What event are you expecting people to attend?
Whether it is a birthday party, baby shower, home shows, holiday parties, business networking event or a seminar there are some key elements that will make your event successful.
Often the "Forgotten Keys" will be left out of an event which could allow for an okay event however often left feeling like something was missing. You will want to use every source of medium possible to promote your event. To help you have an exciting and powerful event follow these steps.
Email:
Send out a "Save the Date" announcement informing people of your upcoming event with date, time and location.
Send a "Formal Invitation" with all the specific details of the event.
Resend invitation to non-responders a week later.
Email a reminder a week before and a day before the event to everyone who has stated they would be attending.
Social Media:
Use the Event pages on Facebook and invite all your local friends.
Post frequently your event on LinkedIn, Twitter and MySpace. Let people know and since everyone looks at their social media at different times you will want to post your information about the event at different times also.
Make announcements on your home page.
Have each vendor post on their social media outlets as well.
Media:
Submit a "Press Release" to your local newspapers, business journals and radio. Follow up with a call to your print publications to confirm they received it.
Hand out Cards, Flyers and Poster everywhere you go. Mail an invitation to a minimum amount of people that may not be in your email list that are in your target market.
In Person:
Go to other local event and hand out your flyers, posters and cards. Make sure to get their business card to add them to your reminder list.
Phone people you have not heard back from. Ask them if there is someone they know that may want to attend this event with them.
Phone people to remind them that the event is just days away! Build your relationship with people and offer the special touch of a personal connection. This will also give you an idea of how many people you may have attending your event. This call can be done by you, a volunteer, a personal/virtual assistant and your vendors.
If You Have Vendors:
Have each of your vendors offer a "give away" so you can promote this in your invitation.
Request that your vendors give you a list of people (minimum of 25) to send the invitation to.
Request that your vendors send out 15 or more postcards/flyers to people they may or may not know in the community.
After the Event:
Send a thank you to every person in attendance. If it is a large group you can send an email thank you. If it was smaller group send out hand written cards.
Before too much time passes follow up with your attendee. You can offer a survey for people to fill out to give you feedback. Follow up and find out one thing your attendees felt they could take and put into action from your event. If a large group select 25 to 50 people to call or get volunteers, vendors or a personal/virtual assistant to make the calls for you. You want to know what your attendees took from your event.
Request that your attendees post on their social networking sites about attending your event. You could have a script for them to make this easier for them.
The success of your event will be because "You" stepped out and did something different. You added the extra touches to your event which makes you stand out from the crowd. When you call people they are less likely to forget about your event because you created a feeling for them. When you follow up by sending out a thank you or asking what they can take away from your event will create a feeling for them as well. People skim through emails but a call will get them connected to you and they will tell other people about you. If you leave these "Forgotten Keys" out of your event you will be like most other event organizers and hope they have a successful next event!
Kimberley Borgens, CBC is the CEO of Be A Legacy. She enjoys working with small businesses and helping them gain ground to being a successful business. She coaches, consults and mentors leaders who want to make a difference in business and in thier lives. Learn more http://www.bealegacy.com
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Have You Ever Lost Your Confidence?
Has there been a time in your life where you had things moving right along and you felt content with your life and business? While everything was going along smoothly you became a little relaxed and just went along with what was happening around you? I can say that I have been at that place many times in my personal and business life. Everything seemed to be moving forward, things felt like they were in a good place and I was comfortable in what was going on around me.
Then whack out of the blue something happens. Your clients file bankruptcy, you are fired from a job, a terminal illness is discovered in a family member, a sudden death of a loved one, divorce, rape or sexual assault occurs. You get knocked off your confidence. Suddenly the calm comfortable world you had been living in takes a turn for the worse. There does not feel like a quick ending to what just happened. You may have found yourself paralyzed from what had just happened.
When you get your confidence kicked out of you by life what do you do to bring it back? How long does it take you to breathe back in some wind after it is knocked out of you?
I have experienced many breath taking kicks along the way. I have experienced many confident damaging events in my life and yet I have found the tools necessary to get back up and breathe. Have you experienced events in your life that have knocked out the confidence for a short or long while? What were some of those events for you? Are you in one of those times right now?
I have found that when I have gotten in one of these circumstances at first I freeze. I go inward and want to shut out the whole world. I will get the necessary obligations done but have no feeling attached to what I am doing. While I am in this state I am searching in my brain what I could have done different and what I could have done to prevent this circumstances from happening. Anyone else out there like me? Get stuck in the “what I could have, should have done”! Not like I can do anything about the past however I know this is what I have done. This usually will get me into a cycle of blame shame and guilt for what I didn’t do so well. After a time, I have to find myself out of that hole and start to rebuild my confidence. This is done a lot quicker when I talk with those people I have as my support. When a hand is reached out to me I take it and get myself going a lot faster than if I were to try to do it alone.
