Tag Archives: business

Conscious Business – The Secret Internal Ingredient of Business Growth

by Tj Helm on 04,01,1010 in Business Building

Download the print version: [download id="45"]

Do you know where you’re going? Do you have a clear picture of what it looks like? When you have a crystal clear vision of what you want your business to look like you have a far better chance of achieving it. That vision includes you. What do you look like? Who are you? Who is the person growing the business? Read this article to get ideas on how to put you in the vision of your business.

Conscious Business – The Secret Internal Ingredient of Business Growth

By Christine M. Kloser

When was the last time you heard someone talking about the proverbial “next level” in their business? Probably in the last 24 hours! Well, I don’t know about you… but I’m a little tired of hearing this phrase over and over again.
When I was in Las Vegas recently with my mastermind colleagues, we originally thought we were there to take our businesses to the “next level.” After all, isn’t that what mastermind groups are all about? Progress in your business! But, I soon began to notice something each time a colleague stood in front of the room to share… the realization of which leads me to third gift I received in Las Vegas.

Gift #3: The only “next level” is within YOU.

Colleague after colleague, each time someone stood in front of the room and started talking about where they were in their business, it became crystal clear that the only journey we were there to take was the journey within.
Many entrepreneurs (myself included) have made the mistake of thinking that business growth is something that you experience on the outside in terms of increased clients, more money, more web traffic, more referrals, more invitations to speak, more of whatever you desire in your business. And, yes, those things are all outward expressions of growth… but the only thing that SUSTAINS the external growth of a FULFILLING business is the internal growth of your soul.

Sustained, fulfilling growth does NOT come from what you DO in the external world; rather, it comes from the work you do on the inside. Sustained growth and the progress of your business’ evolution is less about the business than it is about YOU. As a conscious business owner, the only thing stopping you from all the success you desire is you, not your external circumstance.

Please forgive me if I’m coming on strong here, but I speak from my own experience. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, or have read my new book, you know that I have been through some very challenging times in my business… on the edge of bankruptcy and struggling to pay my rent. It wasn’t until I stopped TRYING to make my business work, (and started to INQUIRE WITHIN about where I needed to grow so that my business COULD grow)… that my business drastically changed for the better. So, now when I catch myself focused on the external aspects of my business, it’s a reminder for me that the growth isn’t going to occur “out there”, the growth is going to occur inside of me. Then, and only then, do I experience the results I desire on the outside.

So, the next time you find yourself wanting to get your business to the “next level”… it’s a sign that the time has come for you to go to the next level within yourself. Where do YOU need to go? What’s working? What’s not working? Why are you unfulfilled with the current state of your business? What would “light you up?” What old thoughts no longer serve you? It is this self-inquiry that leads you down the path to REAL, sustainable and fulfilling success.

Christine Kloser, author of The Freedom Formula, helps small business owners put soul in their business and money in the bank. If you want to enjoy a purpose-driven business and a soul-satisfying life, send for my free special report, How to Avoid the 3 Massive Mistakes Made by Most Conscious Entrepreneurs and my free audio, 7 Strategies Entrepreneurial Authors Need to Know… Before Writing a Word, both of which you get when you request my Conscious Business Success Kit at http://www.LoveYourLife.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_M._Kloser

Read full story • Comments Off

How to Brand a Business – Benefits and Costs

by Tj Helm on 08,03,0909 in Business Building

By Mary W Brophy

Many business owners consider a company’s brand to be one of its greatest assets. How can you create a brand for your small business that will deliver this value premium? How much will it cost? And, perhaps most importantly, is it worth it?

Branding: Integral Part of Any Company

A brand is more than simple logo development, although the way the company name is displayed is an essential component. Every customer interaction contributes to their perception of your brand – from communicating with the sales staff to how a purchase is shipped and packaged to messages from customer support. All indicate what values your company holds. Identify what is important – honesty, level of product quality, and post sale customer satisfaction – and implement plans to achieve them.

Your branding strategy needs to be an integral part of your operation. If your branding strategy requires high quality customer service, you need to consider your customer’s needs during order taking, billing, returns and exchanges, and then during a post sale thank you by mail or telephone and by sending a buyer satisfaction survey.

What will it cost to brand your company? Because we think of “brands” as large national or international corporations, we often assume it takes huge advertising budgets. This is not the case. Many companies build grand brands without investing in pricey television or banner advertisements.

Visual Connections

An early step is creating an eye catching logo. A logo design usually begins by meeting with a graphic designer. Preparing for this meeting is more efficient and ensures better quality results. Know your target market. Bring examples of the competition, of preferred logo styles and those to be avoided.

After a designer presents initial logo concepts, request outside opinions to gauge public opinion. Be selective in soliciting opinions. Depending on your target audience, ask your family, friends, the guy at the grocery store or your kid’s soccer coach. This will help guide you in the right direction. For example, you might not realize that a certain color is seen as negative or unattractive to your target audience.

