375 Business - Offline Articles
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Using Internet Fax Comparison Charts To Find The Best Fax Service
Written by: Titus Hoskins
Finding the right Internet fax service to meet all your faxing needs can be a somewhat difficult task. That's why using online fax comparison charts can save you a whole lot of time and money...
Is Your Restaurant Being Robbed By The Busy Signal Bandit?
Written by: Rudy Vener
Be alert for an easily overlooked problem that can cost your restaurant sales.
Increasing Realtor & Mortgage Revenue
Written by: Roger Vetruba
Using online video to add revenue for realtors and mortgage lenders.
Family Business – Why Some Work And Others Fail
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Running a business with members of your family is a desirable prospect for a lot of people. I have found out Five (5) key tasks you need to consider and plan on completing. These tasks must be well on their way to completion before you get to a point of no return in you endeavor because any shortfall may influence the chances of you business being successful and possibly straining your family relationships.
When Your Business Gets Beyond 'start-Up'
Written by: Mark Silver
As surprising as it is inevitable, your business will eventually find itself beyond the 'start-up' phase. You'll have gotten the knack of marketing, creating offers and products, and you'll have a steady flow of customers and clients and cash. And more. And more.
Building An Email List Of 1 Million Subscribers
Written by: Willie Crawford
Back in December 2002, I attended my very first Internet marketing seminar. That seminar was sponsored by Dr. Bob Silber, and I attended because Dr. Silber invited me to be a speaker. Rumors had spread of how well I was doing in 'Internet marketing' with a lead product of 'a soul food cookbook' - of all things.
What You Don't Know About Your Competition Will Hurt You!
Written by: Judy Murdoch
Your marketing is only effective if it addresses the alternatives that your customers see as solutions not the competitors that you believe they are considering. If your marketing doesn't address real alternatives it won't deliver on positioning your business as the best choice, I can guarantee you will see the effects in your (smaller) bottom line.
Whose Restaurant Can You Find Online?
Written by: Rudy Vener
What is so significant about Pizza Hut's latest TV commercial?
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How Long Does It Take To Get A Business Going?
Written by: Mark Silver
Question: What would you think of someone who said this to a five year old? 'It's about time you start earning your keep! I want you to get out there and get a job so you can pay your share of the mortgage. And, while you're at it, here's the keys to the car. Drive down to the store and pick up some groceries.' Doesn't make sense, does it? This person is either cruel, crazy, or out to lunch on the next planet over. This is exactly what many folks do to their new businesses.
Trends In The Wholesale And Retail Loose Leaf Tea Industry
Written by: Jon M. Stout
The tea industry in the United Sates is a growth industry and the role of retailers or value added resellers has played an important part in the overall expansion. Value added resellers and retailers add significant value to the tea industry as they bundle tea offerings with quality dining and other services but they must be supported by comprehensive wholesale programs that are reliable , consistent and profitable.
The Tea Room Business Plan – Mission, Strategy and Tactics
Written by: Marcus Stout
Since the tea room is a relatively simple small business, an elaborate mission statement is overkill. The entrepreneur should decide the reason for the business and what goals the business should accomplish.
The Tea Room Business Plan - Market Research
Written by: Jon M. Stout
Market research is critical to achieving business goals but, like everything else, it can be overdone. The keys to good market research are relevance, focus and economy. This is especially true for the tea room as a new business.
Why You Sometimes Need Get Worse To Get A Lot Better
Written by: Judy Murdoch
To take your business to the next level you don't need Tiger Wood's determination, tenacity, and desire to win. You just need to be willing to do what is right to grow your business even if that requires you to live outside your comfort zone from time to time.
The Tea Room Business Plan: Sales, Promotion and Public Relations
Written by: Marcus Stout
As a tea wholesaler, you can have the best tea room with the highest quality products and service but if you don't promote the business properly, your chances of success will be reduced.
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The Tea Room Business Plan - The Value Added Proposition
Written by: Jon M. Stout
All business represents an exchange of one form or another and the exchange is usually facilitated by money. The essence of the exchange however is the perceived value added on behalf of the customer. If your customer perceives that your offering adds value to their life or business, then there is a good chance that customer will do business with you if you ask for his business.
How The Silent Treatment Creates Customers
Written by: Mark Silver
Sooner or later you will have to ask someone to buy something from you. Whether you have a retail store, and a couple has been admiring an expensive couch for the last 20 minutes, or you are a consultant or coach who has just finished an initial conversation with a potential client, the question is waiting to be asked. 'So, are you ready to buy?'
Why Every Business Needs An Internet Fax Service
Written by: Titus Hoskins
Here are some very good reasons why every business should consider using an Internet fax service. Discover why using Internet or email faxing is a smart business move for any company.
Five Steps To Better Customer Service And More Revenue
Written by: Diana Keith
Learn the best way to improve your customer service along with a five-step plan on how feedback can be used as a powerful business tool to generate more business, leverage change, and forecast growth potential.
Flabby Marketing Thinking
Written by: Robert Middleton
In marketing, there's an equivalent to exercising and pumping iron and that's the topic of this article on marketing for professional service businesses.
I'll Call You Back In A Few Weeks . . .
Written by: Chuck Bauer
Lucky. Yes, lucky. I am lucky that week-in and week-out, I get to sit in and listen to various communication between salespeople and their clients. It never ceases to amaze me how as salespeople we are not aware of some of the things we do and how those actions affect the client-salesperson relationship. More importantly, how our actions with our clients either move us towards or away from closure.
What You Need To Do To Avoid Burning Money On Advertising.
Written by: Mark Silver
Advertising. Curse? Money hole? Or powerful venue? It seems so obvious: where else, for a few hundred dollars, could you get in front of thousands of people? And it's true that many of them are really wanting what you're offering. Unfortunately, the vast majority of advertising ends up being good to wrap fish in, and not much else. People cry up "But it's getting me exposure," and that's true, to a point. However, is it really increasing sales? Is it really getting people the help they need?
Four Steps That Make Asking For Referrals Easy And Pain-free
Written by: Judy Murdoch
When it comes to referrals, the most frequent request I get from small business owners is 'Do you have a script I can use when I ask my customers to send me referrals?'
The Master Marketing Skill
Written by: Robert Middleton
Make learning how to give presentations and talks a priority in your development as a professional. It's a skill that will pay for itself thousands of times over in the course of your career.
Interpersonal Skills: How To Use Sales Psychology To Create Longer, Lasting Sales-Winning Relationships
Written by: Gregory Stebbins
A participant in one of my recent seminars asked me, 'Can I rearrange my client's office during a sales presentation?' The sales person had gone to an initial meeting where the chairs in the office were about eight feet from the customer's desk. He wanted to know if it was OK to just pick up one of the chairs and move it next to the desk and start his presentation.
Fire, Ready, Aim Marketing
Written by: Robert Middleton
One of the dumbest marketing mistakes is failing implementing what you already know. You may read a lot, buy online programs, attend seminars and yet still implement a fraction of what you've learned.
Beating Your Competition: How To Easily And Cheaply Win The Hearts & Wallets Of Your Competitors Clients
Written by: Mike Kaselnak
How do you stack the cards in your favor when playing for money? You try to find out your competitors weak spot, don't you? If your opponent has a crappy backhand where do you hit the ball? Here is a strategy to win your competitors clients.