I have heard from many people whom have shared that I inspire them and they look up to me. People have made comments about my positive attitude and my confidence. I appreciate each and every reminder from those around me. I feel like I am no different from any other person who gets back up when they have been knocked down. I work consistently to get back up on the horse that bucked me off and take the reins and ride again. I have never gone it alone even when I have felt alone. There has always been someone in my life, be it God, parents, spouse, siblings, friends, children and even strangers. Someone has reminded me to get up and get going. Who has been in your life that has kept you going when it has been difficult?
Here are a few tips I have learned along the way:
1. Keep Breathing – It takes a lot of deep cleansing breaths to get through the biggest challenges.
2. Notice What Happened - Do what you can to notice and not avoid what has happened in your life. Be aware of what you were doing and how you reacted. This helps to put it all into perspective.
3. Check Your Feelings – What are you feeling about the circumstance? For yourself and for any others that may be involved. Be honest about your feeling do not try to hide them or bury them.
4. Ask What You Can Control – What about this situation can you control? Then take action on those things. If you cannot control it then let the negative energy go from it. Do what you can and keep yourself moving forward.
5. Rebuild Your Confidence - Take every step possible to get confident again. Be with positive people, talk about your strengths, surround yourself with the good things in life, do something that inspires you or do something that scares you so you can get the excitement back in your life.
Your confidence is always there! It just may be hiding behind a tree waiting to see how you protect it. It may be afraid to come out and play again however you are the only one who can teach it to play again. Those things that knocked you down are the same things that have knocked down thousands of other people in the world. You are not alone! Ask yourself how they may have gotten through it or get in a group with others who have survived the same circumstance and learn to thrive through it.
When you get through those challenges you end up being a person that inspires others. People will see you as the person they want to be like.
Come on you can do it, I believe in you! Bring your confidence back out and play. Be like the person you admire most and learn from your circumstance so you can help someone else get up quicker too.
Then whack out of the blue something happens. Your clients file bankruptcy, you are fired from a job, a terminal illness is discovered in a family member, a sudden death of a loved one, divorce, rape or sexual assault occurs. You get knocked off your confidence. Suddenly the calm comfortable world you had been living in takes a turn for the worse. There does not feel like a quick ending to what just happened. You may have found yourself paralyzed from what had just happened.
When you get your confidence kicked out of you by life what do you do to bring it back? How long does it take you to breathe back in some wind after it is knocked out of you?
I have experienced many breath taking kicks along the way. I have experienced many confident damaging events in my life and yet I have found the tools necessary to get back up and breathe. Have you experienced events in your life that have knocked out the confidence for a short or long while? What were some of those events for you? Are you in one of those times right now?
I have found that when I have gotten in one of these circumstances at first I freeze. I go inward and want to shut out the whole world. I will get the necessary obligations done but have no feeling attached to what I am doing. While I am in this state I am searching in my brain what I could have done different and what I could have done to prevent this circumstances from happening. Anyone else out there like me? Get stuck in the “what I could have, should have done”! Not like I can do anything about the past however I know this is what I have done. This usually will get me into a cycle of blame shame and guilt for what I didn’t do so well. After a time, I have to find myself out of that hole and start to rebuild my confidence. This is done a lot quicker when I talk with those people I have as my support. When a hand is reached out to me I take it and get myself going a lot faster than if I were to try to do it alone.
I have heard from many people whom have shared that I inspire them and they look up to me. People have made comments about my positive attitude and my confidence. I appreciate each and every reminder from those around me. I feel like I am no different from any other person who gets back up when they have been knocked down. I work consistently to get back up on the horse that bucked me off and take the reins and ride again. I have never gone it alone even when I have felt alone. There has always been someone in my life, be it God, parents, spouse, siblings, friends, children and even strangers. Someone has reminded me to get up and get going. Who has been in your life that has kept you going when it has been difficult?
Here are a few tips I have learned along the way:
1. Keep Breathing – It takes a lot of deep cleansing breaths to get through the biggest challenges.
2. Notice What Happened - Do what you can to notice and not avoid what has happened in your life. Be aware of what you were doing and how you reacted. This helps to put it all into perspective.
3. Check Your Feelings – What are you feeling about the circumstance? For yourself and for any others that may be involved. Be honest about your feeling do not try to hide them or bury them.