A logo can cost anywhere from $50 to $5,000, and many designers are available to match your style and budget. For the cost conscious, you may even find someone willing to exchange services.

Large Corporations Know How To Just Do It!

Once you have a great logo, put it to work. The success of a visual brand is partly measured by how often it is appropriately displayed. Most companies do not leverage their logos often enough.

The logo can be effective in many ways – with your product or service materials, company stationery, invoices, email signatures, shipping labels, indoor/outdoor signs, flags, and promotional giveaways. These are all repetitious uses and serve as persistent reminders. Employees may take pride in wearing a classic logo shirt or an owner or executive proud to carry a logo on a high quality portfolio or handbag.

Constant Continuity

Use your company brand consistently – in its elements of color, font and tag line – and on a paper quality reflective of your business.

This also means consistency in experience, for example, when customers are always greeted in the lobby or when the product is shipped as ordered.

It means consistency in depicting your values. If a goal is to be an environmentally aware company, make specific programs or processes and track or measure results.

Benefits Versus Costs

What are the benefits of brand management? Why does it matter that the UPS van color matches the UPS workers’ socks? Branding creates an experience whether or not its planned. Consciously or not, customers expect predictable and positive experiences.

When values are aligned and communicated, a potential a heavenly with your customers may be result – and brand loyalty often follows.

The Cost of Building Awareness

Since most consumers react to branding after repeated exposures, what does building awareness cost? It will vary depending on the size, goals and budget of a company.

Some approaches can be created with little to no out of pocket costs, such as offering automated service reminders, answering the phone consistently, or offering purchasing options.

Some strategies cost more money so plan wisely and carefully. For example, if you are on a budget, it is wise to base Internet advertising on a cost-per-click pricing. If promoting via printed products, choose items with longevity, such as promoting your business on a magnetic calendar rather than a paper flier.

Decisions in business branding can be adjusted to suit any budget. The key is to have a plan, follow it, and be consistent and then let it grow based on your financial resources and profitability.

Mary W. Brophy is a writer, serial entrepreneur and creative force behind a new handbag trend – personalized logo bags. Her company, Bizz Bag, Inc., gives business people a fashionable way to flaunt their logos on handbags and shoulder bags. To see a savvy and innovative promotional product that creates brand staying power, visit BizzBag.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_W_Brophy

Read full story • Comments Off

Small Businesses – 7 Effective Steps For Reconstructing During the Recession

by Tj Helm on 03,21,0909 in Business Building

By Kym Gordon Moore
What type of letter grade can you give your overall business operations right now? An A, B, C, D, or F? Is this grade the same that you gave your business a year or two ago? At this point, everyone is practically worn out from discussing the perils of our current recession. It doesn’t matter who you are, every sector of our local, national and global communities have been adversely affected by the aftermath, since this recession was initially announced. Your head is in such a massive tailspin that you find it increasingly difficult to regain control in any attempt of being levelheaded soon. So, enough already! It’s hard finding a solution when you are constantly picking the scab off of the problem.

We are realistic about the impact this recession has had on everyone, but we’re not going to continue wallowing in a pit of recession misery. The good thing about the recession is that it definitely pushed everyone out of their comfort zone. Sometimes our human characteristics tend to resist the need to change because we become so self-absorbed in operating and functioning habitually. Does the fear of anything unfamiliar create anxiety for you? Do you feel comfortable operating your small business the same way you did when you started? What types of changes have you made or are making to revive your business?

When there is a systematic organizational change, start small. The following reconstructive steps will help you to rethink where your business is and in what direction you want your business to go. To avoid becoming discouraged and frustrated, divide these steps into bite-sized pieces.

1. Reevaluate
Get reacquainted by reintroducing yourself to your business. Review what’s working and reevaluate the changes that’s needed. Do you need to do more networking? Do you need to readjust your prices? Do you need to renegotiate with vendors? You know your business better than anyone else does, so who better to answer these vital questions to detect and change those inadequacies than you?

2. Refocus
Are you keeping up with the changing needs of your customers? Are you keeping up with new technologies to help you to succeed in this new century? Do you need to update your marketing plan? Refocus on your mission, purpose and customer.

3. Reeducate
Update your organization on any new industry changes that will affect the way you conduct business now and the future, compared to the past. Go back to school or take classes that will give you the certification or degree needed to validate and empower your business.

4. Renew
Take care of your body, mind and spirit by indulging in mini sabbaticals. This is a good way to energize your body and usher in peace within the corridors of your mind. Quite often, you will have a different perspective on evaluating your business and the energy needed to adapt a more positive attitude about current conditions, when you seek peace in the midst of a chaotic situation.

