Archive for the ‘Business Tools’ Category
91 Fundamental habits of highly motivated small business owners
July 16th, 2010 | Author: Michele
Another great article I just had to share!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 7:01AM1. Transparency. P. Cheung, www.my-wedding-concierge.com
2. Work when the inspiration strikes you. H. Claus, www.365daysofstyle.com
3. Diversify projects to offset monotony. S. Horowitz, www.principledprofit.com
4. Respond to all inbound inquiries from clients and colleagues immediately. N. Marshad, www.marshad.com
5. Let others know what you are doing, achieving and pursuing. P. Draper, www.mentalmysteries.com
6. Be a source of information. S. Bloom, www.bloomreg.com
7. Set untouchable, personal time away from business. K. Sherkey, www.streamline6.com
8. Be committed to the community you serve. J. Flynn, www.thelegalcheckup.com
9. Work in your strengths. Do what you do best. D. Hensch, www.drh-group.com
10. Live below your means. Use profits to grow your business. P. Solomon, www.pablosolomon.com
11. Keep up with technology. Emerging technology allows small business to compete on all levels and if adopted and utilized frees an amazing amount of time. B. Attig, www.myretailcareer.net
12. Never stop marketing. No marketing = No sales. C. Ruenheck www.itsyourcall.com
13. Never start the day without a plan. D. Furtwengler, www.furtwengler.com
14. Focus on results. Know what you are doing, how and why you are doing it. B. Flaxington, www.the-collaborative.com
15. Be willing to turn down business that does not pay you what you are worth. B. Phibbs, www.retaildoc.com
16. Discipline because there’s no “boss man” threatening to fire you. S. Fischer, www.fischer-law.com
17. Consistently meet and connect with new people and have a follow-up system. B. Basilico, www.b2b-im.com
18. Stay in contact with influencers, network and stay highly visible. L. Singer, www.hsdominion.com
19. Monitor your progress. D. Helbig, www.seizethisdaycoaching.com
20. Become an avid “inspirational seeker” – read inspirational quotes. R. Guerrero, www.ficklets.com
21. Consistency. Whether it is a blog post, a contest giveaway, or product updates on the website, it is very important in my business that it is done at the same period of time each and every week. M. Podlesny, www.averagepersongardening.com
22. Treat your customer with respect and always make it about them. C. Sisson Hensley, www.hopsports.com
23. Focus, focus, focus on identified target market, ideal client and revenue generating activities. P. Mussieux, www.confidenceandcourage.com
24. Have a written plan. L. Tener, www.lisatener.com
25. Always be optimistic – yet tempered with reality. M. Pisik, www.breckwell.com
26. Live your top five values. Know your values intimately and be fueled by them. J. Hornickel, www.boldnewdirections.com
27. Listen at meetings, events, one-on-one, over the phone; any time you interact with another human being and you are in some way part of the conversation; listen to what is being said. D. Menzies, www.menziesconsulting.com
28. Sleep. Having enough sleep keeps your mind fresh and your mood positive. J. Johnson, www.allmomsgotoheaven.com
29. Learn to manage your schedule. D. Moseley-Williams, www.moseleywilliams.com
30. Frequently ask yourself, “What will be my legacy?” Be legacy-driven, not only hitting the mark, but also leaving a mark. V. Ashford, www.fearlessleading.com
31. Add value above and beyond your peers and competitors. D. Dalka, www.daviddalka.com
32. Don’t think you can’t; assume you can. J. Fender, www.accessmainstreet.com
33. Have integrity. When you operate from a fundamental position centered on integrity you have the ability to gain the trust and respect of your clients. G. DeRosa, www.cgmaterials.com
34. Maintain balance — Without balance, you may lose sight of the really important reasons why your vision becomes your dream (i.e. family, ethics, community service, etc.) J. Patterson, www.e-LYNXX.com
35. Do your most important work first every day. T. Tervooren, www.tylertervooren.com
36. Show keen detail to servicing your clients and their needs. Regard yourself as an extension of their business. E. Khalil, www.abelpromos.com
