Running a prosperous, resilient company is the goal of every entrepreneur, but there are essential steps to success that most people miss.

In this presentation, Dr. Mitra will help you better serve your business, clients, employees, and community with a quintet of common-sense practices every business person should master.

1. Connect: Relationships are built and nurtured through connection. Connection is a powerful tool to grow your business. Don’t let another day pass without tapping into that power.

2. Communicate: Timely communication generates a sense of reassurance and confidence in your clients or customers and helps you retain them. Communicate with your employees and involve them in the business; take their opinions and suggestions. It results in employees feeling invested in the company, and they feel a sense of ownership. Honor, recognize and reward them for their good work. Orient them to communicate properly with your clients. Poor communication with clients and with employees is a losing proposition—period.

3. Create: Creativity can awe your clients and customers. Your personalized and unique innovations will stun people and make you memorable to them. They’ll become loyal to your brand and tell others about the one-of-a-kind services or products you offer. By exercising creativity, you will make your business extraordinary and outstanding.

4. Confidence: Knowledge is the key source of confidence. As an entrepreneur, it’s essential for you to make time to learn everything you can about your field. Lack of knowledge leads to insecurity, poor business practices and losing clients. When you are a true expert, your clients will see that confidence and feel that they must consult with you. Learn well and feel confident like an expert.

5. Contribute: Though giving should be motivated by your values and not in expectation of a reward, contributing to the community does build a positive reputation for your business. People will see you not only as a business owner but also as a person who cares. Make giving an integral part of your business and life.

6. Leadership: Be a leader and part of the process in the community. Every day, tell yourself, “I can do it!” Inspire and challenge yourself first to put yourself in a position to inspire and motivate others. Win the hearts of your team by being concerned about them, sacrificing for them, setting a firm goal for them and walking together with them towards that goal.

7. Ownership: Whether you are leader or entrepreneur, in every assignment you undertake, take the ownership. Think it is yours, and you will do your best. And by doing your best, you will always bring the best result.

8. Family Support: You must have a spouse who understands and supports you as a diehard fan and as a true cheerleader. Your children must inspire you to go for it.

9. Dream: Dream high! Dream is the precursor of reality. Respect your values, be fearless, and express yourself. Have faith, and don’t let yourself get down. In all negative happenings there is an element of positivity, look for that. This is America, where your talent is respected and you are encouraged to achieve the best. President Ronald Reagan gave us the American slogan, “It can be done!” I am certain you can also make your dream come true.

10. The Essence: The true essence of successful entrepreneurship is giving back to the community and touching another life.