Change is one of the few things that is a constant is an old saying. It’s true in business and in life.
Speaking for my business, I’m excited about several of the changes that are coming together at the end of this year. From mastermind groups, teleseminar schedules, events I’ll be facilitating and presenting for, etc. there’s many things to look forward to.
These things don’t happen in a vacuum though - they take planning.
When’s the last time you updated your strategic plan? How about the last time you looked at it? 2008 is coming to a close - now is the time to prepare for 2009. Schedule time now in your calendar to work on your strategic plan.
Need help, not sure what should go in your strategic plan? Not sure how much time you need? Feeling lost? Give me a call 717-557-5001. I’m more than happy to help.
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Dedicated to inspiring and encouraging the growth of our members. A place of inspiration for those who are referral minded for betterment of the business community at large.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Lessons from The Godfather
Over the last week I watched the entire Godfather trilogy. There's so much I could write based on these movies, but I'm going to limit my article to three points.
First, "keep you friends close, and your enemies closer," is one of the lessons that Michael Corleone learned from his father. In the business world, you could alter that to keep you friends close and your competitors closer. It's always good to know what the competition is doing. It's good to know what their strengths and weaknesses are compared to yours. It's also good to know the differences between your business and theirs because ultimately, you should be a resource for your prospects - meaning that you might just refer business to a competitor sometime because they can do a better job for a contact than you can. Your contact will thank you.
Second, "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse," is probably the most famous line from the movie. From the standpoint of your business, what could you offer that a prospect couldn't refuse? What kind of value could you possibly provide that would make it crazy for a prospect to pass on?
Lastly, the end of the movie shows an old Michael Corleone sitting in a chair, alone, then slumping over and dying. In the end, it's not all the money that you generated, or the toys you had, or anything material that matters, you still die. What kind of legacy do you want to leave? How about your business - what do you want people to say about your business when you finally close shop, sell, or pass the business on?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
First, "keep you friends close, and your enemies closer," is one of the lessons that Michael Corleone learned from his father. In the business world, you could alter that to keep you friends close and your competitors closer. It's always good to know what the competition is doing. It's good to know what their strengths and weaknesses are compared to yours. It's also good to know the differences between your business and theirs because ultimately, you should be a resource for your prospects - meaning that you might just refer business to a competitor sometime because they can do a better job for a contact than you can. Your contact will thank you.
Second, "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse," is probably the most famous line from the movie. From the standpoint of your business, what could you offer that a prospect couldn't refuse? What kind of value could you possibly provide that would make it crazy for a prospect to pass on?
Lastly, the end of the movie shows an old Michael Corleone sitting in a chair, alone, then slumping over and dying. In the end, it's not all the money that you generated, or the toys you had, or anything material that matters, you still die. What kind of legacy do you want to leave? How about your business - what do you want people to say about your business when you finally close shop, sell, or pass the business on?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Election Lessons
Being someone who has an extensive background in politics, I would be remiss if I didn't write an article on the lessons learned from this past Tuesday's election.
Here's a few lessons/reminders that apply to politics, and certainly apply to business.
First, for professionals, election night signifies the beginning of the next election cycle. There is little time to rest because there is another election right around the corner. Isn't that the same in your business? When you make a sale, you don't sit around and celebrate and stop working. A sale signifies that it's time to move on to fulfillment with your new client and time to get back out and start selling again (and actually you should be prospecting continuously). The point is, celebrate your sale, but get back to work.
Second, emotion. It's always interesting to watch the emotional roller coaster that staff, volunteers and supporters go through leading up to and through the actual election. The more emotionally attached to a candidate someone is, the more they will do for that candidate. People don't buy because something makes sense, they buy because of emotion - in the case of this election, something historic, feeling comfortable with a candidate, fear of losing something, etc. It's no different for any other business. People buy based on emotion. How can you tap into that?
Third, expectations. Politics is a huge expectations game. It is dangerous for a candidate to raise their own expectations too high because the likelihood is that they will fail. Our governmental system is designed to resist change, promote gridlock, and be inefficient. When it comes to government, that's a good thing - as I always say, the most efficient form of government is a dictatorship - and who wants that? Is this any different for your business? What are you expectations? Are they realistic? What expectations are you promoting to your clients and prospects? Are you raising expectations too high or lowering expectations too low?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Here's a few lessons/reminders that apply to politics, and certainly apply to business.
First, for professionals, election night signifies the beginning of the next election cycle. There is little time to rest because there is another election right around the corner. Isn't that the same in your business? When you make a sale, you don't sit around and celebrate and stop working. A sale signifies that it's time to move on to fulfillment with your new client and time to get back out and start selling again (and actually you should be prospecting continuously). The point is, celebrate your sale, but get back to work.
Second, emotion. It's always interesting to watch the emotional roller coaster that staff, volunteers and supporters go through leading up to and through the actual election. The more emotionally attached to a candidate someone is, the more they will do for that candidate. People don't buy because something makes sense, they buy because of emotion - in the case of this election, something historic, feeling comfortable with a candidate, fear of losing something, etc. It's no different for any other business. People buy based on emotion. How can you tap into that?
Third, expectations. Politics is a huge expectations game. It is dangerous for a candidate to raise their own expectations too high because the likelihood is that they will fail. Our governmental system is designed to resist change, promote gridlock, and be inefficient. When it comes to government, that's a good thing - as I always say, the most efficient form of government is a dictatorship - and who wants that? Is this any different for your business? What are you expectations? Are they realistic? What expectations are you promoting to your clients and prospects? Are you raising expectations too high or lowering expectations too low?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Two Months Left
It’s now November. There are two months left in 2008. I’m going to take this opportunity to ask you a series of questions. The point is to make the most of the rest of 2008.
Are you one track to meet your strategic goals for 2008?
When’s the last time you looked at your strategic plan?
If you could only accomplish one more goal in 2008, what would it be? What’s holding you back from completing it? How will you overcome those obstacles?
What’s your sales goal for these last two month?
What training/development do your people or you need?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Are you one track to meet your strategic goals for 2008?
When’s the last time you looked at your strategic plan?
If you could only accomplish one more goal in 2008, what would it be? What’s holding you back from completing it? How will you overcome those obstacles?
What’s your sales goal for these last two month?
What training/development do your people or you need?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.