Week of August 31, 2009
Enjoy your java with an eclectic collection of tips and ideas to use today and to get energized for the week ahead. The archives are stored at: MondayMorningMotivators.blogspot.com
“don’t confuse the product with the person. Remember, it’s “selection,” not “rejection.” Elayne Savage, PhD
This week's topics include:
• Big Yellow Buses - Linda Fayerweather
• Be Careful of Lowering Your Prices - Rebecca Booth
• Awakened Entrepreneurs Keep Plugging - Pat Altvater
• 29% Solution – Become Magnetic - Paula Fraizer
Big Yellow Buses
In Northwest Ohio those big yellow school buses are lumbering along and I have to remind myself of different routes and start times so as not to get caught in the hub-bub. Those yellow buses also remind me that learning is a constant part of life and maximizing my education so that I maximize my joys in life is something very important to me. As a consultant I’ve often gone into businesses that have not changed in 10 years or more – even the software is the same. Yes, I actually was at a company that is still using a DOS version of some accounting software – let’s hope they don’t need any tech support – ever!
Having spent time the last few weeks on the “next step”, take a look at your business and see what education you need?
What does your staff need?
What education will make a difference in 2010?
What education could give you a competitive advantage?
With community colleges and public school continuing education programs, there are affordable options. Let those yellow buses remind you this week that you have the opportunity to make 2010 great!
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
Be Careful of Lowering Your Prices
Did you know that lowering your prices can be detrimental to the sale? It’s true. In a recent SmallBiz article, Chellie Campbell, a LA financial consultant who works with entrepreneurs noted, “When I see a company offer big discounts, I think that they’re in trouble, or desperate. It’s a red flag.” Instead of lowering your costs on a product or service, partner up with another company to make the offer more valuable. Here’s what Chellie recommended to a rental resort owner who was trying to bolster sales: “You own a one-of-a-kind dream vacation spot. People will pay to have a luxurious experience. If it isn’t priced high enough, people will stay away because they won’t think it’s good enough. “ Free golf packages, couples massages and champagne/caviar evenings were suggestions for added perks to make the rental more palatable.
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
Awakened Entrepreneurs Keep Plugging
Wonder what news will be next regarding the economy? Is it on the way back or is there another wave coming? It’s easy to get caught up in worry and anxiety over whether our business will do well or not, given the current conditions.
Don’t go there.
It may only take the slightest suggestion to trigger an old belief in our subconscious, a belief that says for example, “people aren’t spending right now, so no one will buy from me.” Often we don't even know the little seed of doubt has slipped in, but it gets in our mind and grows slowly, yet persistently. We actually give way to lack, limitation and failure a little at a time and before we know it, we’ve become one with the problem.
Instead, stay conscious to this by adopting a new belief that states “my business expands every year.” Succeed and grow, regardless of what happens to the economy. Just keep moving forward, by putting yourself out there more and more each day and you’ll attract the customers you need to achieve your business goals this year.
Set your intention, then put attention on it by taking the necessary actions and you will achieve the results you desire.
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
419-344-6613
WEEK 14: Become Magnetic
Many people believe that we attract who we are. If that’s the case we’d better use this week’s strategy with caution because the word magnetic literally means “possessing an extraordinary power of ability to attract”. So when you’re in a positive frame of mind you’ll attract positive people. And when you’re consumed with negativity you’ll end up surrounded by a bunch of negative nellies.
The strategy we explored in Week 7 included a list of the Top 10 Traits of Master Networkers. One of characteristics that made the list was positive attitude. While we can’t necessarily control our every thought, we can adjust our attitudes long enough to get through a conversation, meeting or event. Agreed?!?
Becoming a center of influence makes you a living magnet for your business. What does that mean? It means that you’ll be recognized in the community as the go-to person, someone with a diverse, strong network. You’ll be someone that can help people overcome obstacles by offering resources and making valuable introductions. Yes - that could be you!
This week TAKE ACTION by attending an event with a positive mindset to attract positive people:
1. Be ready to engage the people you attract with some basic conversation starters and questions.
2. Identify common points of interest to connect on a more personal level.
3. Give flavored answers! For example, when you ask Dr. Misner how he’s feeling he says, “Any better and I’d cancel my life insurance”. There is no doubt that he’s loving life.