5. Regurgitate
Expel your daily intake of widespread depressing news. Sometimes we get so absorbed in the latest developments that paint such a dismal portrait of the overall economy, the ongoing decline in the housing market, the credit crisis, crime, the bail outs, Ponzi schemes…you name it, it’s out there! It’s not just coming from television, but the radio, internet, mobile communications, daily conversations, newspapers and any other communication devices. Make it a point to relieve yourself from as much stress and distractions as possible.

6. Rebuild
Revamp – Rework – Recreate – Readjust – Reconstruct. Reinvent yourself and your business to get desired results. You cannot continue doing the same thing and expect a different result. By recommitting yourself to reinventing your business, it can become a winning strategy in the long run, as the economy begins to bounce back.

7. Reciprocate
Give back. Volunteer to do something in the community. Think of some type of reward system to show your customers how much you appreciate their patronage. Let them know you understand the challenges that so many people are going through right now, but encourage them to hang in there and that these challenging times won’t last forever.

When you step outside of the maze of chaos and confusion, your perspective is liberated and refreshed. You are re-energized to discover new solutions to those recession challenges, by seizing the moment to turn a negative into a positive. Now is not the time to resist change. It’s time to welcome and embrace it.

Kym Gordon Moore is a Creative Marketing Strategist and Public Relations Administrator for Moore 2 It Productions, a firm dedicated to coordinating creative marketing packages for new businesses and new authors. http://www.moore2itproductions.com She is a member of the American Marketing Association, American Authors Association, North Carolina Writer’s Network, and authored hundreds of articles, essays, poems, won awards for several writing competitions and completed works on her soon to be released book, “Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit”. http://www.kymgmoore.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kym_Gordon_Moore

Read full story • Comments Off

Conversations – When to Hold 'Em, When to Fold 'Em

by Tj Helm on 02,24,0909 in Business Building

By Joan Curtis
How many of us have walked into a room full of people and wanted to turn around and leave? When I think about networking events, my heart freezes. Didn’t our mothers teach us not to speak to strangers? Yet, in this article we’re going to examine how to talk to strangers. The first thing you need to know is we all hate going to networking events. Why? It’s hard to thrust yourself on someone else, no matter how “outgoing” you may be. Knowing that we are all miserable makes these things a tiny bit easier.

Second, your job at a networking event is to meet people. Your job is to learn as much as you can about as many people as you can. Your job is not to sell yourself. You can sell yourself in the process, but that is secondary and must be done with caution. The great Dale Carnegie said: “You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” What Dale Carnegie meant is that whether you are attending a networking event or your family reunion picnic, the rules are the same. Listen to the other person. Question the other person. Learn about the other person. When you do these things, suddenly, you will discover that you have a new friend, a potential associate or a possible client. How do you start? Let’s go back to that evening when you walked into the room full of people and looked around. This is what you saw.

Two people talking. Their heads bowed slightly toward one another as if to hear above the crowd. A group of people laughing and talking casually by the food. Another group talking casually by the bar. One person standing by the door, alone.

Which one of these three “groups” do you approach? If you answered the one person standing alone, you win the gold star. If you answered the group of people laughing and talking near the bar or food, you win the silver star. If you answered the two people talking with their heads bowed, you get the booby prize.

The main reason you go up to the person who is alone is that is a person who is looking for someone to talk to. They, like you, are feeling out of place. That person wants to talk to you. That person will be forever grateful that you approached them.

When to Hold ‘Em.

As soon as you walk into the room and spot a person, go introduce yourself. You do not need to wait for someone to introduce you.

Once you’ve introduced yourself begin questioning the person. Ask what they do. Give them a chance to tell you all about their business. Ask what brought them to this event. Search for things you have in common.

Do not ask personal questions, such as: Are you married? Do you have children?

If someone walks up, introduce yourself and your new friend. Tell the new person a little about the two of you and what you were talking about. Bring that new person into the conversation.

As you begin to draw the conversation to a close, if the other person has not asked for your card, ask for theirs. That may stimulate them to ask for yours. Do not give someone your card unless they have asked for it.

When to Fold ‘Em. After no more than 10 minutes and preferably 5 minutes leave the conversation.

If you notice the person you’re talking to saying less or their eyes darting around the room, excuse yourself gracefully, even if you have not been talking 5 minutes. Do not leave the person standing alone. Instead, offer to take them with you to join another group.

Thank the person for giving you their card and for talking with you.

If you approach someone, who clearly does not want to talk to you, then gracefully thank them for their time and move on. Do not waste your time with people who are truly uninterested. You can note their interest level by the way they respond to you, namely, they answer your open questions with one word responses. Their eyes dart around the room, looking for someone “better” to talk to. They do not look at you while they talk. They do not ask you any questions.

Networking, like everything else we do, takes practice. Try these tips and see if it’s a bit easier for you the next time you enter that proverbial crowded room.

