============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – September 15, 2008
============================================================
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
“You achieve customer satisfaction when you sell merchandise that doesn’t come back to a customer who does.”-- Stanley Marcus
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. 5S Review – Simplify - Linda Fayerweather
2. We Don’t Need No Stinking Marketing! – Part 2 of 4 - Rebecca Booth
3. Achievement - Pat Altvater
4. 5 Tips When Selling to a Referred Prospect - Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. 5S Review - Simplify
============================================================
Did you know that the average person spends 2 weeks each year looking for misplaced items? Having spent last week sorting the messes we’ve created, this week we will concentrate on simplifying our systems so that we can find things when we need them and easily put them away.
“A Place for everything and everything in its place.” is an old adage from 1827 attributed to Reverend C. A. Goodrich. It is also the start of simplifying or setting order to your office life and here are some simple tips:
1. Begin with a plan for how you access your information and files before you start putting things away. Time spent thinking here will help you have a plan that works.
2. Create a map of where things belong or just a written legend.
3. Mirror your physical filing system with the same names and folders as your computer filing system or vice versa.
4. Monitor yourself. When a pile of stuff accumulates, ask yourself “why”. It may be that you need a new category or something got missed at the beginning. Don’t be afraid to call in an expert. Sometimes outside eyes will see a problem you continue to miss.
Creating a space that saves time in both starting work and finishing work is a work place where you will want to be.
If you would like a pocket guide to 5S, Please email your Name, Address, City, State, and Zip code to linda@changinglanes.biz
Copyright 2008 Linda Fayerweather
Storm the Barn with New Ideas
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing? We Don’t Need No Stinking Marketing! – Part 2 of 4
============================================================
Last week, Cowboy Bob was thinking about axing his marketing budget. This is another excellent reason for him to keep it intact.
Retool your strategy. Make sure that your marketing systems are supporting one another. For instance, if you’re sending out a postcard and can only afford to send a small one – don’t jam it up with too much information. Instead, direct people to your website to find out more about you or give them a reason to call. Next monitor the web’s use as well as your incoming calls. Don’t be afraid to do the same with your advertising and your web copy. The goal always is to start a dialogue. Make it easy for people to get more information about you/your product or service. Then make it really easy for them to contact you. Once they’ve expressed interest, forget the email – pick up the phone and start getting to know that person! Relationships are built upon communication.
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. Achievement
============================================================
Did you watch the Olympics? How terrific to see the great stories of achievement and hear things like Michael Phelps comment about nothing being impossible. The Olympians are wonderful role models for us.
However, there are lessons in the stories of athletes that weren’t successful too. Did you see the relay race where the team was disqualified when the baton was dropped? Did the team fall down in defeat? NO! Even though they knew they had failed to win the race, the runner turned around, picked up the baton, and carried it across the finish line.
How many times in your business or career, have you failed to pick up the baton when you knew you were facing failure? I’ve seen so many people, quit, give up completely, sulk back to their comfort zone, when if they just picked the baton back up, they could have progressed themselves or at least learned something about persistence and their own character.
When you notice you’ve dropped the baton, carry on as if failure weren’t an option and you never know, it just might not be. “Nothing is impossible!”
Click the link below to watch a short one minute video based on the poem The Comfort Zone.
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/movies.html
Pat Altvater
Author, Trainer, Coach
www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
www.patriciaaltvaterandassociates.com
===========================================================
4. 5 Tips When Selling to a Referred Prospect
===========================================================
If you are going to get good referrals, you must be able to close the referrals that you are given. Unfortunately most people believe that if they are networking and getting referrals they really do not have to sale. Nothing could be further from the truth. Part of making your referral partner look good is your ability to close a sale in the proper way.
Following are 5 Tips sent to me by Aaron Prickle of Lushin and Associates. Aaron is a Sandler Sales Trainer and a graduate of the Referral Dynamics Program.
1. Figure out why you were referred to them.
There were reasons why you were asked to call them, what were they? Ask the referee for this information before your call to help you understand their specific issues.
2. Strategize with your referral source.
Have the referral source give you as much information about the referral as possible. Like what is the decision making process, and the needs of the referral? Ask your referral source what information they may have conveyed to the referral.
3. Run your normal sales call.
Don't skip steps in your sales process since you think they are a "warm" lead. Most salespeople fail to realize positive prospects can be the most difficult prospects.
4. Discover their pain, budget and decision making process by setting clear expectations of the meeting. Now the meeting is set, make the most of it and make it a win-win for both parties.
5. Call your referral source to debrief and thank them for the opportunity. Not all referrals will be ready to purchase your product or service. Even if they don't purchase from you taking care of the post-sale activity will help ensure your chances for future referrals. Don't be embarrassed if it ended in a "no." Both parties should learn from it and move on!
Remember, it does not matter how much of your business come to you via referral, having a good sales system is vital to continuing to get referrals.
