Tools for Success – Be Technologically Savvy
The first article in this series listed several tactics that will make you more successful. The rest of the series will take a closer look at each of them.
In 1992, before Smartphones existed, I carried a Pocket Rolodex everywhere I went. I did it because I understood the value e of networking, and I put EVERYONE’S information in my rolodex. I never entered a person’s information without including their full address and phone. We didn’t have e-mail then.
Most of my friends made fun of me for being the nerd with the Rolodex. However, they all also relied on me for phone numbers. In 1999, when I did a private stock offering, I had over 3,000 contacts that I had gathered and put in my pocket Rolodex because I had networked or done business with them.
Using just that list, I was able to sell out my private stock offering in 21 days. In fact, I actually attracted more investors than I had stock to sell.
I’m sharing this story partly to remind you to network. But that’s not the only reason. I’m also sharing it to remind you to keep your tech skills up-to-date.
Can you build a simple spreadsheet? Use PowerPoint? Upload to SlideShare? Draft a letter in Word or edit a document using track changes? Convert a doc to a PDF? Manage your e-mail and docs so you work smart? As a leader, you should know all of these basic tech skills.
Stay current. Get ahead of the curve. Go to seminars. Learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Understand how to use private groups on Facebook to sell more to current customers. You don’t have to be a web genius to try new tools.
Abe Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening my axe.” He knew how important tools are to doing the job right. Investing time to upgrade your skills is sharpening your axe. Work at mastering new tools and new skills.
If you drive a forklift or work with your hands, this week’s article is for you, too. If you want to do better for yourself and make more money, you need to learn skills that will make you more valuable. You become promotable by looking for areas that the business needs help and learning the skills needed to give it.
Volunteer to learn new skills, whether it is learning to control inventory, make presentations, work on a budget, understand metrics, or review contracts. Add any of these marketable skills, and it won’t be long until your paycheck reflects your higher value.
The pocket Rolodex is long gone. Today, I use an iPhone. I network on Facebook and LinkedIn. I study online marketing. I am nearly 60, but I’m still eager to find new tools to make me a better businessperson.
Remember only you can make business great!
Ron Sturgeon, Mr. Mission Possible, has been a successful business owner for more than 35 years. As a small business consultant, he can wisdom and advice gleaned from an enviable business career that started when he opened a VW repair business as a homeless 17-year-old and culminated in the sale of several businesses he built to Fortune 500 companies.
Ron has helped bankers, lawyers, insurance agents, restaurant owners, and body shop owners, as well as countless salvage yard owners to become more successful business people. He is an expert in helping small business owners set the right business strategies, implement pay-for- performance, and find new customers on the web.
As a consultant, Ron shares his expertise in strategic planning, capitalization, compensation, growing market share, and more in his signature plainspoken style, providing field-proven, and high-profit best practices well ahead of the business news curve. Ron is the author of nine books, including How to Salvage More Millions from Your Small Business.
To inquire about consulting or keynote speaking, contact Ron at 817-834-3625, ext. 232, rons@MrMissionPossible.com, 5940 Eden, Haltom City, TX 76117.
