Do you have a tendency to base decisions in your life and business on what is happening in your external environment?

For example:

• You shop at more than one store for groceries because “they” (the other store) has a discount or bargain on a few items?
• You drive less because gas prices are (or were) up
• You don’t market as much because you keep hearing that things are tight, the stock market is down, or it’s the holiday season
• You spend hours on the computer planning a trip – whether business or pleasure – trying to get the very lowest price for your hotel and airfare (and then when you arrive find out it really IS “discount” – in quality too!)

If you find yourself doing any of these things, consider that it is because you have not yet adequately embraced the principle that “Nature is an inexhaustible storehouse of riches. The supply will never run short. Original substance is alive with creative energy and is constantly producing more forms.” (Wallace Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich).

Perhaps you are waiting to promote your services or launch a new program because of the economy, the holidays, or any external reason, there are at least four important reasons why this will actually be detrimental, not “wise.”

1. There are actually more opportunities, not less, for coaches and other entrepreneurs in the down economy.

First, while coaches can thrive in any economy, they have increased opportunities when there are more layoffs and downsizings than are typical. After all, with more people in transition, there are more people that need our services! Tailor your marketing and the benefits you emphasize to the current conditions – getting a job or building your business more quickly vs. slow expansion or bettering one’s financial situation through a promotion – and you will have people lining up to work with you.

2. By not promoting and pursuing expansion of your business now, you become part of the problem.

You have heard the axiom that “what you focus on expands.” That is also true in this arena. When you hold back (consciously or unconsciously) by printing black and white instead of color, using solely online promotion instead of adding offline or radio or television, or just wait for a “better” time…you contribute that vibration and energy to the whole. And people pick up on your reluctance, they become afraid, and they pull back…and on it goes.

My mentors and coaches (as well as I) are investing MORE in learning and in our businesses and marketing during this time than ever – and breaking records left and right. Time your product release or program promotion based on what your heart wants to do, what you are feeling guided to do, not on what is happening in the external environment. (One of my colleagues just launched a new magazine and when someone commented they couldn’t believe she would do this during a recession, she said, “I didn’t even think about it, it was just the time to do it!” And it is very successful.)

3. Because many of your competitors are contracting now, you have an unparalleled opportunity to step in and own more of the market.

Many of your colleagues are NOT reading this ezine, and they are giving in to the fear and contraction that their base instincts want them to hear – and that the media is feeding them. (“Television” is literally someone else telling you what your vision should be…don’t you want to choose that for yourself??)

Step beyond your comfort zone, announce something new, finish that product and get it out for springtime promotions. Remember the principle of Raymond Holliwell that “no desire is felt until the supply is ready to appear.” (Working with the Law) So if you feel the desire to share this program or product, people are ready to consume it. Move ahead, don’t hold back just when you’re finally ready to grow!

4. By pulling back, you are depriving the people that are looking for you, that are longing for your work, and really need it, of the opportunity to obtain what they need.

It was a huge shift for me to realize that when I give in to my own fears and cancel an event or hold off on finishing a book or workshop, I am actually keeping my “people” – the individuals that I am destined to serve and who long for what I offer – from receiving what they need! My job is to say yes to the desires and call within me; then it is up to God and the Universe to bring me together with those people that are looking for me. It becomes so much easier this way!

Will this feel uncomfortable? Certainly, at times it will. You may attract criticism, people thinking you’re just a little crazy…and even your own inner voices may join the chorus. As long as you are fulfilling your divine destiny and purpose through the work you do, offering “more life to all and less to none,” you can trust your inner guidance and follow it – in any economy.

 In the previous installments of our series, we have addressed the key factors for a brand new business. Now we complete the process of setting our business up for success with the elements of Staffing and Strengthening.

11. Staffing: Magnetizing Like-Minded People to Implement and Enhance Your Vision

Even in the early stages of your business, you should delegate some tasks that could be profitably done by another person. As it grows, this is even more important! The Purposeful Entrepreneur must be careful to attract only like-minded people that are in integrity with the owner’s vision. Otherwise, it will be difficult or impossible to maintain the expression of the business’ key purpose throughout its various divisions and departments. There are three types of tasks which need to be completed in each business; at this stage at least two of them should be delegated so that the owner can focus on the creative, visionary tasks. This factor examines to what extent that has been done.

This factor answers the question, “How do we manage our resources (especially people)?” for the established business.

12. Strengthening: Leveraging the Success You Have Created

Once all 11 of the previous factors are in place, they pave the way for massive success…but then the question becomes, can you, the owner, let that success in? Or will you unconsciously sabotage things or become a bottleneck in your business to keep it smaller and more comfortable for you? It is difficult for entrepreneurs to let go of the tendency to “do it all myself,” and to allow others to bring their contributions to even the strategic level of the business. Yet that is called for here.

