Your Top Ten Business Investments

1. Invest in your relationships with those you love. What will your success mean to you if you cannot share it with those you love? Don't make the mistake of pushing those most important to you in the name of "building your business." Your investment of time in your family and your friends is paramount to your sense of fulfillment and success.
2. Invest in a long-term personal-development program. You are your business's biggest asset. You need to incorporate activities such as attending seminars pertaining to your field and investing in tapes and CDs.
3. Invest in a sales coach. You will never know all you need to know to make every decision that arises from running a business. To succeed in sales you must remain teachable.
4. Invest in a competent right-hand assistant. More than likely, you are over qualified for the majority of the tasks that you perform. You're probably thinking that you can't afford to hire an assistant. But remember that we're talking about investing, not outspending. The real question you must consider is "Can I afford not to have an assistant?" The fact is that you will never be able to climb to the next level until you free up more time to do the things that bring your business the greatest profit.
5. Invest in a personal image. What impressions do people have of you when you walk through the door? What impressions do people get when the view your marketing material and presentations? Presentation is everything. Lastly, ask what impression does your appearance give? I'm sure you've heard the cliché "dress for success." People want to work with successful people that they trust.
6. Invest in a personal financial plan. Just like investing in a mentor you should also invest in a meeting with a qualified, trustworthy financial advisor who can help you map out a path to financial stability and freedom.
7. Invest time in an exercise program. Your career longevity begins with your health. It's a fact that the state of your body can dramatically affect your business, especially in the sales profession.
8. Invest in a client-retention program. To be successful in business you must do more than provide customer service; you must build customer loyalty.
9. Invest in technology. You can't move forward if you're using the tools of the past. Today's technology has the capability to reach out to more people than ever before. Seize the opportunity and move your business to the next generation.
10. Invest in a library. You don't have to re-invent the wheel in your profession. There are many mentors who specialize in your area of expertise. Learn from them. A little reading can go along way. If you read only fifteen minutes every day, you will complete about fifteen books per year.

"Investing in yourself is the best investment you can ever make." - Gene Bleecker