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Monday Morning Motivators – August 14, 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
"The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt
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Table of Contents
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1. Lean Metrics: Measurement Missteps – Linda Fayerweather
2. Writing Copy that People Actually Want to Read – Part 1 – Rebecca Booth
3. Ask to Have Information Published About You – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
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1. Lean Metrics: Measurement Missteps
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Last week we talked about the importance of collecting data. Now, let’s explore some of the major pitfalls that happen when data is gathered.
--Measuring everything. Focus on a few critical measures that will guide your improvement efforts. Too much data will overwhelm you and your employees.
--Misinterpreting data. Help your staff understand why and how data is collected and how the data will be used. When all involved in the process understand why the data is collected, the quality of the collection will be enhanced.
--Collecting unused data. Stop collecting data you don’t need. Your time is valuable, your staff’s time is valuable and your customer’s time is valuable so just stop collecting data you won’t use.
--Pointing fingers. When data reveals a process that needs fixing, spending time doing public humiliation or harmful fault finding only slows improvement. Deal with individual corrections privately.
Collecting data wisely is essential to customer satisfaction.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
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2. Writing Copy that People Actually Want to Read – Part 1
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Uh-oh, you’ve got an ad that you have to write this week and you’d rather stick needles in your eyes than write it. Well, search no longer. Over the next two weeks I’ll share six key steps to writing better copy – copy that people actually want to read!
Step 1: Tell a story. Notice the picture I painted with sticking needles in your eye. It tells a visual story that engrosses your reader and draws them into it.
Step 2: Use short words. One and two syllable words are much better than three or four syllable words. Not only are they easier to read and comprehend, they make reading a breeze!
Step 3: Write short sentences and paragraphs. Have you ever read a James Michener novel? Or Tom Clancy? I just can’t! I don’t like books that have paragraphs that are as long as my leg! I gravitate to books with tons of dialogue versus lots and lots of description. It makes reading go more quickly and easily!
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
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3. Ask to Have Information Published About You
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Network members may be able to get information about you and your business printed in publications they subscribe to and in which they have some input or influence. For example, a referral source that belongs to an association publishing a newsletter might help you get an article published or persuade the editor to run a story about you.
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 business’s print image.
