Best Blog Post of The Year

My friend, Holly Buchanan, is a marketing genius. Seriously.

 

And she has written what I think is the most profound blog post of the year. Check it out and let me know what you think.

What Can I Do?

I’m sitting in Barnes and Noble eavesdropping on the people around me. Yes, I do things like that because I learn a lot. Here is the conversation at the next table,

Woman in green, in response to a comment about a boss: “So, what are you going to do?”
Woman in red, sighing heavily: “I don’t know. What can I do? I’m stuck waiting for him to make a decision. I hope he does it soon. I wish there was something I could do.”

Since I was in a rather, um, shall we say, “energetic” mood, it was all I could do not to lean over and say…

“Of course there is something you can do! There is ALWAYS something you can do.”

Life is about choices and you get to make all of them, whether you know it or not. You are never required to wait for someone else, to let someone else dictate your feelings, your actions or your future. You are the deliberate creator of your own reality.

Never, ever forget that.

The next time you feel yourself feeling like a victim or out of control, pause and start to think about what you could do (not necessarily what you will do) that could change things.

For example, if you don’t have the money you want, start to think about all the ways you could get some. Maybe you could call an old prospect and restart the conversation. Maybe you could get a part-time job for the holidays. Maybe you could go to one more networking event this week.

There is always, always, always a way to get what you want. Part of that process is allowing yourself to know that you can have it.

 

Watching Valentina

It has been a fun few weeks around my house. I’ve had two lovely visitors from Germany, my girlfriend Valentina and her mom, Barbara. Of course, we’ve had a blast traveling around and seeing the sights of Virginia and DC and blathering away in our own bizarre mix of English and German. What struck me, though, was how much I learned from watching Valentina.

First of all, she is seemingly fearless in speaking to others. Yes, her English is excellent but she has no problem waltzing up to cashiers, clerks or just folks on the street and asking for directions or how something works. How many times do you not ask a question because you’re afraid you might look silly?

Secondly, Valentina is always up for something new. When I ask if she wants to try a new kind of cuisine or visit a new sight, she happily says, “YES!” and is open to liking the experience. That doesn’t mean she always has a good time, but she is always willing to. Do you meet each new situation with trepidation or joy?

Lastly, Valentina just does things. She doesn’t overly plan or make a big deal of things. She just begins. Take painting the living room, for example (and no, I didn’t ask her to do it- she volunteered!). I would have spent half the day planning out how I was going to get the job done, taping all the woodwork off and getting all my supplies lined up. Then I would have delayed the actual painting until the next day, wanting a fresh start and the whole day to work on it.

Valentina just picked out the supplies, taped off a section of baseboard and started painting. At 4pm. She wasn’t worried about finishing in one day. She just wanted to get the project underway, knowing she could finish up tomorrow if need be.  How many times do you delay getting a project underway, waiting for the “right” time to begin?

I’m thankful on many levels that Valentina is part of my life. Having her around these past two weeks provided just a few more examples of why I think she is so cool. Who do you have in your life that can be a role model and what do you learn from him/her?

Why Johnny Can’t Focus

In my roles as advisor, trainer and consultant I get to talk to a lot of people. Business owners, salespeople, other trainers, managers – you name it, I end up chatting with them. One of the questions I typically ask is “What is keeping you from living exactly the way you want?” and more often than not one of the answers is “I just can’t seem to stay focused on my goals.”

Lack of focus seems like an American epidemic and I think I have the answer to the problem.

Focus is just another word for attention, that is, when we focus on something we give it our full attention. In today’s world there are so many things fighting for our attention it is no wonder we have trouble staying concentrated on the things that are important to us.

But sheer volume isn’t the problem in my humble opinion. The problem is a lack of passion.

Think about the last time you went on vacation. Once you decided to go it was pretty easy to stay focused on the places you were going to visit, the dinners you were going to eat and the fun you were going to have. Often you are so excited it can be hard to get any work done in the weeks before you leave.

The same thing happens when you have a baby, start a new company, get married or do anything that you are passionate about. You can focus just fine at those times.

If you want to accomplish your goals, you have to find a way to stay passionate about them.

Creating a vision board with pictures of what you are working towards is a great way to stay focused and passionate. Keeping a journal of the reasons you are working towards a goal is also helpful in staying focused.

For me, the best way to stay passionate is to make sure I get little tidbits of my big goals along the way. For example, I love to travel. One of my big goals is live in 10 world cities for at least a year in each city. You can imagine that I have to get a lot of things in place to make that happen.

To keep myself passionate about making that happen, I have started taking shorter working trips that give me a taste of what that big goal will feel like. Right now I spend at least 12 weeks per year living in another country, working and playing. I come back from those trips so energized that staying on track for the big dreams seems easy.

What can you do NOW to get a feel for your big dreams? Can you test drive your dream car? What about taking a tour of the house you want to live in? Can you go play one of the world’s great golf courses in preparation for doing it all the time? Make it a point each month (at least) to recharge your passion and you’ll soon find that inability to focus is a thing of the past.

If My Dog Could Talk

"We are working"

As I’m writing this article, my dog, Gracie, is curled up next to me on the couch, sleeping happily. So far, today, she has been on a long walk in the rain, chased squirrels in the alley, had a big breakfast, snoozed on the bed and had a few dog treats. Not a bad morning.

Over the last 10 years that Gracie and I have been together I’ve learned a lot about sales and life from her. Here are a few of the things she has taught me.

