Chris Zane goes to work every day with a smile on his face, buoyed by his philosophy that "most of the population are good and sound and trustworthy people." Sound naïve? Perhaps. But Zane apparently knows what he's talking about.

The most enduring companies change the experiences — even the lives — of the people they serve. That is certainly true of the six winners of the 2013 Spirit of Enterprise Awards from the W.P. Carey School of Business.

The 2012 W. P. Carey School of Business Spirit of Enterprise Award finalists represent a wide variety of small businesses, but regardless of their industry, their success stories sound similar chords. KnowMGMT has identified five of those strategies, measures any business owner can apply.

The W. P. Carey School’s annual annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards “are designed to recognize real entrepreneurs -- those capable of starting something, growing it and sustaining it through thick and thin with constant innovation and customer focus,” according to Dean Robert Mittelstaedt.

I have had all manner of tenants in the past, good and bad. With experience, I have developed a successful application process that helps me to find the best possible tenants. After the successful first phone call, now it is time to schedule the showing.

Some entrepreneurs dream about starting an enterprise their whole lives long, while others chase new inspiration. Yet regardless of their path, the vision for the entrepreneurs behind Kitchell, Ersland Touch Landscape, IO, I-ology and Melrose Pharmacy, was to touch the lives of people.

Some entrepreneurs simply started doing something, made some money and then a business was born. If you find yourself in this position, then you should focus on some core concepts to be more strategic and purposeful with your business, enabling it to grow.

Sidnee Peck, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the W. P. Carey School, talks with Ken Morgan of KFNN MoneyRadio 1510, about the companies that are finalists for the 18th annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards, to be presented November 21.

When do you get an opportunity to peer behind the curtain and learn other businesses' best secrets for getting ahead and making a difference?

It's tough to research and refresh your strategy when you have a business to run, but talking to your current and potential customers is a good start. Sidnee Peck, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the W. P. Carey School of Business, writes weekly on topics of interest to entrepreneurs.