Casual Articles - Business

Small Business Marketing - Understanding the 7 Step Sales and Marketing Cycle
One of the biggest myths as it relates to business comes from one of my favorite movies of all time, 'Field of Dreams'. In the movie, Ray Kinsella, is inspired by a mysterious voice telling him to follow his dreams. The voice says, 'If you build it, they will come'. True to Hollywood storytelling, Ray does build 'it' and 'they' do indeed come.Unfortunately, it doesn't work the same in business. Many business owners have the false idea that if they have the very best product or service, they are guaranteed instant success. In essence, 'if [they] build 'it', 'they' will come.An incredible, 'knock your socks off' product or service does not guarantee success.If you're like most small business owners, you've doing everything you know how to do, but you're still not attracting enough new customers. You've tweaked your website. You've increased the size of your yellow pages ad. You've even sent out direct mail

d or exchanged business cards.

Mind Your Manners

- What ever happened to “Please” and “Thank you”? People of all ages are violating this basic rule and it’s appalling. Use an appropriate level of formality and respectful tone. Over time you can become more relaxed but never, ever lose basic courtesy. If you’re sending an email, watch your grammar and spell check it before sending. If you’re leaving a voicemail, write it out first and practice saying it a few times. That way, it will be delivered it smoothly and naturally. Your verbal and written communication reflects who you are.

Demonstrate Respect for Process and Position

- Don’t ask people to go around their company’s internal processes

How to Network if You're Shy
One of the biggest deterrents to effective networking is shyness and the lack of confidence to get out there and meet new people. Even if you consider yourself a naturally outgoing person, you've probably had moments where the thought of entering a room full of strangers made you nervous.First, you need to realize that the majority of people are shy - at least in certain situations. You're not the only one! I've found that once you adopt this realization, it does wonders for you. See that executive standing by himself? Deep beneath all the power and prestige there's probably a shy man wishing and waiting for someone to strike up a conversation with him.Next, practice your networking skills with friends and family. Make a list of all the people you see frequently, but maybe haven't had the chance to talk with recently. As the situation permits, practice the art of small talk with these people who you

Networking is the single most effective way to job hunt and to increase business opportunities. Without a circle of high quality professional acquaintances, you will be severely disadvantaged throughout your career. However, building this circle requires planning and you have to continually work at it. How do you get started? Most importantly, how do you make sure you aren’t turning people off or damaging your reputation? Read on to learn the fundamentals of effective networking - what TO do and what NOT to do.

How to Start

- There’s really no single formula. However, I recommend that you start with a specific goal and timeframe. For example, decide to meet 3 new people in your field who work both in your company and in other firms over the next 6 months. Once you “program” that goal into your brain, you’ll be amazed at the number of opportunities that come your way. Sign up for seminars, attend presentations, take a class, or ask a friend to introduce you to someone. Just get going. And don’t worry about imposing – people are generally very nice and like to help each other out.

How to Get People Interested in You

- Who are you interested in networking with? Probably people who are cheerful, hard-working, well put together and well thought of, right? Well, then you need to work on being that kind of person yourself. You have to demonstrate that you are worth building a relationship with.

If you’re meeting someone for the first time, let them do most of the talking. People love to talk about themselves. Ask them about their interests, profession…whatever. First, you’ll learn pretty quickly if this person is someone you want to keep in touch with. Second, if you do ask them for their business card or contact information, they will gladly give it to you because they now look upon you very favorably as being “a good listener”. Make sure you ask for permission to contact them in the future. Don’t assume that you can. Just say something like “I’m glad we met. May I keep in touch with you?” If you’ve used the active listening approach I described, they always say “Yes” or “Of course”.

If someone isn’t interested in networking with you, just back off. Don’t bug them or try to change his or her mind. Be objective about why this is the case and try to determine if there is something about yourself that needs improvement. If they never come around, don’t worry about it. The world is a big place and there are plenty of great people out there.

