Last week, I talked about creating my own personal “Stimulus Package.”
For this week’s blog, I’ve written about my business “stimulus” plans.
Here are just a few of the things are we are doing to stay afloat, without help from the government stimulus package:
•Making calls to current clients to see how we can help. The “help” is often for free, and can involve consulting and coaching.
•Sending “flash” e-mails. The creative marketing messages that we send to current clients keep BRODY top of mind.
•Making better use of LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other social networking sites. Maximizing the use of these FREE accounts builds connections that may well lead to business.
•Speaking at industry events. I use my evaluation forms, where I ask for good contacts within participants’ companies, to mine new leads.
•Sending mailings to current clients that are considered advocates. Past efforts have included coupons on our BRODY BOOST Camp, bookmarks and First Aid kits.
•Sending gratis copies of my books to senior management within our targeted corporate market. Not only have I made some great executive-level connections, I have introduced my company’s products and services in a not overtly “salesy” way.
•Using our Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification. This is a great way to submit BRODY to corporations who have formal supplier diversity initiatives, and gain a foothold in new and emerging markets.
What are YOU doing to stimulate your business?
Feel free to share some best practices.
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
My Personal “Stimulus” Plan
Our government is still busy with its Stimulus Package.
I certainly hope it kick starts the economy!
As a small business owner, I am seeing no direct result.
Hence, I have decided to create my own “stimulus package.”
The goal is to stimulate myself to be even more proactive and productive, enthusiastic, and more in charge of my own future.
You might ask, “Marjorie, just how are you doing that?”
Let me tell you ….
This week’s blog will focus on my personal perspective, while next week, I’ll outline my business plan.
Here are my personal “stimulus” goals:
•Exercise daily: Just by doing this, I feel better. Feeling better is stimulating!
•Eat properly: Again, it’s treating my body well. So, I feel better and I have more energy.
•Drink my gin and tonic and eat my dark chocolate in moderation. After all, deprivation doesn’t solve problems, just creates them!
•Spend time with family. For example, I took one grandson (4 years old) to a theatre last week. I said, “I love our theater dates. Do you think when you are older, you will still want to go to the theater with Nana?” His response: “You may be dead then.” That sure put things into perspective!
•Never miss “24.” As though I don’t have enough tension in my life! Jack always wins, maybe I will, too!
•Go to the movies, read a book, see friends. Really, making time for fun and escape stimulates the brain.
•Indulge in personal treatments. As occasional massage, mani and pedicure, and hair cut are no longer luxuries – they keep me feeling and looking better.
•Find humor in the absurd. And, sometimes, that is looking at the stimulus package and getting a good laugh!
Feel free to share your own personal “stimulus activities” to keep going in these trying times. If you do, and provide an e-mail address, I'll send you a PDF copy my E-book 21st Century Pocket Guide to Proper Business Protocol.
Next week, I’ll talk about the ways we are stimulating our business.
I certainly hope it kick starts the economy!
As a small business owner, I am seeing no direct result.
Hence, I have decided to create my own “stimulus package.”
The goal is to stimulate myself to be even more proactive and productive, enthusiastic, and more in charge of my own future.
You might ask, “Marjorie, just how are you doing that?”
Let me tell you ….
This week’s blog will focus on my personal perspective, while next week, I’ll outline my business plan.
Here are my personal “stimulus” goals:
•Exercise daily: Just by doing this, I feel better. Feeling better is stimulating!
•Eat properly: Again, it’s treating my body well. So, I feel better and I have more energy.
•Drink my gin and tonic and eat my dark chocolate in moderation. After all, deprivation doesn’t solve problems, just creates them!
•Spend time with family. For example, I took one grandson (4 years old) to a theatre last week. I said, “I love our theater dates. Do you think when you are older, you will still want to go to the theater with Nana?” His response: “You may be dead then.” That sure put things into perspective!
•Never miss “24.” As though I don’t have enough tension in my life! Jack always wins, maybe I will, too!
•Go to the movies, read a book, see friends. Really, making time for fun and escape stimulates the brain.
•Indulge in personal treatments. As occasional massage, mani and pedicure, and hair cut are no longer luxuries – they keep me feeling and looking better.
•Find humor in the absurd. And, sometimes, that is looking at the stimulus package and getting a good laugh!
Feel free to share your own personal “stimulus activities” to keep going in these trying times. If you do, and provide an e-mail address, I'll send you a PDF copy my E-book 21st Century Pocket Guide to Proper Business Protocol.
Next week, I’ll talk about the ways we are stimulating our business.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The World Isn't Fair
Granted, things are shaky with the economy and businesses everywhere.
So, what are your choices?
Give up or step up?
I am speaking about this very topic on November 6th in Chicago -- delivering a workshop presentation twice at the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Leadership Conference. The title is “Step Up! for Success.”
Here is one of the key points that I’ll be making:
The world isn’t fair – it’s your attitude that counts.
People walk around lately as though they are victims. We aren’t.
