Space may have been the final frontier for the crew of the Starship Enterprise, but for small business owners, it’s the marketplace in their hometown. Their mission is to explore new ways to grow their business and seek out new customers. So boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before with these tips for small businesses, inspired by the crew of the Starship Enterprise.

1. I’m a doctor, not a bricklayer – It’s difficult to be all things to all people. So pick your target market and work with it. Your expertise is knowing what your customers need. Your value is the ability to deliver on those needs better than anyone else. Stick with what you know best.
2. A trick I learned from an old friend – You don’t have to do it all yourself. There are a number of online and local resources available, often at little or no cost. For example, SCORE offers help with strategy/planning, IT services, finance and marketing, to name a few. Learn from others who have been where you are now.
3. I’m givin’ her all she’s got, captain – It’s tempting to want to back off after you’ve launched a new initiative, especially when you committed a significant amount of resources to it. Determine in advance what your checkpoints will be and what results you expect. Then wait for them before altering course. Give change time to work.
4. Scotty, beam us up – Running a small business is stressful. One minute, you’re calling a supplier who is late on his order, and the next, you’re working late because an employee called in sick, again. So give yourself break and take a minute. Rise above the situation before coming back to deal with it.
5. Live long and prosper – Remember that you’re in it for the long haul. That means having a plan for your business that focuses on long-term goals. They give you direction, provide a barometer to measure your progress along the way and guide your decision-making. Success happens deliberately when you keep your eye on the goal.

While the intergalactic crew may not be exploring your corner of the universe, you can take these tips from their voyage and apply them to your own enterprise.