It’s easy to decide to start a business. But making it stick around is another conversation. A lot of entrepreneurs dive in with rose-coloured glasses and fiery passion. But this is not enough if you want to thrive and survive in your industry. What are the laws and pointers vital to business success?
Brad Martineau shares his journey from getting out of his boring job and into the successful businesses he co-founded. He talks about habits for success and using mistakes as lessons to grow your business. Hit that play button and discover what really makes a business successful.
About Brad
Brad Martineau is the co-founder of PlusThis, a campaign toolkit for marketing automation users, and Sixth Division, a business marketing automation agency. His work helps marketers & entrepreneurs run advanced marketing campaigns and businesses to be more systematic and efficient.
Ensuring Your Business Success
Who is Brad Martineau?
- Brad helps businesses be more systematic and efficient to make more profit and achieve goals better.
- His first job was being an online admissions counsellor at the University of Phoenix back in 2002. He described it as the “soul-sucking” job that made him know what good jobs are.
- After two and a half years, he joined his brothers in InfusionSoft and became the company’s one-man support team. In his six-year run, he also took part in implementation and product management.
- He then decided to be a freelance consultant for six months and eventually discovered that working on his own wasn’t for him.
- He started a membership site that gradually fizzled but led him to his current business partner. It was first a recruitment for marketing automation for enterprise companies. Three weeks in, the two started Sixth Division.
A Rough Start
- During the first six months, Brad and his partner weren’t making money for themselves. The early years had a lot of bad decisions, too.
- A lot of people get caught up with making mistakes when starting.
- It’s okay if things don’t go your way. Mistakes will hurt, but you need to keep moving forward.
- Brad and his partner went to Infusion Con with a sponsorship where they would have time to sell their business. At the time, they just signed a three-year lease and Brad has no money in the bank.
- Fortunately, they sold that night and even made seven figures at the end of that month.
Business Success: Making Growth Happen
- Despite getting seven figures, everything was pure hell. Clients were pouring in, and there was so much work to do.
- The work now is so much smoother than before. They didn’t have the well-defined system they have today.
- They sponsored more events to put their company’s name out there.
- The smaller team back then did the work from all departments.
What Happens After
- When planning for 2013, Brad’s team thought the goal is to double because that’s what they’re “supposed to do.”
- But they realized they should only focus on the team’s satisfaction. So, their major move was to cut their schedule in half. They also wanted to establish an outstanding team.
- That year, Brad and his partner stepped out of doing services work and finally focused on their expertise.
Getting Things Done
- The biggest enemy of accomplishing anything great is the time spent in trying to decide how you’re going to do it.
- Just pick something and go with it. You will eventually discover whether or not you’re doing the right thing.
- Half-assed, poorly implemented, but completed action is better than no action.
- The unfinished or unmade decisions in your mind affect everything you do.
- Decisions aren’t permanent.
- You need enough information to make a decision.
Building Business Success with Patience
- There are some shortcuts and quick wins, but slow growth will always be your core foundation.
- If you want to build something that will stick around, you should have a core that will grow slowly.
- Neglecting your foundation will only make something that’s temporary.
What Holds You Back
- Fear is one of the biggest things that hold us back.
- People shy away from things they don’t understand. But when you dive into them, they’re straightforward.
- Attack the scariest things, and you’ll make massive progress.
Six Laws of Small Business Success
- Always wear glasses. Be clear on what you’re trying to do in the first place.
- You’re not the plumber. You don’t have to do everything by yourself. Let go of other tasks.
- You’re not a snake. Create a plan and attack things one at a time.
- You cannot implement a strategy. Turn your ideas into an actual plan.
- Don’t start as ninjas. Know what successful people were doing when they were at your level.
- The map appears when the car is in motion. You’re never going to have enough information to finish anything vital before you start it.
Every Business is Different and the Same
- No matter how unique your niche is, every business will experience the same problems.
- Businesses are similar in their structures and foundations.
- There’s no templated system. Diving into businesses is explicitly done.
- The only true differentiation you have is the experience you create for your prospects and customers.
Diving into Businesses: The Sixth Vision Way
- Identify your small business playbook: marketing, sales, finance, fulfillment, and internal.
- Start with what’s going to have the most significant impact.
- Consider three things: What drives more revenue, which will be more efficient, and what will give you peace of mind.
- What’s usually talked about is creating a vision for your company, identifying your purpose, creating a culture around what you’re building, and how to hire people.
- Know what is the next most important thing and focus there.
Habits for Success
- Rich people spend money to save time. Poor people spend time to save money.
- Stay disciplined to what you’re trying to do. It’s a painful process to figure out.
- Know what you’re trying to accomplish.
- Nothing’s real until it’s on your calendar. You’re not allowed to commit to anything unless you have time on your schedule to do it.
- Do not overcommit. Do one thing and nail it. Finish it. Then, move on to the next one.
Connect with Brad on his social media accounts (@bradmartineau) or reach him through email (brad@sixthdivision.com).
P.S.
- Do you already have a successful business, meaning you're up, running, and paying your bills with some profit left over?
- Are you interested in growing your business, automating/streamlining things, and staying one step ahead of your competition?
- Do you want to achieve your goals, get more things done in less time, and double your sales?
📨 If you can answer YES to all three questions. Visit: https://www.members.bestbusinesscoach.ca/problems-we-fix/ To see if we can fix what's holding you back.
