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91 Fundamental habits of highly motivated small business owners

Michele — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:13:14 +0000

Another great article I just had to share!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 7:01AM

Not everything works for everybody. Although there may be common characteristics among successful small business owners, not every business owner approaches business the same way. Successful small business owners are masters at filtering knowledge and implementing only what works best for them. They create and discover fundamental habits that enable them to mover further faster.

Over 100 small business owners shared what core habits they have put into practice to sustain motivation and maintain success. Below are 91 fundamental habits of highly motivated small business owners. The best way to eliminate a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. Seek out those that suit your business needs, skills and capacity. Implement them, work at them and make them your own. Your business needs to be on your terms.

1. 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

A.Michelle Blakeley is in the listening business. As a Micro Business Therapist, she provides an open-minded and non-judgmental ear to listen to the real issues and concerns that start-up, emerging and women entrepreneurs experience and negotiate solutions through comprehensive discussions and practical micro business 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 Entrepreneurs on 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.”

New Moon, July 11th 19:40

Michele — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:23:55 +0000

Abundance Check Ritual

This ritual has been handed down through so many people that its origin has become unknown. I received this from my One Command group and thought some of you might enjoy giving it a try. It can’t hurt, right?

What are Abundance Checks?
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.

Surprisingly, you really don’t even need to believe that the check will work when you write it. You will however be amazed at the results, as you will see increased abundance in your life, in some life area. It is not always financial, but certainly in an area that you need. There is a traditional manner, which has been handed down, that must be followed. If you do not have a checking account you can draw a check on a piece of paper and fill it out the same way – the results will be the same, more abundance for you.

Here’s how:
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”

Do not put a date on the check. Do not write a specific dollar amount in the check. Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The Universe will take it from there.

Many people are skeptical about trying this until they do it. After the first time they realize the power of these checks and do them routinely every month! Try it yourself and see! If you enjoy this ritual, do it for the next three New Moons and see what happens.

Favorite Summertime Memory

Michele — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:11:05 +0000

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?

Michele — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:20:36 +0000

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.

“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

Michele — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:23:22 +0000

Abundance Check Ritual

What are Abundance Checks?
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.

Do not put a date on the check. Do not write a specific dollar amount in the check. Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The Universe will take it from there.

Empowerment – 3 Things to Avoid, 3 Things to Do

Michele — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:18:37 +0000

by Robin Tramble

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

Michele — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:28:34 +0000

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

Michele — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:13:56 +0000

I found this article in an ezine I get and thought you might enjoy it:

An Enlightened View of Competition

Many business owners regard competitors with resentment, fear, envy and disdain. It’s like every time we look at them, we’re reminded of how they’re taking money out of our pockets.

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.

It’s win-win-win all around.

“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

Michele — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:22:41 +0000

Abundance Check Ritual

What are Abundance Checks?
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.

Do not put a date on the check. Do not write a specific dollar amount in the check. Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The Universe will take it from there.

Procrastination

Michele — Tue, 11 May 2010 06:42:25 +0000

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.

The Laughing Buddha

Michele — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:52:09 +0000

by Prasanna Gunturi

I shared this article in one of my newsletters a while back and just came across it again. I thought you might enjoy it.
“Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man has plenty, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” ~Charles Dickens

The myth of the Laughing Buddha

I had read somewhere a long time back that if one rubbed on the belly of the Laughing Buddha, it would bring abundance and prosperity into one’s life.

A friend once bought a small statue of the Laughing Buddha, so small that she could carry it with her in her pocket and hold it in her hand. The mystic Laughing Buddha always fascinated me so I went to a local shop and bought one for myself. Mine is a wooden one and is 6-7 inches tall. Nope, not the size one could carry around.

Whenever I looked at the Laughing Buddha, I would find him laughing joyfully and I would remember the famous song “for he’s jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow”. The Laughing Buddha symbolizes abundance and prosperity. If you look at the Laughing Buddha, he hardly has any possessions, except for a bag on his shoulder. He is alone, always laughing and has this huge belly. And it’ll make you wonder how someone who has nothing can bring you something! That too, by rubbing his belly? Bizarre? Yes, but I wanted to check it out anyway. Who knows, maybe the magic worked… and who doesn’t like more abundance and prosperity in one’s life?

