Little Known August Holidays

Real holidays that you can use in your business or organization for fun and profit.

 1 Sports Day
 2 National Friendship Day
 3 National Watermelon Day
 4 National Sisters Day
 5 Picnic Day
 6 National Fresh Breath Day
 8 National Say You're Happy Day
 10 Garage Sale Day
 11 National Kool-Aid Day
 13 National Left Handed Day
 14 National Financial Aware Day
 15 National Relaxation Day
 16 Joke Day
 18 Bad Peotry Day
 20 National Radio Day
 21 Be Crazy Day
 22 Be an Angel Day
 24 Strange Music Day
 25 Kiss and Make up Day
 29 More Herbs & Less Salt Day
 31 National Box Car Race Day
Have a Fantastic August !!!

Doing Business Correctly in China

When in China to do business there are guidelines to follow to have a chance of making a serious connection. The Chinese value patience, politeness, modesty, saving face and respect for elders or highest rank official present. The dress code for meetings is professional with men wearing a tie and women wearing a suit or skirt that's not above the knee. If it is warm the host or senior person may suggest that men & women remove their coats during the meeting. Here are a few other things to pay attention to:

 *Address the most senior or highest rank person first
 *Say your name, company and position slowly and clearly
 *Handshakes are medium to soft and let the Chinese host release first
 *Exchange business cards with everyone but always the highest rank first
 *Have any handouts in both English and Chinese language
 *If the meeting is during a meal the host (person inviting the other) always pays
 *Don't start eating until the highest rank Chinese member does first
 *It is polite to at least sample unknown food and then you may politely refuse
 *When paying, never show money in front of guests, step out or wait until they leave
 *Gifts can be given at the end of a meeting or meal but not too expensive
 *Gift should be given to the highest rank person using two hands
 *Don't give the Chinese clocks, sharp objects or anything that is black & white
 *The host always sits at the head of the table in a meeting
 *Don't be late for a meeting

The Chinese business people usually take longer than others to make a decision, so have patience and don't pressure them or the answer will be NO. They want any deals, arrangement or purchases to last a long time and take the time up front to be sure. There is a lot of business and money to made in China if it's done the correct way and all parties respect each other.

Barry is business consultant and professional speaker. www.idealetter.com

Large Sale Follow-up

Making a large sale and enticing buyers to part with serious is difficult in the first place. But making sure that buyer is happy and satisfied is the next step to be sure that the sale lastas and referrals are made. This will also build and strengthen your brand for your growing company. Here are a few reasons why you should follow-up after a large purchase:

 *Avoid costly returns and exchanges
 *Avoid arguments that can result in credit card chargebacks
 *Damage to your brand and reputation
 *Builds a relationships for future business and referrals
 *Show that you really care and appreciate the sale

An after sale postcard or email thanking the buyer for their purchase is nice and can be done immediately. Then for large purchases a personal phone call or even visit is what make a bigger impression. But what do you call about or ask them, here are a few suggestions:

 *Are you using the product or service?
 *Are you having any problems?
 *Do you understand how it works?
 *Are you happy with your purchase?
 *Do you know who to contact if you have a problem?
 *Would you like me to cantact you again in a month?
 *Do you have any friends who may be interested in this product or service?
 *Do you have any other questions?

If there is a problem or question, this is your chance to resolve it quickly and bind a solid relationship that will last. Be very sincere and show empathy for any concerns they have. You want them to know that you are the only choice for this product or service.

Barry is professional speaker on Customer Satisfaction and Marketing on a tight budget. www.idealetter.com

Are Your Changes Working?

Every business needs changes from time to time just to stay even with competitors. Many new ideas and changes can actually increase market share if they provide customers and clients with additional benefits. But not every change works exactly like you expect it to so it must be evaluated to see the results. These evaluations should be made shortly after the change is implemented and again a few months later. Change is inevitable but change that includes value and benefits for your target market is the most important and should be watched closely. Be sure that any changes are doing what they were intended to do.

Some questions to ask, after observing, about any changes made in your business are:
         *Is it working well?
         *What wasn't doing what was intended?
         *If you could change the change what would it be?
         *What other adjustments can be made
         *Should you eliminate the change or keep it?
         *Is it providing benefits and value for your target market?

Businesses that never change tend to be left behind in the market. We have seen many long-time business names and brands disappear when they didn't accept current technology and customers requests. People (your customers) want the newest and latest of everything and if you don't give it to them they will find it elsewhere.  So to survive you must change but changes must be evaluated to be sure they are working as intended.

