On the internet, content is known as "the king". People visits a site not for the flashy graphics nor the wonderful website designs, but because of the information they learn from the website.
Having high quality content not just attract visitors, it also attracts search engines to visit your sites more and increase your search engine placements. However, in order to get more traffic that can turn into money, you'll need repeat visitors who are eager to read your new update on your content site.
Therefore, your website should have rich, premium, informative content to capture repeat visitors and more search engine traffic.
Here are some simple tips that would help you build a content site that can attract more repeat visitors:
- Make sure your website's layout is simple and easy looking to the visitors' eyes. Don't add too many flashy features in your webpage to disturb your visitors's focus when they are reading on your content.
- Always remember the most important part in your content is the headline and the first few paragraphs. Whether your reader will read on or not heavily depends on the attractiveness on these parts. Always try to capture their interests and give them what they want to know.
- Update your website with fresh new content frequently. When your visitors revisit your site and find you have not add new content, they will visit elsewhere immediately. And if this situation goes on, they will not visit your site again. Besides, search engines love websites that update content frequently, and give them higher search rank.
- You should consider to use blogs. Blogs are very easy to set up and update. Once you have entered your entries, all you have to do is to click a button to publish them. And blogs are getting indexed fast and easily in most search engines!
Content is king, and you can take benefit from it easily!
January 23, 2010
Affiliate Marketing - Pay Per Click Marketing For Instant Success
Pay Per Click Marketing is an affiliate marketing skill practiced only by successful affiliate marketers. The reason for this is that most affiliates do not fancy the idea of spending money every time there is a click on their ads and one can lose money if there is not a solid business plan in place. Pay Per Click Marketing in the right hands is the fastest way for anyone to get results online, in hours or days from the day the ad was placed.
Getting started in Pay Per Click Marketing is very simple. All we need to do is go to any one of the major search engine providers such as Yahoo Search Marketing, MSN Marketing and Google AdWords Marketing and setup an account. Setting up an account requires a debit or credit card. This is also a possible hurdle for some interested in online marketing but unable to get started because of lack of this tool. Many banks now allow their ATM cards to function as a visa card,
Pay Per Click Marketing never gets saturated. Compared to other forms of advertising such as ezine advertising that can generate sales...however one needs to place ads, or solo ezine ads to test if the subscribers to an ezine newsletter is responsive to an ad. So its either a hit or miss. For this same reason, PPC is especially good for affiliates in the MLM or network marketing arena that are looking for ways to generate leads for their business. For example, while your upline may have success advertising a business opportunity in a certain ezine with 5000 subscribers, over time that pool becomes saturated with the same ad and this resource pool will no longer be beneficial to the sponsors downline.
PPC however takes some skill and time to understand the intricacies of the advertising system. The best way to succeed in PPC is to have a business model that is long term, in other words, we need a business plan that either has got many products we can introduce in time, a recurring charge business model such as a membership site or a high ticket item. Once the business model is in place, we can send instant traffic with AdWords, Yahoo, or MSN.
Getting started in Pay Per Click Marketing is very simple. All we need to do is go to any one of the major search engine providers such as Yahoo Search Marketing, MSN Marketing and Google AdWords Marketing and setup an account. Setting up an account requires a debit or credit card. This is also a possible hurdle for some interested in online marketing but unable to get started because of lack of this tool. Many banks now allow their ATM cards to function as a visa card,
Pay Per Click Marketing never gets saturated. Compared to other forms of advertising such as ezine advertising that can generate sales...however one needs to place ads, or solo ezine ads to test if the subscribers to an ezine newsletter is responsive to an ad. So its either a hit or miss. For this same reason, PPC is especially good for affiliates in the MLM or network marketing arena that are looking for ways to generate leads for their business. For example, while your upline may have success advertising a business opportunity in a certain ezine with 5000 subscribers, over time that pool becomes saturated with the same ad and this resource pool will no longer be beneficial to the sponsors downline.
PPC however takes some skill and time to understand the intricacies of the advertising system. The best way to succeed in PPC is to have a business model that is long term, in other words, we need a business plan that either has got many products we can introduce in time, a recurring charge business model such as a membership site or a high ticket item. Once the business model is in place, we can send instant traffic with AdWords, Yahoo, or MSN.
Advertise the Smart Way
If you have your own web site and want to get the word out on your products or services, there are a few things to do in order to advertise the smart way. No matter what size business or product that you are selling, you can draw lots of traffic to your site by advertising correctly.
Many web developers throw money around without doing the proper research and analysis on who their customers really are. Before you throw money around make sure that you have put plenty of thought and analysis into which ways are the best way to advertise your product. Here are a few tips.
Make sure you know who your customers are. A lot of web developers place their advertisements on the wrong types of web sites, which bring them little if any traffic. If you decide to use techniques such as email and popup advertisements, be forewarned that these types of advertising are considered nuisances to many customers. Many advertisers make the common mistake of advertising in one big shot instead of growing a market and following trends. So the next time you commit to an advertising campaign, make sure that you are advertising the smart way.
Many web developers throw money around without doing the proper research and analysis on who their customers really are. Before you throw money around make sure that you have put plenty of thought and analysis into which ways are the best way to advertise your product. Here are a few tips.
Make sure you know who your customers are. A lot of web developers place their advertisements on the wrong types of web sites, which bring them little if any traffic. If you decide to use techniques such as email and popup advertisements, be forewarned that these types of advertising are considered nuisances to many customers. Many advertisers make the common mistake of advertising in one big shot instead of growing a market and following trends. So the next time you commit to an advertising campaign, make sure that you are advertising the smart way.
A Franchise - Your own business, but include support and guidance.
Many people dream of running their own business and of giving up the day job. Most of these ambitious individuals only have the most basic of skills needed, and recognize that their business would not stand a great chance of success.
A Franchise is the answer for many of these would-be entrepreneurs. A Franchise works by the franchiser selling a business plan to the franchisee. The fee paid may include marketing, a website. The most important thing the franchiser provides is training in implementing the business plan.
Franchise businesses have a much greater chance of success because the franchisee has training, guidance and supervision in the early stages. This support is expensive and the franchisee may have to pay a percentage of turnover or profits to the franchiser.
Many high street businesses are run on a franchising business model including McDonalds and many other fast food and coffee businesses. Other favorites are cleaning businesses and vending machine businesses. A franchise has disadvantages, too. You have to obtain your supplies from a limited range of approved suppliers, or even, just from the franchiser. You have to stick with the franchiser's business image and are not free to develop or change the business image as you want to.
You may find franchises from unscrupulous business owners who have decided to offer franchises in an unproven business to make a quick buck. You need to research any potential franchise in great detail, and to make sure the franchiser is part of a Franchise Member Group. If possible, you should talk to others with the same franchise and try to benefit from their experience.
Franchise operations do offer a supported and easier route into running your own business than just going alone, but there can be heavy upfront costs. Your research will soon show you that most franchises cost between five and twenty thousand dollars. You may find a vending machine franchise for less, and a McDonald’s franchise could cost you a cool $950K.
A Franchise is the answer for many of these would-be entrepreneurs. A Franchise works by the franchiser selling a business plan to the franchisee. The fee paid may include marketing, a website. The most important thing the franchiser provides is training in implementing the business plan.
Franchise businesses have a much greater chance of success because the franchisee has training, guidance and supervision in the early stages. This support is expensive and the franchisee may have to pay a percentage of turnover or profits to the franchiser.