37. Skill development. You need to be the best at what you do. Constant education in your field is a must. M. Meikle, www.mikemeikle.wordpress.com
38. Regular analysis of the numbers. On a monthly basis, look at the profit and loss statement and balance sheet of your business. H. Schauffler, www.marketingwithhenri.com
39. Measurable goal setting. You have to know what you want to achieve to be able to achieve it. P. Geisheker, www.geisheker.com
40. Continuously ask yourself, “What’s the best use of my time right now.” B. Maher, www.barrymaher.com
41. Frame it in the positive because realizing the benefits in every situation is the foundation for growth. G. Shiffrar, www.shiffrar.com
42. “Work” at home – maintain a daily schedule of going to your office and closing the door each morning at a set time. S. Lamb, www.sandralamb.com
43. Respond to all customer feedback (positive and negative) immediately upon receipt. K. Pine, www.worldwiseewelry.com
44. Think like an innovator and trend-setter. J. Scardina Becker, www.eventsofdistinction.com
45. Learn to delegate. S. Olivarria, www.biggerthanyourblock.com
46. Ask for quality referrals, quality referrals, quality referrals. M. Henker, www.thehenkergroup.com
47. Keep improving your product or service. A. Sinha, www.accessconsultinginc.com
48. When you think you have worked hard enough, work harder. The business is your baby and must come first. L. Levine, www.profiledproducts.com
49. Eat right, sleep and exercise. It doesn’t matter how smart you are or how great your plan or product is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you will burn out quickly. T. Tafur www.thomasinatafur.com
50. Take time to rejuvenate. A. Pelliccio, www.thehappygardener.info
51. Keep in touch with past clients as they are great referral sources and will come to you when they need your service again in the future. M. Ferletic, www.enterey.com
52. Under promise and over deliver. J. Gallacher, www.santacruzrehearsalstudios.com
53. Hire the professionals to do what you can’t excel at so you can use your time to do what you do best that generates income. Let them do the heavy lifting because they have the contacts and know-how. D. LeVie, Jr., www.kingscrownpublishing.com
54. Good writing and clear communication. Aim to write with clarity, correct grammar and punctuation; and whenever possible, with style. C. Sparks, www.holotropic.com
55. Network and leverage the resources of others with a win-win mindset. Ethically exploit the resources of other businesses, and share profits with them. They understand joint ventures, strategic alliances and endorsed marketing deals. R. Brauer, www.prophet-marketing.com
56. Be outrageous. Successful entrepreneurs are rarely run of the mill, boring or average. They approach business in a way so they ethically stand out in the minds of the market and the media. R. Brauer, www.prophet-marketing.com
57. Have a support system. Use the help of others to give you advice, provide a sounding board, and offer encouragement. Get into the habit of meeting regularly. J. Mounce, www.coacheffect.com
58. Bundle your services and products. Make it easy for your customer to buy more from you by packaging complementary products. J. Crisara, www.contractorselling.com
59. Make sure you’re getting the best credit terms and discounts from suppliers. T. Anastasi, www.tomanastasi.com
60. Always stay caught up on your bookkeeping, bills and deliveries. J. Nielsen, www.myntstyle.com
61. Have a routine. Successful entrepreneurs create a routine of work that is consistent and fits with their lifestyle. D. Langton, www.langtoncherubino.com
62. Keep it simple. Write out business goals on one page. If you can’t communicate it to an employee or a business partner in one page, it’s too detailed – and no one will understand it. B. Leone, www.mrcopy.com
63. Surround yourself with highly motivated and talented people. B. Powell, www.yardshare.com
64. Put hard deadlines on a calendar, and to create a timeline of events that your customers, suppliers and prospects can hold you to. C. Goodwin, www.talkiscake.com
65. Don’t be afraid to fire the poor performers. C. Tuculescu, www.cosnet.com
