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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:

Word of the Mouth: Word of the mouth is developed when the people become aware of your business, have an interaction and then share their experiences with others. Good quality and good service are some ways to generate positive attention.

     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