Many high street businesses are run on a franchising business model including McDonalds and many other fast food and coffee businesses. Other favorites are cleaning businesses and vending machine businesses. A franchise has disadvantages, too. You have to obtain your supplies from a limited range of approved suppliers, or even, just from the franchiser. You have to stick with the franchiser's business image and are not free to develop or change the business image as you want to.
You may find franchises from unscrupulous business owners who have decided to offer franchises in an unproven business to make a quick buck. You need to research any potential franchise in great detail, and to make sure the franchiser is part of a Franchise Member Group. If possible, you should talk to others with the same franchise and try to benefit from their experience.
Franchise operations do offer a supported and easier route into running your own business than just going alone, but there can be heavy upfront costs. Your research will soon show you that most franchises cost between five and twenty thousand dollars. You may find a vending machine franchise for less, and a McDonald’s franchise could cost you a cool $950K.
The Reality of Online Entrepreneurship
Who doesn't want to run a business from their home and wear a bathrobe to virtual business meetings? Since the go-go days of the dotcom boom, the ideal of starting an online business has drawn many to try their business legs in the challenges of online commerce. And indeed, the statistics are attractive: Fifty-five percent of American households are wired for the Internet, and nearly a third, or 32 percent have made a purchase online, according to the US Census Bureau. There's buckets of money being made online, but who's making it and who's not?
When one speaks of "making money online," one creates an image of simply turning on a computer and getting money out of it as if it were an ATM machine. In fact, the Internet, and all the commercial features of it, are merely tools in the entrepreneur's toolbox that should be used alongside other, more traditional tools. When you're building a house, sometimes that high-tech, laser pointing thingamabob is great, but sometimes you just need a hammer. And so it is with online business, and supplementing all that high-tech with old-fashioned business, or in many cases, supplementing old-fashioned business with some high-tech, is what it takes to be successful. Success online comes not in replacing the old with the new, but blending them together.
With a few high-profile exceptions, most businesses that "make money online" successfully aren't exclusive virtual sales companies, but instead, they use the Internet as just one of several sales channels. While people are buying things online, they enjoy having the Internet as an option—but don't want it to be their only option. More often, the Internet is used as a vehicle for researching products that will actually be bought in an actual brick-and-mortar store.
Creating a virtual business doesn't mean that it should be exclusively virtual.
The most successful online businesses are those that have promoted themselves offline as well as on, through traditional media such as television and newspaper as well as via clickthroughs and email advertising. Yahoo! is an excellent example of a fabulously successful online company—but what do we remember most when we think of Yahoo!? The silly yodel from their television commercials.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember when starting an online business, is not to get lost in the online mystique. The Internet revolution has, and continues to bring us all manner of useful tools and techniques for commerce, but if you want to get customers to visit your new online boutique, you have to actually change out of your bathrobe, get out of your den, and actually talk to some people face-to-face.
When one speaks of "making money online," one creates an image of simply turning on a computer and getting money out of it as if it were an ATM machine. In fact, the Internet, and all the commercial features of it, are merely tools in the entrepreneur's toolbox that should be used alongside other, more traditional tools. When you're building a house, sometimes that high-tech, laser pointing thingamabob is great, but sometimes you just need a hammer. And so it is with online business, and supplementing all that high-tech with old-fashioned business, or in many cases, supplementing old-fashioned business with some high-tech, is what it takes to be successful. Success online comes not in replacing the old with the new, but blending them together.
With a few high-profile exceptions, most businesses that "make money online" successfully aren't exclusive virtual sales companies, but instead, they use the Internet as just one of several sales channels. While people are buying things online, they enjoy having the Internet as an option—but don't want it to be their only option. More often, the Internet is used as a vehicle for researching products that will actually be bought in an actual brick-and-mortar store.
Creating a virtual business doesn't mean that it should be exclusively virtual.
The most successful online businesses are those that have promoted themselves offline as well as on, through traditional media such as television and newspaper as well as via clickthroughs and email advertising. Yahoo! is an excellent example of a fabulously successful online company—but what do we remember most when we think of Yahoo!? The silly yodel from their television commercials.
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember when starting an online business, is not to get lost in the online mystique. The Internet revolution has, and continues to bring us all manner of useful tools and techniques for commerce, but if you want to get customers to visit your new online boutique, you have to actually change out of your bathrobe, get out of your den, and actually talk to some people face-to-face.
What it Takes to Succeed in Business!
Business if tough in today’s world! Most small businesses go bankrupt or are closed abruptly in the first five years. Over the course of the next five years many of the remainders also “pack up” shop and lock their doors. Why do so many businesses fail?
The reasons lie in three main spheres. Those spheres of influence can be labeled personal, customer, and operations.
The Personal Sphere deals with the owner’s personal motivation to start a business. For example, if an owner wants to start their own business, but isn’t willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make it thrive, then they are at a disadvantage when compared to other motivated businesspeople. When a business starts for the first time often it doesn’t have a lot of money. Owners are required to sacrifice time, money, and happiness to succeed. If you can’t do that, it is unlikely that such a business will flourish. Many times owners thought they could handle the hardship but once the novelty of “being your own boss” wears off they close the door.
The Customer Sphere is one of the most important components of your business. Without customers you do not have sales, without sales you do not have money and without money you do not have a business. Many factors go into generating a good customer base. In the beginning you must have a cost effective marketing strategy that targets your intended buyers. This can be done by developing a psychological profile of your customer and then advertising in those places that they frequent. Because it is more expensive to get a new customer than it is to keep one you must make sure they are satisfied with your business and product. Keep in touch with them by sending them a follow-up letter with a survey.
The Operations Sphere is only second to the Customer Sphere. In operations you must have an appropriate method of reducing costs, keeping track of paperwork, and maintaining improvement. Operations can also take into effect the tax paperwork, accounting, scheduling of workers, benefits or any non-producing functions.
If all of these three components are well thought out and are appropriately designed you will increases your chances of survival. Failure to understand the integral details of your business and what it takes to succeed may mean failure in the long run. If you are having difficulty putting all the pieces together then consider a small business consultant.
The reasons lie in three main spheres. Those spheres of influence can be labeled personal, customer, and operations.
The Personal Sphere deals with the owner’s personal motivation to start a business. For example, if an owner wants to start their own business, but isn’t willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make it thrive, then they are at a disadvantage when compared to other motivated businesspeople. When a business starts for the first time often it doesn’t have a lot of money. Owners are required to sacrifice time, money, and happiness to succeed. If you can’t do that, it is unlikely that such a business will flourish. Many times owners thought they could handle the hardship but once the novelty of “being your own boss” wears off they close the door.
The Customer Sphere is one of the most important components of your business. Without customers you do not have sales, without sales you do not have money and without money you do not have a business. Many factors go into generating a good customer base. In the beginning you must have a cost effective marketing strategy that targets your intended buyers. This can be done by developing a psychological profile of your customer and then advertising in those places that they frequent. Because it is more expensive to get a new customer than it is to keep one you must make sure they are satisfied with your business and product. Keep in touch with them by sending them a follow-up letter with a survey.
The Operations Sphere is only second to the Customer Sphere. In operations you must have an appropriate method of reducing costs, keeping track of paperwork, and maintaining improvement. Operations can also take into effect the tax paperwork, accounting, scheduling of workers, benefits or any non-producing functions.
If all of these three components are well thought out and are appropriately designed you will increases your chances of survival. Failure to understand the integral details of your business and what it takes to succeed may mean failure in the long run. If you are having difficulty putting all the pieces together then consider a small business consultant.
January 19, 2010
Are You In The Right Profession?
All of us are busy working in a particular area to earn our living. Some of us are business persons and some are employed. Some are engineers, others doctors, carpenters and so on. We have painters, architects, firemen and all types of professionals.
