Consumers are in control…you just figured this out when?

Just read in Yahoo Business News today that Wall Street is finally acknowledging that consumers, not capitalists, not republicans, not democrats, not international business, not anything other than “CONSUMERS” are in control of things. Right here, right now, we are standing in the midst of a transference of wealth. What shall we do to make it effective so we, the “market consumers” can benefit?

Many will see an opportunity and will find a need and fill it. The economy is about to return to a service base rather than a product or “latest advanced toy” basis. We have become so comfortable with ourselves, that our innovative nature took a back seat to comfort creature mentality and has set us back about ten years.

Here’s the point; if Wall Street is finally acknowledging that consumers are in control and many of the “big boys” are the ones that are the most affected, we have a chance to say, “Ok. No more crap. Let’s get this country back on the road by making sure you’re producing things that are smart. Not just the latest toy, but the latest innovations that prove we can produce just as well just as inexpensively, and let’s make sure we support the ones that do.”

Enough of being led like blind sheep as consumers we have a choice in where the money flows, let’s make wiser choices and effect the right change.

Here’s an example; Hyundai came to this country with a product that was cheap and built pretty cheaply by my standards. They banked…quite well. They turned around and took that and now produce a luxury vehicle that rivals our old friends BMW and Mercedes, and are competing. We as consumers told the other two that rest on their reputations and history, it no longer matters about your name, I want a car I can enjoy and I’m not paying huge bucks for it. I mean really, $400 for a brake job? and only the fronts? Sorry, I’ll go with a well developed smart car that gets major mileage and is light on my wallet.

Since the consumer market is holding a lot of its discretionary income close to home, businesses have to find new ways to market to us to get us to come spend. Else not we will continue to watch the downward spiral of the economy til well into the next decade.

We have Wall Street’s attention, I say we keep it and make something of it by showing them through our voice…our wallets…that we will only support those that will support us wuth better services and products. Now is the time, make it count.

Where’s the money flowing…

Seth Godin makes a real interesting point on his latest blog; where the money is there you’ll find the people working.

Interesting to me that it starts as an end still and then the means justifies it. (almost sounds like the torture debate going on right now)

Here’s a tag to Mr. Godin’s point; if there is money to be made you can well believe that someone is going to be searching for it.

He wrote that things change around once there’s money to be made in any particluar field. He related it to writers becoming publishers which is the reverse of what was. (When the Writer Becomes the Publisher / Seth Godin – 05/2009)

It would seem pretty logical that once the public wants something, they are willing to pay for it, so what is it that you have that they are willing to pay for? What message can you get across to them to tell them what you have is what they need? Many times I see “the best blah blah” or “Number 1 blah blah in the state” C’mon, do you really think that is going to attract attention? If it does, I’d be pretty surprised. Nowadays it’s just not enough. Mr. Godin back in 2003 made refernece to being remarkable(the purple cow). If you have a pizz,a shop fine, so does almost every other coner strip mall, what makes yours so different?

Here in Las Vegas, NV , a local pizza chain by the name of Metro pizza decided to become the “purple cow” of the valley by holding pizza making classes. Their pizza is great, but now they are the teachers of pizza making, and it’s doing very well. People are paying for classes and more are hearing by word of mouth how great their pizzas are. Do you think they can charge a bit more because of that?

Here’s the bottom line: You have to find the flow of money where it is moving and get in front of it. It’s the one time you want to get run over by the flood. Even if you can’t handle it you’ll have known what is was like and can most likey prepare for it better next time. Pizza makers to pizza making teachers,writers becoming publishers, what else can you think of that would set you apart and find you more income for your business through the right marketing message?

Keep it rolling!

Financial help

I was looking at my financial statement earlier this evening and I was thinking…” what the? I’ve got a LOT of empty spaces here…where the heck is my 401 I had from IAB? Why didn’t that get rolled over when I left? Who’s got my money now? CRAP! I have no idea where my money is!! How  does this thing tell me where that…WHAAAT?!?! UGH! SOMEONE HELP PLEEEAAASSEE!!”

Well, I just learned that an unsuspected financial expert has emerged and is going to be blogging on playboy’s site giving the layman a fair shot at making things work, and taking down the man.