Start Off Conservatively

- Wait for at least 24-48 hours to pass before getting in touch with someone after you meet them. Otherwise, they might get the impression that you’re needy or over-eager. Don’t ask for huge favors the very first time you communicate with someone, either. Networking is a give-and-take process, not a one-time event. People don’t “owe” you anything just because you were introduced or exchanged business cards.

Mind Your Manners

Demonstrate Respect for Process and Position

- Don’t ask people to go around their company’s internal processes o

In Direct Mail Donor Acquisition - What You Win Them With Is What You Win Them To
Want to learn a vital lesson in donor retention? Here’s a tactic from Sunday School to avoid.I know a Christian church in the United States that uses all sorts of tricks to attract neighbourhood children to its evangelistic Sunday School programs. One trick is to attach a ten-dollar bill to the underside of a chair in the classroom. The child who happens to pick that chair gets to keep the $10 Cool. Naturally, this trick leads to plenty of free word-of-mouth advertising in the neighbourhood on Monday. Another trick is to give a toy to every child who brings a friend to Sunday School. Naturally, this means the church receives a steady influx of new students each Sunday.But this church has a problem. And so do you, if you use similar tricks to attract new donors or members. Simply put, this church attracts children who care more about mammon than they care about God. Which is to be expec

any and in other firms over the next 6 months. Once you “program” that goal into your brain, you’ll be amazed at the number of opportunities that come your way. Sign up for seminars, attend presentations, take a class, or ask a friend to introduce you to someone. Just get going. And don’t worry about imposing – people are generally very nice and like to help each other out.

How to Get People Interested in You

Start Off Conservatively

Mind Your Manners

Demonstrate Respect for Process and Position

- Don’t ask people to go around their company’s internal processes

Do You Have What it Takes to Start Your Own Business
Having the idea to start your own business is more than most people have, so you are already one step ahead of those people. When you are considering a small business start up then your mind is probably filled with questions about your business ideas, start up costs, and start up funding. Still the biggest concern at this point is whether or not you have what it takes to successfully start and run your own business.There are a keys that will actually help you determine whether or not you are cut out for such a hands on job. A key ingredient for small business success if truly having a passion for your business niche. It is a fact that you are able to learn more about business fundamentals and acquire a more in depth knowledge about the field of choice if you have a passion or at the very least a deep interest. It is much easier to convince customers if you are convinced your self. It is hard to sell something that you don't

eone for the first time, let them do most of the talking. People love to talk about themselves. Ask them about their interests, profession…whatever. First, you’ll learn pretty quickly if this person is someone you want to keep in touch with. Second, if you do ask them for their business card or contact information, they will gladly give it to you because they now look upon you very favorably as being “a good listener”. Make sure you ask for permission to contact them in the future. Don’t assume that you can. Just say something like “I’m glad we met. May I keep in touch with you?” If you’ve used the active listening approach I described, they always say “Yes” or “Of course”.

Start Off Conservatively

Mind Your Manners

Demonstrate Respect for Process and Position

- Don’t ask people to go around their company’s internal processes

Corporate Party Games - Livening Up Your Next Work Function
At any corporate party, games are great for two reasons – they allow workmates to bond and have fun together, and they are an ice-breaker for people who may not know each other. Here are 2 corporate party games to play at your next corporate party:"The Gift Game" Corporate Party GameThis is one of the simplest corporate party games, but is still loads of fun. Prior to the event, purchase and wrap 10 cheap gift items for the game. Before guests arrive, hide 10 coins in and around where the party is being held. Guests have to search for the coins, and the people who find them can exchange their coin for one of the gifts, as long as they don’t open them yet. All the partygoers stand or sit in a circle, with one person reading a made-up story containing the words “left” and “right” many times. Every time the word “right” is mentioned, guests have to pass their gifts to the right, and the same with the word “left”.

you, just back off. Don’t bug them or try to change his or her mind. Be objective about why this is the case and try to determine if there is something about yourself that needs improvement. If they never come around, don’t worry about it. The world is a big place and there are plenty of great people out there.

