Unusual October Holidays

Here are some real but little known holidays for October that you can use in your business for fun, promotions and profit.

 2 World Farm Animals Day
 4 National Denim Day
 5 World Smile Day
 5 Take a Long Walk Day
 7 Bathtub Day
 8 Lovable Lawyers Day
 9 Leif Erickson Day
 10 Tuxedo Day
 12 World Egg Day
 13 U S Navy Day
 15 National Grouch Day
 16 Dictionary Day
 19 National Evaluate Your Life Day
 19 Electricity Day
 20 Shampoo Day
 21 National Reptile Day
 23 National Mole Day
 26 National Mule Day
 27 Make a Difference Day
 29 National Oatmeal Day

Complied bt Barry www.idealetter.com

The Golden Rule - Not Good Enough!

We all remember the Golden Rule... Do unto to others as you would have others do unto you. Well if you are in business, the Golden Rule is nice but not good enough anymore. People want and expect you to serve and treat them like the Kings and Queens they are as customers and clients. There is so much competition in the business world that if you don't exceed the Golden Rule someone else will.

Think of how you would like to be treated when making a purchase, returning an item or asking a question. You expect the business person to help you using the best of their ability. Helping is not enough anymore; you must do it with empathy and a smile on your face. People can sense insincerity and that will destroy the overall "customer experience." Think of what the Golden Rule means to you and then find ways to surpass it in your business, Every Day!

Barry is a speaker on Customer Satisfaction, www.idealetter.com

The Retail Jungle!

If you are in the retail business, whether in a brick and morter store or online, you know there's a constant battle for customer's money. As soon as one competitor makes an offer another comes back with something better. Many of them just fight on price because they don't have much more to offer. They think people will always buy the loewst price which is certainly not true. People buy the Best Value which is what they are receiving for the money they spend. They feel that there's more than a product/service involved in the purchase and look at the perceived value.

Your job as a retailer is to increase that perceived value and be the seller of choice without regard to the lowest price. Many companies have built a good business just selling the low price but their margins are small. If anything goes wrong on a purchase it can eat up all the slim profit and more. It is better in my opinion to be a fair price and provide more value. Ask customers what they really want when they buy your products or service and provide it to them. When a customer is completely satisfied they will not keep looking for the lowest price but come right back to you. The savings you get on less promotion of a low price should more than pay for the increased value.

Barry is a speaker on customer satisfaction amd marking, www.idealetter.com.

Treat Customers Like Dogs!

Yes, treat customers like you treat you dog or other pet. Many of us treat our pets better than we treat relatives, friends and associates. That animal becomes so loyal that they would never think of not being happy to see you or do whatever you ask. When they haven't seen you for a few hours and you come home again they are so excited they can barely control themselves. You have 100% of their loyalty even if are angry on occaision or yell at them.

Wouldn't you like your customers and clients for feel like your pet does? That never ending loyalty to you and your business for a long period of time. To get that loyalty you must go way over the top with outstanding service that will WOW them. You must make them realize that no one else will do what you do for them and you do it with a smile. Find what none of your competitors will offer or do for customers then find a way to provide it. And one more thing, you have to do it ALL the time.

Barry is a meeting speaker on business service and marketing plus a business coach who solves problems for clients. www.idealetter.com

No Money to Advertise?

Having no budget or money to spend on advertising is common in many small and medium size businesses. But that doesn't mean you should stop promoting your business to get new clients and customers, it just means that you need to find another way. One of those "other ways" is by using publicity. Publicity does not cost anything (if it does don't pay). It means that a third party or company is saying something good or bad about your business and will bring attention to it. Attention that people will remember when it's time for them to purchase what you are selling.

You can get this "free" publicity in several ways and you should try all of them. Offer to speak to groups and help them in their life or business. Write a book or article that will benefit the people you are trying to reach. Teach a class at a local high school or college without charging them. Volunteer to support a non-profit organization or fund-raising event. Get interviewed on the radio or TV as an expert in your field. Send newsworthy press releases to the media often. Just get your face and name in front of the public any way you can (except getting arrested!) and people will remember you and your business. All it costs you is your time.

