Grow Your Business Like a Pro: Lessons From 3 of the Big Guns

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Judging by the success of today’s business trailblazers, it may seem as though total market disruption was laid out in the big plan. Here is how you can grow your business like a pro using lessons from 3 of the big guns.

Planned or not, great innovators, from Apple mastermind Steve Jobs to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, began with passions big enough to change the world.

Regardless of the service or product, committed entrepreneurs possess a drive strong enough to leave a mark. These pioneers paved the rocky road to nonconformity by plowing over their failures to achieve success.

Here’s what you can learn from business leaders who dreamed big, took chances and didn’t settle for less.

Steve Jobs

“A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”

More than a computing genius, Apple’s brainchild knew the art of selling is less about the product and more about the experience. Built on a needs-based belief, his presentations showed consumers what they needed and why they needed it.

The lesson? Don’t wait to fit your product to a need; instead, show your audience how your product fills a void they didn’t know existed. Before you dive into a 20-slide Powerpoint presentation, ask yourself, “What would Steve Jobs do?” Jobs successfully turned technology-based presentations into captivating experiences even the least tech-savvy viewer could appreciate and understand.

If public speaking isn’t your strength, get some help from modern presentation software like Slideshare. By including insightful graphics and captivating images, you can take your presentation from boring facts and statistics to a dynamic story people can relate to.

Richard Branson

“If you get your face and your name out there enough, people will start to recognize you.”

Founder of the Virgin Group business empire, Richard Branson knows the secrets to success aren’t learned in business school. This multibillionaire and high school dropout are responsible for creating one of the most widely recognized brands in the world. Branson attributes the success of his 400 and some business ventures to recognizing the importance of brand identity as a business’s reputation.

When it comes to branding, everything from what you wear, say and do should scream personality. Even simple items like business cards should say “I’m different.” Branding consists of more than just colors and logos. Visual interest helps pique interest and attract attention but personality turns customers into loyal brand advocates.

Mark Cuban

“It’s not in the dreaming, it’s in the doing.”

Big dreams require hard work, which is something Mavericks mogul Mark Cuban attributes his success to. From sleeping on an apartment floor to selling his first big business venture for millions, success came as a result of persistence, determination, and self-motivation. Rather than waiting for an opportunity to strike, Cuban accepted every challenge as a learning experience to launch himself into greater ventures.

Businesses start with a dream; it’s how hard you work to achieve your goals that create success. Working hard doesn’t mean doing it all. From client meetings and presentations to scouting team talent and reviewing financials, entrepreneurs often juggle more than one person can handle. Use a productivity tool like Trello to delegate responsibilities. By managing tasks and productivity, your business will operate smoothly while you focus on keeping the dream alive.