Business Strategies That Work!

Dale Little, Business Strategist, asks “Why are you in business?” Some people say it’s to get rich. Others say it’s so they can be their own boss. Why do you do what you do?

Do you enjoy your work? Do you bounce out of bed in the morning eager to begin the day, tackle a project, or solicit new business?

Business owners typically have a vision for the future of their company. More often than not the path to achieving that vision may become blurred or even rocky on occasion.

What do you do when that happens? Here are alternatives used by some business owners:

1. Consult a mentor.
2. Take a class or check out some online forums.
3. Take a break. Go for a walk. Read a book.
4. Initiate a brainstorming session.
5. Doodle, Squiggle, or Journal thoughts and ideas. Don’t be concerned if they’re random. Any one of them could produce the solution or alternative.

You may be wondering, ” We have email, teleconferencing, and webinar capabilities, why bother to meet face-to-face?”  Face-to-face business meetings allow all participants to discuss the topic(s) in an open forum.  Questions can be asked and answered in real-time, with the added advantage of all that interpersonal communication provides.  For all the benefits and convenience of modern technology, the cumulative time involved in leaving voice mail messages, writing,  reading and responding to group emails will always be more than simply having a face-to-face meeting. Obviously, productivity is essential to a good meeting.  How can your business meetings be efficient, productive, and interesting?

Agendas An agenda assists the meeting coordinator and participants in preparation for the meeting, as well as staying on track during the meeting. An agenda needn’t be complicated. It should list the topics for discussion, if the presentation of topics are to be divided among participants the presenters should be identified, and there should be a specified time allotment for each topic.

The meeting agenda should be circulated in advance of your meeting time.  The agenda should include, or have an attached cover letter that lists the date, time, and place for the meeting.  Also, be sure to provide the meeting goal, all relevant background information, and assign items required for preparation and/or participation in your meeting.

The clock. A clock has multiple roles in meeting planning and productivity.  When contemplating what time to begin the meeting, take into consideration peak business activity times, as well as any other “time” criteria that might be adversely affected by several employees being in a meeting and not at their desk.  Keep to the schedule.  Respect that everyone has other deadlines and obligations that they must return to.  If a meeting is going to be lengthy, schedule 10 minute breaks every hour or so.  If the meeting appears to be headed into overtime, consider setting a second meeting to wrap up unfinished business.

Be objective.  Remain professional. Typically, emotions or boredom are the main causes for a meeting to flying off the schedule track.  As meeting coordinator, stick to factual information.  When emotions begin to run high, steer the meeting back to the topic at hand.  Set the professional example by speaking clearly, with courtesy and respect.  The best tool available for keeping a meeting objective and on track is Robert’s Rules of Order.  If you don’t have the answer for an unanticipated question, don’t panic.  Make a note of the question and let meeting participants know when they can expect the answer, and how you’ll be sharing the information.

Meetings can go well, or they can be a disaster.  With a bit of advance planning, open communication, some clock watching and professional decorum your meeting will go off without a hitch.

Public speaking, whether it be on a stage before 1000’s or at a conference table with three business associates, can cause many of us to feel a distinct desire to hide under our desk.  We overlook the fact that the main reason we’re the one offering the presentation is because we have the knowledge and talent to speak with insight and clarity on the subject.  Even that realization does little to comfort many presenters.  So how can you not only survive a presentation, but also accomplish the intended goal?

Be prepared. Preparation for a business presentation comes in many forms.  Are you presenting a proposal to a client?  Is your purpose to teach business associates a new technique or trend?  Define who your audience will be. Determine what their goal will be for your presentation. By this I mean, “What’s in it for me?  Why should I listen to this?”.  Once you’ve established your audience goal, you’re well on the way to creating an effective presentation.

Research. Start planning and organizing your presentation materials as soon as your presentation is confirmed.  Know your topic inside and out.  Do online and traditional document research. Dialogue with others in your business that have knowledge of your topic.  Make notations of key points. Presentations written as bullet points make the best presentations. Memorize your outline. Then expound spontaneously on the ideas you’re sharing.  Don’t be troubled if your research leaves you with stacks of notes and lists.  15 – 30 minutes is the standard length of a business presentation. Studies show that it takes one hour of research and preparation for every minute of an informative presentation.  All those notes will come in handy!