Risking By Not Risking
Written by: Robert Middleton
I've often been asked, 'What is the biggest mistake you've made in your business?' And the first one that comes to mind was not creating and selling products much sooner. I was in business for years and years before I created my first product. Up to that point I only offered consulting and workshops. And why didn't I create and sell products sooner? Simple. I was afraid of doing it wrong. I didn't want to risk making a mistake.
Super Bowl Marketing: How To Market Your Business by the Month
Written by: Tammy M. Ratcliff
Marketing your business can be as easy as looking at a 12-month calendar. There is some kind of holiday or sporting event during each month of the year. Even if the event has nothing to do with your field of expertise, you can still take advantage of it by using a little creativity. Below are some ideas to get you started.
'Are We There Yet?' How To Create 'Overnight Success' In Your Business.
Written by: Mark Silver
A person I admire has a very successful business. He's sharp, personable, funny, smart, and helpful. And, the products and services he provides are top-notch. He's sold thousands of them, and his business is operating at a level much higher than mine.
Declaring an Authentic Niche Market
Written by: Molly Gordon
For years I struggled with the concept of niche. I knew that choosing the right niche market was considered essential to business success, yet for me, as for many professionals, choosing a niche felt like the kiss of death.
Why Things Remain Broken
Written by: Mark Silver
As you probably already know, the focus I have is in supporting people who want to use their business to make a difference in the world. To make things better. If you're reading this, chances are you've seen something about the world that leaves you dissatisfied, longing for something better, more true, more real, more nourishing.
In Marketing It's The Little Things That Count
Written by: Judy Murdoch
You don't need to spend millions of dollars on advertising, fancy promotions, and big events to get your prospect's attention and interest. Seven or more well-executed impressions delivered over a period of weeks or months will enable you to build the visibility and credibility needed to create profitable customer relationships.
5 Essential Tools For Your Marketing Toolkit
Written by: Robert Lynch
Read about five easy tools you can use to extend your marketing reach beyond traditional methods and about the advantages of having a strategic, integrated marketing plan.
The Questions Behind The Questions
Written by: Robert Middleton
One of the greatest confusions in talking about, and marketing, professional services is that we tend to answer the questions about our services at face value.
Dumping Powerpoint
Written by: Robert Middleton
The purpose of presentations is to persuade. To make your case you need to be both prepared and passionate. Dump your PowerPoint slides and get your ideas across as if your future depended on it.
Online Ordering? C'mon, This Is A Pizza Shop.
Written by: Rudy Vener
What prevents the small, family owned restaurants from benefitting from the internet? Read how one restaurant overcame this obstacle.
What My Grandpa Taught Me About How To Succeed In My Online Business
Written by: Garett Plummer
Yep, I learned a lot about operating a successful online business from my grandpa's generation. I think back to how things were done when I was a boy, and I still see brilliance in their advertising methods and techniques.
Three Steps To Success Anyone Can Duplicate
Written by: Clinton Douglas IV
Success means different things to different people. Whatever your definition of success, this article will help you realize your goals.
'Why you should sell something before it exists'
Written by: Mark Silver
One of the members of The Business Oasis was struggling with getting her first book written. We gave her all kinds of helpful support around it, ('it really helped!' she told us). And then came the suggestion with the biggest 'fear' factor: "Why don't you pre-sell your book to your customers before you're finished?" I don't if you've noticed, but there seems to be an awfully loooooooong lag time between thinking of a new offer, creating the offer, and then finally having it in your grateful customers' hands. Most major corporations take, on average, 18 months to think of a new product and get it out into the marketplace.
Price Setting: My Clients Will Leave If I Raise My Prices. Really?
Written by: Molly Gordon
Has price setting been a prime concern for you recently? If you hesitate to raise your prices because you are afraid your clients will leave, take the issue to inquiry using The Work of Byron Katie. Here is how it can work...
Set A Success Strategy
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Every manager should have a success strategy in place that he or she can follow. A success strategy is not only good for them, but it can also help their employees succeed as well. By having a success strategy in place, you will be able to track your results, and then deal with any shortcomings appropriately.
Beyond The Marketing Message
Written by: Robert Middleton
This week someone asked me the question: 'How does an Audio Logo differ from a meme, from a sizzler, from a tagline?' Here's my definition of these terms.
Internet Fax Is Faxing Done Right
Written by: Titus Hoskins
Internet fax is simply using the Internet and email to send your faxes. You sign up with an online fax provider to get a local or toll-free fax number. You can send and receive your faxes as email attachments wherever you access the web. Many believe it is faxing done right!
Make Your Meetings More Productive
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Oh no, not another meeting request! We all dread the meeting invitation, not because of the content, but because a majority of meetings we have to attend are so poorly run.
Beating The Competition
Written by: Robert Middleton
The "beat your competition" mentality is, at best, severely limiting; at worst, it's evil and destructive. You don't need to go there to be more successful than you can possibly imagine.
Right Pricing, or Pricing for Exclusivity
Written by: Mark Silver
You know the price you want to charge. But, you worry. You worry that some people won't be able to pay. More than that, you worry about issues of social and economic justice. You worry whether the price that feels good to your heart is somehow 'wrong' or off-the-scale of morality. How do you reckon between the price that feels good to your heart, and that really supports you and your business, versus your perception of what people can pay?
Keeping Your Business Profitable Into The 21st Century
Written by: Will Gruver
Whenever a storm ravages through an area, it is not only homes and people that are affected. Many businesses lose infinite amounts of money after storm damage forces them to temporarily shut down, as a result of power blackouts. The direct result of power outages is frequently significant revenue loss and the possible loss of customers.
7 Steps To Creating A Successful Small Business Marketing Plan
Written by: Robert Moment
Small business marketing is all about determining the needs of your target market and then providing solutions to meet those needs. These 7 steps are aimed at entrepreneurs starting a small business and those who want to create a successful small business marketing plan for an existing business.
Trust Is A Story
Written by: Robert Middleton
One of the terms that's frequently bandied about in business and marketing is "trust." This is an important topic, in fact marketing is all about trust. It's about how you create it, build it and maintain it.
The Best Marketing Book I've Ever Read (You'll Be Surprised)
Written by: Judy Murdoch
From time to time someone asks me to recommend marketing books. Here's one of my favorite marketing books that always surprises people. Curious? Read on.
Helpful Questions And Tips on Niche Marketing
Written by: Molly Gordon
My clients and students are surprised and delighted to discover that a refined niche marketing strategy not only attracts significantly more business but also provides richer opportunities for self expression. To help you discern your own market niche, try using "where" and "who" questions.
The Art Of Remarkable Leadership
Written by: Gail Solish
Leadership is defined as the capacity or ability to guide others to accomplish an objective. To provide leadership, one needs to be a leader. What qualities do you believe are required by a good leader and how does one become a leader? Although some people have natural leadership skills, good leaders are made not born.
How the Kitchen Sink Drains Your Repeat Business
Written by: Mark Silver
Why -do- clients come back? The real reason they keep coming back. They come back because they actually used what you offered them. And it's gone. They ate it all up, and they want more. The Garbage Disposal Disaster. How many CDs are you stuffing down your customer's drain?
Marketing Messages That Work
Written by: Robert Middleton
Want a great marketing message? Create it based on the following four steps...
Delegate Or Die: 6 Steps For Business Growth
Written by: Rick Sloboda
To achieve business growth, you need to focus on your strengths and hire others to take care of the rest. Unfortunately, entrepreneurs often fail to employ this fundamental business growth strategy. Here are six steps to help you delegate successfully.
