With Valentine's Day just around the corner, our business coach Rasheed Ogunlaru shares his top tips for keeping the passion alive in your business. 

Falling in love with your product, passions, purpose and people you serve and work with is the secret to surviving in the tough world business and challenging climate.

 Business is often seen as competitive and cut-throat – and it can be – but at heart it’s about creating products and services that we need and building and brand customers love. Knowing this is the secret to surviving the stresses and strains and winning customer loyalty.

Whether you’re starting out or looking to take your business to the next level of success, tapping into your passion and purpose will help you stay energised, inspired and will help you win the hearts, minds and loyalty of customers, suppliers, your team and everyone you meet along the way.

In a world where there are thousands of others who provide the same product and services with the same level of quality and skill – and where customers can change suppliers at the click of a button - it is your passion, heart and level of care that you put into your business that will make you stand out from the crowd.”

Rasheed’s Top Tips

• Clear vision - use your passion, talents and values to forge a meaningful mission / path

• Customer care - smile, delight and involve them - care about them not just their cash

• Your Network - tap into your network, become a connector, share advice and information

• Build relationships - be visible and valuable in your field: ‘serve don’t sell’: business will come

• Be helpful - use your website, social media and interactions to share valuable information

• From competitors to comrades - how can you team-up, cross-refer or collaborate & grow?

• Team spirit - Got staff, associates or a team? Give thanks, feedback, praise and rewards

• Romantic break - It’s not all about work put in time for loved ones, time out and hobbies too

• Eat, sleep and rest well - take breaks or you and your business will suffer

• Give back - Contribute and play your part. Support causes you care about.

 If you want to get the focus back for your business, come along to Rasheed's Soul Trader: your life, your business workshop at the Centre. Have a look at our calendar for the next date and book your place.