George Murray
BostonLinkedIn
Over on LinkedIn, George posted a great question about going into business for one's self, and what was the most challenging part of the experience. I responded slightly off topic with an impassioned plea for people making that first plunge to understand the importance of revenue.
My response (as a unix programmer, I compose most non-official emails in lowercase):
georgeCan you tell that I am passionate about the success of others? Need a mentor that has "been there" and "done that?"
great question. how do i flag it as such? {grin}
i have been at this all my life... mentored a fair number of folks like yourself... and it always comes down to one thing:
sales. selling. producing income. generating revenue.
given enough cash flow, all other problems can and will be addressed. one of my mentors (a life insurance agent), made calls every saturday morning. period. understand that sales alone increases the bottom line, everything else eats away at your bottom line and your ability to survive. another mentor, after having went through chapter 11, created a report called the "Cash Inventory." he treated cash like the asset it is: the most important asset in any business.
when the cash is gone, "game over."
someone mentioned "income" and investors. bogus. that was one of the biggest factors in the "dot com meltdown." idiots confused "cash" with revenue or income. it is not. only SALES produce income. investments are debts to be repayed, one way or another.
if you cannot pick up the phone and make enough calls to produce enough sales, do not attempt to go into business.
respectfully,
Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Jonah
Serial Entrepreneur
Call me. Right after you read my book.
Then, I will know that you are serious.
Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Jonah
www.ThroughputPress.com
P.S. Warning: Summer is fast approaching (which equates to more motorcycle riding, and less 'free' time) so act quickly!
P.P.S. George recently launched BostonLinkedIn... check it out if you are in that part of the country.
tag: Sales 101
(c)Copyright 2007, Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey.
All rights reserved.