Training Notes
Putting your ideas into action
From this module, you
will learn how to create something of value. Remember that nothing is achieved
unless an action is taken. That’s why this module is all about showing you how
to create something of value by moving into action and by inspiring you to
become a businessman.
This module will serve as your road map for
moving from idea to action. It is full of guidance and practical exercises that
you can use to help you pursue your career. While you are likely to encounter
many obstacles along the road, it will be totally up to you to figure out how
to confront them and to learn from them. This module will offer you practical
tips and support to meet the challenges all along your journey. I am sure you
will find the journey rewarding and enjoyable.
Part 1: Getting to know yourself and your surroundings
better
It is your understanding
of your skills, passions, beliefs, relationships, and community that spark an
idea for a great business. Your skills, passions, and beliefs drive your
motivation and goals for all that you do, your relationships help build upon
the skill set you have and will help you to extend your capabilities by being
able to ask for help. By knowing the needs of your community and filling that need
with your business’s good or service you can help both yourself and the
community around you.
This part
has three main objectives:
· To help you identify your
skills, passions and leadership style
· To identify problems in
your community as potential opportunities
· To develop a feasible and
implementable business idea that you will develop in the rest of the guide
Knowing
myself
Any company will employ
good staff. Take an advantage and ask questions about yourself that you have
not had to ask before: challenge yourself! What are your values? What is your
behavioral style? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Your understanding of
your own honest answers to these questions can help you to not only develop
great businesses but to know your best way to put them into action
The company
core values
Core values are those
qualities that are most important to what you do.
Key values the company
will seek to observe among its employees:
· Accomplishment
· Accountability
· Cleanliness
· Collaboration
· Commitment
· Communication
· Respect
· Responsibility
· Responsiveness
· Results- oriented
· Risk- taking
· Stability
Leadership
styles
Understanding your own
leadership style and the leadership style of others helps you to:
· Understand, regulate, and
communicate your emotions
· Build on your strengths
and be aware of your weaknesses
· Work with others more
effectively
Exercise 1: Answer the
following questions about yourself
- What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies? What do you like to do outside of work?
- What is your favorite job? What is your least favorite job?
- What are some of the things you are responsible for? This could be helping your family, cleaning, etc
Exercise 2: what do you want to do?
- What was your favorite thing to do when you were five years old?
- What do you think you are good at doing?
- If you could change three things about your community or the world, what would they be?
- Imagine yourself in 20 years…. Where will you be? What will you be doing?
Identifying
your Network
It is important to learn how to identify a
network of people and resources that can help you pursue opportunities and find
your passion. You can learn to create that network through the many
interactions you have on day basis.
In the business world, we often rely on a team of
people to work with us. We need other people to participate in our business to
be successful. Your network enables you to identify those people you would go
first with an idea, to seek support, or for just to about any advice or help.
Remember that your network will probably change over time. It will hopefully
grow and will have even more people to help and support you.
Part 2: Planning,
Marketing and Promotion
It is important to have a plan before jumping
into action so that you effectively use resources (time, money and people) and
are successful.
Marketing is an essential component to any
business. In order to promote your business, you will need to try the
following:
Network: Business networking is the act of developing new relationships, with
a goal of creating new opportunities. It can take place anywhere, such as in
your own community with people you interact with on day-to-day basis, at
tradeshows or with people who are involved in your business like customers and
friends of customers. Don’t ignore a seemingly small discussion- it could lead
to a new customer! Use any opportunity in a highly visible public setting to
talk about your business to anyone who might be interested. Every experience
counts!
Customer care: You need to attract and make
your customers feel good about doing business with them so that they in turn
can be their good ambassadors and convey a positive feedback to their friends
and relatives.
Here
few tip to bear in mind:
I.
Friendliness: Friendliness is the most
basic need of all customers. No enterprise can succeed if the employees are not
friendly.
II.
Understanding: Customer care implies
that we show to our customers that we understand them. This becomes simple if
the service provider puts himself/herself in the customer’s shoes.
III.
Fairness: Everyone wants to feel
that he /she is being treated fairly. Customers get very annoyed and defensive
when they feel that they have been subjected to discrimination. You should
never look down upon their customers or judge them according to their
appearance. It starts with respect. If you respect the customer as a human
being, and truly honor their right to be treated fairly and honestly,
everything else is much easier.
IV.
Control: Service providers must
possess the ability to control themselves and their emotions.
V.
Options and alternatives: Customers need to feel that there are other
avenues available to them. If the clients want a specific product that is not
available, you should be able to offer an alternative.
VI.
Information: You should possess
information pertaining to the advantages and benefits of all products and
services they are offering. You cannot sit in a shop without a thorough
knowledge of the characteristics and qualities of the products you are
offering.
Notes:
Ø Consider quality services
Ø Understand the benefits
of the products and services you are selling
Ø Show your customers that
they are like kings and queens
Ø Treat your customers with
courtesy and respect
Ø Offer professionalism
when dealing with your customers ‘complaints.
Ø Manage your customers’
time and don’t leave them hanging
Ø Endeavour to always
fulfill your promises
Ø Refuse to argue with
customers
The four selling stages
I.
Connect: Acknowledge straight away your clients
II.
Contact: Ask your customer how you
can be of some help
III.
Convince: Then treat them all to
the highest standard
IV.
Conclude: Thank your customer
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