October 01st, 2018

5 Confidence Tips for Business Owners ​

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 ​5 Confidence Tips for Business Owners
As a Professional speaker, wellness facilitator and workshop leader, I am often asked to speak at business events and large conferences.    A popular topic is ' Confidence for Small Business Owners' so today, I have shared some of my top tips to become a confident business owner. 

Confidence is an important asset, for parents and business owners.  Unfortunately, if you lack confidence in yourself and your business, you may find yourself under charging for your services or holding back from promoting and marketing your services effectively.  Self confidence in business is an important trait to have as let's face it, if you don't have confidence in your business or value your product and services, why should anyone else?
Here are my top tips for being a confidence business owner:
1)  Get your pricing right.    Having coached small business owners for years and been guest speaker at many business conferences and events,   I can honestly say that over 80% are  undercharging.    Many undervalue their services and products or fear putting up their prices in case they lose clients. Unfortunately, as a result of this, they end up working long hours and charging low rates.         As a result, they often feel resentful or their business ultimately folds as they become discouraged and fail to make any profit.
It's important to get comfortable with your pricing and value yourself as the expect in your business.  Make sure you cover all your  overheads including direct and non direct  costs and factor in your time and expertise. If you yourself dropping prices or giving away discounts frequently, create a PDF document which details your pricing schedule that can be sent out to prospective clients.    If you do find yourself just competing on price, then it may be time to position yourself in the market more effectively.
2)  Learn to say No!
Many small business owners end up giving away free' add on's or doing extra work just because someone ask them too.  They may not feel comfortable saying No and as a result, end up literally working for nothing!   Care about your time enough that you stick to the hours you have quoted or the time you are actually paid to be with a client.   
3)   Have Terms and Conditions in Place.
Good terms and conditions are the boundaries of your business and set clear expectations between you and your customers.     It doesn’t matter how big or small the job is, make sure you and your client are clear on what you can and can’t deliver within the price and scope you have set.
 Make sure your terms and conditions also include information such as payment terms, cancellation fees and scope of service. Good terms and conditions will  protect your business, define your procedures, limit your liability and explain what you have agreed to do.   
4)  Become Empowered.
Does you control your business or does your business control you?  Pointing the  blame finger at your suppliers, clients or employees are all signs of a disempowered business owner who will end up resentful and stressed out!
Empowerment comes from  choosing to take responsibility for solving issues that are not working, rather than just feeling  helpless or resentful.    For example, instead of complaining that your customers are always late paying your invoices, do something about it and put protective measures and processes in place to prevent this happening.
 
5)  Don't compare yourself with the competition
It's easy to lose your confidence if you are always comparing yourself to other businesses. Every huge successful business started small so be patient and encourage yourself rather than beating yourself up.
 
Lisa Phillips is an award winning Confidence and Empowerment Coach.  Currently based in Northamptonshire,  Lisa is regularly asked to speak at Business events, conferences and work place wellness days.  Lisa appears regularly in the media and is the author of The Confidence Coach book ( Exisle Publishing).  To find out more about Lisa and her work,  please see www.amazingcoaching.co.uk

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