The question is - Why did you choose a particular profession? Were you tested scientifically in our childhood about your aptitude, or whether it was your family profession, or you wanted to become one because you had fancy for that, or you had nothing else to chose so you chose your current profession?
Along the way in life, we stop asking these questions and continue doing what we are doing. We never think about why we are doing a particular kind of job. We never look around for total change in the job. For example - an engineer would very rarely think about dropping out of his/her profession and becoming a full time musician. Why?
why most of us don't think about changing our profession altogether? Why don't we think in that direction at all? One reason is to maintain status quo, which gives us comfort. We want to live in our comfort zone. The second reason is that we never question ourselves- Am I in a profession that I like fully? Can I choose another profession that will give me more success and joy?
Please think about what I have said and rethink about your profession. You may find something else that may give you not only satisfaction but great success.
The question is - Why did you choose a particular profession? Were you tested scientifically in our childhood about your aptitude, or whether it was your family profession, or you wanted to become one because you had fancy for that, or you had nothing else to chose so you chose your current profession?
Along the way in life, we stop asking these questions and continue doing what we are doing. We never think about why we are doing a particular kind of job. We never look around for total change in the job. For example - an engineer would very rarely think about dropping out of his/her profession and becoming a full time musician. Why?
why most of us don't think about changing our profession altogether? Why don't we think in that direction at all? One reason is to maintain status quo, which gives us comfort. We want to live in our comfort zone. The second reason is that we never question ourselves- Am I in a profession that I like fully? Can I choose another profession that will give me more success and joy?
Please think about what I have said and rethink about your profession. You may find something else that may give you not only satisfaction but great success.
Case Study: An eBook Online Business Plan
Success online depends on having a plan, or more specifically a business plan. Often, very often actually, clients contact a designer with a burning passion to have a new web site online, and fast. Success takes more than waking up bug-eyed at 2:00am with the brainstorm of the century. You need to outline (and fill in) a real business plan and make adjustments before the official launch.
Citing an actual case for an online eBook business, I advised the aspiring entrepreneur to provide more information. Thinking through the questions and answers is a vital step towards developing a good business plan.
- Do you have a logo for your company?
- If no logo, what color scheme do you like?
- How many products (eBooks) will you offer?
- Are they all written and ready to go?
- Do you have cover art for your books?
- What system of e-commerce do you intend to use?
- Will you offer just pdf or exe formats, or both?
- Do you have the domain, plus registration and hosting?
- Do you have a projected launch date scheduled?
- How many affiliate products do you have to offer?
Defining what you do, your market, and how you intend to be different are vital considerations. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
For an eBook online business, the competition is fierce and filled with some shady characters. When you begin the process of planning before jumping in, consider your image first and then answer "How will I establish credibility up front?". Weave this into your business plan and you should do well. Don't act before thinking or you may be perceived as just another online marketeer.
To summarize:
1. Your Image - Have a stunning set of graphics for your corporate image to make a favorable first impression. Hire a pro if it's in your budget.
2. Establishing Credibility - solicit opinions from trusted people to give honest feedback about first impression and credibility, good or bad.
3. The Plan - Outlines or templates for creating a business plan are availble free online. Get one. Use it. Be flexible, and change as you go.
In closing and from experience, I know that many startup online entrepreneurs neglect creating a business plan. Selling eBooks online without physical inventory except bits and bytes seems so easy. Your chance for success will improve with a real business plan.
Citing an actual case for an online eBook business, I advised the aspiring entrepreneur to provide more information. Thinking through the questions and answers is a vital step towards developing a good business plan.
- Do you have a logo for your company?
- If no logo, what color scheme do you like?
- How many products (eBooks) will you offer?
- Are they all written and ready to go?
- Do you have cover art for your books?
- What system of e-commerce do you intend to use?
- Will you offer just pdf or exe formats, or both?
- Do you have the domain, plus registration and hosting?
- Do you have a projected launch date scheduled?
- How many affiliate products do you have to offer?
Defining what you do, your market, and how you intend to be different are vital considerations. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
For an eBook online business, the competition is fierce and filled with some shady characters. When you begin the process of planning before jumping in, consider your image first and then answer "How will I establish credibility up front?". Weave this into your business plan and you should do well. Don't act before thinking or you may be perceived as just another online marketeer.
To summarize:
1. Your Image - Have a stunning set of graphics for your corporate image to make a favorable first impression. Hire a pro if it's in your budget.
2. Establishing Credibility - solicit opinions from trusted people to give honest feedback about first impression and credibility, good or bad.
3. The Plan - Outlines or templates for creating a business plan are availble free online. Get one. Use it. Be flexible, and change as you go.
In closing and from experience, I know that many startup online entrepreneurs neglect creating a business plan. Selling eBooks online without physical inventory except bits and bytes seems so easy. Your chance for success will improve with a real business plan.
Probe Before You Sell
When selling a product to a customer, it is very important to find out as much as you can about your customer and their needs before you proceed with your sale.
This is commonly referred to as “needs based selling.”
The most effective way to find out about your customers needs, is to ask probing, open-ended questions.
An open-ended question does not allow your customer to give you a “yes” or “no” answer, it makes them explain to you what their needs are, and why they would need a particular product.
Here is an example, if you were a sales associate at a furniture store, and a customer walked in looking for a dining room set, an open-ended question you might ask would be:
“Tell me about the particular type of pattern you are looking for,” or simply put, “tell me more about what you are looking for”
This puts your customer in a situation where they cannot say “yes” or “no,” they must go into detail.
On a personal note . . .
Not to long ago, my wife and I were in a department store looking for a coat for me.
I spotted one that I like hanging on a discount rack. It was brown, with a removable liner, and a zipper that ran the length of the collar, to protect your neck.
I liked it so much, I took it from the rack and tried it on.
As I stood admiring myself in the mirror, a sales associate came over and complimented me on my appearance in this jacket.
I smiled politely and thanked her. She than proceeded to tell me that the best part about the jacket was that it smelled like real leather.
Taking her word for it, I put my nose to the sleeve, took a whiff, and sure enough, it smelled like real leather.
The only problem was . . .
I don’t like the smell of leather.
Needless to say, I put the coat back on the rack, and the friendly sales person lost the sale and the commission.
The mistake the sales person made was assuming that I liked the smell of leather. It was a safe assumption on the part of the sales person, because most people like the smell of leather. This doesn’t mean it should be taken for granted.
The point I am trying to make, is that it is essential that you ask probing and open-ended questions, find out as much as you possibly can about your customer before you present them with a product. You’ll end up with a lot more sales. Believe me!
This is commonly referred to as “needs based selling.”
The most effective way to find out about your customers needs, is to ask probing, open-ended questions.
An open-ended question does not allow your customer to give you a “yes” or “no” answer, it makes them explain to you what their needs are, and why they would need a particular product.
Here is an example, if you were a sales associate at a furniture store, and a customer walked in looking for a dining room set, an open-ended question you might ask would be:
“Tell me about the particular type of pattern you are looking for,” or simply put, “tell me more about what you are looking for”
This puts your customer in a situation where they cannot say “yes” or “no,” they must go into detail.
On a personal note . . .
Not to long ago, my wife and I were in a department store looking for a coat for me.
I spotted one that I like hanging on a discount rack. It was brown, with a removable liner, and a zipper that ran the length of the collar, to protect your neck.
I liked it so much, I took it from the rack and tried it on.
As I stood admiring myself in the mirror, a sales associate came over and complimented me on my appearance in this jacket.
