There’s a popular Hip-Hop song rising up the charts called ” Swagga Like Us“ a song by rappers Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Kayne West and Lil Wayne. The chorus “No one on the corner have swagger like us” reminded me of the need to display my own Swagga in business.

Artists/entrepreneurs like Jay-Z, Puffy (Sean Combs) and Kanye West have shown a bravado or swagger in their lyrics and business successes.  Farnsworth Bentley former assistant to Puffy, TV Host and author of “Advance Your Swagger” attributes his accomplishment to one key equation: Manners + Confidence + Style = Swagger. That swagger is not limited to the Hip-Hop culture, any small business owner looking to raise their company to the next level should adopt a Swagger.

Adopting a swagger is exuding a confidence in your company and business skills. People who meet you know you’re the expert in your field.  When you speak you’re passionate, authoritative, you use power words and nothing is impossible to you.

Don’t feel like you’re there yet don’t worry we have some tips to help you get your Swagger.

• Be the expert - Study your field, study your competitors, study your clients. Don’t ever assume you know enough. Subscribe to Google Alerts to stay on top of what’s happening in your industry and your client’s industries.  In order to speak with authority you have to know your stuff.
• Go after the champ - Who’s the champ or leader in your industry?  You should be targeting that company. Remember Avis “We’re Number 2″ That was their challenge to Hertz. Avis placed a bulls’eye on Hertz and said we’re coming for you.  Business is all about competition so there’s nothing wrong with desiring to unseat the top company. Position yourself to become number one by learning everything about the number one company in your field, Learn their strengths, weaknesses and develop your differentiate advantages to unseat them as number one.
• Stay Hungry - When a boxer is coming up and knocking out opponents in early rounds they say he’s hungry, he wants a shot at the champ. Winning the championship is only the beginning keeping that crown from all other hungry boxers is the challenge.  Don’t let achieving goals and success spoil you, want more, accomplish more.  Stay hungry and look for new challenges to keep your Swagger.
• Play your theme song - In the movie “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” Kennan Ivory Wayans‘ character Jack Spade has this exchange: Jack Spade: [looks at musicians] Who are these guys? John Spade: They’re my theme music. Every hero’s got to have some.  You’re the hero of your business so what’s your theme song?  What song motivates you, inspires you and you feel that you can conqueror the world when you hear it.  That’s your theme song so start everyday motivating yourself with your theme song. Make your ringtone your theme song so you’re constantly reminded of your  Swagger.
• Infect your employees with Swaggaism - yes its a made up word but it fits.  The perception of your company is built by every contact your employees have.  Develop ways to motivate your staff so they’re excited about their work.  Let them play their theme songs before work so they feel their Swagga.  Share your goals with them and let them contribute to achieving the goals. An energized focused and committed staff will take your business to the number one spot.

Spend a month implementing these tactics and soon no one in business will have a  Swagger like you.

I want to thank my family, Mike Jones and Discover Leadership Training, my corporate mentor Theresa Harrison and my good friend Andrew Morrison for helping me get my Swagga back.

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