you are working or taking a break, take some time to: •Focus on what is important to you •Spend time relaxing •Recognise why you do whatever it is that you do in business •Remember #3! Write it down.

With about three and a half weeks until the New Year, is it too late to plan the year ahead. Although it is better to plan early rather than late, any planning is better than no planning at all. Go ahead and make some plans. Why make plans anyway? Planning is about setting direction, identifying a goal you wish to achieve. Planning will define the focus of your attention and help with motivation towards achieving the outcomes identified within your plan. Planning what you want to achieve and how you intend to achieve that, allows you to move toward your goals with a minimum of fuss. Performing the actions steps within your plan means that you will continue moving towards the outcomes you have identified as desirable. Starting your plan: 1. What do you really want to achieve? 2. When do you want to achieve this by? 3. What actions will you perform to deliver this outcome? 4. Write it down.