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Monday Morning Motivators – January 1, 2007
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Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
--Bill Vaughan
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Table of Contents
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1. Resolve to Do Something! – Linda Fayerweather
2. Focus for 2007 - Rebecca Booth
3. Sphere of Influence - John Meyer
4. Fine Print
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1. Resolve to Do Something!
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Welcome to the New Year and as you are making those resolutions, try some to make life easier all year.
1. Back-up your computer regularly - really!
2. Produce a P/L and Balance Sheet monthly – look at it!
3. Learn something new this year – maybe a language!
5. Distribute genuine praise regularly to those in and around your business. Doing just one of this may help 2007 be the year of your goals.
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
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2. Focus for 2007 - New Year… New You …New Business Too!
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You already know what you do best and you’re focused on delivering more of that. But did you know that focus is fundamental to marketing, innovation and sales success? According to Doug Hall, writer for BusinessWeek, SmallBiz, products with a highly focused marketing message are 60% more likely to be successful than those with broader messages?
Hall notes that in this BlackBerry/cell phone world of rapid communication, we’re prone to knee-jerk decision making versus giving ourselves time to focus on what will actually make our businesses stronger. With today being a new year, I challenge you to think deeply about your marketing over the next few weeks. Dig out that marketing message, look at your product listing and service options – how can each be narrowed? Remember a highly focused marketing message is 60% more likely to be successful than a broader message. Narrow down, move up!
Next week – Pay to Play #4
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
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3. Know Who is in Your Sphere of Influence
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Sphere of Influence are businesses that surround your business that don't compete with you, yet can give you a lot of business. For example if you put a Banker, CPA, Attorney and Financial Planner together in the same room, they can't help but to do business together. The same goes for a Realtor, Mortgage Broker, Title Company and Appraisal Service. Develop a reciprocal agreement to help the people in your Sphere of Influence, because that is where you can give and receive a lot of business.
Copyright 2007 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday, January 01, 2007
Monday, December 25, 2006
Happy Holidays
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Monday Morning Motivators – December 25, 2006
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Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing returns to you glad.
--John Greenleaf Whittier
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Table of Contents
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1. Customer Returns = Thanks – Linda Fayerweather
2. 2007 Plan - Rebecca Booth
3. Holiday Doldrums - John Meyer
4. Fine Print
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1. Customer Returns = Thanks
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In lean businesses, we want to eliminate defects and errors. If you are a retail business during the holiday return season, use this opportunity as a learning experience. Are there any trends in what is being returned – Color? Style? Quality? A simple tracking system will help you sell better all through the year and maybe help customers have fewer returns in 2007. Happy Holidays and a New Year.
Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
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2. 2007 Plan
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Start the New Year off right by creating a marketing plan which details your 2007 marketing goals. Divide a piece of paper into 13 columns. At the top of the first column write “Initiative.” At the top of the remaining 12 columns fill in the months of the year. Now divide the page into rows, list each marketing initiative that you want to achieve under the initiative column. Make sure you include networking, advertising (specify what type), business lunches, direct mail, special events and anything else you’re going to do. Now place check marks under the months that you’ll be marketing. Spot any holes in the chart when you’re finished? If so, come up with different ways for filling up the voids. Frequency is one of the keys to great marketing.
Next week – Pay to Play #4
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
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3. Holiday Doldrums
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The last 6 days of 2007 are upon us. Make the most
of them with your networking team. Since this is often a slack time in businesses, plan your January networking now.
Starting January with one-to-one meetings with
your referral partners will make the transition from
holiday to work smooth and prosperous.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday Morning Motivators – December 25, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing returns to you glad.
--John Greenleaf Whittier
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Customer Returns = Thanks – Linda Fayerweather
2. 2007 Plan - Rebecca Booth
3. Holiday Doldrums - John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Customer Returns = Thanks
============================================================
In lean businesses, we want to eliminate defects and errors. If you are a retail business during the holiday return season, use this opportunity as a learning experience. Are there any trends in what is being returned – Color? Style? Quality? A simple tracking system will help you sell better all through the year and maybe help customers have fewer returns in 2007. Happy Holidays and a New Year.
Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. 2007 Plan
============================================================
Start the New Year off right by creating a marketing plan which details your 2007 marketing goals. Divide a piece of paper into 13 columns. At the top of the first column write “Initiative.” At the top of the remaining 12 columns fill in the months of the year. Now divide the page into rows, list each marketing initiative that you want to achieve under the initiative column. Make sure you include networking, advertising (specify what type), business lunches, direct mail, special events and anything else you’re going to do. Now place check marks under the months that you’ll be marketing. Spot any holes in the chart when you’re finished? If so, come up with different ways for filling up the voids. Frequency is one of the keys to great marketing.
Next week – Pay to Play #4
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Holiday Doldrums
===========================================================
The last 6 days of 2007 are upon us. Make the most
of them with your networking team. Since this is often a slack time in businesses, plan your January networking now.
Starting January with one-to-one meetings with
your referral partners will make the transition from
holiday to work smooth and prosperous.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday, December 18, 2006
Through your Customers Eyes
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Monday Morning Motivators – December 18, 2006
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Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the "right stuff" to turn our dreams into reality.”
--James Womack
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Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Listen to the Voice of Your Customer
– Linda Fayerweather
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #2 – Vague - Rebecca Booth
3. Let’s Do Lunch - John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Listen to the Voice of Your Customer
============================================================
When working out problems with customer service, sometimes you will need to get in the shoes of your customer. We all know that customers have other places to go for goods and services, so realize that customers really want you to:
”Solve my problem completely”;
“Don’t waste my time”;
“Get me exactly what I want”;
“Reduce the number of problems I need to solve”.
If you learn the answers to these questions for your customers, you will help grow your value to them.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #3 – Pay to Play
============================================================
Not spending enough money to secure a top spot will not allow you to play the click through game. Pay-per-click advertising is based on an auction model, which gives you, the advertiser, great flexibility in deciding how much money you want to pay for particular search terms. The higher a price you pay, the higher up your ad will be. And paying the price is worth it once you hear this fact: 85% of all PPC clicks are on ads in one of the top three positions! As always, you’re not wasting money when people aren’t clicking through; however, no clicks equate to no leads; no leads equate to no new sales. So think about PPC as an investment in your success.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
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3. Become "The Source”
===========================================================
The more active you become in your networks, the quicker you will become "The Source" for everyone around you. Inform family, friends, customers, prospects, etc., that if they ever need something, they should call you because you can help them or you know someone who can. When someone calls you looking for a good auto mechanic, and you're a banker, you have successfully become "The Source". Actively look to help people and they won't forget it.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday Morning Motivators – December 18, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the "right stuff" to turn our dreams into reality.”
--James Womack
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Listen to the Voice of Your Customer
– Linda Fayerweather
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #2 – Vague - Rebecca Booth
3. Let’s Do Lunch - John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Listen to the Voice of Your Customer
============================================================
When working out problems with customer service, sometimes you will need to get in the shoes of your customer. We all know that customers have other places to go for goods and services, so realize that customers really want you to:
”Solve my problem completely”;
“Don’t waste my time”;
“Get me exactly what I want”;
“Reduce the number of problems I need to solve”.
If you learn the answers to these questions for your customers, you will help grow your value to them.
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #3 – Pay to Play
============================================================
Not spending enough money to secure a top spot will not allow you to play the click through game. Pay-per-click advertising is based on an auction model, which gives you, the advertiser, great flexibility in deciding how much money you want to pay for particular search terms. The higher a price you pay, the higher up your ad will be. And paying the price is worth it once you hear this fact: 85% of all PPC clicks are on ads in one of the top three positions! As always, you’re not wasting money when people aren’t clicking through; however, no clicks equate to no leads; no leads equate to no new sales. So think about PPC as an investment in your success.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Become "The Source”
===========================================================
The more active you become in your networks, the quicker you will become "The Source" for everyone around you. Inform family, friends, customers, prospects, etc., that if they ever need something, they should call you because you can help them or you know someone who can. When someone calls you looking for a good auto mechanic, and you're a banker, you have successfully become "The Source". Actively look to help people and they won't forget it.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday, December 11, 2006
Mistake Proofing - Click - Let's Do Lunch
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Monday Morning Motivators – December 11, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."