4. Don’t cross your arms. This is a visual cue that you’re open and approachable. You can attract people all day long but they won’t engage you if you don’t appear to be social or accessible.
5. Give options for communication. Follow up is generally well received when you connect with people in the way they’re most comfortable. Simply ask if they prefer phone calls? Email? Texts?
6. Always have business cards because you never know who you might meet. If someone doesn’t have cards it makes you wonder how long they’ve actually been in business. Hmmmm?
7. Conquer your fear. Have you ever walked up to someone and actually had them turn and walk away? Probably not. Get in there!
8. Wear your name tag. Many times folks won’t approach you if they know that they should know your name and they don’t. Think of your name tag as a kind reminder…for others.
You will know that you are truly magnetic when you walk into a room full of people and they naturally gravitate toward you. According to the Law of Attraction, choose to be positive and great things will come your way!
Can you establish relationships and do business online? Yes. I still firmly believe that the strongest relationships, those that stand the test of time and turmoil, will be those that are nurtured face to face, nose to nose and toe to toe. Online communities shouldn’t take the place of the actual community you live and work in. It should enhance and add value to it!
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
Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Next Step
Week of August 24, 2009
Enjoy your java with an eclectic collection of tips and ideas to use today and to get energized for the week ahead. The archives are stored at: MondayMorningMotivators.blogspot.com
"Sweeping dirt under the rug only creates a bump you keep tripping over." --Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
This week's topics include:
• What is Your Next Step Part 2 - Linda Fayerweather
• Reasons to Buy - Rebecca Booth
• Connect with Like-Minded People - Pat Altvater
• 29% Solution – Join a Web-based Networking Group - Paula Fraizer
What is Your Next Step Part 3
Last week we talked about our next steps having a Purpose – Goal – Profit – Do --> PGPD. This week to make a next step happen is to schedule it. Even if it is a simple task, getting it on your schedule will do two things:
1. Relieve your mind of trying to remember it
2. Put it on your schedule to make it a real task or project.
So, take a look at your TO-DO list and identify what you can schedule now, delegate or delete. This alone will free up some valuable brain space to think about your next business adventure.
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
Reasons to Buy
I saw a commercial last night about American Express’s Shine a Light Program. If you haven’t seen it, be on the lookout for it. Not only is it excellently written, its message of forming relationships with customers is priceless. (Oops, wrong card). Bravo’s Top Chef Judge and restaurateur Tom Colicchio tells the viewer why he shops directly with Urban Angler versus buying his fly fishing gear online or via a catalog. He’s interested in three things:
1) Actually feeling the equipment he’s interested in buying
2) Getting opinions from the staff on what’s the best gear and where’s the best place to fish
3) Forming relationships - even friendships - with the people at Urban Angler.
Keep this in mind when you’re working with a client/customer today. Even if you’re not a retailer, these are important things that customers want to know/see/feel. BTW, the ad appeared on Bravo TV, so keep watching for the commercial. You can view the ad online if you’re interested. Simply Google Amex’s Shine a Light Program.
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
Awakened Entrepreneurs Connect with Like-Minded People
A fantastic way to build your business is to connect with like-minded people. Open, mindful engagement with like-minded people always empowers you, helps you learn what you need to learn about yourself, and gives you the experience of giving and receiving unconditional love and support. And, that IS one of the most soul-nurturing things you can do for yourself and your business. It’s like recharging your battery.
I recently attended the inaugural meeting of the new Toledo area chapter of Powerful You! Women’s Network (click here for more information - http://www.powerfulyou.com). The “networking with a heart” meeting was just wonderful and I noticed when I take time to engage with like-minded women, I feel totally appreciated and connected. Another time when I feel this way is at my mastermind meeting facilitated by Linda Fayerweather (click here for more information....____). The sense that everyone is there to offer suggestions and support to each other is very fulfilling and helps me realize I am not alone.
Who do you engage with at this level? And, if you don’t have people right now who are able to have this level of connection with you, what will you do to bring these types of relationships into your life?
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
419-344-6613
29% Solution - WEEK 13: Join A Web-Based Networking Group
So you’re stuck in your proverbial cave? There’s still a way out…through the world wide web!
