Want to Be Successful? Stop Doing these Six Things Starting Now

There are two people in your life that can immediately tell you if a job candidate is a good hire. When both (or either one) doesn’t get a good vibe, it’s an important warning sign to heed. While some candidates fit the bill precisely on paper, but it’s what’s not on the resume that’s most telling. Trouble is, you might miss these cues. And, that’s where two key people in your life and business come into the picture. Resume versus Reality Paper credentials are indeed important. But, if his or her personality doesn’t gel, he or she just won’t work out. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because it means there are other qualities that you need to have in that position. Put another way, intangibles can’t be ignored. Even when there’s an impressive track record, that doesn’t seamlessly translate into the perfect fit. Hiring someone who doesn’t fit your company’s personality can be a very costly mistake. To avoid making that mistake, make sure to interview job candidates for cultural fit, as well as job qualifications. —Inc.com We’ve all heard the stories of Steve Jobs. A marketing genius. A man who could somehow see into the future. However, a very difficult person to work for and with. Although he built a huge company, he did so stepping on a lot of toes and hurting many people’s feelings. Of course, this is just an example. Yet, it does help to illustrate a point — someone can have a spectacular resume but isn’t a true team player. Best Ways to Size-Up a Potential New Hire So, how do you know if someone is a good fit for the position? Sure, read his or her resume. Ask some questions before and during an interview. Then, rely on two key people to read the tea leaves. Just who are these individuals? The answer is: your spouse and your right hand man. While the latter makes perfect sense, the former just might surprise you. (That is, unless your spouse works in the business with you.) But, for business owners who don’t work with their spouses, this could be a bit out of left field. However, it’s a great way to get a real feel for someone. After all, your spouse knows you just about as well as anyone could. She or he can glean things from another person you could easily miss on your own. And, that’s where your right hand person is also valuable. He or she will also be able to judge a potential hire in more ways than just on paper. So, get together for lunch and over dinner. And, do so separately (your spouse on one occasion and your right hand on another). Then, ask their impressions about the job candidate and listen carefully. You’ll probably learn a lot. Plus, you’ll get valuable feedback that can help you to make the right decision. What other suggestions do you have for sizing up a potential new hire? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

If you’re anything like the average person, your parents probably instilled in you the courtesy to apologize. Saying you’re sorry is one of the most important keystones of polite society. So, it should definitely not come as a surprise that very politeness eventually turns into second nature compulsion. In fact, people use the phrase way too often and don’t really think about its effects. Now, in purely interpersonal situations, this is probably quite benign. But, when you’re running a business, this habit could cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. Apologizing isn’t Always Positive Of course, there have been academic studies confirming that apologizing too much tends to have adverse outcomes. It not only shows a willingness to capitulate, but it also underscores an underlying weakness. Furthermore, the same studies reveal that it can cause anger or resentment in others – two emotions you definitely want to avoid, if at all possible. After you hurt someone’s feelings or do something wrong, it turns out that saying sorry might not be the best solution. In fact, an apology might just add fuel to the fire, a recent study by researchers from Dartmouth College and the University of Texas has found. —Entrepreneur.com Apologizing too much doesn’t always result in dire circumstances. But, it may also easily create the impression that you’ll simply go along to get along no matter what. In other words, give the impression your preference is to avoid any and all confrontation, because it is too uncomfortable for you to handle. Obviously, none of these things are good for an entrepreneur, but this doesn’t mean you have to be stubborn, obtuse, or even mean. 3 Alternatives to Saying your Sorry When you apologize, you’re not only relating your own disposition, you’re sending signals to the other person or group of people. Fortunately, there are at least three handy phrases you can use in place of saying you’re sorry or apologizing outright: “I appreciate your patience.” Whether you’re late for an appointment or something is taking longer than it should have, save the apology and use this phrase instead. It has the same effect that you’re looking for but doesn’t put the blame solely on you and compliments the other person. “Thank you for working with me.” This is a great alternative when things aren’t going according to plan. In a sense, you’re still apologizing, but you are not doing so directly, and again you are giving the other person a nice compliment. “Here’s a slightly different perspective.” Rather than blurting out an apology for something you haven’t said yet, use this expression to bolster your credibility and get people to actually listen to what you have to say. This is a terrific way to join in on a conversation or to bring your point of view up. What other suggestions do you have for apology alternatives? Please, take a few moments to share your thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your input! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

For new small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs, self-promotion is a crucial skill. It’s about effectively marketing your products or services without coming across as self-centered and/or obnoxious. Mastering this art can help you build brand credibility, grow your customer base, and create lasting relationships with your audience. Clever Tips Entrepreneurs Can Use to Master the Art of Self-Promotion In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s more important than ever for entrepreneurs to know how to effectively promote their products and services. However, self-promotion is a delicate art. If you’re too pushy or overly salesy, you’ll likely turn people off. But, if you don’t promote yourself enough, you’ll never get your business off the ground. In other words, striking a balance is key. So, with this in mind, here are seven clever tips that entrepreneurs can use to master the art of self-promotion: Be authentic. People can spot a fake a mile away. So be yourself and let your personality shine through in your marketing materials. This will make you more relatable and trustworthy to potential customers. Focus on the benefits. Don’t just tell people what your product or service is. Tell them what it can do for them. What problems will it solve? How will it make their lives better? Use storytelling. People love stories. So use them to connect with your audience and make your products and services more memorable. For instance, tell stories about how your product or service has helped other people. Be social. Get involved in social media and online communities related to your industry. This is a great way to connect with potential customers and build relationships. Give back. Get involved in charitable causes or volunteer your time to a worthy organization. This will show potential customers that you’re a good person who cares about others. Be consistent. Don’t just promote yourself once and then disappear. Be consistent with your marketing efforts so that people are constantly reminded of your brand. Be patient. It takes time to build a successful business. Don’t expect overnight results. Just keep promoting yourself and eventually, you’ll start to see results. Additionally, you can also offer value through original content. Instead of bombarding your audience with sales pitches, focus on delivering value through content marketing. Create interesting blog posts, videos, podcasts, or infographics that educate, entertain, or solve problems for your target audience. This positions you as an authority in your field. Following these tips will help you master the art of self-promotion without being annoying or presumptuous. Just remember to be authentic, focus on the benefits, use storytelling, be social, give back, be consistent, and be patient. For even more ideas, here are some additional tips that may be helpful to small business owners: Use visuals. People are more likely to remember something if they can see it. So use high-quality images and videos in your marketing materials. Keep it short and sweet. People have short attention spans, so make sure your marketing messages are clear and concise. Proofread everything. Typos and grammatical errors will make you look unprofessional. Track your results. So you can see what’s working and what’s not, it’s important to track your results. This will help you optimize your marketing efforts over time. Effective self-promotion is an art that entrepreneurs can master by building a strong online presence, offering value through content, leveraging social proof, networking strategically, and being authentic and transparent. By following these clever tips, you can promote your products or services while maintaining integrity and authenticity, ultimately building a loyal customer base and achieving long-term success. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer. You can phone 602-435-5474 or send us an email.