As president of Intellex Strategic Consulting, Sandeep Baweja reflects upon his personal experiences to provide others with advice to about how to be successful in business.

1. Principles for
Success in Business
PART ONE
SANDEEP BAWEJA

2. In my nineteen years of professional experience in
business, I have composed a number of principles
which correlate to success in the business world.
Some principles are derived from my observations of
business practices from other professionals and
business owners. And other principles I developed
and based upon my own achievements and failures.
What follows is the first set of a three-part series,
representing what I consider to be the most
fundamental and important principles for success in
business. I hope they are relatable to your business
or profession and can add value to your endeavors.

3. It’s All About Results
Only results matter in the business world. Clients and
customers expect quality products and services which
add discernible value to their needs. While efforts matter
and deserve recognition, you are being hired to deliver
concrete results to help your business succeed. Without
them, your results don’t show much of anything.

4. Bring Your ‘A’ Game
Strive for excellence in all that you do. Produce goods
and provide services of the highest quality and maximum
utility. Hold yourself to high standards and perform at
that level. Being average is for the average. Don’t just
build a better mouse trap, aim to build the best mouse
trap out there. If your competitors are “good,” strive to be
“great.” If your competition is “great,” strive to be
“excellent.” Endeavor to be the best in your field or trade.
Even if you don’t end up being the best, being one of the
best is still a great place to be.

5. Presume You Are Outmatched
When competing in the marketplace, presume your
competition outmatches you in every way, because this
will impel you to succeed.
Presume your rivals have more resources than you,
including more financial resources, more staff and
manpower, and better marketing ability.
Presume the competition is smarter than you and has
more credibility in the marketplace.
Presume the competition also has better access to
information and can outmaneuver you in every way.

6. Presume You Are Outmatched
Indeed, if your competitors are in fact larger than you,
they probably are all of these things. This means you will
have to be that much more innovative, more resourceful,
more productive, and overall more ingenious than your
competition. You will need to work twice as hard, even
three-times harder than your rivals just to compete on
the same level. So hunker down, dig deep, think hard, and
do more with less. Deliver equal, or preferably, higher
quality products and services with fewer resources. Take
this approach and you will succeed.

7. Common Sense is King
Don’t underestimate the value of common sense
solutions. Often times, the simplest most commonsensical
approach is the best approach to take. While book-smarts
are relevant to making informed business decisions, you
don’t need a Ph.D. to solve many problems that
businesses confront on a day-to-day basis. Businesses
don’t operate in a theoretical world. Rather, they are
affected by the ups and downs and changing forces of the
real world marketplace. So bring your street smarts into
the office and boardroom for problem solving and
decision making. Embrace common sense as a touchstone
for all that you do.

8. A Little Insecurity is a Good Thing
Many people focus on the importance of confidence and
assertiveness, while viewing insecurity as a bad thing. In
the business context, insecurity can be a positive force
towards development and growth. Insecurity makes you
think twice about your ideas and approaches; insecurity
makes you second guess yourself to make sure things are
done in the best way possible. If anything, revisiting your
ideas, double-checking your work, and making certain of
your methodologies will reaffirm the merits of your ideas
and decision making. A little insecurity also makes you
work harder and keeps you on your toes. Therefore, don’t
think of insecurity as a bad thing when it could be a
driving force towards betterment and success.

9. Take Care of Those that Take
Care of You
The smooth functioning of a business depends on the
hard work and dedication of administrative and support
staff. The contributions of these individuals should not
be overlooked or underestimated. To the contrary, their
efforts should be appreciated on a regular basis because
they are integral to the operations and success of your
business. But more than just “thanking” them, show your
appreciation – buy lunch once in awhile or give them a
Starbucks gift card. Better yet, show your appreciation
with a mid-year bonus even if in a modest amount. If you
take care of the people that take care of you, you and
your business will prosper.

10. Just Do It
A successful business requires action. Don’t over-analyze
and over-plan everything to death, because too much
analysis results in paralysis. You want to determine your
strategy and implement it. Don’t procrastinate or make
excuses, it’s time to roll-up your sleeves and get to work!

11. SANDEEP BAWEJA IS THE PRESIDENT OF
INTELLEX STRATEGIC CONSULTING
LOCATED IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA. HE
WELCOMES YOUR FEEDBACK AT
SANDEEP@INTELLEXSTRATEGY.COM.