Some say that if you successfully harness the power of the internet you can actually experience positive results in your business networking efforts. David Teten and Scott Allen, authors of The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online, tell us that online networks may even become the next power lunch or golf course.
Many times when folks hear the word “network” they assume it’s referring to the way computers are physically connected and hardwired together. The most current definition has to do with the virtual connection to today’s wired-up world. WWW dot opportunities seem almost infinite!
These days, how often do you hear, “Let’s do lunch?” Almost never! It’s been replaced by, “Shoot me an email” or “Let’s catch up on FaceBook.” My 14 year old daughter literally uses the word “talk” in place of “text” and describes online communications as if they’re discussions.
Like it or not, we can keep up or get left behind because technology is going to continue to move forward with or without us. It’s generally more empowering to get started on your own terms. So let’s do it!
This week TAKE ACTION by venturing out via computer:
1. Find an online business community that’s a good fit for you.
2. Set up your profile (completely).
3. Request connections with people you know.
4. Post your status and comment on a colleague’s blog/status.
5. Schedule daily or weekly time to regularly participate in your online community.
Can you establish relationships and do business online? Yes. I still firmly believe that the strongest relationships, those that stand the test of time and turmoil, will be those that are nurtured face to face, nose to nose and toe to toe. Online communities shouldn’t take the place of the actual community you live and work in. It should enhance and add value to it!
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
Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
Enjoy your java with an eclectic collection of tips and ideas to use today and to get energized for the week ahead. The archives are stored at: MondayMorningMotivators.blogspot.com
"Sweeping dirt under the rug only creates a bump you keep tripping over." --Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
This week's topics include:
• What is Your Next Step Part 2 - Linda Fayerweather
• Reasons to Buy - Rebecca Booth
• Connect with Like-Minded People - Pat Altvater
• 29% Solution – Join a Web-based Networking Group - Paula Fraizer
What is Your Next Step Part 3
Last week we talked about our next steps having a Purpose – Goal – Profit – Do --> PGPD. This week to make a next step happen is to schedule it. Even if it is a simple task, getting it on your schedule will do two things:
1. Relieve your mind of trying to remember it
2. Put it on your schedule to make it a real task or project.
So, take a look at your TO-DO list and identify what you can schedule now, delegate or delete. This alone will free up some valuable brain space to think about your next business adventure.
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
Reasons to Buy
I saw a commercial last night about American Express’s Shine a Light Program. If you haven’t seen it, be on the lookout for it. Not only is it excellently written, its message of forming relationships with customers is priceless. (Oops, wrong card). Bravo’s Top Chef Judge and restaurateur Tom Colicchio tells the viewer why he shops directly with Urban Angler versus buying his fly fishing gear online or via a catalog. He’s interested in three things:
1) Actually feeling the equipment he’s interested in buying
2) Getting opinions from the staff on what’s the best gear and where’s the best place to fish
3) Forming relationships - even friendships - with the people at Urban Angler.
Keep this in mind when you’re working with a client/customer today. Even if you’re not a retailer, these are important things that customers want to know/see/feel. BTW, the ad appeared on Bravo TV, so keep watching for the commercial. You can view the ad online if you’re interested. Simply Google Amex’s Shine a Light Program.
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
Awakened Entrepreneurs Connect with Like-Minded People
A fantastic way to build your business is to connect with like-minded people. Open, mindful engagement with like-minded people always empowers you, helps you learn what you need to learn about yourself, and gives you the experience of giving and receiving unconditional love and support. And, that IS one of the most soul-nurturing things you can do for yourself and your business. It’s like recharging your battery.
I recently attended the inaugural meeting of the new Toledo area chapter of Powerful You! Women’s Network (click here for more information - http://www.powerfulyou.com). The “networking with a heart” meeting was just wonderful and I noticed when I take time to engage with like-minded women, I feel totally appreciated and connected. Another time when I feel this way is at my mastermind meeting facilitated by Linda Fayerweather (click here for more information....____). The sense that everyone is there to offer suggestions and support to each other is very fulfilling and helps me realize I am not alone.
Who do you engage with at this level? And, if you don’t have people right now who are able to have this level of connection with you, what will you do to bring these types of relationships into your life?
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
419-344-6613
29% Solution - WEEK 13: Join A Web-Based Networking Group
So you’re stuck in your proverbial cave? There’s still a way out…through the world wide web!
