•    Rule 1. When you receive a phone call, rather than answer it with “yes”, “hi” or “yeah” even if you know the person you should always keep it professional. i.e. “good morning, ***** speaking how may I help you?”

•    Rule 2.  Never leave it more than 48 hours (48 hours is actually too long) to respond to an email, text or voice message. Even if an emergency has occurred find a way to respond to your client’s message.

•    Rule 3. If you do use business cards ensure that you don’t use those ‘cheap flimsy’ ones (for legal reasons I won’t mention the name) that once you put in your purse/wallet it rips and loses its shape.

•    Rule 4. Never ever use a pen to erase your old number or write your new phone number on your business card. Rather than spending money on ‘fast-food’ or clothes you don’t actually need, invest in some good business cards.  (I can recommend you a very good company re: business cards)
•    Rule 5. Always walk and talk with excellence and with a professional manner, because you never know who you can be introduced to.

•    Rule 6. Always leave a friendly message on your voice-mail, make it clear and to the point, avoid making it loud or long.

•    Rule 7. Don’t use the same strategies for 2012 in 2013. A great man is quoted as saying “being current is the currency of life” so, you need to regularly read material, books and journals, network and connect with people and companies who are doing what you are doing and what you want to achieve.

•  Rule 8. How effectively are you using Facebook and other social media? If there was no Facebook how effective would your business be?
•    Rule 9.  Always remember that you are trading in a global economy so never have a ‘local champion’ mindset. Even you haven’t got a Passport, always think global.

•    Rule 10. If you don’t stand for excellence, you will only be falling over mediocrity in the comfort zone.

•    Rule 11. Always use two phones, one for business and the other phone for personal use.

Rule 12. If you send a request to connect with someone on Social Media networks such as LinkedIn or Facebook, have the courtesy to send a  ‘thank you’ message. There is nothing worse than someone sending you a request, you accept and they don’t even send a message of acknowledgement. Good manners go a long way.

• Rule 13. Never slander, put down or ‘hate’ your competitors, after all ‘what goes around comes around’ but more importantly what a man sows is what he will reap.

I believe the 13 principles I have shared with you will go a long way for your business to be distinguished in 2012, 2013 and beyond.

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As an entrepreneur, will it be business as usual or will you have an unusual business? and will you be refereed to as distinct or disdained because of mediocrity?  © O. Anyado 2012.