I observed one of the deadliest infection that deprives business owners especially the indigenes from advancing and making greater success in their business here in Nigeria. The act of repeating one method, pattern or business procedures for years not minding the latest technology advancement in the world today. The worst of it all is their resistance to any form of new ideas, invention or upgrade towards their business. Majority of them do not attend any seminars, or coaching classes pertaining to their own business. In fact, to crown it all, many of them are not teachable or coachable.
We all know that the greatest performer in all fields of human endeavor have a coach. Come to think of it, a coach will never give in to your excuses nor encourage your lapses, rather he will tell you things you do not want to hear, things you failed to try or do, possibilities awaiting your actions. He will help you to overcome your laziness and grow your skills, talent, ability so that you can become very successful in your business. He will teach and guide you on how to overcome your rivals and outperform your competitors. Apart from the superior methods a coach will cut off your excesses and keep you focused by giving you a selfless feed backs on your accomplishments, needs and performance. A coach will help you to achieve greatness and good success in your business.
Regrettably, many business owners in my country Nigeria enjoys the company of empathizers not coaches. Their failure to be coachable has made them become emotionally sensitive to their business. They prefer a short cut to success and riches. They look for a possible way to workless and have much income, they ignore the use of common sense but sort divine intervention. They turn their back and refuse simply principles in handling their business like, dedication, hard work, perseverance, commitment and sacrifice. There effects, is what we are now seeing. Many businesses are folding up and many Nigerians are becoming broke which contributes to high rate of unemployment.
If we are incapacitated in managing and succeeding in doing business here in our own country Nigeria, then what guarantee do we have that we will succeed in strange lands and markets? The way we are going, it is time we retrieve our steps and do the needful in other to put our country towards the right direction by managing and owning multinational businesses. It is time we build and develop business far and wide our nation and beyond. It is time to properly invest in our own country and create platforms for small scale business to triumph.
Below are some of the behavioral patterns and traits to help business growth.
1. Passion For Success
To be successful in business implies the ability to meet the needs of the people by creating employment, offering solutions, a comfortable and improved livelihood to all humanity. When these is done money will be your reward. I once asked some people a question and I was surprise at the answers I got. If you are told to catch some free goats, what would be your best possible method to achieve that as soon as possible? The quest for chasing money has made us derail for the real method of getting money which is just the reward for our goods and services. All you need to gather some free goats, is their food, yes their food. Once you bring it before them they will all come to you. Likewise, once your goods and services are efficient, reliable and trustworthy, keeping to your words and time, you will eventually have clients who will willingly pay for your product. So instead of focusing on money, pursue success.
2. Flexibility
Be willing to adopt to changes and learn whatever it takes to be successful in your business. New ways, methods, approach, challenges, inventions, strategies and technical know-how to be successful in your business. Do not turn your back or be nonchalant when new procedures, ideas, policies and rules are brought to you. Embrace it and give it a trial in a small scale until you master it. Please do not be rigid, adapt new ways and be flexible.
3. Patience
The ability to remain calm and keep repeating a process until it makes a complete cycle or until it is exhausted or finished is patience. As a business owner you are expected to keep working until you get the expected result. Operate with a clear knowledge of what you are doing and why, and do not relent until the expected result is being achieved. The cycle complete when you have seen the purpose of your hard work.
4. You need a coach
Even though it is important to have a professional business coach who will quench our taste for knowledge and how to survive in business, it is important that you know that it takes the application of knowledge to have wisdom in other words it is meaningless to have a coach if you are not willing to take his advice. Nigerians knows a lot and have various degree and PhD holders but rather than applying what they know in other to be successful, they rather prefer to brag and be dishing out orders. They enjoy talking rather than thinking, forgetting that talk is cheap. They prefer air condition offices and cars rather than getting use to factory environment and project sites. We bring cultural mentality into our business and we are unable to differentiate business from family affairs. This is why a collage or basic degree holder abroad or from a different cultural background will apply his or her basic knowledge in handling a business and will achieve a greater result that the PhD holder from Nigeria. The ability to embrace both experience and responsibilities makes you a great business owner.
My good friends, greatness is about who you are and your product. Your eagerness to perform better, makes you a better person. To be outstanding you have to standout. So, stop your business environment slugger and be coachable!