Copyright 2008 by Hazel M. Walker is an expert at referral marketing and networking. She is the owner of the Referral Insititute of Indiana as well as the Central and Southern Indiana BNI Franchises. Read her blog at www.networkingstrategist.wordpress.com .
Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. You can connect with Paula at paula@referralinstitute-va.com or paula@bniswva.com .
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Learn from Ike – Be Prepared, Have a Plan, Know your Limits.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
5S - Sort
September 15, 2008
5S - Sort
Getting started with 5S for your office does mean that Sort will be done first. Sorting takes time and recognize that you may need to stop everything for a day to truly get control of your office. To get started, you are going to create new piles and sometimes labeled boxes will work best. Start with these subjects.
1. Trash - broken, defective, non-recyclable, junk;
2. Doesn't belong here;
3. Return to sender/owner;
4. Recyclable - anything that can be recycled, sold, given away;
5. Used once per day;
6. Used about once a week;
7. Used about once a month;
8. Seldom used;
9. Don't know what it is, why it is, unknown.
When everything on your desk, in your desk, under your desk and hidden around your office has been sorted, you are now ready for the next S - Set the order. Now, don't forget to take out the trash and recyclables.
Copyright 2008 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
The Profitable Route to Success
Last week's pocket 5S guides are in the mail. If you would like a pocket guide to 5S, Please email your Name, Address, City, State, and Zip code to linda@changinglanes.biz
Marketing? We don't need no Stinking Marketing.
Part 1 of 4
When the economy starts to falter, most entrepreneurs become cowboys by aggressively cutting their costs. Typically the first to go is marketing. Bad move dude. Here are four vital steps you should take to keep your marketing going during any economic downturn:
I. Assess what's working and what's not. Take a close look at how you spent your money last year. Determine where your new clients came from. Assess how much money was garnered by new clients. How much by current clients? Where did they hear about you? And what was the cost for getting that client? Once you know, you can make a decision as to reinvesting in the marketing method or not. Keep in mind that it costs seven times as much money to get a new client than it does to get business out of a current client. Make sure you can afford to chase after the newbies.
Copyright 2008 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
http://www.marketinginabox.biz/
Abundance is everywhere!
"Abundance will never be a factor of how much money one has. Rather it is always a factor of how one feels about what money one does have."
This quote from Stuart Wilde's book, The Trick to Money is Having Some, gives us something to consider. His premise is that abundance is a feeling. I've found that to be true - people who have limiting core beliefs, such as "you have to work hard for money", "money doesn't grow on trees", or "easy come, easy go", create negative emotions surrounding abundance and thus find it difficult to create sustainable businesses.
Spend some time this week listening to your thoughts and emotions to see what type of energy you are creating regarding abundance and money. If you find yourself worried over money, bills, or the economy, then you will push away what you desire. Instead of worrying, spend some time each day, visualizing your life as wonderful and abundant, even if it is not so, and as you see your world this way, it becomes so. In fact, once you get your mind to agree that abundance is natural and that there will always be enough, you'll begin to see your finances shifting.
Copyright 2008 Pat Altvater
To find out more about releasing limiting beliefs, read Journey to WOW - Ignite the Power Within, http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com/
Have You Evaluated Your Referral Relationships Lately?
Hello Monday Morning Motivator Readers,
This week's referral marketing scenario was written by one of my colleagues at Referral Institute, Glenna Smith. It's about two long term referral partners that aren't willing to have a difficult conversation to overcome obstacles and move forward in their relationship. Is this you?
Recently, I was working with a business owner, Rob, who had a referral relationship that had gone sour. Rob and Phillip had been active referral partners for the past couple of years. They were more than business associates; they were friends.
When I asked him, "What happened?" Rob shared that he and Phillip had a client in common. Rob had advised the client against refinancing a home in order to buy a new car. Phillip ended up doing the refinance anyway. Rob felt that the client's best interests had not been served and decided that he was no longer going to refer any more business to Phillip. He didn't feel Phillip could be trusted.
Then I asked Rob, "What did Phillip say when you spoke to him about your concerns?" Rob told me and that he'd never discussed the issue with Phillip and that six months had passed since the transaction!
This was surprising to me because they still work in the same business circles and see each other almost weekly. Phillip had no idea about Rob's feelings or his decision to no longer refer business to him.
I have learned that the phenomenon of "avoiding" an uncomfortable discussion with a referral partner is very common.
I know Rob wants to have strong business relationships in which quality referrals are continually given and received. The problem is that if he is not able to have those (sometimes) tough conversations with any of his referral partners, he will never see those important business relationships deepen.
Here are some tips to help you evaluate your business relationships:
1. Meet regularly (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly). These meetings should have purpose and focus but that does not mean that you cannot enjoy yourselves.
2. Set the ground rules at the beginning of the relationship. How will problems be handled? If ground rules were never established, set them now.
