Q: I've recently launched a small business (very small — just me so far), and now I need to make it succeed. What tips do you have to help me stay on track?
A: Build some structure and stay disciplined in order to succeed.
The inner game
Think about your business in terms of three themes: delivering your product or service, administering your company, and getting the word out. To succeed, you have to be effective at all three. That will require reflection on your strengths, weaknesses and preferences regarding each area.
Product or service delivery is probably the easiest part; it's the reason you started your business. That said, you need to be sure your offering meets your customers' needs, that it's appropriately priced, etc. Keep in mind that customer needs can evolve, so be sure to keep thinking about innovations and new ways to meet market needs.
Administration can be the bane of a small-business owner's existence. There are fewer challenges for a sole proprietorship, but if you have thoughts of adding employees, you need to be prepared on the payroll, benefits, and leadership fronts.
Then there is sales and marketing. Depending on your temperament, this can also be a difficult area. And obviously it's essential because people can't buy from you if they don't know about you. Assess your skills as a networker and your comfort in discussing the benefits of your product or service.
Finally, assess your support structure. Do you have thinking partners, devil's advocates, cheerleaders and mentors?
The outer game
One of the other challenges in running your own business is staying on task. I'd strongly recommend laying out a plan so that you know what you want to accomplish in a day, a week, or a month. In particular, this level of discipline will be helpful for the areas that you are least drawn to.