66. Document procedures and processes, so that you don’t have to spend time training multiple people on the same thing. R. Bodon, www.onesmallstep.com
67. Make appointments with yourself. Block out time on your calendar for projects and don’t let anything move into that space; at least not without a conscious decision on prioritization. I. Miller, www.MentorMiller.com
68. Trust your gut. It feels things your brain does not. L. Taylor, www.nexgendigital.com
69. Know when to kill the idea. Abandon what doesn’t work or no longer works even if it once did. Don’t hang on to practices or business concepts because you are emotionally attached. C. Stewart, www.remarxmedia.com
70. Be a businessperson who wants to succeed. Don’t be a slave to your businesses; don’t work 20-hour days unless you’re under a tight deadline. Time isn’t always money, except when it is. K. Bretcher, www.brazenbutton.com
71. Persistence, persistence, persistence. The ability to face the myriad of obstacles that entrepreneurs will encounter, and continue to push forward, is the most critical (not the only) factor in success. G. Karwoski, www.creativepr.com
72. Ask for referrals and references regularly. The best leverage into new and varied business opportunities lies within the business you have done successfully already. M. Harris, www.aperturecapital.com
73. Look at everything from your clients’ perspective (it will help marketing). L. Aharoni, www.aqtext.com
74. Believe in your product or service. If you truly believe in what you do or sell and can convey that belief from the heart, others will too. Dr. R. Amicay, www.amicay.com
75. Listen to customers and adapt to changing needs and requirements. S. Donahue, www.skyya.com
76. Be Grateful. Always thank your customers, clients and even those who just act interested. Don’t try to sell anything when showing gratitude. K. Cahill, www.kriscahill.com
77. Collect e-mail addresses constantly and consensually. S. Dunseath, www.renoenvy.com
78. Keep the passion alive. Find things to stimulate you and challenge you so that you keep the passion for your profession alive. M. Verdin, www.verdinmarketing.com
79. Hustle. Constantly be on the lookout for story angles and places to tell your story (i.e. online, at events, to the press …anywhere). N. Beckord, www.venturearchetypes.com
80. Establish a vision that you review daily and use as a touchstone to make fundamental decisions. G. Butler, www.butlerfitzgerald.com
81. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know,” and ask for help from seasoned council. T. Merrick, www.project7.com
82. Always keep an open mind (to new ideas, products, operational methods, etc.) V. Troyer, www.architecturalmailboxes.com
83. Have a willingness to learn from harsh feedback and mistakes made. E. Stutz, www.smoothsale.net
84. Do everything for yourself at least once. You gain valuable experience doing things for yourself. Afterwards, you can decide what is not core to your business success and outsource it. Dr. Z. Zguris, www.limetreecove.com
85. Show up. T. Scanlon, www.borgidacpas.com
86. Be consistent with your company’s image or else it will confuse and reduce your customer base. T. Hartl, www.sellingsunshinebook.com
87. Start with the easy stuff. It frees you up to focus on the tough problems by limiting distractions caused by other tasks. B. Law, www.primedesignsolutions.com
88. Follow up on every opportunity until you have an answer either way, meaning the customer has bought something, or ultimately says “no”. A. Sittig-Rolf, www.sittiginc.com
89. Block time for strategic planning and set time to check in on the business plan. K. Harad, www.newparentfinances.com
90. Pay bills and paychecks on time. Never being late on a bill is another big professional plus. Fast payments will foster loyalty with your employees and with anyone contracted for a project. C. Schexnyder, www.ohbabyfitness.com
91. Be the brand. You are your business. Everything you do reflects your brand. Protect it at all times. A.M. Blakeley, www.simplicitymastered.com
Tags: New Moon, July 11th 19:40
July 10th, 2010 | Author: Michele
Abundance checks are a tool we can use to create more abundance in our lives. They are written within 24 hours after a New Moon.
