Many small businesses start with a great idea and have adequate funding, yet they seem to fail. While occasionally, there does not seem to be a good reason for this, many times the attitude of the owner is the reason for this failure. Therefore, small business owners need to daily access what attributes they are bringing into their business. Particularly, these attributes need to be accessed in their relationships with their customers and their employees.

The first of these attributes is love. We have all heard that love makes the world go round. Love also makes a business succeed. The small business owner must have a real passion for what he or she is doing. The passion must then be passed on in tangible ways. The owner should be the first one to the business in the morning and the last one to leave at night. The owner should love the products that they are selling. They should also love the people who work for them. The owner should always be on the outlook for the positive attributes of their employees. Employees will work harder and try more when they feel they are loved by their bosses. When a customer feels loved they will return to that business time and time again, even if the business is a little harder to get to or the prices are a little higher.

The second attribute is joy. When a small business owner is sour all the time, no one in the business is having a good time. We have all worked for businesses where it was necessary to walk on eggshells every time the boss was around. It is no fun and at the first opportunity we were out of there. When the small business owner is fun to be around, the business flourishes. Every employee is striving to please the boss. Things are getting done on time, and business is booming. Now, don't misunderstand, the small business owner needs to keep the business moving in the right direction. The fun here is not horseplay, which can end up with people getting hurt. Again, when employees are happy to be at work, it shows to the customer. They will drive that extra mile or return to that website again, because they know they are being treated right.

The third attribute is peace. One of the easiest ways to establish peace in a business is to set boundaries. Let your employees know what is expected of them. Furthermore, let them know how promotions will be handed out. It is very acceptable to have employees competing against each other, as long as everyone knows they are on a fair playing field. Go above and beyond ordinary measures to not show favoritism. Make written job descriptions and make sure that everyone in the company understands those job descriptions. Furthermore, put in writing the path to promotions within the company.

When love, joy and peace are present within a company, the company will thrive. Everyone will be having a great time serving customers. Customers will understand that you truly care about them. Let one of these attributes be missing and you are killing your company. Is it time for some reflection?