Did I rub the belly everyday? You bet I did! I put mine on my desk so that I would remember to say hello and rub the belly everyday. I scoured the web for instructions to rub the belly the “right and proper” way to get the best results!

I was totally in love with the Laughing Buddha (after all, one had better be polite, courteous, loving to some one who is going to bring prosperity and abundance to one’s life, right?). This went on for a few days. I even instructed my husband to rub the belly when he was around. But then, he totally ignored me!

After a few days of this madness I forgot all about the belly rubbing. The statue remained on my desk and I wondered if the myth was just a myth. If it was indeed true, all we had to do to beat this economy is to distribute Laughing Buddhas all over the world and instruct people the “right and proper” way of rubbing the belly! And the economy would start booming again!

Now, wouldn’t that be just cool? Totally cool?

What is prosperity and abundance really?

Even though I didn’t rub the belly any longer, there were many questions at the back of my mind.

What is prosperity and abundance really? Is it having all the money I ever need? When would I know I’ve made enough? Is “enough” about having a good life for this day, this month, this year or this life time? Is “enough” about providing for one’s children a great living? Or is “enough” about providing for one’s grandchildren too?

When is “enough” enough?

But then again, is prosperity and abundance all about money? How about health, relationships, family, love, fulfillment, peace…? How about some balance?

The day I met the Laughing Buddha

The Laughing Buddha remained on my desk and whenever I looked at him, he would just grin back – ear to ear. Always. How can he be so happy? Not have any possessions yet be the symbol of abundance and prosperity? What did the symbolism really mean? I had to find out. So I decided to ask him. For a while, he just grinned back not really answering my questions. I had to nag him for quite some time (if you didn’t guess already, I am a pretty good nag) before he finally relented and shared his wisdom.

Laughing Buddha’s recipe for Abundance/Prosperity = Happiness + Contentment + Non-attachment

“Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.” ~John Petit-Senn

True abundance and prosperity is happiness. If you’re not happy, it doesn’t matter how big your house is or how fat your bank balance is or if you’re the CEO of a big company or the president of a country. Money doesn’t grow on trees and neither does happiness. Someone can lend you money but nobody can lend you happiness. Sorry, the banks don’t do that yet and don’t intend to in the near future.

Happiness comes from contentment. Contentment does not mean that you should not aim higher or not have more or that you should scrape by only with what little or more you have! Contentment is taking the time and appreciating what you have in life, valuing it, enjoying it and sharing it – be it relationships, wealth, health, material possessions, natural resources etc. It’s like enjoying a meal, taking time to savor every bite/morsel and being grateful to nature and the universe. It’s about taking time to digest and assimilate a meal before having the next one.

Non-attachment is enjoying what you have in life without being overly attached to what you possess, i.e. without being “needy” of these possessions. Because when you become needy, you become desperate and you act from a place of “lack” and that attracts more “lack” into your life. In doing so, you deny your true essence – the essence of the spirit that stands for abundance and prosperity, the spirit that is ever giving and the spirit that symbolizes unconditional love. What stops flow of prosperity into our life is not “lack” in the world/universe but the “lack” in our minds and the thoughts and actions motivated by this “lack” – acts of fear, neediness and desperation that generate negative energy.

Laughing Buddha shares two simple tips to get you going

“He who is plenteously provided for from within, needs but little from without.” ~Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

TIP #1: Enjoy your every meal and you’ll soon master enjoying every moment of life! Watch as abundance and prosperity flows into your life!

TIP #2 (to remind you to enjoy your meal): Rub your belly before and after every meal!

TIP #3 (to remind you to rub your belly): Get yourself a Laughing Buddha!

Prasanna Gunturi, a Success & Self-Mastery Coach, helps individuals master their inner energy so they can eliminate energy drainers and channel their energy to create the life they desire and want.