Practice. After you’ve prepared your presentation, read through it several times a day.  You may want to video a practice presentation, and then review the video from an audience member’s perspective.  After 2 or 3 days move to “speaking”  your presentation in front of a mirror.  Try to use your presentation document or notes only for a quick glance now and then.  An engaging speaker maintains eye contact with the audience, thus developing a relationship with the listeners.

Helpful Odds and Ends. Divide your presentation into three main segments:  Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.  Remember the main rule of public speaking that you’ve probably heard for most of your life, “Tell ‘em what you’re going to tell ‘em.  Tell them.  Then tell ‘em what you told ‘em.”  If time permits and the setting is appropriate, conclude with a 10-15 minute Question and Answer session (Allow more time if you’re presenting a client proposal or project.)

Be cautious with humor.  A joke or brief anecdote is an excellent way to begin your presentation, as it sets everyone at ease and works toward establishing rapport with your audience.  Your jokes or stories should steer clear of controversial or intimate topics. Rely on topics that are generalized and “G” rated.

Speak slowly and clearly.  Don’t forget to breath.  Have a glass of water nearby.  Sip discreetly and only as needed.  The water-glass shouldn’t be a substitute for other nervous behavior.

Relax and enjoy. Accept that you’ll be nervous as your presentation begins, that’s what makes you a great business professional. You’re concerned about doing well, and providing quality information to your audience.  That’s a good thing!    Take several deep breaths, stand tall… and go wow them with your presentation!  Enjoy the spotlight.

Make It Happen Monday!

Does your business day include a Power Hour?  In the world of Small Business, many entrepreneurs begin their day with one full hour of uninterrupted mind and body preparation.  Here’s how it works:

Designate one hour during the interval between awakening and beginning your business activities as your Power Hour.  Divide that hour into four, 15-minute segments.  One 15-minute time slot will be for the sole purpose of invigorating your body with a brief cardio workout.  A 15-minute yoga session will loosen muscles and relax the body in preparation for the stresses of the day.  15 minutes of meditation, visualization, or autogenic training will clear your mind and set you up for smooth sailing through the decisions and tasks ahead. Spending 15 minutes reading a book that motivates you or increases your knowledge of your industry or business practices will put you in the proper mind-set for a productive work day.  This gives you the added bonus of a new topic to discuss at your next networking event.   Work Power Hours into your schedule this week.  You may be surprised at how much difference it will make in your entrepreneurial life.

Friday is typically an aaahhhh day.  End of the week, many things have been accomplished, and now we’re looking forward to the weekend.  Let’s take a look at some things that we can do to make every day an aaahhhhhh day:

• Exercise We all know that exercise is good for us. We some times forget that exercise is also good for our mind.  The same exercise program that helps prevent disease and build muscle can also help manage stress.  Time, or lack thereof, seems the most common reason for exercise programs to go by the way side.  Fitness expert and owner of LeanDream, Alan Zimmerer, understands this.  Zimmerer said ” The single, most valuable resource for nearly all entrepreneurs is time.  No stranger to late nights, the twenty-hour work day, or frequent travel, it’s even easier for those chasing the dream to put exercise and health on the back burner, if not off the stove all together.  What many fail to realize is that maintaining your health doesn’t take a significant time investment if done correctly.  Additionally, maintaining your health will leave you with more energy, less stress, a more focused mind, and a more productive day – ultimately saving you more time than you actually put in.”  How to make this happen? Read more…

• “Your mind will overcome anything. That is, anything that matters to you”. -km Okay.  That sounds good, but how can we get mind and matter to work together?  Autogenic training is often associated with deep relaxation and stress relief.  Today’s practitioners recognize that autogenics can aid in overcoming addictions (such as smoking or gambling), change unwanted behaviors (such as OCD), and resolve anxieties (such as fear of failure or public speaking). In fact, you can use autogenics to help overcome a variety of psychological or physiological problem.  How’s that for Fabulous Friday news?  Personally, I’ve practiced autogenic training for about 4 months, and I’ve been amazed at the almost instant results (both physical and mental).  It can’t hurt to learn more about it, right?

• Approach with optimism. There are days when it’s tough to say things are going well, and some days when it seems like things aren’t going at all… well or otherwise.  That kind of  day can get the most optimistic entrepreneur down.  A personality makeover isn’t necessary, but perhaps approaching situations from a different perspective can make it all seem easier.  On hold indefinitely waiting for a tech when it looks like you’ve fried your iPhone?   Pass the time while improving your eye-hand coordination with an online jigsaw puzzle.  Stuck in traffic after a client meeting that started poorly and went from bad to worse?  Pop an audiobook in your CD player. I like The Success Principles by Jack Canfield.