We have choices – not always good ones, but choices all the same. No one wants to hear your whining. If you are lucky enough to still have a job, look for ways to make it more interesting. Make the changes that are necessary, or accept what you can’t change. Leaving is always an option.
Another thing you can do is hang around with winners, not whiners.
Negativity is toxic, and it spreads quickly. Every day, think about -- or better yet, write somewhere -- things that you are grateful for.
That attitude of gratitude -- which some of you may see as cheesy -- really does go a long way.
I’ll be sharing more of this message regarding stepping it up, and thriving in your career, despite economic factors, in my open-enrollment BRODY BOOST Camp career development workshop on November 13 in Plymouth Meeting, PA.
There are still some seats open for BOOST Camp; visit http://www.brodypro.com/site/boost_camp/Boost_camp.html to register, or call 800-726-7936.
So, what are your choices?
Give up or step up?
I am speaking about this very topic on November 6th in Chicago -- delivering a workshop presentation twice at the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Leadership Conference. The title is “Step Up! for Success.”
Here is one of the key points that I’ll be making:
The world isn’t fair – it’s your attitude that counts.
People walk around lately as though they are victims. We aren’t.
We have choices – not always good ones, but choices all the same. No one wants to hear your whining. If you are lucky enough to still have a job, look for ways to make it more interesting. Make the changes that are necessary, or accept what you can’t change. Leaving is always an option.
Another thing you can do is hang around with winners, not whiners.
Negativity is toxic, and it spreads quickly. Every day, think about -- or better yet, write somewhere -- things that you are grateful for.
That attitude of gratitude -- which some of you may see as cheesy -- really does go a long way.
I’ll be sharing more of this message regarding stepping it up, and thriving in your career, despite economic factors, in my open-enrollment BRODY BOOST Camp career development workshop on November 13 in Plymouth Meeting, PA.
There are still some seats open for BOOST Camp; visit http://www.brodypro.com/site/boost_camp/Boost_camp.html to register, or call 800-726-7936.
Monday, October 27, 2008
10 Reasons Why I Love Business Travel
It was Sunday afternoon when I wrote this, and I’m on a flight from Philadelphia to Las Vegas.
From there, I head to San Diego on Tuesday to deliver a speech. Then, it’s a red eye home.
Last week, I had at least five people say, “Don’t you hate to travel? Aren’t you dreading the next few days?”
Although I don’t like leaving home on Sundays, my response to them was, “No.”
Since many of you reading this also travel for work, I thought I’d give my top 10 reason (in no special order) that business travel is a gift.
1) I am working. Given the state of the economy, I feel blessed to be working -- and I love what I do.
2) Dragging my suitcase (I only do carry-on) and my laptop, etc., around the airport give me great exercise. I used to complain about this, but now that I view it as gym time, I say “Bring it on!”
3) It gives me more chances to DO... Whether it’s waiting before a flight, or sitting on the plane (trains work, as well), I have time to catch up on reading, writing or thinking. When else do you have hours of uninterrupted time?
4) I have a chance to see different areas of the country. Granted there’s not much time, but by arriving a few hours early or staying late, I can take a tour of the city, go to a museum, or just walk around.
5) By staying in hotels, I have the luxury of ordering room service. And, I can try foods from different regions.
6) In the hotel, I have total control of the remote control. Not to say that my husband doesn’t share, but he doesn’t!
7) I can go to sleep whenever I want. This means I can stay up and watch late night TV or go to bed at 7.
8) There are fascinating people all around -- other road warriors, taxi drivers, shopkeepers, clients, etc. I’ve learned a lot simply by asking questions.
9) Did I mention that I’m grateful to be working? To have a job that helps people be more effective, to love that job, and to get paid for it – what could be better?
10) The chance to go home. Having missed family and friends, and to be missed, I look forward to business travel, so I can go home again.
From there, I head to San Diego on Tuesday to deliver a speech. Then, it’s a red eye home.
Last week, I had at least five people say, “Don’t you hate to travel? Aren’t you dreading the next few days?”
Although I don’t like leaving home on Sundays, my response to them was, “No.”
Since many of you reading this also travel for work, I thought I’d give my top 10 reason (in no special order) that business travel is a gift.
1) I am working. Given the state of the economy, I feel blessed to be working -- and I love what I do.
2) Dragging my suitcase (I only do carry-on) and my laptop, etc., around the airport give me great exercise. I used to complain about this, but now that I view it as gym time, I say “Bring it on!”
3) It gives me more chances to DO... Whether it’s waiting before a flight, or sitting on the plane (trains work, as well), I have time to catch up on reading, writing or thinking. When else do you have hours of uninterrupted time?
4) I have a chance to see different areas of the country. Granted there’s not much time, but by arriving a few hours early or staying late, I can take a tour of the city, go to a museum, or just walk around.
5) By staying in hotels, I have the luxury of ordering room service. And, I can try foods from different regions.
6) In the hotel, I have total control of the remote control. Not to say that my husband doesn’t share, but he doesn’t!
7) I can go to sleep whenever I want. This means I can stay up and watch late night TV or go to bed at 7.
