Today, as someone who shows entrepreneurs how to build thriving businesses by raising their expert status and as a publisher of multi-author books, I can honestly say I no longer have this problem. See my last blog post on If You Want Something Done Right Hire an Entrepreneur to Do It to see my solution to finding good help for my business.

There is a second part to the success equation of having good entrepreneur partners who work with you to fulfill the mission of your business. That is what this blog is about.

The Better Your Team, the Better Your Business

Instead of just hiring entrepreneurs, I take steps to make them a part of my team and have an attitude of being on their team. This creates a genuine successful partnership that fosters creativity, innovation and ideas on how we can all run our businesses more effectively and profitably.

Here are some things I do to boost my team of entrepreneurs that benefits both them and me.

1. I rave about their good work on Facebook®, Linkedin® and Twitter® about them. I talk about them to my clients and in my teleclasses; I recommend them and write testimonials for them.

2. I send them clients, whom I feel they can serve well. I take the time to talk to people who ask for a resource and pick the entrepreneur on my team who is the best match.

3. I look for new products or services they can offer for more revenue for their firm. I sometimes partner with them to create a new product or service that I know the marketplace will respond to.

4. I am loyal and do not respond to people who offer me the same service at a cheaper rate or meet with people who do what the people on my team already do. My team can count on me to continue to work with them.

5. I always pay my bills immediately. I hate waiting for checks or even waiting for people to push that button on PayPal® to have a payment go through. When people know they can rely on you for quick payment, they always appreciate your business a little more.

6. I say thank you. I do my best to always express my appreciation for a job well done. A lot of people care about this more than money, and acknowledgement is something we can all give and receive more often.

I am talking about this now because I am renewing my commitment to be even better at this. I am going to pay attention, and look to see what else I can do to have the people who help me succeed—succeed more. Give some thought to this for your own business and see if it can serve you well, as well.

Start to employ the wonderful solution of hiring entrepreneurs to get things done. Whatever you need completed, there are a multitude of people who specialize in just that task. Do you need someone to do Internet research, to call former customers, to prepare a PowerPoint® presentation? There are a ton of folks who will do it for you with a smile and a positive attitude, and they will do it quickly and affordably.

Now, perhaps I paint too rosy a picture. I do admit I have had a few less-than-ideal experiences with service providers over the years. To avoid this, I have put together a criteria for my entrepreneurial partners to assist me in fulfilling the objectives of my business.

What follows are my criteria for the entrepreneurs I partner with in my business. Read this and let it inspire you to create your own criteria.

1. Have a Positive Disposition

I like to say, “a faccia lunga is never fun.” Faccia lunga is long face in Italian. Complaints interfere with the creative process and zap your energy. Only optimists are allowed in my aura if I can help it.

2. Be a Good Communicator

Even though I prefer communicating by phone, I have entrepreneurs on my team who prefer email. I am happy to adapt as long as they get right back to me and give me a progress report. Staying in touch makes all projects go smoother.

3. Make Me and My Projects a Priority

I admit with no shame, I want everything done as soon as I ask for it. If I cannot have it done now, then I want it by an agreed-upon time. Meeting deadlines is key to keeping VIP clients happy.

4. Be Willing to Learn

If I am working with someone, and I ask them to do something they cannot do, I am happy to invest money or other resources to help them figure it out. Although I could find another specialist in that area, I would rather give more work to someone I am already working with who meets my other criteria.

5. Have a Genuine Desire to Serve

This is super important. In my business, I have a commitment to genuinely do a great job for my clients; I under promise and over deliver. I am always thrilled when my clients get great results, and this is the same quality I look for in the entrepreneurs I work with.

6. Have Integrity

I am not sure how you determine this when you are investigating new entrepreneurs to work with. I do my best to remember to keep my B.S. meter on and my intuition turned up. If someone does not feel like a good match, or if they do more talking than listening when they are supposed to be learning about my business, then they probably are not the right entrepreneur partner for me.

7. Are Innovative

I do not know everything about all the areas in which I need support. I do expect my entrepreneur partners to offer a solution that can help me do what I do better. If I ask for something, and they know a better way, I expect they will say so. If there is a new technology that can help my business, I want them to introduce it to me. I love innovation; even simple suggestions are exciting at times.

There you have it. One of my biggest secrets to success. Create your own criteria for utilizing more entrepreneurs to get things done and watch your business thrive.

Use these skills discussed here with your employees, clients, vendors and anyone else you find yourself working with skills and begin to increase your success.

Develop a culture of celebrating everyone’s successes

When something goes great let other people know. Tell them when you solve a big problem, when you land an exciting new project, when you finish an crucial certification course. On the flip side ask other people to share their wins with you. Ask them for some wins, give them an opportunity to share with you what is exciting in their business.

Use your intuition

Sometimes you might have a thought or an idea that you cannot intellectually or practically justify. If you want to share it, share it. You can start by saying I have an unrelated thought I would like to bounce off you.”  “I am having the sense that.” Trust your intuition and use your intuition.

Have a theme

Create an idea, affirmation or motto in the form of a phrase or sentence that supports a new belief or behavior you are trying to cultivate with your team. Themes can also hold the focus on a particular desired outcome you are working towards. Themes can help you put your attention on a particular skill you want to continue to develop.

Here are some examples of themes some of my clients have used: We easily create customer solutions, We expect success, Trust yourself and your ability to get the job done, New business is everywhere. Pick a different theme for your team each month.

No matter what is the size of your team, it is in your best interest to consider yourself a coach to your employees, vendors and clients. Utilize these coaching skills and watch how your meetings come to fruition with ease. Also your new skills will enhance all your professional interactions. What could be smarter?

Have you enjoyed this series? If you have tried any of the ideas shared here, or have additional suggestions, please leave a comment!