Above all, just as I wrote in an earlier post… be good to yourself.  Take time for yourself, and the people and activities you enjoy.  Goals and plans are great, but when they control our lives they become the same ball and chain we sought to steer away from when we chose entrepreneurship.

Happy Friday!

No one will extol the virtues of the products or services you offer with the same excitement and intensity that you will.  The internet opens doors for publicity and marketing that were once either inaccessible or non-existent for business owners.  In addition to your current sales and marketing plan, begin a strategy of writing and posting informational articles and press releases about your company.

Your articles and press releases should, of course, include big news but are also for all occasions (i.e. new staff member on your team, business event your company is sponsoring, new product being offered, your personal review of  developments in your industry, etc.).  It is beneficial to target journalists on occasion, and some press release sites only target journalists, but don’t forget about the interests of your target customer.  Include offers that compel your target audience to respond to your  press release. Include links that drive traffic to your web site and/or blog.  Add social media tags so your release can be found.  Optimize your releases with keywords relevant to common searches for your business.  It’s up to you to blow your own horn louder and longer than anyone else will.  The following list offers some options and opportunities for you to get the word out about your business.

Free media leads

http://www.PitchRate.com

Free list of all the US Newspapers

http://www.usnpl.com

Free Press Release Sites:

http://www.pr.com/promote-your-business

http://www.free-press-release.com/

http://www.rembrandtwrites.com/FreePressReleasePostingSites.htm

http://www.newswiretoday.com/index.php

http://www.1888pressrelease.com

Publish your articles online:

https://publish.associatedcontent.com/signup.shtml

http://www.articlesbase.com/

http://biznik.com/

Google:  Making The Most of It!

Google is everywhere and it’s even been said that it is the defining word for the last decade.  Do we really take full advantage of all that Google has to offer?  Google tips abound.  Real Simple magazine offers  these expert tips. There are these 7 things that you can do directly in the Google search field.

Wondering about Google Wave?  Take a look here.  How about Google Chrome?  That’s certainly been in the news.

Maintaining your business web site, and wishing for easier and better techniques?  Visit this Google site Google Keyword Toolbox.

Is scheduling your nightmare?  Your calendar is never around when you need it, or worse, you forget to check it!  Google simplifies it with, of course, Google Calendar.

Google Apps are invaluable to a lot of business owners.  And, don’t forget Google Docs!

Following business blogs that post current and practical tips for business is an excellent continuing education tool.  Techniques, tools, and strategies are continually evolving.  Time, or lack thereof, is often a deterrent to becoming involved in traditional continuing education programs.  Spending a bit of initial research time on the web can give you avenues to new information that you never dreamed existed.  Here’s a brief list of some of the business posts today:

5 Tips To Attract More Blog Comments Business & small business from Entrepreneur.com. As companies turn to Facebook to boost their business, they notice more people posting Facebook Status Updates, Notes, Pictures, and Video than are posting comments on their company blog. …

3 Techniques To Grow Your List, Part 2 of a Series  Like I said yesterday, having a list of happy, satisfied clients who buy from you over and over as well as refer you great new clients is an enormous asset. Add in a system to convert your current prospects …

10 Tips to Boost Your Online Marketing and Website I invite you to join me on Wednesday, January 13, 2009 for a free 1-hour webinar: 10 Tips to give a Boost to your website and online marketing.

How To:  Use a Start Page to Stay Organized Customizable start pages are a great way to stay organized, keep tabs on your industry, and keep in touch, all in one place. Here are some tips for using a start page.

A new work week.  A brand new beginning.  Ready?  Let’s get started!  If you haven’t made your To Do list for today, make one now.  Don’t get bogged down by prioritization and delegating as you initially make your list.

Let the thoughts flow. After you’ve written all the To Do items you can think of, assign priority numbers to each task.  Then go back through the list and decide which tasks can be delegated to others.  Mark that person’s name or department by the task.  Review your list a second time.  Which items can be relegated to another day?  Which tasks are busy work and can be eliminated?

All right!  The To Do list is complete.  Make sub-copies for those that you’ve delegated tasks to and pass their list along to them. Done.  Excellent.  Check your priorities now, and get started knocking that list out.  As a task is completed, mark it off the list, congratulate yourself on a job well done and keep going.  You’ll have your list wrapped up in no time!