How you ever been asked for your advice by someone who completely disregarded whatever it was you advised? We didn’t want to fall into that category. We have asked customers what products should we carry that would be of benefit to them.
Sometimes when tough situations rise up we are better served by alternative solutions after a diligent search. I have never heard a successful business person say it was easy but I believe most of them believe it was worth it.
How many of us give our businesses an annual checkup? If your business is sick wouldn’t you want to know about it? Are you performing business exercises that allow your business to be strong and vibrant? Now is a great time to evaluate how your business has done this year. It is a little early to roundup the needed materials for your income tax returns and there may be a lull in the storm as the clouds of the busy holiday season gather.
As far back as I can remember I have been told that I should make goals. So being the believing human being that I am, I set goals. However still being the human being that I am, I many times have not achieved these goals. Is it because the goals I set were wrong or unreachable? Of course not. The goals were fine; I just haven’t always had a proper process in order.
I want to deal today with the word ADVERSITY. The question you should ask yourself is not “What would I do if I had to deal with adversity in my life rather, How do I deal with adversity WHEN it looks me right in the eyes?Unless you live in a vacuum you will experience bad things in your life whether business or personal. I am certain it is a myth that there are people running around with no adversity with which to deal. I just believe some people tend to fight the beast better than others.I have noticed what to some, is an absolute incredible challenge, to another is just an inconvenience.
Our youngest son had a sign posted near his weights and workout equipment that said “when you aren’t working out, your competitors are”. If you would have seen the way he worked out there would be no question that he internalized that phrase. I say to you “when you are not learning your competitors are”. Many people think their learning days are over when they graduate from high school or college. I think the most important things I have learned in life are when I was not in a formalized school setting.
My challenge to you today is to reject negativity like you would a poison. Don’t allow it in your business. Surround yourself with people who are positive. Be positive with your customers. As you improve in this area I promise you that great things will happen.
When I write of simplicity I am thinking of the interaction between you, the business owner, and your customer. Do you make it a simple process for your customer to do business with you? For example, we are in approximately the fourth generation of our website. As technology improves, we try to be current with the changes to enhance our customer’s experience.
It’s a sad day when I have to address a topic that has permeated negatively today’s society. That topic is FRAUD. There was a time when someone who was the victim of fraud called the local constable, who would respond, investigate the crime, locate the bad guy and promptly give him a roommate not of the bad guys’ choosing. Well I hate to tell you my friends, but those days are gone. With the advent of the internet, the ballgame has changed drastically.
I would like to wish each of you a wonderful 4th of July! I also thank each of you for being such wonderful customers. Thanks for reading Message In A Bottle. It has been a fun and rewarding experience for me as the author.
Don’t let others hold you back. Success begins from within. I cringe when I hear someone say “I can’t”. When we started this business approximately 16 years ago I really didn’t know where it would go. I did know however that I wouldn’t listen to anyone who told me “you can’t”.
Up-selling does not have to be “in your face” marketing. I never want to be sold but many times I buy with a little persuasion. There are subtle ways to up-sell. Usually when a customer is presented with a good deal they usually go with it. Up-selling benefits both the seller and the purchaser.
Consensus could be defined as “a lack of leadership”. Of course it is important to get the views and ideas of others, however you or your leadership team ultimately has to make the final decision. Those who raise their hands to become leaders in your organization also need to be responsible.
We as business people are constantly faced with decisions. When faced with a decision, are you one to make the decision and move forward or do you “sit on” the issue for an unreasonable period of time? Some people call this procrastination.
If you want your business to grow you should replace yourself as soon as financially viable. By this I mean to say that you should train someone else to do the daily tasks that you currently perform. Focus on doing what you do best.
How many of you, when approached by a salesperson in a store say “I’m just looking”? This is a phrase we often use when we are browsing in souvenir shops while on vacation. For some reason it seems to insulate us from overbearing hucksters. Now change the scenario and place the “just lookers” inside YOUR shop or business. The phrase “just looking” now seems like nails on a blackboard. What are some ways to change these lookers into buyers?
We all learn from the experiences of others. We have thousands of customers, each with a great story, ideas and experiences. Hopefully we can capture some of these lessons and pass them along to our readers.
The last newsletter talked about pricing which is very important. However, I submit that without great customer service, pricing becomes a mute point. We all need to attract and keep customers in order for pricing to even matter.
Message In A Bottle is born. After a long struggle with the idea of creating a quality and timely newsletter the decision was made. I feel a great responsibility in undertaking this task. I completely respect your time and want to make sure the things I write actually profit you as the customer...
When beginning a business, one of the most critical decisions is pricing your products. Although I will be talking today about the initial pricing of your products, this concept holds true for companies that have been in existence for many years.
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