But there's more to winning at working than survival. To grow and thrive in corporate world you must find your resilient center and evolve. That may mean learning new skills, aligning with a new boss or company, changing direction, letting go of way things used to be done, compromising approaches or moving on.

Only fifteen percent of S& P 500 companies listed at end of 1950's are still in existence fifty years later. In a Fast Company (Nov04) interview with Jim Collins, author of best selling book, "Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies," he advises companies to, "Preserve core! And! Stimulate progress!" He claims, "To be built to last, you have to be built for change!"

His advice is as true for successful companies as it is for successful people. You need to preserve your core and stimulate your progress. If you do, you'll stay a player and deal with changes coming your way. Sure, change can be painful and difficult and uncomfortable, but if you're open to what it brings, it may surprise you. It did me. My best lifetime career opportunity came after I was denied promotion I coveted. It never would have happened if I hadn't stayed in game.

(c) 2005 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.

Write a business plan. If you are going to borrow money to start your agency you will need a business plan to show bank. Usually a business plan is made up of:

An Executive Summary A Business description Marketing Strategies Competitive analysis Operations and management plans Financial statements.

I have an example of a Business Plan and a Marketing Plan in my book, How to make money collecting money, Starting a Collection Agency. You should also include a cover or folder for your business plan. Include a title page and a table of contents. This will be very professional and impress any bank you may present it to.

You should LOVE collection work. You either love it or hate it! If you love it, you will be passionate about making your business work.