The Empty Briefcase

I know what you think. Who will get involved with someone like that?
Well, running a business always has some twists and turns. As your business
grows, and you get busier, your time to plan and market your business slowly
decreases. As a small business owner your resources are usually very
limited. How to find the right person for help, how to pay for them? Your
decision-making becomes blurred, because you just want to get this great idea
happening.

We often turn to friends or people nominated by friends who May be willing to
'give it a go' for less money than specialists.

In our business, we had decided to stretch out a bit and try to trade
radio service, the type you hear when shopping. We had the technical know how
and we were very capable of making the program. What we needed was
vendors. We needed someone to cold call and get the lead. Then it follows that
lead and convert it into dollars! We did not have enough budget to hire the right
dealer (except as a story for another problem), so we opted for someone who would
working on getting a cut of business.

Now this is nothing new. Many people start and operate businesses in this way.
Of course, the main factor is introduced to whom you are dealing with.

We got to know this guy through a series of meetings. His performance was good,
he spoke well, and he quickly understood the concept. He even worked in
Community radio for some time. Everything seemed OK. We developed a business plan
and a target list for his attacks. Everything seemed to be moving along.

However, one thing that is not our little embarrassed that he was wearing a short
case that was empty. Well not completely empty. Usually had only one piece
blank paper on it. And maybe at lunch. We looked over this, because he seemed to
remember where we were up with things.

Once we arrived at the stage of starting to make those cold calls,
it all began to change. He did not pass. We had found his flaw. From
Of course from there, it was only until he went broke.

So what we lost? What is our failure? Time. Now I have this 'second job'
who went from nowhere to nowhere. We spent a lot of time on research
technicalities of a production, the production of small demonstrations in
played at the meetings, had made ​​some basic stationery. But it is a full time
of our normal operations we have lost the majority.

While our heads are in this new exciting space, we can ignore the very business
who is putting money in our pockets every week.

It's so easy to lose focus on your business. Let's face it, after
something works well, the challenge is not so great as it once was. New
business and gets right back to the blank page and a new challenge was set. But
do not let it interfere with your current business. But not letting it interfere
is a difficult task for small business owners.

the real challenge is to make your business profitable and growing. But
Sometimes we need to make new products, try different ideas as a way of breeding
Your business. You really need to plan. Spend enough time making the original
feasible plan, which includes a realistic budget. Do not spend three months
Taking your eye off the ball for nothing.

Remember that each new job is bound to require much attention, if not
more, as your current job. Sometimes it is better to look at your
'yard' to see if you can get more sales and thus increase profits
rather than taking a boat to the new venture.

and I think you are asking how to find those good people? Well, if you have
money, you'll find them. If you do, You May just have to be a little
smarter about how you get a new idea off the ground. If you can not bring someone in
in which its share of new business there are a few things to make sure you do.

first. Make sure they can have no part of his current job. You're doing
difficult, so do not give it away.

Second. Check them out and financially responsible. If you want 50%, then they must
put in 50% of the capital. Do not accept any other answer.

Third. Make some sort of escape plan. job can not work, You May End Up
struggle. Have an agreement up front. After you fight, the possibility
good result, it is reduced.

and finally, dealing with a partner can be difficult. Make sure your workplace
clearly defined so that in the event of a dispute, you can show that you were in your
end of the bargain.

We never get this idea rolling again, which is a common outcome. Never
See that man with an empty brief case again either.