I smiled politely and thanked her. She than proceeded to tell me that the best part about the jacket was that it smelled like real leather.
Taking her word for it, I put my nose to the sleeve, took a whiff, and sure enough, it smelled like real leather.
The only problem was . . .
I don’t like the smell of leather.
Needless to say, I put the coat back on the rack, and the friendly sales person lost the sale and the commission.
The mistake the sales person made was assuming that I liked the smell of leather. It was a safe assumption on the part of the sales person, because most people like the smell of leather. This doesn’t mean it should be taken for granted.
The point I am trying to make, is that it is essential that you ask probing and open-ended questions, find out as much as you possibly can about your customer before you present them with a product. You’ll end up with a lot more sales. Believe me!
Phone Sales not Ready to Yeild to the Internet
There is no question that the internet has revolutionized business. Many people are not only paying their bills online, but also ordering products and services at an ever expanding rate as well. Businesses with a web presence have opened themselves up to new market where many consumers take advantage of the ease of shopping from pages visually no different from a catalog. Despite all that has changed in the last ten years, most companies that do business over distance and do not rely on local storefronts still see a large majority of their business come from the telephone. Several years ago, many business forecasters were predicting that the internet would have eclipsed the phone as the marketplace of choice by now. So why hasn't that been the case?
There are two primary reasons why the telephone will always be necessary to consumer sales oriented businesses. The first is that while it is getting harder and harder to find a person who does not have a personal computer at their disposal, either at work or at home; it is practically impossible to find a person without a telephone. The second is about human interaction. Many people prefer to order from a person over the telephone. That issue in itself may have to do with perceived notions of security and fraud risk, personalized and efficient customer service, or simply the desire for human confirmation that a transaction has taken place. In any case, some businesses have gone to great lengths in recent years to become a major presence in their industry on the world wide web while neglecting to update their antiquated phone systems. What companies need to realize is that while web based business will result in an overall sales increase as a result of consumers who use the internet as their primary marketplace, it will not do so at the loss of phone business if a capable phone system is in place. Keeping a phone system up to date and ready to handle customer volume should be a top priority for any business.
There are two primary reasons why the telephone will always be necessary to consumer sales oriented businesses. The first is that while it is getting harder and harder to find a person who does not have a personal computer at their disposal, either at work or at home; it is practically impossible to find a person without a telephone. The second is about human interaction. Many people prefer to order from a person over the telephone. That issue in itself may have to do with perceived notions of security and fraud risk, personalized and efficient customer service, or simply the desire for human confirmation that a transaction has taken place. In any case, some businesses have gone to great lengths in recent years to become a major presence in their industry on the world wide web while neglecting to update their antiquated phone systems. What companies need to realize is that while web based business will result in an overall sales increase as a result of consumers who use the internet as their primary marketplace, it will not do so at the loss of phone business if a capable phone system is in place. Keeping a phone system up to date and ready to handle customer volume should be a top priority for any business.
Making Gold from Scrap
Nucor's business is not new and sexy. In fact it is as rust belt as it comes: melt down scrap steel to make new steel. What's amazing about Nucor is not the business they are in but their results.
How does 387% return to shareholders over the past five years sound? That's better than Amazon, Starbucks and eBay. Since the 1980's it has grown into the largest steel company in the U.S. In 2005 it did $12.7 billion in sales, up from $4.6 billion in 2000. Income was $1.3 billion up from $311 million in 2000.
Their secret? This radical insight from their legendary leader F. Kenneth Iverson: employees, even hourly clock-punchers, will make an extraordinary effort if you reward them richly, treat them with respect, and give them real power. Sounds like something we in the service industry might be able to learn from.
From a recent article by BusinessWeek:
"At Nucor the art of motivation is about an unblinking focus on the people on the front line of the business. It's about talking to them, listening to them, taking a risk on their ideas, and accepting the occasional failure."
Lot's of people talk about empowering employees and paying for performance, at Nucor it's not just talk. Base hourly pay at Nucor is around $10 an hour compared to other companies that average $16 to $21. But a bonus tied to the production of defect-free steel made by the worker's shift can triple the average to $30 at Nucor. Bad work is also penalized. If a bad batch is caught before it leaves the plant the shift loses the bonus on that batch. If the defect doesn't get caught till it gets to the customer, they lose three times that amount.
Thinking this plan will only work with certain employees? Nucor has applied it at several acquired sites with tremendous success. They don't force new employees to switch immediately to their new pay system, they just start posting what the employee would have made. It doesn't take long for employees to demand the switch even as production at the facilities goes up.
That's just one side of how Nucor runs its business. They also listen and take risks on employee suggestions, this is not a command and control kind of place. This is a place where people are passionately working together, being rewarded for their successes and feeling the responsibilities of failure. Natural consequences.
Managers are in the same compensation boat. The shift, plant, or company does well and they get bonuses to compensate for their lower than industry standard salary. If things don't go well then they feel the pinch.
It all makes sense and this company is certainly has the Midas touch.
How does 387% return to shareholders over the past five years sound? That's better than Amazon, Starbucks and eBay. Since the 1980's it has grown into the largest steel company in the U.S. In 2005 it did $12.7 billion in sales, up from $4.6 billion in 2000. Income was $1.3 billion up from $311 million in 2000.
Their secret? This radical insight from their legendary leader F. Kenneth Iverson: employees, even hourly clock-punchers, will make an extraordinary effort if you reward them richly, treat them with respect, and give them real power. Sounds like something we in the service industry might be able to learn from.
From a recent article by BusinessWeek:
"At Nucor the art of motivation is about an unblinking focus on the people on the front line of the business. It's about talking to them, listening to them, taking a risk on their ideas, and accepting the occasional failure."
Lot's of people talk about empowering employees and paying for performance, at Nucor it's not just talk. Base hourly pay at Nucor is around $10 an hour compared to other companies that average $16 to $21. But a bonus tied to the production of defect-free steel made by the worker's shift can triple the average to $30 at Nucor. Bad work is also penalized. If a bad batch is caught before it leaves the plant the shift loses the bonus on that batch. If the defect doesn't get caught till it gets to the customer, they lose three times that amount.
Thinking this plan will only work with certain employees? Nucor has applied it at several acquired sites with tremendous success. They don't force new employees to switch immediately to their new pay system, they just start posting what the employee would have made. It doesn't take long for employees to demand the switch even as production at the facilities goes up.
That's just one side of how Nucor runs its business. They also listen and take risks on employee suggestions, this is not a command and control kind of place. This is a place where people are passionately working together, being rewarded for their successes and feeling the responsibilities of failure. Natural consequences.
Managers are in the same compensation boat. The shift, plant, or company does well and they get bonuses to compensate for their lower than industry standard salary. If things don't go well then they feel the pinch.
It all makes sense and this company is certainly has the Midas touch.
Entrepreneurs Don't Have Average Credit Scores
Fair Isaac, the company that develops the formula to determine credit scores looks at the average statistics of consumers and factors that into your score, called a (FICO). According to Fair Isaac the average consumer will have:
· One inquiry on their personal credit report in a given year
· 54% of credit holders carry a balance of less then $5,000 on all debts other then a mortgage
· Have access to $12,190 on all credit cards combined
“Now are entrepreneurs, like you, the typical consumer?” I asked one of my clients (J.G.). “No.”, said J.G.. “You will see that as an entrepreneur, we have several more credit needs then the average consumer. So when the personal credit bureaus compare us to the average consumer, our credit consumption is not normal. Which is why your credit score lowered since starting your business.” “That's not fair” said J.G. My reply, “If you don't understand how the system works, you're right.”
