Insanity [Issue II]

“Insanity: doing the same thing expecting different results.” – Author unknown

Is that the TRUE definition of insanity? I know I have been told countless times that is the definition of insanity. Well, although it makes since, that is not the definition. Insanity is defined as: unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility: as a : a disease, defect, or condition of the mind that renders one unable to understand the nature of a criminal act or the fact that it is wrong or to conform one's conduct to the requirements of the law being violated b : inability to understand and participate in legal proceedings brought against one.

It amazes me how much we tend to “believe” what we are told without researching the truth, especially in starting businesses. We gather enough information from limited resources and go out thinking we are specialized in particular areas. We do this without establishing a foundation.

When my business partner and I first established our business, we were walking sponges. Yes, our competitors were offering products and services that we could have easily offered as well. Yet, we decided to take on our business one service at a time. We read books and Google^® searched ourselves to oblivion. We wanted to know all we could learn about each facet of our business one step at a time.

It amazes me, even until today, how much that helped with our credibility. With so many major competitors, small businesses have to “prove” themselves to consumers. This is even more difficult intangible products/services. Reason being, consumers don’t “walk away” with what they paid for immediately. They have to have faith in your organization to be willing to extend their comfort zones to give you that chance.

Researching your industry, competitors and consumer interest are vital to the longevity of your business. It assists with marketing trends and reducing overhead.

I challenge you to take some time and invest it into your business. Yes your days may be as much as 16 hours of “making ends meet”, but the outcome of putting time along with energy and money in your business proves to make it more successful. Follow the 3 R’s of business: Research, Read and Request. Research, take time to utilize the internet; the internet can reduce your research time astronomically. Read, there are many of books out there about your industry or just information about running a successful business; take some money out of the business to invest in having these tools at your fingertips. Request, help is there for the asking; there are countless organizations that assist small businesses without fees (i.e. SCORE-Service Corps of Retired Executives and the SBA-Small Business Administration).

Open yourself to an abundance of success by just taking the time to invest TIME into your business.