best advice for small business professionals
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Entrepreneurs and small business professionals share the wisdom that has helped them stay focused and motivated despite life's challenges. For more great advice, check out LinkedIn's "Best Advice" package: http://www.linkedin.com/channels/best_adviceTRANSCRIPT
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Best Advice for Small Business Pros From family members to bosses, wisdom can come from many sources.
Succeed: Small Business Network members explain how this hard-won advice
has helped them overcome challenges as small business professionals.
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When it comes to life's issues (whether personal or business), my
grandfather said, "There is no road so long that it doesn't turn
eventually. Don't stop or give up." Very simple, but very true. We
feel like problems may never end. They do.
Chad Montgomery
Material and Operations
Professional
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The best advice I've received came the first day of grad school:
"Start where the client is." Not where you think they should be,
where they are. When you treat clients with respect, listen to their
worries, acknowledge their expertise, and address what brought
them in, they will trust you enough to move in your direction.
Dr. Susan Cohen Social Worker
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A lot of people will tell you that if you ask for something, the worst
that can happen is they say no. My dad taught me that the way to
look at this is: “If you ask, they can say yes.” I have used this
advice in my cold calling, emails to potential clients, and in my daily
personal life as well.
Maxwell Ivey Owner, The Midway
Marketplace
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“If opportunity doesn't knock... build a door.” I saw this saying
in a picture and thought, “Yes, that is so true.” In life, if we do not
like where we are, then we need to do something different or
nothing will change.
Maria Eberhardt Juice Plus
Franchise Owner
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“Even a turtle has to stick his neck out to get anywhere." When
I wanted to start my own business, a friend and former co-worker
gave me a toy turtle (which I still have on my desk) and gave me
that advice. I have since experienced additional job challenges, but
I’ve always remembered her turtle as I made life decisions.
Dick Bonnet Owner at TorcUP of WV
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My first boss told me to never walk into his office with a problem
unless I had at least one suggested solution. Now I sing this
mantra with everybody I try to help. Thinking about the solution
helps you focus on your true vision, not what is getting in your way.
Beth Goldstein CEO of Marketing Edge
Consulting Group
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The best advice I ever got was when I was 15. Whenever
something is about to make you angry, ask yourself one question:
"Two hundred years from now, will anyone give a damn about
this matter?" If the answer is "no,” then don't let it bother you.
Josef Rotter Owner, American
Loyalty Card
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“Never let someone else's character flaws bring out your own.”
The advice was given to me about 20 years ago by my then-boss,
Doug Fleener, now a well-known retail customer experience expert.
Joe Collins Senior VP Operations at
IGS Store Fixtures
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From my mother upon earning my MBA in 1984: “If no one offers
you a job you like, hire yourself.” So I hired myself and started a
Japanese translation business in 1984 with a focus on Toyota's
quality methods.
Glenn Mazur Executive Director,
QFD Institute
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“Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” is the title of a bestselling book
by Susan Jeffers. I find myself repeating this phrase as a kind of
mantra whenever I am faced with a new challenge. It reminds me
that fear is the only thing that can keep me (or anyone) from
succeeding.
Krista Magidson Copywriter and
Content Marketer
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FLICKR PHOTO CREDITS:
Slide 1: Oliver Frank
Slide 2: edanastas
Slide 3: tableatny
Slide 4: Joe Schlabotnik
Slide 5: Dean Hall
Slide 6: Tony Case
Slide 7: House of Antique Hardware
Slide 8: Steven and Jemma Copley
Slide 9: marco magrini
Slide 10: David Michael Morris
Slide 11: Frank Roche
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