One of the key objectives of a mastermind team is to gain greater clarity and focus in order to take consistent and effective action toward our goals.

And if you want to maximize the power of your mastermind team, it’s best to begin with as much clarity as you can muster on your own.

All too often, when we present our case—be it a problem to be solved, an issue to overcome or an idea to brainstorm—we don’t plan ahead enough to articulate it clearly.

It’s always best to invest a few minutes in planning and even practicing what you want to present to your team. In doing so, you will be clearer yourself, you will be better understood and the result will be even greater clarity and feedback from the rest of your team.

Less is More
It’s important to be succinct. You do not have to explain in detail, provide all the history and justify things in order to present your case well. Fewer words have more power than many words. Provide only enough information to illustrate the context and the content needed to be understood.

When you are long-winded, people stop listening. Don’t make them work hard—get to the point.

MY point is to encourage you to plan well, deliver well and receive well.

The same goes for your feedback to your teammates. Share in a bullet-point format in order to leave as much time for additional feedback.

In doing so, you’ll make your mastermind team or your brainstorming meeting ever more powerful.

Quote du jour . . .

A problem clearly stated is a problem half-solved.

PS: If you’re not already part of our Diamond Club Mastermind program, and you would like to have your own team and the support structure you need to achieve your most important goals, you can get started this week here . . .

One of my readers wrote to me yesterday and asked why I would promote one of my competitors.

The “competitor” he was referring to was Bill Bartmann, a man who knows what it takes to build a billion-dollar business, because he’s done it. In fact, at one time, Bill was listed as the 25th richest person in America.

The program we recommended was Bill’s new Billionaire University. Click here to find out more.

In any event, the man who wrote to me said that in promoting Bill’s membership program, I was sending my clients to the opposition–another membership program.

It’s a fair concern, but it’s one that is really part of the old way of doing business.

Yes, we’re in the business of helping people and companies grow. And Bill Bartmann is also in the business of providing expert business guidance with the aim of helping businesses grow.

And yes, we do target similar markets.

But I believe in an abundant marketplace. I know there is plenty of business to go around. I also know that different experts and trainers appeal to different people in different ways.

My primary aim is to help business excel. And if one of my so-called competitors can help my members and subscribers do that, I am more than willing to share the information with my readers.

And in this case, $100 for a full year’s membership with dozens of professional how-to videos was just too good a deal. Of course, I would recommend it to the SuccessNet community.

Yes, Bill is going to pay us a commission—just as I would pay him if the he were recommending us.

But here’s the question I ask myself whenever I am considering recommending a product, service or person: Would I be recommending it if there was nothing in it for us? If I believe in it and if it will help our members, we do it. If not, we don’t. It takes some due diligence, but it pays off.

I’ve only regretted a couple of recommendations in over 12 years. And each case, we went back to our readers and told them we blew it.

So I encourage you to not be afraid of your competition. Look at the market as infinite rather than a finite pie to b carved up. You may even find ways to cooperate and partner with them, as we have done on a number of occasions.

Think win-win-win—a win for you, a win for them and a win for the people you serve.

PS: To find out all about Bill Bartmann’s impressive new program, just go here.

OK, it’s true—most businesses do fail.

Yesterday, I shared with you a compilation of what the experts think about why businesses fail. I also told you I didn’t agree with them because these issues are usually symptoms.

Today, I want to explain why and share MY list with you.

Many business experts are like doctors who treat symptoms instead of the true root causes of disease and disorders.

Usually, by the time the symptoms of these business failures become evident, it’s too late to do much about them.

I think it’s much more cost-effective to be proactive and address these issues ahead of time so they don’t sneak up and bite us.

So here’s my list of reasons. Again, these are not in any real order of importance.

1. Not Being Clear on Your Core Values, Mission and Vision
This is your foundation—the bedrock of your business. And yet, less than 1 in 40 businesses ever take the time to figure out who they are, why they exist, what they stand for and what the business will look like in 3-5 years.

2. No Clear Business Model
What business are you really in? Believe it or not, most people I talk with don’t really know. Your business model is your vehicle to take you to where you want to go. It has to be the right vehicle. It has to be dependable and cost effective. Otherwise, you will run out of gas or break down on the commercial highway.

3. Unclear on Target Market
Knowing who you serve and how you can find your prospects is critical. Business owners need to clearly identify their niche. It has to be big enough and be able to afford what you have to offer. Identifying and then elegantly serving this niche is an area that is often underestimated.

4. Not Clear on USP
Your Unique Selling Proposition is how you differentiate yourself from all the others in your field. It needs to set you apart from the herd, making it clear what you do and how you do it better than others.

5. No Written Strategic Plan
Few people would argue against having a well-thought-out plan and then following and revising that plan as you go along. But hardly anybody does.

6. Inadequate Systems and Controls
You can’t change what you don’t measure. And most businesses I’m familiar with have few—or no—meaningful metrics. You would never think of driving your car without looking at the instruments and gauges in your dashboard giving you feedback as you progress. You need a dashboard for your business, too.

7. Inability to Adapt
We live in a time of unprecedented change. And failing to adapt to the market, your industry and your customers’ changing needs is a sure way to become an also-ran.

8. Not Paying Enough Attention to Relationships
Business is ALL about relationship. A 21st century business needs to respect and care for all stakeholders and clients. Communicate, listen, respond and pay attention to those you serve and those who serve with you.

9. Not Having the Right Team
As Jim Collins says in ‘Good to Great’, you need the right people on the bus and you need them in the right seats. You need to delegate effectively. You need good systems and documented processes to make it easy for everyone on the team to do their job in a consistent and error-free manner.

10. Inadequate Support System, Advisors, etc.
Anything worthwhile requires more than you. You need mentors, advisors and people who will tell you the truth. My hearty recommendation is to have an ongoing mastermind team that can be like a board of directors for you and your company (see Diamond Club below).

Most small business owners are technicians and fail to make the transition from technician to business manager and leader.

They also don’t maintain enough perspective to see what they’re doing that isn’t working and what they’re not doing that they should be.

Ultimately, the reason why businesses fail is a lack of clarity and focus.

Running and growing a business is a matter of utilizing money, equipment, time and people efficiently and effectively. It’s simple, but it’s not usually very easy.

SuccessNet is dedicated to helping you navigate the challenging waters of growing your business. Everything we do is designed to support you and your company to grow and prosper.

By having the proper support, you can position yourself to be in the minority of all businesses that are started—the ones who succeed.

Here are a few resources . . .

Never feel alone again in business. Have your own MasterMind Team. Gain regular access to me and my network of experts. Find out all about Diamond Club here.

How to Write a Mission Statement

How to Write an Inspiring Vision Statement

Find out how your business stacks up against a world class business. Take this 4-minute assessment and also gain access to a very stimulating interview on the Ten Pillars—all at no cost. Click here.

If you’re serious about avoiding these business challenges, join us in early September and learn how you can bullet-proof your business in any economy. I recommend it highly—and guarantee it, too. Full details here . . .