Barry is a marketing & customer satisfaction speaker & author.  www.idealetter.com
     

Tips to Improve Cash Flow

Experiencing cash flow problems at some points in time does not mean you are bad at business. It means life happened to you. It’s times like these that Get Business Loan Quotes can quickly and simply help you get the funding you need to keep your business afloat or simply keep the stress at bay. Not only do we help you find the best funding programs, but we also offer you the following cash flow management tips:

• Create a 12 month cash flow forecast to help see when shortfalls may arise in order to properly prepare.

• What’s business without a little negotiating? Review your contracts and negotiate terms with your suppliers. Ensure your payments are made timely to foster healthy relationships which in turn will help garner more favorable terms.

• Keep accounts receivables in check. You may not like this aspect of business, but it is a necessity. You provided a service or delivered a product and deserve to be paid. Do not let unpaid accounts flounder. Be consistent with reminders and phone calls.

• Make it easier for your customers to pay. Accept various forms of payment such as cash, credit/debit cards, or cash. Offer automatic monthly billing directly from their bank account or credit/debit card. Some business owners shy away from accepting credit/debit cards because of the fees connected to it. However, it is often more cost effective to pay the fees in order to have the timely payments and reduce the cost of collections.

• Open a line of credit when business is steady so you are prepared for emergencies.

Don’t lose sleep worrying about cash flow during the lean months. Submit an application to Get Business Loan Quotes now to learn how we can ease your mind help provide the funding you need!

Source: Get Business loan quotes.com

Low Price - Who Cares?

If you think that everyone buys the low price, think again. Low price sellers lure buyers and shoppers to the big box stores because they offer mostly commodity or commonly used products. Most buyers know that the service is poor but they don't need much service when buying commodity items. But when it comes to quality product purchases the lowest price may not get the order. Toothpaste is toothpaste regardless of where you buy it so you might as well pay the lower price. But furniture, cars and trendy clothes may need some assistance to buy and to learn the pros and cons about. There is also a question of quality with these products and the lowest price may be the lowest quality and not last very long.

I see some big furniture stores or chains always advertise low price. low price and LOW PRICE. They never say much about how you will enjoy it in your home and if it will last with kids and pets jumping all over it. They just want the fast sale and send you on your way and hope you don't look back or question the quality. Budget clothes stores push the low price items and they always look good in the dressing room but what about after you wash it a few times. You look OK when you buy it but will you be happy a few washes later? Car dealers convince you to buy at low prices and then load up additional costs on the back end.

Every industry has these low price advertisers that either don't back up the sale or offer the least amount of service possible. Smaller, growing and smart businesses can take advantage of this by offering what's missing at a price that includes the value they have added. You wouldn't search for the lowest price surgeon to replace your heart valve, would you? Take the low price out and add value a customer can count on, over and over again. You will build loyalty and they won't consider the low price over your business.

Barry is a marketing and customer experience speaker and trainer.  www.idealetter.com

What Customers Expect

When you acquire a customer you make a promise to provide the best possible products and services at a high value. If you want to create lomg term loyalty with that customer you must keep delivering that high value and outstanding customer service All The Time. It takes a long time to build loyalty and trust and just one dumb mistake to destroy it. People are looking for consistency they can rely on and will expect it during every meeting and transaction. You must keep creating more value and never take thier business for granted. There is always a competitor waiting to lure them away. Let them know you care and show it. People buy and continue from people they know, like and trust.

Barry is a speaker for convention and conference on The Customer Experience and Building Business Relationships. www.idealetter.com

Speaking for Free ?

I do a lot of local presentations at chamber events, Rotary clubs and many other business groups. These are great practice for me to try out new or added material and merge it into a current speech. It also helps me find out if a new story that is supposed to be funny gets any smiles or laughs and how to fit it into my presentation. By not going too long between speeches (of any kind) I can be fresher without long layoffs. For these groups I don't charge any speaking fee or expenses because I know they are not making any profit   from my presentation. It also gives me exposure to people who may hire me to speak at a larger event or company meeting. So these are win-win situations where everyone usually comes out ahead.

