All week, Promotional Consultant Today has shared key tips for small-business owners and entrepreneurs. Today we wrap up with this bit of advice inspired by Young Presidents Organization member and founder of Zenises, Harjeev Kandhari.

1. Go to the gym. Think of the industry you have chosen as the "gym" and the companies as the equipment you use. To get fit, you can change the equipment you use but you still need the gym—and you always want to be in the gym with the latest and best equipment.

A lot of industries are great places to 'get fit'—technology, health care, manufacturing and, yes, promotional products. The most interesting industries are those where product cycle times are fast because this creates more chances for disruption and more opportunities for fresh talent to engage.

2. Pick the company that gets tech. After you pick the industry, then it's time to pick the company. In the future, all companies will have to be technology-driven at most levels. So you need to look at companies where the people really have an understanding of how technology will drive their company and their industry. These people will ensure that when their companies are disrupted by technology, they will be ahead of the curve.

3. Plan to develop. Career development takes effort and forethought. You need to plan it. This is such an obvious point, yet it's astonishing how many people fail to do this. Think about your ideal job, not today but five years from now. It may not be a job but your own business. Now fast forward four or five years, and assume you are in that job or business. What is the path you took from now to then to get to your position?

4. Hire right. As you get along the organizational path you will need to start hiring and managing teams. Most people hire those who let them stay in their comfort zone or don't challenge their authority. But the only way to move up the career ladder is to ensure that you hire people who are smarter and more knowledgeable than you are. They will challenge you to be a better you. Hire people who will get things done. Finally, and most important, hire only when you've found a great candidate. Don't settle for anything less.

5. Find your passion. Finding your passion is a luxury. It's something that many people struggle with, especially at the outset of their careers. Perhaps when you were starting out you were just happy to find a job, regardless of your passion. Then, as your career progresses you find that it's not what you expected it to be. Take the time to discover what you care about, what motivates you. Take the steps towards discovering what you're passionate about and build your career around your passion.

Source: Harjeev Kandhari is an entrepreneur, businessman, tire expert and luxury travel enthusiast. An ardent believer in giving back to disadvantaged communities, Kandhari combines years of business experience and a deep commitment to philanthropy to fuel charitable initiatives both in India, Africa and Europe.