It's Alive, It's Alive
Budgeting is alive and it is everywhere from federal spending all the way down to the cities we live in and organizations we work with on a daily basis. Although budget is not a four letter word, it is often treated that way.
A budget goes hand and hand with a business plan. The plan's goals (metircs) usually come from our projections. The budget is created from those projections. To start a budget, gather together the business plan, projections and key metrics. We will keep these points in mind as we set forth to budget.
Keep it Simple. Don't over complicate things, it is a estimate of where we want to be at the end of a given period.
Review and Consult. Review the history and consult with others - your business partner; key staff members; trusted advisors. Getting another set of eyes on the budget will help our staff buy into the budget.
Keep it Real. Be realistic about profit, expenses, sales and asset use. Being honest with ourselves about what is likely will be key - NOT what we really would like.
Be Thorough. Include all necessary information -- fixed costs, direct costs and overhead. Don't forget to budget owner compensation, marketing and any interest changes that may affect the bottom line.
Be Flexible. Since the budget is based on historical data and best guesses of the future, realize that unknowns can happen. Budgets will need to be adjusted when markets and economies dramatically change. Otherwise, use it is a guidepost to help reach the goals.
A live, working budget will help a business stay on plan and on target for the future vision.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Leadership - The Short Course
There are a plethora of books on leadership and how to succeed in life. However, in my opinion there is a very simple formula that, if followed, will enable you to succeed at whatever it is you are called to do. Here is my list (no book required).
1 - Be nice to people.
2 - Do what you say and say what you do.
3 - Celebrate mistakes and learn from them.
4 - Be humble when you succeed.
5 - Repeat steps 1 through 4.
Copyright 2011 Ron Pereira
http://lssacademy.com/BETA/about/
Monday, May 09, 2011
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Manage What You Mean
Manage What You Mean
We have all heard a manager joke to employees saying "Do what I say, not what I do". Managing by modeling the behavior we need is often the first step in Great Leadership.
Business Owners know "if you don't have the time to practice what you preach, you don't believe IT yourself!" Having your business and personal core values aligned is a first step to greatness. Take time this week to identify those values you will never leave home without and watch your business grow.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
2. Get very clear on the traits of your perfect client/customer so that you begin attracting customers that are a great match for you. Here's what you can do. Download my FREE Contrast Brings Clearness worksheet (http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/freetools.html) and make a list first in the bottom section of the worksheet of all the traits that you don't want your clients to have. Then using the top of the form, reframe those to the traits that you do want your ideal client to possess. Once you get on a roll, write more and more traits that you can think of so you begin attracting customers that are perfect for you.
3. Once you have listed everything you can think of, tear off the bottom section, and then review the upper half of the list daily. When you review it, see yourself attracting customers easily. Fill your heart with love and appreciation for those perfect clients and then let that feeling spread throughout your entire being. Visualize yourself providing your service or products to help them solve their problems or meet their goals, and
4. Stay positive and optimistic throughout your day.
Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line.
We have all heard a manager joke to employees saying "Do what I say, not what I do". Managing by modeling the behavior we need is often the first step in Great Leadership.
- If we want our employees and peers to be on time, we need to be on time ourselves.
- If we want our neighborhood litter free, we know not to litter and keep our area free of litter.
- If we want our customers to respect us, we will have responsive customer service.
- If we want to be profitable, we will manage our expenses and margins.
- If we want to grow our businesses, we will to manage our assets and liabilities.
Business Owners know "if you don't have the time to practice what you preach, you don't believe IT yourself!" Having your business and personal core values aligned is a first step to greatness. Take time this week to identify those values you will never leave home without and watch your business grow.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Attracting Customers Made Easy!
One of the biggest mistakes, probably the biggest mistake, people make in any business is that they fall in love with the wrong things. They fall in love with their product, service, or company. You should believe passionately in your product, service or company. But you should fall in love with your clients.' Jay Abraham, Getting All You Can Out of All You've GotCan you think of any marketing technique that is more effective than attracting customers with genuine, sincere concern for them coupled with a true desire to assist them in solving their problems and/or satisfying their goals? I can't!
If you currently could use help attracting customesrs, here are four easy steps for you:
1. Be grateful for the customers you have right now, 2. Get very clear on the traits of your perfect client/customer so that you begin attracting customers that are a great match for you. Here's what you can do. Download my FREE Contrast Brings Clearness worksheet (http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/freetools.html) and make a list first in the bottom section of the worksheet of all the traits that you don't want your clients to have. Then using the top of the form, reframe those to the traits that you do want your ideal client to possess. Once you get on a roll, write more and more traits that you can think of so you begin attracting customers that are perfect for you.