Often, the business reaches a point where it needs to reinvent itself, or the owner begins to lose interest when he/she is no longer creatively expressing on a regular basis. Re-allocating responsibilities – and perhaps even moving on to a new enterprise – may be considered here. Developing an exit strategy for the business and considering how to leverage the success it has enjoyed to date through franchising, licensing, distributorships, or other methods are among the issues evaluated here.

This factor answers the question, “How do we communicate what we do – now?” for the established business.

rganize what we do – now?” for the established business.

Evaluate all 12 factors of Purposeful Entrepreneurship in YOUR business with our Purposeful Entrepreneur Compass today: http://www.purposefulentrepreneur.com/assessment.html

In the previous installments of our series, we have addressed the key factors for a brand new business. Now we continue into the expanding business with the elements of Synergy and Systems.

9. Synergy: Dialoguing with Your Tribe, Meeting their Changing Needs

Everything you do through your business is actually an interactive dialog with your prospects and customers. If their response exceeds your expectations, you are “in sync” (synergistic) with them; if not, then the place to look is not at them but within yourself. Even your interaction with your business as you perform the duties and tasks required are synergistic, and, if you are open to it, are a path of personal growth and evolution. It helps you grow as you take steps to expand it! As a business grows, it is increasingly important to have regular direct interaction with customers to anticipate their changing needs – and use that information to be of maximum service in developing future offerings.

This factor answers the question, “Whom do we serve and what do they tell us?” for the established business.

10. Systems: Freeing Energy, Setting the Stage for Growth

Systems, policies, procedure manuals, and software all play a critical role in a growing enterprise. Without them, energy is wasted trying to find lost items, doing things multiple times (or by multiple people), and feeling like you are “chasing your tail”. This factor measures the extent to which you have implemented systems so that the energy of your purpose can express freely within the business. Your growth depends on it! Here we identify ways to regularly and seamlessly streamline and systematize, so it does not become a burden.

This factor answers the question, “How do we organize what we do – now?” for the established business.

Evaluate all 12 factors of Purposeful Entrepreneurship in YOUR business with our Purposeful Entrepreneur Compass today.

In the previous installments of our series, we have addressed the key factors for a brand new business. Now we move into the expanding business with the elements of Story and Simplification.

7. Story: Taking a Stand, Refining Your Purpose

As a business grows, its purpose must be revisited regularly to be sure the expanding market and growing line of products and services still express that purpose. In addition, the business’ position in the marketplace may need to be honed and narrowed even further to remain relevant – which means taking a stand to polarize the audience. Once you do this, those who love you really love you – and those who don’t resonate with your business will leave. This is a distilling process that greatly increases the impact and staying power of the business. Gathering success stories of happy customers and sharing them with prospects is also key here.

This factor answers the question “Who are we/what do we stand for?” for the established business.

8. Simplification: Getting Back to the Basics of Purpose and Vision

Growth inevitably means chaos – sometimes a lot of chaos. This factor examines how you have simplified – or could simplify – all aspects of your business. Often this means letting go of things that no longer serve the purpose of the business, whether that be staff, products, or ways of doing things. The Pareto Principle is useful here: 20 percent of your business will be generating 80 percent of your results. So what comprises the 20 percent, and how can you let go of the rest?

This factor answers the question, “How do we feel about what we do?” for the established business owner.

Evaluate all 12 factors of Purposeful Entrepreneurship in YOUR business with our Purposeful Entrepreneur Compass today: http://www.purposefulentrepreneur.com/assessment.html

In our series thus far, we have explored Purpose, Passion, People and Presentation – all important to build your foundation. But if they don’t lead to Profits – our 5th factor – and connect through Promotion – then what you have is a hobby, not a business!

Both of these factors deal with attraction: drawing to you the people and resources that form the “meat on the bones” for your Purposeful Business.

5. Profits: Attracting Money

The Purposeful Entrepreneur’s beliefs about money are often challenged in this factor. Old programming that “you can’t be spiritual and be rich”, as well as what amount of money is acceptable to charge and to make, must be revisited for the business to prosper. If revenues are lacking, or if money is not managed well, this factor will score low. More people become wealthy through self-employment than nearly any other avenue…but it is always a path of discovery, facing and overcoming old beliefs, and upleveling one’s awareness and consciousness when it comes to money – not to mention learning the tax benefits and wise money management strategies to be used in running a business.

This factor answers the question, “How do we manage our resources (especially money)?” for the new business.

6. Promotion: Attracting Your Tribe

A business is only viable when its message reaches its market…and promotion is about all the ways you do that in your business. Whether it is online or offline, working with energy, magnetizing, and Law of Attraction or marketing techniques like email broadcasts, speaking or article writing, all of those components comprise the essence of the Promotion factor. How clearly you communicate, the overall vibration you send to your prospects and customers, and how effectively you draw your ideal customer or clients to you – including your sales process – all are measured here.