1. Within 24 hours after a New Moon, take a check from your check book. Where it says “Pay to,” write your name.
2. In the little box on the same line where you would fill in a dollar amount write “Paid in full.”
3. On the line underneath your name, where you would write out a dollar amount, write “Paid in full.” [I find it works better if you don't add the squiggly line.]
4. Sign the check: “The Law of Abundance”
Favorite Summertime Memory
June 27th, 2010 | Author: Michele
I have lots of great memories from summer’s past. My most recent is one that might surprise others. It involves the great storms of the summer. Sitting here in the basement and hearing the hail hit the house and running upstairs with my daughter to watch the rain and wind and hail as it flails around outside. We are safe inside, enjoying each other’s company, in awe of the wonders of nature. The hail as large as big marbles filling the driveway and yard, a pile of them building in the corner of the deck.
It’s a bummer that the hail has damaged the house, we now have holes in the siding again for the third time in about 4 years. I have mixed emotions as I think about the insurance companies who will now have to pay out many claims for damage and the companies who’s livelihood depends, in part, on storms like these for business. I don’t like having to go through the process of filing a claim and filling out the paperwork involved but it’s just a fact of life we have to deal with.
I think about how much this is like my business. I love having the opportunity to create and I love the process that involves. I don’t love all the paperwork required to make it all happen. All that left brain stuff that makes my head spin. But it’s necessary. I understand how important it is because, without it, great things cannot happen. My good friend, Rebecca Metz, has something coming soon that I can’t wait to share with you. Something that will inspire you beyond belief and will show you truly why all that stuff we don’t love to do is so important.
Today, take a step moving forward. Do something you don’t love to do and get it done OR, even better, find someone else to do it for you and outsource or delegate! Wishing you a life full of many successes (and just a little hail).
Are You as Brandable as Kefir?
June 22nd, 2010 | Author: Michele
After 7 years in Russia, I take kefir for granted. You may not know what it is, but when I say it’s an Eastern European dairy product that – I’m usually interrupted by someone:
“Oh, is that the yogurt drink that helps you live to 100?”
Yep, that’s pretty much the definition. Kefir is a cousin of yogurt and, while I couldn’t drink the real stuff in Russia (too sour and awful-tasting), I do love the fruity kind they sell at Whole Foods.
When I bought some recently at Kroger, the checkout lady asked, “Is that the stuff that you drink and live to 100?”
Literally repeated the exact same words as before. The checkout lady!
I’m sure you’re wondering, “What the heck does this have to with branding, or marketing or anything except living to 100?”
I’ll tell you: You want your brand to be like kefir.
Even though kefir is a commodity, we can use the way it’s described as a lesson for our own brands.
* Is your message clear? It should be understood immediately – without diagrams, stories, explanations or Power Points. “Live to 100? I want that!”
* Is it compelling enough to get attention? Seems like the whole “live to 100″ thing has caught on. Where did that come from anyway?
* Is your message benefit-oriented? Kefir has such a big benefit (live to 100) that people forget the features – runny yogurt, sour flavor, probiotics….
* Is your message concise? We may bemoan the sound-bite attention span, but they sure are easy to learn and repeat. Our new barbeque grill has us chuckling “Stop, Drop and Roll” all the time now. Concise for a reason, right?
* Is it consistent? You may find it hard to believe that the same words are used to describe kefir every time someone mentions it. But, interestingly, when my clients field customer surveys, they find the same words being used to describe them over and over! When you find out what they are, you can use those words to describe your brand to prospects. If you don’t like them, define your brand better and teach new ones.
Kefir’s reputation has become a kind of meme or ideavirus, passed through word-of-mouth almost word-for-word.
We business owners would love to have a message that catchy!
How to do that?
1. Name the biggest benefit you deliver. It’s doesn’t have to be immortality. My car insurance guy once walked from his office to a little fender-bender I had. I tell that to everyone who asks me about him. Yours may be about increasing revenues or self-esteem, helping people get the job they want or express their anger safely.
