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Step 1—Take a Look

Time to get really honest with yourself, and about yourself, and take a look at what your skill strengths and weaknesses are as they pertain to these skills:

After each skill, select the number that most closely matches your ability and/or comfort level. Then see where you have the most highs and lows—and check out the guidelines to your answers.

 ► Click here to download this chart in printable format (.pdf).

BUSINESS SKILLS REVIEW

SKILLS

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH
Sales and Marketing 1 2 3

Advertising, promotion, public relations

1 2 3

Creating marketing plans

1 2 3

Creating marketing strategies

1 2 3

Advertising copywriting

1 2 3

Pricing

1 2 3

Packaging

1 2 3

Sales planning

1 2 3

Negotiating

1 2 3

Direct selling

1 2 3

Customer service

1 2 3

Tracking competitors

1 2 3
Financial Planning and Accounting 1 2 3

Cash flow planning

1 2 3

Bank relationships

1 2 3

Managing credit lines

1 2 3

Bookkeeping

1 2 3

Billing, payables, receivables

1 2 3

Monthly profit and loss statements

1 2 3

Tax preparation

1 2 3
Personnel 1 2 3

Hiring employees

1 2 3

Firing employees

1 2 3

Motivating employees

1 2 3

Scheduling

1 2 3

Payroll

1 2 3

Benefits administration

1 2 3

General management skills

1 2 3
Communication
1 2 3

Oral presentation skills

1 2 3

Written communication skills

1 2 3

Computer skills

1 2 3
Personal
1 2 3

Ability to establish goals

1 2 3

Ability to work long, hard hours

1 2 3

Ability to manage risk and stress

1 2 3

Ability to handle failure

1 2 3

Ability to work alone

1 2 3

Ability to manage others

1 2 3

It’s All in the Numbers

There are no right answers to know if you’re cut out to be your own boss. But here are few guidelines: