Monday Morning Motivators are espresso business tips designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. The archives are stored at: MondayMorningMotivators.blogspot.com
“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the "right stuff" to turn our dreams into reality.”
-- James Wormack
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Table of Contents
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Lean: Listening to Customers - Linda Fayerweather
Building a Better Website - Rebecca Booth
Distribute Your Information Through Various Resources - John Meyer
To Do This Week
Fine Print
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Lean: Listening to Customers
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Do your customers call you and say "When is your next workshop?"; "I'd like to buy a new car"; or "Can you give me advice on . . .?" These are all examples of customer value demand. We want this and when we hear it we should realize that our outreach and marketing is working.
When customers say "Your office said you would call back"; "The widget arrived and it was the wrong color and size"; or "No one has solved my problem". These are all examples of failure demand. Your customers are identifying your business's failures and helping you find solutions.
Listen to complaints - they can help you get lean because each failure represents waste in your business process and improvement will mean savings. Before you roll your eyes next time a customer complains, listen! Only 20% of unhappy customers ever complain. Fixing the problem means many more customers are going to join the value demand side of your business.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Business Coach
Changing Lanes LLC
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Building a Better Website
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The web has turned your 9-5 business into a 24/7 operation. But are you losing customers because the site is not user friendly? Here are some tips on how to build a better site.
• Don’t be all things to all people. Establish your niche and stick with it. The general rule of thumb is: 95% of your website should be used to serve your customers. If you need to have links to partners, investors and the media, reserve the footer area for these links.
• Use precise language. Don’t be vague. If people can’t figure out what you’re doing within a few seconds, they’re gone. Clearly state what you do and what promise you make to your customers.
• Keep it simple. Most people are irritated by Flash animations and other slow-to-load multimedia introductions to a site. Opt out of the glitz.
• Speak clearly and succinctly. Don’t use jargon, acronyms or overblown terminology on your site.
• Test your site before you upload it. Have your customers complete simple tasks on the site, like filling out a form or checking different pages and then get their feedback. You’ll probably get some great suggestions for improving your site’s performance.
Simplicity and easy navigation should be your priorities. If it’s too complicated, you miss an opportunity to talk to a customer – which can translate into a lost sale.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
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Distribute Your Information Through Various Resources.
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Your networking sources can help you distribute your marketing information and materials. For example, they can include a flyer in their mailings or hand out flyers at meetings they attend. A dry cleaner attaches a coupon from the auto mechanic next door to each plastic bag he uses to cover his customers dry cleaning; a grocery store includes other businesses marketing literature in its grocery bags or on the back of the printed receipt.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
BNI Ohio
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To Do This Week
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Call 3 customers and ask them what they like about your business and what they don't like about your business.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
Error Proofing - Review
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Monday Morning Motivators – May 22, 2006
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Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.”
-- Paul Meyer
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Table of Contents
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1. Lean: Error Proofing – Review – Linda Fayerweather
2. No Kidding – No Kids Allowed! – Rebecca Booth
3. Track Your Referrals and Reciprocate – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
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1. Lean: Error Proofing – Review
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In reviewing the error proofing of your business, remember you want your business lean so you will provide more value to the customers with less waste. Think about the 5M’s that each business has.
· Men & Women – the people of your organization;
· Machines – Systems or devices that perform work – from computers to large machines;
· Materials – Items used to create value for the customer or finished products;
· Methods – How work gets done and customer gets serviced;
· Measure – The monitoring and managing of production, service, employees and outcomes.
These are the resources and drivers that make things happen – with our without errors. When an error happens, identifying where or what caused it will be key to solving and getting your outcome back to lean.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.changinglanes.biz
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2. No Kidding – No Kids Allowed!
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If you run an upscale store or restaurant you might want to follow the lead of like stores across the county - they’re not allowing kids in their establishments. Why? Because it disrupts the experience of the other upscale shoppers/diners. Upscale shoppers are seeking an escape. If a screaming toddler interrupts their solitude, they have to make a decision: to stay or go. That doesn’t bode well for your bottom line. But an outright “no kids” policy could also negatively impact your sales to the mom market. So what to do? Simple, survey your customers to see what they have to say. You might also want to consider starting up a kids-only zone in your store. Best Buy has done that in some of their “Jill Stores” across the country. The kid-friendly areas are complete with Leapfrog toys and Playstations, which means the kids are entertained and mom can spend more time shopping!
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
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3. Track Your Referrals and Reciprocate
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Monitor the referrals your receive. This tells you how often you get referrals, their source, quality, status, and dollar payoff. Having this information helps you focus on individuals and groups that are giving you the best referrals. This allows you to reciprocate with people who are giving you the most referrals.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
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4. To Do This Week
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Review your customer follow-up process.
Monday Morning Motivators – May 22, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.”
-- Paul Meyer
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean: Error Proofing – Review – Linda Fayerweather
2. No Kidding – No Kids Allowed! – Rebecca Booth
3. Track Your Referrals and Reciprocate – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean: Error Proofing – Review
============================================================
In reviewing the error proofing of your business, remember you want your business lean so you will provide more value to the customers with less waste. Think about the 5M’s that each business has.
· Men & Women – the people of your organization;
· Machines – Systems or devices that perform work – from computers to large machines;
· Materials – Items used to create value for the customer or finished products;
· Methods – How work gets done and customer gets serviced;
· Measure – The monitoring and managing of production, service, employees and outcomes.
These are the resources and drivers that make things happen – with our without errors. When an error happens, identifying where or what caused it will be key to solving and getting your outcome back to lean.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.changinglanes.biz
============================================================
2. No Kidding – No Kids Allowed!
============================================================
If you run an upscale store or restaurant you might want to follow the lead of like stores across the county - they’re not allowing kids in their establishments. Why? Because it disrupts the experience of the other upscale shoppers/diners. Upscale shoppers are seeking an escape. If a screaming toddler interrupts their solitude, they have to make a decision: to stay or go. That doesn’t bode well for your bottom line. But an outright “no kids” policy could also negatively impact your sales to the mom market. So what to do? Simple, survey your customers to see what they have to say. You might also want to consider starting up a kids-only zone in your store. Best Buy has done that in some of their “Jill Stores” across the country. The kid-friendly areas are complete with Leapfrog toys and Playstations, which means the kids are entertained and mom can spend more time shopping!
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Track Your Referrals and Reciprocate
===========================================================
Monitor the referrals your receive. This tells you how often you get referrals, their source, quality, status, and dollar payoff. Having this information helps you focus on individuals and groups that are giving you the best referrals. This allows you to reciprocate with people who are giving you the most referrals.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Review your customer follow-up process.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Lean: Error Proofing - Human Errors
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Monday Morning Motivators – May 15, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.”
--Mohandas Gandhi
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean: Error Proofing – Human Errors – Linda Fayerweather
2. Thank You Notes – Rebecca Booth
3. Open and Honest Communication – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean: Error Proofing – Human Errors
============================================================
Unfortunately, human error is an unavoidable part of business. Training, education and systems will help limit these errors. Here is a list of the main reasons human errors happen:
