When you decide to attend a Networking event, make sure that it’s a highly targeted group who could and would use your product or service after you’ve built relationships. We all know that the goal of networking is the building of relationships – not to sell.
Here is a challenge: list every organization you belong to and ask yourself these 3 questions: Read more
At a recent networking meeting as the members introduced themselves, an Allstate Insurance agency owner commented that a real estate closing depends on 3 people for it to happen: the mortgage lender, the title person and the insurance agent. Sebastian’s mantra in his insurance office is: “Don’t be the guy!” Meaning, no one in his office will be responsible for a closing not happening.
I loved this! Don’t be the guy! Read more
When business owners ask me how much they should network, I find myself giving them the lawyerly response, “It depends.” I then ask more questions to be able to give a more precise answer.
Awareness includes mindful communication. Your language patterns reveal your personal truths. As an entrepreneur, business owner or professional, know that your choice of words has a huge impact on what happens in your business.
Communication is an “unlearned” skill. We just pick it up as we grow. Based on the patterns and models we hear and experience around us, we develop our own style of communication and language use. But real awareness andconscioususe of language as a communication tool is critical for developing business relationships. Read more
Since awareness is a skill, it’s possible to engage in practices that will deepen and build increased proficiency. Expanded awareness brings increased success.
What are you aware of right now? The room temperature? The chair you’re sitting on? The sun shining through the window? The music that’s playing? The hum of the A/C?
Awareness practices require keen listening and observation. Read more
In “The 10X Rule,” Grant Cardone states that customer acquisition — not customer satisfaction — should be the priority goal for businesses.
Really?
The idea that bringing in new customers needs to be the primary goal appears to be short sighted.
Some years ago, I served as a consultant to a VP at a financial institution in San Francisco. In one of the weekly meetings with her staff, the number of new clients was thrown up on the screen, and there were smiles on the faces all around the conference table. Read more
Several years ago, a colleague and I were having lunch. She shared news that she was quitting her boring job and starting a business. Because she enjoyed making muffins, she was opening a muffin shop where she’d serve coffee and muffins from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm and then enjoy the rest of the day off.
Carla (not her real name) borrowed funds to design and equip her little shop.
Rising at 4:00 am to bake the muffins and make coffee was fun for about 2 weeks, but soon Carla became weary of the early morning rush and preparation to open the doors at 6:00 am. Customers straggled in, and she barely made enough to pay the first month’s rent. The remaining expenses came out of borrowed money and savings. Read more
Today is National Customer Appreciation Day. With that in mind, one thing I’ve noticed recently is that retailers and service providers are routinely demanding feedback on their service.
It borders on harassment. Calls, e-mails, texts are bombarding the customer, asking that they “say nice things about our service”. After having my car serviced, the person who handled the appointment and communication nearly begged me to complete the survey and give her the highest marks so she could keep her job.
I refuse to complete this sort of survey. When someone’s job is in jeopardy based on customer feedback, businesses have gone off the rails!
Another example of such tactics happened in a restaurant. The server requested that we complete the survey and asked if we could please provide the highest rankings. Otherwise his hours would be cut if he fell short of a “10” in every category.
These businesses are not seeking honest and genuine feedback. They are using customer feedback to punish their employees. What sort of manipulation is that!?
When employees are appreciated, you can be sure customers will be appreciated too!
National Clean Off Your Desk Day
Does your desk look like a hurricane came through? Today is National Clean Off Your Desk Day, so I took a look at my own work space and realized that I like working at a clean and orderly desk! But sadly, my desk does become a collection of information, papers and disorderly piles of stuff and to-do’s. When our desks are disorderly piles of stuff, we waste a lot of time looking for things we need to move forward on a project. Keeping an orderly desk will save you many minutes. Read more
You’re planning how you’re going to make 2018 a great year, right? Here are some ideas for actions to take now to make that wish come true.
Flush out all the tail chasing ”prospects” in your system.
We all have ”prospects” in our pipeline who take up time and energy. And, we know in our hearts Read more