Self Promotion: The Rule of Threes - Get Them Talking About You!
Written by: Molly Gordon
It seems that most folks I talk to these days want to build their business by word of mouth. That stands to reason. Word of mouth implies maximum acceptance by prospective customers and clients and minimal investment on part of the business. But how on earth do you get word of mouth started?
Can Mom and Pop Restaurants Successfully Market Online?
Written by: Rudy Vener
How can a mom and pop restaurant compete with the big boys? The Internet can level the marketing playing field if you do it right.
Strategic Planning That Actually Works: The Five Step Plan The not-so-secret secret to business success
Written by: Mark Wardell
Every business owner knows that planning is a good idea. The problem is that planning takes more time than most business owners feel they have. It's a catch 22. One thing is certain though: it is impossible to get off the entrepreneurial treadmill without stopping to think about where you want your business to go.
Marketing Yourself: Forget The Little Mistakes
Written by: Robert Middleton
In this article I'll focus on seven big things you need to pay attention to in order to market effectively. Miss doing these and you're in deep trouble. And miss them we do, because we're too focused on the sharks.
Objections - The Ten Foot Wall
Written by: Robert Middleton
I've found that there are three big objections that frequently come up when anyone is looking at retaining the services of a professional. This is assuming everything else fits. They have the need and you have the services that can help them. They like you and trust you and you are both excited about the possibilities. But then an objection bomb falls. So what do you do?
How To Effectively Find & Work With Sales Reps
Written by: Mark Wardell
Outside sales reps, or agents, can be an excellent tool for rapidly growing a business. But, like any tool, they are only effective if they fit the job. So before you sign up your first agent, you'll want to take time to consider your needs.
Three Reasons NOT to Ask for Referrals
Written by: Judy Murdoch
When someone asks me what is the one thing they can do to get more referrals, I almost always say, "ask for them." That's because most small business owners err on the side of not asking for referrals. They don't ask because they're afraid to bug people, they don't want to appear needy, they're not sure what precisely to say, and so on.
Avoiding The Third Degree Syndrome In Marketing
Written by: Mark Silver
When you last wrote a flyer or a webpage, or when you last read one, what was the first bit of text on it, after the headline? I'm willing to bet you beads to bogarts that it was a series of questions. It's a common way to start out your writing, because it's easy. Unfortunately... it's not so effective.
Private Label Drinking Water For The Hospitality And Lodging Industry: Building Brand Awareness and Customer Loyalty in a Competitive Environment
Written by: Marcus Stout
The Hospitality and Lodging Industry in the United States is booming with strong growth in overall revenues and average price per room. Notwithstanding external factors such as international terrorism and the rapid rise in fuel costs, most industry forecasts predict continued growth in revenue.
Marketing Your Pizza In The Workplace
Written by: Rudy Vener
Is your restaurant missing out on the office pizza party or department meeting lunch? Here's how you can be the first choice when a secretary needs to order a dozen pizzas for her department's business function.
Customer Service Tips: What Do Your Customers Really Want?
Written by: Molly Gordon
How is your 'just right' customer like a best friend? Like a best friend, your just-right customer wants what you do the way you do it, not what you think you need to do it to compete. They want you to be authentic and clear so that what you advertise is what they get.
Private Label Water And Event Planning - Pure Water for Memorable Events
Written by: Marcus Stout
Events are an important part of corporate life. A well planned event can forcefully convey a clear corporate message and engage participants in the respective corporate culture.
Customer Service And The Bottled Water Industry - Pure Water and the Customer Promise
Written by: Jon M. Stout
Almost every company discusses, at length, the need for customer service and the significance of supplying true excellence to its customers. However, very few actually follow through with what it takes to attain this excellence. This is particularly true in the bottled water business since not all providers share the opinion that customer service is of the utmost importance in any business.
Private Label Drinking Water - Pure Water as a Powerful Brand Builder
Written by: Marcus Stout
All firms need to establish a strong brand in order to effectively compete with and be distinguished from other companies similar to theirs. A strong brand allows individual ideals that convey the durability and power of the company, its products and service offerings, in addition to showing how its offering is distinctive from other products; it clearly expresses features and benefits that appeal to the marketplace and individual customers.
15 Ways To Win Clients With Speeches
Written by: Henry DeVries
Many of the top earning professionals and consultants know that promoting their business with public speaking is the best way to build credibility and keep their pipeline filled with qualified prospects. Here are 15 ways to woo and win clients with public speaking.
Private Labeled Drinking Water And The Martial Arts Company
Written by: Jon M. Stout
Martial arts training is an important contributor to the health and wellness of American culture and it combines physical fitness with a lifestyle that emphasizes discipline, honesty, respect for authority and the rights of others.
5 Ways To Get Paid To Market Your Service
Written by: Henry DeVries
Truly, the best proactive lead generation strategy is to regularly demonstrate your expertise by giving informative and entertaining talks in front of targeted groups of potential new clients. The trick is knowing who to contact to get booked as a speaker and developing a topic that will draw the right audience.
Three Simple Bank Training Ideas To Improve Customer Loyalty
Written by: Ray Adler
There can be no greater work related priority than when we are interacting with a customer, either in person or on the phone. Each employee must be keenly aware that the only thing that sets your business apart from your competitors – long term – is how you make your customers feel whenever they are interacting with an employee.
Increase Sales And Customer Satisfaction By Reducing On-Hold Call-Drops
Written by: George DaSilva
Nearly every business faces the prospect of putting customers on hold. According to the Telemarketing Magazine, 'over 70% of business callers are put on-hold...'
How to Jumpstart Your Business With Joint Ventures
Written by: Cheryl Miller
Joint ventures are an old but profitable way of doing marketing. With all the changing ways of promoting your business, this is an old classic method that still works well. Joint ventures can be used online or offline and are very cost effective and in some cases entirely free. It is simply two businesses partnering together, so that both will profit.
Personalized Bottled Water For Sporting Events And Participants
Written by: Marcus Stout
Sports and athletics are such a pervasive force in American culture that few people can avoid its impact. Memories of an important game, event, score or sports outing are often long lasting whether they are at the institution, team or individual level. Personalized bottled drinking water is an excellent way to create lasting memories and produce high-quality messages. Branding messages are available for teams, institutions and individuals.
Turning Tire-Kickers Into Mouse Clickers
Written by: Casey Moher
You have many options open to you for raising the number of visitors to your site. These methods come with a wide variety of results and difficulty. I have tried and tested many of them using a variety of approaches. This is an approach that works very well.
Networking Tips For Business And Career Success
Written by: Rose Bevington
Being a business leader is hard work, and then there is always the stress of keeping the various aspects of a business moving in a positive direction. Having the right people to turn to in times of need is always an important consideration for business owners and managers.
Back End Selling-making the real money
Written by: Cheryl Miller
Anyone who has been in marketing, and has their own product, will tell you that the vast majority of your profits will be in back end products. Surprisingly enough many people seem to forget this and after the initial sales seem to fizzle out like a brightly glowing meteor or firework.
How Did You Hear About Us?
Written by: Kevin M. Stirtz
An expert marketer gives advice on how to tell which marketing brings in the customers.
Tradeshows And Networking Is The Lifeblood Of Industry
Written by: Rose Bevington
Staying on the cutting edge of your industry is important to all business leaders. Having access to the latest technologies and innovations allows you to stay at the front of your field.