Dr. Joan Curtis is a nationally known communications coach. She has over 20 years experience as a trainer and educator. She has taught communication skills and presentation skills to leadership groups throughout the country. With a doctorate in Adult Education and a Master’s in Journalism, she has a strong knowledge of what it takes to communicate successfully.
Her website is http://www.TotalCommunicationsCoach.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_Curtis

Read full story • Comments Off

Marketing Your Small Business Online Or Offline – Why Marketing Should Become Part of Your Routine

by Tj Helm on 02,04,0909 in Business Building

By Connie Ragen Green
Marketing will become the area that will make the difference between success and mediocrity, no matter what field you are in. The definition of marketing is simply the process of telling other people what you do so that they have an opportunity to do business with you.

It used to be that you only marketed for your business when times were slow. Small businesses, both online and off, would wait until they had very little business and then employ marketing techniques to attract more prospects and clients.

Those days are long gone. Now it is best to make this a part of your daily work schedule and to learn as much as possible about online techniques and methods.

There are so many ways to let people know who you are and what you do. Article marketing is one of the best, but it takes some time to start working. You write a three hundred word article that discusses an aspect of your business. Submit that article to the free directories and it will circulate all over the internet.

Internet radio is another good way to use online marketing. Have someone interview you for thirty minutes to give you a chance to tell the world about your business. That recording can then be sent out as a podcast or given out as a link on your blog or website. This is a completely free service.

Blogging is probably one of the very best ways that you can market yourself and your business. Every time you make a post to your blog you give people another opportunity to find out more about you and what you do. Blogging also allows clients and prospects to make comments, bringing them in and involving them in the conversation.

Think of marketing as part of your daily routine and you will have as much business as you want, without having to think about it.

Download a free teleseminar on building your online business by visiting http://www.EbookWritingandMarketingSecrets.com to learn how to write articles, blog, become involved in social networking and learn the technology needed to build a profitable online business.

Connie Ragen Green has been online since 2005 and teaches people how to build their own online business in record time, offering free teleseminars weekly, as well as online courses in a workshop environment with webinars.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green

For more information and support for business development, marketing, and networking, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Read full story • Comments Off

How's Your Inner Game?

by Tj Helm on 09,14,0808 in Business Building

By Lorraine Hamilton

Although by the time you are reading this it may all be over for him, I have just watched Andy Murray complete an extraordinary comeback in his 4th round match at Wimbledon against Richard Gasquet. Two sets and a service break down in the third it looked all but over for Murray, yet he dug deep and came back to win the match. Not only did it provide me with some of the most exciting tennis I have seen in many years, but also I was utterly transfixed watching the ‘Inner Game’ of the two men. This was in many ways much more a psychological battle than a physical one.

And it got me thinking again!

How much attention do we pay to our own Inner Game of Business? We have within us the power to become our business’ greatest asset, or its downfall and it can be a simple case of how we talk to ourselves.

Our minds are incredibly powerful and ultimately obedient and once you understand how to feed and nurture them, great things grow. Wasn’t it Henry Ford who famously said, ‘Whether you believe you can or cannot, you are right.’

Your beliefs dictate your behaviour or action, and your behaviour or action dictates your success. Therefore what you believe about yourself and your business are directly related to your success.

So here are 5 ideas I want to share with you to Boost Your Inner Game:
Believe You Can, And You Will
You have a choice, you can either get your mind to work for you or against you. If you spend your time telling yourself why you won’t succeed you will feed your negative inner voice or the ‘devil on your shoulder’. Your negative inner voice is completely obedient and will agree with you wholeheartedly whilst bringing forward more evidence from your memory of reasons that you will not succeed. However, your positive inner voice or the ‘angel’ is equally as obedient and will generate the evidence to support your positive statements.

Give it a try! Tell yourself today is a rotten day – how does your negative inner voice react? Does it provide you with reasons that today will be rotten? It’s too hot/cold? Sales are going to be down? Working for yourself is an uphill struggle?

Now tell yourself this is a great day – watch how your angel springs into action to support your new decision with examples of why today is great and filled with opportunity.

Excuses Are Not An Option
Most of suffer, at one time or another, with ‘excusitis’. We can make excuses about our lack of success about pretty much anything – intelligence, health, upbringing, luck, age. The truth is that excusitis is, as coined by David J. Schwartz, the ‘failure disease’. Challenge your excuses by taking a step back and looking to see if your excuse really is an obstacle that cannot be overcome in some way.

Feel The Fear, And Do It Anyway
Following on from the last point, our excuses are often developed to protect us from something that we fear. Fear is an opportunity to learn something new and is almost always cured by – ACTION. The thought of the fear is generally a lot more frightening than the actual fear itself and acting on it will reduce the fear. Continuing to act on it will remove it completely.

Think BIG
Set yourself big goals and stay focused on them, don’t get bogged down in the petty details. Use positive language at every opportunity, to yourself, to your colleagues, your friends, customers, suppliers. Remember you are better than you think you are. Concentrate on your assets and victories. Practice ‘Big Picture Thinking’, stretch your vision as far as you can. It is possible. Remember to ask yourself, ‘What’s more important, X or Y?’ whenever you need to get a clear perspective on something.