2. Craft it into a concise sound-bite. This is always harder if you don’t know the full message, so think first about whom you help, what problems you solve and the unique results you deliver. Then you can whittle it down to a nugget like “the pain-free massage therapist.” I always say my favorite photographer takes the most beautiful photos that still look like you.
3. Repeat it exactly, without variation. Once you get the language you want, stay consistent. Too often we get bored with a message we’ve heard repeatedly. But your prospects have not learned it yet – and won’t if you keep changing it!
I had a client whose brand message changed every meeting. I realized he liked evolving, creating and changing it. This is like putting a plant in your garden, then digging it up and moving it every day. It may be alive, but it will never take root and flourish.
© 2010 Enlightened Marketing
“By Samantha Hartley of Enlightened Marketing. For effective marketing strategies that align with your values visit http://www.enlightenedmarketing.com/.”
New Moon, June 12th 11:15
June 11th, 2010 | Author: Michele
Abundance checks are a tool we can use to create more abundance in our lives. They are written within 24 hours after a New Moon.
1. Within 24 hours after a New Moon, take a check from your check book. Where it says “Pay to,” write your name.
2. In the little box on the same line where you would fill in a dollar amount write “Paid in full.”
3. On the line underneath your name, where you would write out a dollar amount, write “Paid in full.” [I find it works better if you don't add the squiggly line.]
4. Sign the check: “The Law of Abundance”
Empowerment – 3 Things to Avoid, 3 Things to Do
June 10th, 2010 | Author: Michele
I shared this in a newsletter several months ago and I really like it so I thought I would share it here. While this article references women. I think it’s a great article for anyone. Enjoy! Michele
Are you living the life that you’ve hoped to live? What’s holding you back? Many women are feeling powerless only because they have given their personal power over to friends, professionals, the media etc. Empowerment is a choice and you must make the choice to live your best empowered life. This can only come about by your pursuit of the keys necessary to manifest an empowered life.
There are also things that you must eliminate if you are going to reclaim your life and realize dreams come true and the best of you.
Here are 3 things you must avoid
Procrastination:
Procrastination is a thief of time and once it’s gone you can’t get it back so learn ways to stop procrastinating. In my eBook The dynamic power of focus I give the definition of procrastination which includes laziness. Yes Laziness! Sometimes we resort to procrastination because we simply don’t desire to do something. Another thing is it has been determined that procrastination also happens because of a person’s experience with an event or task and it didn’t give the desired results so the individual resists doing the task because of a past negative experience.
Toxic people:
Have you heard the saying that evil communication corrupts good manners? Well I’m not saying that toxic people are people with evil communication, however, if it will help you avoid or move toxic people away from you it’s a good way to look at it. You cannot move forward in life surrounded by toxic, negative people.
Lack of vision:
A person without vision is like a person going on a trip without any idea of how to get there. They travel aimlessly asking everyone with whom they come in contact with. The funny thing about this is that some people really don’t have the answer but because of pride will not tell you this and just give you an answer to suit their fancy, however, you end up worse off. You must craft your vision if you are serious about arriving at your desired destination.
Now that I’ve given you three things you must avoid. Let me share with you three things you must do.
Take action today:
There is no time like the present. There is a quote that says “Don’t look back one year from now wishing you had begun today.” You can read all the books you want, attend every teleseminar or workshop,however, without action it means nothing. Make a commitment to do one thing that will dramatically affect the other areas in your life.
Create positive environments:
Your environments must support what you are doing. There are about seven environments which include your physical, spiritual and the environment of you. Look around you is your physical environment supportive of your goals. Is it organized, free of clutter or do you have to step over things, spend too much time looking for items etc. A physical environment free of clutter will also enhance your mind. Try it, clear up your physical space and watch the sense of freedom you feel.