Barry is a business and franchise coach who has over 30 years experience in business. www.idealetter.com

Colorado Springs Business Partners

Join us next Tuesday for no cost and network with other local business people. We are looking for several different businesses to join our professional networking group in Colorado Springs. You will not have any competitors there and be able to exchange business leads and cards with everyone. It's a great way to increase sales in the local market. We meet the 2nd & 4th Tuesday every month from 8AM to 9AM and we are the lowest dues in Colorado, PLUS a free mini breakfast buffet at every meeting. You can come as a guest (bring a business friend with you) for 2 meetings before joining and meet some great local dedicated business people. We meet at Colorado Tech Univ Room 252 on Chestnut just south of Garden of the Gods Road. No reservations needed just show up before 8AM, the next meeting is Tuesday September 25th, SEE YOU THERE

Doing Business From Home?

Keeping costs to a minimum is critical when starting a small business. Working in a home-based business can be an effective approach to limiting overhead when you need to save capital for other areas of your business. In many cases, the millions of small businesses launching today are getting down to business from their basements, garages or kitchen tables. By starting at home, you can get your company off the ground while saving money for when you can afford to hire help and moving into professional office space. But, is working from home the best choice for your small business?
If you have a personality that needs people to chat with, you may need to look into a small business incubator space look for a space with the National Business Incubation Association or a virtual office space with a firm such as Regus.

The isolation of being at home can really be tough. It's hard to turn it off, too. Many small business owners are workaholics unintentionally, and working from home really facilitates being that way. Sometimes when you are a home-based business, the people closest to you might not take your work seriously. When I started my first business, my mom would call in the middle of the day to chat. That is a perfect example of how those close to you can distract you. In business, your time is money. Be firm with friends and family about your work hours and when then can call you. If you do take a personal call, keep it to 10 minutes. I have a few tips for evaluating whether you are ready to work from home.
Ask yourself these questions before deciding set-up shop in your house:

• Are you self-disciplined enough to stay focused on your work?
• Are you good at setting a schedule?
• Are you good at communicating when there is limited visual feedback?
• Can you fight the temptation to call a friend or run errands?
• Do you need to talk to someone as part of your work process?
• Will you be able to separate work life and home life?
• Will you still be able to afford childcare help?

Now, if you are still thinking that becoming a home-based business is for you, here are a few tips to help you manage.
Get out of the home office at least twice a week. Go to networking functions, schedule client appointments, and try to find yourself a place to work outside of your home with your laptop. Bookstores or libraries are good options. Coffee shops and bakery stores such as Starbucks or Panera Bread even offer free WiFi. They are all great places to hang out and get work done.
Build a check-in list. Get yourself a group of other small business owners to help stay motivated. It's good to have regular conversations with people who know what it's like to be a start-up business and working from home. Build your network of other business owners, and when you get the urge to turn on the TV, spend two hours on Facebook looking for old boyfriends or worse, take a nap, dial-up sometime who can help you get back on task.
Talk up your new business. Make sure everyone knows you are in business and what you do. If you talk up your business everywhere you go, you'll be amazed how you will attract customers to you. It's also always good to practice your elevator pitch. It will keep your confidence up. Sometimes when you don't see other people often, your presentation skills can get rusty. Try talking about your business at your local hair salon, business association, supermarket, even at your child's after-school activities -- and certainly at your old job. Especially promote your business to those closest to you. Your brother might know someone who can give you a contract.
Develop strategic alliances. Find other small businesses you can partner with to pursue larger opportunities. It's a great way to help each other grow in business. Develop joint promotions, trade tips and resources. Work out a formal referral fee agreement, so there's no misunderstanding about compensation for leads. Look at joining a sales networking group such as NAWBO, LeTip, or BNI.
While you're working at home, you should set up routines to come in contact with people as much as possible -- just as if you had a neighborhood storefront or an office on a corporate campus. Stay the course and you'll grow your business to the point where you can get back into a corporate setting, if you decided that you need to do so.
By Melinda F Emerson and Huff Post

