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We looked at the factors authors and experts say contribute to the success of a business:

In the PowerHomeBiz.com article 10 Rules for Small Business Success, here are factors that contribute to the success of a small business:

• Find a Niche.
• Be small, yet think big.
• Differentiate your products.
• First impression counts.
• Good reputation.
• Constant improvement.
• Listen to your customers.
• Plan for success.
• Be innovative.
• Work smart.

Best selling author Seth Godin lists his five pillars of success 

• See (really see) what's possible
• Know specifically what you want to achieve
• Make good decisions
• Understand the tactics to get things done and to change minds
• Earn the trust and respect of the people around you

According to the book “Loops: The Seven Keys to Small Business Success” by Dr. Mile Chaet and Dr. Stephen Lundin, success in business is all about closing loops – the right loops. Here are the seven essential loops of small business success.

• Manage the Experience Zones.
• Build a winning culture.
• Monitor the Fundamentals.
• Standardize every major process.
• Innovate.
• Live in the real world.
• Lead by example.

George Rodriguez in the article "How to Launch a Successful Startup" lists 12 factors that are important in creating and building a successful start up business:

• Have a long-term vision
• Hire the best people – and manage them well.
• Keep your focus.
• Innovate; don’t duplicate.
• Keep realistic expectations.
• Have a clear understanding of the market and your competition.
• Run your business lean.
• Get the right partners.
• Develop a culture of success in your organization.
• Conduct regular business and market review.
• Learn, and keep on learning.
• Prepare for changes.

Susan Ward of About.com Canada lists 10 tips for starting a small business that will succeed. Her lists include:

• Do what you love.
• Start your business while you’re still employed.
• Don’t do it alone.
• Get clients or customers first.
• Write a business plan.
• Do the research.
• Get professional help.
• Get the money lined up.
• Be professional from the get-go.
• Get the legal and tax issues right the first time.

The article “10 Power Steps to Small Business Success” by Isabel Isidro lists steps that can help build a solid foundation for your small business: 

• Develop your personal and company goals.
• Define a viable market segment for your product or service.
• Develop your marketing plan.
• Write your initial version of the business plan
• Determine your financing needs.
• Form your key teams: founders, management, and directors.
• Finalize your financing needs and create your formal business plan.
• Develop a marketing strategy to obtain financing for your company
• Market your plan successfully, attracting capital on your terms
• Market your product/service and manage your business to achieve your goals

Jim Blasingame listed the success factors espoused by his friend Doug Wilson, Vice President for Marketing at Palo Alto 

• Choice of business
• Education and experience
• People
• Creativity in Management
• Potential of the Industry
• Understanding the Information Collected
• The Corridor Principle or ability to change focus in response to market demand

Jim Tracy, President and Founder, America’s Best Companies, gave these factors for a small business to succeed

• Ask your customers the question, “What can I do for you?”
• Form a mastermind group
• Become known within your community
• Distribute a newsletter
• Every business should have a website

The book “The Six Fundamentals of Success: The Rules for Getting It Right for Yourself and Your Organization” by Stuart Levine provides these factors for success in entrepreneurship:

• Make sure you add value
• Communicate up and down, inside and out
• Know how to deliver results
• Conduct yourself and your business with integrity
• Invest in relationships
• Gain perspective

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