The
Professional Edge
By Patrysha
Korchinski
There are
a thousand ways in which home-based entrepreneurs take their
first steps into the business world. Some ventures begin as
simply a way to get favourite products at a great price. Others
begin as a hobby and grow into a business. Still others make a
conscious decision to enter into a home-based business. No
matter how humble or haphazard the beginnings, the fact is that
to attain a level of success that can support a family, there
must be a conscious decision to be a professional.
The
choice to become a professional is a commitment and a statement.
It is a commitment to treat your business as an entity of it’s
own, rather than simply an extension of yourself. It is a
statement that you are prepared to put in the hard work and
nurture your business towards a path of success.
It is
okay to not make that step. That’s the beauty of being a work at
home entrepreneur. You don’t have to grow if that is not your
intention. You don’t have to take your business to the next
level if you are not ready for it. However, the longer you stay
at the start-up level of thinking the longer it will take to
overcome that image should you decide to move up in the future.
Being a
professional is not something that can be easily defined. It’s a
mindset and an attitude that is evident through your decisions
and actions. It becomes entwined with the image your business
projects to the world. It is not more work to become a
professional, but it does take planning and a shift in
priorities and attitudes towards the details.
Choosing
to take the professional path is not about saying you’re better
than anyone else. It simply acknowledgement of the marketing
truth, perception is reality. It is the customer’s perception of
your business that makes the difference between being willing to
pay more for your product or service. It’s their feelings
towards the stability of your company that will aid in their
decision to refer others to you. If you are perceived as a
professional you will find more opportunities to network, you
will get more referrals and you will begin to see a shift
upwards in your bottom line.
The most
recent statistics show that there are more than 13 million home
based business ventures in America. Only a fraction of them will
be successful over the long term. These facts contribute to the
perception that home business is merely a part time or temporary
type of opportunity. Unless you do something to set yourself
apart from the crowd, your business will suffer due to that
perception.
The
professional edge provides a very real advantage to your
business. These advantages do not take place overnight. The
shift in perception towards your business will take time. It’s
not an immediate goldmine. It is merely the first step towards
growth.
Being a
professional does not mean that you stop being you. It does not
mean that you stop having the heart and soul that make you
unique in the world. It does not mean that you stop being caring
and friendly towards your customers and clients. It simply means
that you are willing to put the extra effort into your business
and start to build an image that projects confidence,
reliability and success.
When you
make the choice to take on a professional attitude towards your
business you will begin to see things in a different light.
Things that you think of as expenses will become investments.
You will spend more time researching and considering the actions
that will further your business image. You will become more
aware of how your actions are perceived by your target market.
You will be more attentive to the details that create the right
atmosphere for growth.
You will
begin to base your decisions on what will be most effective in
relaying your message to the customer. This may mean that you
spend a little extra to ensure that your marketing materials are
consistent with the slicker look that will represent your
professionalism. It may mean that you alter your packaging to
look a little more store-bought rather than homemade. It may
mean that you develop policies that reflect those of leaders in
your industry rather than those of cottage industry.
Professional attitude is a personal choice. It does mean more
work, especially in the beginning stages. There is a payoff for
all this toil. The professional edge is real and it can be
measured. You won’t find the evidence at the lower echelons of
home business. You’ll find it at the top. Look to those who have
gone before you, find a mentor and take the steps, and you will
soon find that the professional edge is moving you towards
success.
This
article may be shared and re-published provided the biographical
information remains intact. An email to
Patrysha@incredibleimpressions to notify the author of the
publication location is appreciated, but not required.
