Entrepreneurs know the value of hustle. They’re wired that way. They see the future. They see the possibilities where others don’t. They continue pressing forward when they hit roadblocks, when others tell them to throw in the towel. The entrepreneurial spirit is a force to be reckoned with. It’s about vision, intuition and listening to that gut feeling. It’s about seeing opportunities, knowing what steps to take, and when to pivot to turn an idea into reality. Entrepreneurs are a special breed. They follow their intuition, hold leadership roles, and pave the path to a brighter future.
Entrepreneurs do not let their lives be ruled by fear. They control their fears and use them as fuel for innovation. Entrepreneurs learn from their mistakes and move forward with no loss of enthusiasm. Because they know, mistakes build wisdom. They’re the building blocks of success. That’s how entrepreneurs get better, stronger and more resilient – by building momentum and refining their craft. Eventually, they are able to sustain success that withstands the test of time.
Distinguishing Yourself from the Rest
To succeed in the game of business, you need to be more than be good at what you do. You need to do more than innovate. Beyond sustaining a company, you need to over-deliver value. Often, new entrepreneurs get so caught up in “survival mode,” they forget to distinguish themselves from the competition. They’re so focused on making sales, generating cash and making payroll that they fail to focus on adding value to clients, vendors, employees, referrals, and members of the community.
The most established and successful entrepreneurs know the importance of over-delivering value to everyone they come into contact with. They exceed people’s expectations, going above and beyond to help others and make their lives better because their paths crossed yours. If you want your company to succeed, over-delivering value is critical to retaining loyal employees, to building an incredible network, to getting referrals, and to growing your business.
When you over-deliver value, you are giving your company a distinct competitive advantage. Here are three ways to make your company memorable:
1. Give with no strings attached.
Success comes to those who provide an abundance of value with no strings attached. As you serve customers, employees and vendors, over-deliver and help them with no expectations of getting anything in return. Some may question your intentions at first, but when they realize that you’re just trying to help, you’ll gain their loyalty and trust.
The goal is to be compassionate, resourceful and genuine in your efforts. Be consistent and don’t let others down. We’ve found that when small business owners continuously over-deliver value, they create an atmosphere of abundance in their business relationships. A mutually-beneficial relationship based on confidence leads to growth and business success.
2. Earn people’s respect.
When businesses take the time to over-deliver value, they earn the respect of employees, customers and community leaders. They also strengthen B2B relationships. Remember, you’re always being watched and your good deeds do not go unnoticed. Actions speak louder than words and news spreads like wildfire. Surely, your business benefits most when good reviews are spread by word of mouth. When you plant tiny seeds, you never know which ones will grow, but when you add value to others, your seeds of worth will never be forgotten by the many recipients and you’ll earn their respect.
3. Distinguish yourself.
When you over-deliver value, you effectively distinguish yourself from the competition. For example, when you go above and beyond someone’s expectations, you leave a mark in the mind and heart of the person you’re serving. You’ll be remembered and your efforts won’t be forgotten, especially because more (and more) companies are automating and neglecting the human component of business. Want to set yourself apart from the competition? Touch more people’s lives in a positive way.
As an entrepreneur, you’re a think-outside-the-box type of person. You seek opportunities to solve problems and find innovative solutions. In business and in life, you’re always on the lookout for ways to improve the world we live in. You’re a disrupter. You’re not in the business of solving problems the old way. You find creative solutions – a better way to tackle old and new problems alike.
As an expert in your field, you go great lengths to add value through your products and services, so why not take it a step further and add value to each of the people you depend on for your success? No business can be successful without the support of its employees, vendors, customers and the community. Entrepreneurs must embrace the value in delivering abundance to the people and businesses they serve.
At AdviCoach, our business coaches firmly believe in the importance of over-delivering value to our clients and showing them how to pay it forward. Not only for their personal well-being, but for the success of their business. To find out if business coaching is right for you and your company, contact us to learn more. We’re here to help you succeed in every way possible.