Mindset, Learning, Collaboration

Are you really working by yourself when you work for yourself?

I have been doing a lot of Facebook live posts about gathering a team around you when you work for yourself because its important you dont see working for yourself as working alone. Why is this important?

If you have come from a team based environment it can be hard to get used to working by yourself. There doesnt seem to be anyone to bounce ideas around with, no one to ask when you get stuck on that computer program or task you know someone else helped you out with, no one to have a coffee with or catch up on the weekend sport with. This is not the same as missing working for someone else. Its about loving the energy of working in a team.

Advice on money

It is possible to work in a team when you work for yourself. It involves gathering around you people who help you do what you do. Your accountant helps with the finances so it make sense that you seek advice and discuss ideas with your accountant around how you should spend or risk your money. Some accountants are very skilled business coaches too. They can help with business plans and financial coaching. If yours isnt helpful you need to find one who is. (Andrew is great if you need one info@anywherebusinessnetwork.co.nz)

Mentoring

Maybe you have a friend or aquantance you have admired for their head for business. How about asking them to be a sounding board for you. You could approach you local business chamber or business development group to see if they have business mentors.

Business partner

Having a business partner often makes good sense. You each should have strenghts the other values and have the abiltiy to share the work load and contribute to the business financially. Hey presto, you now have a person to share ideas, money, learning… everything.

Online business community

There are lots of great online learning forums that you a great community of people doing and learning just like you. Find one and start talking to people. When you get personal and share you will find lots of people come out of the woodwork and give.

Let me know if this has helped you.

Kerri Bainbridge

One half of the Anywhere Team NZ

www.anywherebusinessnetwork.co.nz 

Will 2018 be your year to turn your pet project into an online success?

Will 2018 finally be the year that you turn your pet project into an online success story? Sadly, for most women, this dream is less likely to become a reality. Research from UK bank NatWest found that women are a third less likely to start a business than men, with fear of failure cited as a major barrier.

So what’s stopping us?

What do I think?

I think its time, not willing to set aside to learn how to promote yourself and pretending your work will sell itself. It takes a good mindset that is dedicated to planning and making things happen. Caring that things are happening instead of burying yourself in “being busy”. Being busy is a vicious cycle. Try getting up an hour earlier.

I think people don’t take the time to learn about business planning and marketing, having a good accounting system, invoicing and cash management systems. You need to put time into learning about all aspects of business not just what you want to sell. Cash is king. Maybe you could learn this online, from your accountant or a business mentor.

I also think its lonely working on your own and some people like the flexibility of working for themselves but miss company and ideas other generate. Maybe you should be in business this year with others.

What do you think ? What stops you from becoming a success? Here are some more ideas 

 

Kerri Bainbridge

One half of the Anywhere Team NZ

www.anywherebusinessnetwork.co.nz