By: Brian Tracy
There is a military adage that says, "No strategy ever survives first contact with the enemy." No business strategy ever survives the first contact with the marketplace either. It must be adjusted to deal with the realities of the moment.
Know Your Enemy
Here is a question for you: Who is your competition? Exactly? Your choice of competitor determines almost everything you do in your market, just as the choice of an adversary determines everything a general does in the process of conducting military operations.
Determine Customers' Buying Motives
Once you have determined why it is that people buy from you, you must then answer the question "Why do people buy from my competitors? What value or benefits are your potential customers convinced they receive when buying from your competitor rather than from you?"
Marketing Myopia
Many people dismiss or ignore their major competitors. They criticize or belittle them when their names come up. Often they think and say that customers who prefer competitive offerings are simply ignorant or misled. As a result of this self-inflicted myopia, they fail to observe and learn how to outdo their competitors in tough markets.
Offset Competitors' Advantages
As you study your competitors, look for ways to offset or neutralize the advantages their customers perceive them to have. What are your competitors' weaknesses? How can you exploit those weaknesses? What do you do better than they do? In what ways are your products or services superior to their offerings? In what areas do you have a distinct advantage over your competitors? What can you do to offset your competitors' strengths and maximize your own advantages? How can you better position yourself against your competitors in a tough market?
You Must Be Clear
The greater clarity you develop with regard to your competitors' strengths and weaknesses and to the reasons your potential customers buy from them, the better able you will be to counter them and compete effectively. Rigorous competitive analysis can be a vital key to business success. In its absence, you will always be at a disadvantage.
Action Exercises
• Who is your competition with the exact customers you are trying to attract?
• What would happen if you changed your offerings in such a way that you targeted a different group of customers who would be easier to sell to?
• Why do your potential customers buy from your competitors? What advantages do they perceive?
• What are your competitors' unique selling propositions? What special feature or benefit do their products or services have that yours does not?
• In what ways are you superior to your competitors? What can you offer that they cannot? How can you emphasize this advantage in your sales and marketing efforts?
• Where are your competitors vulnerable? How could you exploit their vulnerability to your advantage?
• How could you alter your marketing strategy in such a way that you could achieve dominance with a specific customer or market segment in a particular area?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Law of Clarity - Plans
By: Brian Tracy
Clarity accounts for probably 80% of success and happiness. Lack of clarity is probably more responsible for frustration and underachievement than any other single factor. That's why we say that "Success is goals, and all else is commentary." People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine. This is true everywhere and under all circumstances.
The Three Keys to High Achievement
You could even say that the three keys to high achievement are, "Clarity, Clarity, Clarity," with regard to your goals. Your success in life will be largely determined by how clear you are about what it is you really, really want.
Write and Rewrite Your Goals
The more you write and rewrite your goals and the more you think about them, the clearer you will become about them. The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to do more and more of the things that are consistent with achieving them. Meanwhile, you will do fewer and fewer of the things that don't help to get the things you really want.
The Seven Step Process for Achieving Goals
Here, once more, is the simple, seven-step process that you can use to achieve your goals faster and easier than ever before.
First, decide exactly what you want in each area of your life. Be specific!
Second, write it down, clearly and in detail;
Third, set a specific deadline. If it is a large goal, break it down into sub-deadlines and write them down in order;
Fourth, make a list of everything you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. As you think of new items, add them to your list;
Fifth, organize the items on your list into a plan by placing them in the proper sequence and priority;
Sixth, take action immediately on the most important thing you can do on your plan. This is very important!
Seventh, do something every day that moves you toward the attainment of one or more of your important goals. Maintain the momentum!
Join the Top 3%
Fewer than three percent of adults have written goals and plans that they work on every single day. When you sit down and write out your goals, you move yourself into the top 3% of people in our society. And you will soon start to get the same results that they do.
Review Your Goals Daily
Study and review your goals every day to be sure they are still your most important goals. You will find yourself adding goals to your list as time passes. You will also find yourself deleting goals that are no longer as important as you once thought. Whatever your goals are, plan them out thoroughly, on paper, and work on them every single day. This is the key to peak performance and maximum achievement.
Action Exercises
Here is how you can apply this law immediately:
First, make a list of ten goals that you would like to achieve in the coming year. Write them down in the present tense, as though a year has passed and you have already accomplished them.
Second, from your list of ten goals, ask yourself, "What one goal, if I were to accomplish it, would have the greatest positive impact on my life?" Whatever it is, put a circle around this goal and move it to a separate sheet of paper.
Third, practice the seven-step method described above on this goal. Set a deadline, make a plan, and put it into action and work on it every day. Make this goal your major definite purpose for the weeks and months ahead.
Get ready for some amazing changes in your life.
Clarity accounts for probably 80% of success and happiness. Lack of clarity is probably more responsible for frustration and underachievement than any other single factor. That's why we say that "Success is goals, and all else is commentary." People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine. This is true everywhere and under all circumstances.
The Three Keys to High Achievement
You could even say that the three keys to high achievement are, "Clarity, Clarity, Clarity," with regard to your goals. Your success in life will be largely determined by how clear you are about what it is you really, really want.
Write and Rewrite Your Goals
The more you write and rewrite your goals and the more you think about them, the clearer you will become about them. The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to do more and more of the things that are consistent with achieving them. Meanwhile, you will do fewer and fewer of the things that don't help to get the things you really want.
The Seven Step Process for Achieving Goals
Here, once more, is the simple, seven-step process that you can use to achieve your goals faster and easier than ever before.
First, decide exactly what you want in each area of your life. Be specific!
Second, write it down, clearly and in detail;
Third, set a specific deadline. If it is a large goal, break it down into sub-deadlines and write them down in order;
Fourth, make a list of everything you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. As you think of new items, add them to your list;
Fifth, organize the items on your list into a plan by placing them in the proper sequence and priority;
Sixth, take action immediately on the most important thing you can do on your plan. This is very important!
Seventh, do something every day that moves you toward the attainment of one or more of your important goals. Maintain the momentum!
Join the Top 3%
Fewer than three percent of adults have written goals and plans that they work on every single day. When you sit down and write out your goals, you move yourself into the top 3% of people in our society. And you will soon start to get the same results that they do.
Review Your Goals Daily
Study and review your goals every day to be sure they are still your most important goals. You will find yourself adding goals to your list as time passes. You will also find yourself deleting goals that are no longer as important as you once thought. Whatever your goals are, plan them out thoroughly, on paper, and work on them every single day. This is the key to peak performance and maximum achievement.
Action Exercises
Here is how you can apply this law immediately:
First, make a list of ten goals that you would like to achieve in the coming year. Write them down in the present tense, as though a year has passed and you have already accomplished them.
Second, from your list of ten goals, ask yourself, "What one goal, if I were to accomplish it, would have the greatest positive impact on my life?" Whatever it is, put a circle around this goal and move it to a separate sheet of paper.
Third, practice the seven-step method described above on this goal. Set a deadline, make a plan, and put it into action and work on it every day. Make this goal your major definite purpose for the weeks and months ahead.
Get ready for some amazing changes in your life.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Create A Sales Plan
In less than 30 days 2011 will be upon us. As you consider your business goals for 2011. Take time to plan your plan of action for sales. This article by Brian Tracy is a great reference.
Create Your Sales Plan
By: Brian Tracy
Nothing happens until a sale takes place. Your actual ability to sell your product or service to your customer determines your profit or loss, success or failure, in business. The sales process, to be effective, must be planned and organized in detail from start to finish. Every word and action must be scripted, rehearsed and memorized. Nothing can be left to chance.
Sales Recipe
Making a sale is like cooking with a recipe. You must use the correct ingredient and blend them in the proper quantity with the right timing. All successful companies have developed a proven sales process that can be duplicated over and over. By using a proven sales system, you can accurately predict the quantity of your sales, the average size of your sales, and the profitability of your sales activities.
Prospecting
It is important to speak directly or by telephone to people who can and will buy and pay in a reasonable period of time. Start with your ideal customer profile. Who is he or she exactly-in terms of age, occupation, income, education? Who is he or she exactly--in terms of problems, wants, needs, attitudes, and experiences regarding your product or service? If you could advertise for perfect customers, how would you describe him or her?
Marketing and advertising is aimed at telling your ideal prospect that your product will help them. The ideal prospect has an immediate need for what you sell. The ideal prospect knows you, likes you, and respects your products or business. The ideal prospect can buy and pay for your product if he or she likes it.
Establish Rapport
Establishing rapport and trust with the customer is a must. The prospect will not listen to you or buy from you unless he/she likes you and believes that you are honest. Be friendly, straightforward and believable. Be punctual, prepared and properly dressed. Ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. Make no attempt to sell until the prospect is relaxed and comfortable with you. Identify what the customer needs so you can better sell to them. Ask carefully planned, structured questions so that you can fully understand the customer's situation.
There is a direct relationship between asking questions and sales success. Plan your questions word-for-word in advance. Make no effort to sell or talk about your product. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Presenting Your Product or Service
Repeat back the specific needs or concerns that your prospect has expressed. Position yourself as a trusted advisor, dedicated to helping him solve his problem or achieve his goal with your product. Position yourself as a teacher-showing her how your product works to help her satisfy her needs. Match the customers expressed needs and concerns to the product or service. Focus on helping rather than selling. Conclude your presentation with an explanation of how the product is delivered or used. Invite questions.
Action Exercises
List three phrases or questions you can use or ask to determine if this is a qualified prospect.
Create Your Sales Plan
By: Brian Tracy
Nothing happens until a sale takes place. Your actual ability to sell your product or service to your customer determines your profit or loss, success or failure, in business. The sales process, to be effective, must be planned and organized in detail from start to finish. Every word and action must be scripted, rehearsed and memorized. Nothing can be left to chance.
Sales Recipe
Making a sale is like cooking with a recipe. You must use the correct ingredient and blend them in the proper quantity with the right timing. All successful companies have developed a proven sales process that can be duplicated over and over. By using a proven sales system, you can accurately predict the quantity of your sales, the average size of your sales, and the profitability of your sales activities.
Prospecting
It is important to speak directly or by telephone to people who can and will buy and pay in a reasonable period of time. Start with your ideal customer profile. Who is he or she exactly-in terms of age, occupation, income, education? Who is he or she exactly--in terms of problems, wants, needs, attitudes, and experiences regarding your product or service? If you could advertise for perfect customers, how would you describe him or her?
Marketing and advertising is aimed at telling your ideal prospect that your product will help them. The ideal prospect has an immediate need for what you sell. The ideal prospect knows you, likes you, and respects your products or business. The ideal prospect can buy and pay for your product if he or she likes it.
Establish Rapport
Establishing rapport and trust with the customer is a must. The prospect will not listen to you or buy from you unless he/she likes you and believes that you are honest. Be friendly, straightforward and believable. Be punctual, prepared and properly dressed. Ask questions and listen carefully to the answers. Make no attempt to sell until the prospect is relaxed and comfortable with you. Identify what the customer needs so you can better sell to them. Ask carefully planned, structured questions so that you can fully understand the customer's situation.
