Sustainable success for small businesses is very much like a puzzle with a lot of pieces. Every small business owner's success puzzle is different. What works for some doesn't always for works for others. Yet, one piece in everyone's success puzzle is commitment. The piece may be a different shape and size, but it is always present. Commitment by its very nature implies some action to be taken to achieve a desire, a dream or what also can be called a goal. Think about a recent business achievement and your level of commitment. Then, think about a goal that wasn't successfully achieved and your level of commitment. Compare the two levels of commitment were they the same or different? For example, a colleague and myself publish a monthly newsletter Power Choices as part of our marketing plan. She and I are committed to creating value in this monthly newsletter based on our own goals, values and what we have learned from our readers. Sure, we could cite some statistics and write more research based or scholarly articles. However, would those actions actually add value by helping our readers realize that next level of success? I sincerely doubt it. Making this monthly commitment to be honest and share our personal experiences is what makes this newsletter unique. As a small business evolves so does the level of commitment. Entrepreneurs are committed in the early years to working the business by wearing many different hats. As time passes, the business grows (hopefully), the commitment changes to working on the business while letting others work in the business. Understanding how you define commitment and how you execute commitment is absolutely essential. For commitment is the one of the critical pieces to completing your own success puzzle. During the last few years, I have spoken with numerous small business owners, level C executives and entrepreneurs. What I have learned is that no one wants to be a failure and yet everyone wants to be a success. Then, the simple question is: Why dont we have more success? Remember: Most small businesses fail in the first couple of years The answer to this question is multi-fold. However, commitment to doing the right thing at the right time in accordance with the right plan and aligned with the right values is always part of the answer or in the words of Peter Drucker "Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans. |
