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Monday Morning Motivators – January 28, 2007
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Enjoy your java with an eclectic collection of tips and ideas to use today and to get energized for the week ahead. Subscribing and unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
Profit in business comes from repeat customers, customers that boast about your project or service, and that bring friends with them.
--W. Edwards Deming
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Table of Contents
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1. Entrepreneurial Procrastination – Linda Fayerweather
2. Product Reviews: Can you pass the test? - Rebecca Booth
3. Patience means Patience! – Pat Altvater
4. Networking is More than Referrals – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
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1. Entrepreneurial Procrastination ============================================================
Procrastination is a lot like playing Trivial Pursuit®, you spend time, have some fun but when you are done; the dishes are still in the sink to wash! Well, entrepreneurs are famous for finding ways to start the next adventure before making sure the last one is complete. And often it doesn’t mean you, the entrepreneur need to do the work, it just needs to find a way to get done. If you don’t like the work, delegate it to an employee or outsource it. If it is yours to do, here are some simple tips to help you get the work.
1) Identify some rewards you will get when a project is completed – the bigger the project completed the bigger and better the reward;
2) Break big projects into smaller steps, this is a simple process that lean manufacturing does to keep quality high;
3) Get an accountability buddy or support group or challenge team and connect at least weekly;
4) Clean up the clutter in your workspace – clutter serves as reminders of other projects.
Know that you will not kick the procrastination habit quickly, but each step will get you closer to your goal and don’t forget – DELEGATE and OUTSOURCE are great tricks!
Copyright 2008 Linda Fayerweather is Lean Certified and details about getting your business lean are at: Changing Lanes LLC
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2. Product Reviews: Can you pass the test?
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What role do product reviews play in consumers' decisions on what to buy? According to the February 2008 issue of Entrepreneur magazine, they play an important role. Here's what they found:
-62% of shoppers read consumer-written product reviews online.
-80%+ say their purchase decisions have been directly influenced by reviews.
-70% of shoppers share product reviews with their friends, family or colleagues.
-18% of consumers say they will look for more product information than what's on the product's packaging. They are turning to online sources and other locations to find out more about the product they've just purchased.
Interesting stuff. How would consumers rank your products? Check FaceBook and other social networking sites to see if people are talking about your products or services. Better yet, see what they're saying about your competitors' products/services as well. Who knows, you might find another void to fill; thereby, giving you a competitive advantage. Rock on!
Copyright 2008 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419-855-3399
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
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3. Patience means Patience!
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A few weeks ago, I discussed setting a goal for attracting 5 new clients for January. What happens if you get to today and only have 3? Impatience and comments like “I tried making an attraction plan for my perfect customer and this doesn’t work!”
Yes, it does! The Law of Attraction always works, just not on our time table. So if you haven’t achieved your goals for January, examine what you have achieved, what worked, what you could maybe tweak to have better results and keep moving yourself towards your goals. Who knows what may be going on behind the scenes that won’t be revealed to you for another month or two! So focus on enjoying the NOW moment and express gratitude for everything you attracted this month.
Pat Altvater
Licensed and Certified Strategic Attraction Coach
Certified Law of Attraction Practitioner
www.TransformationsInstitute.com
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4. Networking is More than Referrals
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One of my long time clients asked me for someone to one time this week. I’m always glad to spend quality time with my customers, but I wasn’t quite sure what they wanted to accomplish. When I asked about the nature of the meeting so I could prepare, they didn’t have a clear answer. Business or personal? She said it was both, but more personal. Clear as mud!?!
We finally met today and it was one of the most rewarding conversations I’ve had in a long time. We’re wired for referrals in BNI and Referral Institute, though we’re also acutely aware of the importance of building two other main networks – information and support. That’s exactly what she wanted!
She’d attended one of our workshops and we posed plenty of questions, questions that typically fall on deaf ears. This one really made her think – “Why do you do what you do?” It isn’t about products and services or features versus functions. It’s about YOU and what keeps you excited about the business you’re building. It’s your story . . . your most unique selling position. They’re like snowflakes. Each one is different and beautiful in its own way. Each one is unique.
Here are a few questions to help you begin to discover your unique selling position:
-What is your company mission? Your personal mission? How are they in alignment?
-What segment of your business gives you the most pleasure and the most profit?
-Are you seen as the vendor of choice? Why should people seek you out?
-How did you get started in your industry?
Of all the people who do what you do . . . why you? Your story is one of the very few things that can truly separate you from your competition. What’s your story?
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a Master Trainer for Referral Institute and an Executive Director for BNI, the world’s leading referral organization. To learn more about marketing your business by relationship visit http://www.referralinstitute.com or http://www.bni.com .
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5. To Do This Week
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Enjoy today for just what the are.
