tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65838066776527023582024-03-07T19:40:29.271-08:00Small Business MarketingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-1334390893170836962013-02-03T14:48:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:41:52.093-07:00Experion Windchants Beginning Of Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Experion Windchants is designed by Experion Team providing high-class houses in the most occurring place of Gurgaon. Providing different family members together this group makes one big family in the university. Developed with a idea of incorporated and private personal flats it is well structured and full of many leisurely services. Situated in industry 112 it offers 2, 3, 4, 5 bed room models and duplex penthouses designed with all the modern features and welcoming you in among of natural charm. Giving possibilities to exist at most of pleasure you can discuss the treasure minutes with family members.<br /><br />It has only 563 models with mid increase and high-rise prevents providing low inhabitants solidity university. The models are allocated effectively and give remarkable choice from 2275sqft to 6525sqft along with penthouses of 6700sqft to 8800sqft. Developing a clean atmosphere with its lavish plants the project is ideal for living a cheerful way of life. This new project in Gurgaon is made with structural originality that gives highest possible area to enjoy and you never experience surrounded in a spend. Luxury way of life with affordable home these two aspects are the key factor in Experion Windchants Gurgaon and everyone is going to like these houses.<br /><br />The project can be found in Sector 112 Gurgaon, a very popular location of investment area. As an commercial hub and platform of many companies in Gurgaon the need of quality houses improves significantly. The personal project can be found near Dwarka Expressway with closeness to FNG arena and NH-8 road. Connected with green buckle of Delhi the citizens never experience far from the characteristics. Terminal is 4 miles and the Gurgaon Train Place is just 6 miles away from the project site. It is on the way of suggested City and the current closest metro station Dwarka Sector 21 is just 5 miles away.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-18027857396389592562013-01-15T14:46:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:41:52.189-07:00Investing In Precious Metals Trading For Financial Securities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Changing gold and gold is an excellent way of earning money. Silver and gold coins are among the most easily available gold and gold that you can trade in the open marketplaces by taking benefit of the regular variations of their expenses. Similar to foreign currency, gold and bright are changed by the OTC (over the contradict) process and their dealing is also non-delivery, which does not interact with the "physical" buy or sale of the "commodity". Here are four benefits.<br /><br />During these tough economic times when other financial commitment strategies are not acknowledging excellent income, gold and gold best answer for an different means of financial commitment. This is because throughout the past years, their prices have improved and they are required to increase going up later on. As the rate of rising prices increases, so does the value of gold and bright. thus, swapping in these products will aid you in securing against upcoming rising prices.<br /><br />Through distributing some funds into another resource classification, such as gold and bright, you can significantly reduce your threats and increase the comes back of your financial commitment. This kind of swapping is usually considered as decreased danger. Thus, you can integrate them to increase the swapping balance and reduce the swapping movements for your buying into profile.<br /><br />Precious materials are in no way responsible for any person, bank, business, company, or condition, as none of them is able to move their value in the market. A business can become financially troubled, as the condition can standard on its liabilities; however, gold and gold will not be affected in the similar way. It is of substance to note that the profile dedicated to gold and gold will not lose its worth; every other resource can know-how a important loss of value, even to none, but this will not be the case for gold and bright.<br /><br />Several traders take part in gold and gold swapping each day. And, as a high level amount of people go in the market, the expenses hold going up. This is linked to smaller provide and innovative demand. As such, dealing in gold and bright is a excellent way of increasing the assets and marketability of your financial commitment strategies. And, in addition to their decreased danger, this create them guarantee different for forex.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-7387658293627421122013-01-02T14:47:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:41:52.286-07:00Mistakes People Make While Selecting Best Appliance Repair Vancouver Service<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">We all buy equipment for generality of our frequent family tasks. Household equipment such as Device, Mixing machine Crushing machine, Cleaning Device, Dishwashing machine and many more as these perform an important part in reducing out our everyday perform. The perform which would take time can be quickly completed in few moments. Think about grinding something or washing your outfits when your equipment prevents instantly. Under such conditions, the first thing that comes to your mind is taking your equipment to the fix center. If you are in Calgary, you would need Calgary applince auto mechanic. Many of you often drop into the snare of these auto mechanic suppliers and quickly accept to all their requirements because of time limits. You look ahead to getting your equipment fixed as soon as possible, without any stress. The task however can be found in discovering the best Appliance Repir Calgary Assistance. Here we have defined some of the errors people make while selecting while picking a excellent Calgary Appiance Repair Solutions.<br /><br />Choosing the first store you find:<br />Many of you, especially the ones who are not conscious of a excellent Calgary fix services often usually take your equipment to the very first store you discover, without providing it a second believed. Many of you often consider that applance fix is a small process and therefore anybody can do it, unable to understand that this is a process that needs experienced and qualified arms. It is thus important to do some level of analysis before completing an equipment reair Calgary service for your damaged equipment. Ask your buddies for references- someone who has already acquired the service will give you reasonable concept about the validity of the fix services and the experts who perform there.