============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – July 31, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Live out of your imagination, not your history."
-- Stephen Covey
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Equipment Effectiveness – Linda Fayerweather
2. Being Specific About Your Target Market – Rebecca Booth
3. Ask People to Arrange a Meeting on Your Behalf – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Equipment Effectiveness
============================================================
Equipment effectiveness causes many small business owners and managers to yawn and not pay attention because “we are just a service business, we don’t make anything with equipment.” In the last month, here are the pieces of equipment that small business owners have complained to me about:
1. Credit Card machine is jamming;
2. Computer is overheating due to heat and has to be turned off regularly;
3. Copy machine is out of toner and the store had to order our cartridge;
4. Flood water soaked our phone lines; and
5. We ran out of ______________(you fill in the blank - paper, ink, stamps, toilet tissue)
Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a metric that measures the availability, performance efficiency and quality of your equipment’s output. All businesses have equipment and Steven Covey’s 7th habit is “Sharpen the Saw” reminding us that well maintained equipment is essential. Look around this week and see what your business can do to make your equipment more effective. And if you run into a good excuse this week, let me know at www.mondaymorningmotivators.blogspot.com
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Being Specific About Your Target Market
============================================================
When you need to hire someone, you place a classified ad outlining the specific position for which you’re hiring. The same holds true for any online dating service ad you may place. You specify the kind of person you want to meet in the personal, sometimes down to the body type and hair color! So why is “everyone” your target market?
By being specific you’re painting a picture in someone’s head as to what your ideal client looks like. Here’s an example: Jeans West is a jeans manufacturer competing against Levis, Gap, etc. Their ad campaign focuses on the price of time. One woman says, “These jeans cost me 2 hours.” Another says, “These jeans cost me 45 minutes.” Who’s their target market? Hard-to-fit professional women who have overbooked lives.
Is that too small of a niche? Certainly not! What Jeans West has done is stamped their niche very clearly in the minds of their customers. They’ve also stamped a clear picture into the minds of those not needing jeans today. Chances are the next time those people are shopping for a new pair of jeans they’ll remember Jeans West because their specialty is the right fit!
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Ask People to Arrange a Meeting on Your Behalf
===========================================================
When one of your sources tells you about a person you should meet, someone you consider a key contact, they can help you immensely by coordinating a meeting. Ideally, she will not only call the contact and set a specific date, time, and location for the meeting, but she will also attend the meeting with you.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Develop and record your emergency financial plan –
think: What if the power is off for 7 days?
Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
Lean Metrics: Wait Time
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – July 25, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"If you want to get somewhere you have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Then never, never, never give up."
-- Norman Vincent Peale
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Wait Time – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Solutions Pose Problems – Rebecca Booth
3. Ask People to Introduce You to Their Clients in Person – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Wait Time
============================================================
Whether you are a ball bearing waiting to be installed or a customer trying to buy the newest snappy footwear, waiting may be part of the story. Scientists actually call this Queuing Theory and it is studied, analyzed and restudied. Where inventory will quietly wait, people often don’t. Sometimes they will, hang up the phone, leave the shop or buy a different brand. If the waiting is for an appointment like a doctor or dentist, the customer my just get annoyed.
Knowing when customers will have to wait and why is something you want to explore in your business and then set standards. Having a plan is key to keeping customers happy.
Things that work:
1. Keeping customers informed of wait time;
2. Cross training staff so that when needed, a staff person will be available;
3. Eye contact when a customer is waiting – they just want to know they are seen; and
4. Planning for known busy times – think toll booths and December 24!
Now, what works for your business? Post your best practice for keeping customers happy while waiting below in the comment spot.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Solutions Pose Problems
============================================================
Ok, so you’re selling your benefits instead of features in your marketing promotions, right? Well, that could be problematic if you’re not addressing the problem first. Instead of leading with the solution, you should be getting people on board by qualifying them as having a problem. Why? It’s been proven time and again that you can’t sell to anyone who doesn’t want to buy. The only reason a person will buy is because they have a need or because your product solves a problem for them.
Think problem first. Hungry?