Innovative Methods In Studying Target Audiences
Written by: Chloe Leery
Today, advertising relies on capturing specific demographics' prime interests and selling what they exactly desire through whatever available means. However, now, it has the possibility in the future to develop ads geared towards the exact individual need and desire. Advertising has the possibility and potential to eventually overtake and target each individual's personal senses.
Virtual Phone Service Companies Create The Ultimate Image For Small Businesses
Written by: Ingrid Stenquist
The image of a virtual office phone service company is integral for gaining new and retaining old clients. All that is needed in order to install the VOIP system is a regular PC, the proper software systems, and a headset for making outgoing calls. These forms of phone service companies are an easier alternative for small home-owned businesses to add on more customers and sculpt out their growing endeavors.
Thinking About Sales: On Entertaining Your Customers
Written by: Dave Kahle
How much time should I spend entertaining my customers? Good question. The practice of entertaining customers is one of those issues that needs to be rethought.
Lead Qualification: Getting to No
Written by: Bob Leonard
Why quickly getting to 'no', can dramatically increase your marketing return on investment. Learn how to qualify prospects out of your sales funnel. Get rid of the leads that you'll never close. Focus your time and efforts on the prospects that will.
Virtual Office Benefits
Written by: Chloe Leery
An actual virtual office is a place where people are available to simulate Telecommunications and addresses for agents. The service that employees provide you with are answering telephones and forwarding mail. More commonly, the virtual office is created by small businesses and organizations that are hoping to give companies and multiple clients a bigger image and more respect.
Help for 'Hard to Refer' Businesses
Written by: Judy Murdoch
Knowing that customer and client referrals are the most effective form of marketing for small businesses, how can you encourage your customers and clients to send you referrals?
Beyond Self-Promotion: Why Good People Should Sell Themselves
Written by: Molly Gordon
If you work for yourself, and are perhaps a teeny weeny bit resistant to selling, this wake up call is for you. It is possible that 'learning to sell' -- as opposed to learning how to promote yourself -- is not on your priority list. But, if you truly care about your customers, self promotion deserves your attention.
Does The Post Office Still Deliver Mail? Hardly!
Written by: Michael Lodispoto
It is becoming extremely difficult to mail a letter these days, even if local delivery is only expected. The United States Postal Service has degraded to such an extent that they now routinely throw 'undeliverable' and 'return to sender' stickers on a large proportion of letters. It doesn't matter what state you are in and what kind of letters you are mailing. The Post Office is now an enemy of small business and regular folks. In fact if you want to mail anything to anywhere, beware of the recent events transpiring all over the United States.
The Salary Negotiation Dance During A Job Interview
Written by: Carole Martin
To perform the job interview salary negotiation dance steps, you must have a good sense of balance. Knowing your value and your worth will help you feel more confident about staying in step during the salary negotiation process. The employer takes the lead and you follow, staying with the rhythm. You move together through the interview process; aware of the other, taking care not to step on one another. The salary negotiation dance is never confrontational or harsh, but smooth and in harmony.
How To Attract & Keep Top Talent
Written by: Mark Wardell
Every entrepreneur knows that a business is only as good as its people. But ironically, I hear more complaints from business owners about their employees these days than almost anything else.
How To Write A 300 Page Book In Four Months
Written by: Mark Silver
There's a lot of hoopla about becoming an author of your very own business book. The promise of fame and fortune is very alluring. Yet your book remains perpetually 'about to be' written. Meanwhile your business has ground to a halt. Hmmm... might there be a better way to get a book written?
Are You Making It Hard For People To Buy From You?
Written by: Judy Murdoch
Think no small business owner in his or her right mind would ever make it difficult for people to purchase their products and services? Before you answer the question, read the following true story.
So You Want To Franchise Your Restaurant? Things to consider before taking the leap
Written by: David Scott Peters
So you want to franchise your restaurant concept. You think that if you start to franchise you'll be rich. You think that because you don't have to actually run all the new stores, your people problems are over because you don't have all those employee problems. Maybe, maybe not.
Essential Skills For Creating A Dynamite Relationship With Your Boss
Written by: Gail Solish
At some point in our lives most of us will be working for someone else, so it is important to fully understand what makes our boss tick and how best to interact and influence him or her. How much attention have you given to your boss's personality style? How does she function? What seems to agitate or please her? If we have a difficult boss we focus on what drives us crazy. If we have a great boss we tend to take things for granted. Recognizing the factors which contribute to creating the most successful, powerful working relationship is a skill to be utilized throughout one's career.
When You Feel So Pressured To Make Money You Can't Think
Written by: Mark Silver
Your marriage falls apart, you or your partner is laid-off, or your spouse gets ill and you lose half your household income. The financial pressures sweep in like a sudden high tide, and as one of my clients wrote me, 'I feel so pressured to make money I can't think.' What do you do in a situation like this? 'Forget about the bladdy-blah-blah of patience and organic growth, man! I need to make the rent like, yesterday!'
The Tea Room Business Plan -- Start Up
Written by: Marcus Stout
Although there are many opportunities for tea rooms as successful businesses, success requires planning. But before the planning process starts the budding entrepreneur needs to evaluate their personal psychological, emotional and financial preparation for the task ahead.
The Tea Room Business Plan – Basic Concepts
Written by: Jon M. Stout
Business planning and the start of a new tea room venture is more of a process than an event. A new business is a separate entity that is very much like a garden: planning is required to start, certain mandatory steps are required and constant management and pruning must occur to produce a successful venture.
The Tea Room Business Plan – First Steps And Start Up Basics
Written by: Marcus Stout
Every venture starts with the first steps and a business plan for a quality tea room is no exception. Well thought out first steps, properly implemented, will pay dividends in the business operations of the tea room in later years.
Learning To Be Self-Employed When The Boss Is A Tyrant
Written by: Mark Silver
You commute to work in your slippers. You can take a nap whenever you like. You set your hours, your work schedule, everything. You've done it-- you've finally reached that nirvana called self-employment. So why are you so often exhausted and uncreative?
Why People Fail To Get Results From Their Marketing
Written by: Fraser J. Hay
4 simple reasons why you might not be getting the results from your marketing both online and offline.
Organizational Leadership Report On Increasing Business Productivity
Written by: Sharif Khan
Organizational Leadership change management book report/executive summary on increasing business productivity by creating a heroic work environment.
Small Business Owners Who Manage Cash Flow Well Profit Tremendously
Written by: Braxton Heitz
Starting a business is always a tremendous undertaking. It is the most stressful undertaking a person could ever attempt to do. Most new business owners fail to understand that running a business is a complex operation, which will require the business owner/manager to pull many hat tricks to stay afloat.
Need Support? Phone Home! Employers Paying Call Center Service Reps To Work From Home!
Written by: Anne Sych
In the U.S today millions of employees work from home part-time or full-time, either on a regular basis or occasionally. This increasingly popular trend of telecommuting has migrated into the world of customer support. The CSR (customer service representative) you are calling may not be in a busy corporate call center, but in her home, miles away from company operations.
When To Get Business Help And When To Go It Alone
Written by: Mark Silver
It's a sorta no-brainer when you need help in business: flummoxed, bewildered, stuck. But what kind of help do you really need? It's a big question. Without the right support and education, everything you're working for can fall apart. But, the wrong support can be expensive, time-consuming and overwhelming.