What’s inner energy got to do with money? Download the free report Let’s Talk Money … and Beyond to find out what blocks money, the true source of prosperity and how one can tap into it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Prasanna_Gunturi

Why Freebies CAN Cost You by A. Michelle Blakeley

Michele — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:19:43 +0000

I have spoken at a few of our Lodestone Business Development Groups about giving services away for free. IMHO, it’s important to be clear with yourself about why you are doing it. Is it in exchange for rent or another service or product? Is it part of your marketing plan? Is it part of your community service? In all of these situations,it’s important to have clearly defined boundaries about what you are willing to do, when you’ll do it, for whom you’ll do it and why you are doing it. If your desire is to be able to pay your bills with your job, you have to have money coming in to do that. In order to attract people who are willing and able to pay for your services, you need to know that there is a value to your services and conduct business accordingly.

One thing I do suggest highly is having some sort of free offer available to others to give them a taste of what you do and who you are. This is a part of your marketing plan and well worth it to provide for people. I love giving something away to those I connect with. If you want to learn more about this, contact me at michele@lodestonedynamics.com or visit us at one of our upcoming Lodestone Group meetings. In the meantime, check out this article I found talking about the very subject of giving away products and services. Very timely!

Recently, Ning announced that they were laying off 70 staff and no longer going to provide their social networking platform as a freebie. Ning’s COO Jason Rosenthal said they would stop offering free services, forcing networks to either pay or move (http://ow.ly/1BNke). Although it is not unusual for us to hear about the need to downsize and tighten belts, it is unusual to hear about such a large social networking venue to suddenly charge you for what you become accustomed to and enjoyed having as a freebie.

Just what is the cost of providing services and products as freebies? First of all, just because you offer something for free doesn’t mean people will want it. Offering products and services at no cost can be tricky. Giving away products and services that you promote as “valuable” actually decreases in value the more you do it. Although one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, what’s the value in something that you can get anytime you want? Just how long can your business survive when you are giving away everything with everything?

How much is too much? What happens when you can no longer afford to give away your products and services? What do you do? Do you grandfather your existing clients with the freebies and only charge new clients? Do you abruptly stop providing the freebies and only provide the products and services that cost?

Providing sessions, teleclasses, products, books, etc. as freebies are all great ways to get your foot in the door but when it is done in excess and/or over time there are risks. Those risks could cost you more in the long run. The last thing you want clients and potential clients to feel is like they’ve just experienced the “bait and switch.”

3 ways to avoid the costly mistake of providing products and services for free:

1. Have a time limit. This will help let clients and potential clients know that it is only for a set period of time and that they can anticipate having to pay for those said products and services in the future. Even if you use the term “for a limited time” or “limited supply” it gives the viewer notice. They should understand that it might not be available or expect a cost at some point in the future.

2. Attach the free product or service to the purchase of a product or service. Create a win-win scenario by offering a “bonus” item to the purchase of a product or service. You get a sale, but the client gets something extra of value without you giving away the kitchen sink.

3. Use the free product or service as a platform they can upgrade from. Keep the freebie a bare bones type of thing and keep the bells and whistles as something of value that they should expect to pay for. Many technology platforms use this type of technique as seen in “basic, premium and platinum memberships” etc.

One final note, if you utilize and incorporate a product or service into your business that does not have a cost attached to it, weigh the pros and cons carefully and know that should the bill come in the mail one day, you will gladly pay it because it is an integral part of your business functionality and success.

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, 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.”

Outsourcing Your Social Media

Michele — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:40:30 +0000

Here is a great article on what you should and shouldn’t outsource for your social media: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-outsourcing-social-media/

Planning Out Your Work

Michele — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:58:32 +0000

One of my biggest challenges in being self-employed has been managing my time. While people always seem amazed at how much I get done, I know how I work and that I can get things done more efficiently. The only thing I miss about having a full time job is having someone else holding me accountable for getting things done (this can be a BIG help) and, ok, I also miss the conversations around the water cooler.

It is true that having someone else tell me when something needs to be complete and then checking in, can help when someone is as easily distracted as I can be. I usually have several projects going on at a time. Right now I actually have 29 (yes, you read that right) web pages open along with Photoshop, Outlook, Quicken, Word, oh and my printer needs ink and the reminder is up on my screen, AND last but not least, my Blackberry Desktop Manager program. Perhaps that gives you a better understanding of my mind and how it works (yep, painful at times).

So you can imagine my delight when I received a newsletter from Marcy at Coaching Toys/The Product Mentor where she highlighted some great planning tools that are actually available at no charge! I love this and I thought you might too. I think my fav is the Productivity Jumpstarter so far. Nice and easy to use! Let me know what you think of these tools…

New Moon, April 14 12:29

Michele — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:21:58 +0000

Abundance Check Ritual

What are Abundance Checks?
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.