Then think solution: Try the $.85 McDoggle Burger!
Problems serve as a means for perking up the ears of your target market. Present the problem, then the solution and you’ll see better results from your efforts.
If your target market is women or if you’re selling “community”, keep in mind what community truly means to your target market! This will enhance your success.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Ask People to Introduce You to Their Clients in Person
===========================================================
Your sources can help you build new relationships faster by introducing you in person. They can provide you with key information about the prospect. They can also tell the prospect a few things about you, your business, how the two of you met, some of the things you and the prospect have in common, and the value of your products and services.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Check your business site for its “first impressions”.
Monday Morning Motivators – July 25, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"If you want to get somewhere you have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Then never, never, never give up."
-- Norman Vincent Peale
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Wait Time – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Solutions Pose Problems – Rebecca Booth
3. Ask People to Introduce You to Their Clients in Person – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Wait Time
============================================================
Whether you are a ball bearing waiting to be installed or a customer trying to buy the newest snappy footwear, waiting may be part of the story. Scientists actually call this Queuing Theory and it is studied, analyzed and restudied. Where inventory will quietly wait, people often don’t. Sometimes they will, hang up the phone, leave the shop or buy a different brand. If the waiting is for an appointment like a doctor or dentist, the customer my just get annoyed.
Knowing when customers will have to wait and why is something you want to explore in your business and then set standards. Having a plan is key to keeping customers happy.
Things that work:
1. Keeping customers informed of wait time;
2. Cross training staff so that when needed, a staff person will be available;
3. Eye contact when a customer is waiting – they just want to know they are seen; and
4. Planning for known busy times – think toll booths and December 24!
Now, what works for your business? Post your best practice for keeping customers happy while waiting below in the comment spot.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Solutions Pose Problems
============================================================
Ok, so you’re selling your benefits instead of features in your marketing promotions, right? Well, that could be problematic if you’re not addressing the problem first. Instead of leading with the solution, you should be getting people on board by qualifying them as having a problem. Why? It’s been proven time and again that you can’t sell to anyone who doesn’t want to buy. The only reason a person will buy is because they have a need or because your product solves a problem for them.
Think problem first. Hungry?
Then think solution: Try the $.85 McDoggle Burger!
Problems serve as a means for perking up the ears of your target market. Present the problem, then the solution and you’ll see better results from your efforts.
If your target market is women or if you’re selling “community”, keep in mind what community truly means to your target market! This will enhance your success.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Ask People to Introduce You to Their Clients in Person
===========================================================
Your sources can help you build new relationships faster by introducing you in person. They can provide you with key information about the prospect. They can also tell the prospect a few things about you, your business, how the two of you met, some of the things you and the prospect have in common, and the value of your products and services.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Check your business site for its “first impressions”.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Lean Metrics: On Time Delivery
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – July 17, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”
--William Shakespeare
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: On Time Delivery – Linda Fayerweather
2. The Power of Women Communities – Rebecca Booth
3. Ask Fellow Networkers to Make Initial Contact with Referral Sources – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: On Time Delivery
============================================================
One of the core process metrics is On Time Delivery (OTD). All businesses have some form of delivery of product or service to their customers. What does it mean to your business? In the language of lean, the actual measurement will be the percentage of units you produce that meet your customer’s deadline. Isn’t it interesting that it has to do with the customer’s deadline.
This weekend at the movie theater it became very clear to me that the concession attendant cared more about getting the phone number from the man flirting with her than she cared about me getting to the movie on time. OTD of my popcorn may seem trivial, but as a customer, I always have choices and a slow delivery may mean next weekend I get a video and just stay home! OTD takes many shape and forms but the ultimate goal of all businesses is satisfied customers. Getting lean will keep customers.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
Need to listen to Manic Monday? Music Clip
============================================================
2. The Power of Women Communities
============================================================
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: Women are from Venus; Men from Mars. When it comes to defining community, men look at it as “a place where I live/work”. Women, however, view community as a more complicated, interwoven tapestry of relationships that will span a lifetime. Community traits to women include:
• Longevity,
• Constancy,
• A secondary focus of caring/cause,
• Offering emotional fulfillment and balance to their time-strapped lives, and
• Fun, friendly, support outlet that shares mutual respect.