4. Ask What You Can Control – What about this situation can you control? Then take action on those things. If you cannot control it then let the negative energy go from it. Do what you can and keep yourself moving forward.
5. Rebuild Your Confidence - Take every step possible to get confident again. Be with positive people, talk about your strengths, surround yourself with the good things in life, do something that inspires you or do something that scares you so you can get the excitement back in your life.
Your confidence is always there! It just may be hiding behind a tree waiting to see how you protect it. It may be afraid to come out and play again however you are the only one who can teach it to play again. Those things that knocked you down are the same things that have knocked down thousands of other people in the world. You are not alone! Ask yourself how they may have gotten through it or get in a group with others who have survived the same circumstance and learn to thrive through it.
When you get through those challenges you end up being a person that inspires others. People will see you as the person they want to be like.
Come on you can do it, I believe in you! Bring your confidence back out and play. Be like the person you admire most and learn from your circumstance so you can help someone else get up quicker too.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Legacy of a Thank You Note
As the daughter of a military officer I was taught that it was important to say thank you to others for the service they provided. I am sure I was not like you growing up being a bit resistant to my parents on all the lessons they attempted to teach me. For some reason this particular lesson had a profound effect on me and it was something that I carried into adulthood with ease.
As a young adult I learned that I had to pay the bills or they would no longer work! I learned many lessons about paying the bills. You are probably wondering why I am talking about paying the bills as a legacy of a thank you note. Do not worry I will get to the point. It was a time in life when the news was talking about how the bill payments were being stolen from the mail boxes and to make sure that your payments did not look like there was a check inside the envelope. This was important to me because I could not afford to have people steal my money when I had so little of it.
Because of the news, I made a plan to put my checks in the envelope with a piece of paper that made it look like a letter was going out. The companies did not have the self address envelopes like they do today. I would wrap up my check into a piece of paper and handwrite the address to the bill collector and mail off my payments. This cycle would happen every month without fail.
At some point in this process I began to think that the paper I was putting in was just so plain. I remembered my teaching as a child to make sure to say thank you to the people who are of service to you. So I began writing in big letters on the paper I was wrapping my check in “Thank you For Taking My Payment”. I thought that just maybe that note would let people who were often in a thankless job know that I cared.
Over the years I continued this tradition. I would happily sit down and write my notes as I made a payment to the very people that were taking all my money. The electric company, the water company, the garbage company and the credit card company just to name a few. I took responsibility for using their services and had made a choice to say thank you.
It wasn’t until about six years ago that I understood the impact of what I was doing. I like many other people had gotten so busy in life with work, kids and activities that I was late at paying the bills. I remember coming home after being away facilitating seminars and getting a notice that said I had 24 hours to pay my water bill or they would turn it off. Wake up and smell the reality! Went right down to City Hall building to pay the bill! As I was waiting in line I looked around and was listening to the people who were yelling because they too had gotten the same notice that I did and they were trying to get out of paying that bill right now and of course it was the clerk’s fault that they got that notice. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye that caught my attention. Right behind one of the clerks on their bulletin board was a note that said “Thank You For Taking My Payment”. I was amazed to see right there in public view a very simple piece of paper that I had written thanking this person for doing her job.
When it was finally my turn to pay the bill I went up and asked the clerk about the piece of paper that I recognized. She shared that the first time that payment was open they were surprised that someone had said thank you. She then shared that every month they receive this note they appreciated it so much that they began to pass them around to the different staff. Almost all the staff now had one of these notes on their bulletin boards. I was thrown back for a moment! Had what I been doing all these years really made that many people appreciate it? If this was how it was at this payment center could it be like that at other payment centers to. I had not realized or even thought that this would mean a lot to people. I said to the clerk “wow I did not know that by writing those notes that someday I would see them displayed on a bulletin board and have that kind of an impact.” She looked at me and asked if I could wait there a minute. I did and she came back with three people and said “this is the lady that sends the notes”. They each shared that they appreciated receiving them and they thanked me. They also shared that no one thanks them for taking their payments and more often than not that people are mad at them. One person shared that when they would get done dealing with someone who was rude and yelling at them they would look at the note and say at least one person cares.
A legacy happens when you consistently take small steps that improve the life or wellbeing of another. That is exactly what these thank you notes did. What will be your thank you note in life? What will you do that is small and may seem meaningless yet could potentially create an impact in the life of another? I mostly have my bills paid through auto payments now and do not send in the bills like I used to. However, I still look for ways to say thank you to the people who more often than not have a thankless job. Be it the grocery store bagger, the house keeping staff at the hotel I stay at and the list goes on. Find a way to make small steps in your life, create a ripple effect no matter how small and how it may seem like not much of a big deal! I learned a very valuable lesson the day my service was almost shut off. For me it was worth it to have written those notes for all of those years without realizing the impact and the legacy it would create. A hand written thank you note can make a difference. Go make your difference.
