Forget about the Jargon- stick to the things that make your business work.

Now if you are a small business person like me doubtless you have met with fat cats and intellectuals who want to shove some new fancy business stuff down your throat.

I have invested in a couple of different businesses, sometimes I have made money and sometimes I haven’t. Take it from me, forget the jargon, stick to the things that make your business work.Most of those guys who want to tell you a lot of fancy stuff haven’t ever tried to own a business. They have never sunk their money into a project and seen the whole thing fall apart on them, they just don’t know what the hell they are talking about, they are paid to sit and imagine the problems you are having and solve them for you without ever experiencing that… now can you imagine what kind of a mess they will put you in?Stick to what works. That might sound strange after I have just told you to try something new, but I said try something new not try someone’s new fancy ideas about how business should work!Good business advice is like a good employee, hard to find, everyone wants him, and you can’t afford him.

When it comes to listening to business advice, make sure you check the person out.

1. Have they ever actually been in business? And if they have, how well are they doing?
2. Do they have the necessary skills and academic background to understand your business? It’s no use asking a person who was trained in mechanical engineering to advise you on what to do with your restaurant, unless he is suggesting a new piece of equipment that would make your work easier!
3. Stay far away from someone who cannot speak plain language. As soon as someone starts throwing big words at you, run like hell. Big words are an expert’s way of saying “I don’t know what am talking about but if I say it in an exotic way, I might just convince you that I do know a lot.”
4. Does the person charge for their services… now this is a difficult one. All business advisers will want to take back home something for their family, so they do have to charge a fee for spending time with you and helping you work out the best things for your business, but watch out. If you start feeling that what you are paying for is not bringing results, well it’s time to get out of there.

Good business information is easy to find nowadays and even free, if you are good on the internet, dedicating a couple of hours a week to Google the things that you are unclear about always helps.

Unfortunately many of the times the suggestions given on websites are relevant only to specific countries. For example, most tax information you find on the web will be relevant only if you are operating in Europe or the US. For an African business person you may need to dig deeper, and then find someone to with whom to discuss what you find so make sure that you choose the right person.Even after you have found good advice, implement it cautiously. Start with a minor change and gradually advance to more and more changes when you see positive results.As my people say, the fool rushes headlong into that which he knows not, a mad man, never!

One of the things we have done is to try and put together a group of consultants willing to help small business people with the questions they have. If you feel you need such advice you can log on to our website at www.tradelinkafrica.com the registration is free and there are many free services including a chat room where you can meet other business people and share ideas with them free of charge.