8) There are fascinating people all around -- other road warriors, taxi drivers, shopkeepers, clients, etc. I’ve learned a lot simply by asking questions.
9) Did I mention that I’m grateful to be working? To have a job that helps people be more effective, to love that job, and to get paid for it – what could be better?
10) The chance to go home. Having missed family and friends, and to be missed, I look forward to business travel, so I can go home again.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Don't Participate! (Guest Blogger Jeff Blackman, CSP, CPAE)
This week, I’m featuring a guest blog from my fellow National Speakers Association colleague Jeff Blackman, CSP, CPAE.
“A fascinating e-mail arrived on my desktop: 'Jeff, recently heard you speak. Loved it! Really valuable. However, I'm still struggling with something you said. You urged us, when asked by others, “How’s the soft economy affecting you?” to say, “I’m choosing not to participate!” How do I do that?'
Wow! Great question! So here's a rant ...
My choice 'not to participate' isn't an expression of a cavalier attitude, it's really a mindset of fiscal necessity. It would be far too easy for me to grumble or mutter:
'The economy stinks!'
'Nobody wants to do anything!'
'Nuthin' is left in clients' or prospects' budgets.'
Not only would the preceding be mindless mutterings of discontent, they'd be false! We're having a great year. Helping lots of folks achieve remarkable results. Yet I know, my success starts with me.
My belief system. My choices. My behaviors.
So for you, it's pretty simple ...
*To make more, you need to do more.
*Therefore, start doing things differently!
*To do more, you need to think more.
*Therefore, start thinking differently!
The responsibility for your success, starts with you!
No matter what the 'state' of the economy, there will always be predictors of doom and gloom. The naysayers. The critics. The question is, 'Do you choose to listen to them?'
It’s too easy to blame your 'plight' on others. Claim the economy is lousy. Or, accuse your company of giving you worthless leads.
Realize, today, right now...
* LOTS OF ... customers are making buying decisions and receiving significant value and results.
* LOTS OF ... deals are being done.
* LOTS OF ... money is being made.
Choose to participate in THAT triumphant trifecta!
* Eliminate your moans and groans.
* Eradicate your complaints and whimpers.
* Remove your bellyaches and gripes.
Heck. Just Stop Whining! Start Selling!
Just ask yourself the question:
What one thing, could you do once a day ... or one more time a day, that would have a significant impact on your life or business?
Then, just do it!
Your results will inform the world."
Jeff Blackman is a speaker, author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer. His clients call him a "business-growth specialist." Contact Jeff at: 847.998.0688 or jb@jeffblackman.com. And visit www.jeffblackman.com to learn more about his other business-growth tools and to subscribe to Jeff's FREE e-letter, The Results Report. Jeff's books include Stop Whining! Start Selling!, (an Amazon Bestseller) and the revised 4th edition of the bestselling Peak Your Profits.
“A fascinating e-mail arrived on my desktop: 'Jeff, recently heard you speak. Loved it! Really valuable. However, I'm still struggling with something you said. You urged us, when asked by others, “How’s the soft economy affecting you?” to say, “I’m choosing not to participate!” How do I do that?'
Wow! Great question! So here's a rant ...
My choice 'not to participate' isn't an expression of a cavalier attitude, it's really a mindset of fiscal necessity. It would be far too easy for me to grumble or mutter:
'The economy stinks!'
'Nobody wants to do anything!'
'Nuthin' is left in clients' or prospects' budgets.'
Not only would the preceding be mindless mutterings of discontent, they'd be false! We're having a great year. Helping lots of folks achieve remarkable results. Yet I know, my success starts with me.
My belief system. My choices. My behaviors.
So for you, it's pretty simple ...
*To make more, you need to do more.
*Therefore, start doing things differently!
*To do more, you need to think more.
*Therefore, start thinking differently!
The responsibility for your success, starts with you!
No matter what the 'state' of the economy, there will always be predictors of doom and gloom. The naysayers. The critics. The question is, 'Do you choose to listen to them?'
It’s too easy to blame your 'plight' on others. Claim the economy is lousy. Or, accuse your company of giving you worthless leads.
Realize, today, right now...
* LOTS OF ... customers are making buying decisions and receiving significant value and results.
* LOTS OF ... deals are being done.
* LOTS OF ... money is being made.
Choose to participate in THAT triumphant trifecta!
* Eliminate your moans and groans.
* Eradicate your complaints and whimpers.
* Remove your bellyaches and gripes.
Heck. Just Stop Whining! Start Selling!
Just ask yourself the question:
What one thing, could you do once a day ... or one more time a day, that would have a significant impact on your life or business?
Then, just do it!
Your results will inform the world."
Jeff Blackman is a speaker, author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer. His clients call him a "business-growth specialist." Contact Jeff at: 847.998.0688 or jb@jeffblackman.com. And visit www.jeffblackman.com to learn more about his other business-growth tools and to subscribe to Jeff's FREE e-letter, The Results Report. Jeff's books include Stop Whining! Start Selling!, (an Amazon Bestseller) and the revised 4th edition of the bestselling Peak Your Profits.
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