As a young adult I learned that I had to pay the bills or they would no longer work! I learned many lessons about paying the bills. You are probably wondering why I am talking about paying the bills as a legacy of a thank you note. Do not worry I will get to the point. It was a time in life when the news was talking about how the bill payments were being stolen from the mail boxes and to make sure that your payments did not look like there was a check inside the envelope. This was important to me because I could not afford to have people steal my money when I had so little of it.
Because of the news, I made a plan to put my checks in the envelope with a piece of paper that made it look like a letter was going out. The companies did not have the self address envelopes like they do today. I would wrap up my check into a piece of paper and handwrite the address to the bill collector and mail off my payments. This cycle would happen every month without fail.
At some point in this process I began to think that the paper I was putting in was just so plain. I remembered my teaching as a child to make sure to say thank you to the people who are of service to you. So I began writing in big letters on the paper I was wrapping my check in “Thank you For Taking My Payment”. I thought that just maybe that note would let people who were often in a thankless job know that I cared.
Over the years I continued this tradition. I would happily sit down and write my notes as I made a payment to the very people that were taking all my money. The electric company, the water company, the garbage company and the credit card company just to name a few. I took responsibility for using their services and had made a choice to say thank you.
It wasn’t until about six years ago that I understood the impact of what I was doing. I like many other people had gotten so busy in life with work, kids and activities that I was late at paying the bills. I remember coming home after being away facilitating seminars and getting a notice that said I had 24 hours to pay my water bill or they would turn it off. Wake up and smell the reality! Went right down to City Hall building to pay the bill! As I was waiting in line I looked around and was listening to the people who were yelling because they too had gotten the same notice that I did and they were trying to get out of paying that bill right now and of course it was the clerk’s fault that they got that notice. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye that caught my attention. Right behind one of the clerks on their bulletin board was a note that said “Thank You For Taking My Payment”. I was amazed to see right there in public view a very simple piece of paper that I had written thanking this person for doing her job.
When it was finally my turn to pay the bill I went up and asked the clerk about the piece of paper that I recognized. She shared that the first time that payment was open they were surprised that someone had said thank you. She then shared that every month they receive this note they appreciated it so much that they began to pass them around to the different staff. Almost all the staff now had one of these notes on their bulletin boards. I was thrown back for a moment! Had what I been doing all these years really made that many people appreciate it? If this was how it was at this payment center could it be like that at other payment centers to. I had not realized or even thought that this would mean a lot to people. I said to the clerk “wow I did not know that by writing those notes that someday I would see them displayed on a bulletin board and have that kind of an impact.” She looked at me and asked if I could wait there a minute. I did and she came back with three people and said “this is the lady that sends the notes”. They each shared that they appreciated receiving them and they thanked me. They also shared that no one thanks them for taking their payments and more often than not that people are mad at them. One person shared that when they would get done dealing with someone who was rude and yelling at them they would look at the note and say at least one person cares.
A legacy happens when you consistently take small steps that improve the life or wellbeing of another. That is exactly what these thank you notes did. What will be your thank you note in life? What will you do that is small and may seem meaningless yet could potentially create an impact in the life of another? I mostly have my bills paid through auto payments now and do not send in the bills like I used to. However, I still look for ways to say thank you to the people who more often than not have a thankless job. Be it the grocery store bagger, the house keeping staff at the hotel I stay at and the list goes on. Find a way to make small steps in your life, create a ripple effect no matter how small and how it may seem like not much of a big deal! I learned a very valuable lesson the day my service was almost shut off. For me it was worth it to have written those notes for all of those years without realizing the impact and the legacy it would create. A hand written thank you note can make a difference. Go make your difference.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Creating An Environment of Accountability
Creating an environment of accountability can be very rewarding in many areas of your life. By having accountability the people around you see that you are serious about your business and your word. When others see you making shifts in your accountability it gives them permission to do the same in their lives. They may notice that you are being more successful or happier in your life and are wondering what is different. Understand while learning to master accountability, you will have to think differently and act differently than what you have done up to this point. People will wonder what is different even if you do not tell them. They may come to you and ask what happened.
On the other side of this is when you are not being accountable in your life, people who want success may go elsewhere to find support. You are likely going to attract other people who do not want accountability in their life. You may decide to look back in your life and may say something like “How is it that I keep getting people in my business that do not want to work”.
