Sustainable success for small businesses is very much like a puzzle with a lot of pieces. Every small business owner's success puzzle is different. What works for some doesn't always for works for others. Yet, one piece in everyone's success puzzle is commitment. The piece may be a different shape and size, but it is always present.

Commitment by its very nature implies some action to be taken to achieve a desire, a dream or what also can be called a goal. Think about a recent business achievement and your level of commitment. Then, think about a goal that wasn't successfully achieved and your level of commitment. Compare the two levels of commitment were they the same or different?

For example, a colleague and myself publish a monthly newsletter Power Choices as part of our marketing plan. She and I are committed to creating value in this monthly newsletter based on our own goals, values and what we have learned from our readers. Sure, we could cite some statistics and write more research based or scholarly articles. However, would those actions actually add value by helping our readers realize that next level of success? I sincerely doubt it. Making this monthly commitment to be honest and share our personal experiences is what makes this newsletter unique.

As a small business evolves so does the level of commitment. Entrepreneurs are committed in the early years to working the business by wearing many different hats. As time passes, the business grows (hopefully), the commitment changes to working on the business while letting others work in the business.

Understanding how you define commitment and how you execute commitment is absolutely essential. For commitment is the one of the critical pieces to completing your own success puzzle.

During the last few years, I have spoken with numerous small business owners, level C executives and entrepreneurs. What I have learned is that no one wants to be a failure and yet everyone wants to be a success. Then, the simple question is: Why dont we have more success? Remember: Most small businesses fail in the first couple of years

The answer to this question is multi-fold. However, commitment to doing the right thing at the right time in accordance with the right plan and aligned with the right values is always part of the answer or in the words of Peter Drucker "Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation