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.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Time to Rethink, Reinvent and Restore our abilities -
I've been looking for something to write about as it's been a day to day job of staying focused on marketing, sending out letters, emails, following up on ideas and contacts. Anyone who is self-employed understands these tasks and knows that it takes discipline to just keep on going.
This morning I read an article in the NYTimes entitled " When Greatness Slips Away " and it reminded me of how large the struggle is to move forward to move on to be creative and to find the path to a successful future. All of us are in this "job" together even if we're not self-employed but when you are you are faced with the valuable gift of crafting each day in a way that makes a difference for you and for those around you. I know I must sound like a broken record but I believe us, the more mature workers in society, have so much to offer. We have years of experience not only in the work force but in the life force that keeps us getting up each morning and trying again to get it right. Yes, it is a big challenge right now but that challenge is the best thing for us...it will wake up our brains to figuring out how we can create value, once again, with our hidden and trained talents.
One thing that is very important to me is to help people manage their finances. It's my theme right now because it's a way, I've determined, I can give back and make a difference in my community. I've offered to teach a basic class on managing your money, balancing your checkbook and staying in a good financial position at the local public library. I was looking at their "events" page on their website and there were several classes offered but nothing on finance. This was an opportunity to help and I am hopeful that the library director agrees to move forward.
It is important to me to help...it's what ignites the fire inside of me and with the skills I have I've determined one of the ways I can accomplish this. You can do the same - just look out and see what you would like to do, be or accomplish and eventually you'll find your way.
This morning I read an article in the NYTimes entitled " When Greatness Slips Away " and it reminded me of how large the struggle is to move forward to move on to be creative and to find the path to a successful future. All of us are in this "job" together even if we're not self-employed but when you are you are faced with the valuable gift of crafting each day in a way that makes a difference for you and for those around you. I know I must sound like a broken record but I believe us, the more mature workers in society, have so much to offer. We have years of experience not only in the work force but in the life force that keeps us getting up each morning and trying again to get it right. Yes, it is a big challenge right now but that challenge is the best thing for us...it will wake up our brains to figuring out how we can create value, once again, with our hidden and trained talents.
One thing that is very important to me is to help people manage their finances. It's my theme right now because it's a way, I've determined, I can give back and make a difference in my community. I've offered to teach a basic class on managing your money, balancing your checkbook and staying in a good financial position at the local public library. I was looking at their "events" page on their website and there were several classes offered but nothing on finance. This was an opportunity to help and I am hopeful that the library director agrees to move forward.
It is important to me to help...it's what ignites the fire inside of me and with the skills I have I've determined one of the ways I can accomplish this. You can do the same - just look out and see what you would like to do, be or accomplish and eventually you'll find your way.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Time marches on!
Well I was thinking about everyone out there trying to find a job and wondering how many are finally exploring the opportunity of self-employment? I just don't see what anyone has to lose when it comes to using your accumulated skills and talents to create a life you'd like and make some money too? There are many ways to approach the personal search but just begin by asking yourself over and over, what do I want to do??? and how do my skills and talents match?
We are all in the same boat here and unlike other points in time, the unemployment rate continues to be high and the job opportunities continue to be low. If you search Craigslist regularly, as I do, you begin to notice how few "new" postings are there ... new jobs, more jobs - much is the same old job just listed in another way. There are also postings that look like jobs but they are really search companies soliciting for new applicants. Of course you can post your resume and see what pops but what I've found is each time I do it or revise it I get emails from weirdo's wanting to sell something.
Even when I post for myself I get emails from marketing and sales people offering to increase my client base. This seems like a new phenomonon - I wondering how these people set themselves up to discover my little posting? It's crazy if you ask me - I don't even believe there are real people out there but more a computer program written to search and find new postings that fit a particular parameter.