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-90800560017417741212012-12-18T14:45:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:41:52.291-07:00Social Media Advertising The Right Way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Promotion is essential for the success and development of a business. The major purpose is to notify of the lifestyle of a item, or assistance, as well as provide motivation as to why that particular products or services should be selected over competitors. With the development of public press, advertising has taken on a different position and therefore needs different set of promotion management resources. That is because public press advertising is more complicated. It is entertaining, and it is this interaction that organizations can take advantage of.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />One may remember how Facebook’s inadequate performance of Just click Through Rates (CTR), Costs per Effect (CPM) and Cpc (CPC) had been a while ago, yet the system opposed the enticement of advertising unnecessarily lest they drive their customers away. Despite their serious need to profit, they took it slowly and started a sequence of tests, working together with Facebook or myspace designers and promoters to try out test them before launching advertising assistance to all. Companies too, started to know that they have to ‘socialize’ with their customers, rather than notify them. That is how Facebook’s ‘Like’ key obtained tremendous significance among SMEs and MNCs as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Businesses thinking why their item is not selling, instead, usually find mistake with the foundation, thinking why the countless numbers, or in the case of Facebook or myspace, a billion dollars customers have not addressed their ads. Companies need to know that the most essential factor in public foundation is that people are generally there to interact socially, as most opinions point out. They are not there to shop. Facebook or myspace noticed that lately and reinvented their promotion techniques for more powerful impact. Marketing experts also assert that public advertising is only effective when using several techniques instead of only one one. Just as there are billboard, create and electronic press, in the same way, there are various advertising resources available on only one foundation. For example, Facebook or myspace offers Facebook or myspace Exchange and News Nourish for ad positioning, and through which the idea of retargeting of ads has proven well-known.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />An essential change to advertising on public systems has also been because of the development of mobile utilization for public press. Promoters had to therefore, once again, straighten their promotion perspective to evolve to small sized screen. Video advertising is now considered to be a more well-known kind of promotion as well. That does not suggest that words losing value. Provided Experiences of Facebook or myspace is proof that information is just as powerful, from which one can get opinions on ad performance quicker, whereas on public ads one has to depend on the sales development, in order to improve on their promotion. </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-46350367033657023862012-12-17T14:49:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:41:52.296-07:00Hiring A Roofers Louisville Contractor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">After having analyzed the condition of the ceiling and the house owner decide that he or she does not want to do the perform yourself, take the time to decide on a certified specialist. A common specialist or specialist is someone that he or she individually seek the services of to do perform on his or her home; a subcontractor is employed by the common Roof top companies Louisville and should be protected by the common contractor’s or contractor's plans. Certification of common roofers or companies is not required in some of the declares. In other declares the companies does not require having staff members' settlement protection, most declares exempt only proprietorships from specifications to carry staff members' settlement responsibility, and some declares exempt companies with less than three or five workers from specifications for staff members' settlement insurance coverage. Generally, uncertainty and conflicts most frequently occur between companies and property owners regarding information not mentioned before a agreement are finalized. Here is a guidelines of subjects to talk about with the sales rep before one indication a agreement for roofing perform on the property.<br /><br />Check the free published calculate detail the contractor's cost to the house owner for specific perform and home owner's transaction conditions following last examination. Consider specifying that the ultimate transaction to the specialist be reliant on your invoice of a launch of mechanic's mortgage from all providers and sub-contractors. How unexpected costs will be managed, such as maintenance to damaged sheathing found during tear-off perform should be examined. Have such costs been involved in the estimate? Permission and transaction for permitted change purchases to the shortened perform also be analyzed. For example replacing the brand, style, or weight, of roofing shingles and calculating the amount of components needed. Acquiring and paying for a building allow from the municipality is also an important process of the roofers.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-71098515867511237012012-12-02T14:44:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:41:52.392-07:00The World Is Talking About Globalization<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the age of globalization where the individuals are adjusting many of the actions and methods of other nations. Everyone is getting globalised and this modify is being taken for the growth and also for the excellent advantages. However, the outcomes are also being acquired good which is all due to the same factor. When the individuals are getting revealed to something very excellent then they obviously try to evolve the same factor and thus the first thing towards the enhancement is being taken. The same factor is being done when it comes to the meals things. However, the appearance sectors have developed so well that now the individuals from any area of the world can get anything which is generally assisting individuals to modify and create quicker.