There is a direct relationship between asking questions and sales success. Plan your questions word-for-word in advance. Make no effort to sell or talk about your product. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Presenting Your Product or Service
Repeat back the specific needs or concerns that your prospect has expressed. Position yourself as a trusted advisor, dedicated to helping him solve his problem or achieve his goal with your product. Position yourself as a teacher-showing her how your product works to help her satisfy her needs. Match the customers expressed needs and concerns to the product or service. Focus on helping rather than selling. Conclude your presentation with an explanation of how the product is delivered or used. Invite questions.
Action Exercises
List three phrases or questions you can use or ask to determine if this is a qualified prospect.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Small Business Marketing on the Web
A recent article at Inc.com states the following information from a recent survey...
- 46 percent had no wesite at all
- Most who have a site says it's basic
- 80 percent provide only general information
- Only 45 percent provide customer service at their site
- Less than a third (30%) engage e-commerce
- Fewer than one in seven (15%) make appointments or reservations
- only 13 percent surveyed have a blog
If you would like more information about this article from Inc.com, and it's worth reading...here a link:
This link was create using http://www.shorturls.com/ a great way to shorten long web site names: Here's the link to the Inc.com site: http://alturl.com/ivi6z
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Dragonfly Effect - Try it in your business!
Proven strategies for harnessing the power of social media to drive social change. Many books teach the mechanics of using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to compete in business. But no boook addresses how to harness the incredible power of social media to make a difference.
The Dragonfly Effect, shows you how to tap social media and consumer psychological insights to achieve a single, concrete goal. Named for the only insect aht is able to move in any direction when its four wings are working in concert, This book, "Reveals the four wings" of the Dragonfly Effect and how they work together to produce colossal results. Features original case studies of global organizations like the Gap, Starbucks, Kiva,Nike, dBay, Facebook and startups like, Groupon and COOKPAD. Showing how they each achieved social good and customer loyalty.
Leverage the power of design thinking and psychological research with practical strategies. Revealing how everyday people achieve unprecedented results - whether finding an almost impossible bone marrow match for a friend, raising millions for cancer research, or electing the current president of the United States...or the next one.
Dragonfly Effect shows that you don't need money or power to inspire seismic change.
From Lana Howell's web post. We at Monday Small Biz Buzz would add...that this effect could be powerful for your business as well.
The Dragonfly Effect, shows you how to tap social media and consumer psychological insights to achieve a single, concrete goal. Named for the only insect aht is able to move in any direction when its four wings are working in concert, This book, "Reveals the four wings" of the Dragonfly Effect and how they work together to produce colossal results. Features original case studies of global organizations like the Gap, Starbucks, Kiva,Nike, dBay, Facebook and startups like, Groupon and COOKPAD. Showing how they each achieved social good and customer loyalty.
Leverage the power of design thinking and psychological research with practical strategies. Revealing how everyday people achieve unprecedented results - whether finding an almost impossible bone marrow match for a friend, raising millions for cancer research, or electing the current president of the United States...or the next one.
Dragonfly Effect shows that you don't need money or power to inspire seismic change.
From Lana Howell's web post. We at Monday Small Biz Buzz would add...that this effect could be powerful for your business as well.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Bankers, Farmers, Agri-business and Capital
By Benjamin Gisin
Financial consultant to farmers, lecturer and former banker,
At its peak in 1935, America, had almost 7 million family farms. Today there are a little over 2 million, a 70 percent loss. So how did it happen?
The background most people have from education and media is insufficient in being able to support an understanding of how it happened. This is not a criticism, but a statement that education and media don’t understand how it happened either. So if you like exploring outside the box, you will have fun with this one.
So why understand the capital in capitalism? Capital, and the processes that unfold downstream after capital is created, are what have driven America to cleanse itself of most family farms, job security and millions of jobs.
If you don’t understand capital, you won’t understand how capital can suddenly checkmate your farm.
In its purest form, capital is money. In its purest form, money is what banks owe. Now this requires a little more explanation that will be forthcoming in future discussions.
The nation’s banking system is at the heart of where capital is formed. So consider for a moment how the banking system’s primary role has been as the final undertaker of the family farm as opposed to its much weaker role in sustaining the family farm. There is great wisdom that will come over time from contemplating this.
Most all bank employees, like farmers, are innocent cogs with little or no understanding of the larger accounting matrix into which their life’s energy is given.
We must be careful in blaming bankers for creating the capital that we so eagerly pursue in our everyday constructions of a capitalistic world. The real blame may be in our shortcoming of never really questioning why capital saves farm numbers in small increments, while it cleanses the world of farm numbers in large increments.
Stay tuned for Discussion #2
Gisin’s 20-year banking career culminated as the senior agricultural approval officer for the nation’s 7th largest ag bank. Since 1997, he has and continues to consulted farmers facing challenges in the credit markets. He lectures nationally on banking, economics and the processes of capital.
Bold type has been added by our editor at Monday Small Biz Buzz
Financial consultant to farmers, lecturer and former banker,
At its peak in 1935, America, had almost 7 million family farms. Today there are a little over 2 million, a 70 percent loss. So how did it happen?
The background most people have from education and media is insufficient in being able to support an understanding of how it happened. This is not a criticism, but a statement that education and media don’t understand how it happened either. So if you like exploring outside the box, you will have fun with this one.
So why understand the capital in capitalism? Capital, and the processes that unfold downstream after capital is created, are what have driven America to cleanse itself of most family farms, job security and millions of jobs.
If you don’t understand capital, you won’t understand how capital can suddenly checkmate your farm.
In its purest form, capital is money. In its purest form, money is what banks owe. Now this requires a little more explanation that will be forthcoming in future discussions.
The nation’s banking system is at the heart of where capital is formed. So consider for a moment how the banking system’s primary role has been as the final undertaker of the family farm as opposed to its much weaker role in sustaining the family farm. There is great wisdom that will come over time from contemplating this.
Most all bank employees, like farmers, are innocent cogs with little or no understanding of the larger accounting matrix into which their life’s energy is given.
We must be careful in blaming bankers for creating the capital that we so eagerly pursue in our everyday constructions of a capitalistic world. The real blame may be in our shortcoming of never really questioning why capital saves farm numbers in small increments, while it cleanses the world of farm numbers in large increments.
Stay tuned for Discussion #2
Gisin’s 20-year banking career culminated as the senior agricultural approval officer for the nation’s 7th largest ag bank. Since 1997, he has and continues to consulted farmers facing challenges in the credit markets. He lectures nationally on banking, economics and the processes of capital.
Bold type has been added by our editor at Monday Small Biz Buzz
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Small Computers, Small Price...Big potential
If you're looking for a new computer and don't want to surrender the desktop. Check out this link for an affordable computer, high power and and energy saver.
http://alturl.com/hjj68
http://alturl.com/hjj68
Saturday, November 6, 2010
How to Negotiate Effectively
Here's a great article on negotiate effectively. It's a skill we all need for business and especially small business.
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20101101/how-to-negotiate-effectively.html
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20101101/how-to-negotiate-effectively.html
Monday, November 1, 2010
Shopping for auto insurance - Personal or Business
Whether you’re a first time buyer of auto insurance or already have it but are looking for a better deal, you should be asking several questions.
First, is the person from whom you’re buying (your agent) a visible, established member of your community someone you know and trust?
Second, is the company from whom you’re buying well known? What is its reputation? What about price?
Because there are hundreds of companies competing for your business, prices vary – sometimes a lot. It may pay you to shop. Be sure the premiums you’re quoted are for equal amounts of coverage.
How about service? Price is important but saving money won’t mean much unless you get the service you need - when you need it. If possible, ask other clients of your prospective agent how they’ve been treated,especially when they’ve had a claim. Find out how the company handles claims. Is the method convenient for you, no matter where you have an accident?
How about solvency? Is the company you’re considering still going to be in business when you file your claim? Your state department of insurance has financial rating information on all of the companies that do business in its state.
Once you’ve decided on a company and an agent, there are more questions to ask. How much coverage do you need? The required minimum amounts of liability coverage may not be enough for you.
Consider your needs in light of your assets and income. How much can you afford to pay if there’s a big judgment against you because of an accident? What about deductibles? Deductibles lower your premiums - most commonly for collision and comprehensive coverages - but increase the amount of loss that comes out of your pocket. How much additional risk are you willing to take in order to save?
Should you carry collision and comprehensive coverage? As your car’s value decreases, you might consider dropping these coverages and pocketing the savings on premiums. But consider if the savings are enough to offset the risk of footing the entire cost of repairing or replacing your car.
Auto insurance is not a generic commodity. It is a product that should be tailored to each individual. Your agent can help you answer these questions and help you tailor your auto insurance to your specific and unique needs.
By Tammy Sluter
Tammy Sluter is a State Farm® agent in Rexburg Idaho. Tammy will be a featured contributor from time to time on Monday Small Biz Buzz, Tammy can be reached at: http://online2.statefarm.com/b2c/sf/agent/12/1393
First, is the person from whom you’re buying (your agent) a visible, established member of your community someone you know and trust?
Second, is the company from whom you’re buying well known? What is its reputation? What about price?
Because there are hundreds of companies competing for your business, prices vary – sometimes a lot. It may pay you to shop. Be sure the premiums you’re quoted are for equal amounts of coverage.
How about service? Price is important but saving money won’t mean much unless you get the service you need - when you need it. If possible, ask other clients of your prospective agent how they’ve been treated,especially when they’ve had a claim. Find out how the company handles claims. Is the method convenient for you, no matter where you have an accident?
How about solvency? Is the company you’re considering still going to be in business when you file your claim? Your state department of insurance has financial rating information on all of the companies that do business in its state.
Once you’ve decided on a company and an agent, there are more questions to ask. How much coverage do you need? The required minimum amounts of liability coverage may not be enough for you.
Consider your needs in light of your assets and income. How much can you afford to pay if there’s a big judgment against you because of an accident? What about deductibles? Deductibles lower your premiums - most commonly for collision and comprehensive coverages - but increase the amount of loss that comes out of your pocket. How much additional risk are you willing to take in order to save?
Should you carry collision and comprehensive coverage? As your car’s value decreases, you might consider dropping these coverages and pocketing the savings on premiums. But consider if the savings are enough to offset the risk of footing the entire cost of repairing or replacing your car.
Auto insurance is not a generic commodity. It is a product that should be tailored to each individual. Your agent can help you answer these questions and help you tailor your auto insurance to your specific and unique needs.
By Tammy Sluter
Tammy Sluter is a State Farm® agent in Rexburg Idaho. Tammy will be a featured contributor from time to time on Monday Small Biz Buzz, Tammy can be reached at: http://online2.statefarm.com/b2c/sf/agent/12/1393
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Law of Compensation
The Law of Compensation
By: Brian Tracy
You Get What You Give
Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay, "Compensation," wrote that each person is compensated in like manner for that which he or she has contributed. The Law of Compensation is another restatement of the Law of Sowing and Reaping. It says that you will always be compensated for your efforts and for your contribution, whatever it is, however much or however little.
Increase Your Value
This Law of Compensation also says that you can never be compensated in the long term for more than you put in. The income you earn today is your compensation for what you have done in the past. If you want to increase your compensation, you must increase the value of your contribution.
Fill Your Mind With Success
Your mental attitude, your feelings of happiness and satisfaction, are also the result of the things that you have put into your own mind. If you fill your own mind with thoughts, visions and ideas of success, happiness and optimism, you will be compensated by those positive experiences in your daily activities.