Let's look at J.G.'s situation. He has applied several times with suppliers for various credit lines over the last year. Each inquiry will likely drop his credit score approximately 5-10 points. The credit bureaus as suppose to lump three together and only drop 5-10 for the three, we'll see if it happens. He also has a $60,000 line of credit available and carries a balance of $42,000. Both the amount of credit and balance are more then the consumer average which can hurt his score as well. This is without looking at anything else in the business or his personal life.
If J.G. had just taken the time to develop a business credit profile and start establishing basic lines of credit in the business name and then slowly build the businesses credit over time, he may never have ended up without the ability to buy the home he and his family wanted.
This is why I have written books and developed products and services with our company, Business Credit Services, to provide an education to the entrepreneur on how to “become the typical consumer again” and “separate your personal and business life”.
· One inquiry on their personal credit report in a given year
· 54% of credit holders carry a balance of less then $5,000 on all debts other then a mortgage
· Have access to $12,190 on all credit cards combined
“Now are entrepreneurs, like you, the typical consumer?” I asked one of my clients (J.G.). “No.”, said J.G.. “You will see that as an entrepreneur, we have several more credit needs then the average consumer. So when the personal credit bureaus compare us to the average consumer, our credit consumption is not normal. Which is why your credit score lowered since starting your business.” “That's not fair” said J.G. My reply, “If you don't understand how the system works, you're right.”
Let's look at J.G.'s situation. He has applied several times with suppliers for various credit lines over the last year. Each inquiry will likely drop his credit score approximately 5-10 points. The credit bureaus as suppose to lump three together and only drop 5-10 for the three, we'll see if it happens. He also has a $60,000 line of credit available and carries a balance of $42,000. Both the amount of credit and balance are more then the consumer average which can hurt his score as well. This is without looking at anything else in the business or his personal life.
If J.G. had just taken the time to develop a business credit profile and start establishing basic lines of credit in the business name and then slowly build the businesses credit over time, he may never have ended up without the ability to buy the home he and his family wanted.
This is why I have written books and developed products and services with our company, Business Credit Services, to provide an education to the entrepreneur on how to “become the typical consumer again” and “separate your personal and business life”.
January 18, 2010
Every Entrepreneur's Worst Nightmare
Gone: Customers, sales, profits. Following is a simple little tale about how it happens.
"Jones was a typical entrepreneur who worked long hours and wore many hats.
"The problem was that all the hats screamed for attention. Jones solved the problem by wearing the hat that screamed the loudest.
"Unfortunately, this was only a temporary solution since all the hats kept screaming until they were worn.
"There was, however, one hat that never screamed. It never complained, whined or whimpered, even though it was lonely. It knew it was important, whether or not it was worn. That hat was right.
"One day the customers quit coming. The other hats became quiet; they no longer were needed. It was then that Jones noticed the hat named Marketing and how little it had been worn.
"'Why didn't I wear the Marketing hat?' thought Jones.
"For one thing, Marketing hadn't screamed for attention like the other hats. The other reason was that Jones was afraid the Marketing hat was too expensive to wear and would drain profits.
"But now there were no profits; the customers were gone.
"Jones put on the Marketing hat. It was time to get the old customers back, and to get new customers, too. It was time to wear the Marketing hat regularly.
"Even the other hats perked up."
(c) 2005 Neil Sagebiel
"Jones was a typical entrepreneur who worked long hours and wore many hats.
"The problem was that all the hats screamed for attention. Jones solved the problem by wearing the hat that screamed the loudest.
"Unfortunately, this was only a temporary solution since all the hats kept screaming until they were worn.
"There was, however, one hat that never screamed. It never complained, whined or whimpered, even though it was lonely. It knew it was important, whether or not it was worn. That hat was right.
"One day the customers quit coming. The other hats became quiet; they no longer were needed. It was then that Jones noticed the hat named Marketing and how little it had been worn.
"'Why didn't I wear the Marketing hat?' thought Jones.
"For one thing, Marketing hadn't screamed for attention like the other hats. The other reason was that Jones was afraid the Marketing hat was too expensive to wear and would drain profits.
"But now there were no profits; the customers were gone.
"Jones put on the Marketing hat. It was time to get the old customers back, and to get new customers, too. It was time to wear the Marketing hat regularly.
"Even the other hats perked up."
(c) 2005 Neil Sagebiel
Catch the Spirit of the Entrepreneur
Grabbing opportunities with open arms is often easier to talk about than to actually do. Most people find themselves dreaming about being rich but never actually doing anything about it. A combination of procrastination and 'what if' syndrome can cripple your creative spirit and might mean your idea will never become a reality.
Socrates said "Action equals knowledge'. He was one of the greatest philosophers of our time. What he meant was that it is through action that we achieve results.
For example, you could think about learning Spanish for months, imagining the holidays you will take and the people you will communicate with. You can dream forever but accomplish nothing unless you actually make the effort to start taking lessons.
Much like the martial arts approach - the idea is to take action immediately and avoid over analyzing the situation.
Do you want to start your own business but are afraid of what kinds of things can go wrong? What if your initial investment doesn't pay off? There are millions of things that could go wrong but likewise there are many things that can go right! Fear can be paralyzing. When thinking about starting a business particularly if you keep waiting for the right time. There will never be a perfect time. It's now or never when it comes to starting your own business.
Overcoming your fear is a step by step process.
- Do you have a clear idea of what kind of business you want to start? A clear plan will help keep your worries at bay.
- Do you have access to the resources you will need? This includes the necessary start up cash as well as anything else you will need.
- Do you have access to clients or do you know enough about marketing basics to ensure you will have enough interest in what you are offering?
Just like anything - taking action is the most important part. Make an itemized list of what you feel needs to be done in order for you to start that business you always dreamed of.
Prioritizing your list will help too. Don't wait for all your ducks to be in a proverbial row before you begin but make sure you have all the basics covered. Don't wait for that 'perfect someday'. Make an imperfect start.
Don't over think everything. Sometimes the best approach is to just jump into the deep end.
Don't wait to start discovering your own entrepreneurial spirit. Take action today!
Socrates said "Action equals knowledge'. He was one of the greatest philosophers of our time. What he meant was that it is through action that we achieve results.
For example, you could think about learning Spanish for months, imagining the holidays you will take and the people you will communicate with. You can dream forever but accomplish nothing unless you actually make the effort to start taking lessons.
Much like the martial arts approach - the idea is to take action immediately and avoid over analyzing the situation.
Do you want to start your own business but are afraid of what kinds of things can go wrong? What if your initial investment doesn't pay off? There are millions of things that could go wrong but likewise there are many things that can go right! Fear can be paralyzing. When thinking about starting a business particularly if you keep waiting for the right time. There will never be a perfect time. It's now or never when it comes to starting your own business.
Overcoming your fear is a step by step process.
- Do you have a clear idea of what kind of business you want to start? A clear plan will help keep your worries at bay.
- Do you have access to the resources you will need? This includes the necessary start up cash as well as anything else you will need.
- Do you have access to clients or do you know enough about marketing basics to ensure you will have enough interest in what you are offering?
Just like anything - taking action is the most important part. Make an itemized list of what you feel needs to be done in order for you to start that business you always dreamed of.
Prioritizing your list will help too. Don't wait for all your ducks to be in a proverbial row before you begin but make sure you have all the basics covered. Don't wait for that 'perfect someday'. Make an imperfect start.
Don't over think everything. Sometimes the best approach is to just jump into the deep end.
Don't wait to start discovering your own entrepreneurial spirit. Take action today!