3. Once you have listed everything you can think of, tear off the bottom section, and then review the upper half of the list daily. When you review it, see yourself attracting customers easily. Fill your heart with love and appreciation for those perfect clients and then let that feeling spread throughout your entire being. Visualize yourself providing your service or products to help them solve their problems or meet their goals, and
4. Stay positive and optimistic throughout your day.
Cultivate that lovin' feeling and your perfect client will feel it and show up at your door! Attracting customers through maintaining the wonderful emotions of love, gratitude and optimism throughout your day will not only attract clients but also will nurture your personal energy so you can enjoy your days, feeling great and operating up to your potential.
Copyright 2011 Pat Altvater
http://www.salescoachforwomanentrepreneurs.com/ Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Customer Service & Personal Energy
Building Loyalty
The words "customer service" often bring to mind annoying phone conversations with someone who really doesn't care. When your business is offering service, keep in mind the four keys to customer service.
3. Develop a Partnership
4. Offer Advice
The first two are commodities - they are expected. Being Available via "phone prompts" often serves the business more than the customer. Research has shown that when you have more than 3 choices, people get frustrated or quit. Three is optimal.
Offering Advice means more than saying "others who have purchased this package have also purchased _______." It might be as simple as a hotel saying "We are having a soccer tournament in town that weekend, and the room I've selected for you is away from those guests". Just letting the customer known of any eccentricities shows care and recognizes that each customer is an individual.
Help your staff understand that each customer is unique and occasionally you will have a person that you cannot help. Have advice for that person will also serve you and your staff well.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Step #2 - Review your results. The goal is to be close to the bulb (far from the center). Analyze your results to discover which spokes represent your areas of lowest personal energy.
Step #3 - Choose two spokes where you'd like to improve your energy. For those two spokes, choose one thing that you could do each day that would boost your energy in that area. For example, if you have low personal energy in the spoke - Exercise - then you might decide to do stretching exercises every morning for 10 minutes when you first get up. Download the Daily Accountability Tracking Sheet found on the same page as the Personal Energy Barometer to help you stay on track.
Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line.
The words "customer service" often bring to mind annoying phone conversations with someone who really doesn't care. When your business is offering service, keep in mind the four keys to customer service.
1. Be Available
2. Provide Accurate Information 3. Develop a Partnership
4. Offer Advice
The first two are commodities - they are expected. Being Available via "phone prompts" often serves the business more than the customer. Research has shown that when you have more than 3 choices, people get frustrated or quit. Three is optimal.
- If you are a doctor press 1.
- If you are patient press 2.
- Press 3 to return to the main menu.
Developing expertise in 3 & 4 is where loyal and returning customers are grown. Building Partnerships means all employees learning to ask important questions of the customers while Offering Advice cements the partnership.
Offering Advice means more than saying "others who have purchased this package have also purchased _______." It might be as simple as a hotel saying "We are having a soccer tournament in town that weekend, and the room I've selected for you is away from those guests". Just letting the customer known of any eccentricities shows care and recognizes that each customer is an individual.
Help your staff understand that each customer is unique and occasionally you will have a person that you cannot help. Have advice for that person will also serve you and your staff well.
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Three Steps to Boosting Your Personal Energy That Will Also Boost Your Bottom Line
Your degree of personal energy is completely up to you because YOU are in control of your choices! That's hard to remember sometimes especially with the current level of stress most entrepreneurs experience. What follows are 3 steps you can take to jump-start your personal energy and improve your health, happiness and business bottom line. Step #1 - Download the Personal Energy Barometer, print a copy and rate yourself for each spoke. Click here to go to my website at http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/freetools.html to download the Personal Energy Barometer. Find your energy level for each spoke by reviewing the Emotion Perception Scale in the lower left to determine which emotion you feel when considering your energy for that particular spoke. Circle the number, on each spoke, that best represents how you feel right now.
Step #2 - Review your results. The goal is to be close to the bulb (far from the center). Analyze your results to discover which spokes represent your areas of lowest personal energy.
Step #3 - Choose two spokes where you'd like to improve your energy. For those two spokes, choose one thing that you could do each day that would boost your energy in that area. For example, if you have low personal energy in the spoke - Exercise - then you might decide to do stretching exercises every morning for 10 minutes when you first get up. Download the Daily Accountability Tracking Sheet found on the same page as the Personal Energy Barometer to help you stay on track.
When you maintain a high level of personal energy, physical (blue spokes), mental/emotional (green spokes) and spiritual (the fushia spokes), you will be able to adapt to the ebb and flow of life without it affecting your mental and emotional capabilities and outlook. This will bring more joy and abundance to your life.
Copyright 2011 Pat Altvater
http://www.salescoachforwomanentrepreneurs.com/ Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Are WE There Yet?
Are We There Yet?
"Hey Coach, I wrote a business plan, now what do I do with it?" That is a question I am asked often as the average business owner writes a plan to obtain funding and then like a tax return, hides this document in a drawer somewhere. A well crafted business plan will have an executive summary worthy of regular review. My own preference is a strategic plan or a succinct One Page Plan® that will give you, the owner, a view of what needs to be done to achieve the business's goals. When these are used and reviewed, they may even serve as a road map for the business in the owner's absence. You will also know when you arrive at your success!
An active business thriving for growth and profitability will want to know the next steps to success. Your plan will be relevant on a day to day basis, provide metrics to track the plan monthly and will answer these sustainability questions:
What are we building?
Why are we building it?
How will we build this business in our environment?
What results will we measure?
What work will be done?
Remember, you may believe as a business owner you are invincible but reality doesn't always happen according to your beliefs!
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Three Steps to Accountability
Making changes in routines and habits is hard for most people. We are creatures of our habits and many of our actions take place without much conscious effort or intention. Yet when we are attempting to achieve breakthrough revenue goals, we probably need to change something related to how we do business.
Committing to a stretch goal probably means we'll need to break some old habits, instill new behaviors and thought patterns that serve us, and muster the tenacity to maintain the awareness that it takes to take new actions consistently. That's the tough part! Here are three steps to make it easier for you:
1. Adopt a system of accountability - this works really well when implementing new behaviors to grow your business and increase your bottom line. Download a copy of my Daily Accountability Tracking Sheet here (http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/freetools.html)
2. Each morning get into alignment with the new behaviors that you intend to take. That means, remind yourself of your WHY for attempting to breakthrough to new revenue numbers, remind yourself of the new actions that you plan to take that day (those actions that are on your Daily Accountability Tracking Sheet), and take a moment to feel how great it's going to be when you achieve the goals you've set.
3. In the evening, review how you did compared to your commitments on the tracking sheet. This step is not meant to make you feel bad, but is to help you learn about yourself and figure out what you could do differently if you didn't take the actions, and to celebrate the baby steps along the way to your goal, if you did.
You can use this process for any behavior changes you desire to make. It's an easy way to help you consciously incorporate the new behaviors you desire, on a daily basis, until they become your new habits.
Copyright 2011 Pat Altvater
http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/
http://www.pataltvaterandassociates.com/
Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line!
"Hey Coach, I wrote a business plan, now what do I do with it?" That is a question I am asked often as the average business owner writes a plan to obtain funding and then like a tax return, hides this document in a drawer somewhere. A well crafted business plan will have an executive summary worthy of regular review. My own preference is a strategic plan or a succinct One Page Plan® that will give you, the owner, a view of what needs to be done to achieve the business's goals. When these are used and reviewed, they may even serve as a road map for the business in the owner's absence. You will also know when you arrive at your success!
An active business thriving for growth and profitability will want to know the next steps to success. Your plan will be relevant on a day to day basis, provide metrics to track the plan monthly and will answer these sustainability questions:
What are we building?
Why are we building it?
How will we build this business in our environment?
What results will we measure?
What work will be done?
Remember, you may believe as a business owner you are invincible but reality doesn't always happen according to your beliefs!
Copyright 2011 Linda Lucas Fayerweather
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Three Steps to Accountability
Making changes in routines and habits is hard for most people. We are creatures of our habits and many of our actions take place without much conscious effort or intention. Yet when we are attempting to achieve breakthrough revenue goals, we probably need to change something related to how we do business.
Committing to a stretch goal probably means we'll need to break some old habits, instill new behaviors and thought patterns that serve us, and muster the tenacity to maintain the awareness that it takes to take new actions consistently. That's the tough part! Here are three steps to make it easier for you:
1. Adopt a system of accountability - this works really well when implementing new behaviors to grow your business and increase your bottom line. Download a copy of my Daily Accountability Tracking Sheet here (http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/freetools.html)
2. Each morning get into alignment with the new behaviors that you intend to take. That means, remind yourself of your WHY for attempting to breakthrough to new revenue numbers, remind yourself of the new actions that you plan to take that day (those actions that are on your Daily Accountability Tracking Sheet), and take a moment to feel how great it's going to be when you achieve the goals you've set.
3. In the evening, review how you did compared to your commitments on the tracking sheet. This step is not meant to make you feel bad, but is to help you learn about yourself and figure out what you could do differently if you didn't take the actions, and to celebrate the baby steps along the way to your goal, if you did.
You can use this process for any behavior changes you desire to make. It's an easy way to help you consciously incorporate the new behaviors you desire, on a daily basis, until they become your new habits.
Copyright 2011 Pat Altvater
http://www.salescoachforwomenentrepreneurs.com/
http://www.pataltvaterandassociates.com/
Partnering with women entrepreneurs to implement a sales process that brings them joy and increases their bottom line!
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