Do More Than You're Paid For
Another corollary of the Law of Sowing and Reaping is what is sometimes called the, "Law of Overcompensation." This law says that great success comes from those who always make it a habit to put in more than they take out. They do more than they are paid for. They are always looking for opportunities to exceed expectations. And because they are always overcompensating, they are always being over rewarded with the esteem of their employers and customers and with the financial rewards that go along with their personal success.
Provide the Causes, Enjoy The Effects
One of your main responsibilities in life is to align yourself and your activities with Law of Cause and Effect (and its corollaries), accepting that it is an inexorable law that always works, whether anyone is looking or not. Your job is to institute the causes that are consistent with the effects that you want to enjoy in your life. When you do, you will realize and enjoy the rewards you desire.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, remind yourself regularly that your rewards will always be in direct proportion to your service to others. How could you increase the value of your services to your customers today?
Second, look for ways to go the extra mile, to use the Law of Overcompensation in everything you do. This is the great secret of success.
By: Brian Tracy
You Get What You Give
Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay, "Compensation," wrote that each person is compensated in like manner for that which he or she has contributed. The Law of Compensation is another restatement of the Law of Sowing and Reaping. It says that you will always be compensated for your efforts and for your contribution, whatever it is, however much or however little.
Increase Your Value
This Law of Compensation also says that you can never be compensated in the long term for more than you put in. The income you earn today is your compensation for what you have done in the past. If you want to increase your compensation, you must increase the value of your contribution.
Fill Your Mind With Success
Your mental attitude, your feelings of happiness and satisfaction, are also the result of the things that you have put into your own mind. If you fill your own mind with thoughts, visions and ideas of success, happiness and optimism, you will be compensated by those positive experiences in your daily activities.
Do More Than You're Paid For
Another corollary of the Law of Sowing and Reaping is what is sometimes called the, "Law of Overcompensation." This law says that great success comes from those who always make it a habit to put in more than they take out. They do more than they are paid for. They are always looking for opportunities to exceed expectations. And because they are always overcompensating, they are always being over rewarded with the esteem of their employers and customers and with the financial rewards that go along with their personal success.
Provide the Causes, Enjoy The Effects
One of your main responsibilities in life is to align yourself and your activities with Law of Cause and Effect (and its corollaries), accepting that it is an inexorable law that always works, whether anyone is looking or not. Your job is to institute the causes that are consistent with the effects that you want to enjoy in your life. When you do, you will realize and enjoy the rewards you desire.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.
First, remind yourself regularly that your rewards will always be in direct proportion to your service to others. How could you increase the value of your services to your customers today?
Second, look for ways to go the extra mile, to use the Law of Overcompensation in everything you do. This is the great secret of success.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Protecting Your Business Bank Account
(from your bank during a recession)
By Benjamin Gisin
Business consultant and former banker
Many businesses have bank accounts whose balances exceed the standard $250,000 FDIC insurance limit either occasionally or at all times. A business bank account may be a lot of things, but money in the bank is not one of them. A business account (or any other bank account) is merely an accounting of your claim to what your bank owes you. The nation and world run not on money, but promises to supply money the bank does not have, popularly called bank credit. Bank credit is simply what banks owe depositors. When you write a check, what your bank owes you is transferred to what another bank owes the person you wrote the check to.
When debts owed to banks default, banks can quickly default on what they owe depositors. Every quarter banks send reports of their financial health to the FDIC. Based upon a formula of minimum reserves, capital and profitability, the FDIC (or state banking regulator) then decides when to close a bank.
Thanks to efforts of the FDIC, at year end 2008, the Transaction Account Guaranty Program (TAGP) was approved and implemented. The program essentially provides unlimited FDIC insurance on non-interest bearing transaction accounts, the most popular being checking accounts.
Unlike historical FDIC insurance, the TAGP program is optional for banks and banks may opt out. Over one fourth of all banks (2,076 banks) of the nation’s 7,830 banks (as of 6/30/10) have opted out of the TAGP program. This means that if your business account is at one of these banks that then fails, you are potentially at risk to loss.
With the wholesale closure of banks over the last 3 years, the FDIC has fine-tuned its closure process. As a matter or course, the FDIC and state banking regulators work hard to find another bank to assume the deposits (liabilities) of the failing bank. In most cases, bank account holders, regardless of the size of the bank account, simply get a notice that their deposit account has been assumed by another bank. However, in those cases where no other bank wants to assume the deposits of a failing bank, the FDIC will close the bank and send out checks for bank account balances up to the $250,000 limit. If your business account is at a failing bank that no one wants to buy and has no TAGP coverage, balances over $250,000 are lost.
The FDIC’s TAGP program may well be the most important service that determines where you have your business account. Regardless of rumblings that the economy is improving, the banking system is a long way from being out of the woods when it comes to non-performing loans and loan losses – the primary cause of bank failures. For perspective, following are the losses banks have taken in recent years, with 2005 being a benchmark for what a more normal year might be:
2005 banking loan losses: $ 31.6 billion
2008 banking loan losses: $100.4 billion
2009 banking loan losses: $187.5 billion
2010 banking loan losses $100.7 billion (for first six months only)
The message in these numbers is that bank loan losses for the first six months of 2010 are the highest ever in U.S. banking history.
Banks are required to post in their lobbies clear signs if they have opted out of the TAGP program. The next time you go to your bank, look for the signs and talk to your banker.
The TAGP program will expire at year-end 2010 and will be replaced by another program of unlimited transaction account guarantees that will run for two years, expiring 12/31/2012 under the provisions of the Frank-Dodd Act. The law does not allow banks to opt out of this program. Hence, the risk from now till 12/31/2010 is real for businesses that have their bank accounts at institutions who have opted out of the TAGP program.
The activities of the FDIC, in preserving depositors’ claims to what their banks owe them, has been the bedrock that has prevented the nation from falling into absolute chaos during this financial crisis, as was the case in the Great Depression of the 30s. ■
Benjamin Gisin consults business and agricultural enterprises facing challenges in their banking and credit relationships. He can be reached at benjamin@ida.net or calling (208) 681-2717.
By Benjamin Gisin
Business consultant and former banker
Many businesses have bank accounts whose balances exceed the standard $250,000 FDIC insurance limit either occasionally or at all times. A business bank account may be a lot of things, but money in the bank is not one of them. A business account (or any other bank account) is merely an accounting of your claim to what your bank owes you. The nation and world run not on money, but promises to supply money the bank does not have, popularly called bank credit. Bank credit is simply what banks owe depositors. When you write a check, what your bank owes you is transferred to what another bank owes the person you wrote the check to.
When debts owed to banks default, banks can quickly default on what they owe depositors. Every quarter banks send reports of their financial health to the FDIC. Based upon a formula of minimum reserves, capital and profitability, the FDIC (or state banking regulator) then decides when to close a bank.
Thanks to efforts of the FDIC, at year end 2008, the Transaction Account Guaranty Program (TAGP) was approved and implemented. The program essentially provides unlimited FDIC insurance on non-interest bearing transaction accounts, the most popular being checking accounts.
Unlike historical FDIC insurance, the TAGP program is optional for banks and banks may opt out. Over one fourth of all banks (2,076 banks) of the nation’s 7,830 banks (as of 6/30/10) have opted out of the TAGP program. This means that if your business account is at one of these banks that then fails, you are potentially at risk to loss.
With the wholesale closure of banks over the last 3 years, the FDIC has fine-tuned its closure process. As a matter or course, the FDIC and state banking regulators work hard to find another bank to assume the deposits (liabilities) of the failing bank. In most cases, bank account holders, regardless of the size of the bank account, simply get a notice that their deposit account has been assumed by another bank. However, in those cases where no other bank wants to assume the deposits of a failing bank, the FDIC will close the bank and send out checks for bank account balances up to the $250,000 limit. If your business account is at a failing bank that no one wants to buy and has no TAGP coverage, balances over $250,000 are lost.
The FDIC’s TAGP program may well be the most important service that determines where you have your business account. Regardless of rumblings that the economy is improving, the banking system is a long way from being out of the woods when it comes to non-performing loans and loan losses – the primary cause of bank failures. For perspective, following are the losses banks have taken in recent years, with 2005 being a benchmark for what a more normal year might be:
2005 banking loan losses: $ 31.6 billion
2008 banking loan losses: $100.4 billion
2009 banking loan losses: $187.5 billion
2010 banking loan losses $100.7 billion (for first six months only)
The message in these numbers is that bank loan losses for the first six months of 2010 are the highest ever in U.S. banking history.
Banks are required to post in their lobbies clear signs if they have opted out of the TAGP program. The next time you go to your bank, look for the signs and talk to your banker.
The TAGP program will expire at year-end 2010 and will be replaced by another program of unlimited transaction account guarantees that will run for two years, expiring 12/31/2012 under the provisions of the Frank-Dodd Act. The law does not allow banks to opt out of this program. Hence, the risk from now till 12/31/2010 is real for businesses that have their bank accounts at institutions who have opted out of the TAGP program.
The activities of the FDIC, in preserving depositors’ claims to what their banks owe them, has been the bedrock that has prevented the nation from falling into absolute chaos during this financial crisis, as was the case in the Great Depression of the 30s. ■
Benjamin Gisin consults business and agricultural enterprises facing challenges in their banking and credit relationships. He can be reached at benjamin@ida.net or calling (208) 681-2717.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Don't Give Up...Look what can happen!
"Mickey Mouse popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad... when the business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at their lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner."
-- Walt Disney, producer
-- Walt Disney, producer
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Seven Methods of Time Power
By Brian Tracy
There are seven methods that you can use to help develop the habits of time management. The more you think about and practice these methods, the more rapidly you will program yourself to be efficient and highly productive.
First
Remember that your self-image determines your performance. You always perform on the outside in a matter consistent with the picture you have of yourself on the inside.
Practice visualizing and imagining yourself as you want to be, not as you may have been in the past. You can actually change your self-image permanently by repeatedly visualizing yourself as someone who is highly efficient and effective.
Second
Remember that it takes about twenty-one days of practice and repetition to form a new habit pattern. It has taken you your entire lifetime to become the person you are today, with the time management habits you have at this moment. It takes time and commitment to change, and for your subconscious mind to accept the new habits.
Third
Promise yourself that you are going to become excellent at time management. Promise yourself that you are going to be punctual, and that you are going to concentrate on your most important tasks. Then, promise others that you are going to be more effective and efficient in the future.
Fourth
In developing the habits of time management, start in just one area where poor time management is holding you back. Don't try to change everything at once. Change just one habit or activity where you know that improvement could be very helpful to you.
Fifth
Launch your new time management habit strongly. Never allow an exception once you have decided that you are going to become excellent in a particular behavior. Never let yourself off the hook.
Sixth
Use the “trial and success” method rather than the “trial and error” method. The trial and success method requires that you learn how to succeed by failing, and then by learning from your mistakes. Analyze your reasons for poor time management. Ask yourself, “What are the obstacles to my operating more efficiently in this area?” Take some time to reflect on recent behaviors.