Speak With Confidence

No leadership skill is more important than the ability to be persuasive; to speak with confidence and competence. The same statement could be made for all professionals, but it is especially true for managers. You must be able to be persuasive and credible if you are to convince others to use your ideas.
Managers can increase their credibility with staff, senior executives, clients and the public by strengthening their speaking and leadership communication skills. Fortunately, everyone can learn to be more dynamic and persuasive.
Simply by using the power of body language, you quickly increase your credibility and improve your ability to influence others with your ideas.
First impressions are crucial to credibility. In his excellent book, You are the Message, Roger Ailes points out that you must make a good impression within just a few seconds. In a job interview, Joyce Brothers says you have about 30 seconds to make a good impression.
Nonverbal communication (body language) is a key ingredient in first impressions. Your appearance and style make a big difference in how others see and respond to you. President George Bush, Senior certainly learned this well when he overcame the “wimp image” the media tagged him with before the first debate of his initial presidential campaign. Roger Ailes coached Bush on how to use nonverbal communications techniques effectively.
Everyone is familiar with the phrase: “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” Even though we know this bit of folk wisdom is true, few people heed it. Where do most of us spend our time when getting ready to guide employees, present a proposal to management or staff, or respond to a crisis? We work on the words, the content. How many actually rehearse the presentation of the ideas and critique it? Is it any wonder we don’t do a better job of presenting our ideas?
Words are important. On the other hand, nonverbal communication carries most of meaning when you talk to another. Inflection (how the voice is used) also carries a significant portion of the meaning. You not only need to know what to say, it is very important to work on how you say it.
Here are some of the ways nonverbal messages are conveyed:

1. Tone of voice: Varying both volume and speed is important to make your voice interesting to others. Voices with a lower pitch have more authority than high pitched voices.
2. Facial expressions: Smiling, good eye contact, and listening have a strong positive effect on others.
3. Physical appearance and manner: Posture, handshake, gestures, energy level and use of humor affect your message delivery.
4. Dress: Neatness counts. Darker colors command more respect. Make sure shoes are shined. Conservative classic styles work best to get a good response from others.

That’s a lot to think about, but here’s an easy way to remember what you need to do to increase your credibility. No matter how nervous you feel inside, using the following five tips will help you appear confident when you speak to others.
When you speak, remember S.P.E.A.K.
S is for smile. It’s one of your best communication tools. It always helps you make a good first impression, and it helps make others want to listen to you. Most managers need to smile more.
P is for posture. How you stand or sit makes a big difference. Your physical stance tells others how you feel about yourself. Confident people stand tall and sit straight.
E is for eye contact. A person who is believable and honest “looks you right in the eye.” Don’t stare, but look at a person’s face for at least three seconds before moving on to look at another person. If you are talking to a group, give your message to one person at a time. (This is important in the U.S. culture, but eye contact may have a very different meaning in another culture. If you are traveling abroad or meeting managers from other countries, learn the cultural differences.)
A is for animation. Show you are interested in your subject with your energy and animation. Be enthusiastic. Animate your voice by speeding up and slowing down, talking louder and softer at times. Make your face animated. A is also for attitude. Make sure you feel good about yourself and what you are doing.
K is for kinetics or motion. Use your hands and arms to make gestures that support your words. Use two-handed, symmetrical gestures, and hold your hands high when gesturing at about the chest level.
Remember S.P.E.A.K. and you will boost your credibility in conversations and presentations. You will be much more persuasive, and people will respond more favorably to you and your ideas.
Source: Marketing Ideas 101

What is Your Marketing Plan?

Without a plan, how will you get there? How will you achieve the sales, profits and growth that you reaaly want and need in your business. A general doesn't go into battle without a plan or how can a homebuilder build a house without a plan? You business also needs a marketing plan to reach goals and success.

Here are 5 steps to help you setup an work your marketing plan.

 *Define your objectives, challenging but still within reach
 *Establish a time limit, when you want to reach those objectives
 *Identify your target market, know who your best customers/clients will be
 *Have a marketing mix, the best strategy within your budget
 *Analyze and review, make adjustments and changes as needed

You can and should have a short and long term marketing plan. Let others in your business know your goals, objectives and the plan to reach them. You want everyone to believe in your goals and plan to get there so keep them informed on the progress.

Barry is a business coach who has started and operated over 20 different businesses. He is available to help you with your marketing plan and reach your goals. www.idealetter.com