3. Discuss Business Expectations. Periodically ask each other if expectations of the business relationship are being met and how those expectations can be exceeded.
4. Be Diplomatic when you do have those uncomfortable conversations. Stay focused on resolving the issue.
5. Remember to Thank your Referral Partner either with a call, a card, or even a thoughtful gift.
In order to "Avoid Avoiding" those sometimes tough situations with your referral partners, remember the importance of evaluating your business relationships and facing those difficult conversations. Show them that you care enough to work through the issues to make the relationship more meaningful and more profitable!
Have you evaluated your referral relationships lately?
Glenna E. Smith is the owner of the Referral Institute of Nevada and works strictly by referral. She is a passionate writer, speaker, and facilitator that specializes in referral marketing. Glenna can be reached at Glenna@referralinstitutenv.com .
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. You can connect with Paula at paula@referralinstitute-va.com or paula@bniswva.com .
To Do This Week
Start small - sort a closet.
Enjoy a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
5S - Sort
Getting started with 5S for your office does mean that Sort will be done first. Sorting takes time and recognize that you may need to stop everything for a day to truly get control of your office. To get started, you are going to create new piles and sometimes labeled boxes will work best. Start with these subjects.
1. Trash - broken, defective, non-recyclable, junk;
2. Doesn't belong here;
3. Return to sender/owner;
4. Recyclable - anything that can be recycled, sold, given away;
5. Used once per day;
6. Used about once a week;
7. Used about once a month;
8. Seldom used;
9. Don't know what it is, why it is, unknown.
When everything on your desk, in your desk, under your desk and hidden around your office has been sorted, you are now ready for the next S - Set the order. Now, don't forget to take out the trash and recyclables.
Copyright 2008 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
The Profitable Route to Success
Last week's pocket 5S guides are in the mail. If you would like a pocket guide to 5S, Please email your Name, Address, City, State, and Zip code to linda@changinglanes.biz
Marketing? We don't need no Stinking Marketing.
Part 1 of 4
When the economy starts to falter, most entrepreneurs become cowboys by aggressively cutting their costs. Typically the first to go is marketing. Bad move dude. Here are four vital steps you should take to keep your marketing going during any economic downturn:
I. Assess what's working and what's not. Take a close look at how you spent your money last year. Determine where your new clients came from. Assess how much money was garnered by new clients. How much by current clients? Where did they hear about you? And what was the cost for getting that client? Once you know, you can make a decision as to reinvesting in the marketing method or not. Keep in mind that it costs seven times as much money to get a new client than it does to get business out of a current client. Make sure you can afford to chase after the newbies.
Copyright 2008 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
http://www.marketinginabox.biz/
Abundance is everywhere!
"Abundance will never be a factor of how much money one has. Rather it is always a factor of how one feels about what money one does have."
This quote from Stuart Wilde's book, The Trick to Money is Having Some, gives us something to consider. His premise is that abundance is a feeling. I've found that to be true - people who have limiting core beliefs, such as "you have to work hard for money", "money doesn't grow on trees", or "easy come, easy go", create negative emotions surrounding abundance and thus find it difficult to create sustainable businesses.
Spend some time this week listening to your thoughts and emotions to see what type of energy you are creating regarding abundance and money. If you find yourself worried over money, bills, or the economy, then you will push away what you desire. Instead of worrying, spend some time each day, visualizing your life as wonderful and abundant, even if it is not so, and as you see your world this way, it becomes so. In fact, once you get your mind to agree that abundance is natural and that there will always be enough, you'll begin to see your finances shifting.
Copyright 2008 Pat Altvater
To find out more about releasing limiting beliefs, read Journey to WOW - Ignite the Power Within, http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com/
Have You Evaluated Your Referral Relationships Lately?
Hello Monday Morning Motivator Readers,
This week's referral marketing scenario was written by one of my colleagues at Referral Institute, Glenna Smith. It's about two long term referral partners that aren't willing to have a difficult conversation to overcome obstacles and move forward in their relationship. Is this you?
Recently, I was working with a business owner, Rob, who had a referral relationship that had gone sour. Rob and Phillip had been active referral partners for the past couple of years. They were more than business associates; they were friends.
When I asked him, "What happened?" Rob shared that he and Phillip had a client in common. Rob had advised the client against refinancing a home in order to buy a new car. Phillip ended up doing the refinance anyway. Rob felt that the client's best interests had not been served and decided that he was no longer going to refer any more business to Phillip. He didn't feel Phillip could be trusted.
Then I asked Rob, "What did Phillip say when you spoke to him about your concerns?" Rob told me and that he'd never discussed the issue with Phillip and that six months had passed since the transaction!
This was surprising to me because they still work in the same business circles and see each other almost weekly. Phillip had no idea about Rob's feelings or his decision to no longer refer business to him.
