http://www.actioncoach.com/press-room/coach-library/index.php ActionCoach Coach Library-the worlds largest bussiness coaching library http://www.actioncoach.com/images/nav_library_off.jpg http://www.actioncoach.com/press-room/coach-library/index.php http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Managing+your+Numbers+101 So you spend the day working in your business. And then you "do your books" over the midnight oil. Eventually, you either burn out or you find a better way. How do you get out of this situation? And, once you get out, what do you do? Could it be that you ultimately have to delegate financial tasks and then manage your money managers? As we say, "In, on, and then out." You start by working... by Robert Pianka http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Managing+your+Numbers+101 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Embrace+Your+Numbers In business, and in your personal life for that matter, you must know your numbers, bottom-line. However, don't let numbers be scary or repel you. Even though the mindset that many of us grew up with was "numbers are no fun", "numbers are hard", "dry", "not creative" ... whatever the misconception you were given about numbers when you were... by Joanna Shows http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Embrace+Your+Numbers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Team+Building One of my students recently returned from an interview trip to Tennessee. He told me he was "grilled" for two days by fifteen people about whom he was and which direction his moral compass faced, adding he had very few questions about his technical abilities to do the job. Bravo for the company from Tennessee. The first rule of team building is to ensure that people coming onto the team are a... by William Eveleth http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Team+Building http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+12+Days+of+Christmas As its Christmas, I thought I would keep the flavour of the month and base my advice on the song the 12 days of Christmas! My brief is to give you some ideas for improving your profit margins. As one of Simon's oldest customers, not only physically, but also in length of time I have worked with Simon, I have heard him mention the 5 ways a couple of times!!!! But joking aside, this is the... by Simon Williams http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+12+Days+of+Christmas http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/I+Resolve+to+Have+More+Cash+This+Year%21 Resolutions and good intentions will only take you so far. You may recall the Capital One commercial starring Jimmy Fallon where he says, "Who wouldn't want more cash?"   Of course, the solution is having a Capital One credit card that allows you to delay outlaying cash all at once for purchases...at a price.  Sometimes, the use of credit in some form is a good strategy... by Ken Sevick http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/I+Resolve+to+Have+More+Cash+This+Year%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Robbers+and+What+to+do+About+Them Interesting week last week! I was sitting across the table from one of my clients, Daryl. His biggest frustration is getting everything done that he plans for the week. Have you ever had this problem? Sure most of us have.... We've either planned to do more than we possibly could, or, as is most commonly the case, we've allowed ourselves to be subjected to time robbers. Time... by Heather Frame http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Robbers+and+What+to+do+About+Them http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Printed+Brochure+-+It The current trend is for businesses to email brochures to their prospects, or direct them to a website. It's important to have electronic material for your potential customers to look at, but a quality printed brochure sets the tone for the professionalism of your business. When you put together your brochure, here a few things to keep in mind... -Use a good graphic designer- don't skimp on... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Printed+Brochure+-+It http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Do+I+Need+Leverage+In+My+Business%3F Leverage is the principle to apply to get ever more with ever less. What am I saying? When you start a business, it is not clearly defined. You may have created a Business Plan, but that plan does not fully describe the operation of your business, just an overview. A System Manual or Operation Manual fully describes the operation of your business. When you started your business, you... by Humphrey Sherwood http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Do+I+Need+Leverage+In+My+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Quoting+Process+Losing+You+Money%3F As customers move away from accepting ticket prices at face value, more and more businesses are using quoting to generate a price to present to customers. But there are hidden traps in the quoting process that business owners need to watch out for. Businesses who quote often use standard rates, whether they are metered rates, day or hourly rates, or a standard materials markup. But the true... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Quoting+Process+Losing+You+Money%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Business+Growing+or+Dying%3F As a Business Coach, often business owners ask if it's true that 80% of new business may fail within the first 5 years. And what of those that still exist after the first 5 years? What is the main reason for these failures? Most importantly, what is the secret of successful business? It's not just happening around the world, but also in Indonesia and there are a lot of reasons why these businesses... by Hendra Hilman http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Business+Growing+or+Dying%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Hidden+Reasons+Why+We+Do+What+We+Do   Neuroscience is the study of the brain and how it controls our behavior. Neuromarketing is the application of neuroscientific research to marketing and advertising messages. Neuromarketing uses brainwave, eye-tracking and skin conductance measurements to create a deeper insight into shopper behavior. Companies like Coke and GM spend billions of dollars each year to market their products... by Jim Jubelirer http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Hidden+Reasons+Why+We+Do+What+We+Do http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+the+Consumer+Power+of+Women   Women control the majority of purchasing decisions in a household and their influence is growing. Women across the world are expanding beyond traditional roles to influence decisions in the home, in business and in politics. Marketers have a massive opportunity to better connect women with the products they buy and the media technologies they use to make a positive impact both in their lives... by Jim Jubelirer http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+the+Consumer+Power+of+Women http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Price%3A+The+Value+Equation+and+How+to+Use+When+Selling How do people determine value when about to pay for goods or services? If a customer objects to going ahead with a purchase and says "that's too expensive", what do they really mean? Put another way, how do people judge that what they're about to buy is going to be value for money AND is there a formula for calculating this? If we knew of the components of how people judge value then surely we can... by Clive Sury http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Price%3A+The+Value+Equation+and+How+to+Use+When+Selling http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Your+Best+Customer+is+Actually+Your+Worst+Customer Have you ever worked in a business where one customer is viewed as the most important and precious to the company, who everyone treats with kid's gloves? Yet this customer seemingly pays later than all the others, demands special terms, takes up all the managers' and staff's time and never seems satisfied? When asking about how it works that one customer can seem to dominate a firm, the reply is... by Clive Sury http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Your+Best+Customer+is+Actually+Your+Worst+Customer http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Good+Decision+Making+in+Business "The ability to make a decision, act on that decision and keep to it is fundamental for a business person to be successful." This was said by Andrew Carnegie, the great U.S. steel tycoon. In fact, he went further and said that any person that couldn’t make a decision in a timely manner when all the facts were evident was someone not to be trusted, since they wouldn’t have the strength of... by Clive Sury http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Good+Decision+Making+in+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ideal+Client+Needs+Ideal+Service...Will+Your+Business+Stack+Up%3F Have you ever thought about the traits of a great client for your business? This is something we do with our clients and in our own business, and we're suggesting you do the same. In order to attract more of the types of customers you want, you must understand the traits of an ideal customer for your business. The first step is to list the top 11 traits of a great client for your business.... by Heather Frame http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ideal+Client+Needs+Ideal+Service...Will+Your+Business+Stack+Up%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Connect+The+Dots%3F   I am on my way back to New York, returning from the ActionCOACH 2011 North American Conference. It was a great conference with a massive amount of learning, insights, BFOs (Blinding Flashes of the Obvious), collaboration and fun. I will share some new strategies and BFOs in subsequent blog posts. Today I wish to share an insight with you. There were many top-notch people on stage at the... by Michael Breitman http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Connect+The+Dots%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+WOW+Your+Customers%21 There is a saying, "the only thing that stays the same is change."  In today's world we are subject to change more than ever, because we now have much more choice than ever before. Through the internet, we now have access to unlimited amounts of information we Google something and we get thousands of opinions, options and choices. All this choice is both a good and... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+WOW+Your+Customers%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Know+Your+Core+Product%3F Do you do too much in your business? I don't mean do you personally take on too much in the business, but does your business try to offer too many things to too many people? It's a common theme in small business, and it's something I see as a business coach every week. These are businesses that start out, make a success of it, get more customers and make more money as they grow. Then, they start... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Know+Your+Core+Product%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stop+Blaming+Time How many times have you heard people say "I don't have enough time to do ..." or "If only I could find the time to do ..." Or "I am too busy to do ..." Perhaps the person you heard saying these or similar things is the same person who stares back at you every morning in the bathroom mirror. Well, it is time to stop blaming time! Time is an absolute-there are 24 hours (1440 minutes, 86,400 seconds)... by Tony Roy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stop+Blaming+Time http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Really+Want+a+Business+Partner%3F Have you ever heard of - or experienced - a business partnership ending badly? Iand#39;ve seen it often. My experience is that out of every ten partnerships, eight donand#39;t work, one works very well, and one is just okay. Often, the ones that donand#39;t work have run into problems with each partnerand#39;s expectations of the business. In other words, everybody is different in their vision,... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Really+Want+a+Business+Partner%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keeping+Score+In+A+Winning+Business Technology in sport today has become increasingly sophisticated and enables monitoring of individual and team performance to levels unheard of even 10 years ago. Basic score keeping is taken for granted and we now see an instant array of data available for immediate analysis and magic eyes to challenge the decisions of human score keepers, umpires and referees. In business it can be much the... by Tony Hoskins http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keeping+Score+In+A+Winning+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Keys+to+Increasing+Your+Sales+Numbers The most important element in a business is profitable sales.  You can have the greatest product in the world, but if no one buys it then what difference does it make (Beta Max anyone?). Many people have challenges going into sales modeandmdash;they think that successful people are born that way. Not true. There are three things that anyone can do to improve their ability to effectively sell... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Keys+to+Increasing+Your+Sales+Numbers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Measuring+and+Testing+for+Profitable+Growth When it comes to growing your business, whether it's by increasing sales or improving productivity, there are two key concepts that need to be part of your growth plan every time, Measuring and Testing. Why is measuring so important?  The main reason is that we don't want to change things in our business before we know how they are currently performing.  For example, if you don't... by Mark McNulty http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Measuring+and+Testing+for+Profitable+Growth http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Finish+What+You+Start   February has been traditionally a challenging time of year because holiday bills are due and New Yearand#39;s resolutions are already being broken. For business owners Iand#39;ve met, the first 2 months of the year is usually a bit early to declare failure. But, with the breaking of each new resolution or failure to reach an objective is a reminder that not finishing what we start will assure... by Bob Liebhauser http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Finish+What+You+Start http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Leadership%3A+Who%27s+Driving+Your+Business%3F When business performance needs to be improved, it may well be wise to start the improvement process by first exploring the source of the leadership in that business. From my coaching experience I have found in many instances, that where a business is not performing, the leadership direction is unclear and is not understood by the team. Leadership is about painting a current picture of the future... by Mark McNulty http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Leadership%3A+Who%27s+Driving+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Goal+Setting+is+S.M.A.R.T.+Business Goal setting is as important in personal life as it is in business. The most common denominator in all the self-help literature and books is the importance of goal setting. We're told to set long-term goals, short-term goals, lifetime goals and personal goals. The benefits of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results orientated, Time-framed (S.M.A.R.T) goals have been written about in... by Mark McNulty http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Goal+Setting+is+S.M.A.R.T.+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Motivation%3A+Who+Cares%3F You've heard the expression, "You can't fit a square peg in a round hole." Chances are you've had days where you felt just like that peg and nothing seemed to fit. I'm reminded of that famous quote from Zig Ziglar: "Motivation doesn't last. Neither does bathing which is why we recommend it frequently!" So where does motivation come from... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Motivation%3A+Who+Cares%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+a+Common+Goal If you lead a team, one of the most powerful ways to unite people is to have everyone working towards a common goal. If people just turn up to work each day and are expected to do their best, it is not too inspiring, aside from knowing that "I did a good job today." When people are faced with a challenge, whether it be one of adversity or not, you are tapping into a sense of belonging. At the... by Jamie Cunningham http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+a+Common+Goal http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Leverage+Your+Way+to+the+Top It was Archimedes that said, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” Well, the same can be true in business. Learning to leverage your time can make a huge difference to your business. One of the biggest challenges that business owners have is that their business never truly runs without them being there on a day to day basis. The ActionCOACH... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Leverage+Your+Way+to+the+Top http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Being+A%27FEARed As a business coach, I have heard every question, concern, and problem a business owner could face.  So, I have started writing a series of articles that incorporate my experiences with my clients, who I have rolled into a fictional character named Bubba. I have dubbed these the "Bubba Tales."    It seems that Bubba had a problem. The fellow he'd hired to help him out just... by Malcolm Upton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Being+A%27FEARed http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Would+You+Like+Fries+With+That%3F Most sales trainers agree there are a certain number of steps that need to be taken towards making a sale; typically the steps are: Greet the customer (Acknowledge, qualify and open the sale, etc.) Probe to discover needs and wants (Ask questions, sales interview, etc.) Recommend product (Demonstrate, make alternative suggestion, etc.) Trial close (First attempt to open relationship, etc.) ... by Mark McNulty http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Would+You+Like+Fries+With+That%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Bubba+and+The+Line As a business coach, I have heard every question, concern, and problem a business owner could face.  So, I have started writing a series of articles that incorporate my experiences with my clients, who I have rolled into a fictional character named Bubba. I have dubbed these the "Bubba Tales."   I was sitting in the coffee shop with my client "Bubba" who was really on a tear... by Malcolm Upton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Bubba+and+The+Line http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Pay+Raise+Process Working with business owners I am often asked, "What I think a fair pay raise is and when do I give them." Twenty five or 50 cents an hour, a dollar an hour, a hundred dollars a month or more... Do I give them once a year, twice a year, at their anniversary or at the start of the New Year? None of the above! Firstly, you should have pay bands established with a very clear pay raise... by Peter Lepinski http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Pay+Raise+Process http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Power+of+Priorities There are two things that business people find very challenging: thinking ahead and doing things in order of importance. Doing these two things makes the difference between a successful business and just surviving. And the same is true for all areas of our lives. Leadership trainer and author John Maxwell says, "Thinking ahead and prioritizing responsibilities marks the major differences... by Mark McNulty http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Power+of+Priorities http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Sell+By+Asking When it comes to sales, your customers quite literally have all the answers. When it comes to increasing sales, many businesses look to their marketing to bring in more leads. What is often overlooked is that they may very well have enough leads, but their sales process is not converting enough of these leads into paying customers. Your conversion rate is the percentage of leads that actually buy... by Mark McNulty http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Sell+By+Asking http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Please+Poke+Me+in+the+Eye+With+a+Hot+Coal Few things in business are less glamorous than reviewing your office policies and procedures. It's way more fun to sell things and make money than it is to make and uphold the rules. Have you experienced any of the challenges lately: missing deadlines, customer complaints, recurring annoyances? How often? What is it costing you in time, productivity, and customer retention? All of... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Please+Poke+Me+in+the+Eye+With+a+Hot+Coal http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Modern+Marketing Are you wasting money on marketing that is no longer reaching your prospective clients? Traditional "interruption" marketing is losing its effectiveness in today's market place. Why? Consumers are changing; previously people sat though the ads on TV, now with TV on demand and the use of items like TIVO and online viewing, they're missing your ad and enjoying their show instead. If they're at... by George Koritsa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Modern+Marketing http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Fail+Fast%2C+Win+Big As a business coach, I have heard every question, concern, and problem a business owner could face.  So, I have started writing a series of articles that incorporate my experiences with my clients, who I have rolled into a fictional character named Bubba. I have dubbed these the "Bubba Tales."   