7- Innovate- React to the customer?s needs before they know they need it. Instead of selling what you want, sell what the customer needs. How do you know what they need? Take time to talk to them. At a minimum talk to your best customers and learn from each one you?ve lost. Find out what they would like and what their challenges are. Stay current on market trends in your industry.

8- Leadership vs. Management- Empower your staff to manage themselves. Do you really want to spend your time problem solving? Train them well. Make sure they know the vision of the company and they are on board because there is a personal win in place for them. The personal win gives the employee motivation to cooperate as part of the team.

9- Well Oiled Machine vs. Chaos- Is each section of your business operating efficiently while working together towards the common goal? Or are the members of your team expending time and energy daily putting out fires. What change can you make to shift your business out of crisis/ problem-solving to operating with ease?

10- Develop YOU! - Take a minute to hold your breathe. As you hold your breathe think about what you really want. See what happens. Unless you are uniquely talented you probably had trouble thinking about what you want....because your needs were not being met. When you take care of yourself... feel strong, healthy, happy, and have time and space in your life...you can focus on what you want and attract more to your business.

Take one step at a time and build a strong, solid business. Along the way build lots of reserves...time, money, space, revenue sources, future products, etc. and begin filling the gap to your potential.

Today?s Dare to Take Action Challenge:

Focus on one tip above for one week. What changes can you make? Take action on one, build momentum, and move on. Starting Now!

Copyright 2003 ? Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved.

Beth Tabak is a Business & Life Coach, columnist, & owner of Starting Now. She is 100% committed to coaching small business owners and professionals to grow beyond limits, and create the business and life they keep thinking about. Free informative classes, resources, ezines, and more at http://www.startingnowcoaching.com.

startingnow@houston.rr.com