The business world has changed immensely. As the saying goes, ” the more things change, the more they stay the same.” In business, this cliche rings true. Successful businesses have always placed customer satisfaction as a number one priority. And with increased competition, business leaders must constantly look for ways to exceed customers’ expectations.
As a future leader, strive to exceed your own expectations of yourself as well.
Set long-term priorities and realistic goals. Plan, plan, plan! Before entering any project, know what you want to accomplish and outline the steps you’ll need to take to get there. Start with an end in mind. It helps if you outline your future plans in this manner. Remember, it’s a lot easier to reach an unknown destination with a roadmap.
Keep your finger on the pulse of information. Stay ahead of developments and market trends. Ask customers what new services you can offer to make their lives easier. Knowledge will help you be a true leader rather than a follower.
Surround yourself with the best and brightest. In the beginning of your career, look for a mentor. Many companies hire young talent and provide hands-on training. Take advantage of these opportunities. Later on, you’ll need a solid, enthusiastic staff to tackle many of the daily responsibilities. It’s not imperative that everybody share the same ideas and beliefs. However, it is important that you share your hard-work ethic.
Give back to the community. Businesses do not survive in a vacuum. Strive to improve the community through volunteerism, corporate contributions and mentoring programs. A better community environment makes for a better business environment.
Sincerely.
Kweku Ananse 