Great Article on Multitasking!!

Click this link to read the article:

http://www.wickedlocal.com/medford/news/lifestyle/columnists/x1651175472/Matthew-Casey-The-reality-of-the-multitasking-myth

It's Simple!

"Success is simple: do what's right, the right way, at the right time."

-Psychologist Arnold H. Glasgow

   

That's a simple concept, yet very profound.

The quote lays out three easy steps to simplify success, but those steps must be integrated to work effectively. You can't afford to skip even one of them.

The first step is to do what is right. If you skip the FIRST and most important step, you're eliminating your chances to succeed. But how do you know what is right for you?

Simply put, the decisions you make every day must reflect your true purpose in life. Every step you take must enhance and solidify who you are and what you were meant to accomplish in this life. When you have a purpose, your actions naturally become more powerful because they are focused and united to fulfill a sole objective. Consequently, you achieve faster and better results.

The second step is to do it the right way. If you skip this step, you'll find yourself in a never-ending loop of trial and error where you'll just keep re-inventing the wheel, instead of re-inventing yourself.  It has often been said that the easiest way to become successful is to find someone who is already successful and follow  in his footsteps.

Take that advice and learn from the best. Look for successful people who have reached the same level of success you want to reach, and learn from both their mistakes and their accomplishments. Imitate their lives, learn their methods, and discover their secrets.

The third and last simple step to success is to choose the right time. Take small actions every single day that lead you toward fulfilling your purpose. Prepare yourself so that when the right opportunity presents itself, you'll be ready to seize it and ride it to unimaginable levels of success.

The right time to start taking action is NOW. Even the smallest action can

make a big difference. Don't worry about the magnitude of your every move; focus instead on the collective power of all your small actions combined. "Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time." Do what is right by discovering your true purpose in life. Do it the right way by learning from the best. Do it at the right time by taking small actions and preparing yourself to seize opportunity when it presents itself. Can success be that simple?

It can be if you start NOW!

What is a Business Coach?

Here are a few words on coaching from Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

"You would never expect an athlete to reach the Olympic Games without a world class coach. Nor would you expect a professional football team to enter the stadium without a whole team of coaches- head coach, offensive coach, defensive coach, and special teams coach.  Well, today coaching has moved into the business and personal realm to include coaches who have succeeded- and who can help you traverse this same path or even one far greater.

Regardless of whether the program is designed to achieve a specific business goal- or whether it is specifically designed to help you simply gain more clarity and progress in all aspects of your personal and professional life, a coach can help you

- Determine your values, vision, mission, purpose, and goals
- Determine specific action steps to help you achieve your goals
- Help you sort through opportunites
- Keep you focused on your top priorities
- Achieve balance in your life while still accomplishing your business goals

As humans we tend to do only some of what we are required to do but virtually all of what we want to do.  A coach can help you discover what you truly want to do- and help you determine the steps and take the actions necessary to get there."

A little creativity goes a long way...

Yes, marketing can seem complicated and scientific.  But sometimes it just pays to be a little creative. 

The best ideas are the ones that are fun, creative, budget friendly, and get you results!

Business Spotlight

Just updated our Business Spotlight!  If you like Ice Cream... you better check it out!!

Business Spotlight

I'm looking for a Utah small business to spotlight for free on my blog! Leave a comment if you're interested!

Small Business Marketing Strategies

The essence of marketing is to understand your customers' needs and develop a plan that surrounds those needs. Let's face it anyone that has a business has a desire to grow their business. The most effective way to grow and expand your business is by focusing on organic growth.

 
You can increase organic growth in four different ways. They include:

• Acquiring more customers
• Persuading each customer to buy more products
• Persuading each customer to buy more expensive products or up selling each customer
• Persuading each customer to buy more profitable products

All four of these increase your revenue and profit. Let me encourage you to focus on the first which is to acquire more customers. Why? Because by acquiring more customers you increase your customer base and your revenues then come from a larger base.
 
How can you use marketing to acquire more customers? (PS...I can help you with this!)

• Spend time researching and create a strategic marketing plan.
• Reach out to customers you aren't currently attracting.
• Price your products and services correctly.
• Develop your message and materials based on direct response marketing.

The Importance of a Target Market in Small Business
When it comes to your customers keep in mind the importance of target marketing. The reason this is important is that only a proportion of the population is likely to purchase any products or service. By taking time pitch your sales and marketing efforts to the correct niche market you will be more productive and not waste your efforts or time.
 
Small Business Marketing and Large Business Marketing are Different
If you are like the majority of small business owners your marketing budget is limited. The most effective way to market a small business is to create a well rounded program that combines sales activities with your marketing tactics. Your sales activities will not only decrease your out-of-pocket marketing expense but it also adds the value of interacting with your prospective customers and clients. This interaction will provide you with research that is priceless.
 
Small businesses typically have a limited marketing budget if any at all. Does that mean you can't run with the big dogs? Absolutely not. It just means you have to think a little more creatively. How about launching your marketing campaign by doing one of the following:

• Call your vendors or associates and ask them to participate with you in co-op advertising.
• Take some time to send your existing customers' referrals and buying incentives.
• Have you thought about introducing yourself to the media? Free publicity has the potential to boost your business. By doing this you position yourself as an expert in your field.
• Invite people into your place of business by piggybacking onto an event. Is there a concert coming to town, are you willing to sell those tickets? It could mean free radio publicity. If that is not your cup of tea, how about a walkathon that is taking place in your area, why not be a public outreach and distribute their material?

When you do spend money on marketing, do not forget to create a way to track those marketing efforts. You can do this by coding your ads, using multiple toll-free telephone numbers, and asking prospects where they heard about you. This enables you to notice when a marketing tactic stops working. You can then quickly replace it with a better choice or method.
 
Getting Started with Small Business Marketing
By being diligent in your marketing and creating an easy strategy such as holding yourself accountable to contact ten customers or potential customers daily five days a week you will see your business grow at an exceptional rate. The great thing is it will not take a large marketing budget to make it happen!

-About.com

GOALS

"Goals. There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. There's no telling what will happen when you act upon them."-Jim Rohn

Quote of the day...

"You don't necessarily need a partner in your business, but make sure to surround yourself with great advisers and friends you can count on in good times and bad. You'll want to share your successes as well as your struggles in order to keep things in perspective."

Emily Dubner
CEO
Baking for Good
New York
www.bakingforgood.com

Book Review: The E-Myth Revisted by Michael Gerber

Here is a video from an entrepreneur in San Diego, sharing what he's learned from one of my all time favorite books.

If you are looking for a business book to read, but don't know where to start... The E-Myth by Michael Gerber is an absolute MUST READ.  In fact, I ask that all of my coaching clients read this book.

Quote of the day...

"You have to believe it's possible and believe in yourself. Because after you've decided what you want, you have to believe it's possible, and possible for you, not just for other people. Then you need to seek out models, mentors, and coaches."

Jack Canfield

The Myth of Multitasking

This is a great video clip from Dave Crenshaw.  If you are someone who tries to "do it all", you must watch this interview!!

Quote of the day...

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. --Aristotle

Happy New Year! Where are you headed this year?

A new year is here!  I don't know about you... but 2010 was kind of crazy.  A new house, a new county, a new school for the kids...  I'm ready for 2011!  Maybe things will settle down?  Doubtful...

Anyway... I found this article online and it is so true!  We must have a clear picture of what we want to achieve, or it just won't happen.  Have you set business goals for this year?  Are they specific?  Have you written them down??

Click below to read the article:

http://www.jackcanfield.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=931%3Aget-clear-about-what-you-want

Add a comment and let me know!!

Quote of the day...

Each Monday is a chance to think new.
What will you do differently this week to improve the way you do business?  -Michael Gerber

This is a must read!!

If you are a small business owner and you read just one book this year... it MUST be this one!  Some details:

"Get ready to transform yourself for success. Jack Canfield, co-creator of the phenomenal bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, turns to the principles he’s studied, taught and lived for more than 30 years in this practical and inspiring guide that will h...elp you get from where you are to where you want to be."
http://www.thesuccessprinciples.com/

Great Article!!

http://www.e-myth.com/cs/user/print/post/entrepreneurial-artist-to-business-owner

This is a great article for those of us who would consider ourselves the "creative" type.  Is it really possible to turn something you love into a thriving business?