Duff McKagan is Playboy’s new Financial Guru, and I for one believe after reading his story about why he was chosen, and a believer that he will be worth more than his weight in gold nuggets!

He comes from a background that most would think he doesn’t know squat. Well, he knows squat and a hell of a lot more.

Keep up on his blog at:

http://www.playboy.com/mt-tb.cgi/20942

Definitely a place to learn more about finances, what works what doesn’t and one of his objectives is to expose the BS in the industry that loves to confound and confuse. I LOVE IT! Finally some straight talk on how to keep it together!

Now where’d I put that last bank statement…..

Christmas is Over!

With all the bad statistics of how everyone is worried about how the economy is doing and how the decline in shopping was due to everyone worried about their “Job Security”, hey gang here’s a hint…IT’S A FALSE SECURITY! Anwyay, I wanted to drop thisin for everyonr to think about…wrote it today.

Well, the hardest time of the year is now done!

 

New projects can begin and we don’t have to deal with executives wondering what we’re gonna come up with to drive Black Friday. Not that it was going to help much anyway…We’re in a recession! DOH!

 

I had a couple of really interesting conversations regarding our economy and where they thought things were headed regarding the market and its condition. We all were of the same opinion that if things don’t change soon, we are teetering at the edge of a depression. We also all came to the same conclusion, this particular country is beginning to get out of its comfort zone, and beginning to realize that we are a lot more responsible for our actions than we thought. It was a friend that made me realize that even my meager decisions affect others around me. Guess we all need to take a better perspective on life. Start recognizing that we have a responsibility to the rest of the world, even though we don’t want it, we got it. We need to take care of it.

 

Sure, we don’t want to have to deal with everyone else’s crap, but we started it, we need to finish what we started. This means that the next nuts we vote into office will understand this “bi=partisan” stuff has to end, and they need to do things to the people’s satisfaction. I don’t mean just for the blue collar, or just the white collar, not just the rich or the poor. They need to get it together for the good of the greater not the one.

 

This brings a big “yeah right” on from everyone…ok so, do you throw your hands up and stop fighting to make it right? At the same do we revolt? C’mon, think logically already.

 

I took a Critical thinking class once and our instructor was a trial lawyer…this was an interesting class…believe ye me…the fights that almost started in this class because of what someone’s brother or sister or mom or dad went through with a certain situation, WHOA! The emotions ran deep in this class!

 

I got to speak up in the class one day and nicely explained that not a single person in that room was going to make it in the corporate world simply because they were making choices and decisions in their own lives by their emotions rather than doing their homework and finally coming to a real conclusion…one that was driven by information and “Critical thinking”.

 

The response was kinda interesting. Many sat there in kind of disbelief that I spoke for one. For two, what I just said basically threw all of their opinions and rationalizations right out the window. So, some of them wouldn’t talk to me anymore…LOL! Some chose to think before they did say anything to me. My instructor? He loved me! (not literally) He and I had some great conversations over the phone about the subjects after class about how to think critically and take the point of view that had no view…

 

What da heck does that mean Mike?

 

Here’s what it means;

 

Nothing makes sense until you have all the facts, and to make it make sense you have to have all of the facts. If not, you are taking an uncalculated risk that will cost you in the short and long term.

 

Don’t let emotions and traditions and any other emotional based information permeate into your head or heart for that matter to cause you to decide too early. Take the time to research your thoughts, and sort them out. I have a friend that is so deliberate in his thinking, that when you ask him a question, he will literally say..” uuuummmmm…maybeee, you should try this….ok?” What he does is while he says “ummmmm”, he is thinking how would this work out the best for this subject? Then he makes his suggestion according to what he has figured out. His decisions are usually spot on. Others in that company I cannot vouch the same.

 

Point: Take the time to do your homework, find out, and if you run out of time, see if you can delay the answer. If not, go with the best you can come up with, or find others that have more info than you, and utilize them as a resource. Take the time to take the time…sheesh.

 

Don’t rush…here’s another thought, “If you have to rush, You’re late! Take the time to be early, make it easier on yourself.”

 

Next round I will talk more about how to manage projects when they get dumped on you.

If you’re not ready….they will be!

