As an entrepreneur, time is certainly not something you have in excess. Running your business, regardless of the size, is time consuming enough, but when you throw in business meetings, charity events, different boards and organizations you chair on, speaking events, and other schedule constraints, there is little time left for sleep or your personal life.
True leadership is more like being a coach than a task master. A leader’s role is to help develop people so they can perform better and reach their potential. When that happens, everyone wins.
SPRINGFIELD, VA, December 14, 2017 - Strategy and Management Services, Inc. (SAMS) announced today that it has been awarded a one-year contract with three option years for the Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) Construction and Facilities Management Office (CFMO). SAMS will deliver comprehensive project management and civil engineering support services while working in tandem with other team members in the Facilities Management Office in planning for current and future needs of the Rhode Island National Guard, in regard to facilities and training sites.
It’s one thing to perform a contract for a client. It’s another thing to perform that contract well. When it comes to customer service and satisfying your clients, it’s crucial to exceed expectations. Don’t just meet your clients, get to know them and discover their preferences and pain points. Be consistent in your delivery so that your clients are always aware of what to expect. Encourage transparency so that if your customer isn’t completely satisfied, you’re aware and able to alleviate any displeasure and create solutions to keep them coming back to you for business in the future.
Most companies could run more efficiently, but something is holding them back. When going about your daily activities, ask yourself, “Does this task provide value to the company? If so, what is that value?” If you can’t identify the value, maybe you should focus your efforts on something else.
According to the Small Business Association, about a third of new startups fail in the first two years. Sometimes the right advice can make all the difference. While entrepreneurial mavericks may enjoy being the lone sheriff in town, they’d do well to deputize a trusted advisor. MicroMentor.org, a free service connecting entrepreneurs with volunteer mentors, reports that 82 percent of their mentored start-ups survived in the first two years (about 15 percent higher than the average).
With so many people trying to think outside of the box, it’s become a cliché that doesn’t carry the same meaning. Sometimes the answer you’re looking for is right in front of you but you look past it. Take some time to slow down and open your eyes and you may discover some hidden gems inside the box.
As a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Strategy and Management Services, Inc. (SAMS) prioritizes the importance of hiring, training and retaining employees who have previously or are currently serving in the military. Over 75% of SAMS' valuable team members are either veterans or family members of veterans, adding to the strong culture and expertise of the organization.
Much has changed since the Vietnam War when returning veterans were considered unwelcome by some U.S. citizens who were intensely against the war. Today, it is not unusual for ordinary citizens to approach a veteran and offer a heartfelt, “Thank you for your service.”
When it comes to leading and managing a company, or even a team, it’s easy to get caught up in what you want and how decisions will impact you personally. However, as a leader, it’s not all about you. Rather, it’s about the mission of your organization and how you serve your clients and community. All decisions and meetings should be focused on how you contribute to your organizational goals and satisfy your clients. If you’re like me, you founded your company in order to make a visible difference. Focus your business decisions not on personal gain, but on sticking to your mission.