Seventh
You must absolutely believe that you can and will become excellent at time management. The Law of Belief says that “Your beliefs become your realities.” The more intensely you believe that you can and will become excellent at time management, the more rapidly this belief becomes your reality. If you hold to your belief long enough and hard enough, it will eventually materialize as new behaviors with regard to time.
Action Exercise
Select one area where better time management skills can help you to be more efficient and get more done. Resolve to go to work on yourself in that area immediately.
There are seven methods that you can use to help develop the habits of time management. The more you think about and practice these methods, the more rapidly you will program yourself to be efficient and highly productive.
First
Remember that your self-image determines your performance. You always perform on the outside in a matter consistent with the picture you have of yourself on the inside.
Practice visualizing and imagining yourself as you want to be, not as you may have been in the past. You can actually change your self-image permanently by repeatedly visualizing yourself as someone who is highly efficient and effective.
Second
Remember that it takes about twenty-one days of practice and repetition to form a new habit pattern. It has taken you your entire lifetime to become the person you are today, with the time management habits you have at this moment. It takes time and commitment to change, and for your subconscious mind to accept the new habits.
Third
Promise yourself that you are going to become excellent at time management. Promise yourself that you are going to be punctual, and that you are going to concentrate on your most important tasks. Then, promise others that you are going to be more effective and efficient in the future.
Fourth
In developing the habits of time management, start in just one area where poor time management is holding you back. Don't try to change everything at once. Change just one habit or activity where you know that improvement could be very helpful to you.
Fifth
Launch your new time management habit strongly. Never allow an exception once you have decided that you are going to become excellent in a particular behavior. Never let yourself off the hook.
Sixth
Use the “trial and success” method rather than the “trial and error” method. The trial and success method requires that you learn how to succeed by failing, and then by learning from your mistakes. Analyze your reasons for poor time management. Ask yourself, “What are the obstacles to my operating more efficiently in this area?” Take some time to reflect on recent behaviors.
Seventh
You must absolutely believe that you can and will become excellent at time management. The Law of Belief says that “Your beliefs become your realities.” The more intensely you believe that you can and will become excellent at time management, the more rapidly this belief becomes your reality. If you hold to your belief long enough and hard enough, it will eventually materialize as new behaviors with regard to time.
Action Exercise
Select one area where better time management skills can help you to be more efficient and get more done. Resolve to go to work on yourself in that area immediately.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Home - Based Businessess Need Business Insurance
The dream of owning a business is becoming a reality for thousands of people each year. For many of these would-be captains of industry, that means starting the operation at home. However, your enterprise may be in jeopardy if you don't have business insurance.
You need business insurance because most homeowners policies place limits on business-related exposures. For instance, a copier or fax machine used for business and damaged in a fire may not be fully covered because it is considered business property.
Also, the homeowners policy does not cover business liability, loss of income, exterior signs and many other important items. If a client were injured at your home while conducting business, your homeowners policy would not apply. Anyone who operates a home-based enterprise and does not have the proper insurance coverage is putting his or her business and personal assets at risk.
Business insurance may provide many or all of the coverage listed below:
• Accidental direct physical loss coverage for business personal property.
• Broader off-premises property coverage Loss of income coverage
• Extra expense coverage
• Contractual liability coverage
• Liability of employees while acting within the scope of their employment.
Many entrepreneurs start their businesses on shoestring budgets and try to cut corners by keeping expenses at a minimum. But when you consider what you get, business insurance becomes a tool you can't afford to work without.
Tammy Sluter is a State Farm® agent in Rexburg Idaho. Tammy will be a featured contributor from time to time on Monday Small Biz Buzz, Tammy can be reached at: tp://online2.statefarm.com/b2c/sf/agent/12/1393
You need business insurance because most homeowners policies place limits on business-related exposures. For instance, a copier or fax machine used for business and damaged in a fire may not be fully covered because it is considered business property.
Also, the homeowners policy does not cover business liability, loss of income, exterior signs and many other important items. If a client were injured at your home while conducting business, your homeowners policy would not apply. Anyone who operates a home-based enterprise and does not have the proper insurance coverage is putting his or her business and personal assets at risk.
Business insurance may provide many or all of the coverage listed below:
• Accidental direct physical loss coverage for business personal property.
• Broader off-premises property coverage Loss of income coverage
• Extra expense coverage
• Contractual liability coverage
• Liability of employees while acting within the scope of their employment.
Many entrepreneurs start their businesses on shoestring budgets and try to cut corners by keeping expenses at a minimum. But when you consider what you get, business insurance becomes a tool you can't afford to work without.
Tammy Sluter is a State Farm® agent in Rexburg Idaho. Tammy will be a featured contributor from time to time on Monday Small Biz Buzz, Tammy can be reached at: tp://online2.statefarm.com/b2c/sf/agent/12/1393
Monday, July 5, 2010
Unlocking Your Creativity
By: Brian Tracy
Creative thinking can be stimulated by two things; intensely desired goals and pressing problems. Your creative capacities need something to hone in on and your job is to provide it.
Creative thinking can be stimulated by two things; intensely desired goals and pressing problems. Your creative capacities need something to hone in on and your job is to provide it.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Struggling with Cash Flow or even understanding it?
Here's a link for a great article on cash-flow and understanding a profit/loss or income and revenue statement.
http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/06/how-to-understand-an-income-statement.html
http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/06/how-to-understand-an-income-statement.html
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Seven Simple Steps to Small Business Success
June 24, 2010
By: Brian Tracy
Many businesspeople achieve their greatest successes in unexpected areas. They begin a business and then they find that it isn't as profitable as they had anticipated, so they change direction, using their experience and their momentum, and strike paydirt in something else. The most important thing is to begin. To take action. To move forward one step at a time, learning and growing as you go. There is enough information available in virtually every field for you to become knowledgeable enough to achieve success. But action is necessary.
The Two Parts of Success
Success author Orison Swett Marden once wrote, the first part of success is get-to-it-ivness. The second part is stick-to-it-iveness. Every business beginning requires an act of faith and courage, a bold leap into the unknown. Only one in ten people who want to start their own businesses ever develop enough courage to begin and enough persistence to continue. Get-to-it-iveness. And stick-to-it-iveness. The fear of failure, more than anything else, holds people back. It paralyzes action. And it makes failure inevitable.
Begin With a Dream
Fortunately, even if you know nothing about business, you can begin with a dream, a castle in the air, and then build a foundation under it.
Seven Simple Steps
The starting point of many great fortunes has been these seven simple steps. Number one, set a goal and back it with a burning desire. Number two, begin accumulating capital with a regular savings program. Nothing else is possible without this. You cannot move forward until you start a savings program.
Use Your Current Job As A Springboard
Number three, use your current job as a springboard to later success. Learn while you earn. Take the long view. Number four, experiment in business on a limited scale so you can learn the key abilities necessary for success. Number five, search for problems, needs unmet, products or services you can supply of good quality at reasonable prices.
Read Everything You Can Find
Number six, read everything you can find on your chosen field. Remain flexible. Be willing to change your mind if you get different information. And number seven, implement your plans with courage and persistence. Have complete faith in your ability to succeed and never, never give up.
Action Exercises
Now, here are two actions you can take immediately to start moving toward entrepreneurial success:
First, set a goal, make a plan and then launch your plan. Get started. Do something. Begin on a small scale with limited risk and investment but get going!
Second, resolve that, no matter what happens, you will never, never give up until you are successful. Before you accomplish anything worthwhile, you will have to pass the persistence test. And the test will come far sooner than you imagine.
By: Brian Tracy
Many businesspeople achieve their greatest successes in unexpected areas. They begin a business and then they find that it isn't as profitable as they had anticipated, so they change direction, using their experience and their momentum, and strike paydirt in something else. The most important thing is to begin. To take action. To move forward one step at a time, learning and growing as you go. There is enough information available in virtually every field for you to become knowledgeable enough to achieve success. But action is necessary.
The Two Parts of Success
Success author Orison Swett Marden once wrote, the first part of success is get-to-it-ivness. The second part is stick-to-it-iveness. Every business beginning requires an act of faith and courage, a bold leap into the unknown. Only one in ten people who want to start their own businesses ever develop enough courage to begin and enough persistence to continue. Get-to-it-iveness. And stick-to-it-iveness. The fear of failure, more than anything else, holds people back. It paralyzes action. And it makes failure inevitable.
Begin With a Dream
Fortunately, even if you know nothing about business, you can begin with a dream, a castle in the air, and then build a foundation under it.
Seven Simple Steps
The starting point of many great fortunes has been these seven simple steps. Number one, set a goal and back it with a burning desire. Number two, begin accumulating capital with a regular savings program. Nothing else is possible without this. You cannot move forward until you start a savings program.
Use Your Current Job As A Springboard
Number three, use your current job as a springboard to later success. Learn while you earn. Take the long view. Number four, experiment in business on a limited scale so you can learn the key abilities necessary for success. Number five, search for problems, needs unmet, products or services you can supply of good quality at reasonable prices.
Read Everything You Can Find
Number six, read everything you can find on your chosen field. Remain flexible. Be willing to change your mind if you get different information. And number seven, implement your plans with courage and persistence. Have complete faith in your ability to succeed and never, never give up.
Action Exercises
Now, here are two actions you can take immediately to start moving toward entrepreneurial success:
First, set a goal, make a plan and then launch your plan. Get started. Do something. Begin on a small scale with limited risk and investment but get going!
Second, resolve that, no matter what happens, you will never, never give up until you are successful. Before you accomplish anything worthwhile, you will have to pass the persistence test. And the test will come far sooner than you imagine.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Keeping Yourself Positive
June 13, 2010
Keeping Yourself Positive
By: Brian Tracy
The most important thing you do for your success is to take control of the suggestive elements in your environment. Be sure that what you are seeing and listening to is consistent with the goals you want to achieve.
Listen Your Way to Success
Listen to educational audio programs in your car. The average person drives 12,000 to 25,000 miles per year which works out to between 500 and 1,000 hours per year that the average person spends in his or her car. You can become an expert in your field by simply listening to educational audio programs as you drive from place to place.
Take Courses in Your Field
Attend seminars given by experts in your field. Take additional courses and learn everything you possibly can. Learn from the experts. Ask them questions, write them letters, read their books, read their articles and listen to people with proven track records in the area in which you want to be successful.
Get Around the Right People
Associate only with positive, success-oriented people. Get around winners. As we say, fly with the eagles. You can't fly with the eagles if you keep scratching with the turkeys. Get away from the go-nowhere types and above all, get away from negative people. Get away from negative coworkers. If you've got a negative boss, seriously consider changing jobs. Associating on a regular basis with negative people is enough in itself to condemn you to a life of underachievement, frustration and failure. Associate only with positive people. Get around winners.
Visualize Your Goals
The last thing before you sleep and the first thing in the morning, think about and visualize your goals as realities. See your goal as though it already existed. Your subconscious mind is only activated by affirmations and pictures that are received in the present tense. See your goal vividly just before you go to sleep. See yourself performing at your best. See the situations that you're facing working out exactly the way you want them to.
