============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – November 12, 2007
============================================================
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 best plan is to profit by the folly of others.”
--Pliny the Elder
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. First Profit, then Grow – Linda Fayerweather
2. Thanksgiving Tidbits - Rebecca Booth
3. Take a Power Shower – Pat Altvater
4. ON-LINE Networking Etiquette – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. First Profit, then Grow
============================================================
As you are pulling your 2008 plan together, before you get out your crystal ball, look in your business’s “rear view mirror” often call the P/L or profit and loss statement. If your business’s profit is not where you want it now, growing it may exacerbate the lagging profit. If you don’t like paperwork, growth will bring more. If managing people is not your cup of tea, growth usually means more employees. Anything your business is NOT doing well NOW, will be amplified with growth. As you are planning for 2008, be sure you have your business basics in line before you leap to the next level.
Basic Check list:
___Is your price right?
___Are there more customers and where are they?
___Are you using tools or technologies to help manage your business?
___Do you have systems in place for production, personnel, service?
___Growth costs money, do you have more?
Plan now, and you will be smiling later!
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Thanksgiving Tidbits
============================================================
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to let your clients know how much they mean to you. A simple card or bouquet can carry your sentiment for you. For those who are more daring, try quizzing your clients with these questions:
How many turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving?
How many Americans put stuffing inside the turkey?
What percentages of cranberries eaten are eaten on Thanksgiving?
How many green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving?
Answers: Around 280 million; 50%; 20% and more than 40 million!
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Take a Power Shower
===========================================================
Finish your morning shower with a 10-20 second blast of cold water. This will invigorate you from head to toe and wash drowsiness away. Researchers say this increases your heart rate, alertness and the blood flow to your skeletal muscle. Several studies have found that patients who underwent cold water therapy actually experienced increased levels of white blood cells, which are used to stem off disease.
As if that weren’t enough, consider also that cold water stimulates the body to release endorphins and can also put you in a better mood, believe it or not. In addition to the stimulating qualities of the endorphins, the cold water activates some of the nerves in your brain resulting in an exhilaration upon leaving the shower Next time try a cold shower and see if you don’t feel more uplifted afterward.
Copyright 2007 Patricia Altvater
Transformations Institute
Author, Journey to Health 12-Month Total Transformation Program
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. ON-LINE Networking Etiquette
===========================================================
Before technology, networking was a face to face contact sport. Thanks to on-line communities we can now network from our own homes. I began to strategically engage some of these on-line communities. What amazes me is that people will post on a blog or “say” something in an email that they would never say if they were standing right in front of you.
I recently had someone call me on the phone and she had nothing but positive things to say. She came to my office for an appointment and still had nothing but nice things to say. Apparently, she had SOMETHING ELSE to say because she verbally spewed in an email afterward. She even decided to share her “courageous” message with others by cc’ing them.
In the past, I spent way too much time composing positive responses to these negative emails believing I could get them to “see the light” with a few inspiring words. Sadly, these negative Nellies end up bogged down in “not so nice”, counterproductive conversations. I choose to invest my time helping positive, professional people by having on-line and off-line conversations that are solution focused and let the Law of Attraction do its thing!
Dr. Ivan Misner’s, recent article “Out of Line – Online!” further discusses this type of spewing.
Copyright 2007 Paula Frazier
Executive Director
BNI – Southwestern Virginia
http://bniswva.com
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Winter is just around the corner, make sure you vehicle is ready.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
5 M's - Kudos - Mind Munch - Networking Defined
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – November 5, 2007
============================================================
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
“In modern business it is not the crook who is to be feared most, it is the honest man who doesn't know what he is doing.”
--William Wordsworth
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Five M’s – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Kudo – Part 2 - Rebecca Booth
3. Mind Over Munching – Pat Altvater
4. Networking by Definition – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Five M’s
============================================================
No, this isn't a plug for M&Ms, although I'm sure some treats are still lurking even though I'm thinking about caramel apples. The Five M's identify the primary resources driving operational performance and hopefully profits.
· Men & Women: The people in your business, employees, vendors and contractors - everyone from the farmer to the delivery driver to get caramel apples to market.
· Machines: Systems or devices for performing work; including both paper and computerized information systems. This includes regulations on products and services - maybe they don't look like machines, but one bad apple . . .
· Materials: Items from which value is created; including work-in-process information - the apple, the stick, the caramel.
· Methods: The procedures used to produce value. Step by step directions for the most efficient way to produce the caramel apples so we don't have a sticky mess.
· Measures: The evaluation tools for monitoring and managing. Production and customer feedback is essential!
Identifying your Five M's will also help you identify waste. Ask yourself if your business is doing something that doesn't fit in the above model and then if it doesn't add value ask "Why are we doing this?"
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Kudo
============================================================
Just so you know, that Paper Coach I work with, Julie Higby, doesn’t always attract bad marketers. In fact, she’s got a great story to tell about her recent move. She worked with Ron Erdman from National City Bank for the loan on her new home. The day she closed on her house, she was pleasantly surprised by a gift on her front door step. The loan officer had a “Welcome Home” message attached to a beautiful houseplant for her and her daughter. A few days later, she received a thank you note. The icing on the cake: Ron had his secretary call Julie to see how things were going with the move and if she needed any additional help. While others choose traditional form letters as a follow up, Ron warmed up the touch with the personal call.
BTW, Ron and Julie also do business together. He has hired Julie to be his virtual assistant on a follow up birthday card campaign that he has initiated with Send Out Cards (sendoutcards.com). Not only did he earn a commission off the home sale, he shared his wealth with the client by hiring her to do something for him. While she probably won’t be buying another house again soon, he has upped his chances of garnering more referrals by giving back to his client. That’s one smart cookie!
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Mind Over Munching
===========================================================
Next time a food craving hits, British researchers say to counter it with a crossword puzzle or Sudoku puzzle. They concluded that diverting your attention as soon as the urge strikes for an unhealthy snack may help you regain your self-control.
The researchers gave 18 dieting coeds mental tasks and tempted them with three snacks: chocolate-covered sponge cake with orange filling, mini chocolate bars, and chips. The dieters ate less when distracted with tasks that engaged their complete attention. The distraction you choose must be totally absorbing, the scientists advise; hobbies like knitting won’t do because they allow your mind to wander-maybe right back to that pie or the ice cream in the frig. Furthermore, they concluded that the more you practice, the better the method works. So choose a diversion you can use anywhere, like books of Sudoku, the popular math riddles, crossword puzzles, etc.
Copyright 2007 Patricia Altvater
Transformations Institute
Author, Journey to Health 12-Month Total Transformation Program
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. Networking by Definition
===========================================================
Networking, as defined by Ivan Misner, the networking guru, is “the process of developing and using contacts to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, expand your sphere of influence or serve the community. It is one of the most powerful techniques you can use to succeed in any venture.” So learn the skills and techniques necessary for effective networking and deliver a positive message effectively.
Copyright 2007 Paula Frazier
Executive Director
BNI – Southwestern Virginia
http://bniswva.com
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
A Haiku to remind you to backup your computer.
Windows XP crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams.
Monday Morning Motivators – November 5, 2007
============================================================
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
“In modern business it is not the crook who is to be feared most, it is the honest man who doesn't know what he is doing.”
--William Wordsworth
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Five M’s – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Kudo – Part 2 - Rebecca Booth
3. Mind Over Munching – Pat Altvater
4. Networking by Definition – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Five M’s
============================================================
No, this isn't a plug for M&Ms, although I'm sure some treats are still lurking even though I'm thinking about caramel apples. The Five M's identify the primary resources driving operational performance and hopefully profits.
· Men & Women: The people in your business, employees, vendors and contractors - everyone from the farmer to the delivery driver to get caramel apples to market.
· Machines: Systems or devices for performing work; including both paper and computerized information systems. This includes regulations on products and services - maybe they don't look like machines, but one bad apple . . .
· Materials: Items from which value is created; including work-in-process information - the apple, the stick, the caramel.
· Methods: The procedures used to produce value. Step by step directions for the most efficient way to produce the caramel apples so we don't have a sticky mess.
· Measures: The evaluation tools for monitoring and managing. Production and customer feedback is essential!
Identifying your Five M's will also help you identify waste. Ask yourself if your business is doing something that doesn't fit in the above model and then if it doesn't add value ask "Why are we doing this?"
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Kudo
============================================================
Just so you know, that Paper Coach I work with, Julie Higby, doesn’t always attract bad marketers. In fact, she’s got a great story to tell about her recent move. She worked with Ron Erdman from National City Bank for the loan on her new home. The day she closed on her house, she was pleasantly surprised by a gift on her front door step. The loan officer had a “Welcome Home” message attached to a beautiful houseplant for her and her daughter. A few days later, she received a thank you note. The icing on the cake: Ron had his secretary call Julie to see how things were going with the move and if she needed any additional help. While others choose traditional form letters as a follow up, Ron warmed up the touch with the personal call.
BTW, Ron and Julie also do business together. He has hired Julie to be his virtual assistant on a follow up birthday card campaign that he has initiated with Send Out Cards (sendoutcards.com). Not only did he earn a commission off the home sale, he shared his wealth with the client by hiring her to do something for him. While she probably won’t be buying another house again soon, he has upped his chances of garnering more referrals by giving back to his client. That’s one smart cookie!
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Mind Over Munching
===========================================================
Next time a food craving hits, British researchers say to counter it with a crossword puzzle or Sudoku puzzle. They concluded that diverting your attention as soon as the urge strikes for an unhealthy snack may help you regain your self-control.
The researchers gave 18 dieting coeds mental tasks and tempted them with three snacks: chocolate-covered sponge cake with orange filling, mini chocolate bars, and chips. The dieters ate less when distracted with tasks that engaged their complete attention. The distraction you choose must be totally absorbing, the scientists advise; hobbies like knitting won’t do because they allow your mind to wander-maybe right back to that pie or the ice cream in the frig. Furthermore, they concluded that the more you practice, the better the method works. So choose a diversion you can use anywhere, like books of Sudoku, the popular math riddles, crossword puzzles, etc.
Copyright 2007 Patricia Altvater
Transformations Institute
Author, Journey to Health 12-Month Total Transformation Program
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. Networking by Definition
===========================================================
Networking, as defined by Ivan Misner, the networking guru, is “the process of developing and using contacts to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, expand your sphere of influence or serve the community. It is one of the most powerful techniques you can use to succeed in any venture.” So learn the skills and techniques necessary for effective networking and deliver a positive message effectively.
Copyright 2007 Paula Frazier
Executive Director
BNI – Southwestern Virginia
http://bniswva.com
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
A Haiku to remind you to backup your computer.
Windows XP crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams.
Monday, October 29, 2007
MMM - October 29, 2007
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – October 29, 2007
============================================================
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
"What's terrible is to pretend that the second-rate is first-rate.”
—Doris Lessing
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Sustained Individual Success – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 2 - Rebecca Booth
3. Take a Power Shower – Pat Altvater
4. Speaking Your Way to Profitability – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Sustained Individual Success
============================================================
When we were kids we usually had no problem filling the day with great things to do. Sometimes these turned into career options and sometimes an avocation. Regardless, we found something we enjoyed doing and did it. So listen up! If there are things in your business that you don’t like doing – stop doing them! Not only are you wasting your time by not doing what you want to do (very unlean), you are also stealing work from someone who loves it. Yes, it is a challenge to find the person that loves the thing you don’t but in the end you will be more productive and build sustained success. Challenge yourself this week to at least spend one half day doing only the work you love and maybe you will feel like a kid again.
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 2
============================================================
Remember Julie Higby, The Paper Coach, we talked about last week? She did have another mishap to report. If you remember, she’s recently bought a new home in Perrysburg, Ohio. One local business had a good intention about welcoming her to the neighborhood, but they made a grave marketing misstep:
They hand addressed the envelope to Julie Higby, but included a form letter saying “Dear Neighbor.” If they had taken the time to hand-address the envelope, what was stopping them from typing her name on the letter? Lesson to be learned: Make sure there is not a disconnect with the way you address and envelope and the way you treat the salutation.
Have you had a marketing mishap recently? Email your story to: Rebecca Booth, Marketing Goddess, rbooth@marketingsolutioneers.com and share your story. Please type “Marketing Mishap” in the subject line in case my spam filter nabs your post. Make sure you tell me how the marketing mishap made you feel. It’s important to share that bit with others.
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Tricks to Eating Healthy during Halloween
===========================================================
Halloween doesn’t have to be all about candy! Here are some tips to make your holiday healthier for your kids, the neighbor kids and yourself:
1. Have your child eat a good meal prior to parties or trick-or-treating.
2. Pass out non-food treats, such as pens, pencils, stickers, false teeth, “slime”, little bottles of bubbles, etc. Visit the dollar store for lots of ideas!
3. If you want to distribute food, choose sugarless gum, trail mix, peanuts, corn nuts, small packs of raisins, small bags of pumpkin seeds, packages of sugar-free cocoa.
4. Portion treats collected, so they can be enjoyed moderately over several days.
Finally, be a role model yourself. To avoid temptation, if you must distribute a candy treat, buy it at the last minute so you don’t consume it prior to Halloween!
Copyright 2007 Patricia Altvater
Transformations Institute
Author, Journey to Health 12-Month Total Transformation Program
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. Speaking Your Way to Profitability
===========================================================
I was recently referred into a local chamber to offer a 7 minute presentation (on networking) at a “Lunch and Learn” event. It’s important to know that this was the first time I’d ever attended a chamber function in this outer-lying area and I was the opening act for a few state senatorial candidates that had 7 minutes each to solicit votes. I was clearly not the reason folks had attended BUT before I left the parking lot that afternoon:
1. I was invited to offer another presentation at a Kiwanis meeting (100 active members).
2. I was asked by one of the candidates to provide him with MORE networking information. He actually listened and incorporated some of my referral marketing concepts into his own presentation and gave me credit. He’s got my vote!
3. One attendee asked the networking partner I’d attended with about my networking workshops and signed up on the spot!
4. I acquired another prospective client AND met two folks that I was able to refer to BNI as potential members.
In last week’s MMM, I shared Referral Institute’s VCP model. Can you establish visibility, credibility and profitability in 7 short minutes with a room full of strangers? YES . . . with the right referral source!
Paula Frazier
Executive Director
BNI – Southwestern Virginia
http://bniswva.com
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Identify 1 thing in your business you can outsource this week.
Monday Morning Motivators – October 29, 2007
============================================================
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
"What's terrible is to pretend that the second-rate is first-rate.”
—Doris Lessing
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Sustained Individual Success – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 2 - Rebecca Booth
3. Take a Power Shower – Pat Altvater
4. Speaking Your Way to Profitability – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Sustained Individual Success
============================================================
When we were kids we usually had no problem filling the day with great things to do. Sometimes these turned into career options and sometimes an avocation. Regardless, we found something we enjoyed doing and did it. So listen up! If there are things in your business that you don’t like doing – stop doing them! Not only are you wasting your time by not doing what you want to do (very unlean), you are also stealing work from someone who loves it. Yes, it is a challenge to find the person that loves the thing you don’t but in the end you will be more productive and build sustained success. Challenge yourself this week to at least spend one half day doing only the work you love and maybe you will feel like a kid again.
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 2
============================================================
Remember Julie Higby, The Paper Coach, we talked about last week? She did have another mishap to report. If you remember, she’s recently bought a new home in Perrysburg, Ohio. One local business had a good intention about welcoming her to the neighborhood, but they made a grave marketing misstep:
They hand addressed the envelope to Julie Higby, but included a form letter saying “Dear Neighbor.” If they had taken the time to hand-address the envelope, what was stopping them from typing her name on the letter? Lesson to be learned: Make sure there is not a disconnect with the way you address and envelope and the way you treat the salutation.
Have you had a marketing mishap recently? Email your story to: Rebecca Booth, Marketing Goddess, rbooth@marketingsolutioneers.com and share your story. Please type “Marketing Mishap” in the subject line in case my spam filter nabs your post. Make sure you tell me how the marketing mishap made you feel. It’s important to share that bit with others.
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Tricks to Eating Healthy during Halloween
===========================================================
Halloween doesn’t have to be all about candy! Here are some tips to make your holiday healthier for your kids, the neighbor kids and yourself:
1. Have your child eat a good meal prior to parties or trick-or-treating.
2. Pass out non-food treats, such as pens, pencils, stickers, false teeth, “slime”, little bottles of bubbles, etc. Visit the dollar store for lots of ideas!
3. If you want to distribute food, choose sugarless gum, trail mix, peanuts, corn nuts, small packs of raisins, small bags of pumpkin seeds, packages of sugar-free cocoa.
4. Portion treats collected, so they can be enjoyed moderately over several days.
Finally, be a role model yourself. To avoid temptation, if you must distribute a candy treat, buy it at the last minute so you don’t consume it prior to Halloween!
Copyright 2007 Patricia Altvater
Transformations Institute
Author, Journey to Health 12-Month Total Transformation Program
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. Speaking Your Way to Profitability
===========================================================
I was recently referred into a local chamber to offer a 7 minute presentation (on networking) at a “Lunch and Learn” event. It’s important to know that this was the first time I’d ever attended a chamber function in this outer-lying area and I was the opening act for a few state senatorial candidates that had 7 minutes each to solicit votes. I was clearly not the reason folks had attended BUT before I left the parking lot that afternoon:
1. I was invited to offer another presentation at a Kiwanis meeting (100 active members).
2. I was asked by one of the candidates to provide him with MORE networking information. He actually listened and incorporated some of my referral marketing concepts into his own presentation and gave me credit. He’s got my vote!
3. One attendee asked the networking partner I’d attended with about my networking workshops and signed up on the spot!
4. I acquired another prospective client AND met two folks that I was able to refer to BNI as potential members.
In last week’s MMM, I shared Referral Institute’s VCP model. Can you establish visibility, credibility and profitability in 7 short minutes with a room full of strangers? YES . . . with the right referral source!
Paula Frazier
Executive Director
BNI – Southwestern Virginia
http://bniswva.com
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Identify 1 thing in your business you can outsource this week.
Monday, October 22, 2007
MMM - October 22, 2007
============================================================
Monday Morning Motivators – October 22, 2007
============================================================
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
“That which does not destroy us makes us stronger.”
— Nietzsche
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Growing a Profitable Business Requires Focus – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 1- Rebecca Booth
3. Get Full with Fiber! – Pat Altvater
4. Purposeful Conversations – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Growing a Profitable Business Requires Focus
============================================================
Most businesses want to grow and often they use a fuzzy approach. If you've ever used a telescope, you learn very quickly that even a slight move of the scope will put you light years away from where you want to
view. Compound that by focusing in on the wrong celestial body and you will spend a lifetime never viewing what you targeted at the start.
That same careful focus can be used in a business to focus on your most profitable products, services and customers. The better you can spotlight what brings your firm profit, the better you will be able to convert it to marketing and sales sense. A narrow focus will pique the interest of future customers. Check out 10 tips for growing a well focused business. .
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 1
============================================================
One of my clients, Julie Higby, The Paper Coach, has shared two marketing mishaps with me. Over the past 3 years, Julie has bought and sold three homes. She’s worked exclusively with one Realtor in her town, netting him over $20,000 in commissions. While she has been happy with his service, she is miffed by the way he handles his follow up and his impersonal approach to marketing. As an “A List” client of this Realtor, he ought to send a simple thank you note, or even try to find out more about his loyal customer’s business. He has ignored her attempts to get him to investigate her follow-up system that she represents (SendOutCards.com)and opts to use impersonal form letters and traditional yearly calendars to request more referrals.
So, what can you learn from this marketing mishap? Two things:
1) Never under estimate the power of a thank you.
2) Take the time to find out what your customers do.
Is there a way you can give business back to them? Try your best and you may find yourself with a customer for life.
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Get Full with Fiber!
===========================================================
Studies peg foods rich in fiber to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer . . . and to losing weight without feeling hungry, gotta love that!
Fiber makes you full, because it swells in your stomach when it absorbs liquid. Fiber can be either:
• Soluble fiber — found in beans, fruits, and more -- aids in satiety (helping you feel full).
• Insoluble fiber — found in wheat bran, whole grains, nuts, vegetables, and other foods helps keep your digestive system regular.
Most Americans don’t get enough fiber. The basic recommendation is 25 grams, but more is encouraged. Try adding more fiber rich foods to your diet. However, adjust to increased fiber slowly, don’t just bump up one day. Also, drink plenty of water and stay active.
Copyright 2007 Patricia Altvater
Transformations Institute
Author, Journey to Health 12-Month Total Transformation Program
www.transformationsinstitute.com
===========================================================
4. Purposeful Conversations
===========================================================
A question that we frequently ask our referral marketing clients: “Should you have business or personal conversations at industry functions and networking events.” The number one answer is “business”; though it really doesn’t matter . . . as long as it’s purposeful.