I have learned that the phenomenon of "avoiding" an uncomfortable discussion with a referral partner is very common.
I know Rob wants to have strong business relationships in which quality referrals are continually given and received. The problem is that if he is not able to have those (sometimes) tough conversations with any of his referral partners, he will never see those important business relationships deepen.
Here are some tips to help you evaluate your business relationships:
1. Meet regularly (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly). These meetings should have purpose and focus but that does not mean that you cannot enjoy yourselves.
2. Set the ground rules at the beginning of the relationship. How will problems be handled? If ground rules were never established, set them now.
3. Discuss Business Expectations. Periodically ask each other if expectations of the business relationship are being met and how those expectations can be exceeded.
4. Be Diplomatic when you do have those uncomfortable conversations. Stay focused on resolving the issue.
5. Remember to Thank your Referral Partner either with a call, a card, or even a thoughtful gift.
In order to "Avoid Avoiding" those sometimes tough situations with your referral partners, remember the importance of evaluating your business relationships and facing those difficult conversations. Show them that you care enough to work through the issues to make the relationship more meaningful and more profitable!
Have you evaluated your referral relationships lately?
Glenna E. Smith is the owner of the Referral Institute of Nevada and works strictly by referral. She is a passionate writer, speaker, and facilitator that specializes in referral marketing. Glenna can be reached at Glenna@referralinstitutenv.com .
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. You can connect with Paula at paula@referralinstitute-va.com or paula@bniswva.com .
To Do This Week
Start small - sort a closet.
Enjoy a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
Monday, September 01, 2008
Sort - Market - Workaholic - Referrals
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – September 1, 2008
============================================================
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 http://www.mondaymorningmotivators.com/
“God give me work, till my life shall end and life, till my work is done.”
--Epitaph of Winifred Holtby
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. 5S Review - Linda Fayerweather
2. Professional Develop will keep you FRESH - Rebecca Booth
3. Workaholic? - Pat Altvater
4. Referrals shouldn’t be Lonely - Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. 5S Review
============================================================
Today is a three marker day! It marks the beginning of September; in many minds it is the last day of summer; and it is Labor Day in the United States. At the end of a season, process or event many of us like to start with a fresh slate. I usually look to Lean and the 5S as a way to clear out the old and get the new going. Use these five simple steps as a method to tackle that messy desk.
1. Sort out what is needed and what is not. When in doubt –throw it out
2. Simplify – keep everything that is needed in an orderly easily accessible fashion
3. Sweep and clean everything focusing on sources of disarray
4. Make Standards so that “stuff” out of place is obvious
5. Sustain the process with Self-discipline
If you would like a pocket guide to 5S, Please email your Name, Address, City, State, and Zip code to linda@changinglanes.biz
Copyright 2008 Linda Fayerweather
Storm the Barn with New Ideas
Changing Lanes LLC
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
============================================================
2. Professional Development Key to Keeping Your Attitude FRESH!
============================================================
There’s probably no better way to ignite your business than by attending a workshop, convention or seminar. Not only does it give you an excuse to get out of the office, but if you’re open it you’ll learn something new and make valuable contacts with others. You can take classes on time management, lean manufacturing and marketing among other things. Each with the simple goal of helping you build a stronger business.
One of the best opportunities for taking your business to the next level is the WEN Peak Performance Clinic which is happening in NW Ohio on September 26. This clinic is different than a “talking head” type seminar or workshop. It’s an event where you’re expected to roll up your shirtsleeves and get some major planning done. E-Myth Certified Instructor, Jeffery Lawrence is the clinic leader and seating is limited to only 100 business owners.
When you’re assessing professional development opportunities for yourself or others, look at what you expect to gain from the event. Is it motivational in nature or is it more of a clinic where you’re actually receiving face-to-face time with a professional business consultant who teaches you new things and expects you to apply it to your business.
Whatever your needs, here are some websites you can use to “shop” for the perfect seminar for you:
http://www.skillpath.com/
http://www.nationalseminarstraining.com/
http://www.businessgrowthworkshops.com/
http://www.wen-usa.com/
The key is to take action. Sign up for a class today!
Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
http://www.marketinginabox.biz/
===========================================================
3. Workaholic?
============================================================
Do you work too many hours and sometimes resent it?
Is your spiritual, social, and marital life suffering?
If you answered YES, it could be that your life is out of balance.
Labor Day is a perfect day to examine where you spend your time and how you feel about it. There's that old saying that no one ever said on his or her deathbed, "Gee, I wish I'd put more time in at the office." However, for many of us building a sustainable business, the office has a tendency to take over our lives, leaving us out of focus and out of balance.
Here are a few things you can do to feel more balanced:
1. Get perspective. Putting your life, family and career, into perspective will give you more focus and assist you in making choices for how to spend your time.