Snatch Victory From The Jaws Of Defeat
How do you do it? Persistence. Tenacity. Never giving up. The difference between those who fall and those who keep getting up is their attitude to ‘failure’. Those who keep getting up recognise that they are in a learning process and take everything they can from every experience to learn and propel them forwards. Those who do not get up again believe they have failed.

Think about this. Have you succeeded in your ultimate goal yet? If not, then you are still learning how to achieve it. If you haven’t done it before, how are you going to get there unless you learn how? What if we lacked such persistence as babies? We would never walk.

Ask anyone who you deem to be a success and ask them if it has been plain-sailing. Most successful people have overcome many obstacles to get to where they are and it is their attitude towards these obstacles that makes them stronger each time.

Andy Murray certainly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat yesterday.

Going back to Andy Murray’s defeat of Richard Gasquet, he could easily have ‘settled’ for going out in straight sets, that was certainly on the cards, however he chose to believe that he could do it and overcame every obstacle that his opponent put in his way to win. Some of the shots that both men returned would have been deemed impossible in normal circumstances, but with the mental attitude and self-belief that they were exhibiting, the impossible was possible.

And it can be for you too.

Lorraine Hamilton is a Client Attraction Coach and knows first-hand how to build a successful, thriving company.

After years as a successful project engineer, Lorraine works exclusively with small business owners who want proven strategies to double or triple their revenue, remove unnecessary costs and not lose their mind while they grow their businesses.

Please contact her at lorraine@servicebusinessboost.com or visithttp://www.servicebusinessboost.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorraine_Hamilton

For more information and support for creating more time for yourself and what’s important to you, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Read full story • Comments Off

Time Management – Are You Too Busy To Make Money?

by Tj Helm on 07,31,0808 in Personal Development

By Kenneth Darryl Brown

Are you too busy to make money? Perhaps, you might think that is an odd question to ask. However, it is a simple question to answer. Are you moving forward in business or just constantly moving?

Time management can be a critical issue for successful entrepreneurs. Time is a finite resource. There is only twenty-four hours in a day. One can not turn back the clock. To be successful in business, entrepreneurs must become a good time manager. No one can get back an hour, 45 minutes, 30 minutes or one minute and redo it! You can not turn back time!

Recently, during a coaching session, I asked this question to one of my clients. I asked him about his priorities? He responded, “Directing employees and keeping them on track, follow-up on emails and telephone calls, completing projects and generating revenue.”

What constitutes busy work here?

I was surprised. I expected that he would have first said, “Sales, sales and more sales! ”

Instead, generating revenue was his last response! I wondered, if is it his last priority too? Perhaps, it is not a fair question. Many times, it is unintentional. Business owners do not decide to be unproductive with their time.

Sometimes, entrepreneurs are more reactive than proactive. They react to what comes first to their desk!
Read and respond to their emails.

Take a telephone call.

Listen to their voice mail.

Counsel an employee.

Complete administrative tasks.

Attend a networking event.

Conduct prospect research.

Add a page to their website.

Create a new sales brochure.

All these things take entrepreneurs off their focus! They should stop reacting and start being more proactive. Entrepreneurs should know their priorities, have a daily action plan, work it and never stray from it! Business owners should conduct their non-revenue and administrative duties and responsibilities during non-money hours! Perhaps, during the hours of 9:00 to 10:00am, 2:00 to 3:00pm and 5:00 to 6:00pm one can complete all your administrative duties.

Unfortunately, his focus on is the other activities that do not directly contribute to the bottom line of his business. It is interesting that was one of his main concerns was time management! His own response validated his concern. Most of his time was focused on non-revenue generating activities.

Every entrepreneur’s priorities should be activities that generate new business, sales and profitability. That is revenue generating activities. These are activities that will generate business and sales! In business, someone has to sell something to stay in business! A business owner can not remain in business unless she is making a profit! Who is accountable for the success of a company? The sales team might be responsible for sales but, ultimately it is the business owner who is accountable. The buck stops with the entrepreneur and nobody else! She still has to pay the bills, whether a sale was made or not!

I remember my experience with as a financial planner in the 1980s. One of the training managers asked me what my job was. I quickly responded, “I show couples how to save for retirement, build an education fund for their children and investment portfolio on stocks and bonds.” He shouted back, “Wrong! You are in sales and the sooner you realize that, the better off you will be!”

He was right! I was in sales! It was a lesson that I will never forget. Yes, I still am in the sales business! In fact, most business owners and entrepreneurs are in sales! Whether they like it or not! What did Alec Baldwin’s character say in the movie, “Glen Gary Glen Ross”? “A B C: Always be closing! Always be closing! Always be closing!”

