Referrals and Readiness

Are You Ready?
The latest natural disaster to hit this planet is the volcano in Iceland. True, it has not devastated humanity the way the last three earthquakes (Haiti, Chile, China) have, but it certainly has affected businesses, lots of businesses.

Individually, war, natural disaster, local traumas and personal tragedies happen in our communities and will affect our business. Just saying to yourself or employees "Get back to work" is only affective for a short while. Knowing where you and your staff are vulnerable will help before tragedy strikes.

You may want to consider a four step approach to potential disaster.

1. Know your the risk for your business. Some businesses are in flood zones, others in quake zones. What is your local, physical risk? Make sure your computer backup system is working - You do back up your computer regularly, right?

2. Know your staff. Do they have loved ones in war zones? Do they have family in high risk careers? Are they living in a neighborhood subject to problems - natural or man-made?

3. Know your personal risk factors. Personally, what would you need to have on hand if the lights went out for a few days?

4. Finally, make and implement a plan. The implement is key. My car has a tool kit, duct tape, clamps, fix-a-flat, jumper cables, blanket, work gloves and a first aid kit. When I purchased my new car, and was transferring all this from the old to the new, the service tech commented that I wouldn't need that tool kit. I looked him square in the eyes and said "A girl scout is always prepared". I will be very happy if I never have to use the clamps and duct tape to fix a radiator hose again but I like to know that if needed, I have the tools.

Dave Krueger of World Prep, Inc from Toledo, Ohio has made a business about being prepared and his preparedness kits have won him awards and research grants. For him, being prepared is not only his business but he knows, it can save lives.

Copyright 2010 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
419-897-0528 http://www.changinglanes.biz/


Referrals
Webster defines referrals as the act, action, or instance of referring. I had a Social Studies teacher that would never allow us to define a word with the word (or use the phrase "It's like...") but it's Webster after all. And I have to use the word "Like", only in a different context.

Bob Burg states the new Golden Rule in Business: All things being equal, people like to do business with people they know, like, and trust. How difficult is it to build this foundation with EVERY new customer you bring in? How time consuming is it to repeat your message consistently and concisely over and over again? Do you feel like you have reinvent the wheel in your sales process with every new client?

The answer is simple. Really. And you probably stated it at the last networking event. Recall when you said "Word of mouth is the best advertising"? It absolutely is. It's your responsibility to make sure it GOOD advertising.

Do your customers really know ALL that you do?

Do your customers feel like you've given them EXCEPTIONAL value?

Do your clients trust you to treat their associates EVEN BETTER than you treat them?

You can ensure the answer is YES! to all these by answering the following questions:

What are you doing to get your customers to acton your behalf and promote your product/service? What are you doing to get your clients to take actionand refer you to their friends and family? What are you doing to create urgency and motivate your sales force to bring in results sooner rather than later - this instant?

What would an automated referral system mean to your business? Find out at http://www.idealreferral.com/

Copyright 2010 Todd Pillars is an Referral Coach with Send Out Cards. Please contact him today at 419-855-2273 or tpillars@gmail.com  to SUPERCharge your Referrals!

Visit http://www.sendoutcards.com/tpillars to send out a FREE "Thanks for being a customer" card to your hardest "hard-to-please" customer!