Unusual October Holidays

These are real but unusual October holidays that you can use in your business for fun and profit.

 2 World Farm Animals Day
 4 National Denim Day
 5 World Smile Day
 7 Bathtub Day
 8 Lovable Lawyers Day
 9 Leif Erickson Day
 10 National Angel Fodd Cake Day
 11 National Coming Out Day
 12 National Egg Day
 13 U S Navy Day
 15 National Grouch Day
 16 Dictionary Day
 18 Long Distance Day
 19 electricity Day
 20 Shampoo Day
 21 National Reptile Day
 24 National Bologna Day
 26 National Mule Day
 28 Take your jack-o-Lantern to work Day
 29 Oatmeal Day

Selling to Seniors

The over-60 group is a rapidly growing sector of the public and they spend money like everyone else. If you can offer special products and services to this demographic group there can be good profts and get their loyalty. Many are retired or thinking about it and have all their kids grown up and on their own. Their home may be paid off or close to it and most other bills taken care of or small balances left. They have more disposable cash than when they were younger but are still cautious about how they spend it. Here's a few ideas you can consider when selling to your senior population.

 *Offer free shopping helpers or a concierge
 *Have an internet site that's easy to use
 *Don't treat them like senior citizens (just special customers)
 *Offer publications or inserts for their age group
 *Offer free delivery services with a minimum purchase
 *Set up regular order delivery on items they buy often
 *Offer morning & afternoon events for them
 *Hire seniors part-time and give them discounts
 *Supply special home & car products for seniors
 *Have a friendship matching service for the older age groups
 *Offer groups trips for those with similiar interests
 *Start a senior activities newsletter and distribute free
 *Offer health food products and samples
 *Train your staff the correct way to service seniors
 *Offer free training on all high-tech products
 *Give gift cards to senior assn or retirement homes
 *Always have some senior discount and publicize it
 *Treat seniors like special customers (because they are)

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

Long Hours and Stress

Some people can handle stress better than others. When in business, you can expect stress, especially for the owners, leaders and managers. There is no place to run and hide in your business if you want to be prosperous and grow. The stress and long hours that come with solving problems, training and supervising must be accepted and not affect your good decisions. The business, employees and customers expect management to guide the company and make positive decisions regardless of the stress involved.

One way to handle and manage stress is to prioritize tasks, especially the unpleasant ones, from the most important ones to those that can wait. If the IRS or State revenue agent is at your door, that would be a high priority. But a delay of delivery of a product to restock shelves can wait or delegated to a responsible person on your staff. All problems or issues are important but some can be less of a priority while more serious ones are taken care of first.

Sometimes a short term break from you business will regenerate you even an hour later. Leave your store, office or even home office and take a walk, restaurant lunch or go shopping. Don't take your phone with you so you will have a short time without new problems coming up. This break can help you make tough decisions and create ideas when you return. Long hours and stress are just part of running a business but they don't have to stop you from making important decisions and growing your business.

Barry is a business speaker, international author and business consultant who assists businesses grow. www.idealetter.com

Networking Does Take Time

Many of us belong to or attend networking groups either regularly or occaisionally. These groups and meetings can help generate referral business we need to grow our enterprises. But don't expect it to happen immediately after attending one meeting. It takes time for other members or attendees to understand you and your business and feel comfortable giving you a referral. In some cases it's better for you to make the first move and give others a referral or do business with them yourself. Sure people will get a first impression of you but it's the lasting impression that will build your business.

Get to know people at networking meetings or get-togethers and learn about their business and what type of customer/client that they are looking for. Then in return they will want to know about you, your business and your needs. Spend some time listening and learning, not just exchanging business cards and move on to the next person.  That's why we attend most meetings of a group we like because you can't make that great connection in just one or two meetings. There are too many people you don't know and usually a few new ones every meeting. Take the time meet and learn about them and you can always set an after meeting one-on-one with those you feel would be a good match for referrals.

There are many types of networking groups in every town or metro area and you should attend (at least twice) most of them before settling down with a select few. The ones I don't like charge a high dues and usually give little back for what you pay them. I don't think any group should have a yearly member fee over $100.00 if even that high. I also don't like groups who say you must give referrals to only those in the group and no one else. What if you don't like or feel comfortable with the roofer in the group and want to refer to someone else. You should be able to send your referrals to a business person who has gained your trust and you respect.  There are great networking grougs everywhere but don't expect immediate results.

Barry is a speaker on Building Business Relationships, international business author and business consultant who helps owners and managers increase sales, customers and profits.  www.idealetter.com

Questions When Buying a Business

Buying an existing business can be a wonderful experience or a nightmare. Don't let anyone talk you you into something that is not what you really want and are willing to work hard at. It does not have to be wildly profitable but it does have to have the potential to make it great using your new ideas. Ask yourself some of these questions before you commit.

 *Do you like the business? the products and services
 *Do you like the location?
 *How old is the business?
 *Profitable or not (not always important)?
 *Will suppliers transfer open credit to you?
 *Are there employees? (talk to them)
 *What are employees paid and benefits?
 *Will valuable employees stay after a sale?
 *It there inventory and what is its value?
 *Is inventory current or obsolete?
 *Is all the equipment working properly?
 *Will landlord write a new lease at favorable terms?
 *Who will train you to run the business?
 *How many competitors will you have?
 *How long will it take to learn the business?
 *Who will answer questions after you take over?
 *Are there any unseen problems that could occur?
 *Will you have to accept any debt on the business?
 *Is there owner financing? (owner will help more)
 *Is there a customer mailing list or email list?
 *Will current owner sign a non-compete agreement?
 *How big is the target market?
 *How will you reach potential customers/clients?
 *For retail, can you get the demographics?
 *Can you live with the hours it takes to succeed?
 *Would you buy from this business?

Financial statements don't tell the full story and are made to look good. Check the overall business and decide if you can do things that the current owner is not doing to make it more successful. Once you are the owner you call the shots and can use your ideas to grow the business.

Barry is a speaker and consultant that assists in buying or selling a business.  www.idealetter.com

Little Known September Holidays

These are real holiday that you can use in your business for fun and profit.

 4 Newspaper Carrier Day
 5 Ok to be late day
 6 Read a book day
 7 Grandma Moses day
 8 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 Citizens day
 18 National play-doh day
 19 National Butterscotch pudding day
 20 Hollywood magic day
 21 Miniature golf day
 22 National Elephant day
 23 Checkers day
 24 National Cherries Jubilee day
 26 National Good Neighbor day
 29 National Goose day

 Barry Thomsen  www.idealetter.com

Front Line Service

Your front line people are the first contact for most new prospects and customers. They set the beginning of the Customer Experience for future business, referrals and loyalty. If people are not treated like the important part of the business that they really are, you may lose them or turn them off. It doesn't matter whether that contact is in person, by phone or even online, an impression is generated and remembered. Are your front line people the best communicators with the best attitude possible?

Front line people should have continual training and monitoring to be sure they are giving that unforgetable customer experience. They can make or break the start of a long term relationship instead of making your business or organization "The Only Choice". Give them the tools they need to excel and to answer FAQs quickly without making a first contact wait or get a vague answer. And most of all train and photograph their smile an expect them to use it all the time (YES even on the phone or online) Build your business starting with the best possible front line people.

Barry is a speaker on The Customer Experience and available for your next convention, conference, trade show or company meeting.  www.idealetter.com