Does work bring you want you want?

I think some of us get lost in the pressures of life and forget that this is our life and we need to be in charge of how it goes.  Some of you may have seen the article about a couple that decided to downsize and simplify their life -  But will it make you happy?   This article is not just about a couple making significant lifestyle changes but about an economy and culture that supports the need for more.  Working more, having more, buying more, doing more...more and more and faster and faster.  Don't get the idea that I think those who work hard and reap success are wrong.  Far from it - I think it's great that there are people like that.  Our economy needs them and so does the culture but that lifestyle is not for everyone...and that is my point.

Recently I was thinking about my situation and how challenging this 'building a business' is for me and I thought back to when I was in my late teens and early 20's.  Back then and even through my 30's & 40's I thought I was going to be "something".  Of course I had no idea what that "something" was but I had convinced myself that it was going to be big.  Yet, as the years passed and life presented various challenges both good ones and not so good ones, I did my best to make it through.  When I examined my patterns what emerged was my strong need for independence and choice.  Even though I worked as an employee most of my working career, I gravitated towards small companies or positions that would allow freedom & flexibility.  I worked hard, became a valuable employee and the benefit I gained and most valued was freedom/flexibility.   To do what?  To spend time riding my horse...to have breakfast on a weekday morning so I could sit and read.  To be able to enjoy a day when everyone else was working seemed to give me a a sense of satisfaction that I could do what I needed to preserve who I was.

Now that my path has changed it's course once again the same needs...freedom and choice...remain most important to me, but I have come to realize that I am not going to be "something" - instead I am just a regular person who is living the life I have built over time.  I am one of the those people who is being "something" by living life and enjoying it in a way that makes the most sense to me.  Getting to this realization has given me such a sense of peace and comfort.  I am happy with where I am and my desire to build a business.  My success comes with my ability to connect with and help others manage their finances while, at the same time, giving me time to enjoy my life.  Without even knowing it, I've finally become that "something" I always wanted to be...it's just that I didn't know what it would look like until now.

How to convey ideas to self and others?

Just this morning I was reading the NYTimes on-line and ran across a great visual addressing all the ideas of money, finance, planning for the future that each and every one of us considers.  It was done in such a unique and creative way I just had to share it.

Here it is -  The Sketchpad: Personal Finance on a Napkin  It draws you into exploring what the ideas are about and hopefully gets you thinking about where you stand and how you would rate yourself.

As we have all learned over time, no one person has the correct answer for all which is why it is important that we take responsibility for educating ourselves about money and the ideas around managing it.  Not that we have to be a whiz at every aspect of financial planning, investments, life insurance, as that makes no sense, but it is our responsibility to ourselves to have at least a global understanding so we can choose people who can help us get to where we want to go.

That, of course, suggests that we know where we are going.  I think that answer isn't always available to folks who work hard in a jobs that only allow them to cover their basic needs.  If you are just living check to check, you may not be able to take the time to think about the future or even believe there is a financial future for you.  But believe me, even those folks who can only save a few dollars here and there are trying to plan for tomorrow.

Take a look at this article and enjoy it's message.  Hopefully for those of you who, like myself, are visual learners, you'll start thinking again how you can better manage your own personal finances.

Tracking your Progress

How do you keep yourself motivated?  How do you link your marketing efforts to results? 

Without thinking we are always working to build our business.  When you are relaxing or cycling, taking a walk or even watching your favorite TV program...your mind is probably drifting to thoughts on how to get more business and create more success.  I don't know about any of you but I am always thinking about how to build my business.  Sometimes I wish I could shut my brain off and stop the process but right now it is so important to me to make ends meet that I am almost obsessed with the idea.

One thing I have done from the very beginning is to keep a journal of everything I do.  If I send out marketing letters I write down how many and to whom they went.  If I put an ad on Craigslist I write it down.  If I call someone and have a conversation about business...I write it down.  If I am actually working for a client I write it down.  Writing it down is important for me.

Why???  Because I review constantly what I've done and where I need to follow-up.  As I've said before and stressed over and over following up is key to getting to where you want to go.  If you have no record of all the effort you've made to get clients, there will be days when you feel like you're going nowhere...spinning your wheels and it "just ain't so!" 

So to stay motivated and feeling good about moving forward find a way that works for you.  Track your progress so you can evaluate results.  What did you do that got you a client?  What did you do that provided nothing towards your effort?  Did the cold calling prove to be a good investment of time?  Did you follow up with these people?  Continue to search your book and you'll find the questions that are specific to your efforts and they will show you that you're working hard to build your business...and that will get you up and working each and every day!

Cold Calling --- UGH???

What can anyone say about cold calling?  It's not every one's cup of tea but...it is a way to make contacts and build your business.  Personally, it's something I have pushed off for as long as I could until recently.  I will my experience with you with the hope it will motivate you to give it a try. 