We all have the same amount of time in a day. Some people just do more with it then others! How are you leveraging your time to get more accomplished? The average person might judge her time based on the hours spent. However, an entrepreneur should analyze her day based on results, sales and new business! What is your time management system? Is it profitable for you?

Helpful Tips and Hints:

Evaluate your current situation.

Create your own time management system.

List your top priorities everyday before your day starts and grade them: A, B or C.

Focus on your A priorities.

Focus on your activities that will bring more sales, new business and profits.

Accomplish your work in 2 hour time blocks.

Define your money hours. (These are the best hours where you can connect with your prospects and clients face to face or on the telephone.)

Focus your revenue activities during your money hours.

Do all your administrative activities during your non-money hours.

Seek to become a better manager of your business time.

Kenneth Darryl Brown is President and CEO of E3 Capital Resources, LLC (E3C), a business development company that specializes in business success systems, leadership, sales, communication and technology. Ken is a passionate entrepreneur and coach. He embraces the servant leadership philosophy and serves as a catalyst for free enterprise, small business and economic development. Ken works with growth-oriented companies in technology, health care, manufacturing, financial and business services industries. E3C stands for Entrepreneurship, Empowerment, Evolution, Connect, Collaborate and Create…. as in greater opportunities for all entrepreneurs worldwide!

Check out the company website: http://www.BetterSalesandProfitsNow.com Ken’s Business Community website: http://www.my-business-community.com and Ken’s Podcast: http://www.E3C.podOmatic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenneth_Darryl_Brown

For more information and support for creating more time for yourself and what’s important to you, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Read full story • Comments Off

Balance: Entreprenurial or Workaholic?

by Tj Helm on 07,01,0808 in Business Building

By Lee Down

A workaholic is someone who has no identity beyond their work. Life is about so much more than what you do. It is about the relationships you develop and nurture. It is about social impact in your community. It is about the growth and learning you experience. It is about living passionately.

We are creative by our very nature, it’s in our genes. Applied intelligence equals creativity. Intelligence takes on many forms. So this creates a new question:
Where is your definition of a workaholic more likely? One living in passion or one living in isolation and fear?

The True Entrepreneur is one that I witness their values, passion, and whole way of being aligned with what they do. In this way, the entrepreneur is just being. The business, the vocation, the passion, the purpose, the values, interests, etc. are all a part of who the individual is.

Externally, I don’t think anyone could casually observe a difference between a workaholic and this entrepreneur. However, the individual knows. Deep down inside, the answer is known and typically the individual will turn away from acknowledging that truth and rationalize sticking to their tried and true behavior. The tried and true is comfortable. To admit the truth requires change and change is uncomfortable.

Many people welcome change in their external environment and consider themselves capable and open to change. Unfortunately, for most the relationship to the inner self is one of fear; there’s a whole can of worms that gets opened when we start doing the inner work. Knowing this, on a gut level, our subconscious quickly reverts to the tried and true. It’s hard work to change.

The good news though, is that many entrepreneurs have the ability to see what is happening around them. This ability is what makes entrepreneurs visionary go-getters. However, this does not exempt entrepreneurs from getting caught-up in their business to the detriment of a well-balanced life.

A well-balanced life is more powerful than the hard work that you put into a business. A well-balanced life feeds the brain, the spirit, the emotions, and the body. In creating the space for relationship, recreation, and rest, the benefits experienced will offer stronger focus, greater creativity (beneficial for problem-solving and decision-making), greater self-esteem, and mental/emotional/physical health. Knowing this, choices are made.

If incorporating a well-balanced life would allow you to achieve the same amount of output in 60 hours versus the 80 hours of perseverance, which would you choose?

The other thing entrepreneurs have difficulty with is learning when to say, “No.” and when to say, “That’s enough.” Always after a new conquest, a new experience, a new peak, and new challenges, an entrepreneur can get all that energy too caught up in the business arena. This will lead to the very thing you fear. Instead, split this energy to have a well-balanced life. Achievement will be far richer in the relationship arena and the personal growth arena.

The experience of Life can be incredibly rich, just don’t get so caught up in riches that you neglect your Whole Life.

Lee Down is a professionally trained Coach committed to the awakening and development of the human spirit. One Man Can (http://www.onemancan.ca/) wants to inspire and empower your life, your relationships, and your world.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Down

For more information and support for creating more time for yourself and what’s important to you, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Read full story • Comments Off

If You Are Living, You Are Selling!

by Tj Helm on 06,03,0808 in Business Building

By Francine Allaire

When reading that, you might say to yourself … wait a minute I am not in sales, so therefore this does apply to me. Yes it does; in fact, it applies to all of us. Here’s why.

Whether you are obtaining a dinner reservation at a popular restaurant, returning merchandise at a store, dealing with a difficult person, seeking advice, attempting to get your point across, applying for a new position at work, or literally involved with the selling of a product or service for a living, navigating your way through life requires an ability to promote yourself and persuade others of your point of view. And, if you think about it, that’s what sales is all about.