Some say that if you successfully harness the power of the internet you can actually experience positive results in your business networking efforts. David Teten and Scott Allen, authors of The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online, tell us that online networks may even become the next power lunch or golf course.
Many times when folks hear the word “network” they assume it’s referring to the way computers are physically connected and hardwired together. The most current definition has to do with the virtual connection to today’s wired-up world. WWW dot opportunities seem almost infinite!
These days, how often do you hear, “Let’s do lunch?” Almost never! It’s been replaced by, “Shoot me an email” or “Let’s catch up on FaceBook.” My 14 year old daughter literally uses the word “talk” in place of “text” and describes online communications as if they’re discussions.
Like it or not, we can keep up or get left behind because technology is going to continue to move forward with or without us. It’s generally more empowering to get started on your own terms. So let’s do it!
This week TAKE ACTION by venturing out via computer:
1. Find an online business community that’s a good fit for you.
2. Set up your profile (completely).
3. Request connections with people you know.
4. Post your status and comment on a colleague’s blog/status.
5. Schedule daily or weekly time to regularly participate in your online community.
Can you establish relationships and do business online? Yes. I still firmly believe that the strongest relationships, those that stand the test of time and turmoil, will be those that are nurtured face to face, nose to nose and toe to toe. Online communities shouldn’t take the place of the actual community you live and work in. It should enhance and add value to it!
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
Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Customer Service
Customer Service, Empathy and Success all walk the same walk!
“To err is human, to forgive is divine.” –Alexander Pope
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week's topics include:
* Customer Service for Small Businesses - Linda Fayerweather
* Take it from a Success Coach
- Rebecca Booth
* The Inspired Entrepreneurs are Empathetic - Pat Altvater
* 29% Solution Diversify - Paula Fraizer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer Service for Small Business – Part 3
This week’s customer service tip for the rest of 2009 is Recovery.
To err is human. . . is an old quote that ends with “to forgive is divine” and with customer service, sometimes we have to forgive ourselves, learn and move on. When you have a customer service issue with a customer you value, try this process:
1. Identify WHY it happened. Asking “WHY” at least 5 times of yourself or your staff is a great Lean tip that works and will help you get to the root cause of the problem.
2. Develop a process to deal with these types of problems or clients. Sometimes we can’t stop the problem from happening but can mitigate the angst our customers feel.
3. Now, make things right by recovering in style and create a deeply loyal customer.
4. Document the process and build a procedure that is repeatable.
5. Schedule to review your new procedure at least quarterly and tweak to perfection.
These steps are work, but in the end, problems become a welcome, fine-tuning of your business model. I personally would rather run then have a customer service problem, but knowing where I fail my customer is so important to getting and keeping the right customers.
Week 1: Diversify
Week 2: Compensation and Tracking
Next week: Say NO
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Take it from a Success Coach
The most powerful business tool is the ability to learn from your mistakes. Entrepreneurs are sponges when it comes to knowledge. We are constantly on the outlook for innovative ways to improve our business practices. We attend workshops, talk with our peers, garner feedback from our clients and devour magazines and books in hopes of taking our businesses to the next level.
Success Coach, Romanus Wolter, says that all of this information is meaningless without our own unique interpretation of it. Things move so fast that we often forget to apply what we’ve just learned to our businesses. With this said, we can – and do – falter. While we can’t reverse or change that history, Wolter says can change four very small habits and improve our businesses:
1. Make Hindsight Your Mentor – document your lessons – those you’ve learned the hard way by a mistake or those that you’ve learned from that workshop you just took. Keep a notebook with you at all times and take note of the what you’re doing right, wrong and what you can implement.
2. Trust Your “Sixth Sense” – your natural instinct is a powerful one. Finetuning your instincts will show you how seemingly random events fit together in your business. When you get that tingle in your gut, don’t ignore it. Stop and evaluate the information and explore how you might use it.
3. Integrate Hindsight with Foresight – History is a great teacher. Let past experiences provide you with helpful advice for the future. Weave what you’ve learned into future projects. Chronicle your lessons and update your business practices accordingly. By disciplining yourself to look at the past and future simultaneously it helps you make significant breakthroughs.