10 Reasons New Entrepreneurs Fail

"For entrepreneurs -- especially those just starting out -- businesses succeed as much as they fail. I’ve seen this time and again as a mentor and entrepreneur. But statistics also suggest that the failure rate for new startups within the first five years is as high as 50 percent.
Of course, real entrepreneurs treat business failure as a milestone on the road to success. They count on learning from their mistakes, and use the experience to move to the next idea. But why not learn from the mistakes of others, without all the pain and suffering?
Here is my list of 10 top startup failure causes -- and how to avoid them:
1. No written plan. Don’t believe the myth that a business plan isn’t worth the effort. The discipline of writing down a plan is the best way to make sure you actually understand how to transform your idea into a business.
2. Slim or no revenue model. Even a non-profit has to generate revenue (or donations) to offset operating costs. If your product is free, or you lose money on every sale, it’s hard to make it up in volume. You may have the solution to world hunger, but if your customers have no money, your business won’t last long.
3. Limited business opportunities. Not every good idea can become a blockbuster business. Just because you passionately believe that your product or service is great, and everyone needs it, doesn’t mean that everyone will buy it. There is no substitute for market research, written by domain experts, to supplement your informal poll of friends and family.
4. Can’t execute. When young entrepreneurs come to me with that “million dollar idea,” I have to tell them that an idea alone is really worth nothing. It’s all about the execution. If you’re not comfortable making hard decisions and taking risks, you won’t do well in this role.
5. Too much competition. Having no competitors is a red flag -- it may mean there’s no market -- but finding ten or more with a simple Google search means your area of interest may be a crowded. Remember, sleeping giants can wake up. So, don’t assume that Microsoft or Procter & Gamble are too big and slow for you to worry about.
6. No intellectual property. If you expect to seek investors, or you expect to have a sustainable competitive advantage against giants in your industry, you need to register for patents, trademarks and copyrights, as well as enlist non-compete and non-disclosure agreements to protect trade secrets. Intellectual property is also often the largest element of early-stage company valuations for professional investors.
7. An inexperienced team. In reality, investors fund people, not ideas. They look for people with real experience in the business domain of the startup, and people with real experience running a startup. If this is your first time around, find a partner who has “been there and done that” to balance your passion and bring experience to the team.
8. Underestimating resource requirements. A major resource is cash funding, but other resources, such as industry contacts and access to marketing channels may be more important for certain products. Having too much cash, not managed wisely, can be just as devastating as too little cash. Don’t quit your day job until new revenue is flowing.
9. Not enough marketing. Having a slick word-of-mouth marketing strategy isn’t enough to make your product and brand visible in the relentless onslaught of new media out there today. Even viral marketing costs real money and time. Without effective and innovative marketing across the range of media, you won’t have customers -- or a business.
10. Giving in too early. In my experience, the most common cause of startup failure is the entrepreneur just gets tired, gives up and shuts down the company. Despite setbacks, many successful entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Thomas Edison kept slugging away on their vision until they found success.
By Martin Zwilling and Entrepreneur Magazine

The Lowest Price Gets the Sale?

This is myth number one in my recent book and you as a business owner or manager should not believe it at all. As I have said many times, price only becomes the deciding point when everything else is equal. Of course if you have 2 red balls the same size, same quality, same bounce and no added service; most of us will buy the cheapest price. It's your job to make sure sure they are not the same and yours has added service, guarantee, delivery, exchange policy, customer assistance, etc, etc.

People will pay a price they associate with the value they are receiving, not always the product. In business to business sales, buyers usually say price is the deciding factor and it seldom is the real reason. If you lost an order or a sale you need to dig deep to find the actual reason, don't just believe it's price (it usually is not). Look at cars for an example: any car will get you where you want to go but some people pay double, triple or even more than the lowest price for a car they really want to own. The added value is not worth double or more but buyers pay it because they believed the marketing that told them it was.

Your job is make your prospects feel that your products are worth more by adding value and service to make them perceive a higher price is warranted. Let the big box retailers and sellers sell by price while you make a higher profit by adding service, standing behind it and promoting it. Many large companies started this way but went off track as they grew to massive size. You can take back some of that business by starting right now and making price Not An Issue.

Barry is a Speaker and business coach who has started and operated ov 20 different businesses. www.idealetter.com

What Are Your Competitor's Doing?

Watch your main competitors all the time to see what new ideas they are offering the marketplace. They are not going to tell you in advance so you need to find out on your own. They are watching you and trying to counter the way you do business so they can appeal to your customers and prospects and TAKE THEM AWAY from you. They are just as aggresive in business as you are and want to grow in the same target market that you do. The only way to to stay on top is to know what's going on even before it happens.

The best way to find out competitor's plans and current information is be on their mailing list, visit their website and be a customer in there store or office if they have one. You will see first hand just like everyone else their way of doing business and how they treat customers, clients and prospects. By knowing any of their changes early or when they are introduced you can plan your own strategy to better, faster, newer or innovative. Never ignore competitors because they are not ignoring you. The more you know about your current market the more you can plan plan your growth and success.

Barry is a business speaker available anywhere safe in the world and has 6 published books on business available everywhere.

Think Outside What Box?

