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Posts Tagged ‘Business Coach in Atlanta’

Beware of the Great Business Sabotager - the Holidays!

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

holiday-lights2

For a lot of businesses the holidays bring the last minute rush of sales before the year comes to a close.

For other businesses and their owners the holidays create distractions for them that the ringing of the cash register doesn’t seem to help.

Here are a few distractions (or what I call excuses) that I hear from clients, prospects, colleagues and anyone else who is looking to postpone activities:

  • “Businesses stop buying December 1 until after the new years”
  • “Business owners don’t see vendors or suppliers during December”
  • “No one will be out at the event they stop going in December”
  • “Business Owners won’t spend any more money this year”
  • I could find others but will stop here………….

How many of you have heard these statements (excuses) or have used them yourself? You can admit it, no one is monitoring you……

Fact is a great many businesses close the most business in Q4 and especially December. Why?

  • They have equipment and other assets they can still buy, use their budget and get tax benefit from it
  • They have unused money and budget that if it goes unspent they will not have it next year
  • Knowing budgets can be changed, often decreased, the next year, they want to spend it now
  • The holidays get them in a great, open and social mood and mindset, and having beneficial, value added discussions with partners and service providers, can lead to great opportunities for them and their business
  • Never underestimate the power of a fun business or networking holiday socials offering food and cocktails for great sales meetings!
  • Hopefully, they have their 2010 plans laid out, they know what they will need to have in place when Jan 1 comes along in order for them to achieve their 2010 plans, so they look to research, assess and determine to spend now or later (it is your job to get them to do it now!)

Bottom line is: a lot of businesses are making a lot of money this month. Do not close up shop before all of your customers have an opportunity to meet with you, learn what you have to offer them, and can decide if they need it now! You will surprise yourself on December 31 if you continue to meet with customers and prospects; heck invite them out to a holiday lunch, thank them for their support and partnership this year, and truly believe, if you have something of great value to them, they will want to know of it and buy it ANYTIME of the year - especially now!

Have a prosperous December!

Bernadette

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Coaching Tip of the Day - Its Black Friday - Spend, Save and Grow Your Business!

Friday, November 27th, 2009

cash-registerAttention all Business Owners:

Black Friday (and the holiday buying season) is not only good for businesses that will ring up a large percentage of their fourth quarter revenue in just a few days, it is also good for businesses that have their own buying they need to do.

Consider the discounts and savings that are being offered in store and online for such things as office supplies, laptops, printers, video cameras, phones, and much much more. And you could even find savings on the big ticket items your business needs; vehicles, equipment and more.

If you NEED (not WANT) these things for your business in order to grow and prosper in 2010, then this is the time that ‘you have to spend money to make money’. Not only will your business benefit but so will the businesses you are supporting. And just think you are helping the overall economy as well. A win win for everyone!

Coaching Tip of the Day!

Look over your budget to determine what you have available to spend, make a list of the MUST HAVE’s that are needed for your business, determine the ultimate price you are willing to pay, and then go and take advantage of Black Friday and the amazing deals that are sure to be offered this holiday season.

Have fun… not only could you give yourself a fun Christmas but your business will benefit as well.

Happy Black Friday!

Bernadette

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Coaching Tip of the Day - Say “Thank You” To All That Make Your Business Successful!

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

thank-you2If you are as fortunate as I am, then you have numerous people; family, friends, employees, partners, suppliers and customers, that have supported you and your business over this past year (and years).

I personally am eternally grateful to all of those that surround me, as they have made my journey into entrepreneurship these past years not only exciting but also easy, because I knew they were always there in my corner no matter what happened. And I am thrilled to say that it has been a very successful time allowing me to be very excited about 2010.

I question myself however about how well I have expressed my gratitude and appreciation to them for all of their support. So, here it goes:

THANK YOU family and friends, there is no way I could have done this without you. THANK YOU to my employees, all of my numerous business partners, colleagues, and vendors for partnering with me and helping to establish a fun and great business. Lastly, THANK YOU to all of my clients who have entrusted your dreams, goals, and aspirations with me. I have been honored to help guide you to your own successes. THANK YOU to all of you. Happy Thanksgiving.

So, what is my coaching tip for all of you today?

Coaching Tip of the Day!

Take some time, a note, or a phone call and thank those that have supported you this past year, and let them know that you are looking forward to partnering with them in 2010.

It will not only bring a smile to their face but to yours as well!

Have a wonderful and safe thanksgiving!

Bernadette

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Coaching Tip of the Day - Time your tasks, Increase your income!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Do you know where you are spending your time each and every day in your business?

Do you if those tasks and that time is providing the return in productivity, revenue or profit that you expect for you and your business?

No matter the business, the client, and the length of time someone has been in business, one significant drain on their results and accomplishments is distractions, lack of focus, and swirling throughout their day. Instead of looking for client pushing papers, emails, or other tasks that are not revenue generating and driving value to their business. Instead of prospecting for new customer, identifying new or current ways to market to their customers, managing their team, or creating new strategies for growth, many business owners find the work day ending without many things accomplished in the day.

There are many reasons why that is which is what yesterday’s Tip of the Day discussed: the potential pot holes, constraints and barriers to one’s success. Today, I want to provide you 3 simple tips for increasing your productivity as Entrepreneur each and every day. The Goal: increase productivity and therefore your business success!!!

Coaching Tip of the Day!

Get a grasp on your time and see immediate increases in your productivity, energy and focus, as well as your teams:

  1. Write down the 3 most important tasks and activities you as the Business Owner should be doing each day to generate revenue and to move your business forward!
  2. Allocate the amount or percentage of time you should be spending on each of those activities.
  3. For one week, keep track of everything you are ACTUALLY doing during each business day by Task,  Time and Duration: for example 1 hour on email from 9-10am, 30 minutes with customer at 11:00-11:30, 2 hours traveling/attending networking event, 45 minutes writing an order at 6:00pm, 2 hours working the cash register 1:00-3:00pm……. you get the point.

How does your Plan and your Actual list stack up for the tasks and time you are actually spending time on, and the activities you should be doing? Are they in line or are you finding yourself doing tasks that are not revenue generating and working toward the goals of your business.

Additional Tip:

You have to work on the revenue generating and business development activities during your core work day, i.e. 9-5:00.  when your customers and prospects are available. All other tasks and activities MUST be done before and after the core revenue generating hours, i.e. email, paperwork, bookkeeping, filing, creating newsletters/marketing, updating contact management file, etc.

Attached is a Time Block Schedule template that can help you allocate your core revenue generating time effectively (see legend on the document), so you stay on point.

  • If you have to do email allocate when during the day you will do it
  • If you have standard appointments or networking events, block them out
  • You have team meetings or HAVE to work in the business, block it out
  • Block out all of the revenue generating activities to ensure you have time to do them
  • Then ALL other administrative and operational activities must be:
    • delegated to someone else
    • hired or outsourced to someone else
    • done by you OFF hours (and yes that does mean early mornings, nights or weekends)

Try it for 21 days, 3 full weeks, and watch your productivity soar, as well as your bank account!

master-timeblock-schedule-blank-templatetimemoney

Good luck and let me know how you do!

Bernadette Boas

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