Happy 4th of July to everybody around the world!

Jammin' in July

Welcome to Jammin' in July - Ahhh, the month of July...baseball, hot dogs, 4th of July, water parks and bar b cues!!!  

 For many businessowners and entrepreneurs, your momentum may have taken a temporary back to seat to the season at hand.  Many patrons and potential clients are off enjoying their summer vacations with families and friends and afterall, who wouldn't welcome a break to catch a few sunrays and some much needed vitamin D.

As an entrepreneur, your main concern may be "how can I sustain my business during these summer months?"   We all know that people may book an appointment with you but later on down the line, after viewing their schedule keeping the scheduled task at hand may not be their cards.  This may lead to feelings of frustration and disappointment because after all, you are looking forward to meeting new clients face to face.   You began to wonder how will you remain steady and consistent at time like this when quality family time trumps business.

Here are a few tips to keep your budding business blooming while still enjoying fun in the sun:

1. If a client is unable to meet with you face to face, why not send them a video message?  You can still convey your products/services that you offer a la video and it's a way to promote your business who those who show interest in your company. 
2. Offer special discounts to drive additional traffic your business.  Create a summer time promotion that people cannot refuse. 
3. Host a summer mixer/gathering/party to showcase your services/products.  It can be fun to mix business with some summer time pleasure.  After all, everybody loves a party.

Remember to be mindful of those who value their family time and this season.  There are many potential clients still lingering out in the world but they have also made committments to their families for quality time.

Enjoy the upcoming holiday.

Summer is here....and school is OUT

Ahhhh...it's summer.  So much to look forward to this season...flip flops, sundresses, shorts and sandals.  You cannot wait to have a few days by the pool while catching some sun rays (don't forget to apply the sunscreen) or venture away to much needed vacation because afterall, you have worked hard all year to earn some free time this season.

There's just one tiny matter you must take into consideration...YOUR CHILDREN!  They are out of school which means as the adult, you are responsible for keeping them entertained with lots of fun and cool things to do to beat the heat and keep them entertained.  Don't stress out if you feel like your funds won't cover the cost of everything because I will provide you with a some fun ideas to keep the whole family entertained.

Keep your family on a budget this summer by creating a bucket list of things of things to do.  Allow everybody to make a contribution of at least 2 activities they want to do, this way, nobody is left out of the planning process.  Next, select a "bucket" or a container of some sort to keep your list of future ventures handy.  Once you have completed each activity simply cross it off the list and move on to the next one.

This should provide tons of family entertainment for the entire summer and both the children along with the adults will look forward to having fun.

IPA...Income Producing Activities

Welcome to April!   We are in the beginning of a new quarter of the year and Spring time is here.  Many people are preparing to make new changes in both their professional and personal lives.  The winter clothing are being tucked away, dismal thoughts of the economy are being replaced with new thoughts of success and most important of all...new goals are being set to generate a consistent stream of income.

As a business entrepreneur, it is very important to remember that doing "busy" work will not produce wealth; it will waste time.   This month, we will be focusing on IPA's or Income Producing Activities.  These are small task that will generate BIG income with effort and determination. Many people think sitting behind a desk, shuffling papers and reading emails will bring income to their pockets but contrary to popular belief, that is not the case.  One must get from behind their desks and get out into the field to make money.  Sharing your products and/or services with others is the only way for people to know exactly what you have to offer.

Develop the mindset that you have a product that the public needs and your product is the best above the rest.   Be sure to display confidence in what you are promoting because people can sense when you are not sure about what you are selling or promoting.  This trait is vital to your business as you should be a walking canvas for your business.  Walking and talking with level of confidence will get you the new customers you desire.

Happy Sales

March Madness

     Welcome to March!    As we embark on the last month in the first quarter, the smell of spring is in the air.  Gone are the days of long cold winter days, dreadful weather and gloomy attitudes.  Now, it's time to switch into high gear and prepare for a beautiful season of spring.  Of course, for many that means SPRING CLEANING.  Yes!  It's time to clear out those closets, get rid of any old papers, junk, unwanted items that you may have collected last fall and winter and make room for a new change.

