Not everyone can be a successful entrepreneur. It demands hard work, a vision of an eagle, hunger to learn the ins-and-outs of your business model and apply the right means and methods which shall reap fruits in the long run. When you’re starting your venture as an entrepreneur, it’s essential to make sure that you know all the tips and tricks to becoming a successful businessman.
But, what do successful businesses and entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs do to become such living legends? Allow us to share some of their secret success mantras with you.
Never Take “NO” for an Answer
The first and the primary key to becoming a successful entrepreneur is to never take “No” for an answer. Keeping your spirits high and continually reminding yourself that there’s nothing related to your business that you cannot do or deliver to your clients, is what will make you take the first step to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
When you reach out to an associate or a potential customer, and they turn you down, do not let their response define your fate. No matter how beaten to the death your idea may be, if you’re confident enough that it’s worth a shot, then it is!
The mantra to success is first to convince yourself that what you’re doing is right and it will definitely bore fruits. Not immediately, but definitely in the future ahead. Every time you’re pushed back, start afresh. Renew your strength and try again. Be determined, and you will definitely get a “Yes” as your answer.
Work like there’s No Tomorrow
We live our lives in two different phases – the first innings wherein we learn to stand, walk, run and earn ourselves a living. The second innings is when we plan to relax, retire and ripe the fruits we sowed in the first innings of our life. And, to enjoy the second phase, it is necessary to work hard in the first innings.
As an entrepreneur, make sure you work like you are retiring tomorrow. Have that zeal and hunger to succeed and make a mark in the industry. Make your venture as important as shavers for men. But, most importantly, do not forget to enjoy life. The mantra of being a successful entrepreneur is to find fun and joy in whatever you do. Such an attitude would never let you get tired and keep your spirits high. And, when success finally comes knocking on your door, you’ll be well-prepared to welcome it with open arm.
Employ a Mentor
One of the most common things between most successful entrepreneurs is that they all have mentors. As an entrepreneur, having a good, successful role model whose experience can guide your career is very important.
If you find it difficult to find a successful role model around you or convince him/her to mentor you, then, we believe, the best way to go about is to work hard to find one or impress them in any manner possible (Of course! Avoid bribing or using inappropriate means). Alternatively, you can self-enlighten yourself by reading about someone’s experience and how they made a mark in the industry. Think of Bill Gates, or Richard Branson and read their biographies.
Keep a Close Eye on Your Competitors
The next mantra to success is to learn from your competitors. Considering the chances that you have several competitors in the market that are, at present, way more successful than you are. And, the possibilities that they’ll be willing to teach you the right tactics of trade are negligible. The next thing you can and should do is to keep an eye on the activities of your most successful competitors. This will help you learn from their mistakes and apply the best of industrial practices to your own business. Pose as a potential customer, buy their product or service, and find out their weak points.
Copy the Best Challenger
While we strongly believe that copying others is a sin. Well, not in the business world. Here, the best copycat emerges as the more successful competitor. Copy skills and essential business tips and tricks from your challenger and incorporate them into your business model. This can include everything – from their products/services to customer support approach, business marketing tactics, and even their selling mechanism.
Be Humble and Stay Hungry
Do you know the two most dangerous traits which have killed most budding business entrepreneurs? Their ego and impoliteness. To be a successful entrepreneur, learn the tactics to be humble and keep your ego aside. The more humble you are, the more your customers and clients are likely to stick around.
Always staying hungry for more is another thing that, as an entrepreneur, you must have. The more success hungry you are, the more you will work hard, learn new things, incorporate dynamic business skills and achieve your goal.
Move Fast and Improve Quickly
Step into the world of entrepreneurship if you have the zeal to move fast and grasp every opportunity that comes your way. Even Mark Zuckerberg follows a mantra behind “Speed in Business.” We often hear him say “unless you are breaking stuff, you are not moving fast enough.”
But at the same time, do not speed up on making decisions, but grasp every opportunity, deliver before the deadline, and improve constantly.
In addition to these seven essential tips, another mantra for success (which we believe is the most important one) is to employ/work with people who are smarter than you. Do not run after cheap labor, but the ones who have the zeal and the brains to connect with your business idea and help you achieve your goals.
Bottom line, all the entrepreneurs out there who wish to become successful in life, now is the time to start dreaming big, work hard on your business idea, give your venture the time it requires, but do not forget to focus on yourself as well!