Another way to go is new training for a new destiny - perhaps there was a profession you've always wanted to try or had a passion about ... why not now? What better way to use your time than to be retrained? There are grants out there that will help you pay for it as well. One website I found through a women in business website [so it appears to be legitimate] and you can search for grants to help you with starting a new business, funding to sustain you through the process, educational assistance etc. Why not see what you might find? It can't hurt to look and in the process you may get some new ideas. Here's the link: http://www.newusafunding.com/?tc=go&gclid=CLmppOiboKICFRNZiAodF0FOvg
Good luck - as Tim Gunn from Project Runway always says "Make it Work!" ... for you!
We are all in the same boat here and unlike other points in time, the unemployment rate continues to be high and the job opportunities continue to be low. If you search Craigslist regularly, as I do, you begin to notice how few "new" postings are there ... new jobs, more jobs - much is the same old job just listed in another way. There are also postings that look like jobs but they are really search companies soliciting for new applicants. Of course you can post your resume and see what pops but what I've found is each time I do it or revise it I get emails from weirdo's wanting to sell something.
Even when I post for myself I get emails from marketing and sales people offering to increase my client base. This seems like a new phenomonon - I wondering how these people set themselves up to discover my little posting? It's crazy if you ask me - I don't even believe there are real people out there but more a computer program written to search and find new postings that fit a particular parameter.
Another way to go is new training for a new destiny - perhaps there was a profession you've always wanted to try or had a passion about ... why not now? What better way to use your time than to be retrained? There are grants out there that will help you pay for it as well. One website I found through a women in business website [so it appears to be legitimate] and you can search for grants to help you with starting a new business, funding to sustain you through the process, educational assistance etc. Why not see what you might find? It can't hurt to look and in the process you may get some new ideas. Here's the link: http://www.newusafunding.com/?tc=go&gclid=CLmppOiboKICFRNZiAodF0FOvg
Good luck - as Tim Gunn from Project Runway always says "Make it Work!" ... for you!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Good ideas when thinking about career choices.
While reading "Money" magazine, one of the articles popped out that resonated and that is "5 Secrets of Highly Successful Changers" http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/17/news/companies/sales_profits.moneymag/index.htm?section=money_latest&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fmoney_latest+%28Latest+News%29
When we are focused on finding work ... we can get caught in 'tunnel vision' - by that I mean, we see ourselves and our options as they "have been" versus looking at our skills and the opportunities they open up as new sources of opportunities. Even, as I've said before, consulting or independent contracting.
Thinking without those "employee" blinders on helps us widen our peripheral sight to all kinds of ways to work and produce income.
When we are focused on finding work ... we can get caught in 'tunnel vision' - by that I mean, we see ourselves and our options as they "have been" versus looking at our skills and the opportunities they open up as new sources of opportunities. Even, as I've said before, consulting or independent contracting.
Thinking without those "employee" blinders on helps us widen our peripheral sight to all kinds of ways to work and produce income.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Just one day at a time!
As I sit here signing letters to be mailed to potential clients I feel the anxiety building over how I will get the clients. I don't know how anyone else copes but for me I just acknowledge my anxiety and continue to do things towards the end I am looking at on the horizon.
It helps to have good friends you can talk to or do some things to be distracted by. My inclination is to keep my nose to the grindstone but as tempting as that is to sooth my anxiety, it doesn't make sense. After you work on business for 3 or 4 hours, get up and take a break. Go for a run, a bike ride, a walk or even sit back with a cup of coffee and read a book. Those down times are equally as important as the focused building business times. It is through these down times and relaxation that our creative minds can work and be released.
Sounds crazy ... not so. Just try it - and see what bubbles up and write back and let me know.
Now...get busy and relax!
It helps to have good friends you can talk to or do some things to be distracted by. My inclination is to keep my nose to the grindstone but as tempting as that is to sooth my anxiety, it doesn't make sense. After you work on business for 3 or 4 hours, get up and take a break. Go for a run, a bike ride, a walk or even sit back with a cup of coffee and read a book. Those down times are equally as important as the focused building business times. It is through these down times and relaxation that our creative minds can work and be released.
Sounds crazy ... not so. Just try it - and see what bubbles up and write back and let me know.
Now...get busy and relax!
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