So, we were in the coffee shop again, and Bubba was so proud. He was telling the rest of the... by Malcolm Upton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Fail+Fast%2C+Win+Big http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Change+in+your+Organization No organization is ever where the leader wants it to be, there is always room for improvement, or something to be different. In fact, this is a very healthy perspective. First of all, an organization needs to grow just to stay relevant. Secondly, all organizations have weaknesses, identifying and dealing with them is like Herding Cats! Herding Cats: a pretty tough task! Like cats, most employees... by George Koritsa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Change+in+your+Organization http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Year+Has+Changed+to+2011%2C+But+Will+the+Results+Really+Change%3F The New Year often brings renewed energy and enthusiasm, and for many, a vision of how 2011 will be different from previous year. Some will even have specific resolutions or goals in mind. The year has obviously changed to 2011 as it was simply a function of time. The real question to ask ourselves is why will the results change? Or more to the point, what will we personally do to change the results? Without... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Year+Has+Changed+to+2011%2C+But+Will+the+Results+Really+Change%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Want+Advice+On+How+To+Sell...+All+You+Have+To+Do+Is+Ask%3F Being the expert in your business means that you have all the advice to give about your product, so selling should be easy, right? Selling is a tricky thing. Knowing about the product isn't enough anymore, you need to know the right questions to ask. Have you ever answered a question with a question? Would that be making a difference to your conversion rate? The answer to the latter is most... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Want+Advice+On+How+To+Sell...+All+You+Have+To+Do+Is+Ask%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Reasons+To+Improve+Your+Sales+Process When was the last time you reviewed the process by which you convert prospects to paying customers? If it's been a while, here's why it would be a good idea: Consistency - Your prospects expect it and you need it. Does your sales team follow the same process with every prospect? Consistency builds confidence for your prospects and assures you of relevant results. Customers and... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Reasons+To+Improve+Your+Sales+Process http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Raving+Fans+-+Defining+Customer+Value I was at a presentation about creating raving fan customers this morning. After mentioning that he is a raving fan of a rather unsuccessful local major league baseball team, the speaker asked the audience - who wanted customers that identified with their business the same way that raving fans dedicate themselves to their favorite teams? That question got me thinking about how a sports team with... by Michael Breitman http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Raving+Fans+-+Defining+Customer+Value http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Do+Your+Customers+Know+You%27re+Thankful%3F Poor customer service costs a company dearly. Customer satisfaction is not a small issue, think about this: Worldwide, up to 2/3 of all customers leave because of poor customer service On average, most U.S. companies lose half their customers every five years Customer relationship activities have the most impact on customer retention. Every customer service encounter has the potential... by Bob Liebhauser http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Do+Your+Customers+Know+You%27re+Thankful%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/One+Year+of+Experience+-+20+Times... As a business coach, I have heard every question, concern, and problem a business owner could face.  So, I have started writing a series of articles that incorporate my experiences with my clients, who I have rolled into a fictional character named Bubba. I have dubbed these the "Bubba Tales."   The other day, we were sitting around the table in the coffee shop trying to help Bubba get... by Malcolm Upton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/One+Year+of+Experience+-+20+Times... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Got+Big+Plans+for+the+New+Business+Year%3F+Don Believe it or not there are only 6 weeks left in 2010. With the holiday season starting next week, they are sure to go by fast. At this time of year many people start PLANNING for 2011 with the intention of ACTING in 2011. If you want first quarter RESULTS, I suggest ACTING now! Here are a few thoughts to consider if you're goal is more sales and profits in 2011. Some strategies may have an... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Got+Big+Plans+for+the+New+Business+Year%3F+Don http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Guaranteed+Method+To+Beat+The+Opposition%21 Do you measure your sales conversion rate? If so, is it as high as you would like it to be? The chances are that there is room for improvement for most businesses. If you are spending money on advertising and marketing to effectively buy prospective customers and not converting those prospects into buying customers, then you are wasting money. One of the reasons that people don't buy... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Guaranteed+Method+To+Beat+The+Opposition%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/+Do+you+know+TOO+much+to+actually+grow+your+business%3F As a business coach one of the first things I must determine is whether a business owner suffers from the "I Know" disease and whether they can be cured. If I had a dollar for every person who thought "What can you possibly tell me about my business...I've been doing this for...years...," I could wallpaper my house. Not only could I definitely provide some... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/+Do+you+know+TOO+much+to+actually+grow+your+business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+BUSINESS+is+not+about+BUSYNESS Just imagine if your business was like a formula 1 pit team: how successful do you think you would be?  Would you be the team manager, calmly orchestrating the events from the safety of the pit wall, or would you be the one running round, doing every job to make sure it is done well, getting in everybodyand#39;s way but feeling good because you are busy helping out, with the end result that the car... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+BUSINESS+is+not+about+BUSYNESS http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Accountability+-+Powerful+Stuff In business, as in life, many of us are continually searching for the "secret of success." Indeed, we invest heavily in business publications: Books, DVD's, CD's, Newsletters plus attending training sessions, all claiming to improve this or make us better at that: "How to Win Friends and Influence People' (D.Carnegie), "Instant Cashflow" (Brad Sugars), "Think and Grow Rich "(N.Hill) et al. With... by Simon Williams http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Accountability+-+Powerful+Stuff http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Stinkin%27+Thinkin%27+Hurting+Your+Business%3F When I speak with business owners and salespeople who have seen a decline in sales and profits, the most frequent reason given for the decline is the economy. I know. You're thanking me for that pearl of wisdom. While "THE" economy is the obvious answer, it is also one that we cannot control. My suggestion would be to focus on "YOUR" economy as we have the opportunity to actively impact it.... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Stinkin%27+Thinkin%27+Hurting+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Reasons+You+Should+Make+Your+%22Bucket+List%22+Today If you haven't already seen the movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, I recommend putting it on your to-do list. In a nutshell, this is the list of the 100 things you want to do (places to go, people to meet, things to do) before you die ("kick the bucket"). Here's why I think it's a good idea to invest your time on this task: Thinking about your list will remind you of... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Reasons+You+Should+Make+Your+%22Bucket+List%22+Today http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/So%2C+Why+Is+Planning+So+Important+Anyway%3F In his book, "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School," Mark McCormak made an interesting discovery about the 1979 graduating MBA class. Within the group, 3% had written goals, 13% had thought of some goals and the balance were just thrilled to be out of school (I am sure you remember those feelings). The interesting part was what happened ten years later. Here are the results... by Tony Marder http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/So%2C+Why+Is+Planning+So+Important+Anyway%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+5+Benefits+of+Coaching+Your+Team Many of us have played sports and/or have a favorite team to watch. All professional teams and successful athletes have a Coach. The same principles that guide a sports team to victory can guide your team to achieve massive results. 1. Coaching presumes that we have talent and buy-in as pre-requisites for moving forward. If we are lacking in one or both, immediate corrective action is needed... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+5+Benefits+of+Coaching+Your+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Top+Tips+for+Effective+Networking%21 Some business owners I meet complain that, although they attend networking events, they don't actually get any work through them and question whether it is worth while bothering, given that there are 101 other things they could be spending their time doing. Clearly, networking isn't going to be an appropriate marketing tool for all businesses, but for many I believe it is. After all, if you... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Top+Tips+for+Effective+Networking%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Would+You+Pay+an+Employee+That+Doesn%27t+Show+Up%3F In my meetings with business owners, I will often ask if they would hire an employee for $40,000 a year and then never check to see if they accomplished anything or even showed up to work. They usually look at me as if I have three heads, and say "Of course not!" Then I ask why they do just that with their marketing budget. Then I get the 'aha' moment from them. Obviously some marketing budgets... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Would+You+Pay+an+Employee+That+Doesn%27t+Show+Up%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/%22I+would+rather+work+at+Mcdonald%27s%21%22 "I would rather work at McDonald's than make cold calls!" Mary said. Thinking about this conversation... In speaking with Mary, a financial planner who was talking about her business - or lack of it - she explained that because of the weakening economy and the bottom falling out of the stock market, business had turned soft. Actually, soft was an understatement. During the past few... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/%22I+would+rather+work+at+Mcdonald%27s%21%22 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It%27s+Our+Self+Image Over the years I have become fascinated with finding out why business owners are challenged with taking action and executing the routine action points they need to accomplish in order to be successful. What is most fascinating to me is that most of these business owners believe that if these action points are executed they will lead to success, yet they still won't take action! Why is that? Through... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It%27s+Our+Self+Image http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Self+Discipline+Will+Get+You+the+Gold Have you ever wondered what makes some people super-successful? You may put it down to their exceptional intelligence, their privileged background, the right education, connections, even just luck. But if you look at, for example, Lord Sugar or Duncan Bannatyne, it is obvious that they have been successful despite not having these advantages. And likewise, many people who have these advantages do not... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Self+Discipline+Will+Get+You+the+Gold http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Role+Does+Your+Attitude+Play+in+the+Success+of+Your+Business%3F There are many distractions that business owners are faced with on a day to day basis. The challenge is when business owners get distracted by external elements they lose their focus and their ability to build and/or sustain a successful business. Allowing distractions to control your actions can be a recipe for disaster whether the economy is thriving or suffering. So today I would like... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Role+Does+Your+Attitude+Play+in+the+Success+of+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Definiteness+of+Purpose Are you struggling with finding the necessary motivation to battle through the challenges of the economy so you can move your business forward? Don't feel bad there are many business owners in your position. Yes, I know I am not telling you something you don't know. However, there is a solution. There are still many businesses that are achieving great success right now. Do you know what... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Definiteness+of+Purpose http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Consider+This... In 1962, four nervous young musicians played their first record audition for the executives of the Decca Recording company. The executives were not impressed. While turning down this group of musicians, one executive said, "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out." The group was The Beatles. In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modeling Agency, told... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Consider+This... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stop+Wasting+Leads%21+Mystery+Shop+Your+Business.+You+May+Be+Surprised+What+Your+Prospects+and+Clients+Are+Hearing%21 When I meet with a business owner, I always want to make sure they receive value for their time. One technique I have used is to mystery shop the business by posing as a potential prospect and then providing a summary of the experience. The object is to portray a reasonable prospect with a real world need. Given what I have experienced in these sessions, I would STRONGLY encourage all business... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stop+Wasting+Leads%21+Mystery+Shop+Your+Business.+You+May+Be+Surprised+What+Your+Prospects+and+Clients+Are+Hearing%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Problem-Based+Positioning+is+a+Psychological+Magnet Are you struggling to create a memorable positioning statement for your marketing? Do you want to stand out from your competition, but the uniqueness of your business seems to elude you? Here's a sneaky, vital secret that turns conventional marketing psychology on its head. By changing your positioning statement, find out how to transform your weakest link into your strongest marketing... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Problem-Based+Positioning+is+a+Psychological+Magnet http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Performance+and+Pro Productivity and change No matter where you look in corporate America, you can see the destructive, as well as positive, outcomes of a rapidly changing, worldwide business and economic climate. No department, division, or employee - whether your organization is a 5 person, small business, or a 50,000-employee, Multinational Corporation - is going untouched. There are several consequences of... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Performance+and+Pro http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Value+of+a+Host+Beneficiary How do you get leads in your business? Typical responses include: Networking Referrals Direct Market Web sites/internet Strategic Alliances Etc. There is one opportunity that is often overlooked and that is a host beneficiary. This is often confused with strategic alliances, but they are different. In a strategic alliance, you are going to introduce each other to each other's clients so... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Value+of+a+Host+Beneficiary http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Your+Process+to+Achieve+What+You+Want+Out+of+Your+Business Are you struggling to achieve the success that you desire most in your business? The good news is you are not alone. You are facing the same challenges most business owners face. The truth is that these challenges arise whether the economy is thriving or sputtering.Why, because while you have goals you would like your business to achieve, you do not have a proven process to achieve them.The reason... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Your+Process+to+Achieve+What+You+Want+Out+of+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Accelerated+Innovation More and more it appears true that the only way businesses today, whether large or small, are going to survive and thrive is through accelerated innovation.  Your business, even if you're an independent professional or small firm, needs to stay on the leading edge...or die. Ask yourself if you've done any of the following in the past six months... andbull;    improved or refined your marketing messagesandbull;   ... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Accelerated+Innovation http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Focus+on+what+you+want+and+not+what+you+do+not+have I get it that the economy isn't great and people have had their lives turned upside down. Over the weekend I was around several business people' who could only tell me how bad things were. No amount of encouraging was going to drag them out of the ditch. I had to get away from them as fast as I could. For some reason the easy way out is to complain. And to me that's sad.The... by Ed Gideon http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Focus+on+what+you+want+and+not+what+you+do+not+have http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Auto+Pilot Are you going through your life on auto-pilot?  Are you letting your reactions and responses to life's circumstances and events be dictated by your previous values, attitudes, and beliefs...or are your responses a result of living in the present?Most people tend to react (act again) as they go through life.  They react to other people's conscious, or unconscious desire, or ability to "push" their... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Auto+Pilot http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+99%25+May+Not+Be+Good+Enough%2C+But+1%25+Is+Amazing%21 Many improvement books, seminars and articles have focused on why 99% is not good enough. The reason relates to statistics of what would occur if 99% is acceptable. Here are some commonly used statistics that stand out.andbull;    12 babies will be given to the wrong parents each DAY!andbull;    103,260 income tax returns will be processed incorrectly this yearandbull;    880,000 credit cards will have incorrect... by Todd Frankford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+99%25+May+Not+Be+Good+Enough%2C+But+1%25+Is+Amazing%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Eliminating+the+%22I+Know+Mentality%22 This week I would like to share with you my thoughts regarding the "I Know" mentality and how it negatively impacts our development as business owners and as people.   We are facing challenging times right now. There is no denying this fact. However, life changes when we look at it differently.   Too many business owners are basing the success of their business or lack thereof... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Eliminating+the+%22I+Know+Mentality%22 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Right+Team+Makes+All+The+Difference Too often you hear business owners say I can't get good people' or why can't I get my people to do as I tell them'. Well here are a few ideas that may make life a lot easier.Consider for a moment, the business owner who has 10 people working in the business yet he, the owner, is doing all the work. What's the point?First, get back to basics. Most people in... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Right+Team+Makes+All+The+Difference http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+7+Keys+to+a+Winning+Team There may be no other topic that is more important than that of your Team. Team encompasses everything about your business how work gets done, how relationships get formed, how culture is defined, how celebrations are made, and how businesses are built. Get ready to FOCUS on this critical area of your business!I've seen business owners who got the "team" right and I've... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+7+Keys+to+a+Winning+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/One+Who+Has+Conquered+Doubt+and+Fear+Has+Conquered+Failure.   The longer we live the more we realize that the greatest diseases of mankind are doubt and fear.  That's not to lessen the seriousness of some of our other afflictions, but doubt and fear rob more people of more life than all the other diseases of the world put together.   Why would they be diseases?  Because they're acquired.  We weren't born with them.  They're communicable...and most... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/One+Who+Has+Conquered+Doubt+and+Fear+Has+Conquered+Failure. http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/People+Processes+That+Create+Leverage In this article we are building Leverage into our business through our People Processes. A powerful way to Leverage your time and resources is to work with the best people in your industry. Adding the right people to your team, training your team to be the best in their category and motivating your team to do better every day is a huge challenge and a pot of gold if you can do it well. Let's... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/People+Processes+That+Create+Leverage http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Claim+your+right+to+Success Perhaps your business isn't going exactly like you thought it was supposed to go. Maybe you've made a series of bad decisions or even one really bad choice that you can't seem to bounce back from. Maybe your best-laid plans have failed and circumstances beyond your control-from market downturns to bad weather to someone else's incompetence-have put you in the danger zone, or even out in the street.... by Vic Ciuffetelli http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Claim+your+right+to+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/First+Impressions-Why+You+Should+Care We've all heard the expression: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Let's take a look at what your prospects experience when they first make contact with your business.When marketing, there are 3 ways a prospect can contact you: call you on the phone, travel to your location, or visit your website.Have you ever called someone to inquire about a product... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/First+Impressions-Why+You+Should+Care http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Highly+Leveraged+Marketing+Strategies A problem that many business owners face is the challenge to create highly leveraged marketing strategies within their business. We should be focused on areas in the business where we can do the work once and benefit from our work over and over again. That's the definition of Leverage.There is gold to be mined in your business simply by systematizing many of your regular, routine processes. It... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Highly+Leveraged+Marketing+Strategies http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Persistence+Always+Pays+Off What do you do when that big project, contract, or opportunity you've been hoping for, even counting on doesn't come through?  Do you hang back to lick your wounds, feeling too shy or afraid to move forward confidently?   Sometimes we triumph over great odds to achieve our goals, and sometimes "fate" intervenes to give us tremendous failure.  Persistence is the ability to keep moving forward in... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Persistence+Always+Pays+Off http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Mid-Year+Check-Up As a business owner, some of your fundamental roles include: coaching planning setting goals interviewing and hiring training creating managing How are you doing so far this year regarding your time in these areas?  Ask yourself a few questions:Have you spent adequate, quality time planning the future of your business? Have you spent adequate time coaching and developing your team (or... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Mid-Year+Check-Up http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+Leverage+into+your+Processes This article will be on Leverage Region and will be focused on how to gain an advantage on your competition through leverage. This article is specifically focused on building leverage into your day-to-day operational processes. There's a lot to cover, so let's get right to it.Think about your business and prioritizing those repeatable activities that occur in your business, write them down.... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+Leverage+into+your+Processes http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+a+Creative+or+a+Reactive+Leader%3F Good leaders, some experts say, are creative rather than reactive.  In other words, they anticipate future demands and trends and make new products or tailor the ones they already have to suit that future.For many reasons things are changing very rapidly, these days.  That's why it's more important than ever to be able to understand how those changes will affect your business and establish ways to take... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+a+Creative+or+a+Reactive+Leader%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Shifting+Gears+Through+Leverage If I told you that I could help you put out less effort but accomplish more each day, would that be of interest to you? I would hope so! If not, then there is no need to continue this journey. Stop, get off your bike, and call it a day. However, if you think the idea of working ever more efficiently and getting ever more done is a concept that would work for you, then let's get after it!Leverage... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Shifting+Gears+Through+Leverage http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dreaming+of+the+big+GOAL%21%21%21 Here is the million dollar question: why are you in business and what do you want to achieve from your business; in effect, what is your ultimate goal for you and your business? Many business owners I come across have either forgotten what their big goal is, had no idea in the first place or it's so vague and woolly that they find it hard to actually tell me, let alone write it down.So perhaps... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dreaming+of+the+big+GOAL%21%21%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Improving+Your+Profit+Margins Profit Margins are critical to your profitability. You can have a fast growing business but without acceptable profit margins, all of your growth efforts will be for nothing. It is critically important that you not only know your overall margins, but you must know them by product or service type.Why is this so important? Because you want to be sure you are promoting and selling your highest margin... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Improving+Your+Profit+Margins http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Reward+your+Team+for+Better+Performance It is a fact that everybody likes to feel appreciated for what they do. It makes us feel good about ourselves. In the workplace, it has been found that the principal motivator for employee performance is recognition of a job well done and people would much rather work for an employer that recognizes their efforts rather than only giving feedback when they have done something wrong!The reaction of business... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Reward+your+Team+for+Better+Performance http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Reasons+You+Get+Bad+Employees+--+And+What+to+do+About+It Do you think you can't get great employees? Can't get them to do what you need? Can't get them to stay? Before you blame your Team, remember that old adage: "You get the employees you deserve." Let's start by taking a look in the mirror. The most common errors that occur are hiring the wrong person, inadequate training or evaluation and, finally, a lack of leadership.... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Reasons+You+Get+Bad+Employees+--+And+What+to+do+About+It http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Reasons+%22Why%22 Do you have one good reason "why" you should expand or go into business for yourself even if the "sky is falling" in this economy?How about 10?Right now is absolutely the best time to get into business, and I'll give you 10 good reasons "why" no matter what other people or the media say.So how come a good "why" (or 10) is so important?Seeding your mind with good rational reasons... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Reasons+%22Why%22 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Converting+Leads+into+Customers One of the biggest tragedies I see in business is watching a business owner spend significant time and effort generating leads for their business, but then not acting on them in a logical, methodical, repeatable way to convert those leads into paying customers. You haven't done that in your business have you? But I'll bet you know someone (better to keep them nameless) who has a stack of business cards... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Converting+Leads+into+Customers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Learn+about+the+Business+of+Coaching Besides being known for its exceptional business coaching services, ActionCOACH is also known for its business tools. Introductory videos, eBooks, calculators and white papers, for example, are all available to ActionCOACH business coaches and clients. ActionCOACH is a global company, and clearly, the benefits of business coaching are universal.Some of the best learning tools ActionCOACH has are the... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Learn+about+the+Business+of+Coaching http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Conquering+Fear Fear is the greatest...and perhaps sneakiest obstacles to reaching our goals.  We may think we're stalled because of other people's objections, insufficient resources or circumstances outside our control.  But it is often fear that keeps us from seeing a way around barriers -- causing us to abandon our dreams. We can't eliminate fear.  But we can manage it -- and move past it. FEAR OF FAILURE You... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Conquering+Fear http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Selling+To+Price-Focused+Shoppers The perception in the market place is that people are shopping based on price alone. The only reason your customer asks for the price upfront, is because, that is what we, as business owners, have trained them to do.More often than not, people go into a business not really knowing what model, style, color or features they are looking for and purely ask for the price? At this point should the salesperson... by Sam Harrop http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Selling+To+Price-Focused+Shoppers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Allocating+vital+resources+is+crucial As a business owner, you have only so much time in the day and only so much money in the bank.  So, how do you go about allocating the resources you have to get the best bang for the effort?Let's start with moneyandmdash;how do you know how to allocate it appropriately?  A couple of things to keep in mind:When it comes to marketing, test and measure.  No sense in throwing good money after bad marketing... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Allocating+vital+resources+is+crucial http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Harnessing+the+Power+of+the+Business+Chassis The Business Chassis is made up of five (5) component parts. These are the five things that all businesses should have in common; generating leads, conversion rate, numbers of transaction, average dollar sale, and profit margins. The sad thing is most business owners don't know the numbers associated to any of these five areas even though they are a critical part to running any business.Let's first... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Harnessing+the+Power+of+the+Business+Chassis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Business+Chassis What is the Business Chassis? It is not unlike the chassis of any car. Every car has a chassis the framework on which the car is built. In fact, many cars are built on the same or similar chassis. An example is the Ford Taurus and the Jaguar XJE. Both are built on the same chassis yet one is built as a modest, utility car that is reasonably priced and the other is built as a well-appointed luxury car... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Business+Chassis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Conversion+Rate...The+8th+Wonder+of+Business... I am often reminded of getting back to basics to build revenues and profits in business.But none more so than when I am confronted with a business owner who shows me they need more new customers ...If you really want to grow your business and you really want to do it fast, then take a look at grasping these few simple ideas ...You are already getting people contacting you, coming in, emailing... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Conversion+Rate...The+8th+Wonder+of+Business... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+1%25+Change As soon as you have set a goal you have created a destination you want to reach. When you have set the destination, you have created a gap, a gap between where you are now and where you’re going. The gap, of course, must be bridged or filled.If the gap is small and what it takes to bridge the gap is something we’re pretty familiar with, then it’s easy to bridge that gap and obtain that goal.But what... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+1%25+Change http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Create+a+Marketing+Plan+in+10+minutes You've probably heard of Jay Conrad Levinson, the father of Guerrilla Marketing. Jay was also responsible for creating the Marlboro Man and taking Marlboro cigarettes from an unknown brand to the number one brand by a long margin in a very short time. Now I am not a fan of cigarettes, but I am a fan of using marketing strategies that work to grow your business. So I follow Jay Conrad Levinson and practice... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Create+a+Marketing+Plan+in+10+minutes http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+A+Coach+In+Your+Corner%3F The role of the Business Coach is to coach business owners to improve their business through guidance, support, and encouragement. Business coaching helps business owners with their sales, marketing, management, team building, and so much more. Just like a sporting coach, your Business Coach will help you focus on the game. We assist in setting the goals, laying out the plan and holding them accountable... by Linda Bigler http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+A+Coach+In+Your+Corner%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+it+a+Time+Management+Challenge+or+a+Self-Management+Challenge%3F Are you like most business owners out there that are struggling to find enough time to breathe? Do you have a list of tactics and strategies that would take your business to the next level if you only had the time to implement them?How can you overcome the time challenges you currently face to create the business you have always envisioned?Implementing the following strategies have proven to be beneficial... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+it+a+Time+Management+Challenge+or+a+Self-Management+Challenge%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Defining+Your+Expectations+For+Delivery+Mastery When you are building the foundation for your business, there are several critical footings' which must be present. How you deliver your product or service is critical to building repeat and consistent business. Before looking at the components of delivery let's talk about why this is so important, and so much more than just bringing your product or service to your customer.There are four main... by Thom Torode http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Defining+Your+Expectations+For+Delivery+Mastery http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Establishing+a+Guarantee Being in business is... Challenging - yes! Rewarding - most certainly! Just know that most business owners will drop out of the race before it ends. They will lose focus, lose confidence, lose patience and as a result lose the race. What about you? Are you committed to stay in the race all the way? If you do, it will be a huge accomplishment and the best thing you could do for your business and for... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Establishing+a+Guarantee http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Extraordinary+Businesses+Own+Systems. Are you trying to grow your business but hate assigning new task to your employees? There's only so much you can add to your own to-do lists before your time or your health runs out.If "how to do it" is only in your head, you're going to "do it yourself" forever. If every new hire has to be trained by you, your business growth is limited by the number of hours you have to try to remember the things... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Extraordinary+Businesses+Own+Systems. http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+become+a+Sales+Master... How to become a Sales Master...Being a business owner requires many different skills but one of the most important is the ability to sell. However, the majority of people that are in business do not consider themselves to be 'natural' salespeople. Even those that come from a sales background would not consider themselves great sales people and even those that do, will eventually have to build a sales... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+become+a+Sales+Master... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+a+USP The Niche Region - this is where we answer the critical questions and put in place the essential elements to make sure we can make a PROFIT in our business. It has often been said, that without a Niche, the only option a business owner has is to compete on price! And, unless you are as efficient as Wal-Mart or FedEx, you don't stand a chance at surviving competing only on the lowest price offering.So... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+a+USP http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Tips+to+Improve+Your+Public+Speaking Public speaking is hard for most and is usually a drag. These 7 tips to improve your public speaking ability have shown it's the #1 fear of most human beings. What about you? Overcome it and you have one of the most effective and cost-effective marketing strategies for promoting your business.Here are some points to consider:1. Prepare. Do your homework; assemble your thoughts, talking points ahead... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Tips+to+Improve+Your+Public+Speaking http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Back+to+Basics Sometimes, it pays to change your business for the sake of change. At other times, you have to change your business because the market tells you to. And if you don't change, you're dead.Like it or not, we are living in those times. Market forces worldwide are causing a whirlwind of creative destruction for businesses and their owners. The question is, how will you react to our current economic circumstances,... by Bruce Campbell http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Back+to+Basics http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Truly+Excited+About+What+You+Sell Are You Truly Excited About What You Sell...?We all know that sales are really all about "Closing The Sale". There is not a salesperson alive who does not use a variety of techniques to help them be successful with customers. However, I believe passion is the most underrated and underutilised sales tool in our arsenal because it is too hard to measure and no one has found an effective way to teach... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Truly+Excited+About+What+You+Sell http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Would+You+Price+Your+Product How Would You Price Your Product?It is a big question-how you price your product as you take it to market?  Not only does it drive your revenue number but also the profits you can take out of it at the back end.  So, what is your pricing strategy?  There are three typical ways that people go about pricing things:1. Cost plus - some businesses take the cost of their product, add a mark up and take their... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Would+You+Price+Your+Product http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+mistakes+to+avoid+when+selling+your+business 7 mistakes to avoid when selling your business For many small business owners it is their dream to one day to be able to sell their business and enjoy the financial rewards that the sale will bring. But for many their experience will be an inability to sell their business, being forced to accept a below market price or worse still having sold their business not even receiving payment for it. Below... by Graham Mitchell http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+mistakes+to+avoid+when+selling+your+business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Destination+Mastery Believe it or not, many business owners run their businesses without a clear idea of where they intend to take the business. Often times, we get so buried in the day-to-day that we forget why we went into business in the first place. Before you go on, take the time this week to focus on your future. The clarity you get from doing this may just change the "so what" for you in your business. I can't... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Destination+Mastery http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Small+Business+Community+Needs+Help There are mixed messages about the economy out there - small business owners in some countries, like the U.S. and Ireland, are still struggling, while others have had to make changes and sacrifices to be okay and survive.  Sure, the financial crisis doesn't help the small business environment. But other things have been slowly changing as well, which have also slowly but surely been affecting... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Small+Business+Community+Needs+Help http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Checklist+Manifesto I just finished reading The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande which is an intriguing book that makes the case that any discipline can be improved with the use of checklists. Gawande is a surgeon, so most of his examples are in the medical field and he has the statistical research to back up his claim that a simple checklist can save lives. (This book will make you think about some things before... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Checklist+Manifesto http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/SCOTSMAN The greatest waste of sales person's time is the deal lost and more specifically the deal they come second on.Priority needs to be given to the business opportunities we can and would want to win. Chasing all deals is unproductive and may result in us overlooking the hot ones, by wasting time on the low value sales.Our time, the most precious commodity of all, is as important as that of the boss... by Simon Williams http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/SCOTSMAN http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Mastery   Mastery Region is one of the most difficult challenges facing business owner's today- how to efficiently utilize your most valuable resource - your TIME! Time Mastery is a challenge for every person in business. This is one area where you must pay attention and learn how to improve.How you spend your time in your business will have a significant influence on how successful you are as a business owner.... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Mastery http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Entrepreneurial+To-Do+List I'm often asked by would-be entrepreneurs and startup business owners what skills and abilities they need to develop to truly succeed in business.That's always a tough question for me to answer. I've always figured aspiring entrepreneurs needed to learn as much as they could about everything and anything that had to do with business in order for to really achieve.That said, there are two main skills... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Entrepreneurial+To-Do+List http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Quit+Wrestling+and+Take+Some+Dance+Lessons%21 Greetings fellow Business Owners and Managers!  Today I want to suggest an alternative to wrestling with employees, namely dancing!  Let's compare wrestling and dancing.Both require energy.  Both typically involve two people.  Both involve close contact.Wrestling wears you out.  It is filled with struggle, resistance, and dominance.  