Many successful networkers follow Referral Institute’s VCP model. Your first goal should be to create VISIBILITY, which means they at least know who you are and what you do. The next step is to establish CREDIBILITY, some level of confidence in you and your product/service. Ultimately, you want to move the relationship into PROFITABILITY. After all, at some point a transaction must take place to grow your business!
Remember . . . business or personal as long as it’s purposeful.
Paula Frazier
Executive Director
BNI – Southwestern Virginia
http://bniswva.com
===========================================================
5. To Do This Week
===========================================================
Identify which customers are your “20% generate 80% of your revenue”.
Monday Morning Motivators – October 22, 2007
============================================================
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
“That which does not destroy us makes us stronger.”
— Nietzsche
============================================================
Table of Contents
============================================================
1. Growing a Profitable Business Requires Focus – Linda Fayerweather
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 1- Rebecca Booth
3. Get Full with Fiber! – Pat Altvater
4. Purposeful Conversations – Paula Frazier
5. To Do This Week
6. Fine Print
============================================================
1. Growing a Profitable Business Requires Focus
============================================================
Most businesses want to grow and often they use a fuzzy approach. If you've ever used a telescope, you learn very quickly that even a slight move of the scope will put you light years away from where you want to
view. Compound that by focusing in on the wrong celestial body and you will spend a lifetime never viewing what you targeted at the start.
That same careful focus can be used in a business to focus on your most profitable products, services and customers. The better you can spotlight what brings your firm profit, the better you will be able to convert it to marketing and sales sense. A narrow focus will pique the interest of future customers. Check out 10 tips for growing a well focused business. .
Copyright 2007 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
============================================================
2. Marketing Mishaps – Part 1
============================================================
One of my clients, Julie Higby, The Paper Coach, has shared two marketing mishaps with me. Over the past 3 years, Julie has bought and sold three homes. She’s worked exclusively with one Realtor in her town, netting him over $20,000 in commissions. While she has been happy with his service, she is miffed by the way he handles his follow up and his impersonal approach to marketing. As an “A List” client of this Realtor, he ought to send a simple thank you note, or even try to find out more about his loyal customer’s business. He has ignored her attempts to get him to investigate her follow-up system that she represents (SendOutCards.com)and opts to use impersonal form letters and traditional yearly calendars to request more referrals.
So, what can you learn from this marketing mishap? Two things:
1) Never under estimate the power of a thank you.
2) Take the time to find out what your customers do.
Is there a way you can give business back to them? Try your best and you may find yourself with a customer for life.
Copyright 2007 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
www.marketingsolutioneers.com
===========================================================
3. Get Full with Fiber!
===========================================================
Studies peg foods rich in fiber to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer . . . and to losing weight without feeling hungry, gotta love that!
Fiber makes you full, because it swells in your stomach when it absorbs liquid. Fiber can be either:
• Soluble fiber — found in beans, fruits, and more -- aids in satiety (helping you feel full).
• Insoluble fiber — found in wheat bran, whole grains, nuts, vegetables, and other foods helps keep your digestive system regular.
Most Americans don’t get enough fiber. The basic recommendation is 25 grams, but more is encouraged. Try adding more fiber rich foods to your diet. However, adjust to increased fiber slowly, don’t just bump up one day. Also, drink plenty of water and stay active.
Copyright 2007 Patricia Altvater
Transformations Institute
Author, Journey to Health 12-Month Total Transformation Program
www.transformationsinstitute.com
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4. Purposeful Conversations
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A question that we frequently ask our referral marketing clients: “Should you have business or personal conversations at industry functions and networking events.” The number one answer is “business”; though it really doesn’t matter . . . as long as it’s purposeful.
Many successful networkers follow Referral Institute’s VCP model. Your first goal should be to create VISIBILITY, which means they at least know who you are and what you do. The next step is to establish CREDIBILITY, some level of confidence in you and your product/service. Ultimately, you want to move the relationship into PROFITABILITY. After all, at some point a transaction must take place to grow your business!
Remember . . . business or personal as long as it’s purposeful.
Paula Frazier
Executive Director
BNI – Southwestern Virginia
http://bniswva.com
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5. To Do This Week
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Identify which customers are your “20% generate 80% of your revenue”.
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