Sometimes, we business owners are lured by the siren call of a new piece of equipment, or tool, or maybe even a new employee. Even when it is wonderful, there will be a learning curve for anything.
For example, my ITouch has become ill, I really want an IPhone to replace it as my cell phone which is a smart phone has gotten pretty stupid over time. Knowing my frustration with learning new technology, summer, will be the best time to purchase and learn this new device. But before I even buy, since this will be a business asset, here are the questions I ask myself when thinking about a new asset or major purchase.
1) Will it increase sales?
2) Will it increase my personal productivity?
3) Will it work with my current operating system?
4) Will it do more than one thing?
If I can't answer YES to at least one, I bid the idea goodbye. But the more Yes answers, the more likely it will be an investment worth purchasing.
Now, before I say "charge it", I want to know the answers to these, too.
1) How long will the payback be on the total costs to previous costs?
2) What are the other costs associated with this - think data plan, other software. Think about the total cost of ownership over the life of the asset.
3) Is this new device updatable? A printer I once purchased ended up "not being" updatable to Windows 7 and I'd only owned the MFC printer for 7 months!
Time spent thinking before buying is something my Dad taught me - worked for him and works for businesses, too.
Quick Tips
Salvage the Negative Employee!
Is negativity their nature? Some people are perpetually negative. If it is infecting your business, you need to help them realize it is their choice to change. If they are not negative by nature, help them take responsibility for solving influences affecting them. Otherwise they may need to choose a new job.
Remember, if you don't ask -- you won't get!
Sales people who qualify their prospects in advance of not actually speaking to them ("Oh, I'm not going to call him because he'll never buy.") lose the opportunity for many profitable sales. Don't be the judge, let your prospect be the one to say no....or yes!
Great Vacations are PLANNED
You know your business needs a future plan, but you still wonder if it will make a difference. Well, remember your last vacation that was great? You probably spent time planning and saving for it. Imagine how your business could look 6 months from now if you took the same care and time to plan. The plan will help identify the barriers and opportunities waiting for you! Call Coach Linda for a 30-minute complimentary coaching session to get your plan moving!