<br /><br />The chicken nourish appearance are the individuals engaged in determining the appearance strategy which is not impacting the meals of the chicken creatures. They are mainly engaged in the offering the best strategy to the chicken which can offer the best content to the creatures as well as the customers fulfillment. However, the plastic material is one of the components being specific as the best chicken nourish appearance content as it is inert and do not respond or harm the content being loaded within. Along with that it is also defending it from the outside aspects. For the very delicate items the challenging appearance content is being used and it is very much apparent that based on the type of content the methods are customized respectively and the same factor is being followed by the chicken nourish appearance individuals.<br /><br />The tofu is one of the non veggie recipes which are very well-known in the another country mainly in the main European countries. In some areas of The united states also it is being handled as a delicousy and individuals like it. The tofu is also being made and provided in Indian now, which is also providing a very awesome reaction. However, the accessibility to tofu was a issue few in the past but now the tofu purses are available in the marketplace which can be purchased quickly and provided clean at home or workplaces. These purses were developed mainly for its secure storage space and easy transport. All the aspects were taken into account and then the developing was applied which provided a amazing reaction from the individuals part. The tofu purses are also being transferred to the other nations and so this has now become a effective business schedule for the individuals.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-43705670843041429922012-11-19T14:49:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:41:52.397-07:00Scanning Services - What Is It And Why We Need It<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Checking solutions is a modern way of copying records widely used in an company by digitalizing the documentation in an joyful manner. Storage space of records in document type at a place of perform can present a serious barrier during company development as well as venture development. The focus of an company is the perform it plans to do rather than involving itself in complications of papers control. These complications are reduced by electronic scanning procedure such as computerized, Incorporation, company procedure freelancing and papers storage. The risk and doubt related to destructive of records due to fire, water problems etc. is also obviated by using electronic strategy.<br /><br />Digitalizing procedure of the records in an company allows it to reduce the time and cost which will otherwise in way of document control will guzzle down much more human resources and capital. The whole procedure is in such a way that the computerized scanning results in developing the records in preferred structure so as to store them in the current control program or control program that can be offered according to needing the company. The scanning solutions may also include freelancing the examined records which can then be approved on to the consumer therefore increasing the performance of the company manifolds, and offer a continual. This whole procedure is based on a tried and examined technique that allows in preventing disruption to the company with a only aim of client care.<br /><br />The dangerous issue associated with the servicing of a papers may also results in messy program which causes a issue to the company. So rather than keeping a messy program of documentation, developing a digital database by using scanning solutions resources is a smart way to do the things which otherwise will be call for choosing of a boring procedure. Digitalization procedure contains developing a electronic duplicate of records and then saving the content on a ROM cd or on a hosting server. These examined records then can be utilized according to the need.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-62612792894999506822006-11-29T00:11:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:40:36.106-07:005 Marketing Strategies To Boost Small Business Profits<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>When most people talk to us about their marketing, they focus on advertising. While advertising is a part of the marketing mix, that's all it is. A part. Marketing is much bigger. <br> <br> A better way to think about marketing is to envision a pyramid. Marketing is at the top clearly defining the direction of a business or organization while advertising and public relations are at the base supporting the marketing function. <br> <br> Think of it this way. Marketing is everything you do to make your product or service more visible, more desirable and more profitable. Your marketing plan will clearly define the big picture and provide focus and direction based on the 4 Ps of Marketing: Product, Price, Placement, and Promotion. <br> <br> Whether it's sending an invoice, handling a complaint call, running a radio ad or sending an e-mail, you're marketing your business if you're touching a customer or a potential customer. <br> <br> That said, let's talk about ways to use marketing to increase business and get new customers. While there are many tactics available, there are 5 categories that will simplify your efforts and help you get better results. Develop a plan that includes five key components: Advertising; Public Relations; Special Promotions; Community Relations; and Customer Relations <br> <br> Advertising is paid space that typically includes print, television and radio commercials, signs, direct mailings and Internet messages. You have control over content, format, timing and size because you are paying for it. Because readers and viewers know you are paying for it, they tend to view advertising as biased information with less credibility than public relations. Advertising can be expensive and is often overused as a tactic to meet marketing goals. <br> <br> Public Relations includes ongoing, slow, build-up activities to build a brand and communicate specific messages to targeted audiences. Time, energy and imagination, rather than big budgets are key to success. Campaigns are typically conducted through the media (newspapers, magazines, television, radio), where readers view content as a credible message from an unbiased source. Editors and reporters have the final say as to publication