One Boomer woman from Savannah said, “Community gives me a sense of belonging, a place to get emotional support – they key is being there for each other – that makes community work!”
Most companies think community is sending me a bunch of email tips, or putting a picture of what they think my ‘group’ is on a mailer. They don’t ask my opinion and don’t find out anything about me and what they might do to engage me outside of buying their stuff.”
If your target market is women or if you’re selling “community”, keep in mind what community truly means to your target market! This will enhance your success.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Ask Fellow Networkers to Make Initial Contact with Referral Sources
===========================================================
Rather than just giving you the telephone number and address of an important prospect, ask your network member to make a phone call or meet the prospect first and tell him about you. Then, when you make contact with the prospect, he will be expecting to hear from you and will know something about you.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Check the location and fitness of all fire extinguishers.
Monday Morning Motivators – July 17, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”
--William Shakespeare
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: On Time Delivery – Linda Fayerweather
2. The Power of Women Communities – Rebecca Booth
3. Ask Fellow Networkers to Make Initial Contact with Referral Sources – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: On Time Delivery
============================================================
One of the core process metrics is On Time Delivery (OTD). All businesses have some form of delivery of product or service to their customers. What does it mean to your business? In the language of lean, the actual measurement will be the percentage of units you produce that meet your customer’s deadline. Isn’t it interesting that it has to do with the customer’s deadline.
This weekend at the movie theater it became very clear to me that the concession attendant cared more about getting the phone number from the man flirting with her than she cared about me getting to the movie on time. OTD of my popcorn may seem trivial, but as a customer, I always have choices and a slow delivery may mean next weekend I get a video and just stay home! OTD takes many shape and forms but the ultimate goal of all businesses is satisfied customers. Getting lean will keep customers.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
Need to listen to Manic Monday? Music Clip
============================================================
2. The Power of Women Communities
============================================================
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again: Women are from Venus; Men from Mars. When it comes to defining community, men look at it as “a place where I live/work”. Women, however, view community as a more complicated, interwoven tapestry of relationships that will span a lifetime. Community traits to women include:
• Longevity,
• Constancy,
• A secondary focus of caring/cause,
• Offering emotional fulfillment and balance to their time-strapped lives, and
• Fun, friendly, support outlet that shares mutual respect.
One Boomer woman from Savannah said, “Community gives me a sense of belonging, a place to get emotional support – they key is being there for each other – that makes community work!”
Most companies think community is sending me a bunch of email tips, or putting a picture of what they think my ‘group’ is on a mailer. They don’t ask my opinion and don’t find out anything about me and what they might do to engage me outside of buying their stuff.”
If your target market is women or if you’re selling “community”, keep in mind what community truly means to your target market! This will enhance your success.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Ask Fellow Networkers to Make Initial Contact with Referral Sources
===========================================================
Rather than just giving you the telephone number and address of an important prospect, ask your network member to make a phone call or meet the prospect first and tell him about you. Then, when you make contact with the prospect, he will be expecting to hear from you and will know something about you.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Check the location and fitness of all fire extinguishers.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Lean Metrics: Analyze Details
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – July 10, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Get off to a fast start Monday; chances are the rest of the week will flow better."
-- Kenneth Zeigler
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Analyze Details – Linda Fayerweather
2. Contests – Rebecca Booth
3. Your Networking Contacts Should Provide You with Referrals – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Analyze Details
============================================================
Just another Manic Monday – sounds like a good song title, no wait, it was a song by the Bangles in 1990. What does this have to do with lean? Monday is the day that sets the tone for each work week and in a lean environment we want all activity to affect the customers’ value and perception of value. Your best week will be enhanced by analyzing how each Monday goes. Tips by Kenneth Zeigler include:
1) Get off to a good start on Monday by starting early;
2) Avoid having staff meetings on Monday – they tend to de-motivate people, Friday’s are better;
3) Plan your Monday Morning on Sunday by packing lunch, selecting clothes, filling the gas tank, anything that will promote a calm start;
Now, if your Morning was Manic today, cut and print this lean tip and put it with your calendar for Friday – make next Monday a morning where you are in charge.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
Need to listen to Manic Monday? Music Clip
============================================================
2. Contests
============================================================
When was the last time you and your business associates did something out of the norm? Today’s a good day to start thinking out of the box and doing things a little differently. Let’s hold a contest. But instead of creating a normal contest with your sales associates, let’s hold a wacky contest. One that’s destined to get you noticed!