Cost of Poor Quality
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
What are your business costs due to poor quality (CoPQ) and their effect on your bottom line?
Six Easy Steps for Getting Started with Presentations that Promote Your Business
Written by: Judy Murdoch
The topic of how to establish yourself as an expert speaker is a huge one. There are literally thousands of books, websites, classes, and coaching programs on the subject.
Flipping, Retailing, Leasing, Options, Short Sales? Confused By All The Strategies Out There? I Was Too!
Written by: Donna Robinson
Many programs, seminars and boot camps on real estate teach a specific step-by-step strategy in an attempt to help newbie's learn how to become a real estate investor. I have taken such strategy based classes, and have taught them too.
Why 83% of Sales Teams Fail and What to Do About It?
Written by: Rod McKinnis
As a consultant I've seen companies make some costly mistakes in regard to sales. We uncovered a secret that changed our way of thinking about sales and sales management that still causes many companies to struggle today. Instead of wasting energy on the actual sales results, we shifted our focus and energy to the activities that led to the desired sales results. We maintained a maniacal focus on the Science of Selling.
Is Breaking Through To Reach the Next Level of Your Business Hard To Do?
Written by: Ali Rodriguez
To win, we raise the bar of our expectations. In so doing, we must deal with the inner voices that tell us how unable we are to achieve what we want.
Why Vacations Just Don't Work
Written by: Mark Silver
When you're exhausted from working, overwhelmed, burnt-out, little visions come visiting. Visions of distant beaches, cabin hide-aways, foreign adventures. Vacation-land. And so, off you go, on vacation. And, when you come back, by noon on Monday you're as exhausted as you were when you left. Did you take the wrong vacation? Or is there something wrong with vacations?
6 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Your Business
Written by: Cheryl Miller
When you first think about starting your business there is a lot of excitement and hope. However after the first rush of adrenalin, you realize that you are not as confident as you thought you were. Nagging doubts about your ability to achieve success start to creep in and you find yourself getting overwhelmed.
Have You Experienced the *Chicken Little* Syndrome?
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Every day in business and/or our personal lives we encounter situations that at first appear to be catastrophic. After a little investigation we often find things are not as bad as they first appeared. How do you handle these situations? Do the people involved go running around as in the story we all know, Chicken Little? I refer to this crazy reaction as the *Chicken Little* syndrome.
How Effective Is Your Sales & Marketing? 10 Tips for Quickly Assessing Whether You're Winning or Losing.
Written by: Kurt D. Lynn
10 Tips for Quickly Assessing Whether You're Winning or Losing.
Is Internet Marketing Life or Death?
Written by: Steve Crawford
Internet Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, and Network Marketing are simply tools that you can use to fight for a better life. They can allow you to leave your job, free up time, and end your long commute to work.
The Right Words To Get The Job You Want
Written by: Deborah Brown-Volkman
A job interview is a screening tool. Employers want to know if you will fit in. They are assessing whether they like you and if you are a good match for the position.
Offering A Guarantee Without Losing Your Shirt
Written by: Mark Silver
You may be offering a guarantee, but nervously, or perhaps not offering one at all. What if a bunch of your clients ask for their money back? Sluuurrrrrpppp... there goes your business, down the drain. What makes a guarantee safe for you?
Angelina Jolie Would Be Proud Of This African Floral Farm
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Angelina Jolie has become as well known for her efforts to make the world a better place as she is for her movie roles. She's done charitable work for many African countries. As such, she'd probably be very happy to hear that one flower producer located in Kenya has made the move to using environmentally friendly geothermal energy to heat its greenhouses.
If You Resist Marketing, Then You Can Be Great
Written by: Mark Silver
Do you offer something miraculous, sacred, or holy, or something that's really darn good, and yet you resist marketing it? Your resistance to marketing is healthy. The problem isn't with you, it's a misunderstanding about marketing, and attraction.
The Top Benefits Of Using An Internet Fax Service
Written by: Titus Hoskins
If you're not presently using an Internet or email fax service you could be losing out on a lot of benefits and advantages. Any company or individual must closely examine the benefits of using Internet fax - you may be pleasantly surprised at what you will discover.
Florist From Pamela Anderson's Native Canada Wins Award
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Pamela Anderson was born in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada, the same country where a flower shop called Bayview Blossoms recently received an award for making its shop easy for people in wheelchairs to visit and move freely about the store.
Make Your Meetings More Productive
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Oh no, not another meeting request! We all dread the meeting invitation, not because of the content, but because a majority of meetings we have to attend are so poorly run. You know a good productive meeting vs. the unstructured, why am I here, one. Do not let the next meeting you hold or attend be poorly executed. You have the ability to hold a productive meeting and influence a poorly run meeting headed in the right direction by implementing a basic strategy.
A Common Sense Approach to Defining Your Marketing Niche
Written by: Judy Murdoch
One of the biggest errors I see small businesses make is the reluctance to define a niche because they're worried about missing potential revenue from prospects outside their niche.
Chicago Florist Follows In Oprah Winfrey's Do-Gooder Footsteps
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Life isn't always easy, but it sure can turn out great. It seems a florist in Chicago has found that good things can result from some of the bad turns life occasionally throws us.
Time Management - Why you need it !
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
One of the most overlooked skills in the business world is time management. Without this you will never be able to achieve your maximum level of success. Time management skills go a long way in ensuring that you get all of your work done on time and efficiently. There are a couple of tips that you can follow to make sure that your time management skills are the best they can be.
Does Competition Knot up YOUR Nylons?
Written by: Kim Duke
Take a good look at your competition and what they are doing RIGHT and challenge yourself to improve in another area.
PDAs Vs Laptops For Your Business Tool Of Choice
Written by: Titus Hoskins
For many small and large businesses equipping your staff or workers with the right business tool does present a small dilemma: should you go with a PDA or a Laptop? Examining the features and benefits of both these technical marvels will help you or your company make the right decision.
Frustrated by Micromanagement?
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Residing in a micromanaged environment is very stressful and very difficult to flourish in. Micromanagement does not offer a person the flexibility or creativity we all desire when completing assignments or tasks. Understanding what factors may be contributing to the micromanagement situation you are in can help you decide on your next steps.
Keeping People Motivated
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
As we approach the summer months, many people will be distracted from work or normal routines by increased outdoor activities, vacations and our kids out of school, business cycles and even the warmer weather. Your challenge as a parent, manager or small business owner is how to keep people motivated to perform their assignments.
Some In Snowstorm Made It Through With Ps2 Or Xbox, But Florists Worked To Keep Customers Happy
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
When a colossal storm dumped tons of precipitation, felled trees, and flooded roads on December 14th, 2006 in Washington state, many welcomed the rough weather as a time to stay indoors and while away the time playing PS2 or XBox. But, many Washington florists braved the storms to ensure their customers received the flowers they'd ordered and that their precious stock was safe.
Hillary Duff's Generation May Buy More Flowers Thanks To A Loyola College Study
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
How do people like Hillary Duff who are in the 18 to 30 year old age range feel about flowers? Well, that's exactly what three teams of advertising students at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland set out to discover for a class project.
4 Secrets of Hula Hoop Selling!
Written by: Kim Duke
On the week-end, I had an Endurance Hula-Hoop contest with my 8 and 11 year old nieces! They had a fabulous time laughing at their aunt as I fumbled with the purple hula hoop.
