I
“Aim for success and you will hit success.”
n this handy guide-book, Daniel Chuunga, motivational speaker and pastor, offers positive, encouraging counsel on the practical steps to success in business. From the fundamentals of visualizing success and the importance of good financial
planning, to the more ‘nuts and bolts’ issues such as advertising and correct pricing, topics covered are: • Acquiring skills • Teamwork • Public relations and customer care
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
the author provides the basic building blocks of a successful business. Some of the
• Diversifying • Taking risks This small book can have a big impact on the success of your business. Try these principles and see your business rise to new heights!
PUBLISHING CO.
DANIEL CHUUNGA
Africa
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS A simple guide for entrepreneurs DANIEL CHUUNGA
Africa
PUBLISHING CO.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS – A simple guide for entrepreneurs Daniel Chuunga Copyright © 2012 Africa Publishing Company ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Africa Publishing Company PO Box 111, Somerset Mall, 7137, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)21 8527656 Cell: +27 (0)83 5704585 Fax: +27 (0)86 5022980 Email: info@africacopublishing.com Unless otherwise marked, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. Full or partial reproduction by any form or by any means whatsoever is prohibited. The violation of copyright is a crime. ISBN: 978-1-920579-28-9 Publisher: Marcos Cruz Editor: Cindy Hurlow Published in South Africa Notice: The publisher offers this book to the public in the hope that it will provide information and guidance to the benefit of the reader. However, the reader should keep in mind the role of professional advisors who are authorized to analyse clients’ individual circumstances and are qualified to provide the best possible advice in each case. The publisher declines all responsibility should a problem occur from the reader’s use of this book.
CONTENTS Introduction
3
Correct pricing
21
Monitor
43
Decide to succeed
5
Consult
23
Public relations
45
Financial planning
7
Improve
25
Work hard
47
The right product
9
Compete
27
Be honest
49
Self-discipline
11
Teamwork
29
Yield to God
51
Advertise
13
Take risks
33
Conclusion
53
Acquire skills
15
Create reserve
37
References
54
Customer care
17
Diversify
41
2
INTRODUCTION P
eople talk business wherever they go. In offices, in church, at pubs and during soccer tournaments, people talk about issues that can improve life. Business is the essence of life, they say. The main purpose of business is to make a profit. That is the reason why people go into business. A man’s transport business flourished for two good years. Another businessman started the same business and took over the market, leaving the first man’s business in ruins. In another case, a man had made good money selling fuel. He had no competitors until, after five years of monopoly, an entrepreneur took the market. His business soon deteriorated. What makes some businessmen and women collapse in business? What makes some individuals go down after enjoying good profit margins? It is important to know that God is able to make your business succeed if you give Him space in your life and in your business. He is the one who gives us power to get wealth. The Bible states: “And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them” (Deuteronomy 28:13 (NKJV)). Insofar as God has power to give us wealth, we need to do our part as well. However, there is no formula for success. This booklet has some answers to your questions on how to succeed in business. Try these principles and see how your business can rise to new heights. 3
4
DECIDE TO SUCCEED T
o attain the success you want in business, you need to dream big. Every success in business starts with big dreams. You must have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Those who succeed, visualize success—they almost feel it, touch it and smell it! Be passionate with what you do. It must be in your mind. In your business, you must have the right attitude. Develop the attitude that you can succeed. Success begins in the mind. Be positive and work towards success. Decide to succeed whatever it takes. Thomson unveils: “It has often been said that successful people make decisions quickly (having collected the relevant information) and then change their minds slowly. Whereas, less successful people tend to make up their minds or make decisions slowly and then change their minds quickly.”1 Convince your mind of success. Aim for success and you will hit success. Difficulties may come your way but rise above them. Do not let circumstances derail your goals. Turn circumstances into stepping stones and you will definitely succeed. Someone once said, “I would rather be bankrupt than be dead.” Covey challenges: “But you can’t change the fruit without changing the root.”2 Strive to change your mind with an I-can-do attitude. Bliss advises: “Success doesn’t mean the absence of failures; it means the attainment of ultimate objectives. It means winning the war, not every battle.”3
5
6
FINANCIAL PLANNING A
s you operate your business, you must put money aside for your ventures. Your business will take shape if you make financial plans for its success. Strive to set money aside specifically for your business. Set activities in relation to your financial capacity. Work out a budget for your business and leave money aside to run that business. It does not matter how big or small your company, you must set money aside for it. This will equally help expand your business. A financial plan will serve as a management tool for your operations. Money will help run your business.
7
8
THE RIGHT PRODUCT I
t is vital to provide goods and services that are required in your environment. Do not just jump into business without identifying the needs of your community. Be proactive and do market research for your product. How do you expect to sell beef to a Hindu community who do not eat beef? How do you sell cigarettes and alcohol to Seventh-day Adventists who avoid these items due to religious affiliation and conviction? In order to make your business tick, you need to know what people actually need in that area and at what time. As the saying goes, you cannot sell ice to an Eskimo. Whatever business you are undertaking, ensure that the right commodity or service is provided to the people at the right time. You will definitely sell when you provide the right commodity. Do not just rush into business without a strategy. Your business may collapse simply because you are selling the wrong product. Provide what the masses need. At the same time, provide the item at the right time. What can help your business to grow? The right product is the answer.
9
I
“Aim for success and you will hit success.”
n this handy guide-book, Daniel Chuunga, motivational speaker and pastor, offers positive, encouraging counsel on the practical steps to success in business. From the fundamentals of visualizing success and the importance of good financial
planning, to the more ‘nuts and bolts’ issues such as advertising and correct pricing, topics covered are: • Acquiring skills • Teamwork • Public relations and customer care
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
the author provides the basic building blocks of a successful business. Some of the
• Diversifying • Taking risks This small book can have a big impact on the success of your business. Try these principles and see your business rise to new heights!
PUBLISHING CO.
DANIEL CHUUNGA
Africa