Contests are beautiful things. Why? Because you can promote your contest to your prospects, clients and the media. The best contests will have multiple winners. When you’re putting together your contest, be imaginative and try your best to tie the contest in to your business. For instance let’s say you’re a photographer, you could host the World’s Worst Grade School Photo Contest and give away portrait packages as a prize. Publishing the photos in a newsletter or posting them to your website are sure-fire ways to get the buzz started!
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Your Networking Contacts Should Provide You with Referrals
===========================================================
The kind of support you'd most like to get from your sources is of course, referrals - names and contact information for specific individuals or companies who need your products and services. Sources can also help by giving prospects your name and number. As the number of referrals you receive increases, so does your potential for increasing the percentage of your business generated through referrals.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Check and replenish your office first aid kit.
Monday Morning Motivators – July 10, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Get off to a fast start Monday; chances are the rest of the week will flow better."
-- Kenneth Zeigler
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Analyze Details – Linda Fayerweather
2. Contests – Rebecca Booth
3. Your Networking Contacts Should Provide You with Referrals – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Analyze Details
============================================================
Just another Manic Monday – sounds like a good song title, no wait, it was a song by the Bangles in 1990. What does this have to do with lean? Monday is the day that sets the tone for each work week and in a lean environment we want all activity to affect the customers’ value and perception of value. Your best week will be enhanced by analyzing how each Monday goes. Tips by Kenneth Zeigler include:
1) Get off to a good start on Monday by starting early;
2) Avoid having staff meetings on Monday – they tend to de-motivate people, Friday’s are better;
3) Plan your Monday Morning on Sunday by packing lunch, selecting clothes, filling the gas tank, anything that will promote a calm start;
Now, if your Morning was Manic today, cut and print this lean tip and put it with your calendar for Friday – make next Monday a morning where you are in charge.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
Need to listen to Manic Monday? Music Clip
============================================================
2. Contests
============================================================
When was the last time you and your business associates did something out of the norm? Today’s a good day to start thinking out of the box and doing things a little differently. Let’s hold a contest. But instead of creating a normal contest with your sales associates, let’s hold a wacky contest. One that’s destined to get you noticed!
Contests are beautiful things. Why? Because you can promote your contest to your prospects, clients and the media. The best contests will have multiple winners. When you’re putting together your contest, be imaginative and try your best to tie the contest in to your business. For instance let’s say you’re a photographer, you could host the World’s Worst Grade School Photo Contest and give away portrait packages as a prize. Publishing the photos in a newsletter or posting them to your website are sure-fire ways to get the buzz started!
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Your Networking Contacts Should Provide You with Referrals
===========================================================
The kind of support you'd most like to get from your sources is of course, referrals - names and contact information for specific individuals or companies who need your products and services. Sources can also help by giving prospects your name and number. As the number of referrals you receive increases, so does your potential for increasing the percentage of your business generated through referrals.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Check and replenish your office first aid kit.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Lean Metrics: Core-Process Metrics
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – July 3, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Core-Process Metrics – Linda Fayerweather
2. Steps for Ensuring Success on the Internet – Rebecca Booth
3. Get Nominated for Recognition and Awards – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Core-Process Metrics
============================================================
Take a look at your organizations essential activities – those things you must do to produce product and provide service. How are you measuring your results? Do you know your results? Where is the waste? What makes sense to measure?
Core-Process Metrics are used to quantify your results and they can be in two different categories:
1. Results Metrics may include:
~Health and safety
~On-time delivery
~Order-fulfillment lead time
2. Productivity Metrics could be:
~Inventory turnover
~Value added
~Equipment effectiveness.