Well this was posted around Facebook and a few other places today, so why not here?

 

Look here’s the skinny…year’s end is upon us…so what have you done to plan for the next round? Your competition is trying to squash you so they can corner the market(even if it never happens the point is).

 

You have to have something in place so you can get ahead and leave “them” behind. If you can’t do that, you might as well close your doors.

 

So what is below is a toolkit my friend created for small business owners to fend off the big dawgs trying to out advertise you. Heck in some cases you could get some better prices for your marketing if you do it right. You might even get some free publicity…but you won’t get anything if you don’t start planning NOW.

 

But to do it, you’ll need to get this stuff in your hot little hands or on your computer so you can absorb the info and start the planning process….Don’t let the rest of the year go by with,”It was seasons…” as an excuse.

 

Keep it rolling!

When was the last time a prospect called YOU with money in hand to do business?  Did you know that, with just one minor change to your marketing message, you can double or even triple your responses?

 

For a limited time Facebook users can receive a special discount for an amazing new marketing tool-kit designed for business owners and marketing professionals.  Called the Power Marketing on a Budget Guide, this resource will steer you through the myriad of marketing options and create a “buzz” that is GUARANTEED to make your phone and cash register ring!

 

Check this out: www.CorporateRainMakers.com/PowerMarketing/Facebook.htm and start marketing like a pro today!

Are you playing in the right playground?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with quite a few different people in different industries, and how they interact with potential clients. You know, customers…

 

What amazes me, is how many business owners want to venture into new territories to drum up new business, but fail to really understand where the brunt of their clientele is to be found.

 

I watched at a playground recently where an older kid was hanging out on the “kiddie” side of the playground. As I watched he and another friend struggled to use the smaller equipment there on that side. Mind you, in the same area was the bigger kid’s playground equipment just on the other side of the actual playground, but these two found it funnier and actually hilarious in watching each other struggle to get into the much smaller stuff, like the swings, and the slides that were much shorter and so on.

 

What really caught my attention though was that when they called their other friends, none of them would come over to struggle with them and laughing more at them than with them.

 

Surely if they had called to their friends to come and play at the bigger equipment, they would have had a lot more attention and probably gotten their friends to join them there.

 

It goes the same in business. Where do you place your marketing efforts? How do you position your product, or service? Is it in the right place so that those that could use or need your deal is right in front of you? Or are you like a couple of business owners I know that force the square peg into the round whole?(that was intentional by the way)

 

In order to be sure you are in the right market place or targeting the right demographic, you need to do your homework.

 

This is a two fold lesson; make sure your product or service is being advertised or marketed to the right consumers or businesses, or risk losing out on a LOT of income. As well, make sure your product matches what the market needs at that time.

 

To bring out a product that is more about Christmas, in January, I think you can guess the rest. At the same time, if you don’t market enough to your marketplace even when the time is right, you risk losing out as the world rushes by.

 

To put out a service or product that is needed by the elderly to a market full of young people, you will have a stale market that won’t bother even looking at what you have even if you spend huge dollars on marketing.

 

Whatever your deal is, make sure you are “playing in the right playground” or you’ll go home feeling pretty sore from uncomfortable consequences. Make sure you are putting your efforts in the right area. Don’t risk spending needlessly on markets that may or may not respond to your business.

 

I’ll follow up on this idea as the weeks roll on…there’s a lot to go over regarding this concept and I don’t want anyone missing out.

Connect with me on Entrepreneur.com

What’s next?

Hey gang,

Just thinking today about a client I’ve been working with and the thinking that seems to riddle small business owners and their thoughts on what they can do with what little they have.

Interestingly enough, when I sat and spoke with this budding entrepreneur, they seemed to believe everything rides on their productivity. In the beginning this is always true, unless you have a truly developed business plan that includes a comprehensive marketing plan and a hardcore operations SOP.(Standards of Operations) What they didn’t realize is that they are much better positioned in this current economy due to the effects of the recession that is in place right now.

After talking a bit with this Business Owner, they started to see that even with what little time and power they had, they actually had more freedom than a company that is having to ‘reinvent’ itself.

