Like most business owners I wake up most days and feel like I’m stepping into The Hunger Games. But while it may feel that being in business is a daily fight to the death, I don't think of this popular book and movie series because I believe I have to kill everyone else to survive! Instead, I think of the Hunger Games, because it’s one of the best business advice movies I've ever seen... no, seriously! When asked to speak at the Crowe Horwath NZ "INSPIRE Women in Business" breakfast I took the opportunity to covey the 10 Key Business Lessons I've learnt (through the trial and error that is business ownership, over the past 10 years) that are so aptly summarised in The Hunger Games. - Wendy Schollum, Managing Director of www.xplore.net

4. MY DRIVERS…
10 years ago, when I first bought my
business
were…

10. REASSESS.
As you and your company evolve and
change, so too should…
your drivers.

12. BE CLEAR…
Don’t let others define or judge your “why”.
It’s about you and…
what matters most.

14. DON’T WAIT…
until you need new skills to start learning
them, otherwise…
it’ll be too late.

19. ADMIT.
You’re not a weak leader if you don’t know it
all. Get others to teach you…
what you don’t know.

21. ENCOURAGE.
To ensure your company’s survival, you need
your team to keep…
up-skilling.

28. TO STAND OUT…
you must consider your assets, your
aspirations and your outside influences.
You need all three.

31. REVIEW…
Your points of difference regularly and ask…
are you still different?

38. CHOOSE.
Professional mentors aren’t always what
they claim. So, choose yours…
with care.

43. SEXISM.
Don’t let it flatten, oppress, defeat or enrage
you…
let it motivate you.

44. SURVIVAL.
To ensure your business doesn’t suffer.
Sometimes, you have to…
pick your battles.

50. RESOURCES.
If either your soft or hard assets are limited
this will…
impact your growth.

53. CAUTIOUSLY.
It won’t always work, but sometimes it’s
worth the calculated risk…
with your eyes wide open.

61. “YOU” TIME…
is not an indulgence, selfish or a business
distraction, it…
is a business investment.

64. PERSISTENTLY…
drive towards your goals. But don’t forget the
world is not static…
be prepared to adapt.

66. MILESTONES…
are the only evidence that we’re going
anywhere in business and…
should be celebrated.

67. May the odds be ever
in your favour…

68. Got questions?
0800 100 900
www.xplore.net