Extracted from Linked In and referring to an article I authored in GWP magazine's Sept/Oct 09 Issue called: "Is small business small minded?"

Thanks for the airplay Eric. Dead right. Some small businesses get it very right.

One example that spring to mind in my area are CHIPS Plumbing who have the foresight to expand into plumbing areas other than their original corporate arm in an effort to diversify, add strength and build protection into their business in case they happen to lose one of their major accounts. Peter Koch has built a great team around him and can now take regular overseas trips to enjoy the fruits of his labour. he should be very proud. Another example is Total Print Control who had the foresight and courage to invest heavily in new technology in order to continue to move forward with strength and compete for large government printing contracts.

The common elements:

1. A business owner with a high risk tolerance. By that I mean they have a true entrepreneurial spirit. Guts and grit. They are prepared to risk a bit to get a bit more. You can see the cheeky glint in their eye when an idea pops into their heads. I absolutely love hanging out with people like that. It breeds energy into other people. It's contagious.

2. A business owner with a vision for the future. Their eyes are not focused only on what is happening today, but equally on what they see happening for them and their business in the future.

3. A business owner who believes in themself. I just love that the owners of both of these businesses, (Peter Koch and John Burrell) are two of the most humble and giving men I know in the business world, but they ooze quiet confidence and strength. (They both have amazingly strong wives alongside them by the way). ----------

Anyway, as one who looks up as well as down, probably a little more often than I should actually, I stand by what I said in the article. Some, like these two guys I have mentioned get it right.

Most don't.

Change requires stepping outside your comfort zone and that equals discomfort. But anyone who isn't prepared to stretch themselves is going nowhere fast. It's the CHAMBER'S job to provide leadership in this realm. To educate and inspire our members to step up, look up and move forward.

So, which type of business owner are you? How comfortable are you right now? If you're not just a little bit scared, if you can't honestly find or make the time to think about anything other than what's on your desk today, well then that's how it's likely to always remain.

Are you stuck in reverse?