The ‘NO’ Strategy

THE ‘NO’ STRATEGY

We have all met someone in life whose default response to requests is a flat and unemotionally delivered no.

We often think of these people as having disagreeable personalities with little interest in voluntarily assisting other, be it individuals, communities or charity projects.

If you are a good team player who would normally co-operate and compromise, putting others needs before your own, this blog is for you.

We cannot, and must not, be all things to all people and certainly will not get ahead if other people’s agendas always come before our own.

‘No’ as a response can be used very effectively but you need to learn to be comfortable using it.

Whether you need to buy yourself time to think clearly, block or delay a negotiation process or simply enable yourself to focus on a task at hand, it really is a good ideal for all small business owners to learn to say ‘no’.

If a Yes does not meet your own predetermined criteria (i.e. it will serve an identified purpose for you professionally or personally) you should be comfortable saying No. Particularly when a Yes will not facilitate growth, increase your network, provide spin-off, fit your budget or enable you to achieve a goal.

The question that begs asking of small business owners then is ”Why do we still find ourselves horridly uncomfortable saying ‘no’, to the point of finding it embarrassing to do so?”

Could it be that many of us want to be accommodating and agreeable so that others like us better? Do we feel others needs are more important than our own? Do small business owners want to be so accommodating that our Yes’s often have negative impact on our businesses but we say Yes anyway just to feel needed?

Be aware that repeatedly saying Yes to satisfy others’ needs is often a lifetime habit that can diminish your soul or essence, the core from where your personal power resonates. There is strength in refusal.

When you say No you feel confident because you have clearly identified goals and have the strength to focus on them until they are achieved, not allowing yourself to be distracted by anyone who asks nicely.

For the recipient a ‘no’ can be a sign of rejection, which will make them feel bad and they may very well withdraw their alliance. However, remember that when this happens you must be alerted that the individual is clearly not understanding your big picture and needs to be gently tethered back in line with some guidance and gentle discussion. No can reveal areas of vulnerability which need attention. This in turn gives momentum to a highly productive process.

Saying No is critical to success and easy to do when you are working towards a formal Strategic Plan for your business. It’s so much better to say No when you have clear reasons. Instead of being seen as obstreperous you will be seen as focused, confident and driving towards success. And, after all, isn’t that how you would like to be perceived?

To find out more about a practical step-by-step Strategic Programme for small businesses visit TheSmallBusinessToolbox.com now!

February Financial Year-End?

February is a fabulous month with signposts along the path reminding us to live better and love more. With summer now well and truly upon us we can all look to the sunshine and warm days to find optimism all around us. Isn’t it time to steal your share?

For many February also brings in a financial year end and this is a time for assessing achievements and planning targets and goals for the next fiscal.

As one financial year draws to a close the stepping stones need to be laid to lead your small business to the destination you want to be a year from now. Choose to adopt a positive mindset and chart your own course.

This is the key to developing a business strategy that will have you seizing opportunities with gusto and making 2010 your best year yet.

Yes, 2009 was a tough year for many and you may well feel scarred from the lack of activity in your industry or sector. However, with the blank canvas that is the year ahead it is important to review last year’s activities, failures and successes, acknowledge the lessons learnt and move forward towards a more successful new financial year.

Globally, economic shifts have left entrepreneurs spinning. Now more than ever the business strategy you commit to for your financial New Year must give cognizance to all the practical knowledge you have acquired, take traditional business guidelines into account and rock with chutzpah!

To develop a business strategy that will have you taking the profits off your competition and growing your own debtors book visit TheSmallBusinessToolbox.com now and find out about an easy, practical, step-by-step programme that will have you smiling all the way to month end.