5 Leadership Lessons From Successful Small-Business Owners

No two businesses and industries are alike, but successful leadership principles are largely universal. So, learn by emulating what successful business owners and leaders have done to succeed.
We asked several successful business owners for their best leadership advice. Some fundamental concepts were cited over and over again.
1. Communicate vision and goals
It's not enough for successful leaders to simply have a clear vision. A true leader must communicate that vision and those goals to employees, investors and customers. Without a clear sense of goals, it is easy for everyone involved to lose sight of the larger picture and get lost in the details.
“Much time is wasted in the entrepreneurial process, because the entrepreneur is not clear on the desired outcome," says Dr. David Washington, founder of Washington and Company. "The lack of clarity is then passed down to the followers, which results in missed objectives.” Washington is the author of Life is a Choice: A Guide to Success in Life.
2. Listen
Leaders must be able to listen and understand, as well as communicate.
“Leadership has a core fundamental for me, and that is dialog," said John Spiridigliozzi, vice president of business development at Infinit Technology Solutions. "I have had instances where I was sure I was communicating only to find out I was publishing.
"Engaging in a dialog with team members [is an] opportunity for clarity…. Learning to listen is not simply keeping quiet while others talk. It is comprehending what is being said, assessing the value and responding accordingly.”
3. Build relationships
People are your greatest resource: clients and customers as well as employees. Find ways to strengthen the level of trust you have with everyone involved in your enterprise.
“Be considerate. Be transparent and consistent. Be fair. Be constructive. Be realistic. Be decisive," says Larry M. Elkin, CPA, CFPR and founder of Palisades Hudson Financial Group. He says it all comes down to trust. "We all say we want team players, but many leaders forget to act as part of the team. It is not only important that your workers trust each other: It is vital that they trust you as their leader.”
4. Set the tone
Company culture, tone and attitude come from the top down. A passionate and compassionate leader can energize an entire company. Set an example of cooperation, trust and openness. Focus on solutions and positivity instead of blame and backstabbing.
“You can go through thousands of dollars in consultants to shape your culture, but it will still come back to the owner's approach," says Kristi Hedges, leadership consultant and coach at The Hedges Company.
Hedges favors a hands-on approach. "If you're motivated and happy in your role, then others will follow your lead. And if you're burned out and tired, that energy will permeate everything. Owners need to make sure they shape their role, and their company, to make them fulfilled and excited. If you put yourself last, you're hurting the entire organization."
5. Share ownership
In a tough economic climate, it is more important than ever to be open-minded and employ a community-style approach to leadership. It's a “many heads are better than one” approach.
A good leader allows both employee responsibility and creativity to encourage growth and new ideas. Successful leaders understand the value of customer and community input. Soliciting and listening to feedback and suggestions can lead to a better understanding of what needs to be done and also generates company loyalty and a brand following.
“In our business, we've learned that a little transparency can go a long way toward increasing employees' confidence, commitment and energy,” said Ethan Willis, CEO of Prosper Inc. and co-author of "The One-Minute Entrepreneur."
Royale Scuderi is a freelance writer and success coach. She is the founder of Productive Life Concepts and has been featured on Stepcase Lifehack and The Huffington Post. You can find her musings on life and business at GuardWife.com and Twitter.com/RoyaleScuderi.

13:07 by Robert dawne · 1

Top 7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Facebook

The goal for most small businesses on Facebook is to build relationships with current customers and future prospects. But random daily posts, "likes" and comments often do not produce the desired results. Fathom Research helps businesses understand what actually drives a deeper relationship with their customers. Here are some of the strategic activities they recommend (with my examples) that help build strong Facebook relationships.
1. Invite interaction
Let visitors know that your company is listening by responding ASAP (hopefully within four hours) on all posts. This is especially true for customer service inquiries, raves or rants. For example, Sage Peachtree does an excellent job helping customers that have questions about using their accounting product through their Facebook page. Reply not only on your own company's posts, but to those of your "friends"—and their friends to make further cross connections possible.
2. Tell stories
Stories make any brand come alive. Encourage the posting of examples of customers using your product. Scottevest has a gallery of photos from fans on their Facebook page from all around the world wearing their innovative travel clothing in the wildest places. This will also inspire everyone's imagination as to what is possible with your product without you actually selling it to them.
3. Exchange ideas
Ask questions and encourage creativity. Don't be afraid to tackle real issues that are important to your fans and your brand. For example, after the President’s State of the Union address, you can post “How well has President Obama done supporting “every entrepreneur that wants to become the next Steve Jobs”? This will elicit of alot of responses from both sides of the aisle.
4. Celebrate everything!
Pause to commemorate milestones or seasonal traditions. For example, on their Facebook page, American Express OPEN recently celebrated Martin Luther King’s birthday by asking, “...it’s a great chance to reflect on our own dreams. What is your greatest dream as a business owner?”
5. Make it fun
It is critical to connect with your fans' passions. For example, United Linen has a multipart video series on how to fold napkins on their page. Have visitors fill in the blank like American Express OPEN, who has a "Fill in the Blank Friday" feature! Sponsor contests or promotions by offering deals or other giveaways. Urban Oasis Spa offers a "free hot stone massage" contest during the cold Chicago winter and visitors can enter by just liking their page.
6. Show personality
Expand your brand and don't be afraid to be bold or irreverent. FibreGlast Developments Corporation shows off "Fiber Carbon Star Wars Star Troopers." This is important because some posts on your Facebook page need to be a break from talking about your product and company. Sage Peachtree tells jokes on their Facebook through a “Friday Funny” feature.
7. Make connections
Share your content with other complementary sources. As a result, they will more likely share their content with you. This can be done effectively by championing a cause that is in alignment with the values of your brand. For example, (RED) has raised over $180 million and helped 7 million people fight AIDS. These types of connections make your company relevant to everyday life.
How has your company effectively built relationships on Facebook?

14:00 by Robert dawne · 0