Because sales skills can be applied to so many facets in our life, the more you develop them, the more you will be able to get what you want and deserve out of life. Each of us is always selling in one way or another. Everyone you interact with, everyone who opinions and actions you affect, is a customer in your life. Since none of us live our lives in total isolation – and who would want to even if we could – we all have a vested interest in trying to get better at selling. Once you know how to sell yourself, you can do anything! The rewards can be awesome.

Marketing versus Selling
If selling is so important to each of us in our lives, are you at times a bit confused about the differences between marketing and selling? Simply put, marketing is the act of “bringing the product or service to market”. Selling on the other hand is the process, the steps you take to “close a sale”, to convert a prospective buyer into a customer, or “making a conversion”.

At its core marketing is essentially nothing more than research. That is to say it’s about identifying groups of potential buyers (your target market) and then finding the best way of bringing your product or service to their attention, generally through some form of advertising, online/offline campaigns or through some other outreach activities. Once your potential customers have been identified, you will try to reach them by developing what is called your “Marketing Message”. The more closely your message resonates with the wants, needs or desires of your prospective customers the better the odds of making a conversion, aka, closing sales.

Marketing on-line has some distinctive advantages to off-line marketing methods. The Internet makes it much easier to conduct market research using search engines or keyword searches using specialized programs as well as various other methods.

In minutes, you can accumulate highly accurate real time data on what people are looking at, or looking for on-line. Not to mention finding out crucial information about your competitors as well. The value of this powerful research capability can not be understated. It is priceless!

On-line or off-line, marketing and sales seem sometime to overlap in the development of what is commonly known as the “pitch”. The pitch, of course, is how the marketing message is delivered. It’s where the marketing “rubber” meets the road so to speak.

If the marketing has been done properly then the marketing message will be clearly delivered in ad copy, sales copy or by whatever means you use to bring it before your prospective customer.

Selling, on the other hand, is about persuasion through reason. It is associated with a process called overcoming objections and delivering value in the prospect’s mind. It is a much more intimate one to one technique where a buyer “assists” a prospective customer in making a “buying decision”.

Part of the marketing process is to actually uncover potential objections which might prevent your prospect from being converted to a customer. Selling is in fact where all that marketing research is applied at the point of sale.

While many would say that marketing is only a numbers game, it is really is an art as well. Successful marketers often seem to have an instinct for how to reach prospective customers that goes beyond simply number crunching. They simply seem to know what makes people tick, or perhaps more to the point, what makes them buy.

With Internet Marketing in particular there is a tremendous focus on the numbers. How many hundreds, or even thousands potential customers will see your ad or get your email. It’s easy to get the feeling that if only you have a big enough audience, sales will automatically follow.

Unfortunately many novice markets have fallen into the trap of thinking that bigger numbers make for greater success. It’s no wonder then that so many fail to achieve any success at all.

Part of a good marketing plan of course is all about getting your marketing message in front of as many people as possible, not just any people of course, but the right people at the right time. Never loose sight of who your target market is — and please do not make the mistake of not having a target market to begin with.

If marketing is done well it simply disappears behind the neat graphics and sparkling ad copy. The marketing message come shining through and to stimulate, motivate or excite exactly the right people.

When marketing is done well products virtually sell themselves, right? Well, not so. I would venture to say that good, targeted marketing with get you half the way there. To actually convert a prospect into a customer requires good selling skills. Selling is the art of helping … of solving other people’s problems. “Help,” “solve,” “needs” are the key words that represent the essence of selling. “How will this benefit me?” is the big question in your prospect’s mind, even if they never ask it out loud. Be sure to deliver the answer up front.

One of most common mistakes people make in selling is to try to act as if there’s nothing in it for themselves. You don’t have to hide the fact that you, too, benefit from a sale. Being forthright about that in your attitude and approach can help to establish rapport and trust with the other person. Everyone is expected to win. Here is to prosperous selling!

Francine Allaire is a Growth & Exposure Strategies Expert™ and is the Founder of The International Community of Daring Women, “The Daring™” for short. She uses her 20+ years of corporate experience, as an award winning sales & marketing executive and strategic consultant, to coach women entrepreneurs and small business owners how to increase their revenue through growth and exposure strategies and how to align who they are with what they do so they not only create profitable and sustainable businesses but they also create a fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle. Get your Free Daring Success kit at: http://www.thedaring.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francine_Allaire

For more information and support for creating more time for yourself and what’s important to you, visit http://www.GalileoLS.com/consult.html for a free coaching consultation.

Read full story • Comments Off

Networking for Success – The Top 5 Tips to Becoming a Great Networker

by Tj Helm on 04,03,0808 in Business Building

By Heather Hansen

Meeting new people is never easy. But humans, by nature, are social beings that depend on other people to survive. We are taught, nurtured, and supported by others. Studies have even shown that individuals who lead solitary, non-social lives end up having shorter life spans than those who surround themselves with friends, colleagues, family and other acquaintances.

