So You Want to Be a CEO?
Something that took me a long time to understand – not everyone wants to be a CEO!
I started at a young age knowing I would be a business owner. From the age of 8 or 9, I would open up my bedroom to possible sales. From the old toys that were collecting dust to the new Christmas bits I didn’t actually like – everything had a price!
My poor brother Joel would often come into my bedroom with his pocket money and ask to buy something of mine (I think he liked the idea of negotiating!). When I didn’t want to sell something of mine that I wanted to keep, I would put the price up. Because I knew how much pocket money he received, I knew he couldn’t afford the things he really wanted to buy! So rather than saying no, I outpriced him – not a bad lesson to learn at the age of 9!
Even to this day, I do sometimes increase the price if I feel the person I’m working with could be more work than the average. Maybe a secret I shouldn’t divulge too much, but indeed, if you don’t want to work with someone, or you feel it’s more hassle than it’s worth, bump the price up! If they go for it, you’ll have covered the additional costs associated with the extra work, or in some cases, they see more value in what you offer than you thought!
Because I knew I would be a business owner, I assumed everyone else wanted to be one as well. So if you’re reading this and you’re not sure if you should go into business or not, then ask yourself these 2 questions:
Do you not want to go into business because it’s too risky? Or,
Do you want to go into business because of the rewards it can carry?
As simple as it sounds, if you concentrate on the risks, the nerves, the concerns, maybe being a business owner isn’t for you?
If you feel deep down that yes there are risks, and yes, there are concerns, but if someone can steer you in the right direction, or you can learn from other mistakes, or you know you have something to offer, then maybe you are a CEO?
Sometimes it can be just a simple as, I have a really great idea and I know I can make it work, I just don’t know how to get started, then read on – this is for you!
Equally, if you’re not sure, maybe you’re not ready. Read on till you’ve come this far and perhaps the boot camp or lecturer options are more for you before venturing out
So you’re still reading on?
Good ideas are in abundance. At the age of 9 selling my toys, I knew I had the gift of the gab. As I got older, this got me out of a few scrapes, let me tell you!
Some of the skills I learned over the years did help me in sticky situations, so I knew if I could get myself out of them, maybe I have what it takes to sell my business?
My wife would kill me for saying this, but I also learned how to pick up girls (sorry Emma!). Yes, being able to learn skills like reading body language, mirroring body language, using the other person's own words, all of these are skills that help me sell my service and become successful.
Now my dad used to work in a bank. He told me once that he had to sell a contract to a new supplier and was asked to take this person (we will call him Jim), out to the pub and sell him their products.
Now, I don’t suggest in any way that you do this, but it does highlight why my dad isn’t a business owner (but maybe highlights why I picked up some of his interpersonal skills!)
Dad went to the pub and said to the barman “I’m going to order a vodka and soda, but every time I do, I want you to bring me a lemonade and soda. If I say same again, make sure to bring the other person an alcoholic drink and me my lemonade”
The barman agreed.
So dad sat with his lemonade, and Jim walks in, ready to negotiate. “Let’s have a drink first Bob,” he said.
“Vodka and Soda please barman,” said dad. “I’ll have the same,” said Jim.
After round one and the pleasantries, dad ordered another round.
“Same again,” said dad. And sure enough, out comes a lemonade for Dad and a vodka and soda for Jim.
No matter if this was Mormon behavior, an acceptable sales technique (it’s not, by the way!), dad used initiative. He also told me years later that he hated every moment of the socializing bit, the “schmoozing” as it’s sometimes called, and never wanted to be put in that position again.
Dad is not a CEO!
So, back to Springboard 2 Business (S2B for short). The variety of videos, materials, and texts are here to support and nurture you to become successful. I turned a company from my dining room table to a multi-million-pound company in 10 years. As a good friend once said to me, making the first million is hard work, making the next 10 is easier in comparison – this is intended to get you your first million!