Feed Yourself Mental Pictures
See yourself living the kind of life that you want to live. See yourself with the kind of relationships, the kind of health, the kind of car, the kind of home you really want. Visualize just before you fall asleep at night. The first thing you do when you get up in the morning is to feed yourself mental pictures. Those are the two times of the day when your subconscious mind is most receptive to new programming, when you fall asleep and when you wake up.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do, all day long, to keep your mind and emotions focused on your goals and financial success:
First, listen to audio programs in your car and when you travel around. Continue feeding your mind with a stream of high-quality, educational, motivational material that moves you toward your goal.
Second, resolve to associate with positive, optimistic people most of the time. Get around winners and get away from negative people who criticize, condemn and complain. This can change your life as much as any other factor.
Keeping Yourself Positive
By: Brian Tracy
The most important thing you do for your success is to take control of the suggestive elements in your environment. Be sure that what you are seeing and listening to is consistent with the goals you want to achieve.
Listen Your Way to Success
Listen to educational audio programs in your car. The average person drives 12,000 to 25,000 miles per year which works out to between 500 and 1,000 hours per year that the average person spends in his or her car. You can become an expert in your field by simply listening to educational audio programs as you drive from place to place.
Take Courses in Your Field
Attend seminars given by experts in your field. Take additional courses and learn everything you possibly can. Learn from the experts. Ask them questions, write them letters, read their books, read their articles and listen to people with proven track records in the area in which you want to be successful.
Get Around the Right People
Associate only with positive, success-oriented people. Get around winners. As we say, fly with the eagles. You can't fly with the eagles if you keep scratching with the turkeys. Get away from the go-nowhere types and above all, get away from negative people. Get away from negative coworkers. If you've got a negative boss, seriously consider changing jobs. Associating on a regular basis with negative people is enough in itself to condemn you to a life of underachievement, frustration and failure. Associate only with positive people. Get around winners.
Visualize Your Goals
The last thing before you sleep and the first thing in the morning, think about and visualize your goals as realities. See your goal as though it already existed. Your subconscious mind is only activated by affirmations and pictures that are received in the present tense. See your goal vividly just before you go to sleep. See yourself performing at your best. See the situations that you're facing working out exactly the way you want them to.
Feed Yourself Mental Pictures
See yourself living the kind of life that you want to live. See yourself with the kind of relationships, the kind of health, the kind of car, the kind of home you really want. Visualize just before you fall asleep at night. The first thing you do when you get up in the morning is to feed yourself mental pictures. Those are the two times of the day when your subconscious mind is most receptive to new programming, when you fall asleep and when you wake up.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do, all day long, to keep your mind and emotions focused on your goals and financial success:
First, listen to audio programs in your car and when you travel around. Continue feeding your mind with a stream of high-quality, educational, motivational material that moves you toward your goal.
Second, resolve to associate with positive, optimistic people most of the time. Get around winners and get away from negative people who criticize, condemn and complain. This can change your life as much as any other factor.
Monday, May 17, 2010
The ABCDE Method for Setting Priorities
May 17, 2010
I will share this one with you from my emails..
By: Brian Tracy
Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things. Your ability to plan and organize your work, in advance, so you are always working on your highest value tasks determines your success as much as any other factor.
The ABCDE Method for Priorities
The process of setting short-term priorities begins with a pad of paper and a pen. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by too many things to do and too little time in which to do them, sit down, take a deep breath, and list all those tasks you need to accomplish. Although there is never enough time to do everything, there is always enough time to do the most important things, and to stay with them until they are done right.
Setting Better Priorities
The best method for setting priorities on your list, once you have determined your major goals or objectives, is the A-B-C-D-E method. You place one of those letters in the margin before each of the tasks on your list before you begin.
"A" stands for "very important;" something you must do. There can be serious negative consequences if you don't do it.
"B" stands for "important;" something you should do. This is not as important as your 'A' tasks. There are only minor negative consequences if it is not completed.
"C" stands for things that are "nice to do;" but which are not as important as 'A' or 'B,' tasks. There are no negative consequences for not completing it.
"D" stands for "delegate." You can assign this task to someone else who can do the job instead of you.
"E" stands for "eliminate, whenever possible." You should eliminate every single activity you possibly can, to free up your time.
When you use the A-B-C-D-E method, you can very easily sort out what is important and unimportant. This then will focus your time and attention on those items on your list that are most essential for you to do.
Just Say No
Once you can clearly determine the one or two things that you should be doing, above all others, just say no to all diversions and distractions and focus single-mindedly on accomplishing those priorities.
Much stress that you experience in your work life comes from working on low-priority tasks. The amazing discovery is that as soon as you start working on your highest-value activity, all your stress disappears. You feel a continuous stream of energy and enthusiasm. As you work toward the completion of something that is really important, you feel an increased sense of personal value and inner satisfaction. You experience a sensation of self-mastery and self-control. You feel calm, confident and capable.
Action Exercises
Here are three ideas that you can use, every day, to help you set priorities and to keep you working at your best:
First, take the time to be clear about your goals and objectives so that the priorities you set are moving you in the direction of something that is of real value to you.
Second, remember that what counts is not the amount of time that you put in overall; rather, it's the amount of time that you spend working on high-priority tasks.
Third, understand that the most important factor in setting priorities is your ability to make wise choices. You are always free to choose to engage in one activity or another.
Resolve today to set clear priorities in every area of your life, and always choose the activities that will assure you the greatest health, happiness and prosperity in the long term.
I will share this one with you from my emails..
By: Brian Tracy
Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things. Your ability to plan and organize your work, in advance, so you are always working on your highest value tasks determines your success as much as any other factor.
The ABCDE Method for Priorities
The process of setting short-term priorities begins with a pad of paper and a pen. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by too many things to do and too little time in which to do them, sit down, take a deep breath, and list all those tasks you need to accomplish. Although there is never enough time to do everything, there is always enough time to do the most important things, and to stay with them until they are done right.
Setting Better Priorities
The best method for setting priorities on your list, once you have determined your major goals or objectives, is the A-B-C-D-E method. You place one of those letters in the margin before each of the tasks on your list before you begin.
"A" stands for "very important;" something you must do. There can be serious negative consequences if you don't do it.
"B" stands for "important;" something you should do. This is not as important as your 'A' tasks. There are only minor negative consequences if it is not completed.
"C" stands for things that are "nice to do;" but which are not as important as 'A' or 'B,' tasks. There are no negative consequences for not completing it.
"D" stands for "delegate." You can assign this task to someone else who can do the job instead of you.
"E" stands for "eliminate, whenever possible." You should eliminate every single activity you possibly can, to free up your time.
When you use the A-B-C-D-E method, you can very easily sort out what is important and unimportant. This then will focus your time and attention on those items on your list that are most essential for you to do.
Just Say No
Once you can clearly determine the one or two things that you should be doing, above all others, just say no to all diversions and distractions and focus single-mindedly on accomplishing those priorities.
Much stress that you experience in your work life comes from working on low-priority tasks. The amazing discovery is that as soon as you start working on your highest-value activity, all your stress disappears. You feel a continuous stream of energy and enthusiasm. As you work toward the completion of something that is really important, you feel an increased sense of personal value and inner satisfaction. You experience a sensation of self-mastery and self-control. You feel calm, confident and capable.
Action Exercises
Here are three ideas that you can use, every day, to help you set priorities and to keep you working at your best:
First, take the time to be clear about your goals and objectives so that the priorities you set are moving you in the direction of something that is of real value to you.
Second, remember that what counts is not the amount of time that you put in overall; rather, it's the amount of time that you spend working on high-priority tasks.
Third, understand that the most important factor in setting priorities is your ability to make wise choices. You are always free to choose to engage in one activity or another.
Resolve today to set clear priorities in every area of your life, and always choose the activities that will assure you the greatest health, happiness and prosperity in the long term.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Starting Small
May 13, 2010
Starting Small
By: Brian Tracy
How and why you can start your own business with little or no money by using sweat equity.
Everyone Starts Off Broke
I used to feel sorry for myself because I came from a limited background and I had no money. Then I found that nobody has any money. Everyone starts off broke. In fact, most successful people go broke or nearly broke several times during their lives. Don't let this hold you back.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Transformational leaders empower others by keeping them "in the know," by keeping them fully informed on everything that effects their jobs. People want and need to feel that they are "insiders," that they are aware of everything that is going on. There is nothing so demoralizing to a staff member than to be kept in the dark about their work and what is going on in the company.
But if you are willing to put in the time to learn, remember about 95 percent of the working population in America have the ability to start and build their own businesses if they would only do it. Multi-level marketing is an excellent second income opportunity where you can learn vital business skills at low cost. Especially selling, organizing, making presentations, accounting, team building, negotiating, persuading, and communicating. 85 percent of what you need to learn to be successful in business you can learn from running a successful multi-level marketing business.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
Remember this, though. Leaders are always willing to do what is called dog work. They're willing to render humble service. They're willing to roll up their sleeves and plunge in. They never think of themselves as being too good for a job. There are an enormous number of people who are presented with second income opportunities who turn them down because they think that they're too good to do something like that. But the people who are thinking that they are too good are the people who retire poor. You'll find that leaders of all organizations are always willing to roll up their sleeves and to get in there.
Action Exercises
Now, here are two things you can do to put these ideas into action immediately:
First, remember that buying and selling things is the essence of all business. Look for opportunities to buy and sell things on your own account. Visit garage sales or hold a garage sale of your own. Visit swap meets and negotiate with people with things for sale. Make it a game to learn these skills.
Second, start in a small business of some kind. Look for a second income or multi level marketing opportunity where you can buy and sell on a small scale. Many people become wealthy starting off with virtually nothing in this way.
Starting Small
By: Brian Tracy
How and why you can start your own business with little or no money by using sweat equity.
Everyone Starts Off Broke
I used to feel sorry for myself because I came from a limited background and I had no money. Then I found that nobody has any money. Everyone starts off broke. In fact, most successful people go broke or nearly broke several times during their lives. Don't let this hold you back.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Transformational leaders empower others by keeping them "in the know," by keeping them fully informed on everything that effects their jobs. People want and need to feel that they are "insiders," that they are aware of everything that is going on. There is nothing so demoralizing to a staff member than to be kept in the dark about their work and what is going on in the company.
But if you are willing to put in the time to learn, remember about 95 percent of the working population in America have the ability to start and build their own businesses if they would only do it. Multi-level marketing is an excellent second income opportunity where you can learn vital business skills at low cost. Especially selling, organizing, making presentations, accounting, team building, negotiating, persuading, and communicating. 85 percent of what you need to learn to be successful in business you can learn from running a successful multi-level marketing business.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
Remember this, though. Leaders are always willing to do what is called dog work. They're willing to render humble service. They're willing to roll up their sleeves and plunge in. They never think of themselves as being too good for a job. There are an enormous number of people who are presented with second income opportunities who turn them down because they think that they're too good to do something like that. But the people who are thinking that they are too good are the people who retire poor. You'll find that leaders of all organizations are always willing to roll up their sleeves and to get in there.
Action Exercises
Now, here are two things you can do to put these ideas into action immediately:
First, remember that buying and selling things is the essence of all business. Look for opportunities to buy and sell things on your own account. Visit garage sales or hold a garage sale of your own. Visit swap meets and negotiate with people with things for sale. Make it a game to learn these skills.