First, when you want something, ask for it. Gracie is never shy about letting me know what she wants. If she could talk, our conversation about the morning walk might have sounded like this,
“Hey, Mom, let’s go for a walk. I know it’s raining but I don’t care about it and you can take your umbrella. It’s cool and fresh outside and you know you always feel better after you stretch your legs a bit. So, what do you say? Can we go?”
Do your customers know what you want you want from them?

Second, let people you care about know it. Here is what I imagine a conversation would have been after breakfast this morning,
“Wow, that was a delicious breakfast. Thanks for cutting up that turkey and putting it on my food. I really appreciate what you do for me. Can’t you tell by the way I lick your face and then snuggle next to you with my head on your lap?”
Do you let your customers know you love them?

Finally, take time to enjoy where you are, no matter where that is. Dogs are fantastic about being in the moment and enjoying themselves. Gracie spends her days doing the things that make her happy. I can just imagine her telling the other dogs that walk down the alley,
“Wow, I’ve had the best day! I took a long walk, peed on everything, sniffed lots of neat smells, I hollered at those stupid squirrels, had a big breakfast and then I had a long nap in the middle of the bed surrounded by soft pillows. I kind of feel sorry for those poor humans who look so stressed and tired. They should learn how to live.”
Are you living the way you want to or the way you think you should?

Take a lesson from Gracie’s book and live a happy and fulfilled life. Ask for what you want, tell people how you feel about them and do things that make you happy. It is just that simple most days.

What Is Better Than BOGO?

What is better than buy one, get one free? Toss up Tuesday.

At participating Qdoba’s Mexican Grill on Tuesday nights you get to flip a coin to see what you pay. Heads, they pay. Tails, you pay.

Statistically, it should even out and be about a 50% price reduction or the same as BOGO.

From a marketing perspective, it is so much better. What a fun idea to get folks in the door and have a chance to engage each of them. I can just imagine a group standing around cheering for or commiserating with the next customer in line. Just like at the craps tables in Vegas.

Brilliant.

So what good marketing ideas do you have up your sleeve?

Are You Ready For The Hypersensitive Customer?

As if businesses weren’t struggling enough these days, a recent study out of the U.K. has revealed the emergence of the “hypersensitive customer,” a consumer that has less cash, more information and less tolerance for poor customer service than ever before. The study, conducted by UK accounting and business consulting firm BDO Stoy Hayward, found that in the last 18 months, customers have become less loyal, as they realize how privileged retailers are to have their business. In fact, 48% of consumers admitted increasing their expectations over the past two years.

Customers are plugged in, with easy access to consumer reviews, detailed technical information and competitive product information. They have tighter budgets, so they’ve become more discerning in both the products they buy and the service they expect. 74% of respondents in the study said they wouldn’t purchase products and would leave the store if they encountered what they deemed to be poor service.

Are you and your business ready for the arrival of the hypersensitive customer? If not, now is the time to examine your customer service practices and get them in line with the needs of today’s consumer.

There’s a new customer service book on stores shelves and online resellers that can help you manage this new breed of consumer. When you order “Who’s Your Gladys?” today, you get a special package of 40+ electronic bonus gifts in customer service, sales, marketing and professional development. Buy your copy today at www.whosyourgladys.com Watch the WYG book trailer here: www.youtube.com/whosyourgladys

Are Your Arms Wide Open?

Do you ever have one of those weeks that just knock you for a loop? The kinds where it feels like you are a roller coaster? High as a kite on Monday, wondering where your next check is coming from Tuesday, feeling a little like you got kicked in the head by a mule on Wednesday, just doing your best to endure Thursday and then flying again on Friday?

This has been one of those weeks for me. Here’s what I learned.

They say life is all about balance but does that mean simply that the highs and lows cancel each other out? Or is it deeper than that?

What I found this week is that balance has a lot to do with keeping your arms open wide. Sure, from a physics standpoint that will keep you from falling over but it is more than that.

Keeping your arms open wide allows you to let get of things that are trying to pull you to the ground as well as allowing you to receive all the things other people are wanting to give you. In some cases, keeping your arms open just puts you in the right position to give some who needs one a hug.

By keeping my arms wide open this week I was able to partner with a company that is going to bring enormous technological experience to a project I’m working on in exchange for a piece of the revenue the project produces. It’s a great deal for my partner who is going to make more than they would if they just got a check from me. It’s also wonderful for me because it preserves cash, gets a much higher quality of work done and frees me from having to do things I’m not completely competent at.  If my arms hadn’t been open, I couldn’t have accepted their gracious offer.

It has also happened that not one, but two, of my dear friends really needed big hugs this week. Luckily, I was prepared to give them.

Finally, just when a project I was working on looked doomed to failure, I let go of some foolish pride and let the world take me in another direction. Suddenly I got a new inspiration and turned the whole thing around in a matter of hours. Yep, arms wide open again.

As you start this week, what are you open to receiving from your prospects and clients? Are you prepared to wrap your arms around another human being and offer unconditional comfort or love? Spend a few hours this week being completely open to whatever comes at you, accepting it just as it is. You might find you get more than you ever expected.

What Cooking Teaches You About Life

A fun, short read from Real Simple magazine. While the article isn’t directly related to business I couldn’t help but see some parallels.

How do you see this applies to business?

Tips For Getting Your First Client

I posted my tip on the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. There are tons of others!  http://budurl.com/4v94