Your Next Practice Manage Little EntrepreneursI've been working from home since my youngest daughter was born. It's been a great adventure and I'm so blessed to be able to stay home with my kids and bring some income to the family budget. I love it.The key to making this work for our family has been having our daughters work with me in my businesses from the beginning. Now I know, that sounds impossible. And obviously a newborn can't stick labels on my mailing etc. But as soon as my kids could walk and talk I started training them to be little entrepreneurs and helpers, beginning first with helping me around the house so that I could get the business work done.Here are a few quick steps you can take with your little ones to start them on the road to success in helping you with your business and even toward helping them get their own home business started when they're older.1. While they're still in arms, use a sling or a backpack to carry baby with you while you work. Talk about what you're doing and how they can help you when they're older. The key at this age is have them WITH you as much as possible and then use nap time to get those things done that might be impossible to do with a young one strapped to you.2. When your little ones can walk, have them help you with some simple tasks...filling up the dog food, folding washcloths, snapping beans. Always talk about how much help they are
Over the course of your business life you'll come in contact with a number of other business people. They could be lawyers, business services, suppliers, customers, etc. These people are important to your business in more ways than one. If you hired them or they bought your product or service, you can also gain their business knowledge, experience, ideas, and advice. How do you do this? Stay Connected! Network! Networking is when two or more different businesses stay in contact on a regular basis to build and improve each others business.
Consider all the benefits you'll gain from talking to other business people:
Knowledge or information that you didn't have before Advice on how to solve a current business problem Leads to a new business project or opportunity Joint ventures and cross promotion deals Learn important skills that you didn't have before Constructive criticism that improved your business Brainstorming that sparks a profitable business idea Encouraging and motivational statements
There are many ways to meet business people. Join business clubs and associations. Participate in on-line business-related forums, e-mail discussion groups, and chat rooms. Go to business expos and trade shows. Use your creativity to come up with even more ideas.
If you have the time, start your own networking group. You could hold meetings at a local seminar room, at a park , or at your own business building. If you want to hold meetings on-line use a private chat room. Publish a print or e-mail newsletter to keep members informed of meeting time and dates.
Keep all your business associates' contact information all in one place. Have it organized by business type or profession for easy finding. So when you need some advice on a new marketing campaign you can call that marketing expert you met at that trade show in Ohio a couple of weeks ago.
Networking is a surefire way to build a successful business. I have used it countless times and will continue too. I have also met a lot of business people who are now some of my closest friends.