2. Visualize your perfectly balanced day. Find a quiet place and ask yourself what your perfect day would look like? Be very specific. What are you doing, feeling, experiencing. Then each day, intend that your day will be exactly as you visualized it would be.
3. Maintain an appreciation of yourself and your life. Appreciating and savoring the good events in your life can build reserves that you can draw upon during stressful times. Instead of moving on automatically to the next thing on your list, savor the moments of completion and accomplishment.
These three strategies will help you feel more in control of your life, which always leads to more balance.
Pat Altvater
Author, Journey to WOW – Ignite the Power Within
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com/
http://www.pataltvaterandassociates.com/
===========================================================
4. Referrals shouldn’t be Lonely
===========================================================
In referral marketing you are never alone - there’s you, your referral partner and the person they’re referring you to. I find a lot of comfort in that. I also know that it takes all three components working in harmony to make it happen.
You know that there are folks out there that would benefit from your products and services. That’s where referral partners enter the equation. Your referral network must be an active community of committed connectors; people willing to genuinely listen to the people they’re in relationship with and take action on your behalf.
So let’s build a referral network! It’s a matter of getting out, meeting new people (admittedly the right new people), strategically building credible relationships over time and then educating and developing them as referral sources. It’s not quite as easy as it sounds!
I used to say that building your business by referral isn’t rocket science. Okay – it’s not “rocket science” but I’ve come to believe that it is a science. Hazel Walker is a leader in the referral marketing industry. She taught me that “networking is an art and referral marketing IS a science”. Now that makes complete sense.
That being said, I have a huge concern regarding business owners and their marketing endeavors! When I ask them how much they’re investing in traditional advertising and public relations activities, they often tell me “not much” or “none”. Those that are making concerted cold calling efforts admit that they’re experiencing about a 1% return. What’s left? Referrals. Something to keep in mind as you build your referral network is that it should not involve an investment of large sums of money from you or your referral partners. It will however require that you share (with one another) one of your most precious, limited resources – TIME.
What does that mean? The majority of small business owners seem to be relying heavily on referrals but they’re not investing in learning the science of referrals! They’re literally waiting for referrals to magically materialize rather than proactively, purposefully making them happen.
What are you going to do to move your referral marketing efforts into the 21st century and to get out of your cave before your business becomes extinct?!?
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. To learn more about the science of referrals contact Paula at paula@referralinstitute-va.com or paula@bniswva.com .
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Practice retrieving a file from your computer system’s backup.
Monday Morning Motivators – September 1, 2008
============================================================
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 http://www.mondaymorningmotivators.com/
“God give me work, till my life shall end and life, till my work is done.”
--Epitaph of Winifred Holtby
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. 5S Review - Linda Fayerweather
2. Professional Develop will keep you FRESH - Rebecca Booth
3. Workaholic? - Pat Altvater
4. Referrals shouldn’t be Lonely - Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. 5S Review
============================================================
Today is a three marker day! It marks the beginning of September; in many minds it is the last day of summer; and it is Labor Day in the United States. At the end of a season, process or event many of us like to start with a fresh slate. I usually look to Lean and the 5S as a way to clear out the old and get the new going. Use these five simple steps as a method to tackle that messy desk.
1. Sort out what is needed and what is not. When in doubt –throw it out
2. Simplify – keep everything that is needed in an orderly easily accessible fashion
3. Sweep and clean everything focusing on sources of disarray
4. Make Standards so that “stuff” out of place is obvious
5. Sustain the process with Self-discipline
If you would like a pocket guide to 5S, Please email your Name, Address, City, State, and Zip code to linda@changinglanes.biz
Copyright 2008 Linda Fayerweather
Storm the Barn with New Ideas
Changing Lanes LLC
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
============================================================
2. Professional Development Key to Keeping Your Attitude FRESH!
============================================================
There’s probably no better way to ignite your business than by attending a workshop, convention or seminar. Not only does it give you an excuse to get out of the office, but if you’re open it you’ll learn something new and make valuable contacts with others. You can take classes on time management, lean manufacturing and marketing among other things. Each with the simple goal of helping you build a stronger business.
One of the best opportunities for taking your business to the next level is the WEN Peak Performance Clinic which is happening in NW Ohio on September 26. This clinic is different than a “talking head” type seminar or workshop. It’s an event where you’re expected to roll up your shirtsleeves and get some major planning done. E-Myth Certified Instructor, Jeffery Lawrence is the clinic leader and seating is limited to only 100 business owners.
When you’re assessing professional development opportunities for yourself or others, look at what you expect to gain from the event. Is it motivational in nature or is it more of a clinic where you’re actually receiving face-to-face time with a professional business consultant who teaches you new things and expects you to apply it to your business.
Whatever your needs, here are some websites you can use to “shop” for the perfect seminar for you:
http://www.skillpath.com/
http://www.nationalseminarstraining.com/
http://www.businessgrowthworkshops.com/
http://www.wen-usa.com/
The key is to take action. Sign up for a class today!
Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
http://www.marketinginabox.biz/
===========================================================
3. Workaholic?
============================================================
Do you work too many hours and sometimes resent it?
Is your spiritual, social, and marital life suffering?
If you answered YES, it could be that your life is out of balance.
Labor Day is a perfect day to examine where you spend your time and how you feel about it. There's that old saying that no one ever said on his or her deathbed, "Gee, I wish I'd put more time in at the office." However, for many of us building a sustainable business, the office has a tendency to take over our lives, leaving us out of focus and out of balance.
Here are a few things you can do to feel more balanced:
1. Get perspective. Putting your life, family and career, into perspective will give you more focus and assist you in making choices for how to spend your time.
2. Visualize your perfectly balanced day. Find a quiet place and ask yourself what your perfect day would look like? Be very specific. What are you doing, feeling, experiencing. Then each day, intend that your day will be exactly as you visualized it would be.
3. Maintain an appreciation of yourself and your life. Appreciating and savoring the good events in your life can build reserves that you can draw upon during stressful times. Instead of moving on automatically to the next thing on your list, savor the moments of completion and accomplishment.
These three strategies will help you feel more in control of your life, which always leads to more balance.
Pat Altvater
Author, Journey to WOW – Ignite the Power Within
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com/
http://www.pataltvaterandassociates.com/
===========================================================
4. Referrals shouldn’t be Lonely
===========================================================
In referral marketing you are never alone - there’s you, your referral partner and the person they’re referring you to. I find a lot of comfort in that. I also know that it takes all three components working in harmony to make it happen.
You know that there are folks out there that would benefit from your products and services. That’s where referral partners enter the equation. Your referral network must be an active community of committed connectors; people willing to genuinely listen to the people they’re in relationship with and take action on your behalf.
So let’s build a referral network! It’s a matter of getting out, meeting new people (admittedly the right new people), strategically building credible relationships over time and then educating and developing them as referral sources. It’s not quite as easy as it sounds!
I used to say that building your business by referral isn’t rocket science. Okay – it’s not “rocket science” but I’ve come to believe that it is a science. Hazel Walker is a leader in the referral marketing industry. She taught me that “networking is an art and referral marketing IS a science”. Now that makes complete sense.
That being said, I have a huge concern regarding business owners and their marketing endeavors! When I ask them how much they’re investing in traditional advertising and public relations activities, they often tell me “not much” or “none”. Those that are making concerted cold calling efforts admit that they’re experiencing about a 1% return. What’s left? Referrals. Something to keep in mind as you build your referral network is that it should not involve an investment of large sums of money from you or your referral partners. It will however require that you share (with one another) one of your most precious, limited resources – TIME.
What does that mean? The majority of small business owners seem to be relying heavily on referrals but they’re not investing in learning the science of referrals! They’re literally waiting for referrals to magically materialize rather than proactively, purposefully making them happen.
What are you going to do to move your referral marketing efforts into the 21st century and to get out of your cave before your business becomes extinct?!?
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. To learn more about the science of referrals contact Paula at paula@referralinstitute-va.com or paula@bniswva.com .
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Practice retrieving a file from your computer system’s backup.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Solving Problems - Personal Touch - Judgmental Thoughts - One is the Loneliest
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – August 18, 2008
============================================================
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
“The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind ahead even more than teamwork.”
--Igor Sikorsky
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Solving Problems - Linda Fayerweather
2. Never Underestimate the Personal Touch - Rebecca Booth
3. Eliminate Judgmental Thoughts Today! - Pat Altvater
4. One IS the Loneliest Number! - Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Solving Problems
============================================================
A big “Oops” starts off your Monday Morning. Before you try to “solve” the problem, take a deep breath and realize that 80% of the time companies are fixing the same problem over and over again because the true cause does not get identified. If your problem is a repeat, returning issue, you need to find the root cause. Here are six steps to discovering and solving a problem for good.
1. Describe the problem.
2. Implement temporary containment.
3. Analyze the problem and generate potential solution(s).
4. Determine root cause and select solution(s).
5. Implement solution(s).
6. Verify effectiveness of solution(s).
These six steps are a disciplined approach to problem solving and discovering the root cause. You will also find that when you take a step by step approach (and yes, these need to be done in order) you are less likely to jump to conclusions and will encourage teams to use their skills and ideas. In the end, you will find the root cause and once the this cause is identified, the solution will stop the same ole’ problem from resurfacing.