Well,  the other day I walked into three banks and introduced myself to the Branch Managers.  All three individuals were very pleasant and helpful and offered valuable information on how the bank approaches referrals.  I'm a spontaneous kind of person, so I never have a set presentation in mind.  I just reach to each individual differently and have a casual discussion about the services I offer.  I make a point of learning something important about each person and use it as a way to point out the things we might have in common.  In these cases two of the three women I spoke with were real success stories and it was my pleasure to have them share these stories with me.  However, I am mindful of not taking up too much of their time and I always offer to put on a small seminar on a topic like basic checkbook management for their clients as a way to give something instead of just asking for the bank to be a referral source.  Being able to give and be generous is what I am all about and so offering to help in a way that is easy for me to do has proven to be a good thing.  After I left each bank, the experiences were so positive that they gave me a boost of encouragement. 

Don't forget though that follow-up is key when making cold calls.  In these cases, I've followed up with a letter thanking each individual for taking the time to meet with me but scheduling time in the future to drop by and say hello is critical to building long-term relationships.  I have been told that follow-up is what separates so many people from success.  Many people think that their first letter or meeting will get them the job.   That's just not how it happens...it's being able to repeat the connection, take the time to say hello show your sincere effort to not just work for the business but to build the relationship...that's when things start happening.

What can you say about cold-calling?????  I read INC Magazine and here is a link to one of their articles on tips for cold calling.  Cold Calling Tips  Remember, what works for some doesn't work for others and ultimately you have to create a scenario that works for you.  However, when you are clear in what product/service you are offering...believe in what you are doing...are sincere in your efforts...and operate from a place of honesty and integrity, cold calling becomes easy and YOU become your best ambassador of goodwill.

Note:

I want to apologize for slipping up on my writing frequency.  I was reminded by a friend that it is important to keep in touch...to keep writing and commenting so all of you know I'm still there.  

Thank you my friend for the reminder!

Starting the Business...am I crazy?

It has been a while since I've written and it is because staying positive when on your own is a challenge and sometimes a struggle.  There are no two ways about it.  What can I say?  Any of you who are struggling to build your business or working hard to maintain it knows the feeling.  You feel good about things one day but then something changes whether it's a check that doesn't arrive or a call that doesn't come or results that seem so far below any expectation...the day seems dark and you begin to doubt if all your efforts will work.

I am almost two full months into this state of mind and as I read through my daily diary I see how my marketing efforts were full out in the beginning and now have slowed down.  It's time to "hit it and hit it hard" as my father used to say!  I will confess that I finally purchased a laser printer so the letters printed looked a bit better than my old printer.  That was a good investment.  However, I still need to revisit the first mailings and send the second.  Followup...followup...followup...that is the key to building.

I have a friend who has been in sales all his life.  In fact that is how we met back in 1975.  Back then he was the top salesman for his company winning trips every year to exotic places.  He knew how to sell.  Now 35 years later he continues to be successful and continues to win those trips.  In fact about a month ago he and his wife went on a trip to the Bahamas...yes, he won this.  However, over the span of 35 years, through all kinds of economic times and with the pressure of family [kids in college etc] he has continued to be a top salesman.  He has always been an inspiration to me.

By nature I'm not a born saleswoman.  I'm basically shy and my type of work has not required such talents to be developed.  High time to start...but in fact now is a great time to start.  What better time to feel confident about the services I have to sell?  I have over 30 years of experience working in all types of business environments, over 15 years working specifically with individuals and small businesses and a Masters Degree in Psychology with training and experience as a marriage & family therapist.  What better time to feel good and confident about what I have to offer?

So the same holds true for all of you who are in my position.  Remember that you have paid your dues in experimenting, learning, trying & educating yourself in the ways of business.  What better time to sell that experience and feel good about what you have to offer your client or customer?  Don't forget that you can not be all things to all customers...just identify what you are good at and work that skill.  If you persevere and believe in yourself and work hard, you too will become successful.

LaVergne Poe on Business Life: How are you & your business doing?

LaVergne Poe on Business Life: How are you & your business doing?

How are you & your business doing?

Just read a good article that had 15 warning signs that your company is in trouble.  15 Warning Signs your business is in trouble.  When I read it I thought about people and small businesses that I have worked with and could check off at least 5 or 6 of the reasons for many of them and more for others. 

Being on top of your business and what it stands for is important.  Staying in touch with your customers is even more important as they are your best source of feedback for improvements and change in how you do business.  You don't need to hire a marketing firm to do a "focus group" ... you just need to be open and ready to hear about how you are doing.  I've worked for people who were not interested in asking their customers how they were doing.  Instead they pushed ahead on their own agenda without noticing the changes going on around them.  

Check them out and see how many you answer yes to and how you're going to turn things around...it's never too late!