timing and content. Public Relations can garner media placement and gain more credibility than any of your advertising messages can buy. <br> <br> Special Promotions include punch cards, t-shirts and special events. They are a great way to reward people and/or personally touch a lot of customers in a short time. <br> <br> Community Relations is all about your business becoming involved in your community. Perhaps your business donates money to nonprofit associations or events like the American Birkebeiner's Ski for the Cure program. Maybe you and your employees volunteer at a fundraising event or you or your employees join a service club. Community relations boosts credibility by building personal relationships with customers and creating goodwill in the community. <br> <br> Customer Relations includes anything that builds or strengthens a relationship with a past, present or potential customer. It takes far less money and effort to keep an existing customer than to attract a new one, so customer relations is a vital component of a successsful business. <br> <br> A good Marketing Plan always incorporates these 5 key marketing components. If one is left out, it is guaranteed that less than 100% effort is being made toward growing your business. <br> <br> Creating a clearly defined Brand and combining a mixture of marketing <br> tactics that address these 5 components to promote that Brand are key to business success. <br> <br> If you define what you want to accomplish, research options, and <br> develop an excellent plan, you will be on your correct path to attracting more customers, bigger profits and a business you can brag about.<br> <br> Marketing Spitfires Holly George and Leslie Hamp are creators of the 'Fast Track to Marketing Mastery' program. To learn more about the step-by-step program, and to sign up for their FREE Marketing Mastery Success Kit, visit <font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><a href="http://www.boostyourbottomline.com/">http://www.boostyourbottomline.com</a></span></font></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-86633675534543221282006-10-31T14:01:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:40:36.140-07:00The 10 Deadly Small Biz Marketing Mistakes<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>The 10 Deadly Small Biz Marketing Mistakes</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Copyright © 2006 Judy Murdoch</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Highly Contagious Marketing <a href="http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm">http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm</a></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>When asked what their questions were about marketing, one small business owner said, "I'd like to know what not to do." Good question. Most small business owners don't have much training in marketing and do their best by following what other companies are doing. The problem with this approach is that marketing is not a "one size fits all" activity. In fact a lot of business owners waste a tremendous amount of time and money on activities that bring in little or no business.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>The top ten marketing activities NOT to do if you're a small business owner are:</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>1. DON'T buy an ad in a major newspaper</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Unless of course, you want to spend your entire annual marketing budget within 30-days and have very little to show for it. Nearly every small business owner I've talked to has the same sad tale: they spent hundreds, sometimes several thousand dollars for a small ad, the ad ran and they got a paltry number of inquiries and then nothing. Nada. Zip. </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Advertising in major newspapers, magazines, trade journals, and other publications can be very, very effective if you have strong copy, good images, and can pay for the ad to run over a period of days, weeks, even months. Most marketing, no matter how well done, requires repeated impressions so that your audience will be familiar enough and trust you enough to call.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>2. DON'T create a brochure.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Especially using a template on Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher. For one thing, you'll end up with a brochure that looks like everyone else's. More importantly, unless you are a skilled copywriter or have hired one, your brochure is likely to be dry, boring, and will do very little to attract the attention of your prospective customers.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>By all means, do a brochure but wait until you're clear about who our target market is, what they need, and how you are the best one to provide it.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>3. DON'T try to sell something to everyone</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>A lot of small businesses define their target customer as "someone who is warm and still breathing." Bad idea.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>It's understandable because no one wants to miss an opportunity to make money. It's why you have a business, right?</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Still, the idea that everyone is a potential customers leads to two problems:</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>First, by trying to accommodate so many diverse needs, you end up with mediocre products and services. In a competitive market, mediocrity is not what people pay for; at least not a lot of money for.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Second, If you're trying to sell to everyone, everyone selling something even vaguely like what you're selling becomes a competitor. There's little opportunity for collaboration; little opportunity for developing strategic alliances. Finally, selling a product that has been "averaged" to meet the needs of everyone and doesn't stand out on its own puts you at risk for selling a commodity. And, unless you plan to be the low cost provider and can sell at incredibly low prices, that's a game you don't want to get into.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>4. DON'T feel compelled to use the "hot new thing" in your marketing </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>It seems like every six months or so, there's a "hot new technology" that you can exploit to "make millions." For example, in 2003 it was blogs. In 2005 it's been podcasts. Less technical but still hyped are postcard mailings.