6 Great School Friendly Ideas for Your Restaurant Marketing
Written by: Ian Macdonald
This is very beneficial for the entire community and is also lots of fun. It not only makes the children aware of your restaurant, but also every parent and teacher. By promoting to and assisting a school close to your restaurant, it shows that you are a responsible corporate and caring member of your community. You are getting the restaurant's name and credibility out to areas of your community that might not otherwise be aware of you.
The Working Parent's Home Office - Organization for Success
Written by: Ruby River
If you're a parent that works at home, you already know about the ongoing conflict between your business and your family obligations. Home based businesses are rapidly becoming the norm in our world of high technology. As a parent, this is great news, as it allows you to be in the house with your kids while still creating a necessary income.
10 Ways to Stay Ahead of Your Restaurant Competition - Part 2
Written by: Ian Macdonald
Every restaurant owner should constantly be taking an objective look at how well your restaurant is doing. Staying ahead of the competition will keep you on your toes. Here in part 2 of this article, we look at more ways you can get a good report card.
Family Members in Business Together – Is it Right For You?
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Running a business with members of your family is a desirable prospect for some people; let me give you five (5) items to consider before you get to a point of no return that may influence the chances of your business not being successful and possibly straining your family relationships.
Why Your Customers Lie To You
Written by: Mark Silver
In 1985 the Coca Cola Corporation spent gobs on the best marketing research money could buy, and asked thousands of people their opinion. Armed with overwhelming statistics, and clear answers from a huge number of people, they launched New Coke. ,000,000 down the drain.
Setting Boundaries. What?...Boundaries That Empower the Work at Home Entrepreneur
Written by: Ruby River
With the ever increasing stressors and decreases of today's work environment, more people are deciding to move out of employment and move into a home based business. This decision is being made for a variety of reasons, and while the end line is usually the bottom line, flexibility, more often than not, is the key objective.
How to Build a Really Great Business? (Super Success Secrets from a Legendary Business Master)
Written by: Chet Holmes
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state of upheaval. Is your company doing better than most? Are you placing greater emphasis on pure performance?
10 Ways to Stay Ahead of Your Restaurant Competition - Part 1
Written by: Ian Macdonald
Every restaurant owner should constantly be taking an objective look at how well your restaurant is doing. Staying ahead of the competition will keep you on your toes. Here are some ways you can get a good report card.
Ladies - Start Your Sales Engines!
Written by: Kim Duke
You've got to be willing to put yourself out there and put POWERFUL SURGES of energy into your business if you want to experience the THRILL of SUCCESS.
Why You Must Have a Vision
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
I know . . . I know . . . I am not telling anyone something new by writing about this topic. Every now and then we all need to be reminded of what we have learned, re-think how it applies to our current situation and implement actions as appropriate. Basically, I just wanted to emphasize the importance of having a vision statement.
Your Restaurant Staff Are Your Greatest Asset
Written by: Ian Macdonald
Always hire employees who like people. You want people that are enthusiastic and fun. Restaurant people need to be 'people people'. You do not hire people that are just looking for a job and after the money that goes with it. That will be a recipe for disaster for any restaurant. You want people that want that job because it's what they enjoy.
12 Simple Steps to Effective Websites
Written by: Nancy Fraser
Many people do feel at sea after they launch their website and attempt to navigate the sometimes confusing channels of the internet. They wonder why their website doesn't get more traffic and why their inbox is not filling up with emails from people clamoring to buy their products or services.
The Pros of Business Mediation
Written by: Austen Koberstein
Business mediation is becoming a very popular approach used to settle disputes in the business community. These disagreements may come between business partners or even between two different businesses (this is referred to as B2B). No matter what the business relationship is, mediation has several advantages over a public legal battle.
A bit of History - and the Future of Network Marketing
Written by: Ruby River
It's an exciting world we live in today and one far different than the world of fifty-years ago. There are very few things in our society now that existed five decades ago, and if they do exist, they have certainly changed in a great many ways.
Learning About Your Competition
Written by: Dave Kahle
'I'm concerned about what my competition may be doing. I know I should be aware of what they're doing, but I'm not sure how I can find that out.' This is an issue that's growing in importance.
How To Make 2007 Your Best Year Ever
Written by: Dan Lok
Looking back at 2006, I think I accomplished about 80% of the goals I set for myself. I feel good about where I am. I hit almost all my business and financial goals, and missed a few personal ones (like having a six-pack) but that's ok. I am still working on that. Overall 2006 was a great year for me. Now I want to talk to you about how to make 2007 your most profitable year ever. There are five keys I guarantee will help you have a successful year.
Myspace Celebrated 3 Years, But Adelaide's Florists & Decorators Celebrated 70!
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Founded in July of 2003, the popular website MySpace.com celebrated three years of business in 2006. That's a great accomplishment, but Adelaide's Florists and Decorators in La Jolla, California has them topped; they celebrated an astounding 70 years in business with a huge open-house that doubled as a charity event benefiting the local Alzheimer's chapter.
If Lindsay Lohan Is Hospitalized In England, She May Not Receive Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
A hospital in Gorleston, England, which is northeast of London, has made the decision to no longer allow the delivery of flowers to patients' rooms.
Six steps for saving a good referral gone bad
Written by: Judy Murdoch
Referral-based marketing is one of best ways for a small business to promote its products and to attract new customers. It's how I've grown my business and it's how I help my clients grow their businesses. too.
Sales Advice From An 8-Year Old!
Written by: Kim Duke
From the mouths of babes, if you sit and listen to children talk, you might just learn something. I did, and this is what I learned.
Are Your Customer's Satisfied?
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Do you monitor how satisfied your customers are with the service or product provided to them? If you do, great, if not, you definitely need to start. The reason to maintain customer loyalty is obvious; look at all the competition that is in the market place. Customer loyalty to you and your product or service is a key component to maintaining a successful business.
20 Great Restaurant Ideas To Promote Customer Loyalty – Part 2
Written by: Ian Macdonald
It does not matter how well your restaurant is doing or what marketing you have planned, there are always lots of little things you can do that cost virtually no money. Here are some great ideas that we find are very effective in building customer loyalty...
20 Great Restaurant Ideas To Promote Customer Loyalty – Part 1
Written by: Ian Macdonald
It does not matter how well your restaurant is doing or what marketing you have planned, there are always lots of little things you can do that cost virtually no money. Here are some great ideas that we find are very effective in building customer loyalty...
Online Learning For Florists Is As Informative As Wikipedia
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Organizations in the floral industry, including FTD and the Society of American Florists (SAF), have begun offering online learning so that those who work with flowers can offer customers even better products and service.
Combining Charity Work and Powerful Low Cost Marketing
Written by: Ian Macdonald
Someone once told that that what we achieve for ourselves dies with us, but what we achieve for humanity lives on forever. There is nothing like the freedom of being able to become so successful that we are able to contribute towards those less fortunate. Or maybe to assist in the research to eliminate a disease or to simply improve our community in a way that will have lasting impact.
Customer Relationship Marketing
Written by: Cheryl Miller
What is CRM? Customer relationship marketing is all about building relationships with your prospects and customers. It is a proven way of increasing your sales and the customer conversion rate of your prospects and leads. It is also used to increase backend sales. One of the most important keys to developing a successful business is practicing good customer relationship marketing.
