12 Steps for Small Business Owners. Please Stop the Denial. (Part II)
Posted by dan ronken
No more lollygaging. Its time to finish what we started and
cover the remaining seven steps for small businesses owners that can them recover from any 'poor' decisions' they have made along the way in their small business internet marketing strategy.
The inspiration for this post came from Pete Caputa when I read his article summarizing twelve (certainly worthwhile) steps businesses could take to get up to speed a web 2.0 world.
After reading his post, I realized his list had nothing to do with the wisdom of the popularized twelve step programs that many helped millions of people recover from addictions. So I decided to revise some of the original language (the italicized words) of the twelve step programs so they makes sense within the context of this post.
6) Were entirely ready, and made a choice to remove all of our defective marketing plans.
Originally referring to 'our defects of character,' a defective marketing plan isn't serving anyone's 'higher good' either. I mean what's purpose of contributing to Google's massive wealth by participating in an Adwords campaign that is not actually converting leads for you? Now, I'm not saying there is no appropriate use for these campaigns (because there certainly are), but I've ran into two clients recently that have no idea how much business they are truly getting from this new 'internet yellow pages.'
7) Humbly took action to remove our defective marketing plan.
Everything begins with a simple thought. This step is similar to the previous one, but here in number seven, there is a call to action. I'm aware that it's comforting to know that you are gaining 'some' immediate revenue from a strategy like the one mentioned above. However, there's no need to go 'all or none.' Begin with an open mind and start experimenting with ideas that allow you to make an investment in your business that will continue to grow. Understanding a few points like blogging generates business that will get you found on the internet by your future customers, is enough to make any business owner smile. Not to mention the opportunity to convert these leads into sales. Lost opportunity cost ends up being very expensive. Don't fall behind.
8) Made a list of all the harmful strategies and became willing to make amends with them.
Put the pen to paper (or fingers on the keyboard) and document these things so they are not just floating around in your mind. Now they're staring right back at you and there is nowhere else to hide.
9) Made direct ammends to these tools except when to do so would injure your business.
No need to get fired up and with these little helpers that have become part of your strategy along the way. Simply recognize and honor them. That's all they want and that's all that is required of you.
10) Continue to take inventory and when you're wrong, promptly admit it.
The ego is one of the most complex, tricky, and self serving mechanisms we've ever created. It's quite a loaded term, and well beyond the scope of this little blog post, but nonetheless, keep it in check and don't let pride murder your income statement.
11) Sought through deep thinking to improve conscious contact with yourself, intending only for knowledge of wisdom and the power to carry that out.
Whether you choose to call it a higher power, higher self, inner self, soul, whatever. It doesn't matter. They are just words. Human beings are very complex creatures and we have so much yet to discover. As soon as I think that I've got it all figured out, then I know I'm in trouble.
12) Having had an awakening experience as a result of these steps, try to carry this message with you and to practice these principles in all your affairs.
Obviously, the message underneath these twelve steps is not about improved profit margins. After all, they were created to penetrate the depths of people's 'Being.' However, just like the last sentence says, 'practice these principles in all your affairs,' I interpret that to mean everywhere (including business).
Thanks for taking the time to explore this with me and please take some additional time and leave a brief comment so we explore this a little further.