There are so many columns written on the subject "10 ways to ruin your business" that I thought it would be a good idea to change the perspective and let you know what many successful entrepreneurs are doing right.

Entrepreneurs with the greatest odds for continued success will:

-             Have a detailed course mapped out.

One of my mantras is, "If you don't know where you're going, it's hard to get there." Successful entrepreneurs know exactly where they are headed and how to get there.

They have their business routes mapped out in detail, and they have strategic plans of action to ensure they succeed. These business owners know a business can't survive on hope, enthusiasm, prayers and good intentions alone.

-              Accept responsibility.

President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk stating "The Buck Stops Here." If any member of his administration ever made a bad decision, Harry accepted the responsibility. Successful entrepreneurs do the same.

They take final responsibility for any actions or decisions by any employee; then they take appropriate, internal corrective action later. They know that if they publicly pass the blame to subordinates in their organizations, it will undermine their own credibility.

-            Share key information.

Secure executives share knowledge, strategies and plans with appropriate subordinates. This helps inspire the staff and give employees a sense of participation in the business. In contrast, insecure executives keep their employees in the dark, because they perceive knowledge is power.

Their actions demotivate employees and distress financiers, because both want a sense of business continuity. If the entrepreneur keeps all the key knowledge and is hit by a truck over the weekend, the continuing existence of the business will be in severe jeopardy.

-             Be a walk-around manager.

Successful entrepreneurs know their job is to provide the resources for, and meet the needs of, their employees. To accomplish this, they don't lock themselves in their executive offices. Instead, they are constantly interfacing with their employees, asking questions and listening carefully to the responses. They then take action to ensure their goals and those of their workers will be accomplished.

-             Take the time to hire the right people.

They develop detailed job descriptions for key positions in the company, and they do not jump to hire the first person who comes along. They resist the temptation to hire friends and family. They realize superstar results only come from superstar team players, not prima donnas. They take the time to check out potential candidates, have several rounds of interviews (with themselves, with peers and with potential subordinates). They want to ensure their expectations and those of the potential candidates are not mutually destructive, and they want to make certain there are no skeletons in the closet.

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