Complainers don't win

Achievement is not for people who hope, complain, wish and wait.

It’s for people who learn and take action NOW.

Is that you?

"Seller Beware"

Today’s buyers are not stupid or ignorant.  They have computers and are on the web.  They know about you – a lot about you. 
What are they learning?  Would they call you or not call you after seeing your digital footprint?

Give (with no expectation) to Get

Do you give away helpful/useful/valuable information to prospects online for free, even if they don’t give you their email address/contact information?  This is 2015.  You should.

If it’s a bad idea, how would you feel if your competition did it?

Sales is the problem

The number one reason businesses fail?  Sales aren’t high enough.

Are your sales high enough?  What are you going to do about it?

Sit down, think, and write

Many business owners think that if they sit down by themselves with an empty book and a pen that they aren’t working.  In fact, it’s a high value activity.  

Get a book with no writing in it (also called a journal). Think about what you want your business to be at the end of 2015. Think in vivid detail. Write down your financial goals. Gross and net, and the KPI’s you’ll need to get there (how many leads, sales, avg. sale, etc.)

Write down what changes you will have to make.  What does your business need to get better at?  How will you do that? What additions or changes to your team will you need? What training?  When?  Who will give it?  How will you measure progress?  How will you communicate better with your team? And on and on – everything you’ll need to get to where you want to go.  

Then break it down into priorities.  What’s first?  Second? Third? Then set a timeline for each – intermediate goals.  Now you have a plan to execute.  Stay on it each day.

Bend your dreams into reality with intention, action and discipline. 2015 will be a great year for you.

What do I do now?

What is the biggest problem holding your business back?

Marketing?  Sales?  Production?  Service?  Accounting?  YOU?

Fix your biggest problem, and if you can’t, get someone else to do it.

It ain't (supposed to be) easy

Being a business owner is not an easy life – it’s hard.  There will be bad days.  You will be beaten up, cursed, and unduly burdened.  You will be responsible for all sorts of problems you didn’t personally or directly create.  You will be held accountable for the actions of all your employees.  You will struggle much of the time.

You have to believe in what you are doing and why.  There will be some bright spots.  The good moments have to give you the strength to endure the bad ones.  The good days have to carry the bad ones.  

If you feel this way – don’t worry, it’s normal!  Keep learning and keep going!

Sales and Smoking Don't Mix

If you are a salesperson, stop smoking and watch your income go up.

Your salesperson's attitude

Sales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesperson, not the attitude of the prospect.

How is the attitude of EACH of your salespeople?

Be a leader at work

A counselor works on other weaknesses and tries to “fix” people.  A leader works on bringing out and developing others strengths – putting them in a place in the organizations where those strengths are most valued.

Don’t try to be a counselor at work.  For the most part, you can’t change people (only they can).

Be a leader.  What strengths do each of your people have?