Copyright 2008 Linda Fayerweather
Storm the Barn with New Ideas
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Never Underestimate the Personal Touch
============================================================
When’s the last time you really connected with someone? I’m not talking about a generic birthday card with your signature and company logo pre-printed on the card. I’m talking about a personal phone call or greeting card that asks the person about something important in their life. I just got off the phone with a previous client whom I hadn’t spoken with in a year. I started out the conversation with movie going – because she and her husband are movie buffs. We shared comments on what was worth the “full price” ticket and what wasn’t. Then we got down to business. This approach was a win/win for the both of us: as it started out the conversation on an “up” momentum (she was a little uncertain about calling as they had started doing things in-house versus outsourcing to me) and I got the “skinny” on the new Batman movie!
Connecting personally is so easy. A simple phone call, greeting card or even “I was thinking about you” email does the trick. Your focus should always be about them and their interests – kids, grandkids, pets or hobbies. Business will follow much more easily – and with much more success – if you start out this way.
Copyright 2008 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419-855-3399
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
===========================================================
3. Eliminate Judgmental Thoughts Today!
============================================================
Have you heard the saying that “Every blade of grass has an angel bending over it whispering, grow, grow!” However, I’ve found that most of my clients hear a persistent whisper that is a bit less encouraging. In psychology it’s called “The critic”. It’s that fault-finding voice within, with a knack for reminding us of our weaknesses. If you close your eyes you might hear it now. “You’re not smart enough. You’re not special enough. What makes you think you can do that! Didn’t those shorts fit looser last summer???”
Experts say that a full 70 – 80% of our thoughts are negative. The unfortunate reality is that we are constantly judging ourselves and others. Listen to yourself during one day and see how many judgmental thoughts you have. Do you look in the mirror in the morning and criticize your appearance? Do you reprimand yourself if you make a mistake, realize that you’ve said the wrong thing, or heaven forbid, eaten a cookie or two??
Keep in mind, too, that our criticisms of others always reflect how we feel about ourselves. Those judgments mask our own fears that we don’t measure up and typically what we judge in others is what we don’t like about ourselves and haven’t had the courage to admit!
So it’s time to give it up, don’t you agree? Just STOP!!! The minute you hear yourself think a judgmental thought say “Cancel that” and instantly substitute a new and powerful thought about you. Keep doing this and eventually those judgmental comments will subside and you’ll free up your brain to think other more creative and empowering thoughts!
Copyright 2008 Pat Altvater
www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
www.thesecretofpermanentweightloss.com
www.permanentweightlossebook.com
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. One IS the Loneliest Number!
===========================================================
Even if you are a natural networker and were born and blessed with the networking gene you’re gonna have to get out of your cave to apply your referral marketing techniques and to build your referral network. But far too many of us are cave dwellers – and we don’t even know it!
We wake up each morning in our cave called a house. We jump into a cave on four wheels and drive to work. We enter another cave commonly known as an office. We may even venture out into a few other caves – the bank cave, the local coffee shop cave, the restaurant cave and sometimes even the chamber cave. It FEELS like we’re getting out but we’re truly hanging out in the same old caves with a big bunch of other cave dwellers.
When you’re a cave dweller 1+1+1 can still equal 1 – YOU all by yourself – ALONE! Believe it or not, you can experience different results even if you’re not comfortable venturing out into new caves. There are three words that BNI Executive Director, Neal Frazier, loves to share – GO WITH PURPOSE:
1. Have a goal to meet one new person in smaller venues and 5-10 new people in larger venues.
2. Invest about 15 minutes with each person to learn a bit about them and a bit about their business. Be sure to share a bit about yourself.
3. Actively listen. Be fully present and participate in the conversation.
4. As appropriate- follow up to schedule a meeting with the people that could be prospective referral partners (or clients)and follow up to schedule a face to face introduction when you’ve identified needs that one of your referral partners can potentially give them help them.
5. Send a thank you card to everyone you strategically introduce yourself to. You never know who they know. It increases the likelihood that they’ll remember you.
As the song goes, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever know” when you’re counting on building your business by relationship, by referral.
What are you going to do to move your referral marketing efforts into the 21st century and to get out of your cave before your business becomes extinct?!?
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, 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! To learn more about the science of referrals contact Paula at paula@referralinstitute-va.com or paula@bniswva.com.
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Review the waste you are throwing out – can you do a bigger part of recycling.
Monday Morning Motivators – August 18, 2008
============================================================
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
“The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind ahead even more than teamwork.”
--Igor Sikorsky
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Solving Problems - Linda Fayerweather
2. Never Underestimate the Personal Touch - Rebecca Booth
3. Eliminate Judgmental Thoughts Today! - Pat Altvater
4. One IS the Loneliest Number! - Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Solving Problems
============================================================
A big “Oops” starts off your Monday Morning. Before you try to “solve” the problem, take a deep breath and realize that 80% of the time companies are fixing the same problem over and over again because the true cause does not get identified. If your problem is a repeat, returning issue, you need to find the root cause. Here are six steps to discovering and solving a problem for good.