We have all heard people say, "Think outside the Box" when looking for new ideas. The "box" is supposed to mean, how it's done now. Or the way it's always been done so why change? To be different from others and competitors find ways of doing things a little differently. This is OK but it still limits you to staying close to the "box" and somewhat conforming to accepted procedures. In other words don't become too different from those "in the box" or customers will shy away.

Well, why not throw the box away all together and think in the "universe" which has no box at all. Don't limit ideas to something similiar to "what's always been done." If an idea sounds or seems way off from what's been done before, try it anyway and see if it's accepted. That's how many famous brands got established and grew into big companies. Maybe the farther you get away from the "box" the better chance you have to be unique and unprecedented in your field or industry. The next time you hear someone say, "outside the box" say to yourself  'there is no box'.

Barry is a business coach and speaker who has started over 20 companies himself and speaks on marketing and customer satisfaction.  www.idealetter.com

Nothing Left But Price?

In business there's a saying that, "When everything else is equal it comes down to price." That is how the the big box discount stores sell and become profitable on volume. They are counting on the other businesses to provide no more service, no better selection and no better "Customer Experience" than they are and they get the sale on the lowest price. When the other businesses try to compete on price they have no chance against the big box stores. They will never let you beat them on price and you will go broke trying. But when you compete on "Customer Experience" the discount stores lose the sale.

Not everyone shops 'only the lowest price', in fact surveys show that less than 50% of shoppers do unless they can't find any other reason.  It's your job as an independent business owner or manager to show them why price is not always the best option. Big discount store have little in-store assistance, difficult return/exchange policies, and many products that are made poorly to keep the price down. They use massive advertising to get people in the front door, then treat them like cattle going to slaughter. Don't fall prey to their tactics but give your customers something they can't get at the big box stores, something you can be proud of that will bring them back. Offer a "Customer Experience" they won't get at a competitor and you don't have to worry about losing a customer to a lower price elsewhere.

Barry is a business speaker, international author, entrepreneur and business coach, www.idealetter.com

Wear Your Customer's Shoes

Are you really treating customer how you would want to be treated? Yes, it's the old Golden Rule and it never goes out of style. Here are some ways to be sure that you're following the Golden Rule.

 *Shop at your competitor's business and see how they treat customers
 *Review your refund, exchange and return policies
 *Listen in on staff's handling of call-in and walk-in service
 *Are your hours of operation adequate?
 *Are your phones answered by real people?
 *Do you accept all major credit cards?
 *Do you ask customers what new things they want?
 *Do you watch your customer's faces during a purchase?
 *Do you have your best people doing customer contact?
 *Do you treat complaints like an opportunity?
 *Does everyone on your staff smile often?
 *Do you offer samples or demonstrate freely?
 *Do you periodically work the front lines?
 *Cab you say that you never cheat a customer?

More on Customer Satisfaction in chapter 16 of the book "90 Days to Success as a Small Business Owner" available everywhere.

No New Ideas?

I have heard people say that there are no more new ideas left in the world. C'mon let's think about it again. There are over a million babies born on this Earth every day and every one is different that anyone who has ever existed. The same with your ideas, they are all different even if they are not usable right now. Without new ideas would there be an iphone, Starbucks, frozen yogurt, GPS, etc. etc. etc. You know what I mean and those new ideas are in your mind right now, just get them out and use them.

The way to encourage new ideas is to be observant every day, all day and everywhere you are. By looking at a situation or business and thinking how it could be better, serve better, add more value and make customers happier is where your ideas will start. Once you get new ideas, test them to see if they will work in the marketplace. Ask people what they think and if they would pay for the ideas when they are available. But don't get a great idea and never use it, because someone else will and you will be watching them succeed saying, "Hey I thought of that first" with a frown on your face.

Barry is a speaker, business coach and international author of 6 business books. www.idealetter.com

Unusual September Holidays

Here are some real but little known holidays in September that you can use in your business for fun and profit.

 *5 Ok to be late day
 *6 Read a book day
 *8 Celebrate pregnant women day
 *9 Teddy bear day
 *11 National neighborhood day
 *12 Video games day
 *13 Helicopter day
 *15 Born to be wild day
 *17 Citizen's day
 *19 National butterscotch pudding day
 *21 Miniature golf day
 *23 Checkers day
 *26 National good neighbor day
 *27 Ancestor appreciation day
 *29 National goose day

Every day is "Put a smile on your face day" it's contagious!  Have a Great Month!