The role of the Online Business Manager (OBM) is to ensure that all business systems, procedures and tools are in place and functioning smoothly.  This will bring peace of mind to the business owner knowing that everything is under control and the business can handle taking on more projects and clients to grow their business.

A great first project for your new OBM is the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual.  Many small business owners can see the benefit of having one, but just can never find time or inclination to create one.  Usually it is quite a relief to the business owner having someone take on the project of creating one.  Tina Forsyth mentions in her book; “Becoming An Online Business Manager” that a business is really not grown up until it has a SOP.

A good SOP solves many problems such as:

• What happens if there is an emergency and you cannot pay as much attention to the business as you normally would.
• An SOP saves you time and money, because all procedures are documented and systems are automated.
  • Less time (time is money) for training new team members.
  • Less time searching for important information related to repetitive tasks and projects.
  • You will typically pay less for an automated system than for a person to do the same task.
  • The busy business owner can actually take a vacation and not worry about what is happening at the office.

As you can see from the few examples listed above having an Online Business Manager adds value to your business by getting your operations under control and creating a strong foundation so that you can grow your online business to new heights.

Watch for the release of my new eBook next week, “Growing Your Online Business to New Heights with an Online Business Manager”.  As an additional gift and resource to you for downloading the eBook, you will receive my 7-Day eCourse, “Are You Ready for an Online Business Manager”.  Each day of the course walks you through important questions to help you determine whether your business is ready to hire an Online Business Manager.

Scheduled to be released next week!

Just recently, I was asked to speak to the Fast Trac New Venture class at the University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center.  This opportunity was a great thrill for me as I have a passion to help people build and grow their business dreams.  In performing the exercise of deciding what kind of information will be shared with the class, I was asked to include in my talk what I considered to be the key entrepreneurial traits that will lead to business success.  Certainly there are many.  Listed below are just 7 that I discovered was and are critical to my business success.  I invite you to share with me any traits that you have discovered along the way to add to the list.  Click Here to read more about 7 Key Entrepreneurial Traits That Can Lead To Your Business Success.

I completed this program in December 2008 at the University of Bridgeport. I simply cannot say enough about the business building teaching and guidance I received from this program. The class is made up of individuals who are either beginning to think through the process of building a business or are in the start up phase of building their business.

As Tina Forsythe always says, “Being a business owner is not for the fate of heart”.

We are video taping, along with conducting a drawing for a lucky student to receive 1 hour of free coaching on how to build their internet presence. Stay tuned and I will let you know how it went.

It is extremely important to do your research regarding this area of your business.  I know it’s not fun, but it is critical to your business success.  Too many times business owners will think and say to others that my products and services can be for anyone.  Believe it not the more narrow your target market the more successful you will be in your business.  You will waste precious energy and marketing dollars while trying to market to the whole world.  If you have a nothing to small marketing budget you will need to spend as wisely as possible.  Some questions you will want to ask yourself:

1. What skills/knowledge/expertise do I have to offer?
2. What professions are in need of what I have to offer?  How am I solving their problems with my services?
3. What type of industry would benefit and be willing to pay for my services?  If an industry does not need your expertise or are not willing to pay for it, you may be better off finding another industry that does.
4. What kind of clients do you want to work with?
5. Do you prefer to work with men or women? What age group?  Do you work best with people that are older or younger than you?

With a clearly defined target market you can speak and market directly to those you want to attract to your business.  Then your business will begin to grow.

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