Small Business Success Strategies

Dig a Deeper Well… How to Tap the Power of Your Brand Image

Many business owners sincerely believe they understand their company brand. They can describe it, quantify it and explain its place in the market. They can recount corporate history and accomplishments and detail future plans and goals. These are all necessary items for communicating a company's brand message, but they are also the most superficial ones. These descriptive attributes tell us about what the business does, but not who the company is. The true power of a brand does not come from the what, where, when and how. It comes from the "who" and "why."

Think about it for a minute. Almost every organization can cite what they do, where their offices are located, when they started and how they do what they do.

Read Phil's entire article Dig a Deeper Well… How to Tap the Power of Your Brand Image

Phil Davis, our official Branding and Naming Expert

Internet Home Business Success

In regard to making money on the Internet, everyone is always looking for the quick fix. They want to sign up for a program, place an advertisement, and make hundreds or thousands of dollars instantly. While this may be possible depending on your circumstances, the most direct and guaranteed path to success on the Internet is to stick with the fundamentals.

A friend of mine who is an athletic coach for kids in the city where I live reminded me of this lesson. This guy is actually so passionate about kids and athletics that he coaches 4 different sports: basketball, soccer, baseball and football. Of course, he has a kid of his own on each team. But what is remarkable about this guy is the results he gets with his teams.

Read Stone's entire article Internet Home Business Success

Stone Evans, our official Home Business Expert

Build Your Business Through 100 Conversations

Ever reflected back on your last 100 conversations you had about your business and tallied up the results?

Talking about your business is key and can literally transform your marketing and your income.

It transforms your marketing because it puts new words and phrases together in a real life setting. You may notice yourself describing what you do in a more powerful way and that alone can create dramatic results. Verbal processing does wonders for finding the best way to say something!

Read Nancy's entire article Build Your Business Through 100 Conversations

Nancy Marmolejo, our official Visibility Expert

Do the Math—You Must Read To Succeed

Guest Blog By Tracey C. Jones, www.tremendouslifebooks.com

I’m a small business owner and understand the weighty load placed on the leader of an organization.  Sometimes, due to our demanding life-style, we neglect to feed ourselves intellectually. 

On a recent fight, I had the pleasure of being upgraded to first class and sitting next to an entrepreneur, who was a voracious reader and leadership junkie. He had been a lawyer, a restaurateur, and was now a consultant.  He told me to look around the first-class cabin and take note of how many of the passengers were reading books. Of the 11 out of 12 seats occupied, 10 were reading business or leadership books.

He said he had noticed this phenomenon on many flights. After all, who sits in first class? Business leaders whose oversight and expertise are in demand across the globe; hence the frequent-flyer miles and upgrades to first class. He said that he doesn’t see such a high proportion of readers when he flies coach. Folks tend to listen to tunes, nap, browse the SkyMall catalogue, or do the crossword puzzle in the airline magazine. I made a conscious decision to pay attention during my two coach-class return legs and noticed the same thing. There were readers in coach but, proportionately, the percentage was much lower than my first-class sample.

He was on to something so simple, yet so brilliant! Even a one-hour flight is a chance for a much needed break in the daily communication barrage inundating us every waking moment. It’s a respite from the noise and a chance to turn it all off, per FAA regulations of course! So why not take this great opportunity to concentrate on something as simple as reading transformational material?

So what are you waiting for?  On your next flight take the chance to get some tremendous reading material in hand and permanently upgrade your status to first class!

Tremendous Life Books in Mechanicsburg, PA  is the premier publisher of over 350 titles in motivation,  personal growth, sales, and leadership and is pleased to introduce the release of two newest books, “Four Star Leadership” and “True Blue Leadership: Top 10 Tricks of the Chief Motivational  Hound   

 

 

Will Education Improve if Etiquette Doesn’t?

Recently, President Obama spoke about the plight of education in the United States and how spending more money will improve it.  I agree that there are many schools which are underfunded and additional capital will improve the facilities and number of available resources for the children.  However, it is my opinion, that schools will not succeed across the board until the kids are taught to respect their teachers and what they are learning.  When I was growing up, respect for our teachers was utmost.  We curtsied (yes curtsied) to them, we moved out of the way as they walked down the halls, we always said ” hello”, Miss or Mr. or Mrs. So and So as we passed.   It would never have occurred to address our teachers or administrators by their first name.  We respected that they had authority and that we had to defer to that authority in order to make our education process work.

Read Cynthia's entire article Will Education Improve if Etiquette Doesn’t?

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

10 Most Effective Free Google Marketing Tools

Google has become the dominant search engine on the Internet. It would be hard to imagine a web without Google. For that matter, it would now be hard to imagine a world without Google. As frightening as that may seem to many people, it is none the less true.

For better or worst, Google has permeated into almost every aspect of our everyday life. Being Googled is now a common expression and an act carried out by millions of users around the world each day. New Google products and services are coming on stream at a frightening pace, further increasing Google's impact on our lives.

Despite this dominating presence, many people still don't realize Google offers some excellent free marketing tools for marketers and webmasters.

Read Titus' entire article 10 Most Effective Free Google Marketing Tools

Titus Hoskins, our official Online Fax Expert

Business Coaching Strategy: 3 Keys To A Great Business Moat To Make Your Competition Obsolete

Every business needs a moat--protection from competition--for their survival. In fact, it surprises me in my own business coaching practice that most entrepreneurs know they must be different, but few know how to really differentiate themselves strategically, in a way that affords them the same kind of protection that some of today's fastest growing companies have.

It is essential to realize that every great business has a way of providing themselves an unfair advantage among their competitors. If you analyze today's fastest growing companies like Google, Apple, Facebook et cetera you will see that they have a way that allows them to grow massive cash flow, build cash flow and also prevents their competitors from competing with them. They have a true business moat.

Read Glenn's entire article Business Coaching Strategy: 3 Keys To A Great Business Moat To Make Your Competition Obsolete

Glenn Dietzel, our official Business Coaching Expert

If You Think You Can't Change Course... You're Right

You've heard the expression that some people see the glass as half full while others perceive the same glass to be half empty? Yesterday I had the opportunity to see this difference in perception in action.

My father and I drove to the airport to pick up my some family members visiting from Florida. It was 100 degrees and muggy. "Knowing" there wouldn't be any parking spaces close to the terminal, my father was inclined to head directly to the back lot where we'd be sure to find a space.

Read Valerie's entire article If You Think You Can't Change Course... You're Right

Valerie Young, our official Career Change Expert

What Are You Recognized For?

Have you ever felt like you’re all over the place with your coaching business?

Today, you’re speaking at a brown bag association meeting about team leadership. Yesterday you gave a talk at your church about relationships. Next week you’ve got a gig at Borders where you’re giving a career choice seminar. You’re versatile, but are you building a sustainable future?

It feels good to be recognized, so you say ‘yes’ to speaking and training opportunities even if there’s no continuity to the topic or niche market. But what are you recognized for? And is it something you can leverage to become financially successful in your coaching business?

Read Rhonda's entire article What Are You Recognized For?

Rhonda Hess, our official Coaching Business Success Expert

10 Reasons Why Your Company Should Publish a Book

1. Attract Media Attention

If you want a magnetic way to generate media coverage, a book can serve as a launch pad for radio, television and print interviews and feature stories. Authors are ideal sources for stories, making it easier than ever to get story placement.

2. Establish Authority in Your Field

There is a reason the word "authority" begins with "author." Publishing a book is one of the most effective ways to establish your company as a leader in your industry.

Read Stephanie's entire article 10 Reasons Why Your Company Should Publish a Book

Stephanie Chandler, our official Small Business Growth Expert