blog - Step & Stone

how to create a business plan for the year

January 12, 2022Be the first to share your thoughts...

Do you have a business plan?

And I’m not talking about the 20+ page document that we throw together because someone says we need one.

I’m talking about planning for your business: developing a strategy to keep you focused, motivated, and balanced amongst your multiple priorities.

At the start of any new year, we become surrounded by people talking about their resolutions and goals for the year ahead.

But in order to achieve the things that we say we want, a dream is not enough!

We need to also understand all the tasks that make up our goals, dependencies on other people or resources, and how we’ll manage it all.

That’s when a business plan becomes necessary.Continue Reading

my 2021 year in review

December 14, 2021Be the first to share your thoughts...

December is always a great time to take stock, as I begin my new revolution around the sun. And so here is my 2021 year in review.

It’s important for me to acknowledge where I’ve come from before I decide next where I want to go.

Taking time to think about the year that has just passed is a critical component of my annual planning process.

My 40th year provided me with a lot of opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.Continue Reading

how to appreciate your customer

December 8, 2021Be the first to share your thoughts...

Poor customer service is one of my greatest pet peeves. If you can’t appreciate your customer, why should you expect them to appreciate your business?

A few weeks ago I was having a working lunch at a restaurant in Nairobi. From the time I ordered my salad, until the time it arrived, 1.5 hours had passed!

It wasn’t the delay that disappointed me the most (although, let’s be honest, 1.5 hours for a salad is ridiculous!). It was the response of the server and manager of the restaurant that upset me the most.

In the process of trying to figure out what had happened with my order, not one person took responsibility for the situation. Instead, they passed the blame, covered up the truth to save face, and provided me with a negative customer experience.

When you go through such an experience you realise that not everyone knows how to appreciate customers. And when your customers feel unappreciated, eventually they’ll stop doing business with you.

can your passion pay your bills?

December 1, 2021Be the first to share your thoughts...

You might be considering making the leap from formal employment to focusing on building a business out of your passion. But there’s a catch: you’re not sure if this will be able to support your lifestyle. You’re wondering if your passion can pay your bills.

Your passion could be a skill or hobby. It could be something you’re truly excited about or something you enjoy doing. So the question remains – can you rely on this passion to pay your bills?Continue Reading

why you must have confidence in your business

November 22, 2021Be the first to share your thoughts...

When you get into business for yourself, you discover new things and face different challenges. One challenge I’ve seen with some of my clients is imposter syndrome, where they’ve doubted their ability to build a successful business. And this challenge makes them lack confidence in themselves as business owners and in what they’re selling.

confidence attracts customers

If you don’t have confidence in your what you’re selling, no one else is going to either.Continue Reading