Do not put a date on the check. Do not write a specific dollar amount in the check. Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The Universe will take it from there.

New Moon, March 15th 21:01

Michele — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:21:02 +0000

Abundance Check Ritual

What are Abundance Checks?
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.

Do not put a date on the check. Do not write a specific dollar amount in the check. Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The Universe will take it from there.

Top Marketing Trends for 2010 (in my humble opinion)

Michele — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:42:23 +0000

1. & 2. Branding Goes Social

For 23 years, Pepsi has spent millions of dollars on SuperBowl ads. In 2010, they stopped. Instead, they are opting to spend the 20 million dollars on a social media advertising campaign called “The Pepsi Refresh Project”. Not only is this giving Pepsi a boost to their image with the concept of doing good in the world and making a difference, it is providing the opportunity to create increase brand awareness, results that can be tracked and will generate demand for their product – all through the use of social media.

There are two trends in one here that can’t be ignored. One is the desire for a greater world full of promise and hope. Especially big with the baby boomers, a company who shows they have a desire to be of service and support others is the company that will most likely get the business from others.

The other is the ever-growing, probably never-going-away social media craze. With budget cuts coming going deep, why not capitalize on what you have that’s free? If you’re department or company doesn’t have a page on Facebook or a Twitter account, you may be missing the boat. With just the right amount of nurturing, you can serve both employees, customers and potential customers alike. If you have a minute, check out one of my last articles on how to do social media right and begin growing your number of fans now.

3. Inbound Marketing

Inbound marketing is all about driving traffic to your website through the use of social media and other forms of advertising AND getting them to buy. Up to 70% of all leads who visit your site are not ready to buy. So how do you stay engaged with them in the hopes of turning them into a purchasing customer in the future?

Creating the ability to capture their email address as a way to share information with them in the future is one way. Remember, though, you need to stay in contact with them regularly (I recommend 2-3 times a month) AND it can’t just be about getting them to sign up for a program. Nobody wants to feel sold to all the time. It’s about sharing information you think they might be interested in. 80% of your content shared should be education, tips, information on trends, etc. versus telling them about an upcoming program you want them to participate in. This is what builds relationships.

Curious how you are doing as far as driving traffic to your site? Checkout websitegrader.com and get your website evaluated for free. If you don’t get a great score, don’t panic. Find someone who is knowledgeable in this area to help boost your site ratings.

4. Marketing Directly to Your Target

This is the way it has always been, however, with all the information coming at people all the time it is more important than it has ever been before. You want to make the most of your time in front of your target market. In addition to your brochure, consider sending out flyers and updates to those who have signed up for similar programs in the past rather than everyone.

Segment out your mailing list is key for this trend. You might choose to have a list for people with preschoolers and send out an email once a month with an activity they can do at home, something about a park facility and an educational piece about why it’s important for children to spend time outside. After you’ve filled 80% of the email with this type of content, add a promotion for an upcoming program.

5. Automate, Automate, Automate

Use an automated system like MailChimp, Constant Contact, Hootsuite, TweetDeck, etc. to automate some of these tasks so you can do a group of them at once and then sit back and enjoy the benefits. Just remember, it’s all about authenticity and transparency so don’t automate everything.

If you have any questions about any of these trends or are in need of additional resources, please let me know. I can be reached at michele@lodestonedynamics.com or 763.633.9364.

New Moon February 14th 2:51

Michele — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:19:29 +0000

Abundance Check Ritual

What are Abundance Checks?
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.

Do not put a date on the check. Do not write a specific dollar amount in the check. Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The Universe will take it from there.

No Connection – Part 2 – How does it Relate to Business??

Michele — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:28:49 +0000

Yesterday I posted about my scary trip on 35W Monday evening. If you didn’t read the last post, you may want to before reading this one.

My feeling of floating, of not connecting to the road also connects for me on how it is in business when you don’t have the right tools to get you where you want to go. It’s tough to get traction when you don’t have what you need and are trying to “go forward” anyway. Sometimes, we need to take a little detour and re-evaluate where we are at before taking action.