Second, start in a small business of some kind. Look for a second income or multi level marketing opportunity where you can buy and sell on a small scale. Many people become wealthy starting off with virtually nothing in this way.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Develop A Sense of Urgency
May 9, 2010
By: Brian Tracy
Perhaps the most outwardly identifiable quality of a high performing man or woman is "action orientation."
Take Time to Think and Plan
Highly productive people take the time to think, plan and set priorities. They then launch quickly and strongly toward their goals and objectives. They work steadily, smoothly and continuously and seem to go through enormous amounts of work in the same time period that the average person spends socializing, wasting time and working on low value activities.
Getting into "Flow"
When you work on high value tasks at a high and continuous level of activity, you can actually enter into an amazing mental state called "flow." Almost everyone has experienced this at some time. Really successful people are those who get themselves into this state far more often than the average.
In the state of "flow," which is the highest human state of performance and productivity, something almost mirac ulous happens to your mind and emotions. You feel elated and clear. Everything you do seems effortless and accurate. You feel happy and energetic. You experience a tremendous sense of calm and personal effectiveness.
Become More Alert and Aware
In the state of "flow," identified and talked about over the centuries, you actually function on a higher plane of clarity, creativity and competence. You are more sensitive and aware. Your insight and intuition functions with incredible precision. You see the interconnectedness of people and circumstances around you. You often come up with brilliant ideas and insights that enable you to move ahead even more rapidly.
Develop a Sense of Urgency
One of the ways you can trigger this state of flow is by developing a "sense of urgency." This is an inner drive and desire to get on with the job quickly and get it done fast. This inner drive is an impatience that motivates you to get going and to keep going. A sense of urgency feels very much like racing against yourself.
Create a "Bias for Action"
With this ingrained sense of urgency, you develop a "bias for action." You take action rather than talking continually about what you are going to do. You focus on specific steps you can take immediately. By employing this technique you concentrate on the things you can do right now to get the results you want and achieve the goals you desire.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:
First, select one major task confronting you and launch into it immediately. Don't hesitate. Move fast.
Second, start doing this every morning, first thing, until it becomes a habit.
By: Brian Tracy
Perhaps the most outwardly identifiable quality of a high performing man or woman is "action orientation."
Take Time to Think and Plan
Highly productive people take the time to think, plan and set priorities. They then launch quickly and strongly toward their goals and objectives. They work steadily, smoothly and continuously and seem to go through enormous amounts of work in the same time period that the average person spends socializing, wasting time and working on low value activities.
Getting into "Flow"
When you work on high value tasks at a high and continuous level of activity, you can actually enter into an amazing mental state called "flow." Almost everyone has experienced this at some time. Really successful people are those who get themselves into this state far more often than the average.
In the state of "flow," which is the highest human state of performance and productivity, something almost mirac ulous happens to your mind and emotions. You feel elated and clear. Everything you do seems effortless and accurate. You feel happy and energetic. You experience a tremendous sense of calm and personal effectiveness.
Become More Alert and Aware
In the state of "flow," identified and talked about over the centuries, you actually function on a higher plane of clarity, creativity and competence. You are more sensitive and aware. Your insight and intuition functions with incredible precision. You see the interconnectedness of people and circumstances around you. You often come up with brilliant ideas and insights that enable you to move ahead even more rapidly.
Develop a Sense of Urgency
One of the ways you can trigger this state of flow is by developing a "sense of urgency." This is an inner drive and desire to get on with the job quickly and get it done fast. This inner drive is an impatience that motivates you to get going and to keep going. A sense of urgency feels very much like racing against yourself.
Create a "Bias for Action"
With this ingrained sense of urgency, you develop a "bias for action." You take action rather than talking continually about what you are going to do. You focus on specific steps you can take immediately. By employing this technique you concentrate on the things you can do right now to get the results you want and achieve the goals you desire.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:
First, select one major task confronting you and launch into it immediately. Don't hesitate. Move fast.
Second, start doing this every morning, first thing, until it becomes a habit.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Telling Your Business Story: Or Spinning It!
We each have a story to tell. Generally our business products or service story...We try to present our story in the best possible way. Here is a sad, yet difficult story, presented in 2 ways...your going to love it.
Version 1:
Remus Reid horse thief sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887,robbed the Montana Flyer (train) six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.
Version 2:
Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad.
Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Dectective Agency.
In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.
Two ways to look a given situation. How do you tell your story? Would love to hear ways to look at different situations and stories.
Version 1:
Remus Reid horse thief sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887,robbed the Montana Flyer (train) six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.
Version 2:
Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad.
Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Dectective Agency.
In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.
Two ways to look a given situation. How do you tell your story? Would love to hear ways to look at different situations and stories.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
How to Identify Your Goals
Love receiving emails like this one...enjoy it!
By Brian Tracy
Here are seven goal-setting questions for you to ask and answer over and over again. I suggest that you take a pad of paper and write out your responses.
Question Number One:
What are your five most important values in life?
This question is intended to help you clarify what is really important to you, and by extension, what is less important, or unimportant. Once you have identified the five most important values in life for you, organize them in order of priority, from number one, the most important, through number five.
Question Number Two:
What are your three most important goals in life, right now?
This is called the "quick list" method. When you only have thirty seconds to write down your three most important goals, your subconscious mind sorts out your many goals quickly. Your top three will just pop into your conscious mind. With only thirty seconds, you will be as accurate as if you had thirty minutes.
Question Number Three:
What would you do, how would you spend your time, if you learned today that you only had six months to live?
This is another value questions to help you clarify what is really important to you. When your time is limited, even if only in your imagination, you become aware of who and what you really care about.
Question Number Four:
What would you do if you won a million dollars cash, tax free, in the lottery tomorrow?
How would you change your life? What would you buy? What would you start doing, or stop doing? This is really a question to help you decide what you'd do if you had all the time and money you need, and if you had virtually no fear of failure at all.
Question Number Five:
What have you always wanted to do, but been afraid to attempt?
This question helps you see more clearly where your fears could be blocking you from doing what you really want to do.
Question Number Six:
What do you most enjoy doing? What gives you your greatest feeling of self-esteem and personal satisfaction?
This is another values question that may indicate where you should explore to find your "heart's desire." You will always be most happy doing what you most love to do, and what you most love to do is invariably the activity that makes you feel the most alive and fulfilled. The most successful men and women in America are invariably doing what they really enjoy, most of the time.
Question Number Seven:
What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew you would not fail?
Imagine that a genie appears and grants you one wish. The genie guarantees that you will be absolutely, completely successful in any one thing that you attempt to do, big or small, short or long-term. If you were absolutely guaranteed success in any one thing, what one exciting goal would you set for yourself?
Action Exercise
Study the pad of paper that you used to answer these questions. This paper represents your future goals. Look at what you wrote every day and shape your life the way you see it on that paper.
By Brian Tracy
Here are seven goal-setting questions for you to ask and answer over and over again. I suggest that you take a pad of paper and write out your responses.
Question Number One:
What are your five most important values in life?
This question is intended to help you clarify what is really important to you, and by extension, what is less important, or unimportant. Once you have identified the five most important values in life for you, organize them in order of priority, from number one, the most important, through number five.
Question Number Two:
What are your three most important goals in life, right now?
This is called the "quick list" method. When you only have thirty seconds to write down your three most important goals, your subconscious mind sorts out your many goals quickly. Your top three will just pop into your conscious mind. With only thirty seconds, you will be as accurate as if you had thirty minutes.
Question Number Three:
What would you do, how would you spend your time, if you learned today that you only had six months to live?
This is another value questions to help you clarify what is really important to you. When your time is limited, even if only in your imagination, you become aware of who and what you really care about.
Question Number Four:
What would you do if you won a million dollars cash, tax free, in the lottery tomorrow?
How would you change your life? What would you buy? What would you start doing, or stop doing? This is really a question to help you decide what you'd do if you had all the time and money you need, and if you had virtually no fear of failure at all.
Question Number Five:
What have you always wanted to do, but been afraid to attempt?
This question helps you see more clearly where your fears could be blocking you from doing what you really want to do.
Question Number Six:
What do you most enjoy doing? What gives you your greatest feeling of self-esteem and personal satisfaction?
This is another values question that may indicate where you should explore to find your "heart's desire." You will always be most happy doing what you most love to do, and what you most love to do is invariably the activity that makes you feel the most alive and fulfilled. The most successful men and women in America are invariably doing what they really enjoy, most of the time.
Question Number Seven:
What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew you would not fail?
Imagine that a genie appears and grants you one wish. The genie guarantees that you will be absolutely, completely successful in any one thing that you attempt to do, big or small, short or long-term. If you were absolutely guaranteed success in any one thing, what one exciting goal would you set for yourself?
Action Exercise
Study the pad of paper that you used to answer these questions. This paper represents your future goals. Look at what you wrote every day and shape your life the way you see it on that paper.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Three Principles for Great Success
Received by e-mail...worth looking at.
By: Brian Tracy
Get Better Results than Ever Before
There are several principles of military strategy that you can apply to your business, every single day. These can help you to think better and get better results than ever before.
Do the Unexpected
One really helpful military principle that can be applied to business is the Principle of Surprise. The principle of surprise says, "do the unexpected!" In sales and marketing, this means to be continually seeking ways to out-flank or upset your competition.
Do the Opposite of Before
Sometimes doing exactly the opposite of what you have been doing up till now can turn out to be the perfect solution. The natural tendency for a person, when they find themselves in a hole, is to dig deeper. In many cases, the solution is to go and dig somewhere else. Remember, the first law of holes is, "When you find yourself in one, stop digging."
Follow-up and Follow-Through
A second military principle that applies to business is the Principle of Exploitation. The principle of exploitation emphasizes the importance of follow-up and follow-through. In business, this means that, when you get an opportunity, you exploit it to the fullest extent possible. If you have a great promotional idea or product or service, you sell all you can. You take advantage of your idea or breakthrough and use every opportunity to capitalize on it.
Work Harmoniously With Others
The third principle of military strategy that applies to personal and corporate thinking is the Principle of Cooperation. In business, this is often called the principle of synergy. In military terms, this is often called the principle of "concerted action." In business terms, your ability to work effectively and harmoniously with other individuals and groups is more responsible for your success than any other quality.
Win the Cooperation of Key People
A key part of strategic thinking is for you to identify the individuals, groups and organizations whose cooperation you will require to achieve your goals. Make a list of them and then organize the list in order of importance. Then ask yourself, "How am I going to win their cooperation?"
Answer Everyone's Favorite Question
Everybody wants to know, "what's in it for me?" The effective executive is always looking for ways to help or assist others knowing that this is the only sure way to create within them a desire to help you to achieve your goals.
By doing the unexpected, by following up and following through, and by constantly looking for ways to get other people to cooperate with you, you will accomplish more in a shorter time than you might ever have imagined.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to apply these ideas in your business and in your work:
First, look at your job, especially the areas where you are experiencing frustration, and question whether or not there is a completely different way of approaching your problem or situation. Do the unexpected. Perhaps you should be doing exactly the opposite of what you are doing today. All success in business comes from surprising the competition in some way.
Second, identify the people, groups and organizations whose assistance you will need to achieve your goal. Continually look for ways to earn their support and cooperation by thinking in terms of what is in it for them.