Having a lack of accountability can result in challenges such as:
If you want to have people that are fun, enjoy what they are doing and reaching for new goals… Create Accountability Partners!
If you want more information on creating the best “Accountability Partner” go to the Be A Legacy web page and purchase the E-Book on Partnering Up For Greater Success. http://www.bealegacy.com/classes.htm
Know that accountability requires measurement, follow-up, consistency and consequences. Allowing someone else to help keep measurement allows you to close any back doors that would give you excuse to not go after what you say you want. By following up with an accountability partner you are more likely to complete because you do not want to let anyone down or look bad to your partner. Being consistent is important because it helps you to form a habit. When you forma successful habit it helps to eliminate a habit that is not working well for you. You trade an effective habit for a not so effective habit. Consequences allow you to put yourself on the line. If you do not do this then you pay a price. The price may end up being the loss of a great customer, a future business associate or people believing and trusting in what you say you will do. Accountability can correct these areas for your success.
Accountability is cultivated when:
1. Declare your goals publicly to a team of supporters, your family members or to one partner. When you declare publicly, you then have a duty to fulfill this declaration. This is a bold statement to the world that you are going after your life in full force.
2. Share your plan with those who will hold you accountable. What are the steps you will take to reach your stated goal? How will you break this down to be manageable for you to be successful! This shows people you have put in some thought and are serious. Get their suggestions and make changes in your plan if one of their ideas works for you. Let others know when you have completed even the smallest or steps towards your success. Celebrating small victories along the way can help to keep accountability rewarding and fun.
3. Set up a consistent meeting time to talk with your accountability partner(s). This gives you a deadline to complete so you can be at the meeting with a clear conscious. Share with your partner about what your challenges were and what you did to overcome them.
4. Give your Accountability Partner permission to always speak the truth to you. It is their truth and you can look at that as feedback from your partner. You get to then make a decision. Allowing them to speak truthfully to you gives them the feeling of trust and that they matter to you in this partnership.
5. You state your commitment and your partner says it back to you with full understanding. This is so you both are clear in what you are asking for and there is no confusion on what it is you choose to be held accountable for.
You do not have to have someone hold you accountable for every goal you go after! If you have a good sized goal or really big goal… I highly recommend getting support from an Accountability Partner!
Eye Opening Exercise
Make a list of the last 10 goals that you have set. Write next to each one “Completed” or “Not Completed”. Stop and take a look at what you have completed and what was not. Next to that write a number based on how many people you had told this goal to. And then how many of those people followed up with your. Is there a clear idea for you on what you completed with support and without support? Look back and see if you remember whether you had fun or not. Did you enjoy the process better with support than without?
On the other side of this is when you are not being accountable in your life, people who want success may go elsewhere to find support. You are likely going to attract other people who do not want accountability in their life. You may decide to look back in your life and may say something like “How is it that I keep getting people in my business that do not want to work”.
Having a lack of accountability can result in challenges such as:
- Reduced Team Productivity
- Reduced Profitability
- Low Follow-Up and Poor Customer Service
- Lack of Personal Growth for Self and Team Members
- Stress and Frustration with Team Leaders and Self
- Low Team Interactions
If you want to have people that are fun, enjoy what they are doing and reaching for new goals… Create Accountability Partners!
If you want more information on creating the best “Accountability Partner” go to the Be A Legacy web page and purchase the E-Book on Partnering Up For Greater Success. http://www.bealegacy.com/classes.htm
Know that accountability requires measurement, follow-up, consistency and consequences. Allowing someone else to help keep measurement allows you to close any back doors that would give you excuse to not go after what you say you want. By following up with an accountability partner you are more likely to complete because you do not want to let anyone down or look bad to your partner. Being consistent is important because it helps you to form a habit. When you forma successful habit it helps to eliminate a habit that is not working well for you. You trade an effective habit for a not so effective habit. Consequences allow you to put yourself on the line. If you do not do this then you pay a price. The price may end up being the loss of a great customer, a future business associate or people believing and trusting in what you say you will do. Accountability can correct these areas for your success.
Accountability is cultivated when:
1. Declare your goals publicly to a team of supporters, your family members or to one partner. When you declare publicly, you then have a duty to fulfill this declaration. This is a bold statement to the world that you are going after your life in full force.
2. Share your plan with those who will hold you accountable. What are the steps you will take to reach your stated goal? How will you break this down to be manageable for you to be successful! This shows people you have put in some thought and are serious. Get their suggestions and make changes in your plan if one of their ideas works for you. Let others know when you have completed even the smallest or steps towards your success. Celebrating small victories along the way can help to keep accountability rewarding and fun.