Fine Tune Your Sales Copy And Increase Your Sales
Written by: Cheryl Miller
Your sales copy is your most important part of your business. It does not matter how hot your product is, if you do not have good sales copy you are not going to sell anything. Now that we are in the midst of the busy season for selling many products online, it is time to take a second look at your sales copy. Always remember, no sales copy is ever set in stone.
Stop Reinventing The Internet Marketing Wheel
Written by: Willie Crawford
There are a lot of really brilliant people building businesses in the Internet marketing niche. Many of them not only have great technical skills but they're also "doers!" At the same time, I have watched many people who were much more brilliant than I am accomplish only a tiny fraction of what I have. I often sat scratching my head, and wondering what kept them from achieving major breakthroughs.
Do Your Restaurant Marketing Before You Need It.
Written by: Ian Macdonald
You know I have been involved in many businesses and I continue to advise many more, from large corporates to small business. We own Macdonald's Gourmet Burgers and a winery. Very diversified interests! However it never ceases to amaze me that I see so many businesses leave their marketing efforts until they urgently need them...or often until well after they that all important marketing boost. And at that stage it is often too late!!
The Ultimate Sales Machine Secrets to Creating the Best Performing Sales Organization on the planet!
Written by: Chet Holmes
Insider secrets on how to build a high growth business from a top marketing mind.
Bronx Flower Shop Older Than Disney
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Disney has been an American icon since October 16, 1923 when it was founded by brothers Walt and Roy Disney. At 81 years old, that's still 19 years younger than Olympia-Hearns Flower Shop in Bronx, New York.
Positive Energy In Your Office
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
Positive energy can go a long way in ensuring that your office environment is peaceful and stress free. If you have ever worked in an office with people who are constantly giving off negative energy, you surely know what it feels like. You feel suffocated by this energy, and often times it wears off on others.
Online Copywriting Makes Content as the King
Written by: Steven Gerber
The inverted pyramid is basically the placing of 4 W’s in the primary sentences of the articles, supported by the other W and H on the following discussions. Four W’s consist of what, when, where, and who. The other W which stands for why on the other hand, follows on the succeeding paragraphs, including the elaboration for the H which also stands for how, if necessary.
Terry Dean the Man of Today's Internet Market
Written by: Steven Gerber
"I worked a bunch of stupid jobs." These are the words of one of the smartest internet marketers on today’s internet marketing circuit. This man who worked as pizza delivery boy before is now known as the man who is continuously carrying on the most up-to-date advances in the internet’s Information Marketing industry. Dean is presently categorized as one of the most triumphant person in Internet marketing business today.
Marlon Sanders: The Hero in the Internet Marketing World
Written by: Steven Gerber
If there should be a hero in the internet marketing world, Marlon Sanders would be it. Marlon Sanders is one of the most respected and also the most popular internet marketers in the world. He is even considered as the marketer's marketer.
Is your answer to 'what do you do?' acting like a crazed Boy Scout?
Written by: Mark Silver
Many people in business are flinging their resistant customers across streets every time they answer the question, "What do you do?" "We get teams working together." "We get you into optimal health." Well, those don't seem so violent. But, what's really going on? Two words are missing ...
Managing Risk While Going Lean
Written by: Ronald Crabtree
My company currently is assisting a large retailer with a major rollout of Lean practices in 20 distribution and repair facilities across the United States. A key element in this task is careful risk management and countermeasure assessment. Let’s examine some of the actual ideas and actions that are underway.
Jessica Simpson And Other Gen-Y's Have Real Power In The Retail World
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Jessica Simpson is a bonafide member of Generation Y-Gen-Y for short. Gen-Y includes all those who were born between the years of 1982 and 2000, a group of people who are wielding real consumer power. Their power to buy and to influence purchasing decisions in all corners of the retail world, including the floral industry.
A Few of Jay Abraham's Secrets
Written by: Steven Gerber
People excel in different areas of specialization. And this usually depends on their capability and intelligence. Not all people are born intelligent, or with special gifts. Since the early times, there are quite a number of people with special gifts, like the inventors, the musicians, and so on.
All I Want For Christmas Is a New Roof?
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
What are you wishing for this Christmas? One Ohio florist is getting a new roof that he hopes will not only be strong enough to withhold the weight of Santa Claus, but also to prevent any further rain from damaging his flower shop.
It’s Almost 2007 - Do You Know Where Your IT Assets Are?
Written by: Anne Sych
With the enormous increase in technology, companies large and small are accumulating more and more IT equipment. Keeping track of PCs, laptops, PDAs, printers, network equipment, software (the list goes on) can be a challenge. Assets move locations, get reassigned to other people, get replaced, etc. Management wants reports about asset allocation, usage and service history.
The Pros And Cons Of Postcard Marketing-direct marketing offline
Written by: Cheryl Miller
Postcard marketing is one of the oldest methods of marketing. Its concept is simple but can be quite effective. It is just sending out your message to your mailing list on a postcard. Postcard marketing is a powerful and cost effective way to advertise and will keep building in momentum when done correctly.
Dan Kennedy-the millionaire maker introduces the harsh reality approach
Written by: Steven Gerber
Among the companies which collapsed in a lifespan of three years, what could have been the hole in the bucket which was sustained for two years but failed on the third? The product quality? The insufficient capital? Or the lack of advice from a pro? In any way, there is a man who could point out the root of failure and give straightforward solutions. And he'll hit it right to the core.
The Secret to Successful Marketing is in the System
Written by: Michele Hanson-O’Reggio
In marketing professional services, entrepreneurs rarely fail due to lack of information about effective sales and marketing techniques. They fail because they don't use the information that is right at their fingertips. If any or all of these obstacles have stopped you in your tracks, you are not alone - How do I put it all together? What should I do and in what order? Where should I begin? How can you stay motivated? Unless you have a system in place, you will be spinning your wheels
Finish First in Profits (FFP) with a Fast Facts Profile™ from Chuck Bauer's Creative Services Team guarantees increased sales and better bottom lines for your entire sales force.
Written by: Chuck Bauer
Recently I had the pleasure of listening to one of my CEO clients give a sales meeting pep talk. His theme was the psychology of the sale. It is perhaps the most important factor in moving TOWARD the close, rather than AWAY from the sale. Unfortunately, many sales people continue to over look the psychology behind the sale
How To Use Systems Without Turning Into A Heartless Zombie
Written by: Mark Silver
You can tell as soon as you pick up the phone before the other person has even said anything. That little silence, the clattering in the background, tells you that it's a telemarketer on the other end of the line, and there is nothing they have to say that is worth your precious time. With those experiences, it's easy to have strong opinions about using systems, and to avoid them like the plague in your own business.
Can you fire a customer when you work for someone else?
Written by: Belinda Crosbie
Have you ever been abused by a customer? Does your company have a policy clearly outlining how to handle the situation so you don't end up a punching bag? Discover a mind, body and spirit solution to managing this situation and maintaining your self-esteem.
The Nfl Football Hall Of Fame Has Nothing On The Floriculture Hall Of Fame
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Every year football fans eagerly await the latest inductees to the NFL Football Hall of Fame. Likewise, every year, people in the floriculture business look forward to the latest Floriculture Hall of Fame awardee.
Suffering A Seasonal Sales Slump? Solve it with a Holiday Sharpen Your Sales Tune Up!