Business Name – How To Pick One From A Legal Perspective
A business name can be a huge factor in the ultimate success or failure of the entity. Unfortunately, many people fail to give a lot of thought to it prior to moving forward. There are many factors to consider including something memorable, a name related to your area of work and, potentially, the availability of the domain name.
Married?
Picking a business name is like getting married. You are going to have to stick with it till the bitter end. It is estimated a prospect will need to see your advertisement and business name at least 22 times prior to doing business with you. Once they associate your business with a certain name, making a change will be disastrous. Once you pick something, stick with it.
Naming Your Business
If you are going to be married to your business name, you need to make sure the bride isn’t already married to another suitor. There are four significant issues to consider.
Initially, you must determine whether the name is already being used in your state. The Secretary of State controls the names of all corporations, LLCs and partnerships. Most also have a web site where you can conduct name searches. Even if you are a sole proprietor, you should check the name against those already registered in the state database. If the name is being used, you will need to consider an alternative.
Assuming the name passed must with the Secretary of State, you should check it against existing trademarks file with the Patent and Trademark Office. The “PTO” maintains an online database. As with the Secretary of State, you can conduct an online search to make sure no other business is using it.
In this day and age, many businesses incorporate a web site as part of their business model. If you are in this boat, you need to check to see if the business name is available as a domain. If it is, you should register it immediately. If not, you can either change your business name again or focus on a domain name incorporating your service or product instead of the business name.
Avoiding Problems your business could be devastated if you do not take these precautionary steps. Imagine the negative impact on your business if the name has to be changed three years down the line. Take a breath before you select a business name. Like a spouse, it can be either a good or bad choice.
Married?
Picking a business name is like getting married. You are going to have to stick with it till the bitter end. It is estimated a prospect will need to see your advertisement and business name at least 22 times prior to doing business with you. Once they associate your business with a certain name, making a change will be disastrous. Once you pick something, stick with it.
Naming Your Business
If you are going to be married to your business name, you need to make sure the bride isn’t already married to another suitor. There are four significant issues to consider.
Initially, you must determine whether the name is already being used in your state. The Secretary of State controls the names of all corporations, LLCs and partnerships. Most also have a web site where you can conduct name searches. Even if you are a sole proprietor, you should check the name against those already registered in the state database. If the name is being used, you will need to consider an alternative.
Assuming the name passed must with the Secretary of State, you should check it against existing trademarks file with the Patent and Trademark Office. The “PTO” maintains an online database. As with the Secretary of State, you can conduct an online search to make sure no other business is using it.
In this day and age, many businesses incorporate a web site as part of their business model. If you are in this boat, you need to check to see if the business name is available as a domain. If it is, you should register it immediately. If not, you can either change your business name again or focus on a domain name incorporating your service or product instead of the business name.
Avoiding Problems your business could be devastated if you do not take these precautionary steps. Imagine the negative impact on your business if the name has to be changed three years down the line. Take a breath before you select a business name. Like a spouse, it can be either a good or bad choice.
January 17, 2010
How Do You Afford A Receptionist?
My answer. You can't NOT afford a receptionist. I didn't have one for about 5 years so I know how it is. The day I quit interrupting my clients to answer the phone and quit running behind because I had to book appointments and quit losing clients because I was so backed up I couldn't give them that undivided attention.
That's when I saw the light. I couldn't afford not to have one. I didn't have to worry about how I was going to pay for her because she immediately paid for herself. Your receptionist is your most valuable position in your salon.
They can produce more money than anyone behind the chair. Your receptionist must be trained and I can't tell you everything here but this is a few benefits you will see right away.
1. An increased level of customer service. You will train them to ask every client if they would like a cup of coffee or whatever beverages you have to offer.
2. They will greet the client professionally within 3 seconds so the client feels welcomed.
3. They will let the stylist know their client is here and deliver any message the stylist may have for the client.
4. They will have the client fill out their questionnaire.
5. input their info in the computer.
6. Make out their thank you and referral cards.
7. Give the client a proper check out.
8. Answer the phones and field or make appointments so know one is interrupted.
9. Do thorough check outs.
10. Make sure the client pre books which result in more $s at the end of the year. Because people always take longer to call and book from the time they really need to come in.
11. More retail sales because they will ask every client how they are doing today on their products. This is just to name a few ways.
(rental) Educate your renters on all the benefits listed above. I'm sure they will see the light also. If everyone splits the cost it's only a few dollars. Start incorporating the benefit of a receptionist into the price of the rent on everyone you hire from this day forward. Advertise that you provide “assistants & receptionist” to your renters. It's impressive.
That's when I saw the light. I couldn't afford not to have one. I didn't have to worry about how I was going to pay for her because she immediately paid for herself. Your receptionist is your most valuable position in your salon.
They can produce more money than anyone behind the chair. Your receptionist must be trained and I can't tell you everything here but this is a few benefits you will see right away.
1. An increased level of customer service. You will train them to ask every client if they would like a cup of coffee or whatever beverages you have to offer.
2. They will greet the client professionally within 3 seconds so the client feels welcomed.
3. They will let the stylist know their client is here and deliver any message the stylist may have for the client.
4. They will have the client fill out their questionnaire.
5. input their info in the computer.
6. Make out their thank you and referral cards.
7. Give the client a proper check out.
8. Answer the phones and field or make appointments so know one is interrupted.
9. Do thorough check outs.
10. Make sure the client pre books which result in more $s at the end of the year. Because people always take longer to call and book from the time they really need to come in.
11. More retail sales because they will ask every client how they are doing today on their products. This is just to name a few ways.
(rental) Educate your renters on all the benefits listed above. I'm sure they will see the light also. If everyone splits the cost it's only a few dollars. Start incorporating the benefit of a receptionist into the price of the rent on everyone you hire from this day forward. Advertise that you provide “assistants & receptionist” to your renters. It's impressive.
How Leaders Use Voice Mail
Your outgoing voice mail message tells a lot about you. In fact, it may be the first impression that you make with a new client. Here's how to appear successful.
1) Present a Positive Image
Your outgoing voice mail message should be simple, positive, and professional. State your name and company followed by concise directions. You may want to leave a daily message because it shows that you check your messages and tells callers what to expect. For example, "Welcome to Steve Kaye's voice mail at One Great Meeting. Today is Monday and I'm helping a client hold an effective meeting. Please leave a message and I'll call you tomorrow." This message lasts nine seconds.
Make sure that your outgoing message is unencumbered by music (turn off the radio), rustling papers (sit still), and background noise (close the door). These sounds make it make it difficult for callers to understand your outgoing voice mail message. Similarly, avoid gimmicks such as singing, reading poetry, or citing long lists of credentials. These appear unprofessional.
2) Practice Professional Courtesy
Some people use voice mail to screen calls. Although this may control interruptions, it becomes rude if you never respond to the messages. Those messages are very important to the people who left them. That's why they called.
Set aside a time each day to return calls. If the messages were left by people whom you do not want to talk to, have an assistant return the calls. Or call back when the other person will be away from the phone and leave a message. The brief moment that you spend on a return message helps the caller continue business and frees you from receiving additional unwanted calls. For example it takes eight seconds to say, "Hi, Chris. This is Steve Kaye responding to your voice mail today. Please remove my name from your call list. I have no interest in cryogenic ant farms."
3) Use a professional system.
Make sure that your voice mail system creates a good impression. Avoid systems with long strings of beep tones, mechanical voices, or poor sound quality. Regardless of the size of your business, you want your outgoing voice mail message to sound professional.