By: Brian Tracy
Get Better Results than Ever Before
There are several principles of military strategy that you can apply to your business, every single day. These can help you to think better and get better results than ever before.
Do the Unexpected
One really helpful military principle that can be applied to business is the Principle of Surprise. The principle of surprise says, "do the unexpected!" In sales and marketing, this means to be continually seeking ways to out-flank or upset your competition.
Do the Opposite of Before
Sometimes doing exactly the opposite of what you have been doing up till now can turn out to be the perfect solution. The natural tendency for a person, when they find themselves in a hole, is to dig deeper. In many cases, the solution is to go and dig somewhere else. Remember, the first law of holes is, "When you find yourself in one, stop digging."
Follow-up and Follow-Through
A second military principle that applies to business is the Principle of Exploitation. The principle of exploitation emphasizes the importance of follow-up and follow-through. In business, this means that, when you get an opportunity, you exploit it to the fullest extent possible. If you have a great promotional idea or product or service, you sell all you can. You take advantage of your idea or breakthrough and use every opportunity to capitalize on it.
Work Harmoniously With Others
The third principle of military strategy that applies to personal and corporate thinking is the Principle of Cooperation. In business, this is often called the principle of synergy. In military terms, this is often called the principle of "concerted action." In business terms, your ability to work effectively and harmoniously with other individuals and groups is more responsible for your success than any other quality.
Win the Cooperation of Key People
A key part of strategic thinking is for you to identify the individuals, groups and organizations whose cooperation you will require to achieve your goals. Make a list of them and then organize the list in order of importance. Then ask yourself, "How am I going to win their cooperation?"
Answer Everyone's Favorite Question
Everybody wants to know, "what's in it for me?" The effective executive is always looking for ways to help or assist others knowing that this is the only sure way to create within them a desire to help you to achieve your goals.
By doing the unexpected, by following up and following through, and by constantly looking for ways to get other people to cooperate with you, you will accomplish more in a shorter time than you might ever have imagined.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to apply these ideas in your business and in your work:
First, look at your job, especially the areas where you are experiencing frustration, and question whether or not there is a completely different way of approaching your problem or situation. Do the unexpected. Perhaps you should be doing exactly the opposite of what you are doing today. All success in business comes from surprising the competition in some way.
Second, identify the people, groups and organizations whose assistance you will need to achieve your goal. Continually look for ways to earn their support and cooperation by thinking in terms of what is in it for them.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Two Rules for Business Start-ups
Great Article I received by email...
By: Brian Tracy
Entrepreneurship is the art of finding profitable solutions to problems. Every successful entrepreneur, every successful businessperson has been a person who has been able to identify a problem and come up with a solution to it before somebody else did. Here are the five rules for entrepreneurship.
Find A Need And Fill It
First, find a need and fill it. Ross Perot, when he was working for IBM, saw that his customers who were buying IBM computers, needed help in processing their data. He went to IBM with this idea and they said they weren't interested, so he started his own business. He eventually sold it out for $2.8 billion dollars. He found a need and he filled it.
Find A Problem And Solve It
The second rule is to find a problem and solve it. A secretary working for a small company began mixing flour with nail varnish in order to white out the mistakes she was making in her typing. Pretty soon, her friends in the same office asked if she could make some for them. So she began mixing it on her kitchen table. Then, people in other offices started asking for it, and she eventually quit her business and worked full time creating what is today called Liquid Paper. A few years ago, she sold her company to Gillette Corporation for 47 million dollars.
By: Brian Tracy
Entrepreneurship is the art of finding profitable solutions to problems. Every successful entrepreneur, every successful businessperson has been a person who has been able to identify a problem and come up with a solution to it before somebody else did. Here are the five rules for entrepreneurship.
Find A Need And Fill It
First, find a need and fill it. Ross Perot, when he was working for IBM, saw that his customers who were buying IBM computers, needed help in processing their data. He went to IBM with this idea and they said they weren't interested, so he started his own business. He eventually sold it out for $2.8 billion dollars. He found a need and he filled it.
Find A Problem And Solve It
The second rule is to find a problem and solve it. A secretary working for a small company began mixing flour with nail varnish in order to white out the mistakes she was making in her typing. Pretty soon, her friends in the same office asked if she could make some for them. So she began mixing it on her kitchen table. Then, people in other offices started asking for it, and she eventually quit her business and worked full time creating what is today called Liquid Paper. A few years ago, she sold her company to Gillette Corporation for 47 million dollars.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Look on the bright side! Be a leader..
I have seen this article / story before...it's worth looking at again...
An old man had a hot dog stand. He made great hot dogs, and people bought them. He put up signs to advertise his business, and stood by the side of the road hollering. "Buy a hot dog, mister?" and they bought. His sales increased, so he increased his hot dog and bun orders. Business was very good.
Then his son came home from college. "Dad, what are you doing?" the son exclaimed. "Don't you know we are in the middle of a great depression?" The local situation is terrible and the national problems are even worse. You must be more careful with your money."
"Well," the father thought, "my son goes to college and he surely knows what he's talking about. I'd better listen to him." So the old gentleman stopped investing money in his business. He took down the signs, and stopped standing by the side of the road to sell his hot dogs. Sales fell off overnight."
"You're right, son." the father said. "We are in the middle of a great depression."
Just as the misperceptions about the business community ruined this great hot dog stand, it can affect an entire community, state and nation. At a time of economic stagnation, it is critical for leaders in the business community to demonstrate where strengths yet exist, and what steps can reasonably be taken to capitalize on those strengths...
Article taken in part from the Post Register, Sunday, March 7, 2010 Idaho Falls, Idaho
An old man had a hot dog stand. He made great hot dogs, and people bought them. He put up signs to advertise his business, and stood by the side of the road hollering. "Buy a hot dog, mister?" and they bought. His sales increased, so he increased his hot dog and bun orders. Business was very good.
Then his son came home from college. "Dad, what are you doing?" the son exclaimed. "Don't you know we are in the middle of a great depression?" The local situation is terrible and the national problems are even worse. You must be more careful with your money."
"Well," the father thought, "my son goes to college and he surely knows what he's talking about. I'd better listen to him." So the old gentleman stopped investing money in his business. He took down the signs, and stopped standing by the side of the road to sell his hot dogs. Sales fell off overnight."
"You're right, son." the father said. "We are in the middle of a great depression."
Just as the misperceptions about the business community ruined this great hot dog stand, it can affect an entire community, state and nation. At a time of economic stagnation, it is critical for leaders in the business community to demonstrate where strengths yet exist, and what steps can reasonably be taken to capitalize on those strengths...
Article taken in part from the Post Register, Sunday, March 7, 2010 Idaho Falls, Idaho
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Can the David's of Business beat Goliath?
Small business and to some extent mid-sized business always face the struggle of beating the large business community. (Goliath)
Perhaps you have faced Goliath from time to time in different areas of your business. Our post today deals with advertising / marketing. An area many small business owners just slide by in.
In today's world the battle field is leveling. We have the internet in addition to other media to reach clients, just as the big boys of business.
Text ad's, Web display ads, content on your web site, your blog, facebook, twitter...the list goes on and on.
Meet one of the new and reasonably price media for small to mid-sized...video ad's.
A variety of sources and tools are now available to help small business to prepare, publish and broadcast video ads. This media will only grow if not explode in the next few years. Check it out, it's something to start using. In addition, it's an affordable solution for any business, anywhere!
With the click of a button...your can tell your story to a wide audience, even better to your niche.
This post was prepared by Wild Horse Media LLC. If you have questions or need more information about video ads, the concept, making or utilizing in your business. We can be reached at: whm (at)onewest.net
Perhaps you have faced Goliath from time to time in different areas of your business. Our post today deals with advertising / marketing. An area many small business owners just slide by in.
In today's world the battle field is leveling. We have the internet in addition to other media to reach clients, just as the big boys of business.
Text ad's, Web display ads, content on your web site, your blog, facebook, twitter...the list goes on and on.
Meet one of the new and reasonably price media for small to mid-sized...video ad's.
A variety of sources and tools are now available to help small business to prepare, publish and broadcast video ads. This media will only grow if not explode in the next few years. Check it out, it's something to start using. In addition, it's an affordable solution for any business, anywhere!
With the click of a button...your can tell your story to a wide audience, even better to your niche.
This post was prepared by Wild Horse Media LLC. If you have questions or need more information about video ads, the concept, making or utilizing in your business. We can be reached at: whm (at)onewest.net
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Napoleon's Key to Victory
The only real measure of business leadership is results. This requires the ability to act boldly with no guarantees of success. The greatest obstacle to overcome is fear of the unknown.
The Key to Confidence
Most fear however, is rooted in ignorance. The more knowledge or skill you have in any area, the less fear it holds. Napoleon Bonaparte is considered by historians to be perhaps the greatest single military leader who ever lived. More than 100,000 books have been written about him since his death on St. Helena.
Pay Attention to Detail
Napoleon's courage was legendary but it was not vain or impetuous. Napoleon was famous for his fastidious attention to detail, for taking pains to study and thoroughly understand every military situation he ever faced. He led the French army in hundreds of minor and major engagements and lost only three, the last one being Waterloo. The more you know about what you face, the lower your level of ignorance, the more courage and confidence you will have naturally. The more time you take to think through a situation, the more capable you will be of dealing with it when it arises. Napoleon planned for every contingency.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Practice the ABC Method
From an e-mail we received from Brian...
By: Brian Tracy
"The first law of success is concentration - to bend all the energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right or to the left." --William Mathews
The more thought you invest in planning and setting priorities before you begin, the more important things you will do and the faster you will get them done once you get started.
The more important and valuable the task is to you, the more you will be motivated to overcome procrastination and launch yourself into the job.
A Simple and Powerful Technique
The ABC Method is a powerful priority setting technique that you can use every single day. This technique is so simple and effective that it can, all by itself, make you one of the most efficient and effective people in your field.
The power of this technique lies in its simplicity. Here's how it works: You start with a list of everything you have to do for the coming day. Think on paper. You then place an A, B, or C before each item on your list before you begin the first task.
Determine Your Top Priorities
An "A" item is defined as something that is very important. This is something that you must do. This is a task for which there can be serious consequences if you do it or fail to do it, like visiting a key customer or finishing a report for your boss that she needs for an upcoming board meeting. These are the frogs of your life.
If you have more than one "A" task, you prioritize these tasks by writing A-1, A-2, A-3, and so on in front of each item. Your A-1 task is your biggest, ugliest frog of all.
Decide on Your Secondary Tasks
A "B" item is defined as a task that you should do. But it only has mild consequences. These are the tadpoles of your work life. This means that someone may be unhappy or inconvenienced if you don't do it, but it is nowhere as important as an "A" task. Returning an unimportant telephone message or reviewing your email would be a "B" task. The rule is that you should never do a "B" task when there is an "A" task left undone. You should never be distracted by a tadpole when there is a big frog sitting there waiting to be eaten.
Analyze the Consequences of Doing It
A "C" task is defined as something that would be nice to do, but for which there are no consequences at all, whether you do it or not. "C" tasks include phoning a friend, having coffee or lunch with a coworker or completing some personal business during work hours. This sort of activity has no affect at all on your work life.
After you have applied the ABC Method to your list, you will now be completely organized and ready to get more important things done faster.
