Through a few links of Twitter, I came across a video from Mike Row on Dirty Jobs, speaking at the TED conference.  For those of you who don’t watch his show, he basically goes around the country doing the jobs that no one in their right mind would think of doing.  He does the job alongside the people that normally do them, and the jobs are usually far more difficult (and disgusting) than they sound.

He made a point in his video that we seem to have forgotten the workers.

The people that do these jobs – roadkill scrapers, trash sorters, sewer workers, pipe fitters, welders, steam fitters – those are the people, really, who are at the core of this country that keep it going.

The media typically takes the job and makes a joke, or stereotype of the person that is doing the work.

Small business owners depend on their employees – we all know that no matter how great the idea is, if you don’t have people willing and able to actually put in the time and do the work, oftentimes menial and dangerous – your dream eventually comes to a standstill.

Most of us were there – we did the work, we worked on the floor, in the field, in the cubicles.  Now that we are working for ourselves, when the time comes to thank the people that work with and for us, we need to remember who is helping us to fulfill and chase our dream.  A pat on the back, a heartfelt “thanks”, a dinner, a bonus, a raise – no matter how you do it – just remember the people that helped you along the way.

They are the people that build this country from the ground up, with their hands, sweat, and blood.

Support the workers.

Watch the video

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/mike_rowe_celebrates_dirty_jobs.html

Thumbs Down

That’s right – us entrepreneurs have skeletons in our closet.  Little secrets we dare not tell anyone, except to other entrepreneurs, and those thinking about getting into the self-employed scene.

The cars, the boats, the vacations, the glamor and fame – it all looks good, but there are the little secrets that can strip the excitement away from the appearance.

Here are some of the “dirty little secrets” that no one tell you – you can’t learn them in classes, in seminars, or reading books. It’s one of those things you learn “on the job”, as they say.

1. It’s your dream – it’s up to you to make it work.
2. When times are good, everyone wants to be your friend.
3. When times are bad, you are alone.
4. At the beginning, just starting out – you have to believe in yourself, because no one else will.
5. When things go downhill – you have to believe in yourself, because no one else will.
6. If a job takes you 8 hours, assume it will take someone else 24.  Seriously.
7. NO ONE will work as hard as you.  Accept it as fact.
8. In the end, all responsibility is on your shoulders.
9. Part of having employees is babysitting – sometimes more than you would like.
10. You will have sleepless nights wondering what you got yourself into.

Those are some good, basic, entrepreneur rules, however negative they might be.  It is what it is.  Don’t get me wrong – owning your own business is absolutely wonderful – the pros greatly outweigh the cons (well, most of the time).

Next post, I will concentrate on the upside of entrepreneurship.

What tough situations do you find yourself in working for yourself?  Comment and let me know.

Simplify

I heard on the radio this morning that, due to the current economic situation, General Motors will have to get rid of product lines that are unprofitable.

Is this a new concept to them?

General Motors lost 9.6 Billion dollars last quarter.  Are they just now figuring out how to make a profit?  Have they just been so glut with money that they didn’t have to worry about what did and did not make a profit?

I started a business for many reasons – and making money was not on the top of the list, much to my downfall in my first business.

We all have to remember that for all the reasons to start a business – the MAIN reason is always to MAKE MONEY.  Only by making a profit can the business STAY in business, create jobs, create value for the owner and the community, and be allowed to grow and add to the economy.

Like it or not, it is about the money.

Now… back to the unprofitable product lines.

GM is realizing (or continues to realize) that the unprofitable automobile lines have to be cut, scaled back, or put on hold.  This should be a lesson to all of us – having pet projects or goal-less research and development projects, during this economy, is not a good idea.  Cash is king, and must be used with care and discretion.

Take a good look at your business, and, for that matter, your life.

What is there that is not making money, or is keeping something else from reaching its full potential?  Is there something in your life that is negatively affecting everything else?