1) Present a Positive Image
Your outgoing voice mail message should be simple, positive, and professional. State your name and company followed by concise directions. You may want to leave a daily message because it shows that you check your messages and tells callers what to expect. For example, "Welcome to Steve Kaye's voice mail at One Great Meeting. Today is Monday and I'm helping a client hold an effective meeting. Please leave a message and I'll call you tomorrow." This message lasts nine seconds.
Make sure that your outgoing message is unencumbered by music (turn off the radio), rustling papers (sit still), and background noise (close the door). These sounds make it make it difficult for callers to understand your outgoing voice mail message. Similarly, avoid gimmicks such as singing, reading poetry, or citing long lists of credentials. These appear unprofessional.
2) Practice Professional Courtesy
Some people use voice mail to screen calls. Although this may control interruptions, it becomes rude if you never respond to the messages. Those messages are very important to the people who left them. That's why they called.
Set aside a time each day to return calls. If the messages were left by people whom you do not want to talk to, have an assistant return the calls. Or call back when the other person will be away from the phone and leave a message. The brief moment that you spend on a return message helps the caller continue business and frees you from receiving additional unwanted calls. For example it takes eight seconds to say, "Hi, Chris. This is Steve Kaye responding to your voice mail today. Please remove my name from your call list. I have no interest in cryogenic ant farms."
3) Use a professional system.
Make sure that your voice mail system creates a good impression. Avoid systems with long strings of beep tones, mechanical voices, or poor sound quality. Regardless of the size of your business, you want your outgoing voice mail message to sound professional.
Great Business Standards – Do You Have Them?
If you are a business owner, you probably follow certain standards within your business. I'm talking about those "rules" you set up and follow - your business etiquette.
For example, my standards include:
• not working on Fridays, evenings or weekends
• not answering my business phone after hours
• working only with clients I'm compatible with
For me, having my own business is a freedom and a privilege that I was unable to experience in the corporate world. As a business owner, I feel entitled to make my own decisions about how my business should be run. After all, I'm the boss!
Your business should be run the way you see fit. If you have employees, you can of course (if you wish) take their needs into consideration as well. If, on the other hand, you are a sole proprietor like me, having strong standards can go a long way towards keeping you happy and satisfied in your career.
What is important to you? If you haven't already done so, think hard about this. Make a list of the important things in your life, and base your business standards around them. If maintaining a good balance between your business and personal life is important, create a standard that allows you to stop working at a reasonable hour each day in order to spend time with your family. If going grocery shopping on Wednesday mornings is what you prefer to do, work that into your schedule.
I think you get the gist of what I'm trying to say. Create a solid set of business standards today. Then stick to them. Remember, you're in control of your business and your life.
For example, my standards include:
• not working on Fridays, evenings or weekends
• not answering my business phone after hours
• working only with clients I'm compatible with
For me, having my own business is a freedom and a privilege that I was unable to experience in the corporate world. As a business owner, I feel entitled to make my own decisions about how my business should be run. After all, I'm the boss!
Your business should be run the way you see fit. If you have employees, you can of course (if you wish) take their needs into consideration as well. If, on the other hand, you are a sole proprietor like me, having strong standards can go a long way towards keeping you happy and satisfied in your career.
What is important to you? If you haven't already done so, think hard about this. Make a list of the important things in your life, and base your business standards around them. If maintaining a good balance between your business and personal life is important, create a standard that allows you to stop working at a reasonable hour each day in order to spend time with your family. If going grocery shopping on Wednesday mornings is what you prefer to do, work that into your schedule.
I think you get the gist of what I'm trying to say. Create a solid set of business standards today. Then stick to them. Remember, you're in control of your business and your life.
Crisis Management
The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers, but it has also created a public relations nightmare for businesses. Forums, opinion Web sites, blogs, and anything that is publishable can smear a company's name in moments.
Remember, "Yours Is a Very Bad Hotel" presentation that described one customer's bad experience with a hotel chain? Hotels are run by humans. Humans make mistakes. It's how you handle the mistakes that can make the difference in customer service. Since the hotel's employees didn't try to help the customer overcome a bad situation, the customer lashed back and bloggers blogged it.
If the hotel is on top of its game, it would unleash its crisis management (also known as reputation management) team to salvage its reputation while it can. It's possible for a company to overcome bad PR and come out ahead as in the case of PG&E (California's Pacific Gas and Electric company).
Another strategy is to use Internet monitoring to monitor online articles regarding a company's activities to prepare for negative publicity. Some go further and monitor chat rooms, newsgroups, and online discussion forums.
It's like the story of the town gossip who spread false stories about its people. One day, he felt terrible and went to the chaplain [Rabbi, pastor, priest, or other &mdash take your pick] to ask for forgiveness. The chaplain said,"I will forgive you, but you must do something first."
"Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the chaplain that he had done it, the chaplain said, "Now, go and gather the feathers. Because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers."
The same can happen to a company without a crisis management plan in place. It's possible to survive the crisis and thrive as PG&E did. Don't expect Worldcom to pull out of its Enron-like mess. Fraud is not excusable. And Martha Stewart? She has hired a public relations strategist firm in an effort to do damage control. It'll be worth watching to see what happens in her case and how the PR firm attempts to save her reputation. Did you know there is a recall on one of her products? Adds fuel to the fire, doesn't it?
Remember, "Yours Is a Very Bad Hotel" presentation that described one customer's bad experience with a hotel chain? Hotels are run by humans. Humans make mistakes. It's how you handle the mistakes that can make the difference in customer service. Since the hotel's employees didn't try to help the customer overcome a bad situation, the customer lashed back and bloggers blogged it.
If the hotel is on top of its game, it would unleash its crisis management (also known as reputation management) team to salvage its reputation while it can. It's possible for a company to overcome bad PR and come out ahead as in the case of PG&E (California's Pacific Gas and Electric company).
Another strategy is to use Internet monitoring to monitor online articles regarding a company's activities to prepare for negative publicity. Some go further and monitor chat rooms, newsgroups, and online discussion forums.
It's like the story of the town gossip who spread false stories about its people. One day, he felt terrible and went to the chaplain [Rabbi, pastor, priest, or other &mdash take your pick] to ask for forgiveness. The chaplain said,"I will forgive you, but you must do something first."
"Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the chaplain that he had done it, the chaplain said, "Now, go and gather the feathers. Because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers."
The same can happen to a company without a crisis management plan in place. It's possible to survive the crisis and thrive as PG&E did. Don't expect Worldcom to pull out of its Enron-like mess. Fraud is not excusable. And Martha Stewart? She has hired a public relations strategist firm in an effort to do damage control. It'll be worth watching to see what happens in her case and how the PR firm attempts to save her reputation. Did you know there is a recall on one of her products? Adds fuel to the fire, doesn't it?
Quiz- Do You Sell Yourself To The Customer?
Sales is one of the most exciting professions. It is also one of the toughest professions. Selling to customers can be a real task. If by any chance, you get a tough buyer, you will need all the training to sell to him/her. Let me ask you - do you sell yourself as a person of integrity and honesty to your buyers? Or you focus only on your product? Let me ask you one question- do you think that your bus the product only because of the value of the product? Or because your buyer believes in you and thinks that you will not sell anything bad to them? What do you think hen you buy anything? Who is selling to you does affect you. Am I right?
How to sell yourself to your buyer? Let us examine that. Do you come across as a person who knows the subject? Are you ready with all the answers or always need time to refer back with the answer. Can you tell your buyer about the competitive products in as much detail as you can do for your product? Are you sure that your buyer is good for your customer or you sell it to get only the commission or earn the salary?
