The 2 things you need to be doing as an entrepreneur in 2014.

Are you new to the entrepreneurship game? If so, there are two important things you need to do to grow business, and your brand, in 2014.

First, have the difficult conversations. Not many people want to be honest about where they are at. They spend so much time talking about how big they are, or what they are going to do, that when asked what is currently happening- they don’t have much to talk about. Having difficult conversations with yourself, investors, or support staff is needed. This needs to be the year of you and no entrepreneur has it easy. The difficult conversations can only improve things for you.

Second, tag business cards when you receive them. The art of the hard copy business card isn’t dead. If you receive a business card, speak with the person about what he or she is doing. Spend time learning about him or her by not speaking about yourself or trying to pitch products. When the conversation is over, say your goodbyes and promise to follow up. Then, like second nature, write on the back of the card the things you remember most about what the person told you. Send an email later on that day citing how you can help him or her and state “I was thinking about our conversation.” This tactic works and helps you grow business.

Don’t get over involved in setting up app after app and hope to bypass difficult conversations. Instead, make 2014 the year of personal and professional growth by having the difficult conversations and focusing on people via personal response to business card sharing!

My next blog will be on Monday. Have a great weekend,

Coco the CEO