Think back over the last week in your business ... how much time was spent on your business (strategic) versus in your business (operational)?

Were you driving the excavator or were you negotiating the next project?

If you are spending 51 percent or more of your time in your business, then you need to seriously rethink the activities you are scheduling.

To create a more strategic business, one which creates and delivers value you need to follow four golden rules:

Rule No. 1: Increase the number of the clients you choose to have.

Many businesses realize that a number of clients waste their time. You can have the most amazing client service in the world, the broadest range of products, but if you are not being paid sufficiently for what you offer, the business is not a business, it’s a charity.

Rule No. 2: Increase your transaction value.

How would you rate your offering to your clients or customers? Have you recently asked your them what they think of it? Do you plan conversations and meetings that open their minds to new possibilities? Do you talk about their dreams and offer real ideas of how to get what they want?

Rule No. 3: Increase the transaction frequency.

To increase the transaction frequency, you must increase your communication touch points.
If you’re not contacting your clients, other people will. Use MP3 files or video clips, in which you deliver a helpful, actionable and action oriented message. Do your best to stay in consistent, conversational contact with clients.

Rule No. 4: Create and improve your business systems.

What score out of 10 would you give your business systems right now? Where are the key points of failure? What action should you be taking to address these issues?

These four golden rules have a big impact upon the value proposition that your business offers your clients and customers.

Your Number 1 product is, and should be, your business. The moment you get this, you’ll start to get more sleep at night, more income, more time off and more time for quality thinking. It will also place your business in an attractive position for a prospective investor or purchaser.