It’s National Small Business Week here in the United States. It has us thinking about the state of small business.

According to an article on Portfolio.com, small businesses failed at record rates from 2008 – 2010. Interestingly though, startup rates have been climbing since 2006. In fact, the number of new businesses hit highs not seen for a decade in 2009 and 2010.

It’s an interesting paradox. Why would so many people start a business when so many others are failing?

Many people get stuck. They want to start their own business. But the key word is “start” – they just can’t seem to do it.

You need a reason to start and it has to be one that will push you over the edge. So let’s look at five reasons for starting up a small business.

1) You’re driven by a dream

You know what you want to do. You’ve thought about it and thought about it. You’re tired of just thinking about it. You have to do it. If you vision is compelling enough, it will push you off the fence.

2) You want to take control

We live in a tumultuous world. Companies hire…Companies fire. Your fate may be in the hands of someone hundreds or thousands of miles away who doesn’t even know you. Your desire for control may help you make the leap.

3) You know you have so much more potential

You feel stagnant. You know you’re stuck. You’ve gone as far as you can with your company and in your industry. But it’s beyond that – it’s not just about career advancement. It’s also about personal growth. You know you could do so much more. It’s time to show the world your true potential.

4) You have a cause

A vision is one thing. A mission is another. You have a compelling “why”. You feel it with every ounce and inch of your being. It’s ingrained in your soul.

You have a cause and you’re afraid that if you don’t work for it, no one will. So you must start today to do the good work you were born to do.

5) You have “winner’s fear”

Losers are afraid to fail. So they can’t bring themselves to risk being embarrassed or hearing “I told you so.” On the other hand, winners are afraid of not trying. They just can’t accept not knowing if they could have done something more and been something greater. This winner’s fear drives them to move forward.

These are a just a few of the reasons for starting a business. What’s yours?

Image in this post from stock.xchng

On The BIGG Success Show today, we wrapped up our conversation with Les McKeown about his new fantastic new book, The Synergist. Les started over 40 companies before launching Predictable Success, a business education and consulting company that helps organizations of all sizes – from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies.

Last time, we talked about why you need to adopt the Synergist style in your business and why everyone needs to take a synergistic approach when dealing with their co-workers.

Click a player to hear Les talk with George & Mary-Lynn on The BIGG Success Show Podcast.

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• what it means if you’re a combination of personalities
  
• the dominant and secondary type which is very rare
  
• why many people with this combo become consultants
  
• how to tell if you are a natural Synergist
  
• why the Synergist helps you make decisions more efficiently
  
• how to learn to adopt the Synergist style in your organization
  
• the mechanical issues that each personality type needs to address
  
• why some businesses only need two of the four personality types
  

Are you a Visionary, an Operator, a Processor, or a Synergist? Les has a free personality quiz to help you find out. Check it out today!

We thank Les for the generous gift of his time and wisdom. And thank you for listening to this series.

Until next time, here’s to your BIGG success!

Hear more in this series
Les McKeown on The Synergist – Part 1
Les McKeown on The Synergist – Part 2

Direct link to The Bigg Success Show audio file | podcast:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/biggsuccess/00776-012612.mp3

We continued our discussion on The BIGG Success Show with Les McKeown about his new book The Synergist. Les started over 40 companies before launching Predictable Success, a business education and consulting company that helps organizations of all sizes – from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies.

Last time, Les told us about three of the four business personalities, and how they work together in an organization to create stability and success.

Click a player to hear Les talk with George & Mary-Lynn on The BIGG Success Show Podcast.


iPhone/iPad/Mobile Podcast Player

• why the three main personality types form an unstable triangle
  
• common conflicts between the personalities
  
• how these conflicts can hold a business back
  
• how highly successful businesses punch through this stranglehold
  
• why the Synergist is the stabilizing force
  
• how to become the Synergist

Hear more in this series
Les McKeown on The Synergist – Part 1
Les McKeown on The Synergist – Part 3

Direct link to The Bigg Success Show audio file | podcast:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/biggsuccess/00775-012512.mp3

We were thrilled to visit with a returning guest on The BIGG Success Show today. Les McKeown started over 40 companies before launching Predictable Success, a business education and consulting company that helps organizations of all sizes – from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies.

We talked with him about his latest book,
The Synergist.

Click a player to hear Les talk with George & Mary-Lynn on The BIGG Success Show Podcast.


iPhone/iPad/Mobile Podcast Player

• why Les wrote this sequel to his first book, Predictable Success
  
• the four personalities present in every growing business
  
• the strengths of each of those personalities
  
• how they work together
  
• which personality types work best with each other

Hear more in this series:
Les McKeown on The Synergist – Part 2
Les McKeown on The Synergist – Part 3

Direct link to The Bigg Success Show audio file | podcast:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/biggsuccess/00774-012412.mp3

Yes, you’re reading it right. Sometimes it pays to do nothing.

Let’s look at two situations where this may be the case.

Hold

As Kenny Rogers sang in The Gambler, “you gotta know when to hold ‘em.”

We’ve witnessed extreme volatility in the stock market. But in spite of that, we’ve held tight.

Research still shows that most people who pull their money out and then put it back in tend to buy high and sell low. It’s the exact opposite of what you want to do.

The same may be true for your business. Right now is probably not the best time to sell. The value of small businesses tend to follow the stock market.

So you might want to hold for now until market prices recover and credit is more generally available. In the meantime, keep making money and improving the business.

Of course, you should always consult with your professional advisors about the specifics of your situation.

Wait

In a go-go-go, gotta-have-it-now world, this may seem like strange advice. But sometimes it pays to wait.

For example, it may pay to wait to start a business. You may have a good idea but the market isn’t there right now.

Or you may want to wait until you gain some relevant experience. Or because you’re almost vested in your company’s retirement plan.

Most things in life aren’t now or never. Wait is a viable option.

Sometimes doing nothing helps you reach BIGG success faster!

Image in this post from Fanginhoon