Jim 6 Comments

Answer The Phone!

Answer the Phone

Do you remember the “old days” when phones were just phones? The ability and perceived necessity to connect quickly caused phones to become a commodity. Now, phones have evolved into tiny computers or so-called “smart phones”. They suffer from “featuritis” and have apps for everything from address books, Internet access, e-mail, texting, IM, games, bookkeeping and other office applications, audio/video, camera, radio, TV, calculator to GPS! Even with all this, your smart phone lacks one special feature that only you can provide – and that is – phone etiquette! Read more

Jim 1 Comment

All Hat / No Cattle

All Hat No Cattle

I came across this Texas saying that refers to someone who is all talk and no substance. This also suggests one of the biggest misconceptions of businesses owners They have a good idea for a business but don’t know how to pull it off. The same saying, all hat – no cattle, can also refer to the talked about desire to build a big business with little or no investment in the practical marketing and market development required to get the business moving. Read more

Jim No Comments

YOU! They Get You in 30 Seconds or Less…

5 30-secs

As business owners, we know that it pays to network. This activity is an important part of our marketing plan and contributes to making our businesses visible to potential customers. Nailing the 30 second introduction or ‘elevator speech’ helps you feel confident and able to represent yourself and your business well. Read more

Jim No Comments

Every Thing Matters!

4 Everything_Matters1

When you are in business, every thing matters. Every thing is important. The things that matter are how you interact with your customers or clients, how you follow up to requests, how you market yourself and your business, what systems you employ to run your business, how you pay your vendors. It ALL matters! Read more

Jim No Comments

What Are You Tolerating?

6 tolerate2

When I read the statement “Tolerate Nothing” in Thomas Leonard’s article: The Models of the Attraction, I thought how could it be possible to tolerate nothing – no thing. To tolerate nothing seemed to be a tall order. The tolerations referred to by Thomas are those things that you are enduring, not paying attention to or allowing to sap your energy in a non-productive way. Read more

Jim No Comments

This Could Save You Hours Every Week!

#1 – This Could Save You Hours Every Week!

questionnaire

Make sure that if you (as an attorney, insurance agent, financial planner, business coach, etc.) offer a complimentary session that you ask the prospect to complete a questionnaire or assessment before you schedule an appointment. “Tire Kickers” are costly. Be selective about who you give your time to. I am not suggesting that you stop giving complimentary sessions, just be choosey. If a prospect will take the time to complete your assessment, then they’re more apt to be interested in doing business with you . The purpose of the complimentary session is to determine if you and the prospect could each benefit from doing business together. Read more

Jim 1 Comment

Be Smart About Your Networking

Smart NetworkerWhen you decide to attend a Networking event, make sure that it is a highly targeted group of people who could and would use your product or service. Here is a challenge: list every organization you belong to and ask yourself these 3 questions: Read more

Jim No Comments

Are You Really Different?

How does your business stand out

Right now, there are potential customers who are looking at your business and comparing you with your competition. If they don’t see much difference, then clearly you won’t stand out as the obvious choice.

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Jim No Comments

I = Integrity

Whenever there is a discussion about Values, Integrity comes up as a fundamental necessity upon which to build a business and the relationships that are so necessary. The meaning of Integrity is described as Honesty, Trust, Keeping Your Word. Read more

Jim No Comments

D = Drama

Oh the drama of it all! Watch for it. It comes out on Facebook, Tweets, in conversations. Something happens. For instance, a customer registers a complaint that goods were not delivered quite as speedily as expected. The business owner rants. Perhaps he refunds part or all of the shipping charges. The customer begins to vilify the business owner, “he doesn’t care about his business”, “he isn’t professional.” The business owner reacts to having lost money and blames the customer for being unreasonable. Read more