3. Set up a consistent meeting time to talk with your accountability partner(s). This gives you a deadline to complete so you can be at the meeting with a clear conscious. Share with your partner about what your challenges were and what you did to overcome them.
4. Give your Accountability Partner permission to always speak the truth to you. It is their truth and you can look at that as feedback from your partner. You get to then make a decision. Allowing them to speak truthfully to you gives them the feeling of trust and that they matter to you in this partnership.
5. You state your commitment and your partner says it back to you with full understanding. This is so you both are clear in what you are asking for and there is no confusion on what it is you choose to be held accountable for.
You do not have to have someone hold you accountable for every goal you go after! If you have a good sized goal or really big goal… I highly recommend getting support from an Accountability Partner!
Eye Opening Exercise
Make a list of the last 10 goals that you have set. Write next to each one “Completed” or “Not Completed”. Stop and take a look at what you have completed and what was not. Next to that write a number based on how many people you had told this goal to. And then how many of those people followed up with your. Is there a clear idea for you on what you completed with support and without support? Look back and see if you remember whether you had fun or not. Did you enjoy the process better with support than without?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Action Step to Success #3
Ideas Alone Don't Bring Success
Ideas are important, but they're only valuable after they've been implemented.
How many times have you been on an airplane looking at a SkyMall catalog and seen an idea that you had and someone else did it and now they are getting paid?
Ideas are the first step in creativity. I have an "Idea Book" where I will write down all my ideas to make my business more successful. Some of these ideas I have implemented right away. Others ones are there sitting and waiting for me to take action on them or give them to someone else who could use an idea to grow their business.
I believe all the ideas I have could be for me or for me to impart on someone else. I know that my ideas have no value unless I take an action on it or give it away and someone else takes action on it.
One average idea that's been put into action is more valuable than a dozen brilliant ideas that you're saving for "some other day" or the "right opportunity".
If you have an idea that you truly believe in, do something about it. Use it or share it! The value will come when an action is taken.
What is an idea that you are ready to implement in your life today? How will implementing this idea become valuable to you?
What is an idea that you would like to offer to others? Can you market yourself to teach this to others? An idea can work for many people not just one.
Ideas are important, but they're only valuable after they've been implemented.
How many times have you been on an airplane looking at a SkyMall catalog and seen an idea that you had and someone else did it and now they are getting paid?
Ideas are the first step in creativity. I have an "Idea Book" where I will write down all my ideas to make my business more successful. Some of these ideas I have implemented right away. Others ones are there sitting and waiting for me to take action on them or give them to someone else who could use an idea to grow their business.
I believe all the ideas I have could be for me or for me to impart on someone else. I know that my ideas have no value unless I take an action on it or give it away and someone else takes action on it.
One average idea that's been put into action is more valuable than a dozen brilliant ideas that you're saving for "some other day" or the "right opportunity".
If you have an idea that you truly believe in, do something about it. Use it or share it! The value will come when an action is taken.
What is an idea that you are ready to implement in your life today? How will implementing this idea become valuable to you?
What is an idea that you would like to offer to others? Can you market yourself to teach this to others? An idea can work for many people not just one.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Action Steps for Success #2
Attitude Matters
Your attitude is the key to making anything a success. Many people have the attitude of business will find me. I just have to say I am in business and people will hunt them down to buy what they are selling. Whether it is a product or services you will have to take on the attitude of "If it is to be, it is up to me".
Many times people will act in business as they do with their family and friends. Very laid back and comfortable.
Your attitude will be the strongest (or weakest ) aspect about you.
To be successful you may want to shift your attitude to be on purpose and maybe stretch your boundaries of comfort.
Your attitude will determine how you handle the circumstances around you. When challenges arise are you handling them with looking for a solution or are you taking revenge out on the circumstances? Getting mad or taking the circumstances personally usually does not show the best in you.
Your attitude determines the self image you have. People often look to see your attitude in how you handle the hard stuff. Do you defend or justify what happened? Or are you looking for the lesson and course correcting to be better the next time around?
I believe people want to work with people who have been through challenges and have had a good attitude to get through them instead of a victim style attitude. That way they feel like if something were to happen then they will not feel beat up from the relationship.
Things go wrong in life! Challenges interfere with smooth transactions and both sides are effected by it. Make sure your attitude acknowledges the other people involved.
You are in control of your attitude! You are in control how you respond to any circumstance in your business. How will you manage it to be a success? People want to support others to be successful, remember they do not want to fight through your attitude to help.
What is one thing you can do today that will stretch the boundaries of your attitude? How can you improve a small step in attitude that will support you in growing in your business?