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Please.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Here's the point: all of these activities have merit and can make your marketing more effective. However, no one technology is going to "bring millions to your website!!!"</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>To make the most of any marketing activity or technology, you first need to get clear on who your ideal customer is, what products and services you sell, and the unique value you bring to the table.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>5. DON'T confuse marketing with marketing activities</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>When you hear the word, "marketing" what comes to mind? TV commercials? Advertisements in magazines and newspapers? Promotional knick knacks? ECommerce? </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>All of the above are valuable but they're not marketing. They are activities that enable and support your marketing.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>In my book, marketing is simply creating a connection between a buyer and seller so that business transactions can occur.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>You probably won't find this definition in any marketing textbook. Yet, it's a very practical way to think about marketing because it greatly expands the types of tools and activities available to you.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>6. DON'T perfect your marketing message before you let your prospective customers see it</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>There are two reasons why this is not a good idea:</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>First, you will never do much marketing because you can't perfect marketing in a vacuum. The effectiveness of any marketing depends on whether it gets in front of the intended prospect, captures their interest, and, elicits action. If prospective customers never see your "imperfect" marketing, how will you ever know what you need to do to perfect it?</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Second, you won't have many customers, if any because without marketing how will anyone know you exist? Businesses without customers are usually called "bankrupt."</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>7. DON'T expect instant sales</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Especially if the product or service you sell is expensive, highly innovative, or requires a large commitment of time on the customer's part.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Oftentimes, someone just starting a new business will get terribly disappointed because they ran an ad or attended a networking event, or sent out postcards and get very little response. They get discouraged and perhaps stop any kind of planned marketing.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Again, marketing is about developing relationships. Most people need to be exposed to a consistent marketing messages at least six times…more if you're selling a high ticket item before they feel like they "know" and "trust" your company enough to take the risk of purchasing.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>8. DON'T try to "get" anything from your customer</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Ever say something like "I need to get more customers"? No doubt you've heard other people use the word "get" in this way.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>The word "get", to me, implies an adversarial relationship between the seller and buyer. The seller wants to sell their product or service to the customer so they can "get" money. It also puts the focus on the seller when in fact, the focus belongs on the buyer.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>The truth is, people want to buy things. They like to buy things. People especially want to buy things that will make their problems go away or that will make them feel good. </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Instead of trying to "get business" how about "developing" relationships with potential customers by helping them get something they want? The exact phrasing may not feel right for you but it probably feels a lot better to think of yourself as offering something so valuable that people truly WANT to buy from you.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>9. DON'T expect to get 100% of your business through referrals</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>At least not at the very beginning.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Many small business owners like to believe that all they have to do is to do a really great job and word of mouth from their current customers will bring all the business they can handle.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>The truth is that while word of mouth marketing is probably one of the most effective marketing for small business owners and entrepreneurs, it takes a long time…at least a year…to develop the critical mass of delighted customers needed to bring in significant business.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>While you are cultivating a group of very satisfied current and former customers, you need to employ a variety of marketing activities to bring those customers your way. In addition, most businesses, even those who have lots of loyal customers singing their praises, take an active role in managing what their customers are saying in the marketplace. Activities such as keeping in touch, rewarding and acknowledging customers who bring in referrals, asking directly for referrals, and educating referral sources so that they can spot potential customers, encourage and support your word of mouth marketing machine to work for you.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>10. DON'T cold call</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Most business owners hate to make cold calls but many do because it seems like the best way to bring in new business.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Guess what. There are more effective ways to bring in new business. Effective meaning the payback that you get for your time, money and energy. Developing business based on word of mouth and referrals being one of the most effective. </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>But wait, you may be thinking, even saying. If cold calling isn't the most effective approach why do so many successful companies use cold calling?