entrepreneur

You wake up at 6 a.m. to start your work day, only you aren’t heading into town to sit at some comfy corner corporate office suite. Sure, you might still put on a suit and tie, but you are in fact only headed as far away as your own basement. With your cat and dog as your only sources of company, you begin to settle into your home office for the day.

It is a familiar picture for entrepreneurs, and one that most of them have experienced at one point or another. In the early stages of any small startup, entrepreneurs need to make do with whatever they can. Whether it’s borrowing their mothers’ computers, or working out of their own basement, small business owners use all the resources they have at their disposal to start and grow their companies, even though that may not be much.

They might be operating at a disadvantage, but according to entrepreneurship expert, Evan Carmichael, entrepreneurs have at their disposal a number of tools to help them take on their larger competition. “You may be a one-person operation,” he says, “but your customers and your competitors don’t have to know that.”  

Taking the Right Steps

The first and most important step to making your business seem bigger than it is, says Carmichael, is to make sure you have the right telecommunications system in place. “You need to always be reachable,” he says. “Even if you can’t afford 24-hour receptionists, having a cell phone or a separate phone line that can act as a 24/7 fax machine will help.” Carmichael also suggests outsourcing your calls to a toll-free number, where customers can call at any time of day. Not only will this be free for them, but it will also give customers the impression that your company is in the big leagues.

For those entrepreneurs looking to gain some extra manpower, but don’t have the budget for it, Carmichael suggests this step: “Look into hiring someone on a part-time basis, or even an intern. Interns will often work as volunteers in exchange for the experience. And, they just might know a little something more than you, say, when it comes to technology.”

Another crucial step that entrepreneurs should take, suggests Carmichael, is utilizing the Internet. “Creating a professional web site with high-quality graphics and useful content will go a long way to making your company seem larger than it is,” he says. The key word here, however, is professional. A poorly designed web site will do more harm to your business than not having one at all. “Having an online presence is also a good way for entrepreneurs to use their creativity in building credibility,” says Carmichael. For instance, he suggests they create a “Contact the CEO” link, even if they’re the CEO, and the accountant, and the receptionist all in one. 

Meeting with Clients

Making yourself accessible online and via telephone is important, but what about when you just have to meet clients face to face, or make presentation to potential investors? Do you really want to bring them into your house with your dog running around and your laundry hanging up? For those times, says Carmichael, consider renting an office or a conference room for just a few hours each month. “When there are those big fish that you are just dying to reel in, bring them to your rented suite,” he says. “It is a cheaper option for you, it presents you in a professional manner, and chances are, they’ll assume it’s your permanent office.”

But, when you do schedule those meetings, Carmichael says it’s important not to think that the rented office will be enough to seal the deal. “You could have the nicest working environment in the world, but if you don’t look like you belong there, it won’t matter,” he suggests. “Things like smelling nice, wearing a clean suit, and having professional business cards may seem small, but they can make all the difference in the world.”  

Whatever steps you take to make your business look larger than it is, Carmichael implies the importance of raising the bar. “As entrepreneurs, we need to do whatever it takes to be taken seriously, especially in our startup days,” he says. “Set high standards for yourself, and be willing to make the investments you need to play with the big boys.” HBM

Evan Carmichael is available for an interview. Please contact him at . Evan is an entrepreneur and international speaker. Evan's website, http://www.evancarmichael.com/ is a top Internet portal for small business motivation and strategies. Evan has been interviewed by newspapers, radio stations, and television stations including The Globe and Mail, CHUM FM, CityTV, Global TV, OMNI TV, Enterprise, and the Toronto Sun.