Discover your life purpose:
Knowing your life purpose will also assist you in developing your vision. When you don’t know your life purpose in essence you are moving about without a navigation system. One thing I often tell individuals to do to help start them out is to think about something that you have a passion for. What is it that you would do and enjoy doing even if you weren’t paid to do it? There are other assessments and tools that I make available to my clients to further assist them in discovering their purpose and crafting a vision statement. Living on purpose will maximize your empowerment! How can you use the information above to maximize your empowerment? Pick one or two things and revisit them within a week to monitor your progress.
I invite you to claim your free subscription to my empowering ezine Click here. You’ll also receive a free audio “The Empowerment Gathering” and my special report.
Robin Tramble enjoys helping women discover their authentic self, get unstuck and live their best empowered life by nurturing their “Spirit, Soul and body.” Check for upcoming Teleseminars Visit here, Robin makes some of her Teleseminars free, so check often and take advantage of her content rich calls. Discover why women across the world are connected.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Tramble
Ditch the Pitch
May 27th, 2010 | Author: Michele
I found this article on LinkedIn and would love to hear your thoughts.
Make better connections with real conversations. For years we’ve been told to recite what it is we do in 30 seconds in effort to catch someone’s attention, attract potential clients and believe it or not, make a sale. Although we acknowledge that business relationships take time to develop, we continue to “pitch” our products and services to anyone who will lend an ear.
Someone once said, “People don’t buy products and services, they buy trust.” Potential clients need to feel a sense of trust before they will ever engage you for your product or services.
Long-term professional relationships have always been built on personal connections. Before you can get to trust, you have to connect on a very basic and human level. You essentially put the cart before the horse when you offer your services without ever being asked for your assistance.
The next time you feel inclined to “pitch” someone, stop and think about the following:
1. Never jump into sales mode or take the person you whom you are speaking with on your ego trip. Keep the conversation natural and casual. Networking conversations are really introductory conversations. They are the perfect time and place for you to discover what you have in common.
2. Ask questions and if you forget what to talk about, remember F.O.R.D. Friends and Family, Occupation, Recreation and Dreams. Ask questions related to any of these areas to not only find out what you may have in common, but you may discover unmet needs or ways you may be able to help later.
3. Do your homework. Don’t just take someone’s business card and flood him or her with emails or expect them to call you. Search out their name and company on the Internet and see what they’ve been up to. What is going on in their industry or region? What other things do you have in common? Do you share a target market? Do you share some of the same connections? Are your products and/or services complimentary? What else have you discovered that you can build on?
Social networking should be just that, social. Ditch your pitch. Stop ambushing people with your cards (unless they ASK for one). Idle chitchat can lead to powerful conversations, but business relationships aren’t built over night. Save the professional interrogations for a time and place after you have taken some time to get to know someone.
A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com and the Financial Post as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter, contributor for the San Francisco Examiner and Fearless Woman Magazine; the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurson BlogTalkRadio.com and author of the NEW e-book: “Get it Right and Move Along… a collection of practical tips, tools and techniques for small business owners.”
An Enlightened View of Competition
May 20th, 2010 | Author: Michele
I found this article in an ezine I get and thought you might enjoy it:
As you know, one of my main values here at Enlightened Marketing is abundance – the belief that there is plenty for everyone. Especially when we each do exactly what we’re supposed to be doing: delivering value from the center of our gifts.
Another term for the center of your gifts is your “brand.” Effective brand messages tell the world who your products and services are for, and why you’re the best choice for them.
Repeat: why you’re the best CHOICE.
That means the person considering your brand is doing so relative to the other options available. Some people call those options competitors, and I do too sometimes.
But most of the time, I like to call them Alternatives.
Regarding those other options as competitors evokes scarcity mentality in me. It makes me feel they’re out to get me … that there can only be one winner … that there’s not enough for us all and I better get my share!
However, when I call my competitors Alternatives, I feel expanded again. I feel like people who resonate with me will call me for my services, and those who don’t won’t. And I’m cool either way.
The interesting thing about brand choices is that it’s rarely about good and bad; instead, it’s about For Me and Not For Me.