</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Two words: numbers and perception</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Cold calling is a numbers game. If enough people make enough phone calls to enough people, the laws of probability say a certain percent of those called will buy something. Now, smart sales organizations do all sorts of things to make the odds as favourable as possible: pre-screening, purchasing leads, developing call scripts, and so on but the success of the method still depends on the brute force of making lots of calls.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Seeing lots of people on the phone working their list also gives the perception of productive activity. People are working hard to get business. And you have the number of calls, number of appointments made, number of contracts signed, etc to prove that productivity.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Cold calling may not be the most productive approach to getting business but it sure does look like it is.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>BOTTOM LINE</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>The point here is that marketing is not an exact science. There is no one sure fire-way that will have customers pounding down your doors to buy from you. That's why I find thinking of marketing as cultivating relationships such a useful definition. Successful marketing is about successful business relationships and successful business relationships require time, familiarity, and trust.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>---------------------------------------------------------------------</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Judy Murdoch helps small business owners create low-cost, </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>effective marketing campaigns using word-of-mouth referrals, </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>guerrilla marketing activities, and selected strategic alliances.</span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>To download a free copy of the workbook, "Where Does it Hurt? </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Marketing Solutions to the problems that Drive Your Customers </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>Crazy!" go to <a href="http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm">http://www.judymurdoch.com/workbook.htm</a> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'>You can contact Judy at 303-475-2015 or <a href="judy@judymurdoch.com">judy@judymurdoch.com</a></span></font></p> <p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span style='font-size: 10.0pt'> </span></font></p> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-61405953836358128192006-10-31T13:48:00.000-08:002013-04-22T23:40:36.176-07:00Small Business Marketing: Reverse the Risk and Watch Your Sales Soar<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>One of the primary obstacles that you must over come is the buyer's sense that they are taking a risk when buying from you. The more they feel that they are taking a risk, the greater will be their reluctance to make the purchase. <br> <br> To overcome this objection, you must reserve the sense of risk. You must take on the risk yourself. <br> <br> Has it ever occurred to you how most businesses transfer the inherent risks of running such a business to the customer? <br> <br> Well, the following is a classic example of how this is done these days: <br> <br> A few days ago, I went into a store to buy a birthday present for a friend. I noticed a sign on the wall behind the cash counter that said "Absolutely no refund after 15 days" and I thought to myself, "How negative is that?" It sounded so severe and foreboding, even threatening. <br> <br> I was wondering why these people would want to tarnish their customer's goodwill by stating the policy in such a negative way and run the risk of turning off even one customer. Especially, when the very same message could have been expressed in a much more positive way and help to build lasting customer relationships. For example, the same line on the store's return policy could have read, "We will gladly refund your full purchase price within 15 days." <br> <br> The difference: <br> <br> I am sure the difference in the two approaches is quite apparent. In the first statement, it is implied that the customer has to shoulder the burden of responsibility while the second statement indicates that the store management is willing to go out of their way to help the customer. <br> <br> The above example is only a small one with perhaps only a negligible effect on sales, but the idea is to not state things in a negative fashion when there is a much better and more positive way of saying the same thing. <br> <br> Your risk, your gain: <br> <br> The wide range of anti-customer policies employed by various businesses never ceases to amaze me. The point that they all miss here is that, if you believe you have a sound product or service, then you should leave no stone unturned in advertising it to your customers. <br> <br> For example: <br> <br> "Our prices are the lowest in town or we'll refund double the difference" or "If we don't have your size in stock, we'll make a special order and have it here within two days" or "Marketing that gets you results or it costs you zilch, nada, zero. <br> <br> All of the above statements have a powerful and positive psychological impact on the mind of the customer. If you can perform, you must make sure you let people know. If you were the gift shop owner, as in the earlier example, you may get a few returns and refund requests to begin with, but those will be of no consequence at all compared to all the new business you will be getting just by thinking smart and communicating right. <br> <br> As a matter of fact, studies have generally found that with product guraantees, the longer the guarantee period, the fewer returns. The longer guarantee gives the customer a sense that you really believe in your product. <br> <br> Take for example an information product. If a customer has not had a chance to really get into the product and consume the information provided within the guarantee period, they may decide to return simply because they haven't had the time to satisfy themselfves that the information is really useful to them. <br> <br> On the other hand, if the guarantee is for a year, then they don't feel rushed and if they never get to the product and it sits on the shelf unopened, they will have long forgotten all about it and the guarantee when the deadline comes up. <br> <br> Taking the risk on yourself is good for business.