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Monday Morning Motivators – September 11, 2006
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Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from the competition.’
--James Cash Penney
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Table of Contents
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1. Lean and Values – Linda Fayerweather
2. Defining Newsworthy – Rebecca Booth
3. On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!– John Meyer
4. Fine Print
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1. Lean and Values
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Looking at the value stream of your business refers to all the activities your company must do to design, order, produce, and deliver its products or services to customers. A value stream will have three sections:
1. The flow of all materials from beginning to customer;
2. How the raw materials or knowledge is transformed into finished products; and
3. The flow of information that supports the two above.
Because this often sounds bewildering, value stream maps are created in companies to help everyone identify how their work affects the experience of the customer. Building a value stream map is often the first step a company will do that wants to develop an overall lean-initiative. Creating a value stream map also provides a visual interpretation of the work to be done. Once done, this process will eliminate the need to ever hear again “are we on the same page?” because now, we will have a map of how our business is delivered to our customer. Next week we will build some maps to help you change lanes to a lean business.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
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2. Defining Newsworthy
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We all know that press releases are a “free” way of getting publicity for your company, but what most people don’t know is that it does come with a steep pricetag, if it’s not done right. The price: loss of credibility if you’re not sending newsworthy stories to the press. Here is a listing of appropriate press release topics:
• Changes in your company
• Awards won
• Significant special events – 20th anniversary, sponsorship of a memorial run
• Remarkable business trends
• Human interest stories on service work – especially those involving kids, animals or how the “little guy wins”
• Novel or quirky happenings
• New products
• New facilities
• Events with local-national or global ties
• Solutions to problems
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
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3. On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!
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The best antidote for fear is to prepare well then blast out of the starting gate. Successful networkers are not necessarily fearless, they're just not afraid to get out of their comfort zone. Know what you want, figure out how to get and go after it! Will Rogers once said, "You may be on the right track, but if you're just sitting there you'll get run over!"
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday, September 11, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Lean and Vocabulary
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Monday Morning Motivators – September 5, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“When you meet people, show real appreciation, then genuine curiosity.”
--Martha Beck
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean and Vocabulary – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing to Men – Rebecca Booth
3. Don’t Shrug off Chance Encounters – John Meyer
4. Fine Print
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1. Lean and Vocabulary
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School has started here in Ohio which always draws me to the school supply section of any store. This year, chanting the Japanese word “Muda” is my key to saving money and being lean when shopping for supplies. Muda is Japanese for waste and it is the opposite of Lean. Anything in your business that doesn’t add value to the customer can be seen as Muda which leads me back to school supplies. If a particular supply will save me time it could be a good choice. My job is to translate that time savings to my customer. Will I be able to provide better service? Will I be able to give a better price? Will I be able to provide a better product? Keeping these thoughts in mind helps me eliminate muda and I recognize when a purchase is really a toy.
Over the next few weeks we will be discussing the vocabulary of Lean. I promise no Pop Quiz, but look for some new definitions to help you create a lean mean profit machine.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
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2. Marketing to Men
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A few months ago, I shared pointers on marketing to women because they make 80% of all buying decisions within a household. Interestingly, this weeks’ BusinessWeek (9/4/06) has “revealed” the Secrets of the Male Shopper. They split the male shopper into these 5 groups:
1) The Metrosexual – an affluent urban sophisticate who’s between the age of 20-50. He believes shopping is an art and likes upscale things like men’s grooming products.
2) The Retrosexual – a pure traditionalist who rejects feminism and is happy to flaunt traditional male behavior. He wants things the way they were done in the “good old days.”
3) The Maturiteen – a teen with a penchant for technology. He does so much research on the net that he becomes the “in-house shopping consultant.”
4) The Modern Man – neither retro nor metro, he’s a sophisticated consumer in his 20s and 30s who’s a bigger shopper than his day but just as much of a football nut.
5) The Dad – probably the most ignored group of all men! Unfortunately, they’re getting stereotyped as the goofy father looking for advice on how to be cool, yet these men tend to be at the peak of their earning years, so to ignore them is a mistake!
To find out more about marketing to the male shopper, visit BusinessWeek online at: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/toc/06_36/B3999magazine.htm
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Don’t Shrug off Chance Encounters
===========================================================
Be aware of the value of important chance encounters. Most people don't take advantage of meeting or running into someone they haven't seen in a long time. Instead of believing they crossed paths for a reason, most people shrug off chance encounters as just a coincidence. Even if it is a coincidence, take advantage of it!
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday Morning Motivators – September 5, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“When you meet people, show real appreciation, then genuine curiosity.”