4. Let Yourself Make Mistakes – Making mistakes is a natural part of the process. Be open to tweaking your hindsight lessons to fit the particular needs of a new project. Open your mind to new strategies and recognize that errors may occur. Be truthful with yourself even it if hurts. By drawing on lessons you’ve learned as you engage in everyday actions, you’ll achieve even more with less effort. Hindsight is an effective tool in propelling your business forward and an important reminder that you have the ability to attain any goal.
Go for it!
Copyright 2009 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/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awakened Entrepreneurs Cultivate Enthusiasm for Their Work.
“I have found enthusiasm for work to be the most priceless ingredient in any recipe for success.” ~ Samuel Goldwyn
Those words are so true, aren’t they? It’s difficult to act enthusiastically when your energy is low. Neither can you muster up much creativity. In fact, studies indicate that when your morale is low day after day, the creative part of your brain becomes thinner and when you are excited and positive, the creative part of your brain becomes thicker. So your ability to think creatively is directly tied to your energy level.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll discuss some of the ways to keep your enthusiasm for your work high.
One way to have more enthusiasm is to participate in activities that produce morale lifting endorphins, such as exercise. Start your day with vigorous exercise which will cause the body to produce endorphins and you’ll feel better all day long. Or, if you feel your enthusiasm waning as the day goes on, spend 20 minutes exercising, and you’ll return to your desk ready to press on.
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com/
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com/
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
419-344-6613
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear MMM Readers,
As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I’ve found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 9: Meet the Right People
“Master networkers know that a good contact isn’t necessarily a good connection. One of the most important things we’ve learned is that it’s not what you know, or even who you know – it’s how well you know them and how well they know you that really counts in building a powerful network.”
“A contact is someone you know, but with whom you haven’t fully established a strong relationship. A connection is someone who knows you, likes you and trusts you because you’ve taken the time to establish credibility with [them].”
I can’t tell you how many networking events I’ve attended over the last 20 years. Without exception, there are always two main groups of people you can easily recognize. One group is enjoying, or finds comfort in, the food and drinks. The other group is there shaking hands, kissing babies and collecting as many business cards as possible from their new contacts hoping to find that one special person that will become their next client.
One of your main goals should be to meet the right people. Quick note: I’m not saying that there are “wrong” people; simply people that are better suited than others to help you build your business. How do you know who the right people are?
TAKE ACTION this week to identify them:
1. Identify 5 professions (other than your own) that serve your preferred clients. Those are the folks you want to meet when you’re out and about.
2. Identify 2 specific business goals and then identify the specific people you can seek out to help you accomplish each goal.
3. Identify 3 associations and organizations you can ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in to meet and develop relationships with the right people.
Unless and until you can take all of those business cards to your local bank and cash them in, it’s probably not in your best interest to become a card collector. Instead, you should attend networking events with purpose…the purpose of connecting with the right people.
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
“To err is human, to forgive is divine.” –Alexander Pope
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week's topics include:
* Customer Service for Small Businesses - Linda Fayerweather
* Take it from a Success Coach
- Rebecca Booth
* The Inspired Entrepreneurs are Empathetic - Pat Altvater
* 29% Solution Diversify - Paula Fraizer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer Service for Small Business – Part 3
This week’s customer service tip for the rest of 2009 is Recovery.
To err is human. . . is an old quote that ends with “to forgive is divine” and with customer service, sometimes we have to forgive ourselves, learn and move on. When you have a customer service issue with a customer you value, try this process:
1. Identify WHY it happened. Asking “WHY” at least 5 times of yourself or your staff is a great Lean tip that works and will help you get to the root cause of the problem.
2. Develop a process to deal with these types of problems or clients. Sometimes we can’t stop the problem from happening but can mitigate the angst our customers feel.
3. Now, make things right by recovering in style and create a deeply loyal customer.
4. Document the process and build a procedure that is repeatable.
5. Schedule to review your new procedure at least quarterly and tweak to perfection.
These steps are work, but in the end, problems become a welcome, fine-tuning of your business model. I personally would rather run then have a customer service problem, but knowing where I fail my customer is so important to getting and keeping the right customers.