See, when a large company has to reinvent, they have to restructure, which usually means someone’s moving companies involuntarily, they have this huge undertaking to assess and begin the process. This takes quick planning which can overcompensate their intended result. Then once the ‘fat trimming’ has finished, the rest of the crew has to pick up the slack and reorganize so that operations become streamlined and more ‘cost effective’. This has its ramifications as the original plans of the company was to operate at full strength usually by the 5th year in business. This would then profit the company and award dividends to the share holders. Unfortunately as everyone is seeing this not to be the case for the next couple of years…at least not with the mainstream companies

With the recession in full swing, and I mean that with all prejudice towards the failing economy fostered by faulty administrations, and clueless economists, and now chicken $#!T investors, larger and even medium size businesses are suffering by their own SOPs, and policies which are holding them back form making the bold moves to get them ahead of everyone else. For them to have to restructure everything they got used to, everyone in the organization has to be retrained to take on more responsibility, and work harder to help the operation profit.

Meanwhile, the little guy who has no one but themselves to depend on, has no limitations of a ‘major plan’ to reinvent themselves. They are just beginning to invent, create, brand, and produce for their target market what it is they have to offer. Hopefully you guys are beginning to get the picture, because I hate having to say things twice.

The ‘big dogs’ are struggling to keep their values in the Stock Market, while the little guy is having to just worry about his next check paying the bills.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the big guys have to pay rent too unless they own the building, but, they still have much more to deal with to reach their goals, and have a LOT more to deal with in terms of labor relations, benefit packages, accounts payable and receivable, risk management, etc. The little guy? hmmm, can I make my house payment this month?

What I’m trying to get at is this. When you think as a small business that you are disadvantaged, you couldn’t be more out of touch. Especially in this time! You, as a small business owner, have so much to look forward to. You have a recession, giving you a better shot at getting your supplies cheaper, gas being less now makes it cheaper on having a mobile office, which is usually the norm for smaller service businesses. Rents for office spaces in some places are stupidly cheap. If you can’t afford one still, stay home! I mean really…What’s it take to show you, you’re in a really good spot right now?

I know small businesses that landed larger contracts just because they were smaller! Their proposals to their clients were much more cost effective even if they were value based on their pricing! The big guys can’t compete because they have to charge more to keep up wth their costs! Then they have to reasses their budgeting simply because they have to make good on their promises to their shareholders…the small guy? “Honey, I’m hooome…I got paid today…let’s go out to eat tonight!” Get the idea? Perhaps oversimplified but you get the point right?

So today, I give the ‘little guy’ a boost by saying, “Quit cryin! You don’t need a WAAAMbulance, you need to get your head into the game and play hard, it will get you there. Find your target market, get your name out there through Smaller Budget Marketing efforts. Now is the time to meet new potential clients, new networking connections, new supply lines for office or manufacturing…you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you’ll find. Make this time work to your advantage!”

Now….Go get ‘em!

Just try something!

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

I had to take a moment to reflect on this particular quote from one of the great leaders in our past.

There’s so much information now in regards to how to; start a business, run a business, market a business, Get this going, get that situated, etc,etc,etc…

You know, if you look at what all of this leads up to, it comes down to generally the same thing…You want something better!

So, there’s your start…SO NOW WHAT? A lot of posts I’ve been seeing lately around the different forums have been to the tune of, “What can I do for this amount of money, how can I get a better idea of what to do, do I do this for a business….blah blah blah…you get the picture.

If you sincerely want something better, there are two easy ways to get going…one, Rob a bank. OR, you can begin to take a look at what it is you do well, or like to do, or can do, whatever, and start to see where it can be used or perhaps needed.

This is meant for the budding entrepreneur that is overwhelmed with information on the “how to”s of starting a business. Look simply put, if you like to knit socks, you’re going to have a hard time selling them unless your particular socks have some kind of need or serious appeal. This doesn’t mean don’t knit socks if this is what you enjoy…GO KNIT! But think on what, who, or where will these “knit socks” be most useful. In Winter? In summer? In the mountains? As filler for snow shoes that just don’t quite fit right? (simply because there’s that annoying little extra space in there that allows your feet to slide enough that you could lose your balance? WHATEVER!

