* What was the inspiration, or the catalyst for, the creation of your business endeavor?
I am lucky. When I was 25, if you would have asked me what I would like to be doing when I was 55, I would have answered "running a one person consulting business out of my home". Thirty years later that's exactly what I'm doing.
Prior to starting my business in 1988, I spend 15 years working in a variety of Training, Human Resource Development and Organization Effectiveness positions for several Fortune 500 companies. I had always wanted to be in business for myself - running a one person OE consulting and training shop. In 1988, I got an opportunity to go to work as a contractor for a large OE firm. This provided me with a stepping stone. I worked as a contractor for about a year. I found that I was good at developing new business - and that I enjoyed it. So, I made the decision to sever ties with the firm for which I was a contractor, and become completely independent.
I've learned that I am an entrepreneur at heart. Hardly a day goes by when I don't see something and say to myself, "that's a great idea for a business". I enjoy being in charge of my own destiny. I can legitimately take credit for my successes, just as I have to take the responsibility for my failures.
My business has provided me the freedom to do what I like, and what I'm good at. It's given me a very comfortable lifestyle. It has also enhanced my self-esteem. I've learned that I can make a living by depending solely on myself. Every New Year's Eve, I take a minute and toast myself with these words: "Congratulations, Bud, you've made it through another year without a real job."
* What steps did you follow to build your business? Are you still in the process of planning your endeavor?
I started out having very little idea of what it takes to succeed in business. All I had was my belief in myself, and my willingness to sell myself. This was the days before the Internet. I got on the phone and called everybody I knew, telling them I was in business and what I could do for them. When I got an assignment, I made sure I did it much better than my client expected. I asked satisfied clients for referrals. My business grew from there.
When people who want to get into consulting, coaching or speaking ask me for advice, I always tell them to do four things. 1) Keep in touch with your contacts. 2) Treat every assignment as an opportunity - to do an outstanding job, and to build good will. 3) Do a better-than-expected job. 4) Ask for referrals from satisfied clients.
Right now, I am beginning a new phase of my business life. I plan on cutting back on my heavy travel schedule by the time I am 62 (six years from now). Therefore, I have been focusing on developing the publishing and e-learning parts of my business. I am still learning this stuff. My blog has helped a lot. I've made some very good contacts through it.
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