1. Lack of Knowledge, skills or ability.
2. Mental errors - slips (forgetting a task) or mistakes (incorrect performance – usually chosen)
3. Sensory overload. Why our mothers insisted we do our homework with the TV off.
4. Mechanical process errors. Physical exhaustion from being on the job too long.
5. Distractions – internal (emotional stress, daydreaming) and external (cell phones)
6. Loss of memory resulting from fatigue, age, or drug/alcohol use.
7. Loss of emotional control. Anger, sorrow, jealousy, fear may all effect performance.
As business owners or managers, errors can be lessened by recognizing when employees or you are experiencing reasons to error.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.changinglanes.biz
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2. Thank You Notes
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Did you know that only 10% of all businesspeople send hand-written thank you notes? Differentiate yourself from the rest by keeping a “thank you note kit” in your car. As soon as your meeting is over, take a minute to craft your note while the flavor of the meeting is still in your mind. Not only will your recipient be impressed that you sent the card, the relationship will be further cemented if you acknowledge a particular comment made. Here’s what you need to build your kit:
• Small cigar box
• Stamps
• Thank You Cards with Envelopes
• Business Cards
• Pen
• Glue Stick (to affix your card and seal the envelope)
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
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3. Open and Honest Communication
===========================================================
To get good referrals, tell people when they've given you a bad referral. If you don't, you'll keep getting bad leads and you'll deserve every one of them. Teach people what you consider good referrals.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Develop an emergency plan for evacuating your office and staff.
Monday Morning Motivators – May 15, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.”
--Mohandas Gandhi
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean: Error Proofing – Human Errors – Linda Fayerweather
2. Thank You Notes – Rebecca Booth
3. Open and Honest Communication – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean: Error Proofing – Human Errors
============================================================
Unfortunately, human error is an unavoidable part of business. Training, education and systems will help limit these errors. Here is a list of the main reasons human errors happen:
1. Lack of Knowledge, skills or ability.
2. Mental errors - slips (forgetting a task) or mistakes (incorrect performance – usually chosen)
3. Sensory overload. Why our mothers insisted we do our homework with the TV off.
4. Mechanical process errors. Physical exhaustion from being on the job too long.
5. Distractions – internal (emotional stress, daydreaming) and external (cell phones)
6. Loss of memory resulting from fatigue, age, or drug/alcohol use.
7. Loss of emotional control. Anger, sorrow, jealousy, fear may all effect performance.
As business owners or managers, errors can be lessened by recognizing when employees or you are experiencing reasons to error.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.changinglanes.biz
============================================================
2. Thank You Notes
============================================================
Did you know that only 10% of all businesspeople send hand-written thank you notes? Differentiate yourself from the rest by keeping a “thank you note kit” in your car. As soon as your meeting is over, take a minute to craft your note while the flavor of the meeting is still in your mind. Not only will your recipient be impressed that you sent the card, the relationship will be further cemented if you acknowledge a particular comment made. Here’s what you need to build your kit:
• Small cigar box
• Stamps
• Thank You Cards with Envelopes
• Business Cards
• Pen
• Glue Stick (to affix your card and seal the envelope)
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Open and Honest Communication
===========================================================
To get good referrals, tell people when they've given you a bad referral. If you don't, you'll keep getting bad leads and you'll deserve every one of them. Teach people what you consider good referrals.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Develop an emergency plan for evacuating your office and staff.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Lean: Error Proofing - Make it Personal
Monday Morning Motivators are espresso business tips designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. The archives are stored at: MondayMorningMotivators.blogspot.com
“Big pay and little responsibility are circumstances seldom found together.” --Napoleon Hill
================
Table of Contents
================
Lean: Error Proofing - Make it Personal - Linda Fayerweather
Using PowerPoint to Help Build an Outline - Rebecca Booth
The 5 Senses Can Sell Your Products/Services - John Meyer
To Do This Week
Fine Print
================
Lean: Error Proofing – Make it Personal
================
Let’s make errors more personal. In your daily life, think of errors as time & money wasters and worry sources. Running out of gas, forgetting to turn off the coffee pot, losing your keys and being late are some of the most common errors. You may drive safely 99.9% of the time and average 10,000 miles per year. Yet, those 10 unsafe miles (0.1%) could be disastrous to your life and others. That same error rate will mean:• 2 unsafe landings at Chicago O’Hare Airport daily, • 16,000 lost pieces of mail per hour and • 50 newborn babies dropped each day by doctors. Errors happen because people may lack knowledge or vigilance. Remember: mistakes = Lost Time; Lost Money; and possibly Lost Business. Now, look at your activities and figure out where you can get closer to 100% both at home and work; often “paying attention” is key.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Business Coach
Changing Lanes LLC
================
The Listener’s Point of View
================
Speechwriting has just gotten easier – you can now build your speech outline using PowerPoint. Here are the steps to follow:• Open a blank presentation and choose the “bullet” slide layout.• Switch to Outline View.• Brainstorm the things you want to say. Type your ideas one at a time, pressing enter after each idea. PowerPoint will make a separate slide for every idea you have.• Review your ideas critically. Delete any that veer from your topic, don’t bolster your purpose or don’t lead to your conclusion.• Turn on the Outlining toolbar (on the left side of your screen) and rearrange your ideas one last time before turning them into final slides and bullet points.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
================
The 5 Senses Can Sell Your Products/Services
================
If you have an opportunity to distribute your materials, do it! Bring products, samples, brochures, or a presentation book to the business meetings you attend. If people can see, feel, touch, hear, or smell samples of the product or service you provide, they are more likely to use you.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
BNI Ohio
================
To Do This Week
================
Set aside 15 minutes each day to error proof your office.