Do you have a business plan? A marketing plan? Are you clear about what you want?

These are just a few things to consider when in business for yourself. Make sure you have the tools you need to be successful (however you define that)!

It’s Sunday!

Michele — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:23:12 +0000

Isn’t Sunday supposed to be a day of rest? LOL I guess when I am my own boss, I can’t complain about doing a little work today. After all, it is my choice and I do love what I do. I noticed the sun is shining brightly and hope to go into town a little later to get my car washed. It is in dire need!

I shared a little bit on Facebook last night about how I got lost in the middle of nowhere heading home after a class in WI. It was late, it was dark and I was tired. It was all I could do to stay focused on the prize of getting home instead of losing it. Before I went to the class, I had a nudge to print the directions on Mapquest in reverse…a nudge I obviously ignored. I thought I’ll be fine, I’m used to following directions, I can figure it out to get back home.

Well, most of the time that’s true. I’m pretty well versed on the art of following directions but every once in a while, I need that extra help and guidance and this was definitely one of those times. You’ll be happy to know that I did make it home, in one piece and not too crabby. I found a nice man at a gas station who gave me directions to get back to the highway (side note: how come gas station attendants never seem to know where they are??). Lastly, don’t give up. I was so frustrated and was on the verge of losing it when that man appeared and gave me exactly what I needed. Most businesses give up, right before the turning point would have happened where they can experience the success they desire.

Don’t give up on your dream!

Connections

Michele — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:15:03 +0000

I spent Thursday at a great Conference offered by WIN (Women in Networking). This was my first experience with WIN and it was a great one. I met several members who were so nice and welcoming and I had a blast interacting with them throughout the day. The conference content was great too. I attended three breakout sessions: one on marketing, one on increasing profits and one on networking. All perfect for what I need in my business. Sometimes it’s hard for me to attend these types of events because I am an introvert by nature. I know how important it is to get out there so I can build relationships with others so I step out of my comfort zone and do these kinds of things alone. I occasionally will sign up with a friend and I love being able to experience something new with them and yet, for my best interests, it’s great to go alone and meet new people rather than having a tendency to stay in that safe zone with a familiar face.

How do you network? What organizations are you a part of that you enjoy? I’d love to hear about them.

Taking a Risk Today and Living “As If”

Michele — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:53:43 +0000

To most I hide it well. People don’t know that I don’t really like to be seen. Often, I’m not even aware of my choices myself and how they keep me hidden away from view. Safe and content, not in a position to be hurt by others. When I have done well in various areas of my life, I have lost relationships because they didn’t like it. I know for some that might be hard to imagine but I guess I haven’t always made the best choices in friends. And really, can we call those kind of relationships “friendships”? I don’t think so. Consciously, I’m aware of this and consciously, I still hear those nasty words from my upbringing about not doing things well enough, not working hard enough, not being good enough which reinforce what I have experienced from so-called friends.

In some ways it seems odd to me that someone would leave me, abandon me, because I’m doing well or get a great opportunity in my life but jealousy is a powerful thing. Unhappiness is a powerful thing. I’ve made choices myself from these places that I would not have otherwise made. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I understand. Understand, yes, but it doesn’t make it easier to have people leave. It has unfortunately created the belief “If I’m too successful, I will be alone. Everyone will leave me. They always do.” Not a belief I choose to continue to have.

So here I am today. I’ve done healing work around this belief and now it’s time to bring in the “act as if” as I call it. This is the piece that I often think is missing in the healing journey for people. We heal some aspect of our being but continue to live as if we are still a victim, still carry a belief, still don’t feel worthy. What would happen if we acted as if we were no longer a victim, no longer carried that negative belief, felt worthy beyond imagination? What would be possible?? Or perhaps an easier question…what wouldn’t be possible? The answer? Nothing. Everything would be possible!

So back to today, the first of many risks I hope. The first of many acting as if it safe to be seen, acting as if it’s ok to take advantage of opportunities that come into my life, acting as if everyone who cares about me will be happy for me. Today, I had the opportunity to be a part of the production of an upcoming commercial due to air in January for Minnesota School of Business and Globe University and I jumped on the chance. I spent the morning down in their production studio behind big, hot lights talking about the things I really enjoy about school. It was so much fun! I was hardly aware of all the lights and cameras as I shared from my heart what I love most. Deep in the back of my mind, I knew I was doing something that would become a part of something bigger soon. A commercial to air on TV beyond the boundaries of my home, of Elk River, of even Minnesota. How’s that for choosing to be seen today?!

