Advertisement Ideas: Prioritize This!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Prioritize This!!!

photo get-your-priorities-straightWhen you opened your business today what were your priorities? Did you write down your priorities and make sure they were in sync with your goals and objectives? So many times when working with entrepreneurs I find that many do not set priorities and thus continue to be on this endless hamster wheel that creates a struggle. The end result of this struggle is that they fail to thrive and eventually close their business. I always ask people who I work with what did you do to promote your business today? Many times the answer is nothing people will come because they are in the plaza anyway or they are by where we are located and will see us and come in out of curiosity.  I give the people I work with the strategy to do out reach to potential customers daily while also having a retention program to keep existing customers.  I have worked for people over the last 40 years and I have seen that the successful ones are innovative and seek to stay ahead of the curve while those who close up their business get set in their ways and are closed-minded. I have also found that many business owners do not get out of their own way and as a result they believe they know everything. I was told by a very prominent business coach, Bert Oliva, that “The Day You Think You Know Everything Is The Day You Start To Lose Everything,” this is so true as you begin to alienate those that truly want to help you.  What are your priorities today? How do these priorities fit with the over all core model for your business? Are you listening to the people working with you? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Prioritize This!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Roll Up The Sleeves And Get To Work!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Roll Up The Sleeves And Get To Work!

 In my business consultations I tell my clients all the time it is time to roll up the sleeves and get to work. I believe it doesn’t matter who the governor is, who your mayor and council people are, who you state senator is, who the president is because in the long run they have very little impact on your business. It is you who will determine your level of success. It is you who will find the right people to help with your marketing and media relations. It is you who will build your brand. The decisions will be yours as an entrepreneur. Sure you will delegate your responsibility but when it comes to the success of your business it lies with you and only you.  If you choose not to advertise and your business slows down that decision is on you not your competition, not the economy, not your workers, and not any other outside influence. I speak to many entrepreneurs and I hear so many excuses that I say okay which are you going to be the excuse maker or the action taker?  The key to have a successful flourishing business is to work on it everyday and make sure that you are creating brand awareness daily. Ask yourself how am I rolling up the sleeves and getting to work? What can I do differently?

 In rolling up your sleeves and getting to work you will begin to reap many benefits like a buzz in the community, customer/client loyalty, and of course increased cash flow. I was out collecting donations recently after delivering my All You Have  To Do Is Ask Presentation when I came across a jewelry store and the owner said I am not interested things are slow. Granted I look like a salesperson when dressed in a suit and tie but I am also a potential customer who can also refer people business. I said to the gentleman to bad as I could have brought you some people. He argued and said not in this economy I simply asked him when was the last time you called customers you haven’t seen in a while?His answer I don’t do that. I said okay maybe you should consider adding that to your mix instead of complaining, and I left.  Think had he rolled up his sleeves and called 10 previous customers and asked for referrals  he may have  seen a jump in his business.  When things are slow that is when you should be making personal contact with people and letting them know you are still here to serve them and asking them if they know 2 people who can benefit from you services. Remember that every encounter you  have is a chance to build a stronger customer/client base and to enhance the customer/client experience. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Roll Up The Sleeves And Get To Work!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Wake Up and Make It Happen

Advertisement Ideas: Wake Up and Make It Happen

I was going to title this blog Wake The F Up America but wanting to keep the blog PG related I decided to title it Wake Up and Make It Happen. How many of you have called BS on the message to the right saying it can’t be done or it takes too  much money to make it happen, or I’ll never be able to do that? These negative beliefs are the beliefs that are stopping you from waking up ans making it happen. I am not here to tell you it is going to be easy because it takes some work and time. I am not here to blow smoke up your rear either and I am not going to pee on your shoes and tell you it is raining. I am here to tell you that with the right strategy and the right attitude and making the right connections you will make it happen. Let’s break down these 10 questions to help you to plan, implement, and evaluate the steps needed to take action to make it happen. I learned these in The Junior Chamber Of Commerce(Jaycees) and many have used them to become successful in their personal and professional life.

1: What is the primary purpose? This is a way to formulate your mission statement

2: What are the goals and objectives? This will help you see the big picture and to stay focused

3: What is The Manpower?This will help you to decide who you should seek to help

4:What Materials, Supplies, and Resources will be needed? This will help you in making your choices?

5: What Are The Potential Problems and Solutions?This will alleviate having to guess.

6: What is the Budget?- This will help in determining the cash outlay and pay back.

7: What are the steps necessary and the completion dates?  This will help you to stay focused

8: What revisions have you made to the original plan: tweaking the plan is always good practice

9: What Changes would you recommend for a similar project?

10: Give Specific and Measurable Results and a Summary of the project? Being able to give a summary  will help you to improve as you grow.

These questions were used to plan and implement and evaluate special projects that The Jaycees Ran. They translate into business as it lays out an opportunity to wake up and make it happen. It is when you have a road map to follow and adjust to that you are most successful. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Wake Up and Make It Happen