“Big pay and little responsibility are circumstances seldom found together.” --Napoleon Hill
================
Table of Contents
================
Lean: Error Proofing - Make it Personal - Linda Fayerweather
Using PowerPoint to Help Build an Outline - Rebecca Booth
The 5 Senses Can Sell Your Products/Services - John Meyer
To Do This Week
Fine Print
================
Lean: Error Proofing – Make it Personal
================
Let’s make errors more personal. In your daily life, think of errors as time & money wasters and worry sources. Running out of gas, forgetting to turn off the coffee pot, losing your keys and being late are some of the most common errors. You may drive safely 99.9% of the time and average 10,000 miles per year. Yet, those 10 unsafe miles (0.1%) could be disastrous to your life and others. That same error rate will mean:• 2 unsafe landings at Chicago O’Hare Airport daily, • 16,000 lost pieces of mail per hour and • 50 newborn babies dropped each day by doctors. Errors happen because people may lack knowledge or vigilance. Remember: mistakes = Lost Time; Lost Money; and possibly Lost Business. Now, look at your activities and figure out where you can get closer to 100% both at home and work; often “paying attention” is key.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Business Coach
Changing Lanes LLC
================
The Listener’s Point of View
================
Speechwriting has just gotten easier – you can now build your speech outline using PowerPoint. Here are the steps to follow:• Open a blank presentation and choose the “bullet” slide layout.• Switch to Outline View.• Brainstorm the things you want to say. Type your ideas one at a time, pressing enter after each idea. PowerPoint will make a separate slide for every idea you have.• Review your ideas critically. Delete any that veer from your topic, don’t bolster your purpose or don’t lead to your conclusion.• Turn on the Outlining toolbar (on the left side of your screen) and rearrange your ideas one last time before turning them into final slides and bullet points.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
================
The 5 Senses Can Sell Your Products/Services
================
If you have an opportunity to distribute your materials, do it! Bring products, samples, brochures, or a presentation book to the business meetings you attend. If people can see, feel, touch, hear, or smell samples of the product or service you provide, they are more likely to use you.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
BNI Ohio
================
To Do This Week
================
Set aside 15 minutes each day to error proof your office.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Error Proofing - Listening - CEO Connection
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Monday Morning Motivators – May 1, 2006
__________________________________________________
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”
--Albert Einstein
__________________________________________________
Table of Contents
__________________________________________________
1. Lean: Error Proofing Your Business – Linda Fayerweather
2. Listener’s Point of View – Rebecca Booth
3. For Great Referrals, Work Your Way to the Top.– John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
__________________________________________________
1. Lean: Error Proofing Your Business
__________________________________________________
Error proofing helps ensure quality all through your business process. If you are actively preventing specific errors you will limit defects. Wait, let’s do some definitions:
• An error is a departure from a specific process.