It’s not that I don’t like brand Nike. After all, they have about the most amazing slogan and logo of all time. I just live on Planet Reebok. Reebok is For Me; Nike is Not For Me.
In branding we call this Preference. We want our target market to prefer us to the alternatives. To achieve that, they must believe we’re a better choice.
Here’s how I help my clients understand the Alternatives to their business and how to build preference with their intended audiences:
1. Evaluate to Differentiate.
The entire point of branding is to identify how you’re unique. That’s why you must study the alternatives’ value and yours enough to understand the differences. Phrase these differences as meaningful outcomes for your clients.
We provide women business owners with information that empowers them to make wise investment decisions.” Differentiated outcomes here promise copious information, solutions tailored to the needs of businesswomen and independence in decision-making.
2. Think expansively about alternatives.
I heard organizing expert Barbara Hemphill on a call once say her “main competition is apathy and resignation.” I always ask my clients to position their brands against the alternatives of “doing nothing” and “doing it myself.”
Think about it this way: if you don’t get the business, what happens instead? That’s your real competition.
3. Respect the Differences.
It’s rarely effective to elevate your brand by cutting down the alternatives. Instead, try to understand who might choose NOT to work with you and why.
“For whom would doing nothing be a perfectly good option?” I ask my clients. Well, people who aren’t really bothered by their current situation. When they need a change, they’ll take action.
“For whom might doing it themselves be a perfectly good option?” Probably someone who doesn’t have the budget to hire help. Also, someone who prioritizes personal accomplishment over expert advice.
Rather than denigrating the poor quality of a low-priced alternative, well-known hair care products advertised, “it’s expensive because I’m worth it.”
How can you highlight your advantages without trashing the competition?
4. Support your claims.
When anyone can claim any differentiator, it’s always more effective to provide some evidence.Testimonials, case studies and market research all provide evidence that what you’re saying is true. Removing just a little risk from your prospect who’s deciding whether to choose your brand always helps to turn preference into purchase.
In this way, we can perform a “Competitive Assessment” without negativity. We ensure the clients who’d call you For Me will beat a path to your door, and the rest can enjoy other alternatives.
“By Samantha Hartley of Enlightened Marketing. For effective marketing strategies that align with your values visit http://www.enlightenedmarketing.com/.”
New Moon, May 14th 1:04
May 13th, 2010 | Author: Michele
Abundance checks are a tool we can use to create more abundance in our lives. They are written within 24 hours after a New Moon.
1. Within 24 hours after a New Moon, take a check from your check book. Where it says “Pay to,” write your name.
2. In the little box on the same line where you would fill in a dollar amount write “Paid in full.”
3. On the line underneath your name, where you would write out a dollar amount, write “Paid in full.” [I find it works better if you don't add the squiggly line.]
4. Sign the check: “The Law of Abundance”
Procrastination
May 10th, 2010 | Author: Michele
Are you a procrastinator? I know sometimes I can be one. Some days it’s hard to get motivated, even when I have a lot to do. This is something I’ve been working on for a long time and I definitely feel like it helps to have a plan to keep me on track.
So, what causes procrastination? We get into that rut when we over-think what we need to do instead of just getting to it. The over-thinking is often caused by a fear of failure or not allowing enough time either because they waited until the last minute or because they haven’t thought through how much time it will actually take. It can also happen when we “don’t feel like we are in the right mood”.
The bottom line is this…whatever the reason, it can hold you back in both your personal and professional life. So, what can you do to move through it? Keep your eye on the prize is one way to get through it. What are your goals? How are you going to accomplish them? If you think of something else that you need to do, jot it down so you can free your mind to stay focused on the task at hand. If you find something is promising to pull you away from what you are doing, ask yourself if it will help you accomplish your goals today.
And remember, the longer you wait, just like the cartoon says, the longer it takes to finish. Dive it now and “get ‘er done”!
Any tips you can share on how you stay focused on and accomplish your goals? Post them here.