Will Bridges

Every CEO and/or Business Owner must have these things to be a success.

• Great Organizational Tools - Nothing makes a person more efficient than the proper tools & software. Anything that helps you remember, cuts back on time spent on mundane tasks, or keeps you in touch with the rest of the world is a great thing. Always be on the lookout for better tools and software because these things give you the ability to adapt to changing circumstances quicker. I don't even mean get the latest gadgets. You could end up spending a lot of money getting the next best gadget. My favorite organizational tools are the cork boards and dry erase board as well as my dry erase calendar. When I'm in my office I'm always a head glance away from my company's status. Don't get stuck in using a tool either… be open to investigating new tools, always.
• Excellent Social Skills - Social skills are very important. You are the face of your business and you must present a face that is inviting and happy to be around others. Business is not about money, talent or hard work. It's about people. You may say… "In my business I don't have to deal with people because we produce Widgets and sell them online"… really? Okay, if you have no vendors which you deal with, no contact with customers and no employees then you can have terrible social skills. In just about all businesses you are one conversation from a better deal with a vendor, an undiscovered talent and a group of new customers. If you don't have people skills and you want to be in business then get out now, develop your people skills or find someone willing to partner with you that has these skills. You must not only have the ability but the desire to deal with people. Every person is a branch to your network and thus a path for possible growth, professionally and personally.
• An Attitude That Exudes Assurance & Positivity -  I am almost certain this is what has kept me in business this long. I'm sure like I'm sure that everything is positive and headed in the right direction. Even when I'm not, very few people know. I'm not saying be ignorant to reality. I'm saying don't sulk, don't worry, don't show weakness or disgust. You almost have to be a zealot about your business to succeed. Speak nothing negative and show nothing negative. If you have a problem approach it in a way to look for a practical path away from your undesired result but do your best to not get emotional about problems. It tends to make them worse. You must have zen like dedication and be as flexible as the water around the rocks. Keep moving. Don't let anything get you down. When you lose your ability to adapt you are lost.
• Wise Advisors - Surround yourself with people who have knowledge, like you and are interested in your well being. Wise advisors cost time, energy and at times money. Be willing to sacrifice for these people. Approach it as a friendship and also a business deal. Friendships are mutually benefitial arrangements to share time, knowledge and resources between people which make each individual in the friendship stronger than they would be on their own. I know it sounds cold when put like that but it's the truth. I'm probably the best friend you'll ever know. Do not ever put a friend out of your life completely if you can help it. Do your best to stay in contact, send cards if you can, send emails… do something. Friends are your best natural resources and will many times be more useful than paid advisors. Plus, your next lead, your next thing that makes your business even better could be from a friend of a friend.
• Knowing The Thinnest Line - I'm a very honest and blunt person. However, there are times in business where giving every bit of information to a customer, an employee or a vendor can be a thing that will get you in to more trouble than it's worth. Lying is a terrible thing… avoid it like the plague. However, choose your words carefully. I tend to not speak in absolutes and always remember the instances in which I do speak in absolutes in order to not tell lies. If you are unsure about something be careful about telling people you are sure. Learn to exude confidence without using certainties. There is a very thin line between a lie and the truth. In the end it's really about what you are comfortable saying and doing but lying will get you in more trouble than it's worth and remember that telling someone you are certain about something and having it not be correct due to unforseen circumstances is as bad as lying in most cases. Good politicians know the line pretty well and understand how thin it is. Keep records and notes about all full or semi-business related conversations if at all possible. Deliver the facts you are sure of, show off the positives and don't declare all of what can be percieved as negative, unless asked. One caveat, sometiems drop a small negative without being asked as it may deter getting in to worse negatives, if they exist. Be genuine, be real, be honest but understand politics even if you don't like politics. You can't avoid it completely.