<br> <br> George Dodge owns <font color=navy><span style='color:navy'><a href="http://www.smallbusiness2bigprofits.com/">http://www.SmallBusiness2BigProfits.com</a></span></font> that focuses on Small Business Marketing and hosts Bob Serling's Master Marketing Course for Small Businesses that "Can Literally Double Or Triple The Number Of New Customers Or Clients You Bring Into Your Business."</span></font></p> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-58868653096359213492006-06-29T14:35:00.000-07:002013-04-22T23:40:36.186-07:00Effective Marketing for Small Businesses<p><strong>Effective Marketing for Small Businesses</strong><br /><br /><strong>Author:</strong><font color="#a52a2a"> Amber McNaught </font><br /><br /></p><br /><p><strong>Effective marketing for the small business begins with market research</strong></p><br /><p>If you don?t know who your customers are, how on earth are you going to reach them? The most effective small business marketing strategies are the most highly targeted ones: the ones which are based on a clear understanding of who their target audience is. What?s your target age group and income bracket? What publications do they read? What do they do for fun? For it to be truly successful, your marketing should try to address an issue your target market deal with, fulfil a need or answer a problem. To be able to do that, you need to know who they are.</p><br /><p><strong>Before you start marketing your small business, identify its strengths and weaknesses.</strong></p><br /><p>Nothing will damage your small business quicker that disappointed customers. Don?t oversell your products or services: if you know you can?t deliver what your clients are looking for, refer them to someone who can, rather than taking on the project and doing it badly. People love to complain: don?t give them the opportunity to. At the same time, don?t undersell yourself either: you want to win new customers, after all!</p><br /><p><strong>Kick off your small business marketing with a survey</strong></p><br /><p>One of the best ways to get to know your customers is to have them fill in a survey. Mail it to them (with a reply paid envelope) with their invoice, hand it out along with their purchases, email it direct, or even put it on your website. However you decide to conduct your survey, think carefully about the types of questions you need to ask. Try not to make it too long, or people won?t bother to complete it, but don?t make it too short either, or you risk not collecting the information you?re looking for.</p><br /><p><strong>Analyse the competition</strong></p><br /><p>Any small business marketing strategy should take your competitors into consideration. In order to compete effectively, you have to know who they are and what they?re doing. What are their strengths and weaknesses, and how do they compare with yours? Spend time researching your competitors: find out their prices and look at their websites. Once you know what they?re doing to win customers, it?s up to you to do it better!</p><br /><p>Amber McNaught is co-owner of <a href="http://www.hotigloo.co.uk">Hot Igloo Productions</a>, a UK website design and marketing business specialising in helping small businesses grow through<!--nextpage--></p><br /><p><strong>Effective Marketing for Small Businesses</strong><br /><br /><strong>Author:</strong><font color="#a52a2a"> Amber McNaught </font><br /><br /></p><br /><p><strong>Effective marketing for the small business begins with market research</strong></p><br /><p>If you don?t know who your customers are, how on earth are you going to reach them? The most effective small business marketing strategies are the most highly targeted ones: the ones which are based on a clear understanding of who their target audience is. What?s your target age group and income bracket? What publications do they read? What do they do for fun? For it to be truly successful, your marketing should try to address an issue your target market deal with, fulfil a need or answer a problem. To be able to do that, you need to know who they are.</p><br /><p><strong>Before you start marketing your small business, identify its strengths and weaknesses.</strong></p><br /><p>Nothing will damage your small business quicker that disappointed customers. Don?t oversell your products or services: if you know you can?t deliver what your clients are looking for, refer them to someone who can, rather than taking on the project and doing it badly. People love to complain: don?t give them the opportunity to. At the same time, don?t undersell yourself either: you want to win new customers, after all!</p><br /><p><strong>Kick off your small business marketing with a survey</strong></p><br /><p>One of the best ways to get to know your customers is to have them fill in a survey. Mail it to them (with a reply paid envelope) with their invoice, hand it out along with their purchases, email it direct, or even put it on your website. However you decide to conduct your survey, think carefully about the types of questions you need to ask. Try not to make it too long, or people won?t bother to complete it, but don?t make it too short either, or you risk not collecting the information you?re looking for.</p><br /><p><strong>Analyse the competition</strong></p><br /><p>Any small business marketing strategy should take your competitors into consideration. In order to compete effectively, you have to know who they are and what they?re doing. What are their strengths and weaknesses, and how do they compare with yours? Spend time researching your competitors: find out their prices and look at their websites. Once you know what they?re doing to win customers, it?s up to you to do it better!</p><br /><p>Amber McNaught is co-owner of <a href="http://www.hotigloo.co.uk">Hot Igloo Productions</a>, a UK website design and marketing business specialising in helping small businesses grow through<!--nextpage--> the use of internet technologies and public relations.</p><br /><br />Brought to you by <a href="http://www.aaarticles.com">AA ARTICLES</a><br /><br />...