Are You Treating Your Business Like a Business?

This question comes up all the time, especially when my team members are struggling with growing their network marketing business.

So I ask them – are you treating your business as a business or are you treating it as a hobby?

The answers I get range from ‘Of course I am’ to ‘I think so’, to ‘I don’t know’.

The truth is most people in network marketing do not take their business serious enough to do what needs to be done to be successful. 

They believe that growth will just happen. 

Unfortunately bad or unprofessional habits lead to poor results.

Susan Sly, co-author of “The MLM Woman” explains that many people do not show the respect that their business deserves and therefore do not have the habits that are necessary for a success.

“ If you want to make a million dollars, have million dollar habits.  If you want to make $10, then have $10 dollar habits.” – Susan Sly

Even if it is a part time business, it still needs to be treated as a legitimate business, and you have to portray the image of a serious business person if you want prospects to be serious about your business.  If you are not serious about it, why should they?

As Eric Worre states in his book “Go Pro – 7 Steps to Becoming a Network Marketing Professional”, there are 3 types of networking marketing people – posers, amateurs and professionals. 

In reality, only the professional category treats their business as a business, while the posers and the amateur are simply pretenders.

So what do we need to do to treat our business as a real serious enterprise? 

Here are 6 simple things you can do to be a business professional:

1.  Set daily, monthly, and yearly business goals. 

This demonstrates that you are serious about the business and want it to grow.  It gives you focus on what needs to be done.  By setting these goals, then the actions to achieve them become apparent to you, your team, and your prospects. 

2.  Have and publish your business hours. 

If you want to be a successful businessperson, then you have to be fully (not partially) committed to it and demonstrate the discipline necessary for a serious business. 

“There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either in or out. There’s no such thing as a life in-between.” – Pat Riley, former NBA Coach

People need to know when are you available? This means setting your ‘business hours’.  This applies to a full-time or part-time business. 

Your prospects need to see that you are serious about what you are doing, and setting your hours contributes to that impression.  It also means you have a focus and a schedule to follow on a daily basis.  It means having everything in your calendar.

3.  Always dress for success. 

This is the easiest thing to do and many business people don’t.  Remember first impressions are so important.  If you look successful, then people will think you are successful and that you take your business seriously.  This will generate more interest and respect for what you do.  The old adage of “dress up, show up, never give up” applies.

4.   Develop your business acumen. 

Lets face reality – you and your business are a work in progress.  This means continuous development of both is required. It means attending your company business events and conferences when they are held. 

It means participating in training, mentoring and team conference calls.  It means have professional business cards and voice mail.  It means ‘walking the walk’. It means personal as well as business development. Only by improving yourself will you improve your business.

5.  Do what you would expect yourself and others to do. 

First of all, always do what you say you are going to do.  Hold yourself accountable.  Second, do what you expect other people to do, whether they are part of your team or part of another business.  Set the example by your actions.  Set the standard of your business.  Do what the competition will not do.  Show up on time, return calls, phone prospects, host events, have products and samples with you, and always be prepared.

6.  Track your performance. 

Finally, keep on top of how your business is doing.  You need to know if you are meeting the goals you set in #1.  So evaluate weekly, monthly and annually.  Today, most network marketing businesses make it easy for you to know exactly how you and your team are doing.  Use this information to your benefit – recognize performance, identify any shortfalls, reboot and reset where required and develop revised goals as required. 

But be totally aware of how your business is doing so that you can speak knowledgeably about it and there are no surprises. People will always ask ‘How is your business is doing?’ and you want to be prepared to answer that question with facts!

So do you treat your business as a business? 

If not, then I have provided you with some action steps you can do to change it right away.  It starts with you.  Change yourself and you will change your business!

Remember . . .

Treat your business like a business so you can build a life by design and enjoy a time freedom lifestyle.