Do you know your regular buyers habits? Do you know about their family and other personal details? Do you talk to your buyer as a hard headed professional or as a friend who knows what is best? Do you come across as a honest person? What is the image of the company for which you are working? Are your promises of after sales service are always fulfilled or you forget the buyer after making the sale? Does your buyer believe your words? Does your buyer think that you area person of character? If you can do that, you can raise your commissions to any limit.
How to sell yourself to your buyer? Let us examine that. Do you come across as a person who knows the subject? Are you ready with all the answers or always need time to refer back with the answer. Can you tell your buyer about the competitive products in as much detail as you can do for your product? Are you sure that your buyer is good for your customer or you sell it to get only the commission or earn the salary?
Do you know your regular buyers habits? Do you know about their family and other personal details? Do you talk to your buyer as a hard headed professional or as a friend who knows what is best? Do you come across as a honest person? What is the image of the company for which you are working? Are your promises of after sales service are always fulfilled or you forget the buyer after making the sale? Does your buyer believe your words? Does your buyer think that you area person of character? If you can do that, you can raise your commissions to any limit.
What Goes Around Comes Around
I’ve spent a lifetime committed to helping others. It’s what gives me the greatest joy, fulfillment and satisfaction in life. I’m also a true believer in the old adage - “What goes around comes around.”
This is reinforced on many occasions when I encounter an old co-worker, friend or acquaintance who reminds me of how I inspired them, gave them guidance or helped them through a difficult time. These kinds of experiences always motivate me to keep putting good things out into the world.
We never know in advance what good may come from the gestures we put out there. Maybe it will inspire, encourage, educate, motivate or actually change someone’s life. In any event, people will always come away knowing that they matter to you.
In business, as in life, it all comes down to people. People are your customers, co-workers, employees, leaders, managers, investors and vendors. Success in your business depends on the people you encounter. How you treat those people will have a significant impact on your bottom line.
Here are some ways to help people in your business and show them that they matter:
1. Deliver incredible customer service.
2. Give a single parent the afternoon off.
3. Pay someone more than you need to.
4. Send a hand-written note to an employee acknowledging a job well done.
5. Loan a subordinate a book that you’ve found to be helpful.
6. Tell someone struggling “I want to help you succeed,” and mean it.
7. Stop by and talk, without an agenda.
8. Share a resource that you’ve found useful.
9. Create a safe space for openness and honesty.
10. Let people tell you how they feel, and listen without interrupting.
I encourage you to think about the people that you impact, the lives that you touch and the positive changes that you can make. These are the true signs of leadership and in my opinion are more important than the money that you make, the position that you hold or the size of your office.
You can do good while you’re doing well. It may require you to think of new ways to do it, but when you focus on helping others, you’ll succeed in ways beyond measure.
This is reinforced on many occasions when I encounter an old co-worker, friend or acquaintance who reminds me of how I inspired them, gave them guidance or helped them through a difficult time. These kinds of experiences always motivate me to keep putting good things out into the world.
We never know in advance what good may come from the gestures we put out there. Maybe it will inspire, encourage, educate, motivate or actually change someone’s life. In any event, people will always come away knowing that they matter to you.
In business, as in life, it all comes down to people. People are your customers, co-workers, employees, leaders, managers, investors and vendors. Success in your business depends on the people you encounter. How you treat those people will have a significant impact on your bottom line.
Here are some ways to help people in your business and show them that they matter:
1. Deliver incredible customer service.
2. Give a single parent the afternoon off.
3. Pay someone more than you need to.
4. Send a hand-written note to an employee acknowledging a job well done.
5. Loan a subordinate a book that you’ve found to be helpful.
6. Tell someone struggling “I want to help you succeed,” and mean it.
7. Stop by and talk, without an agenda.
8. Share a resource that you’ve found useful.
9. Create a safe space for openness and honesty.
10. Let people tell you how they feel, and listen without interrupting.
I encourage you to think about the people that you impact, the lives that you touch and the positive changes that you can make. These are the true signs of leadership and in my opinion are more important than the money that you make, the position that you hold or the size of your office.
You can do good while you’re doing well. It may require you to think of new ways to do it, but when you focus on helping others, you’ll succeed in ways beyond measure.
You Don't Have To Quit Your Job - To Be Your Own Boss
I'm constantly seeing articles about how you should quit your job and start your own business. I wont' argue with that -- being your own boss is a terrific experience and can give you the time and financial freedom you've always wanted.
But the plain truth is that most of us NEED our jobs to pay the mortgage, the rent, our car payments, insurance premiums -- you name it! If we didn't have that check coming in on a regular basis, we'd probably be living on a street corner somewhere.
Traditionally, you would have to save a little each month for years to get enough to live on while you start your business. Another way to do it would be to work for someone else in the same business you want to start. You can learn the ropes while still earning a paycheck. When it's time to quit and begin your business, you'll be miles ahead.
But let me give you a more modern alternative that works better than any of these: work a part-time job from home that lets you build a FULL-TIME income. You keep working your regular job while you start your part-time business on the weekends, after work, or in the morning before you go to work.
Even a few years ago this would have been a slow way to get your business started. But now, incredible online automation and outsourcing lets you run your home-based business in as little as an hour per week.
How does that work? Let me show you.
Instead of calling, advertising, and sending letters to prospects, you can let fully automated online sites gather hot leads for you. Then, instead of spending hours in meetings and phone chats, you can have those leads automatically turned over to a professional sales team who turns the serious leads into paying customers.
About all you have to do is collect your commissions. And these days, those commissions can be HUGE. Forget the $20 and $50 paychecks you got in the past. These days modern automated systems can deliver $1,000 to $3,000 or more PER SALE!
Think about it for a minute. Using this type of automated/outsourced strategy, you could keep your current job while you earn an even larger income working just a few hours per week in your spare time.
This is a great way to either begin a fun, serious business of your own, or simply DOUBLE or TRIPLE the income you're bringing in with your current job.
Keep your job AND be your own boss if you like. It's all possible today on the Internet.
But the plain truth is that most of us NEED our jobs to pay the mortgage, the rent, our car payments, insurance premiums -- you name it! If we didn't have that check coming in on a regular basis, we'd probably be living on a street corner somewhere.
Traditionally, you would have to save a little each month for years to get enough to live on while you start your business. Another way to do it would be to work for someone else in the same business you want to start. You can learn the ropes while still earning a paycheck. When it's time to quit and begin your business, you'll be miles ahead.
But let me give you a more modern alternative that works better than any of these: work a part-time job from home that lets you build a FULL-TIME income. You keep working your regular job while you start your part-time business on the weekends, after work, or in the morning before you go to work.
Even a few years ago this would have been a slow way to get your business started. But now, incredible online automation and outsourcing lets you run your home-based business in as little as an hour per week.
How does that work? Let me show you.
Instead of calling, advertising, and sending letters to prospects, you can let fully automated online sites gather hot leads for you. Then, instead of spending hours in meetings and phone chats, you can have those leads automatically turned over to a professional sales team who turns the serious leads into paying customers.
About all you have to do is collect your commissions. And these days, those commissions can be HUGE. Forget the $20 and $50 paychecks you got in the past. These days modern automated systems can deliver $1,000 to $3,000 or more PER SALE!
Think about it for a minute. Using this type of automated/outsourced strategy, you could keep your current job while you earn an even larger income working just a few hours per week in your spare time.
This is a great way to either begin a fun, serious business of your own, or simply DOUBLE or TRIPLE the income you're bringing in with your current job.
Keep your job AND be your own boss if you like. It's all possible today on the Internet.
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