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Monday Morning Motivators – June 16, 2008
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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
“Success is dependent on effort.”
--Sophocles
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Table of Contents
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1. What is Long Range Planning? – Linda Fayerweather
2. Smart Marketing: Count on Fun - Rebecca Booth
3. Becoming Aware of Your Highest Self - Pat Altvater
4. Realizing a Return on Your Relationships – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
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1. What is Long Range Planning?
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Take a moment and remember being ten years old and thinking about what you would be doing when you were as old as your dad or mom. I was going to be the best darn kindergarten teacher. I pursued that dream until I was 29 and realized that teaching little kids was not what I wanted to be doing until I was 65. I’ve changed lanes many times, but recognized that my ultimate long range plan was to Make Money (so I won’t be a burden on my kids), Have Fun (gotta have fun) and Do Good (strive to leave things in better shape then I found them).
Big Businesses face this all the time. Stop by an Apple Store and you will see how a 30 year young company continues to develop raving fans and has fun while doing it. If you look at Apple’s history, I’m sure they have always had long range plans and several times the media pronounced Apple dead. Still, they continue to surprise and amaze the customer.
Long Range planning is knowing not only where YOU want to be but where your CUSTOMERS want to be in the future! Think of changing and shifting as the oil in your long range plans.
Copyright 2008 Linda Fayerweather
Planning IS Change
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
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2. Smart Marketing: Count on Fun
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It's not unusual for banks or financial institutions to stage contests to rev up membership or referrals. However, last month, my local bank (First Federal-Genoa) did something that not only was highly inventive, but it was also a terrific way for them to get to know their clients better. I call that smart marketing!
The contest looked like this: To qualify for the $100 gift card, you had to visit the bank every day it was opened (Mon-Sat) and participate in the challenge of the day. Challenges ranged from wearing your PJs to dressing like it was 1970; from dancing with a hula hoop to telling a joke. For 27 days customers of First Federal competed. Not only did the laughs abound, but relationships deepened - between bank customers and the tellers, as well as strengthening relationships neighbor to neighbor.
When asked which day's activity was their favorite, the tellers chimed in - it was "Souvenir Day!" The tellers climbed over themselves to tell me that one of their contestants dressed from head to toe in souvenirs from a trip: hat, shirt, slacks, belt, cowboy boots and unmentionables. They giggled like schoolgirls when they shared the story with me.
Building relationships happens one day at a time. One event at a time. What can you do today that can foster camaraderie and growth for your business?
PS: If you have a "smart marketing" story you'd like to share, send it to me at: Simply email me at: rbooth@rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com. The prize: getting some free advertising in this column for your business!
Copyright 2008 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419-855-3399
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
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3. Becoming Aware of Your Highest Self is the first principle.
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According to Wayne Dyer, we must first identify what stage we are in using Dr. Carl Jung’s archetypes, which are as follows:
1. The Athlete – this is the time in our life when our primary identification is with our physical body. We measure our worth and happiness by our physical appearance and abilities.
2. The Warrior – this is the time when the ego dominates our lives and we feel compelled to conquer the world to show that we are superior to others. We measure our worth by our achievements in this stage.
3. The Statesperson – in this stage we are realizing that our primary purpose is to give and not get. This person is still an achiever but with an inner drive to serve others.
4. The Spirit – this stage of life is characterized by loosening attachment to what you view as your reality. It’s understanding that you, according to Dyer, “in this world but not of this world.”
Where are you? We’ll discuss this principle more next week.
Pat Altvater
Chief Wizard of WOW
www.transformationsinstitute.com
www.permanentweightlossebook.com
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4. Realizing a Return on Your Relationships
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Do you ever wonder why you’ve got all these referral relationships but they’re not generating any referrals? You know they care about you and your success. They trust your skills and abilities and consider you to be a leader in your industry. They understand how to listen for the need and interest regarding your products and services. They’re even equipped with written testimonials and are familiar with the best way to introduce you. Clearly you’ve done a great job of building and educating your network. Why aren’t they producing any prospects for you?
So far it’s all about YOU! All of the “investments” up to now will clearly benefit you. When you commit to building your business by referral it’s critical to employ relational strategies on a regular basis to inspire your network to proactively take action on your behalf. The more crucial question, what investments are you consistently making that will benefit your referral sources?
Here are some things you can do to encourage the people in your network to continually refer you:
PROMOTE them in your newsletter or during a speaking engagement.
Seek their ADVICE. People love to be sought out as experts.
RECOGNIZE them for their contributions to your business.
PURCHASE their products or services.
CONNECT them with sources of information, support and referrals.
INVITE them to attend a function with you to make strategic introductions.
Offer a written TESTIMONIAL they can share with their prospects and clients.
SPONSOR an event they’re affiliated with.
ADVISE them on a question or concern that falls within your area of expertise.
VOLUNTEER on their behalf.
Accept and understand that referral marketing will not typically provide you with a quick return on your investment. This stratagem is meant to develop long-term, meaningful relationships that are reciprocal and therefore stand the test of time. Trust and commitment take lots of time!
You’ve probably heard the saying, “There are 3 kinds of people in this world – those that make it happen, those that watch it happen and those that wonder what in the heck happened.” What are you doing to inspire the people in your network to “make it happen” for you and your business?
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, consultant and keynote speaker, based in Roanoke Virginia. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula’s business networking articles have been published nationally. She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion – Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! You can connect with Paula at http://www.referralinstitute-va.com.
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5. To Do This Week
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Take a referral partner to lunch this week!
