10 Things I’ve Learned About Business in General

There are lessons learned through instruction and lessons learned through experience. Whether you have a homebased business, a small business, or a large corporation, these general lessons come from the cumulation of day-to-day observations and not from being taught. 

If you learn and master sales and marketing, you’ll always have income. Although the playing field has changed (i.e. social media) and you still must keep up with the changes in approach, the same basic principles of sales and marketing apply to all industries and levels, whether you’re a CEO, employee, or entrepreneur. If you can sell–yourself, a product, a service, or an idea–you will be always be able to make money. 

The cheap printer bundled with your computer is never the good “deal” you think it is. It has taken me years to realize this, but these low-end printers eat ink, and before you know it you’ve spent hundreds more on ink cartridges than you would have if you’d only purchased a better printer. 

Working harder does not equate to earning more money. It just means you’re working harder. 

The more you work, the more you will be expected to work. Along the same lines as #3, working longer hours does not equate to earning more…unless you’re paid an hourly wage. If you’re salaried, the more hours you work, the more likely you’ll be expected to put in longer hours. And when you step back to a normal work day, you’ll be viewed as slacking off. 

If you pick up the ringing phone ten minutes before you’re heading out for the day or to an appointment, know that you’re going to be late. Just sayin’… 

Network…network…network. Even when you don’t feel like it. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll miss by not showing up. 

The stapler only runs out of staples when you’re in a hurry. Likewise, the same holds true for paper and ink in the printer. And toilet paper. 

What you know is never quite as important as who you know. Learn all you can and surround yourself with others who have expertise in the areas where you fall short. The more people you know, and who know you, the greater your chances of making connections. 

Be a giver. The person who goes out of their way to give…to make others comfortable at a networking event, who introduces people to one another, who shares referrals and ideas…that’s the person who ultimately gets the most, be it new business, loyal customers, industry information, and just plain satisfaction from knowing they have provided service to others. 

You can have the healthiest kids in the universe, but they’ll come home from school sick on the day you must be at an important meeting. 

And here’s one extra BONUS lesson… 

Never stop learning…or you’ll soon find yourself extinct. Your industry is constantly changing, the economy is up and down, people are moving from business to business…you need to be able to change too. 

                 

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned through experience in the business world?