Your attitude is the key to making anything a success. Many people have the attitude of business will find me. I just have to say I am in business and people will hunt them down to buy what they are selling. Whether it is a product or services you will have to take on the attitude of "If it is to be, it is up to me".
Many times people will act in business as they do with their family and friends. Very laid back and comfortable.
Your attitude will be the strongest (or weakest ) aspect about you.
To be successful you may want to shift your attitude to be on purpose and maybe stretch your boundaries of comfort.
Your attitude will determine how you handle the circumstances around you. When challenges arise are you handling them with looking for a solution or are you taking revenge out on the circumstances? Getting mad or taking the circumstances personally usually does not show the best in you.
Your attitude determines the self image you have. People often look to see your attitude in how you handle the hard stuff. Do you defend or justify what happened? Or are you looking for the lesson and course correcting to be better the next time around?
I believe people want to work with people who have been through challenges and have had a good attitude to get through them instead of a victim style attitude. That way they feel like if something were to happen then they will not feel beat up from the relationship.
Things go wrong in life! Challenges interfere with smooth transactions and both sides are effected by it. Make sure your attitude acknowledges the other people involved.
You are in control of your attitude! You are in control how you respond to any circumstance in your business. How will you manage it to be a success? People want to support others to be successful, remember they do not want to fight through your attitude to help.
What is one thing you can do today that will stretch the boundaries of your attitude? How can you improve a small step in attitude that will support you in growing in your business?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Action Steps for Success #1
Take Action & Start Today
If you're waiting to start something until conditions are perfect, you probably never will start.
There will always be something that isn't quite right. Not enough money, timing not right, someone else is doing it or too many people are trying to hold you back.
How many times have you said you would start something and you still have not? What has stopped you? What keeps you from taking the action steps necessary to do what you want to do?
There is no perfect time to start. You have to take the risk and take action! You will have to deal with the issues and circumstances as they arise. By that time you will have already learned new ways to solve quicker. The best time to start - is Today!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days... What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it."
At the top of every profession people share one main quality - Commitment to get things done. Taking action on what needs to happen. Leaders get into the habit of putting ideas into action now! Taking action is essential to getting things done.
If you're waiting to start something until conditions are perfect, you probably never will start.
There will always be something that isn't quite right. Not enough money, timing not right, someone else is doing it or too many people are trying to hold you back.
How many times have you said you would start something and you still have not? What has stopped you? What keeps you from taking the action steps necessary to do what you want to do?
There is no perfect time to start. You have to take the risk and take action! You will have to deal with the issues and circumstances as they arise. By that time you will have already learned new ways to solve quicker. The best time to start - is Today!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days... What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it."
At the top of every profession people share one main quality - Commitment to get things done. Taking action on what needs to happen. Leaders get into the habit of putting ideas into action now! Taking action is essential to getting things done.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Be A Legacy Networking Tip #11
Follow Up System
What is your follow up system? When you receive a contact or someone tells you they want your product or wants to book a presentation from you what is the system that you follow?
Are you reinventing your system with some similarities each time? Create a system that is consistent.
Follow up within 48 hours with every lead you get. You can follow up by phone, email, mail or be creative and follow up!
Have a form with the questions you want to ask in front of you. This way you do not ever get of the phone thinking you forget to ask them something. This also allows you to stay on track and will help with time management to do more follow up calls.
If you are calling to follow up and have to leave a message, let the prospect know you will be calling again. How is your call back system working? I have a 5 call systems in place for each person. I will leave a message using each of the 4 behaviors styles. This way it is more likely that when they hear me speak in their behavior style they are more likely going to call me back. However, my fifth call is the final call in which I let them know I will not be calling them again and though I would like to support them with their need, it seems not at this time.
If I do not make contact with the prospect I will follow up in about 15 days and 30 days with a postcard if I have their address or use email as the second choice. What will you do?
Having a powerful follow up system is most important for your business success.
When you do not follow up you are telling yourself that your business does not matter to you and you are telling the lead that they are not important.
Make a commitment to create a follow up system and follow up within 48 hours for 30 days. Watch your business success grow.
What is your follow up system? When you receive a contact or someone tells you they want your product or wants to book a presentation from you what is the system that you follow?
Are you reinventing your system with some similarities each time? Create a system that is consistent.
Follow up within 48 hours with every lead you get. You can follow up by phone, email, mail or be creative and follow up!
Have a form with the questions you want to ask in front of you. This way you do not ever get of the phone thinking you forget to ask them something. This also allows you to stay on track and will help with time management to do more follow up calls.