• Defects are products or services that don’t meet your customers’ satisfaction.
• Defects are waste.
• Waste decreases profit.
If errors cause defects, then paying attention to what causes errors will hopefully limit defects. Recently, while doing some financial work for my mother’s estate, twice I dialed customer service and twice when asked to push “1” or “2”, pushing 2 resulted in disconnection. I did complain when at last I got to the correct person and I was given a cursory “Sorry about that”. This error (wrong programming) causing the defect (customer disconnected) and compounded by the response (customer did not believe the service person was sincere) means that this customer (Me!) will not be choosing this company for my own personal financial services. Think about it, the prospective customer is scared away and the business will never know why!
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.changinglanes.biz
__________________________________________________
2. The Listener’s Point of View
__________________________________________________
Here’s an interesting fact. Listeners go through these three phases when listening to a speech, sermon, award ceremony, business presentation:
• “I want to hear what you have to say.”
• “I think I’ve heard just about everything you have to say.”
• “I wish you would stop saying it now.”
Remember, sterling speeches are delivered quickly and expertly. Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in two short minutes. His “opening act” was a man no one remembers – Edward Everett - because his speech lasted over two hours! His audience was probably thinking, “I wish he would have stopped saying it some time ago!”
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
__________________________________________________
3. For Great Referrals, Work Your Way to the Top.
__________________________________________________
Top business executives insulate themselves from those who may try to sell them products or services. Through word of mouth you can still increase your volume of business, because you know a hundred people, who know a hundred people, and so on. The great referrals are probably not going to come from a CEO, but someone who knows a CEO.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
__________________________________________________
4. To Do This Week
__________________________________________________
Celebrate May!
Monday Morning Motivators – May 1, 2006
__________________________________________________
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”
--Albert Einstein
__________________________________________________
Table of Contents
__________________________________________________
1. Lean: Error Proofing Your Business – Linda Fayerweather
2. Listener’s Point of View – Rebecca Booth
3. For Great Referrals, Work Your Way to the Top.– John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
__________________________________________________
1. Lean: Error Proofing Your Business
__________________________________________________
Error proofing helps ensure quality all through your business process. If you are actively preventing specific errors you will limit defects. Wait, let’s do some definitions:
• An error is a departure from a specific process.
• Defects are products or services that don’t meet your customers’ satisfaction.
• Defects are waste.
• Waste decreases profit.
If errors cause defects, then paying attention to what causes errors will hopefully limit defects. Recently, while doing some financial work for my mother’s estate, twice I dialed customer service and twice when asked to push “1” or “2”, pushing 2 resulted in disconnection. I did complain when at last I got to the correct person and I was given a cursory “Sorry about that”. This error (wrong programming) causing the defect (customer disconnected) and compounded by the response (customer did not believe the service person was sincere) means that this customer (Me!) will not be choosing this company for my own personal financial services. Think about it, the prospective customer is scared away and the business will never know why!
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.changinglanes.biz
__________________________________________________
2. The Listener’s Point of View
__________________________________________________
Here’s an interesting fact. Listeners go through these three phases when listening to a speech, sermon, award ceremony, business presentation:
• “I want to hear what you have to say.”
• “I think I’ve heard just about everything you have to say.”
• “I wish you would stop saying it now.”
Remember, sterling speeches are delivered quickly and expertly. Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in two short minutes. His “opening act” was a man no one remembers – Edward Everett - because his speech lasted over two hours! His audience was probably thinking, “I wish he would have stopped saying it some time ago!”
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Diva
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
__________________________________________________
3. For Great Referrals, Work Your Way to the Top.
__________________________________________________
Top business executives insulate themselves from those who may try to sell them products or services. Through word of mouth you can still increase your volume of business, because you know a hundred people, who know a hundred people, and so on. The great referrals are probably not going to come from a CEO, but someone who knows a CEO.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
__________________________________________________
4. To Do This Week
__________________________________________________
Celebrate May!
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