Just be sure of what your little specialty will fulfill before you go off half cocked in thinking you’ve got the next best thing since sliced sausage…(that was on purpose)and then get totally downed because you get laughed out the door of some bank that can’t see the true potential of your great knitting!

This is more of a rant than anything else, but I get annoyed when I start seeing what I like to call “the clueess” start pokin around lookin or SOMETHING to do, and then going back later and telling everyone, “oh that entrepreneur stuff ain’t for mee…I just couldn’t get anyone to buy my stuff..” Sheesh! Be real people.

I have the pleasure of meeting someone that is a total “NO WHINER ZONE” Advocate like myself. If you can’t be positive, hit the road!

His name is Matt La Clear, and I am betting I am going to learn a few great things from this Marketing Guru.

For those truly looking to make something happen in a business, take heed and go find out what is needed in your area, then go fill the need. Once you’ve gotten that far, then go find the specialists that can help you deal with the daily business issues that arise out of being a business owner.

OK nuff said, as the King of Copy would say, “now go sell something.” – Craig Garber

Business Etiquette…do you really need to get that?

SUp.biz CEO Corner Natalie Regoli is the CEO of The Online Small Business Social Network, Sta.rtUp.biz. The network has been featured in the Wall Street Journal twice, and it receives over 1.5 million page views a month. The url is: http://SUp.biz Posts: 31 | Created on October 31, 2008 by supdotbiz |

Phone Etiquette Business Busters

By supdotbiz in SUp.biz CEO Corner on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 3:50 PM

Is talking on the phone as natural to you as walking? Think your biggest issue is how to find free internet phone calls? Well, free internet phone calls or not, you could be killing your business without even knowing it. Here are some important tips adapted from John Edwards’ article “Phone Call Mistakes – Ten Ways Not the Answer the Phone”.

Tip #1: Don’t Answer in Meetings

The best practice is to turn off your phone completely in meetings, so you’re not distracted by looking at who called, and so you don’t appear rude to meeting participants. Even if your phone is on vibrate, it is still considered unprofessional not be entirely “present” in the meeting. When talking to a customer, don’t pick up the phone. Your customer will feel slighted and unappreciated.

Tip #2: Return Calls within 4 Hours

Return missed calls and voicemails promptly, even if to say that you’re working on getting an answer and will revert as soon as you have the information. Every four hours, call the customer and leave a voicemail updating them that you are still waiting on certain information. Keep it short and sweet but make sure they know you haven’t forgotten.

Tip #3: Empty Your Voicemail Box

Make sure to empty your voicemail box regularly. If a customers or potential customers can’t reach you, and then can’t even leave a voicemail, they may decide not to call back. Their lives are busy too, and you have to be accessible to them. If you’re this hard to get ahold of, what would happen if they have a problem?

Tip #4: Beware of Automated Phone Systems

Automated phone systems are impersonal and frustrating. If you need to use one, make it very simple for a customer to speak to a live person without having to listen to a lot of options.

Tip #5: Tailor Your Greeting

Make sure your voicemail greeting is clear, professional, and appropriate for your industry. Stay away from music and jokes, even if “relevant” to your industry, as you want to convey the message that you are the ultimate professional and 100% dedicated.

Tip #6: Keep Your Composure

Everyone gets nasty calls from time to time. But when you lose your calm and appear even slightly annoyed, your customer will notice and it is a business killer. Try to mentally focus on an image of a very nice person who had something really bad happen to them today. Tell yourself that it is not you, and that you need to deliver the best possible customer service to help their day improve.

Tip #7: Don’t Eat or Chew Gum

Let your voicemail pick up instead. Munching sounds completely unprofessional.

Tip #8: Don’t Answer without the Proper Greeting

Have too many phones? Make sure to give each a distinct ring so you don’t accidentally answer your business phone with a simple “hello.”

Tip #9: Don’t Ignore Calls

If a customer has taken the time to call you, she wants you to pick up quickly.

Tip #10: Don’t Speak Loudly in Noisy Places

Get to a quiet place before picking up. Let it go to your voicemail if you have to, then get to a quiet place and promptly call back.

Mr. Edwards’ full article can be found at http://www.voip-news.com/blog/20080507/phone-call-mistakes-ten-ways-not-to-answer-the-phone/.