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Work Boxers

Basic Rules For Success

by Mark on February 28th, 2008

These rules were written by Terry Corbell, founder of CMS Associates LLC in Federal Way, Wash., and author of a column called “The Biz Coach” that appears on the Web sites of an all-news radio and television station in Seattle.

They appeared in The New York Times Tues., Feb., 26th, 2008 under the title “Been There… Done That… Here’s How”

Mr. Corbell, happy to advise people whether they should become entrepreneurs and, if they do, what the basic rules are for success, offers a series of questions for anyone considering that path, including these:

  • Are you worried about whether you have what it takes?

“Arrogant people make poor entrepreneurs. Fear can be a great motivator.”

  • Are you brimming over with self-confidence?

“You have to believe you’re going to wow the world with your product, even as you wrestle with your doubts.”

  • In your 9-to-5 job, do you ruffle feathers?

“I was a self-appointed efficiency expert. I’d make suggestions to bosses who didn’t want to hear it.”

  • Do you hate reporting to somebody else?

Told that “You have to work for yourself” he said he could never return to the corporate cocoon.

  • Are you a sharp negotiator?

Mr. Corbell acquired a print advertising firm in 1992 — in return for agreeing to pay the owner 10 percent of net profit every month for two years.

  • Would you be willing to sell fireplace inserts door-to-door in Houston?

Every successful entrepreneur has to be a good salesman, period, he said.

  • Can you switch gears on a moment’s notice?

The company Mr. Corbell bought was called Marketing Services Northwest, or MSN. One client was an office furniture company that was so poorly run, clerks were giving discounts without authorization, he said. Mr. Corbell shifted into the role of sales manager, showing the owner how to organize meetings and bolster employee morale. “I turned the company around,” he said.

  • Do you know when to fold ‘em?

Mr. Corbell was the proud owner of MSN when an upstart company called Microsoft started a Web site by the same name. Realizing a court challenge would eat up too much time and money, he rechristened his firm CMS Associates.

There’s a good deal more so my suggestion is to click through and give the article a read.

Tags: Biz Coach, Rules For Success, Self-Confidence,

POSTED IN: Business Tips

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