============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – January 19, 2009
============================================================
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
“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” --Martin Luther King, Jr.
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Humor - Linda Fayerweather
2. The Franchise: Celebrating 30 Years of the Franchise – Part 2 - Rebecca Booth
3. Labels Are For File Folders - Pat Altvater
4. Ten Tips To Increase Your Likability Factor - Paula Frazier
5. Workshops in Northwest Ohio
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Humor and Your Business
============================================================
Cold and snowy, again in the upper Midwest today; pockets of war are growing; if you aren’t in foreclosure you probably have a friend who is; and predictions are for the recession to end – eventually. Now, if my dog runs away, my truck won’t start and the pipes freeze . . . no, wait that was last week!!! STOP thinking that way!
With all the negative feedback in the world today, there is something you can do. . . Laugh!
Why don’t we laugh more often? Many of us were taught not to by our parents and teachers when we were told to “Wipe that smile off your face”; “Get serious”; “Settle down”; and “Stop acting silly.” Laughter is a sign of spontaneity and surrender of control. As we become adults, we place a good deal of value on self-control and often reign in spontaneity.
A mature adult will understand the need for levity now and then. In the very serious world of business, we often forget that a little humor is great medicine for the troubled soul and often this is just enjoying the absurdity of life. If you are not ready to belly laugh at work, pick up a humorous book or find a list of office appropriate jokes and practice at home. And remember “a clean tie attracts the soup of the day.”
Check out what the experts say. Laughter and Health
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
The Franchise: Celebrating 30 Years of the Franchise – Part 2
============================================================
This continues our series of franchise success. You’re probably asking yourself what the heck does this have to do with marketing? My advice to you is to try to incorporate something you’ve learned into a marketing piece. For example, you could send a note to a new business stating: “Did you know the first Apple Macintosh was sold in 1984? I hope you have as much success with your new business as Steve Jobs has had with his!”
Let’s continue the celebration:
• 1985 – McDonald’s is usurped by Kentucky Fried Chicken as the #1 franchise of the year. KFC had 6300 locations and a $23million technical centre in Louisville, KY. Discovery Channel is launched.
• 1986 – Domino’s takes center stage as the #1 franchise, by opening its 3000th store. They sell 160 million pizzas that year along. Hands Across America connects about 7 million people from New York City to Long Beach, California in an effort to raise money to fight hunger and homelessness. The first federal Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on January 20.
• 1987 – Domino’s continues as the #1 franchise – why? Quite possibly because they reduced the average delivery time to 24 minutes. Jazzercise is considered the top new franchise to enter the market. Prozac makes its debut in the U.S.
• 1988 – Subway makes its mark as the #1 franchise of the year. They open 1100 locations across the country, including their first in Australia. The TV show The Wonder Years premieres.
• 1989 - #1 franchise: Subway. Why? Partly because it has a low cost start up fee: $27,400 (versus today’s minimum startup cost of $80K). Exxon Valdez spill happens off the coast of Alaska. Batman hits the theaters.
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
www.marketinginabox.biz
===========================================================
3. Labels Are For File Folders
============================================================
Have you ever noticed how people sometimes categorize themselves? They say things like: “I can’t remember names.” “I am awkward at networking meetings.” “I am not an exerciser.” In effect, they are labeling themselves and upon doing so, their subconscious goes to work to prove what they are saying is true. These thoughts are actually self-imposed limitations; they are excuses to keep you safe in your comfort zone.
Listen to yourself and discover if you have any excuses keeping you small. If so, come up with a game plan for attacking them head on in 2009. Once you banish labels from your life and thinking, you’ll be amazed at the new level of success you will achieve.
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transformations Institute
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
Transforming Bodies and Minds
419-344-6613
===========================================================
4. Ten Tips To Increase Your Likability Factor
===========================================================
If you are going to be successful at Networking and creating a word-of-mouth marketing campaign, it is important that people like you. Have you ever stopped to think about your likability factor? We assume people like us, we worry about it. Some people say they don't care if people like them or not. But, did you know that your likability factor has an impact on your bottom line? All things being equal people want to do business with people they know, like, and trust.
I had the opportunity to experience this for myself recently when I was looking to hire someone to do some work for me. There were two people both equally qualified to do the project. I ended up going with the person I liked and his price was 12% higher. I was willing to pay more because I liked the person.
A week later a young man came to my door, selling cleaning solution. Now anyone who knows me knows, that I am not exactly the target market for cleaning solution. It's not that I don't clean my house, I just let someone else do it. But, I bought $50 worth of his products. Why, he was so completely likable, he made eye contact, had a great sense of humor, was polite and engaging.
Being likable is important to growing your business, it allows others to connect with you. There are things that you can do that will help you be more likable, allowing you to create rapport and do business with more people.
Here are traits that go a long way to helping people like you;
• Be polite, at all times - Your mother taught you this,
• Pay attention to the person you are talking to, eyes darting around, no eye contact or checking your email, cell phone, or watch, means you are not paying attention.
• Ask good questions - Ask others about themselves,
• Smile, and maintain good eye contact
• Be engaged and engaging
• Be positive
• Watch your language
• Find ways to compliment others
• Have good energy
• Follow up with sincerity
Having a positive attitude about life makes people want to be around you, and being able to carry a conversation with positive small talk also goes a long way to making you likable. Like it or not people choose to do business with you based on your likability factor, and it is something that you can learn with a little practice. So start working on increasing your likability factor, you will connect with more people and increase your bottom line.
.
Copyright 2009 Hazel M. Walker. She is an expert at referral marketing and networking. She is the owner of the Referral Institute of Indiana as well as the Central and Southern Indiana BNI Franchises. Hazel has taught hundreds of business owners and sales professionals how to effectively implement the Science of Referrals into their businesses.
Sponsored by Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. 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 internationally. 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! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com