<br /><p> </p><br /><p>sitemap7.html</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583806677652702358.post-83286769845178190052005-09-03T13:31:00.000-07:002013-04-22T23:40:36.197-07:005 Steps To Success for Small Business Marketing<p>Everyone wants to succeed in life. Most people want to succeed in business. And no one starts a business of any sort wanting to fail. <br /><p>Yet the sad fact is that 80% of businesses will fail in the first 3 years of operation. <br /><p>So what can you do to ensure your success? <br /><p>Luckily these five simple (never confuse simple with easy), tried and tested steps dramatically increase your chances. <br /><h2>1. Vision</h2><br /><p>It might seem like management gobbledigook or newage psychobabble but all the evidence is that developing and articulating a vision for your business and life is a major key to success. <br /><p>Take time out. Really think about what you want from your business and life. <br /><p>Write it down. <br /><p>A vision statement should not be long - it doesn't even have to be in words. If you think graphically then capturing your vision in a picture or diagram could be just what you need. You are striving for a short, to the point description of where you want to be in 1, 2 and 5 years time. <br /><p>In addition to your financial vision you need to ask yourself some questions: <br /><ul><br /><li>What will our major products and services be? </li><br /><li>What will be our target market?</li><br /><li>Will we be market leaders, followers or niche players?</li><br /><li>What will our unique competitive position be?</li><br /><li>How will we 'know' our ideal customer?</li><br /><li>How will we be perceived by our customers?</li><br /><li>How will we promote your services to our customers?</li></ul><br /><p>An old Japanese Proverb says, <br /><p align=center><br><em> "If you aim at a tree and fall short, you may only hit the ground. <br> If you aim at the sky you may hit a tree."</em></p><br /><p>Make sure you don't set your targets too low. <br /><p>Just before leaving the subject of 'Vision' - the number one key to achieving your vision is to communicate it widely. Make sure you tell your family and friends. Make it a central pillar in corporate literature. Include it in job descriptions. <br /><p>The more you communicate your vision the more you demonstrate your commitment and the more likely you are to succeed. <br /><h2>2. Set Out Your Goals </h2><br /><p>Success means something different to us all. A self-made businessman worth millions of dollars would be thought <br>successful by most. But if that businessman only rarely sees his family, never gets to play golf and spends all of his time on airplanes or in some exotic sounding (but usually antiseptic) hotel, is that really a success? Would that businessman think his life a success? <br /><p>Possibly, possibly not. <br /><p>But if that man had set himself goals for his business, private and social lives he at least has some way of measuring his achievements. <br /><p>Your vision is all about 'what' you are going to achieve. Goals are about the stepping stones to achieving that vision. <br /><p>Before starting on any endeavour - set your goals. <br /><p>Make sure your goals are specific enough that you know when you have achieved them. "I want to make lots of money" is weak. "I am going to make $100,000 next year and $200,000 the year after" is much stronger. <br /><p>The more specific and well articulated your goals the greater your chance of achieving them. <br /><p>Don't forget to include your private and social goals. Many rich people complain that they have all the freedom that money can buy - but money can't buy the time to enjoy what they have earned. <br /><p>An old boss of mine from my days in corporate consultancy once observed, "You can't buy back the years of your children's lives". He's right. <br /><p>Make sure you know what real success would mean to you. <br /><h2>3. Plan, Plan, Plan</h2><br /><p>If the number one key to success in retailing is location, location and location, the number one key to success in business<br> is plan, plan, plan. <br /><p>Remember the 5 Ps success model - Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. (When I was taught this in the military there was a 6th P - for the sake of a mixed audience I have left this out. Use your imagination - you'll guess what it was :-)) <br /><p>If you've done your goal setting you know what you are going to achieve. The point of planning is how you are going to do it. Break each goal down into constituent steps needed for its achievement. For each step decide what, who, where and when it is to be done. <br /><p>Be realistic and make sure that every step is achievable in the time set. Be prepared - when you plan-out all that you need to do, the amount of work can be daunting. Better to know this up-front than sale merrily into a venture only to find it is a huge monster that is going to take you a lifetime to kill. <br /><h2>4. Action Counts</h2><br /><p>I've seen some beautiful plans. Highly researched, well thought out and presented. I'll talk to a business owner and they'll say, "We've got a plan" and pull it out of the bottom draw of a filing cabinet somewhere. <br /><p>"So, why aren't you using it", I'll ask. Nine times out of 10 the plan was produced to obtain<br> funding. Lot's of really good work is done but once the money is obtained the plan is put to one side and ignored. <br /><p>Big mistake. Taking action is the only thing that counts. <br /><p>Every successfull business I have looked at has clear, current business, operational and marketing plans. It doesn't matter whether your business is offline or online. It's taking action that delivers the results. <br /><h2>5. Another 5 'P's to Success</h2><br /><p>Passion - You have to believe in what you are doing. No where is this more obvious than on the internet. You can spot the 'me-too' advertisers in a second. The people who succeed are the ones in have passion, who truly believe in what they are doing. Do something that you love. <br /><p>Push - No matter how good your plan you have to provide a big push to get it moving. Your plan inevitably involves change. Achieving change takes effort. Think of it as if you were trying to move a boulder. To get that boulder up and moving takes a lot of muscle and effort. Once it is moving though it becomes much easier. <br /><p>Persistence - Getting started is relatively easy. Afterall, you are all fired up with energy and enthusiasm at that time. Few things worth achieving happen over night. Instead, there will be problems, hold-ups and frustrations. Don't allow yourself to become disillusioned or demotivated. You need persistence. <br /><p>Patience - Results don't happen instantly. Allied to persistence you will need some patience. <br /><p>Profit - OK, OK it's trite. But follow the steps here, gear yourself to provide these 5 Ps and you will succeed. In<br>business, profit is a measure of your success. <br /><p>No one can guarantee your success whether in life or in business. But you can dramatically increase your chances of success through these five simple, very well established principles. <br /><p>The question is, "WILL YOU"? <br /><p>----------------------------------------------------<br></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314935374717343828noreply@blogger.com