Building a large network may seem like a daunting and time-consuming task, but with the right attitude and mindset it can be very rewarding and a lot of fun! These 5 tips are some helpful ideas to get you started on your road to networking success.

1. Expand your definition of “networking event”
The first step to becoming a great networker is understanding that every single time you find yourself surrounded by people you don’t know, you are at a networking event. From Chamber of Commerce meetings to a neighbor’s child’s birthday party, every time you meet someone new you are building your network.

It is always important to be on your best behavior (look your best, feel your best, send out positive signals to others) because you never know who you are going to meet.

Plenty of people mix work with pleasure, and the best networkers always do. Remember, people like doing business with people they like. What better way to connect with a potential client than socially? That’s when you really get to call your clients friends!

2. Ooze positivity and friendliness
You walk into a party where you know no one. You take a look around the crowded room. Not knowing where else to begin, you go to the buffet – more to look like you’re doing something than because you’re actually hungry. There’s a man getting food right next to you, but he doesn’t even look your way. He must know you’re there. Across the buffet is a woman who looks up at you, makes eye contact, smiles and beams, “Doesn’t the food look fantastic?”

Who would you like to speak with? Of course, the woman! She’s friendly, positive and has put you at ease by starting the conversation off with a simple statement about something you have in common – the food. You continue chatting with her while you nibble on appetizers and the man beside you quietly disappears into the wallpaper. He missed a very simple opportunity to connect with others.The moral of the story: ooze positivity and friendliness from every pore. Everyone is just as nervous and insecure as you are. Make others feel at ease with a smile and positive comment and you’ll be surprised how easy small talk can be!

3. Be yourself
It’s amazing how much we can read into other people. Have you ever had a “bad feeling” about someone you just met? I sure have. And when I sit down and try to figure out what it is that bothers me about this person I don’t even know, I usually end up with the same conclusion: the person is hiding something. I feel like the person isn’t entirely sincere or honest, or that he/she is putting on some kind of show to impress people. The irony of it all is that these people will be much less successful in their networking attempts than those who let their true, less than brilliant colors show.

How can you really “connect” with someone if you aren’t giving your authentic self to the other person? Even if you manage to slip by during the first encounter and make a good impression, eventually your façade will begin to chip and crumble and the other person will end up losing respect for you – not because they don’t like who you really are, but because they feel deceived by your attempts to be someone you’re not.

4. Show a sincere interest in others
Fact: people like to talk about themselves and things that interest them. If you want to be a good communicator, let people do just that.

It may be surprising to hear that to be a good networker you actually don’t have to talk very much! In fact, the best networkers talk very little. Instead, they listen actively to the other person, nodding in approval, opening their mouths only to add a reassuring, “Oh, I see,” or “How wonderful!” They also ask open-ended questions and encourage the speaker to continue.

The person could be talking about their new puppy or latest fishing trip – it really doesn’t matter what the topic is. If you let them share their passion openly they will walk away excited about your encounter and feeling good about you because you showed a true interest in them.

Notice I said true interest. This is important. Simply saying, “Uh-huh,” over and over again while you skim the room for someone else to talk to is not going to get you far in the networking scene. Give the speaker 100% of your attention and focus on what is being shared. Ask yourself how you can help this person instead of always thinking about what the other person can do for you.

5. Just go!
It doesn’t matter how busy, tired or hungry you are (those little appetizers will never hold you over)! I’ve heard all the excuses. In fact, I’ve used them all myself! But remember, every time you skip an event where you have the opportunity to network, you are potentially missing a unique opportunity to meet someone who could change your life forever – personally, professionally or both.

That may sound like a far-reaching statement, but it’s true. Think of the people who have helped you the most in your life. Think of the people who you have had the opportunity to help and how helping them made you feel. Where did you meet these people? Most are likely to be family members. You were lucky to be born into that support group. But what about the others?

You never know when you will meet someone new and interesting that not only can help you in some way, but will also give you the opportunity to help. That is really what networking is all about. As you give to others, you also gain.

The gains might be financial in the form of a connection to a new job. They could be mental in the form of a really interesting conversation where you learn something new that changes the way you see the world. Or the gains could simply be the emotional high of meeting someone new and “connecting” with them on some basic human level.

You will never know until you go!

Heather Hansen, founder of Singapore-based Hansen Speech & Language Training, is an executive speech and language coach, writer and trainer. If you want to boost your linguistic abilities and become a powerful speaker, visit her website http://www.hansenslt.com now for free information on how to speak clearly, correctly and confidently! Join her mailing list to receive your free special report, Speak Clearly! and as a special bonus you’ll also receive her monthly newsletter, Speak like a Star!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Hansen

Read full story • Comments Off

Older Entries »

Coaching for a better life, better business, better you!

> Home > Blog > News > Events