All the Leaves Are Brown!

It's hardly surprising when you think of the risks we take, the burdens we shoulder.

I left behind a good job, a great salary and all sorts of perks and benefits, not least the peace of mind that every month the bills would be paid. But job security wasn't enough to fulfil me.

I wanted more - I wanted to make a great living doing work I loved; work that meant something to me; work that did good in the world; work that was an expression of my authentic self. I love coaching and writing, and I love helping others make a great living doing work they love. That was, and remains, my purpose, my guiding light - what I think of as my North Star.

My North Star guides me whatever's going on. It's an unshakeable, immovable source of guidance, a trusted point from which I can always navigate, no matter what's going on. It is the thing that drives me, and my business and makes it all worthwhile. It gives me courage - something all small business owners need in spades.

My father - owner of his own business, as was his father before him - gave me the greatest advice on that day ten years ago when I started out. He said: "Once you've worked for yourself you'll never go back to having a job again. When it's going well, there's nothing better in the world. But let me warn you - you will be awake at 4am worrying about where the next client is coming from. And when it's bad, it's terrible, because no-one else can shoulder the burden for you, it's yours alone. So be sure you know why you're doing it."

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In this brief article, I'm addressing the concern that I get the from numerous entrepreneurs, which is exactly what do I believe is the most essential business skill set they should posses as an Entrepreneur and owner of their own company?

My response is consistently Marketing and Lead Generation.

Without the constant flow of inbound leads into your company, then it could be said you do not have much of a company at all.

Keep in mind that I'm not discussing "Advertising".

In fact, the adverts that people create are where the majority of them make their most significant errors. Running adverts is very important, however it is simply part of the procedure, not a 'strategy' for lead generation.

Marketing for lots of you, and why I state that on a regular basis it's the most significant error you make, is normally extremely responsive.

A telephone directory representative or a sales representative from a marketing firm for instance, will call you and will certainly provide some advertising area, in a particular publication, as part of a promo of some kind.

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The holidays are fast approaching and that means we all have a lot going on - including singing some really great seasonal music! I was just talking to one of our clients who said she was glad the year-end reviews were completed and is looking forward to taking time off with her family but is concerned about the changes that will be taking place in First Quarter 2015. Soy Candle