Knowing what to measure is always the challenge of managers. Fortunately, most companies abound with information and trade associations or industry specific literature will give you keys to tracking your specifics.
Examples of what works:
1. Wind turbines operators know the blades need cleaning by a specific pattern decrease in power generation.
2. A law firm tracks new business and knows the number of new clients needed monthly to generate revenue (they track the number of CLIENTS, not Dollars)
3. Ask a sales person, they usually know the number of NOs needed to get a YES.
Now, find one or two process metrics you will track.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Make Time for Marketing
============================================================
“I don’t have the time for marketing,” is a common complaint for many self-employed professionals. But with over 8 million business in the US alone trying to standout from the crowd, marketing is a crucial component to everyone’s business. Here are a few tips for helping you market your business better:
• Set aside one day per month for marketing. Then spend that day putting your ad, direct mail campaign together.
• Invite a “B List” client to lunch or for a round of golf. The goal: to deepen your relationship with this client as well as educate them on the different products/services you offer. (Nine times out of 10 they won’t know that you do “that.”)
• Have lunch or coffee with a prospect or colleague.
• Ask for referrals from satisfied clients.
• Next time you’re reading a business magazine, tear out an article of interest and send it to a client/prospect.
• Attend networking and social events. This is a viable spawning ground for Word-of-Mouth Marketing.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Ask Your Contacts for Information
===========================================================
People can help you by passing along information when they hear about someone who needs the kind of product or service you provide. Following through on such leads - for example, a rumor about a new company moving into the area or a news item about the troubles another business is having - could result in new business. Being specific on giving your referral sources what information you want given out is key - maybe get it in writing.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Review your next six months to make 2006 great.
Monday Morning Motivators – July 3, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Core-Process Metrics – Linda Fayerweather
2. Steps for Ensuring Success on the Internet – Rebecca Booth
3. Get Nominated for Recognition and Awards – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean Metrics: Core-Process Metrics
============================================================
Take a look at your organizations essential activities – those things you must do to produce product and provide service. How are you measuring your results? Do you know your results? Where is the waste? What makes sense to measure?
Core-Process Metrics are used to quantify your results and they can be in two different categories:
1. Results Metrics may include:
~Health and safety
~On-time delivery
~Order-fulfillment lead time
2. Productivity Metrics could be:
~Inventory turnover
~Value added
~Equipment effectiveness.
Knowing what to measure is always the challenge of managers. Fortunately, most companies abound with information and trade associations or industry specific literature will give you keys to tracking your specifics.
Examples of what works:
1. Wind turbines operators know the blades need cleaning by a specific pattern decrease in power generation.
2. A law firm tracks new business and knows the number of new clients needed monthly to generate revenue (they track the number of CLIENTS, not Dollars)
3. Ask a sales person, they usually know the number of NOs needed to get a YES.
Now, find one or two process metrics you will track.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Make Time for Marketing
============================================================
“I don’t have the time for marketing,” is a common complaint for many self-employed professionals. But with over 8 million business in the US alone trying to standout from the crowd, marketing is a crucial component to everyone’s business. Here are a few tips for helping you market your business better:
• Set aside one day per month for marketing. Then spend that day putting your ad, direct mail campaign together.
• Invite a “B List” client to lunch or for a round of golf. The goal: to deepen your relationship with this client as well as educate them on the different products/services you offer. (Nine times out of 10 they won’t know that you do “that.”)
• Have lunch or coffee with a prospect or colleague.
• Ask for referrals from satisfied clients.
• Next time you’re reading a business magazine, tear out an article of interest and send it to a client/prospect.
• Attend networking and social events. This is a viable spawning ground for Word-of-Mouth Marketing.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Ask Your Contacts for Information
===========================================================
People can help you by passing along information when they hear about someone who needs the kind of product or service you provide. Following through on such leads - for example, a rumor about a new company moving into the area or a news item about the troubles another business is having - could result in new business. Being specific on giving your referral sources what information you want given out is key - maybe get it in writing.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Review your next six months to make 2006 great.
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