Start on Your A-1 Task
The key to making this ABC Method work is for you to now discipline yourself to start immediately on your "A-1" task and then stay at it until it is complete. Use your willpower to get going and stay going on this one job, the most important single task you could possibly be doing. Eat the whole frog and don't stop until its finished completely.
Your ability to think through, analyze your work list and determine your "A-1" task is the springboard to higher levels of accomplishment, and greater self-esteem, self-respect and personal pride.
When you develop the habit of concentrating on your "A-1," most important activity, you will start getting more done than any two or three people around you.
Action Exercises
Review you work list right now and put an A, B, or C next to each task or activity. Select your A-1 job or project and begin on it immediately. Discipline yourself to do nothing else until this one job is complete.
Practice this ABC Method every day and on every work or project list, before you begin work, for the next month. By that time, you will have developed the habit of setting and working on your highest priority tasks and your future will be assured!
By: Brian Tracy
"The first law of success is concentration - to bend all the energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right or to the left." --William Mathews
The more thought you invest in planning and setting priorities before you begin, the more important things you will do and the faster you will get them done once you get started.
The more important and valuable the task is to you, the more you will be motivated to overcome procrastination and launch yourself into the job.
A Simple and Powerful Technique
The ABC Method is a powerful priority setting technique that you can use every single day. This technique is so simple and effective that it can, all by itself, make you one of the most efficient and effective people in your field.
The power of this technique lies in its simplicity. Here's how it works: You start with a list of everything you have to do for the coming day. Think on paper. You then place an A, B, or C before each item on your list before you begin the first task.
Determine Your Top Priorities
An "A" item is defined as something that is very important. This is something that you must do. This is a task for which there can be serious consequences if you do it or fail to do it, like visiting a key customer or finishing a report for your boss that she needs for an upcoming board meeting. These are the frogs of your life.
If you have more than one "A" task, you prioritize these tasks by writing A-1, A-2, A-3, and so on in front of each item. Your A-1 task is your biggest, ugliest frog of all.
Decide on Your Secondary Tasks
A "B" item is defined as a task that you should do. But it only has mild consequences. These are the tadpoles of your work life. This means that someone may be unhappy or inconvenienced if you don't do it, but it is nowhere as important as an "A" task. Returning an unimportant telephone message or reviewing your email would be a "B" task. The rule is that you should never do a "B" task when there is an "A" task left undone. You should never be distracted by a tadpole when there is a big frog sitting there waiting to be eaten.
Analyze the Consequences of Doing It
A "C" task is defined as something that would be nice to do, but for which there are no consequences at all, whether you do it or not. "C" tasks include phoning a friend, having coffee or lunch with a coworker or completing some personal business during work hours. This sort of activity has no affect at all on your work life.
After you have applied the ABC Method to your list, you will now be completely organized and ready to get more important things done faster.
Start on Your A-1 Task
The key to making this ABC Method work is for you to now discipline yourself to start immediately on your "A-1" task and then stay at it until it is complete. Use your willpower to get going and stay going on this one job, the most important single task you could possibly be doing. Eat the whole frog and don't stop until its finished completely.
Your ability to think through, analyze your work list and determine your "A-1" task is the springboard to higher levels of accomplishment, and greater self-esteem, self-respect and personal pride.
When you develop the habit of concentrating on your "A-1," most important activity, you will start getting more done than any two or three people around you.
Action Exercises
Review you work list right now and put an A, B, or C next to each task or activity. Select your A-1 job or project and begin on it immediately. Discipline yourself to do nothing else until this one job is complete.
Practice this ABC Method every day and on every work or project list, before you begin work, for the next month. By that time, you will have developed the habit of setting and working on your highest priority tasks and your future will be assured!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Find A Market For Your Product or Service
Finding the right market for your product or service can be a daunting task. How do you go about it? How do you find the "target client or customer." Here is a quote from www.paysoncooper.com that we found most interesting and helpful, while doing research for a some clients.
“You can find an extremely hungry market for your product or service. The key is in connecting with your target market and effectively communicating your message.
If your passion is to provide your product or service to help others and to make their lives better you have a responsibility to let them know it exists, you owe that to yourself as well as to them.”
Using this quote and perhaps others that are equally effective or powerful as a guide line can help any business develop a marketing / game plan to get the word out. Tell us about your experiences in "finding the right market."
“You can find an extremely hungry market for your product or service. The key is in connecting with your target market and effectively communicating your message.
If your passion is to provide your product or service to help others and to make their lives better you have a responsibility to let them know it exists, you owe that to yourself as well as to them.”
Using this quote and perhaps others that are equally effective or powerful as a guide line can help any business develop a marketing / game plan to get the word out. Tell us about your experiences in "finding the right market."
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Make Continual Course Corrections
By Brian Tracy
Problems, difficulties, and setbacks are a normal, natural, and unavoidable part of life and business. When you set a new goal or launch toward a new destination, you will experience challenges and difficulties that you never expected or anticipated. By the true test of character is the inevitable and unavoidable crisis. Your ability to solve problems is important, but your ability to deal with a crisis largely determines your success or failure in life.
Leadership Abilities
In a multi-year study conducted at Stanford University, researchers examined the annual performance appraisals of hundreds of presidents and chief executive officers of Fortune 1000 companies, some of the most successful executives in every business or industry. This study revealed that top executives had two dominant qualities in common. The first was the ability to function well as a member of a team. When they were starting out, they were good team players, making valuable contributions to the teams they were on. As they were promoted to more senior positions, they demonstrated the ability to bring together winning teams of talented people and organize them to accomplish important goals and results for their companies.
We received this article by e-mail. Applies to small - midsized business as well.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Invoice Psychology - Smart Business Builder
The other day I ran across a term that caught my attention, " Invoice Psychology."
We all know about invoices, a written billing for goods or services, showing what a customer or client is being billed for, individual line items with quantity a description, price per unit, sales tax, due date etc.
Invoice psychology is especially valuable as a marketing or sales tool for services. In addition to the traditional details of the line items or the invoice in general. Invoice psychology is simply adding value to your service as you add details or additional descriptions to a line item explaining why the service was done, what the service did to resolve a problem and how that service helped to improve the, average or general service performed.
An example might be from a computer repair business. Defrag hard drive and remove viruses.
With Invoice psychology this service might further explain...how many sectors were cleaned up, recovered and with the viruses, how many viruses and the names that were found on the computer, removed or quarantined.
As a professional in your industry...how can you use this "invoice psychology" concept to help up sell or explain the professionalism of your business. It's worth looking at to help increase your bottom line and keep clients in the long run.
Your business is better than your competition, because you know more and explained it...along with the normal billing.
We all know about invoices, a written billing for goods or services, showing what a customer or client is being billed for, individual line items with quantity a description, price per unit, sales tax, due date etc.
Invoice psychology is especially valuable as a marketing or sales tool for services. In addition to the traditional details of the line items or the invoice in general. Invoice psychology is simply adding value to your service as you add details or additional descriptions to a line item explaining why the service was done, what the service did to resolve a problem and how that service helped to improve the, average or general service performed.
An example might be from a computer repair business. Defrag hard drive and remove viruses.
With Invoice psychology this service might further explain...how many sectors were cleaned up, recovered and with the viruses, how many viruses and the names that were found on the computer, removed or quarantined.
As a professional in your industry...how can you use this "invoice psychology" concept to help up sell or explain the professionalism of your business. It's worth looking at to help increase your bottom line and keep clients in the long run.
Your business is better than your competition, because you know more and explained it...along with the normal billing.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Growing Your Business in 2010
2009 is past, what will 2010 bring. Some say, "who knows?" and that's what they will get...who knows.
Plan your 2010 sales objectives and then implement the plan. Whether they be small or larger. A plan of action, with focus and constant execution can bring great results.
Direct mail, door-hangers, flyers, twitter, facebook, web pages, articles all build for your business story, new or on going, a sense of progressive action. Results will come.
From time to time, fine tune your plan if needed and always watch for new ways to tell your story.
Telling your business story...from whm at onewest.net (Wild Horse Media LLC)
Plan your 2010 sales objectives and then implement the plan. Whether they be small or larger. A plan of action, with focus and constant execution can bring great results.
Direct mail, door-hangers, flyers, twitter, facebook, web pages, articles all build for your business story, new or on going, a sense of progressive action. Results will come.
From time to time, fine tune your plan if needed and always watch for new ways to tell your story.
Telling your business story...from whm at onewest.net (Wild Horse Media LLC)
The Need To Lead
By Brian Tracy
The greatest need we have today, in every area, is for men and women to practice the values of integrity, discipline, responsibility, courage, and long time perspective, both as individuals and in their families. These are the key qualities of leadership.
Our society needs leaders at all levels who practice the principles that lead to long-term success. Especially, we need people in positions of authority and political power to support and encourage others, whose lives and work they influence, to develop character and resist the tendency to act expediently in ways that are harmful to themselves and others.
Everyone needs to take "The Values Pledge," to live by it, and then encourage others to live by it. It is only the solid bulwark of character, based on values, virtues, long-term thinking, and the accurate assessment of secondary consequences that can curb and mitigate the destructive influences and behavior of the Expediency Factor (the E-Factor)
Live In Truth
The philosopher Immanuel Kant postulated what he called "The Universal Maxim." He suggested that "you should live your life as though your every act were to become universal law for all people." The very best judge of truth for you is to ask, "Is it true for me?" If everyone was to be encouraged to live their life as though your every act were to become universal principle for all others, most government policies and programs would be abolished overnight. The fact is, that the only way that many "something for nothing" ideas in government and society can be put forward is with the hope that most people will not take advantage of them.
Think about it. What if everyone were to go on welfare? What if everyone were to apply for every government program that was available to them? What if everyone dedicated themselves to doing the very least amount of work that they could get away with? What if everyone began spending all their time trying to get free money from anywhere that it might be available?
The greatest need we have today, in every area, is for men and women to practice the values of integrity, discipline, responsibility, courage, and long time perspective, both as individuals and in their families. These are the key qualities of leadership.
Our society needs leaders at all levels who practice the principles that lead to long-term success. Especially, we need people in positions of authority and political power to support and encourage others, whose lives and work they influence, to develop character and resist the tendency to act expediently in ways that are harmful to themselves and others.
Everyone needs to take "The Values Pledge," to live by it, and then encourage others to live by it. It is only the solid bulwark of character, based on values, virtues, long-term thinking, and the accurate assessment of secondary consequences that can curb and mitigate the destructive influences and behavior of the Expediency Factor (the E-Factor)
Live In Truth
The philosopher Immanuel Kant postulated what he called "The Universal Maxim." He suggested that "you should live your life as though your every act were to become universal law for all people." The very best judge of truth for you is to ask, "Is it true for me?" If everyone was to be encouraged to live their life as though your every act were to become universal principle for all others, most government policies and programs would be abolished overnight. The fact is, that the only way that many "something for nothing" ideas in government and society can be put forward is with the hope that most people will not take advantage of them.
Think about it. What if everyone were to go on welfare? What if everyone were to apply for every government program that was available to them? What if everyone dedicated themselves to doing the very least amount of work that they could get away with? What if everyone began spending all their time trying to get free money from anywhere that it might be available?
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