To many, spring cleaning may not only be a physical task, but also a mental task as well. Make it a point to free your mind of any clutter, negative thoughts and toxic behavior and transform your mind, body and spirit into a place of free-flowing renewal for the new season ahead of us.   Are you ready to reach new goals?  Are you ready to challenge yourself to something new?   This March, create a world for yourself that will elevate you to new heights.   Surround yourself with people who will help you reach your goal and will celebrate those achievements with you.

Make March a marvelous month for yourself.   Treat yourself to something new!

Follow Up: Is the telephone my enemy?

    A businessowner I recently met expressed that she has been feeling like the telephone is NOT her friend and appears to a big obstacle in her reaching her goals.  I reassured her that the device that many businessowners cannot live without is not there to harm her but instead, to assist in the process of gaining much more confidence for getting sales.

After having this conversation, it dawned on me how many people in business really struggle with follow up and view the telephone as their "enemy" or as I have collectively dubbed it "the green-eyed monster."   So, with a little more thought put into the follow up process, something began to register in my mind:   As humans, if we DO NOT have a telephone, we feel cut off from the world.   Pre-teens and teens alike beg their parents for a phone so that they may keep in contact with their friends.   I also recall, a fellow co-worker who did not own a cell phone as he felt if somebody really wanted to find him, they would leave a message for him on his answering machine at his home.   As a human race, we need our telephones to conduct our personal business, i.e. schedule appointments, keep in contact with friends and family, follow up on upcoming events, etc.

So, why is such a challenge for business owners to follow up when it comes to putting appointments on their OWN books in order to gain more success?    Simple, there are two sides to this coin.   (1) As your average everyday person, if there are things that need to be tended to then, placing the phone call is no small feat.  It must be done.  Scheduling that doctor's appointment, calling the child's school, keeping in touch with your spouse during the course of the day...those things come as a second nature to humans.  That is not viewed as "follow up"  (2) As a businessowner, if there are opportunities to be met, that will possibly connect you to somebody who will help you get to the top..............then there is a feeling of immediate fear that overcomes you.   To pick up the phone, dial those numbers and form the words to initiate that conversation makes people just want faint.    We tend to allow a tremendous amount of focus to be placed on thoughts that are pre-conceived and pre-meditated which in turn leads to feelings of self doubt. Here is a little insight for those who are challenged in this area, the person that you are wanting to reach out to, has a thousand other things going on in their minds as well, and possibly could be experiencing these same feelings.   

Just remember, when you are making phone calls in your everyday life, you are FOLLOWING UP!

Follow up: Friend or Foe Pt 2

    You're sitting at your desk, in your home office, in front of the telephone with the intention of making phone calls to follow up with your new leads that you have acquired.  The thought of obtaining new business fills your spirit with excitement, your datebook is going to be filled with meetings and you are ready to conquer the world.   The information is neatly organized and carve out time in your schedule to complete this process.  Then all of sudden, that green-eyed monster called FEAR sits down right beside you at your desk and gently whispers in your ear, "Why are you even bothering to make these phone calls?  You know these people are going to reject you so save yourself the embarrassment and move on to something else!"  And what do you do?  You allow the monster to have victory; the leads are tucked away and the thought of following up has consumed you into a sea of negativity.

Following up is very vital to keeping your business running smoothly.  Remember not to take things personally because, after all, the person is not saying "no" to you, they are just saying "not at this time" or "maybe in the future."      Many businessowners find several excuses not to follow up:  "I did my part, now the ball is in their court...";  "I should be in front of people, not chasing them down on the phone."  or  "I'm too busy."     For those who DO follow up, one phone call or email will be placed and then they throw in the towel.  Effective follow up is a process, an art and to be perfectly honest, a technique that one must master.

How many times should you follow up with a new lead?  Seven times!  Yes, it may sound pretty excessive but reaching out and constant contact seven times equals success.    So, the next time you see the green-eyed monster sitting at your desk waiting to discourage you, politely ask the monster to move over because you have a job to do - FOLLOW UP!