--Japanese Proverb
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Mistake Proofing – Linda Fayerweather
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #2 – Vague - Rebecca Booth
3. Let’s Do Lunch - John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Mistake Proofing
============================================================
Lean businesses do mistake proofing because a mistake is waste and even a small mistake repeated overtime will become a big headache. Here is a new lean term to remember “Poka Yoke” ????. Poka Yoke is Japanese for fail-safing. Need an example? You can’t remove your car key from the ignition unless the vehicle is in “park”. You have been stopped from making a potentially serious error. If you start looking around, Poka Yokes are everywhere from the little wooden cutout that doesn’t let the too-short-person on a ride to the attached tail on your gas cap. These Poka Yokes take the thinking and judgment out of a system and get your mind back to more productive work. When you look around your office or shop and see an error that too frequently appears, is this a Poka Yoke opportunity? If you would like some fun ideas, check out John Grout's website.
http://csob.berry.edu/faculty/jgrout/pokayoke.shtml
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #2 – Being Vague
============================================================
Unfortunately, pay-per-click advertising is very limited with what you can/can’t do in your ad. For instance, you are limited to just a handful of words – 190 characters (including spaces) is what Yahoo allows in a text ad. Google tightens that up to 70. If that’s not limiting enough, you can’t use color, photos or logos! Word choice becomes extremely important when you’re using this medium. Avoid words such as quality, economical and good service – these words are vague and meaningless. Instead zero in on what sets you apart from your competition, a patent you hold, a specific product you sell or exceptionally friendly warranties.
Remember: if you’re not specific enough people won’t click through. Lucky for you, you haven’t spent any money. However, you can lose big bucks if your ad causes clicks with people who are not potential clients. You’ll pay for these clicks only to find the leads going nowhere.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Let’s Do Lunch
===========================================================
Remember, for people to pass you business, they must first get to know you. Set up a schedule to meet someone different from your networking group at least once a week for coffee or lunch. Divide the allotted time for them to share information about their business with you and for you to share information about your business with them. This type of schedule is very manageable and very helpful in building relationships.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
Monday Morning Motivators – December 11, 2006
============================================================
Espresso business tips are designed to "caffeinate" your mind while your java gets you going. Subscribing and Unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."
--Japanese Proverb
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Mistake Proofing – Linda Fayerweather
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #2 – Vague - Rebecca Booth
3. Let’s Do Lunch - John Meyer
4. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Mistake Proofing
============================================================
Lean businesses do mistake proofing because a mistake is waste and even a small mistake repeated overtime will become a big headache. Here is a new lean term to remember “Poka Yoke” ????. Poka Yoke is Japanese for fail-safing. Need an example? You can’t remove your car key from the ignition unless the vehicle is in “park”. You have been stopped from making a potentially serious error. If you start looking around, Poka Yokes are everywhere from the little wooden cutout that doesn’t let the too-short-person on a ride to the attached tail on your gas cap. These Poka Yokes take the thinking and judgment out of a system and get your mind back to more productive work. When you look around your office or shop and see an error that too frequently appears, is this a Poka Yoke opportunity? If you would like some fun ideas, check out John Grout's website.
http://csob.berry.edu/faculty/jgrout/pokayoke.shtml
Copyright 2006 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Mistake #2 – Being Vague
============================================================
Unfortunately, pay-per-click advertising is very limited with what you can/can’t do in your ad. For instance, you are limited to just a handful of words – 190 characters (including spaces) is what Yahoo allows in a text ad. Google tightens that up to 70. If that’s not limiting enough, you can’t use color, photos or logos! Word choice becomes extremely important when you’re using this medium. Avoid words such as quality, economical and good service – these words are vague and meaningless. Instead zero in on what sets you apart from your competition, a patent you hold, a specific product you sell or exceptionally friendly warranties.
Remember: if you’re not specific enough people won’t click through. Lucky for you, you haven’t spent any money. However, you can lose big bucks if your ad causes clicks with people who are not potential clients. You’ll pay for these clicks only to find the leads going nowhere.
Copyright 2006 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Let’s Do Lunch
===========================================================
Remember, for people to pass you business, they must first get to know you. Set up a schedule to meet someone different from your networking group at least once a week for coffee or lunch. Divide the allotted time for them to share information about their business with you and for you to share information about your business with them. This type of schedule is very manageable and very helpful in building relationships.
Copyright 2006 John R. Meyer
District Director, BNI Ohio
http://www.bni-ohio.com
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