A successful entrepreneur can access almost any resource, except one very important thing: truly honest feedback. But there are ways to seek it out.
When it comes to your business, you need to be highly strategic when sourcing advice. Hint: if you want straight talk and honest input (brutally honest, if necessary!) then your friends and family are not the people to talk to. Your inner circle will always see you in your best possible light. That makes them the perfect cheerleaders and confidantes, but they probably lean toward sounding supportive versus telling you something unpleasant that you do really need to hear.
Some other sources to consider:
- Many organizations and societies can help you connect with other entrepreneurs in your area. EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization), YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), and Vistage are just a few.
- Seek out other entrepreneurs in your own network. Even if their businesses are in totally different industries, you likely face many of the same operational challenges. I’ve created my own entrepreneur’s group in this way through monthly dinners with a few fellow founders. We share ideas on everything from hiring to PR, and we also have a lot of fun!
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