Start Off Conservatively

Mind Your Manners

Demonstrate Respect for Process and Position

- Don’t ask people to go around their company’s internal processes

Marketing 101: Get Involved with the Process
Getting involved with the community is an excellent way to make your marketing efforts sizzle. Through your association with service and other organizations you will not only gain credibility but you will also gain a type of notoriety. Your involvement does not mean you have to say yes at every turn (no one could afford that much time) but it does mean that you should not say no each time you are asked. Strike a balance between what you can and cannot do for any organization. If they are short of help on a project and no one else is willing to pitch in, you can be the hero that helps to make it happen. With Rotary, I try to be at every event whether it is fund-raising, helping with projects, or attending social events. It is through my involvement that I have had the opportunity to form great relationships with people. Some of whom I do not do business with.You need to have commitment to belong to some organizations while ot

d or exchanged business cards.

Mind Your Manners

Demonstrate Respect for Process and Position

- Don’t ask people to go around their company’s internal processes or to leap over organizational levels for you. This puts them on the spot. Instead, ask them to explain what their company’s process is and who they recommend that you contact. Always, always ask for permission to use their name before doing so. This approach shows that you are a responsible and trustworthy person. And, you will ultimately get in touch with the right individual(s) through a series of personal internal referrals Trust me – this works.

Set Up a Schedule

- A preset schedule will ensure that you keep in regular contact with your networking circle. 2-3 times a year is a good guideline, unless you are working with someone on a specific project or request. Make it a convenient time for them – breakfast, coffee, lunch, or after work. Keep it to 30 minutes. If the other person wants to make it longer, let them suggest it, not you.

Keep the Conversations Productive

- Be completely professional and upbeat in your networking activities. Networking is not a vehicle for you to whine, complain, or badmouth. It’s an opportunity for you to learn from others and to help them out as well. Anybody who is a quality individual for you to know will not be interested in listening to garbage. In networking circles, word travels fast about which people to avoid. Don’t get on that list.

Be a Giver, Not a Taker

- Keep track of how many times you ask for favors. You should be giving and taking in equal measure. End each conversation with “Thanks for your time. Please tell me how I can help you.” Even if the other person says “Oh, don’t worry about it.” or “I don’t really need anything right now.” - they will always remember you as being a very unselfish and thoughtful person. I cannot stress enough how much networking is about helping others. Again, word travels fast about which people just take, take, take and never do anything for anyone else. Don’t get on that list, either.

Be on Your Best Behavior at all Times

- Not everyone is an outgoing extrovert. And we all have bad days. But the world is a small place and people have long memories. You never know who you will run into and whose assistance you will need, even if it’s years and years from now. You can never go wrong by being kind and respectful to everyone all the time.

You Must Sow Before You Reap

- Start networking NOW. Don’t wait until you need something. There is nothing more annoying than getting a phone call from someone you just met or someone who hasn’t been in touch for years (or worse yet, didn’t return your calls when you contacted them) asking for a big favor.

If you truly don’t need anyone or anything right now, then reach out to others and help them. And be sincere about it. Develop the reputation for being someone who helps others. Not only is it the right thing to do, but by doing so, you will build up a “bank” of goodwill that you can e

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Certain fundamental accounting principles and assumptions underlie the preparation and presentation of financial statements. There are namely, (a) Going concern, (b) Consistency and (c) Accrual. They are usually not specifically stated because their acceptance and use are assumed.

Buying a gift takes an enormous amount of care and patience. As if that is not bad enough, choosing a gift for your boss or an important client can be nerve-wracking and stressful. Naturally, because you are trying to make a good impression, you would like to come up with a gift that exudes professionalism, attitude, and class, and is, at the same time, unique.

A common mistake is to go into a negotiation thinking that there is only one acceptable outcome: what you want. One of the best things you can do to prepare for a negotiation is to think about all the possible options that may exist for you and the other side.

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