It might just be time to take a good look at your business and personal situation, shed what is not needed, what is not profitable, what is placing too much a financial or emotional burden on you or your business, and start to shed some of it.

This economy is about getting back to the basics, down to the heart of what is important, and shake off the dust.

Call it getting lean and mean, or getting to the basics, or feng shui – it’s always about getting back to what is simple, what is good, and what works.

Comments?

A quick story – I was reading to my son last night before bed, which I do every night.  It’s one of those times we have to spend together, without stress or interruptions.

Our puppy started barking.  It’s a new thing she has been doing lately – barking at the cat, or at something she sees outside.  I also knew, in the back of my mind, that she also barks when she has to go out.

I quickly ignored that thought.  I was spending quality time with my son, and he was close to being asleep.

When he finally fell asleep, I got up, and could immediately tell what she was really barking about. 

I mean an entire roll of paper towels clean up kind of barking.  I don’t blame my dog, I blame myself for ignoring her and not LISTENING.

Now, relating this to your small business.

The economy is tough right now, and you might find yourself with more free time on your hands than you would care for.

Now is a great time to LISTEN to your customers.

Call them up – ask them how they feel about your company and the services you provide to them.  Yes, use the word “feel”.  Purchasing is typically an emotional act – at least in the sense of who they purchase from.  Actually listen to what your customer has to say – write it down, put it in a spreadsheet – whatever works best for you to organize the feedback.

Call all of your customers.  Call potential customers, and ask them questions about your product or service, what they like about the current supplier, what they dislike.  You’d be surprised at how open people are about who they are not satisfied with.

And make sure your customers are satisfied with you and your company.  Other people might just be calling your customers, asking them these same type of questions.  And I am sure you don’t want your customer to leave you with the same type of result my dog left for me last night.

Good luck – let me know what kind of questions you ask, and what the typical response is.

Everyone has heard that our long stretch of an expanding economy has quickly come to an abrupt halt, here in the second half of 2008.  There is a minimal amount of credit to go around, consumer spending has fallen, and, as a result, business spending has fallen.

Business is tough out there.

And, as they say, only the strong survive. That includes your small business.

When times were good, and the money was flowing, it seemed like everyone was in need of your product and service.  What most companies did was to specialize – that way they could perform one function, excel at it, and charge a premium.  And they would get paid for it.

You might have been the only game in town that provided that product or service, or you were known to be the best.  You served your customers well, and got compensated for it.

But… now the game has changed.

Companies and people are not spending like they used to.  Production is down, and materials and services that businesses need are down.  People are holding on to their money, making sure they can pay their loans and mortgages.

So – what are the rules now?  What can a business do to survive the next couple of years of tight budgets?

I’ll tell you.  It’s time to generalize.

Yes, as you can probably figure out, it’s time to move in the opposite direction as specializing.  Be more for your customers.  Be able to do more, provide more, and help them more that you have been.

Broaden your products, services, and assistance to your customers.

You should start with your current customers for this method.  The next time you visit with them (and I hope you are visiting your current customers more often), ask them what else they purchase or need that is in line with what you currently offer.  Try not to turn anything down that your customer needs, as long as you can provide what they need in a reasonable time, fair cost, and high quality.

You do want to provide more products and services to your customer, but not to the effect that you degrade your current relationship with them.  Because if you fail, there will be someone else right on your heels to pick your customer up.

It’s easier to keep a customer than to get a new one.

Why should your customer buy goods and services from you instead of their normal supplier?

1.  It’s easier to deal with one vendor than multiple vendors.

2.  You have a proven track record of being there when your customer needs you.

3.  You might be able to provide additional services at a discounted “bundle” rate.

4.  You guarantee 24 – hour delivery?

5.  You can be “on call” for your customers during late business hours.

It’s the “extra” services that will allow you to beat out your competition during these tough times.

Ask your customers what they think.

I’ll bet they will be excited about your new services.