--Martha Beck
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean and Vocabulary – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing to Men – Rebecca Booth
3. Don’t Shrug off Chance Encounters – John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean and Vocabulary
============================================================
School has started here in Ohio which always draws me to the school supply section of any store. This year, chanting the Japanese word “Muda” is my key to saving money and being lean when shopping for supplies. Muda is Japanese for waste and it is the opposite of Lean. Anything in your business that doesn’t add value to the customer can be seen as Muda which leads me back to school supplies. If a particular supply will save me time it could be a good choice. My job is to translate that time savings to my customer. Will I be able to provide better service? Will I be able to give a better price? Will I be able to provide a better product? Keeping these thoughts in mind helps me eliminate muda and I recognize when a purchase is really a toy.
Over the next few weeks we will be discussing the vocabulary of Lean. I promise no Pop Quiz, but look for some new definitions to help you create a lean mean profit machine.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing to Men
============================================================
A few months ago, I shared pointers on marketing to women because they make 80% of all buying decisions within a household. Interestingly, this weeks’ BusinessWeek (9/4/06) has “revealed” the Secrets of the Male Shopper. They split the male shopper into these 5 groups:
1) The Metrosexual – an affluent urban sophisticate who’s between the age of 20-50. He believes shopping is an art and likes upscale things like men’s grooming products.
2) The Retrosexual – a pure traditionalist who rejects feminism and is happy to flaunt traditional male behavior. He wants things the way they were done in the “good old days.”
3) The Maturiteen – a teen with a penchant for technology. He does so much research on the net that he becomes the “in-house shopping consultant.”
4) The Modern Man – neither retro nor metro, he’s a sophisticated consumer in his 20s and 30s who’s a bigger shopper than his day but just as much of a football nut.
5) The Dad – probably the most ignored group of all men! Unfortunately, they’re getting stereotyped as the goofy father looking for advice on how to be cool, yet these men tend to be at the peak of their earning years, so to ignore them is a mistake!
To find out more about marketing to the male shopper, visit BusinessWeek online at: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/toc/06_36/B3999magazine.htm
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Don’t Shrug off Chance Encounters
===========================================================
Be aware of the value of important chance encounters. Most people don't take advantage of meeting or running into someone they haven't seen in a long time. Instead of believing they crossed paths for a reason, most people shrug off chance encounters as just a coincidence. Even if it is a coincidence, take advantage of it!
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday, August 28, 2006
Customer Surprises & Process Improvement
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Monday Morning Motivators – August 28, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Begin somewhere; you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do."
-- Liz Smith
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Customer Surprises & Process Improvement – Linda Fayerweather
2. The "Es" of Writing Content-Driven Copy – Rebecca Booth
3. Give Something to People You Meet – John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Customer Surprises & Process Improvement
============================================================
You’ve started a new offering, you did the promotion and you know it will be a success and then . . . it is! In fact, it is so successful you are swamped with orders, the team is going crazy and everything seems to be falling apart. Take a deep breath and realize:
1) You are a very lucky business and
2) Review your process plan to see what can be done NOW and in the FUTURE.
Build the NOW plan quickly with input from all points in the process. Staying in touch with your customers will be critical if delivery delays are likely. Letting them know before they contact you may be the best solution.
The FUTURE plan will include the salient things you have learned to better plan your next product/service launch. When things settle down, help your staff understand what worked and what didn’t without finger-pointing. The next time you do a launch, you will have new tools to surprise the customer instead of the customer surprising you.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. The "Es" of Writing Content-Driven Copy
============================================================
Whether you're penning a website or writing a newsletter or corporate brochure, follow these four E-zee steps to improve your content:
1) Excite - Your information should be new as well as interesting.
2) Educate - What can the reader take with him when he's done reading?
3) Encourage - Spur your reader into action. Get them to choose between one of two products, get them to call for a white paper or to go online to download the full article.
4) Endear - Make sure the information you're sharing endears your readers to you and your business. Give them a REASON to keep your newsletter/bookmark your Web page.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Give Something to People You Meet
===========================================================
Make a decision that any time you come into contact with someone, you will give him or her something - a card, flowers, compliment, etc. This will help them remember you and will separate you from probably 95% of the other people they meet. A simple contact will cement a budding relationship.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday Morning Motivators – August 28, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Begin somewhere; you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do."
-- Liz Smith
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Customer Surprises & Process Improvement – Linda Fayerweather
2. The "Es" of Writing Content-Driven Copy – Rebecca Booth
3. Give Something to People You Meet – John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Customer Surprises & Process Improvement
============================================================
You’ve started a new offering, you did the promotion and you know it will be a success and then . . . it is! In fact, it is so successful you are swamped with orders, the team is going crazy and everything seems to be falling apart. Take a deep breath and realize:
1) You are a very lucky business and
2) Review your process plan to see what can be done NOW and in the FUTURE.
Build the NOW plan quickly with input from all points in the process. Staying in touch with your customers will be critical if delivery delays are likely. Letting them know before they contact you may be the best solution.
The FUTURE plan will include the salient things you have learned to better plan your next product/service launch. When things settle down, help your staff understand what worked and what didn’t without finger-pointing. The next time you do a launch, you will have new tools to surprise the customer instead of the customer surprising you.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. The "Es" of Writing Content-Driven Copy
============================================================
Whether you're penning a website or writing a newsletter or corporate brochure, follow these four E-zee steps to improve your content:
1) Excite - Your information should be new as well as interesting.
