Setting up your business requires an idea that has a USP – a Unique Selling Point that will set you apart from your competitors-

• How are you any different then Jane 5 mins down the road who offers the same services?
• Why should someone come to you?
• What do you offer that will make you attractive and sellable?
• If someone was selling your services to someone else, is it easy to do? Or are you like my Mum who when asked what I do ‘Not sure but she works from home and is always on the computer’ This has been said back to me so many times I have given up explaining what I do to my parents and just agree with their assessment- anything for an easy life at times!

So, you have your idea, branding, packages, administration and set up all established and now you are starting to build your business and create a buzz (this word makes me shudder but works in this instance) and build a reputation.

What kind of reputation do you want to build?

What characteristics and qualities do you want your business to be known for?

Think for a minute and remember your USP- why are you different? What do you want your business to be known for? How do you want to stand out?

The qualities I value most are:

1. Trustworthiness/ Integrity
2. Reliability
3. Expertise
4. Approachability
5. Honesty

They are important to me as I want clients to have these feelings when they work alongside me- what elements are important to your business? How do you demonstrate them? I’ve had a think about how I try to demonstrate these qualities in how I work everyday

• Trustworthiness/ Integrity – follow through on your actions. Do what you say you are going to do and be consistent in it
• Reliability – Show up every day and do what you say you will do. If something comes up and you must change a timeline or agreed contract then be open, honest and engage with the client. Never ignore a query, client, or phone call- there is not worse then being ghosted by someone who is due to carry out some work for you.
• Expertise – Show you have the knowledge, education, and training to reinforce what you are saying on a day-to-day basis. Can you answer questions from clients- if not do you know where the get the answers from?
• Relatable – I’m very open and friendly with my clients, visitors to my social media and contacts etc. If someone wants to ask me a question, I am happy to answer them and help them with advice- this will always come back to me ten-fold. I love training and educating clients and visitors and help where I can. If a client doesn’t understand a procedure or training -it is not their fault, it is mine and I need to review how I am explaining that matter and offer a different approach.
• Honesty – Being able to say ‘I’m sorry I don’t know but I can find out for you’ is priceless. We are all humans, and we are learning everyday and admitting you are unsure about a certain situation or piece of advice is not a weakness- it is a strength. Showing this quality is a huge plus in every business.

There are many other characteristics I could have added like confidentiality, flexibility, focused etc but I truly believe these are my core elements and the foundations to my business

What are yours and how do you/can you demonstrate them?