For bigger events or those that charge admission; conference fees, trade show/expo booth fees, company meetings or training I feel that I should be paid. I don't usually sell anything while speaking and try to give valuable and usuable content that will benefit the audience. My goal is to have them them leave my presentation with information that will increase their marketing efforts, provide better service or enhance their career. The event organizers are trying to make a profit so why shouldn't I be paid for my contribution. Too many speakers offer to speak without getting paid and that hurts the rest of the serious speakers who spend time putting a valuable presentation together. Event planners will not the get the results intended from non-paid speakers.

Barry is a speaker on marketing, customer satisfaction and building business relationships. www.idealetter.com

Be Consisitent

People become loyal to you and your business because they like the way they are treated and feel that they are getting good value for the money they are spending. Another reason is because the product or service they are receiving can be relied on to do the job they expect it to. It must do what it is supposed to do every time not just most of the time. It's that consistent value and outstanding service that will build loyalty over time. So you don't want either to fall short even once or it will create doubt in the buyer's mind.

A loyal customer wants to know what they can expect from your business and get it EVERY time and in return you may get their loyalty. It takes a long time and consistent above average experiences to build that loyalty but maybe only one bad experience to destroy it. Don't ever let that bad experience happen and keep all customers feeling they will always get that consistency they want and expect.

Barry is a Customer Experience Trainer & Speaker that will travel to your event or business anywhere safe in the world.  www.idealetter.com

First Impressions

When a prospect visits your store or office, calls you on the phone or even goes to your website they will instantly get a first impression of you and your business. That impression will be great if it's positive but difficult to change if it's negative. Don't assume that everything will be OK if you give the best price, best selection and best delivery because that negative first impression will still make them a little hesitant to start doing business with you. Even if you are busy treat that encounter as if it is very important if you want that person to become a loyal customer.

A negative first impression can take a customer out of a "comfort zone" when dealing with your business and it will take a lot of time and care to get them back in. The impression they get is not only the first time they contact your business but really every time you meet them. They may ignore a bad experience once in 20 or 30 times but not once in 5 times. Don't let yourself or your staff create that negative impression regardless of how busy or how bad a day is going. The customer doesn't care about your other problems but only their own mission at that time. First (and second and third etc) impressions DO Matter if you want to build a business with loyal customers who will support you in good times and bad.

Barry is a Customer Experience speaker that is available to speak at large and small events and meetings.  www.idealetter.com

Mark Cuban's Rules for Start-ups

Anyone who has started a business has his or her own rules and guidelines, so I thought I would add to the memo with my own. My "rules" below aren't just for those founding the companies, but for those who are considering going to work for them, as well.

1. Don't start a company unless it's an obsession and something you love.

2. If you have an exit strategy, it's not an obsession.

3. Hire people who you think will love working there.

4. Sales Cure All. Know how your company will make money and how you will actually make sales.

5. Know your core competencies and focus on being great at them.Pay up for people in your core competencies. Get the best. Outside the core competencies, hire people that fit your culture but aren't as expensive to pay.

6. An espresso machine? Are you kidding me? Coffee is for closers. Sodas are free. Lunch is a chance to get out of the office and talk. There are 24 hours in a day, and if people like their jobs, they will find ways to use as much of it as possible to do their jobs.

7. No offices. Open offices keep everyone in tune with what is going on and keep the energy up. If an employee is about privacy, show him or her how to use the lock on the bathroom. There is nothing private in a startup. This is also a good way to keep from hiring executives who cannot operate successfully in a startup. My biggest fear was always hiring someone who wanted to build an empire. If the person demands to fly first class or to bring over a personal secretary, run away. If an exec won't go on sales calls, run away. They are empire builders and will pollute your company.

8. As far as technology, go with what you know. That is always the most inexpensive way. If you know Apple, use it. If you know Vista, ask yourself why, then use it. It's a startup so there are just a few employees. Let people use what they know.

9. Keep the organization flat. If you have managers reporting to managers in a startup, you will fail. Once you get beyond startup, if you have managers reporting to managers, you will create politics.

10. Never buy swag. A sure sign of failure for a startup is when someone sends me logo-embroidered polo shirts. If your people are at shows and in public, it's okay to buy for your own employees, but if you really think people are going to wear your branded polo when they're out and about, you are mistaken and have no idea how to spend your money.

11. Never hire a PR firm. A public relations firm will call or email people in the publications you already read, on the shows you already watch and at the websites you already surf. Those people publish their emails. Whenever you consume any information related to your field, get the email of the person publishing it and send them a message introducing yourself and the company. 

Mark Cuban