2) Educate - What can the reader take with him when he's done reading?
3) Encourage - Spur your reader into action. Get them to choose between one of two products, get them to call for a white paper or to go online to download the full article.
4) Endear - Make sure the information you're sharing endears your readers to you and your business. Give them a REASON to keep your newsletter/bookmark your Web page.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Give Something to People You Meet
===========================================================
Make a decision that any time you come into contact with someone, you will give him or her something - a card, flowers, compliment, etc. This will help them remember you and will separate you from probably 95% of the other people they meet. A simple contact will cement a budding relationship.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday, August 21, 2006
Lean: Lakes and Rocks
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Monday Morning Motivators – August 14, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
--Kenneth Graham
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean: Lakes and Rocks – Linda Fayerweather
2. Writing Copy that People Actually Want to Read – Part 2 – Rebecca Booth
3. Helping Others – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean: Lakes and Rocks
============================================================
Toyota uses the metaphor the Lake and the Rocks to refer to problems. The lake is the work in process, or inventory, or maybe partially completed tax returns and the rocks are the problems that slow the process. Anyone that has boated knows how rocks can slow your boating pleasure. Lowering the level of the water will allow you to better see the rocks. Translating this to your business means the less unfinished work (water in the lake) the more visible the causes of problems become. Of course, you will also discover more and deeper rocks. Don’t despair, a business that wants to be lean, IS will always working in the lean process as the boater will be ever watching for rocks and snags.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Writing Copy that People Actually Want to Read – Part 2
============================================================
Last time we talked, you were ready to stick needles in your eye instead of writing that ad copy you had to do today. Here are more ideas to write copy that people actually want to read:
Step 4: Remove the clichés. What you might think is fresh and carries meaning, clichés are really dead as doornails – and what is a doornail anyway? Keep them in your first draft, because we don’t want to slow down your creative writing. But edit them out before you go to press. Substitute the cliché for something fresh.
Step 5: Use concrete examples rather than concepts. Instead of telling me about your customer service, reliability or effectiveness, show me. Use a client testimonial to get your point across or write a story about a customer who had a problem that you so handily solved!
Step 6: Use strong verbs. Substitute “state of being” verbs – is, am, were, was, are, be being, been – with true action verbs. For instance instead of saying “XYZ sports drink is a drink that will give you energy” use “Reawaken your body with XYZ!”
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Helping Others
===========================================================
The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want. The more effort you put forth finding out how to help others get what they want, the more receptive they will be to help you get what you want. From simple kindnesses to making great referrals to others, all plant the image of you as a giver. If you are not willing to help others, how can you expect them to help you?
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Prepare now for the end – the end of the year, that is.
Monday Morning Motivators – August 14, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java
gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
--Kenneth Graham
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Lean: Lakes and Rocks – Linda Fayerweather
2. Writing Copy that People Actually Want to Read – Part 2 – Rebecca Booth
3. Helping Others – John Meyer
4. To Do This Week
5. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Lean: Lakes and Rocks
============================================================
Toyota uses the metaphor the Lake and the Rocks to refer to problems. The lake is the work in process, or inventory, or maybe partially completed tax returns and the rocks are the problems that slow the process. Anyone that has boated knows how rocks can slow your boating pleasure. Lowering the level of the water will allow you to better see the rocks. Translating this to your business means the less unfinished work (water in the lake) the more visible the causes of problems become. Of course, you will also discover more and deeper rocks. Don’t despair, a business that wants to be lean, IS will always working in the lean process as the boater will be ever watching for rocks and snags.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Writing Copy that People Actually Want to Read – Part 2
============================================================
Last time we talked, you were ready to stick needles in your eye instead of writing that ad copy you had to do today. Here are more ideas to write copy that people actually want to read:
Step 4: Remove the clichés. What you might think is fresh and carries meaning, clichés are really dead as doornails – and what is a doornail anyway? Keep them in your first draft, because we don’t want to slow down your creative writing. But edit them out before you go to press. Substitute the cliché for something fresh.
Step 5: Use concrete examples rather than concepts. Instead of telling me about your customer service, reliability or effectiveness, show me. Use a client testimonial to get your point across or write a story about a customer who had a problem that you so handily solved!
Step 6: Use strong verbs. Substitute “state of being” verbs – is, am, were, was, are, be being, been – with true action verbs. For instance instead of saying “XYZ sports drink is a drink that will give you energy” use “Reawaken your body with XYZ!”
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Helping Others
===========================================================
The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want. The more effort you put forth finding out how to help others get what they want, the more receptive they will be to help you get what you want. From simple kindnesses to making great referrals to others, all plant the image of you as a giver. If you are not willing to help others, how can you expect them to help you?
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
============================================================
4. To Do This Week
============================================================
Prepare now for the end – the end of the year, that is.
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