We are all supposed to get a copy when the piece is edited and I will definitely share with everyone. I’m done hiding. I’m ready to live as if I love to be seen, love to be in the limelight and I’m not worried about what relationship will come to an end because of it. Wish me luck…and join me if you like. How would you live today if you are living as if you are not a victim, your life is not filled with drama, you are worthy, you do enough because you are enough or whatever other poison thought have slowly crept into your psyche over the years? What thought or belief are you willing to give up so you can live your best life possible starting now?

Mashable Rocks!

Michele — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:57:14 +0000

Recently Mashable shared these great videos for small businesses owners and I couldn’t resist sharing them with you. Great lessons!

http://mashable.com/2009/11/14/small-business-video/

Marketing Tip – Consistency is the Key

Michele — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:59:07 +0000

If I was only able to share one thing about marketing, this would be it.

In all of my research, education and experience, it boils down to this. Customers love consistency. They need it. We often think they like change such as flyers that look new and fresh each time. The truth is – they don’t. Think about major companies like Northwest and Delta who merge. These two companies took months to make the transition and Northwest just recently took the Delta name and logo. They let their customers know for months that they would be making changes long before they actually made them. If they hadn’t, they ran the risk of losing many customers.

It doesn’t matter what field you are in, customers don’t like change and any change must be implemented gradually to be effective. Having the same look to your brochures, flyers, website, etc. creates branding and customers begin to identify with that brand. Even a color change can cause confusion.

When you develop your marketing plan, come up with a look you are comfortable sticking with. Include design elements such as where your logo shows up and the colors that you use every time in everything you print. One of the things I did when I worked at Elk River Parks and Recreation was have templates created so all flyers were consistent in their appearance. I highly recommend this, not just for marketing, but also because it saves time in the creation process and fewer details are overlooked. To be honest, it’s one thing I haven’t done in my current business that I will be implementing here soon. I’m not sure why I haven’t because I know how much easier it makes everything.

Additionally, take a look at the next several months or even the next year. What advertising opportunities do you have that you can always do? Do you have a calendar of events on your website that you keep current? Do you take out an ad, not once in a while, but on a regular basis in the local paper? Do you send out a newsletter regularly? Whatever you include in your marketing plan, include it without fail. People will come to expect it and watch for it. Partnered with consistent looking materials, they will begin to recognize your brand and take notice every time they see you somewhere. Over time, you’ll be able to watch your numbers improve in all your opportunities.

Defining Wealth

Michele — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:21:05 +0000

Encarta defines wealth as “an abundance or great quantity of something”.

Many of us automatically jump to the thought of money when we hear the word wealth. I know I do. Or at least I did. When my friend, Cathy, and I decided to co-facilitate a Commanding Wealth Circle I struggled with the name because I didn’t want people to think it was all about money. Yes, money is a part of it. We need it to live and enjoy some of life’s pleasures (although many pleasures are free). I actually pulled out the dictionary as I was creating flyers for the group. That’s when I saw how expansive the word “wealth” can be. It’s just how we choose to define it for ourselves.

I am reminded of a story I heard once about a “wealthy” man and his son. The man wanted to teach his son how lucky he was and thought he could do this by showing the son how poor people live. They went to the country and spent some time on a farm with a family that would be considered quite poor.

At the end of the trip, the father asked his son what he thought. The son had a great time and told his father that what he learned was this:

They have one dog and the family had four.
They have a pool and the family has a creek that goes on forever.
They have lanterns in their garden and the family has stars in the sky.
They have a piece of land and the family has fields that go farther than the eye can see.
They buy their food and the family grows their own.
They have walls to protect them and the family has friends.

The son then said to his father, “Thank you for showing me how poor we are.”

It’s all perspective. Everything in life is that way. We get to choose how we want to define everything in our world. It’s both a blessing and curse – depending on your perspective. Which will you choose?

For more information on the Commanding Wealth Circles, visit our website.