If you are calling to follow up and have to leave a message, let the prospect know you will be calling again. How is your call back system working? I have a 5 call systems in place for each person. I will leave a message using each of the 4 behaviors styles. This way it is more likely that when they hear me speak in their behavior style they are more likely going to call me back. However, my fifth call is the final call in which I let them know I will not be calling them again and though I would like to support them with their need, it seems not at this time.
If I do not make contact with the prospect I will follow up in about 15 days and 30 days with a postcard if I have their address or use email as the second choice. What will you do?
Having a powerful follow up system is most important for your business success.
When you do not follow up you are telling yourself that your business does not matter to you and you are telling the lead that they are not important.
Make a commitment to create a follow up system and follow up within 48 hours for 30 days. Watch your business success grow.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Be A Legacy Networking Tip #10
Be Prepared For Success
Always have your business tools with you when you go out! Always, always have business cards, brochures or catalogs with you!
Whether you are at the store or networking events have something that people can walk away with that represents you. If you make a connection with someone and they want to connect with you and you have nothing to offer them that will allow the two of you to connect in the future, you are missing an opportunity!
Your contact information is key to business success. People are busy and do not want to have to work to make the connection that will serve you. People want fast, easy connection!
I have been to many event and at every event someone tells me "I forgot my business card". I just ran out or I am getting new ones printed. I heard "oh I can not believe I forgot them. First impression is "not serious about business!"
If you want to be treated as a serious business person bring the tools to support that.
Have cards in your vehicle, spouses vehicle, brief case, purse and any bag you have. I have taken cards to the beach in Hawaii! Do not be left making an impression that your business is not important.
Always have your business tools with you when you go out! Always, always have business cards, brochures or catalogs with you!
Whether you are at the store or networking events have something that people can walk away with that represents you. If you make a connection with someone and they want to connect with you and you have nothing to offer them that will allow the two of you to connect in the future, you are missing an opportunity!
Your contact information is key to business success. People are busy and do not want to have to work to make the connection that will serve you. People want fast, easy connection!
I have been to many event and at every event someone tells me "I forgot my business card". I just ran out or I am getting new ones printed. I heard "oh I can not believe I forgot them. First impression is "not serious about business!"
If you want to be treated as a serious business person bring the tools to support that.
Have cards in your vehicle, spouses vehicle, brief case, purse and any bag you have. I have taken cards to the beach in Hawaii! Do not be left making an impression that your business is not important.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Be A Legacy Networking Tip #9
Wear Your Business Proud!
Wear a name badge where ever you go. At least your company logo. Get your logo and name embroidered on your shirts and jackets. Let people see who you represent. It helps you get noticed and creates credibility, professionalism and branding for you and your business.
When you go to meetings, mixers, social activities, events and shopping wear your business proud. I have picked up many clients while shopping because people have a sense of curiosity. I truly believe people want to connect, yet they do not feel they have anything in common to speak about. By providing something for them to speak about you open the door for them to connect with you. Allowing a possible start to building a relationship.
Get your car a name badge too. You are driving around anyway, so let people know who you are and what you have to offer. (Make sure you act appropriate driving and be professional.) Having business magnets or signage on your vehicle creates visibility and exposure for your company which create you as a successful leader.
If you set up a table or booth at a networking event then get a table cloth with your company name, logo and web address on it. Allow your table to sell you too.
I am not saying you have to go out and get all of these at once. Get your name badge and then work to save to get to the next level. All of these items can be inexpensive if you look for the bargains and sales. It will create greater visibility for you which will bring you a return on investment quickly.
Get a great name badge and wear your business proud.
Wear a name badge where ever you go. At least your company logo. Get your logo and name embroidered on your shirts and jackets. Let people see who you represent. It helps you get noticed and creates credibility, professionalism and branding for you and your business.
When you go to meetings, mixers, social activities, events and shopping wear your business proud. I have picked up many clients while shopping because people have a sense of curiosity. I truly believe people want to connect, yet they do not feel they have anything in common to speak about. By providing something for them to speak about you open the door for them to connect with you. Allowing a possible start to building a relationship.
Get your car a name badge too. You are driving around anyway, so let people know who you are and what you have to offer. (Make sure you act appropriate driving and be professional.) Having business magnets or signage on your vehicle creates visibility and exposure for your company which create you as a successful leader.
If you set up a table or booth at a networking event then get a table cloth with your company name, logo and web address on it. Allow your table to sell you too.
I am not saying you have to go out and get all of these at once. Get your name badge and then work to save to get to the next level. All of these items can be inexpensive if you look for the bargains and sales. It will create greater visibility for you which will bring you a return on investment quickly.
Get a great name badge and wear your business proud.
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