Dirty Dozen Street Smarts for business..

Dirty Dozen Street Smarts to stay alive in business.

I think in today's world you have to be what we used to call "scrappy" to succeed. You may seem small and nonthreatening but be prepared to kick ass when it comes to your business.

1. Be ready to serve. Never think you're above helping others. Even if you're the boss, don't be too high and mighty to get your hands dirty. People like to think that you're not better than them and you're willing to do the work.
2. Be prepared for bad times and bad guys. Every business has an area of vulnerability. Be prepared for the worst by asking yourself what can go wrong. I believe it's better to have an umbrella in case of rain, then to be caught in a storm unprotected.
3. Learn to keep a secret.  I have learned over the years that many times when I got in to trouble, it started with my mouth. Learn to keep some of your private thoughts secret and don't ever betray a confidence.
4. Trust needs to be earned. Be wary of strangers who want you to trust them. This simply makes sense. Give people time to earn your trust before jumping into business with them and don't be afraid to get references and to run background checks. 
5. Listen to your inner voice. Some might say, "Trust your gut!"  I've found that anytime I acted on an idea when my inner voice was saying, "NO!", it was a big mistake. Trust your gut. When in doubt, don't do it. You'll save a lot of time, trouble and money.
6. Keep an eye on the competition.  Even though you don't want to run your business by what other people do, don't be stupid. Be aware of what they're doing, just in case it might effect your business. 
7. Have a network of friends to call on. I have a network of business friends that would help me on a moments notice. If my computer crashes or I need advice or even if I get a flat tire, I have people I can call. And if they need me, I'm there for them. We have each other's back.
8. Keep your hands clean. You may be tempted to bend the rules for someone or even for your own gain. My belief is that you NEVER get away with it. Sooner or later, it will come back to haunt you. 
9. Do what you say you'll do. Keep your promises and don't make promises you can't keep. It's better not to make a promise than to back out later.
10. Let your no be a NO. And your yes be a yes. No one wants a wishy-washy leader. 
11. Never turn your back. If you need to end a relationship back up facing forward with a smile on your face. Relationships don't end, they just shift.
12. Give to others. There is always a place at my table for giving people. They're the people I want in my live and they're the people I want to do business with.

You don't have to be gangsta to be street smart. It's simply good sense.