1. Describe the problem.
2. Implement temporary containment.
3. Analyze the problem and generate potential solution(s).
4. Determine root cause and select solution(s).
5. Implement solution(s).
6. Verify effectiveness of solution(s).
These six steps are a disciplined approach to problem solving and discovering the root cause. You will also find that when you take a step by step approach (and yes, these need to be done in order) you are less likely to jump to conclusions and will encourage teams to use their skills and ideas. In the end, you will find the root cause and once the this cause is identified, the solution will stop the same ole’ problem from resurfacing.
Copyright 2008 Linda Fayerweather
Storm the Barn with New Ideas
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Never Underestimate the Personal Touch
============================================================
When’s the last time you really connected with someone? I’m not talking about a generic birthday card with your signature and company logo pre-printed on the card. I’m talking about a personal phone call or greeting card that asks the person about something important in their life. I just got off the phone with a previous client whom I hadn’t spoken with in a year. I started out the conversation with movie going – because she and her husband are movie buffs. We shared comments on what was worth the “full price” ticket and what wasn’t. Then we got down to business. This approach was a win/win for the both of us: as it started out the conversation on an “up” momentum (she was a little uncertain about calling as they had started doing things in-house versus outsourcing to me) and I got the “skinny” on the new Batman movie!
Connecting personally is so easy. A simple phone call, greeting card or even “I was thinking about you” email does the trick. Your focus should always be about them and their interests – kids, grandkids, pets or hobbies. Business will follow much more easily – and with much more success – if you start out this way.
Copyright 2008 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419-855-3399
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
===========================================================
3. Eliminate Judgmental Thoughts Today!
============================================================
Have you heard the saying that “Every blade of grass has an angel bending over it whispering, grow, grow!” However, I’ve found that most of my clients hear a persistent whisper that is a bit less encouraging. In psychology it’s called “The critic”. It’s that fault-finding voice within, with a knack for reminding us of our weaknesses. If you close your eyes you might hear it now. “You’re not smart enough. You’re not special enough. What makes you think you can do that! Didn’t those shorts fit looser last summer???”
Experts say that a full 70 – 80% of our thoughts are negative. The unfortunate reality is that we are constantly judging ourselves and others. Listen to yourself during one day and see how many judgmental thoughts you have. Do you look in the mirror in the morning and criticize your appearance? Do you reprimand yourself if you make a mistake, realize that you’ve said the wrong thing, or heaven forbid, eaten a cookie or two??
Keep in mind, too, that our criticisms of others always reflect how we feel about ourselves. Those judgments mask our own fears that we don’t measure up and typically what we judge in others is what we don’t like about ourselves and haven’t had the courage to admit!
So it’s time to give it up, don’t you agree? Just STOP!!! The minute you hear yourself think a judgmental thought say “Cancel that” and instantly substitute a new and powerful thought about you. Keep doing this and eventually those judgmental comments will subside and you’ll free up your brain to think other more creative and empowering thoughts!
Copyright 2008 Pat Altvater
www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
www.thesecretofpermanentweightloss.com
www.permanentweightlossebook.com
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. One IS the Loneliest Number!
===========================================================
Even if you are a natural networker and were born and blessed with the networking gene you’re gonna have to get out of your cave to apply your referral marketing techniques and to build your referral network. But far too many of us are cave dwellers – and we don’t even know it!
We wake up each morning in our cave called a house. We jump into a cave on four wheels and drive to work. We enter another cave commonly known as an office. We may even venture out into a few other caves – the bank cave, the local coffee shop cave, the restaurant cave and sometimes even the chamber cave. It FEELS like we’re getting out but we’re truly hanging out in the same old caves with a big bunch of other cave dwellers.
When you’re a cave dweller 1+1+1 can still equal 1 – YOU all by yourself – ALONE! Believe it or not, you can experience different results even if you’re not comfortable venturing out into new caves. There are three words that BNI Executive Director, Neal Frazier, loves to share – GO WITH PURPOSE:
1. Have a goal to meet one new person in smaller venues and 5-10 new people in larger venues.
2. Invest about 15 minutes with each person to learn a bit about them and a bit about their business. Be sure to share a bit about yourself.
3. Actively listen. Be fully present and participate in the conversation.
4. As appropriate- follow up to schedule a meeting with the people that could be prospective referral partners (or clients)and follow up to schedule a face to face introduction when you’ve identified needs that one of your referral partners can potentially give them help them.
5. Send a thank you card to everyone you strategically introduce yourself to. You never know who they know. It increases the likelihood that they’ll remember you.
As the song goes, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever know” when you’re counting on building your business by relationship, by referral.
What are you going to do to move your referral marketing efforts into the 21st century and to get out of your cave before your business becomes extinct?!?
Copyright 2008 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, coach, 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! To learn more about the science of referrals contact Paula at paula@referralinstitute-va.com or paula@bniswva.com.
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Review the waste you are throwing out – can you do a bigger part of recycling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)