GoKawiilOpinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Listen to this post
Key Takeaways Like ballplayers at spring training, the smartest business owners keep drilling the basics instead of chasing the next shiny tactic. That discipline is what compounds over time.
Getting out into the community, booking meetings and always carrying a business card is what took the author from two appointments a day to twelve. Networking is a numbers-and-showing-up game.
A consistently optimistic attitude attracts people, referrals and opportunities — while chronic negativity repels them.
Sports have taught me a lot about business, and one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is how important it is to practice the fundamentals. Take the pro baseball players at spring training. Every year, they start with the basics and work on everything all over again. Why? Because they know how easy it is for skills to erode between seasons.
It’s the same in business. You start making money and lose sight of what got you here. Spring is the perfect time of year for a mini camp to sharpen your core business fundamentals.
1. First impressions matter
You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression, and you don’t get much time to make it, either – about five seconds. That’s how long it takes someone to make up their mind about whether they want to do business with you.
Did you make eye contact when you met? Did you smile and offer a firm handshake? Do you look professional, from your attire to your grooming?
... continue reading