Written by: Chuck Bauer
It's that time of year again, when sales volume slumps during the holiday season. The CEOs and Sales Managers I work with have fits this time of year. They know their sales forces are mentally preparing well in advance of the holiday season for the usual mental check out, or what I refer to as the Seasonal Sales Melt Down, or Seasonal Sales Slump.
Becoming Like Brian Keith Voiles
Written by: Steven Gerber
A good if not the best copywriter – that's probably what you would like to be known. But it takes more than just a dream to become an effective copywriter. You may look upon Brian Keith Voiles.
Why Your Business Needs A Peer-Led MasterMind Group
Written by: Mark Silver
There are a lot of reasons for the Big Gulp- lack of business knowledge, lack of marketing knowledge, fear of failure, financial pressures, even fear of success. Yet the Big Gulp is really about isolation and lack of support. The trouble is that while there are many different ways to get support, only certain kinds of support really work to move you forward.
Why And How To Create An Information Product
Written by: Mark Silver
Have you put off, or given up entirely, the idea of writing that book, or creating a CD or DVD, for your business? Maybe you've let that idea slip away because you thought your business wasn't suited to it. If you are putting off creating one, you are doing a disservice to all the people who are waiting for you.
Help Your Products Sell Like Pokemon And Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The creators of those cute little pocket monsters, Pokemon, are certainly rolling in money these days. Since their appearance on Saturday morning cartoons almost a decade ago, Pokemon items have been among the biggest selling types of merchandise for children. There are Pokemon toys, clothes, trading cards, decorative items, games, and much more. If you're in retail sales, you'd probably be thrilled if your products sold like Pokemon. And, with a little sales and marketing savvy, you can boost your sales, no matter what your product-from flowers to software and beyond.
Why needs-based marketing fails and what to do about it
Written by: Judy Murdoch
Business 101 tells us that in order to have a sustainable competitive advantage we must offer products and services that satisfy customer needs and we need to do it in a way that is in some way better than our competitors.
Why It's So Hard To Ask For Money And How To Make It Easier
Written by: Mark Silver
In different businesses, it's the same story. The massage is over, and the massage therapist stutters asking for payment. The product is shipped, and you are waiting and waiting for the check- yet you don't call and ask for it. Why is it so easy to be out of integrity with yourself by not asking for the money you are owed?
Considering the Importance of Corporate Culture
Written by: Kate Smalley
When it comes to sizing up job candidates, cultural fit is just as important to consider as qualifications.
Do You Know Where The Real Profit Pools Are?
Written by: V Rory Jones
Ever had that feeling you've got a great business, but that its' not delivering the results it really deserves? More likely than not, you do have a great business - it is simply that its strengths are not being directed towards the right opportunities, or that those opportunities are not being well exploited. This discussion outlines a new approach to market strategy - an orientation around 'cash-based' Profit Pools. In it, we outline what the right opportunities are, how to find them, and how to exploit them.
Lindsay Lohan And The "Entitlement Generation" Benefit From Flowers At Work
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Lindsay Lohan is well known not just for her acting ability, but also for her party girl ways. Unfortunately, it would seem the fun she has off the set occasionally affects the work she does on the set since she recently received a letter from the firm producing her latest movie, Georgia Rule, scolding her for unprofessional behavior. The letter chastised Lohan for behaving in a "discourteous, irresponsible, and unprofessional" manner, stating that she'd been late for work on several occasions and hadn't come at all on others. Many businesses that employ young people in Lohan's generation may not be all that surprised by such "bad" behavior-after all, that generation is referred to as the "entitlement generation."
Line Up Your Services For Branding Power
Written by: Kendall SummerHawk
Okay, so you've been in business a while. You have a few different services you offer. You have regular clients who know, like, and trust you. So now it's time for me to ask you, do you have a signature line of products and services, each one feeding into the other?
My Future Starts Today!
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success
My future starts today, say it out loud, say it silently to yourself, just say it! Like a lot of people, I looked at my past in an attempt to see what my future would be. After years of thinking about my future in this manner, I came to realize I'm actually stuck in the past in a lot of ways.
Getting The Best Work From Your Graphic Designer
Written by: Erin Ferree
A graphic designer's goal is to provide you with the logos, artwork, and page designs that best fit your business, personality, industry, and target market and that convey your offerings and differentiators. The experience of reaching that goal can be extremely smooth and pleasant if you know what to expect up front, and if you understand that you do need to work with your designer rather than just letting them loose to create.
Marketing Lessons from a 40-pound Cat
Written by: Judy Murdoch
A few months ago, my 10-year old son came to me insisting that I "had" to see a video of a "40-pound cat." Now, I'm very fond of cats and I've seen quite a few...some of which were pretty darn big, but I'm certain I've never seen one bigger than 20-pounds or so. I'd remember something like that.
Oprah Winfrey And Other Business People Recognize The Value Of Great Customer Service
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Visitors who visit Oprah Winfrey's production studio for a taping of her show are sometimes amazed at the great, friendly service they receive from her staff members from the moment they get in line to enter the studio to the moment they exit after the show.
The Job Interview Is Not Just About The Job Duties
Written by: Carole Martin
"CAN HE DO THE JOB? The first item of business for an interviewer to determine is if you have the qualifications to perform the duties of the job. That is the basic part of interviewing - to determine if the qualifications and experiences fit the requirements of the position.
What Does It Take To Be A Successful Salesman?
Written by: Casey Moher
In the course of my average workweek, I meet people who tell me that they have no sales experience, and very literally, many will tell me that they could not sell if their lives depended on it. Do you fit into this mold? Do you seriously believe that you can sell me on the idea that you cannot sell things?
Effective Outsourcing
Written by: Nigel Fogden
As the implications of globalization have sunk into the business world, the idea of what a company should be has changed. Not long ago they were institutions-- buildings and factories with workers who drove to work in the morning and punched out at night.
How To Improve Your Ads Conversion Rate
Written by: Cathy Qazalbash
Your advertising campaign is the lifeblood of your business but if your ads are bringing low conversion rates you need to analyze the factors that could be causing this. It is useless running an ad campaign, which has ads that are not pulling. Your ads are in effect your salespeople and we all know that without good salespeople businesses cannot succeed.
Advertising Cheaply And Effectively
Written by: Cathy Qazalbash
Advertising is the lifeblood of your business. To be effective you will need to advertise on a regular basis. One advertisement rarely brings instant results. Your potential customer needs to see your ads several times before purchasing.
Building Relationships Through Your Sales Copy.
Written by: Cathy Qazalbash
Whenever you try to sell anything you need to build a relationship with your reader. Few people will buy without this vital connection between you and those reading your sales copy. It doesn't matter what sort of sales copy you are using. It can be a small classified ad or a full-blown Sales page. Unless you can build up this vital relationship with your reader you will make little or no sales.
How referral marketing success is like a chocolate souffle
Written by: Judy Murdoch
Chocolate soufflés and referral marketing may seem like an odd combination (unless, perhaps, you're a restaurant owner) but like a chocolate souffle, there is a recipe you can use to develop a successful referral marketing program. If you're intrigued, read on...
Flower Growers In Shakira's Home Country Affected By U.S. Immigration Reform
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Pop singer Shakira was born in Colombia, which is the number one importer of fresh flowers to the United States. While foreign countries sometimes seem to have so little to do with our lives here in America, our country's decisions regarding immigration and guest-worker programs very greatly affects the livelihood of the hundreds of Colombians working in the floriculture industry. But, if the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR) has anything to sa |
