Over the next five weeks I will be blogging about how we stayed in business for 25 years. Each week will have five brief hints about how we did it –for a total of 25 hints for 25 years!

Charlie MacLeod
President
SMM Advertising

21. Hire the best you can. It’s all about people. Whether you are a local insurance brokerage or Google. Compensate them fairly.

22. Leave the office. Your business lies outside your office. Suppliers, customers and new opportunities are all outside of your walls. Meet, network and sell. There is nothing wrong with shameless self-promotion either.

23. Give back. When the opportunity arises to give back to your community, do it as often and as well as you are able. It helps you to sleep at night, and it doesn’t hurt your karma either.

24. Listen. What your employees and customers are saying is often very important. They can really help you if you listen and don’t interrupt or think about yourself while they are talking. Remember, you aren’t the only one who can have a good idea.

And last but not least…

25. Learn. Your business is changing everyday. How you respond to the changes will only come from learning. Learn via listening, reading and attending important industry events is essential.

Charlie MacLeod is President and CEO at Sanna Mattson MacLeod Advertising. When he’s not busy celebrating his company’s 25th anniversary, you can reach him at cmacleod@smmadvertising.com

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1. Be nice. The outward respect and kindness you bestow on your staff, clients and suppliers will often return to you in the form of loyalty and flexibility. Expect that from the people who work for you.

2. Stay focused. You are on a mission. Put your attention towards the exact activities needed to survive and meet your goals.

3. Produce cash. Cash keeps your business moving each day. You must think about where next month’s payroll and rent will be coming from.

4. Worry about the right things. Obsessive worrying can be terribly unproductive, but concerning yourself with the appropriate issues – such as employees, productivity and business development – is essential.

5. Partner. There will be plenty of times you’ll need a shoulder for advice and help. Share the rewards and tough times with a trusted partner. Someone who compliments what you do – a person you won’t feel is insulting you when they tell you that you are messing something up.

6. Keep your ego home. Don’t confuse you with your company. There is nothing wrong with feeling proud – in fact, it’s healthy. But remember you are running a business and your actions should always reflect that.

7. Take only what the business can afford. The business will be good to you if you are good to it. Don’t drain your accounts for your benefit only, and never spend more than what you anticipate coming into the business.

8. Button up. Remember, you are running a business, not a social event. Have rules, procedures and protocol. Follow them as a positive example.

9. Never lose your cool. Nothing is wrong with feeling frustrated or disappointed about a business issue. But never blow up. Never.

10. Do more than what’s expected. Always ask yourself and employees to give more to the customer than what may be expected. It is a great brand characteristic for your company.

11. Take time away. Work to live. Your business needs you to leave it sometimes and you need to recharge. Fresh thinking and attitudes will return with you.

12. Don’t expect passion from everyone. For most of the people you work with, it is a job they go to each day. Unlike you, they don’t eat, sleep and dream the business. Expect them to do their work well and on time but don’t expect them to always act as if they own the place.

13. Keep healthy. Get a checkup from your doctor each year. Exercise when you can and eat right. If you stay healthy, the chances are your business will also.

14. Take risks. Your business will change many times in 25 years out of necessity. Therefore, you must take the risks to accommodate the changes. People, equipment, training and new markets are in the risk pool. You must make solid investments there.

15. Empower people. People will produce for the company if you let them. If you crush ideas and open thinking, you will be leading only followers.

16. The customer is always right. Read again if you disagree. Sometimes however, you may have a customer who is not a good fit for your business. Have the courage to part ways, but be sure to do it professionally.

17. Extend praise and thanks. It is in all of our natures to want to feel good about ourselves. When someone does a good job, tell him or her. And don’t be afraid to tell them in front of others.

18. Act as role model. Set a good example as to what you expect from others. Timeliness, frankness, dress, consideration and kindness are attributes that can rub off on others.

19. Cheer. There is no better cheerleader in your organization than you. It has taken you great energy and expense to gather the team – now cheer for them.

20. Use common sense. Some decisions are extremely hard to make, but most come down to common business sense. Often, the answer lies in the question: “How will my decision affect the company a year from now?”