Week 1: Diversify
Week 2: Compensation and Tracking
Next week: Say NO
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Take it from a Success Coach
The most powerful business tool is the ability to learn from your mistakes. Entrepreneurs are sponges when it comes to knowledge. We are constantly on the outlook for innovative ways to improve our business practices. We attend workshops, talk with our peers, garner feedback from our clients and devour magazines and books in hopes of taking our businesses to the next level.
Success Coach, Romanus Wolter, says that all of this information is meaningless without our own unique interpretation of it. Things move so fast that we often forget to apply what we’ve just learned to our businesses. With this said, we can – and do – falter. While we can’t reverse or change that history, Wolter says can change four very small habits and improve our businesses:
1. Make Hindsight Your Mentor – document your lessons – those you’ve learned the hard way by a mistake or those that you’ve learned from that workshop you just took. Keep a notebook with you at all times and take note of the what you’re doing right, wrong and what you can implement.
2. Trust Your “Sixth Sense” – your natural instinct is a powerful one. Finetuning your instincts will show you how seemingly random events fit together in your business. When you get that tingle in your gut, don’t ignore it. Stop and evaluate the information and explore how you might use it.
3. Integrate Hindsight with Foresight – History is a great teacher. Let past experiences provide you with helpful advice for the future. Weave what you’ve learned into future projects. Chronicle your lessons and update your business practices accordingly. By disciplining yourself to look at the past and future simultaneously it helps you make significant breakthroughs.
4. Let Yourself Make Mistakes – Making mistakes is a natural part of the process. Be open to tweaking your hindsight lessons to fit the particular needs of a new project. Open your mind to new strategies and recognize that errors may occur. Be truthful with yourself even it if hurts. By drawing on lessons you’ve learned as you engage in everyday actions, you’ll achieve even more with less effort. Hindsight is an effective tool in propelling your business forward and an important reminder that you have the ability to attain any goal.
Go for it!
Copyright 2009 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/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awakened Entrepreneurs Cultivate Enthusiasm for Their Work.
“I have found enthusiasm for work to be the most priceless ingredient in any recipe for success.” ~ Samuel Goldwyn
Those words are so true, aren’t they? It’s difficult to act enthusiastically when your energy is low. Neither can you muster up much creativity. In fact, studies indicate that when your morale is low day after day, the creative part of your brain becomes thinner and when you are excited and positive, the creative part of your brain becomes thicker. So your ability to think creatively is directly tied to your energy level.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll discuss some of the ways to keep your enthusiasm for your work high.
One way to have more enthusiasm is to participate in activities that produce morale lifting endorphins, such as exercise. Start your day with vigorous exercise which will cause the body to produce endorphins and you’ll feel better all day long. Or, if you feel your enthusiasm waning as the day goes on, spend 20 minutes exercising, and you’ll return to your desk ready to press on.
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com/
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com/
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
419-344-6613
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Dear MMM Readers,
As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I’ve found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 9: Meet the Right People
“Master networkers know that a good contact isn’t necessarily a good connection. One of the most important things we’ve learned is that it’s not what you know, or even who you know – it’s how well you know them and how well they know you that really counts in building a powerful network.”
“A contact is someone you know, but with whom you haven’t fully established a strong relationship. A connection is someone who knows you, likes you and trusts you because you’ve taken the time to establish credibility with [them].”
I can’t tell you how many networking events I’ve attended over the last 20 years. Without exception, there are always two main groups of people you can easily recognize. One group is enjoying, or finds comfort in, the food and drinks. The other group is there shaking hands, kissing babies and collecting as many business cards as possible from their new contacts hoping to find that one special person that will become their next client.
One of your main goals should be to meet the right people. Quick note: I’m not saying that there are “wrong” people; simply people that are better suited than others to help you build your business. How do you know who the right people are?
TAKE ACTION this week to identify them:
1. Identify 5 professions (other than your own) that serve your preferred clients. Those are the folks you want to meet when you’re out and about.
2. Identify 2 specific business goals and then identify the specific people you can seek out to help you accomplish each goal.
3. Identify 3 associations and organizations you can ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in to meet and develop relationships with the right people.
Unless and until you can take all of those business cards to your local bank and cash them in, it’s probably not in your best interest to become a card collector. Instead, you should attend networking events with purpose…the purpose of connecting with the right people.
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.
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Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
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