This factor answers the question, “How do we communicate what we do?” for the new business.

Watch for more of this dynamic series next week!

Want some good news? Small business confidence is at its highest level in 16 months, according to a just-released study from the National Association of Independent Businesses.

Now that’s something to shout about! See full article here:  http://tinyurl.com/ycsy7bt

I am so excited to be in the company of Michael Port, Suzanne Falter Barns, Michele PW, Christopher Mickelsen  and 30 top coaching entrepreneurs  who are coming together for  Milana Leshinsky’s Coaching Boom 2010 virtual event. Get details and save your place today.

(What happens at Coaching Boom 2010, stays there! Only those who attend get to hear about all the new opportunities,… trends, tools, and strategies in coaching.)

Don’t miss out! Check it out today!!!

Welcome to our continued series in which we reveal the 12 factors that are required for you to create a successful Purposeful Entrepreneur™ business, with factors 3 and 4.

3. People: Finding Your Tribe  

The “tribe” or target market served by the business must be identified very specifically, even as the business is forming. The success of the business will be directly related to how clearly the market is defined. Many entrepreneurs struggle to define their niche even without considering their purpose and how it may relate to the niche. A business must have both a horizontal and a vertical niche in order to stand out as unique. For the Purposeful Entrepreneur, defining the ideal people to be served by the business takes on yet a third dimension: will these people benefit as the target of the purpose we have identified as the foundation of the business? Do these people share the problem, challenge or issue around which the owner’s purpose is based? If so, they are the right market. If not, they probably are not (but further inquiry will be needed).

This factor answers the question, “Whom do we serve and what do they tell us?” for the new business.

 4. Presentation: Allowing the Vision to Take Form

Once the purpose, passion and people are clear, the business is ready to “present” itself to the world! Presentation involves all of the logistical steps to start-up (business name selection and filing, legal entity, contracts, internal bookkeeping and phone systems, product creation, and the like). But it also includes the shifts in mindset required to become a self-employed entrepreneur instead of an employee. For the Purposeful Entrepreneur, this step is about action…and the challenge is that not all steps will become clear at once – the plan for the business unfolds in stages. It is only possible to see the second step once the first one – the one in front of you – is taken.

This factor answers the question, “How do we organize what we do?” for the new business.

To assess your business on all 12 factors, take the Purposeful Entrepreneur Compass assessment here.

It use to be that to start a business, you simply decided on a name and a concept and hung out your shingle. Success was based on bottom-line revenues and numbers of items sold – period.

No more! Success in the new Entrepreneurial Renaissance requires that you look much more deeply at why you started (or want to start) your business, and who can benefit from what you are selling. Connecting with these ideal customers (what we call your “tribe”) is then the key that opens the door to long-term relationships, larger impact with your work, and ultimately more sales too.

In this series, we reveal the 12 factors that are required for a successful Purposeful Entrepreneur™ business, two each week.

1. Purpose: the Essence of Your Business

The first factor is Purpose. Every business has both an implicit and an explicit purpose, and ideally both need to be aligned and congruent. For example, if a business says it is committed to timely delivery of its programs, but every communication is late and deadlines are frequently missed, its implicit and explicit purposes are incongruent.

The foundation of a business that will succeed long-term is a commitment to center all of its decisions regarding which products or services to launch, which staff to hire, what policies to adopt, and which customers to serve around a cohesive business purpose, consistent with the owner’s life purpose. It is then clear to both internal staff and external customers what the essential benefit and purpose of the business is – and what values flow from it.

This factor answers the question “Who are we/what do we stand for?” for the new business.

2. Passion: Fueling Your Vision

Whether you are the only person working within your business or you have dozens of staff, how you each“feel” about the business, its products and services, and their role within it comes through on an energetic level in every business interaction. The level of passion in the business is indicated by such things as the “mood” of the owner and staff, how they communicate with customers, even facial expressions. Whether or not customers are valued and respected – or whether staff go the extra mile to ensure that the customer gets what he/she needs – are additional external indicators of the internal passion.

This factor answers the question, “How do we feel about what we do?” for the new business owner.

To assess your business on all 12 factors, take the Purposeful Entrepreneur Compass assessment here.

You know how important your brand, target market and niche are to your success, right?  But it can be difficult to see your own ideal brand (which is often so obvious we overlook it) without outside help.

We are giving away one FREE Brand Makeover to a deserving business owner who is ready to get your business on purpose and on the track to profits this year!  Here’s what you need to do to win:

Between Jan. 27 and Jan. 31, submit a COMMENT below stating your:

• name
• phone
• email
• businses name
• web site address
• why you deserve a makeover

We will announce the winner on Mon. Feb. 1.  Good luck!