So You're Working for Yourself, Now What?
Running a successful business requires more than passion. Learn about the essential elements of entrepreneurship, from branding to customer journey mapping.
Many people I’ve spoken to started their own business because they were full of passion about their trade, product or service. But of course, there’s so much more to running a successful business than passion…
Key Business Functions You Need to Master
| Core Functions | People & Culture | External Focus | Growth & Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planning | Hiring | Marketing | (Re)Investing |
| Budgeting | Team Building | Branding | Quality Control |
| Operations | Managing | Distribution | Social Media |
| Legal & Compliance | Culture | Customer Service | Communications |
Trying to be an expert in everything is like trying to juggle with water - it’s just not gonna work! That’s why you should outsource tasks that are as foreign to you as a Martian disco party. But where do you begin this journey to the land of outsourcing enlightenment?
Essentially, everything starts with branding - what’s your vision, what’s your mission, what are your values - who do you serve, why are they important to you? Why did you decide to start this business? What do you do better than anyone else? If you can’t answer these questions, you aren’t alone. But if you can’t answer these questions, it’s really worth the time (or getting help) to dig into the answers.
It’s noisy out there you need to know what sets you apart in the eyes of the customer.
A customer journey really has 3 main steps:
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The customer has a need and desire to buy - They’ve identified a problem or want that needs solving.
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The customer is aware you exist and that you may fill this need - Through marketing, referrals, or discovery, they find you.
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The customer has a reason to pick you - You’ve given them a compelling reason to choose you over competitors.
Often times that reason is because they align with your values or vision or they want to support your mission.
A first time customer chooses you because you have the best messaging that resonates with them.
After defining your messaging, the next step is to consider your marketing strategy. While that’s a topic for another discussion, here’s a helpful link to get you started thinking about how to create a marketing budget for planning your next moves.
Once you’ve got that handled, read on about the 4 Stages of The Entrepreneur to plan your evolution.
About the Author
Tara C. Wilson is a digital transformation consultant with 28+ years of experience guiding enterprise technology change. She specializes in bridging the gap between strategy and execution for tech leaders.