It is characterized by sometimes violent and aggressive movement... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Quit+Wrestling+and+Take+Some+Dance+Lessons%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Destination+Mastery+-+Where+are+you+headed%3F Here is a simple question that will help us take a look at the subject of Destination Mastery.   What is the first decision you need to make when planning a vacation?  It seems to me it has to be the destination.  All of the other decisions grow out of that one!  Where will you stay? How you will travel there? What will be the budget?  How long will it take to get there?  What will you do when... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Destination+Mastery+-+Where+are+you+headed%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Quality+of+Life Would you like to improve the quality of your life?  To bake a better cake, you need better ingredients.  To create a better life, you must choose better life ingredients. QUALITY OF LIFEQUALITY OF RESULTSQUALITY OF ACTIONSQUALITY OF DECISIONSQUALITY OF QUESTIONSQUALITY OF BELIEFS/DREAMSQUALITY OF KNOWLEDGE/EDUCATIONQUALITY OF MENTOR/TEACHER  To improve your quality of life, you must first see the... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Quality+of+Life http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+What+is+Best+-+The+Key+to+Time+Management   I work with so many clients that feel overwhelmed and out of control.  They believe the lie that if they just had more time, or if they managed their time better, that they would lose that feeling.  The fact is that the feelings of overwhelm are rooted in a lack of clarity about what is best.  Almost everyone has more to get done than time to get it done.  And if you lack clarity on what is most... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+What+is+Best+-+The+Key+to+Time+Management http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Looking+for+Opportunity+in+a+Challenged+Economy   Just like the seasons of the year, the economy cycles.  It appears that we are headed for a heavy economic winter season.  Winter is not bad.  It just requires preparation and an appropriate response to make it good.  In fact, if you are a child, you look forward to the fun that comes with the change of season.    A fundamental principle for facing any challenge is to understand that circumstances... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Looking+for+Opportunity+in+a+Challenged+Economy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Help+To+Recession-Proof+Your+Small+Business Small-to-medium sized businesses can survive a recession, if they act early while customers have still not committed to other vendors. Securing revenue during a recession is no different than any other time, the company simply needs to increase its marketing effort and scope to reach more customers.Here are some tips to increase your market share:Create a StrategyIf the company hasn't already, develop... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Help+To+Recession-Proof+Your+Small+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Five+Tactics+to+Thrive+During+a+Recession   In every economic slump there are many people who actually profit from the downturn, and there's no reason that your company can't be the one.  In a bear market, business owners don't have to outrun the bear, they only need outrun the competition.  You just need to know how to take advantage of weak competition to expand your businesses."Here are five tactics that companies need to execute to thrive... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Five+Tactics+to+Thrive+During+a+Recession http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Letting+Your+Business+Grow%3F At Action Coach, we have a definition for a true business:  A commercial, profitable enterprise that works - without the owner!Many business owners are taken back and even offended by this definition.  Others say it is a great concept but not realistic.  A few get it.  Please, set aside your "knowledge" and pre-conceived ideas for a moment, and find this "interesting".  Once you "get this", it opens... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Letting+Your+Business+Grow%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Profit+Breakeven It is essential for you to understand the flow of money in, through, and out of your business.  For some businesses, this can even be a daily issue.  Positive cashflow (more money coming in than going out) is essential to keep the business going.So how do we keep more money coming in vs. going out?  Obviously, having a good control on expenses and payables is essential to controlling what is going... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Profit+Breakeven http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Cashflow+Budget Do you know and understand how to make and use a cashflow budget?I am going to assume that you already agree that it is essential to track and project your cashflow.  If not, give me a call and I will gladly provide a free coaching session - no kidding - and ask you some really interesting questions!!!So, assuming that you are ready to set up that cashflow budget, where do you start?  Historical information... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Cashflow+Budget http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Delivery+Mastery Customers return to buy from a business not only because they have a great product, but because they know that HOW to deliver the product as a trademark - what sets them apart from our competition.Think about it. You frequent a business not only because you like the product they offer, but because the service they deliver to you is what you want, need and expect. Isn't that right? How often do you... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Delivery+Mastery http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mentor+-+or+Just+a+Friend Recent events in my life have really brought home to me the impact a true mentor has in one's life. I highly recommend having a mentor. Several if you can find the right ones in different areas of your life. The difference between a mentor and a friend is that a friend will tend to be nice to you. A true mentor will tell you what you really need to hear not what you want to hear. A friend generally... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mentor+-+or+Just+a+Friend http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Six+Keys+to+a+Winning+Team Key #1 - Strong LeadershipAs a business coach, I often get asked by business owners and management staffs how they can get their employees to work together, quit blaming each other for problems, and take more ownership for their job. My response is often a bit abrasive. I ask the owner if he or she meets regularly one-on-one with their employees, if they blame their employees for problems, and if they... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Six+Keys+to+a+Winning+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Social+Media+A+Part+of+Your+Marketing+Strategy%3F Most of the business owners I speak to, in the age group 40+ don't get Social Media Marketing (SMM), and to be honest for a while, neither did I. As a business owner you need to "get it" so that you can evaluate its value in the overall marketing scenario of your business. One of the most effective marketing strategies for almost all businesses is good old fashioned networking. i.e. meeting people... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Social+Media+A+Part+of+Your+Marketing+Strategy%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Culture+eats+strategy+for+breakfast%21 There is a saying that "Culture eats strategy for breakfast". This is a very true and often overlooked by business owners who are frustrated by their inability to get their staff to change and implement new strategies.Culture in a business is similar to personality and if our personality is the sum of all our habits then changing the culture in the business is about changing the collective habits of... by Graham Mitchell http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Culture+eats+strategy+for+breakfast%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Does+Networking+Work+For+You%3F   If you use networking as a part of your marketing strategy, you should be thinking about some key points.    * Who do you want to connect with? Who do you want to connect with? and are you likely to connect with them in some way by networking?     * Who do they want to connect with, and how and where do they make connections? There are many different types of networking. For instance, you're unlikely... by Gary Stokes http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Does+Networking+Work+For+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Growing+Your+Business+By+Word+of+Mouth As business owners, we enjoy doing what we do - after all, why would we set up in business at all if we didn't? But what we don't enjoy as much is the constant chasing after the next customer - the time, effort and money we put into advertising and marketing with no guarantee that it will grow our sales. Wouldn't it be great if new customers could see for themselves the value in what we do and come... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Growing+Your+Business+By+Word+of+Mouth http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Financial+Mastery Most business owners believe they have Mastery of their business, but let's not just "hope", let's make certain that we do! The first stage in the Mastery region is FINANCIAL MASTERY. Financial mastery is one of the skills, capabilities and toolsets you must have in your business to be successful. This week, your assignment is to be certain that you have the fundamental financial insights into your... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Financial+Mastery http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Thank+Goodness+its+Monday How often do you hear your employees say "Thank Goodness it's Monday!"  Not too often, I bet.We spend most of our lives at work, so why not make it a place where people look forward to coming - especially Monday.When you provide an environment that encourages, promotes and nurtures a "friendly, warm and caring work place", business and life will become more pleasant for everyone, the end result being... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Thank+Goodness+its+Monday http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Web+Companys+Leads+Strengthened+by+Word+of...+Beak. It seems tweeting is the new word of mouth - a credible source of advertising that creates genuine leads.Australian web development company, Magik New Media has just employed a social marketing strategy and within one week their website traffic has increased by 400-500%."Prior to using social network marketing, we'd probably receive 1-2 leads from the website each month; now we are getting a lead a... by Nathan McDonald http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Web+Companys+Leads+Strengthened+by+Word+of...+Beak. http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Critical+Skills+Required+for+Success Do you have a SWOT Analysis? It stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It is a well-documented methodology for analysing your competition. You must know where you stand RELATIVE to your competition. The SWOT Analysis will help put your business into perspective.Doing a SWOT Analysis is very simple. Take 4 sheets of paper and on each one write one of the following - My Strengths,... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Critical+Skills+Required+for+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Temperature+Check OK, we are a few months through the year.  How do your numbers look? Are you keeping on track with all of your plans, and analysis? Are you ahead of where you planned from a revenue and profit perspective? If so, fantastic!  The trick is to keep the accelerator on the floor because when you are hot, you are hot. If you are behind, what changes do you need to put in place today to catch up to where... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Temperature+Check http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Steps+to+Successfully+Implementing+Your+10x10+Marketing+Plan "We must begin with the end in mind," - Stephen CoveySo, you've invested the time to build your 90 Day Plan (and you should every 90 days), what do you do next to implement your 10x10 marketing plan? Here is how you get the return for your investment:1. Detail the steps that are prerequisite and necessary to achieve your goals. By breaking the larger tasks down into "bite-sized" chunks, we can keep... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Steps+to+Successfully+Implementing+Your+10x10+Marketing+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keep+Your+Customers+Coming+Back+and+Have+Them+Bring+Their+Friends+with+Them Raving fans are customers who are so over the moon with your business and service you provide that they will not only tell all their friends and colleagues about you but, actually bring them to you and help you make sales to them.It's a frightening fact of business life that we spend six times as much money attempting to attract new customers to our businesses than we do to up-sell, on-sell and generally... by Simon Williams http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keep+Your+Customers+Coming+Back+and+Have+Them+Bring+Their+Friends+with+Them http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Assessing+Your+Competition How well do you know your competition? Not just the one competitor nearby, but all of them? How much time do you spend gathering information about your competition? Are you "scouting" like they do in the military? Silently observing your competition, sizing them up, comparing their approach to yours? No, this is not "cheating". This is simply being on your toes and gathering critical data to help you... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Assessing+Your+Competition http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Trial+-+Your+Non-Negotiables Succeeding at business is no easy task. It takes 100% effort from everyone on the team. Everyone must be pulling in the same direction. You must be providing the kind of inspirational leadership that causes people to go the extra mile - not because they have to, but because they want to!This task is relatively simple, but often overlooked by many business owners. Your challenge is to get down on paper... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Trial+-+Your+Non-Negotiables http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Bringing+Your+Value+Proposition+to+Life It is time to bring your Value Proposition to life. You've spent the time thinking about and asking others "Why do you do business with me?" Their answers are the clues to the "feelings" that your customers get when they do business with you which is the essence of your value proposition. Now, it is time to bring that new understanding to life in your business.I... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Bringing+Your+Value+Proposition+to+Life http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Value+Proposition Do you know what exactly is your Value Proposition is? You must know it and be able to deliver it day in and day out to add VALUE for our clients and customers.So, what IS your Value Proposition? Many will say something like "Excellent Customer Service", or "Quality Products and Service". Others will suggest it has something to do with their reputation or their long history of excellent performance.... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Value+Proposition http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+Your+Race+Team Take a good look around you and ask yourself, "Do I have a good team of advisors to assist me as the race goes on?" Admit it, you can't win the race on your own. You've got to surround yourself with strong talent in several key areas of support that you will need from time to time.Let's start with the basics. Do you have a strong CPA on your team? Not just a bookkeeper who will record your financial... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+Your+Race+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Setting+Your+Goals Setting Your Goals. It's ok to admit it, most business owners go through the entire year without a real clear picture of the goals they have for their business. Just going through the paces, week after week, without a clue whether they are ahead or behind. I think the reason most business owners do this is because if they never commit to a specific goal, then they can't be disappointed when they miss... by Rich Allen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Setting+Your+Goals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Control+-+The+First+Step+in+Growing+a+Phenomenal+Business Whether you're a formula one driver, an F15 fighter pilot...or a business owner, you can't accelerate and go faster unless you have sufficient control.Even the likes of Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso (for race fans like myself) would not be able to drive round the track at amazing speeds if their cars were uncontrollable and didn't handle well, or the drivers didn't... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Control+-+The+First+Step+in+Growing+a+Phenomenal+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Management+-+The+Time+Target Benjamin Franklin said "time is money". But if he meant "time = money" he was selling himself short, because surely Time > Money: if you spend your money, you can make some more, but once you spend your time, it is gone forever!And how much time do we have? Of course, we can never know for sure, but if you are 40 now you have just 25 years until the current, normal retirement age of 65. That's 25 years,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Management+-+The+Time+Target http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+drive+your+business+forward+with+new+team+members   As the green shoots of recovery start to show, many of my clients are looking to grow their teams and recruit new talent to help them drive their businesses forward over the coming year.Recruitment, however, is one of the biggest challenges that most businesses face. First there is the question of when should you hire somebody - you don't have the money to do so, but if you don't recruit, then you... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+drive+your+business+forward+with+new+team+members http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Survival+of+the+Fittest%3B+Beetles+have+Survived+Centuries+by+Adapting Survival of the fittest; beetles have survived centuries by adapting. It's a new year, and if last year taught us anything, it's to always be prepared for whatever the economy has in store, good or bad. It's a basic law of Darwinism: adapt, or you won't last through the winter. The survival of the fittest is precisely why some companies have gone under (resistant to change, stuck in their ways) in... by Steve Pitcairn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Survival+of+the+Fittest%3B+Beetles+have+Survived+Centuries+by+Adapting http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Work+Less+for+More+Profit When I talk with professional business owners about building their business, I often get an interesting response... "No more. Please! No more! I couldn't handle any more work; I'm flat out as it is." This seems strange, because many times their business is far from what would be considered massively profitable and by their own admission is often not a fun place to work.The problem lies in a common... by Sam Harrop http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Work+Less+for+More+Profit http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Lessons+from+the+Orchestra Does this sound familiar? "We used to be a great little company with 5 great employees, then we grew (as we hoped we would), now we have 33 employees and we're a mediocre company at best. What happened?"The challenge as a business grows is communication and coordination. "We used to be able to talk over lunch and make a needed change quickly. Also we were in such close proximity, literally, with our... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Lessons+from+the+Orchestra http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+the+Key+Drivers+of+Strong+Financial+Performance+in+Your+Business%3F As business owners, there are some things we usually want more of as we grow our businesses - more clients, more revenue, more profit. But how can we break things down to understand more clearly what drives these outcomes so that we can take concrete steps to improve them?ActionCOACH's Business Chassis, also known as the 5 Ways, does exactly that. Think about it - the number of clients you have depends... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+the+Key+Drivers+of+Strong+Financial+Performance+in+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Execution+-+What+is+stopping+YOU%3F   What stops us from executing our plan and achieving our goals? After personally working with dozens of businesses, there seems to be a few very consistent trends...1) Business owners like "doing" the work themselves! They started their business because they like the trade they chose whether that be plumbing, computer programming or administering health care. The trap for business owners is that they... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Execution+-+What+is+stopping+YOU%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Breakeven+Analysis Breakeven analysis is a tool used to determine when a business will be able to cover all its expenses and begin to make a profit. For the startup business it is extremely important to know your startup costs, which provide you with the information you need to generate enough sales revenue to pay the ongoing expenses related to running your business.A startup business owner must understand that $5,000... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Breakeven+Analysis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+the+Wrong+People+Off+the+Bus%21 Most business owners are afraid to let poor and mediocre team members off their bus (i.e. let them go/fire them). They rationalize their lack of action because the team member does some good work and sometimes is acceptable. The business owner spends hours stressing and worrying about them and spend even more time trying to get them to work to an acceptable standard.My experience is that if your heart... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+the+Wrong+People+Off+the+Bus%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Steps+to+Developing+a+Plan+for+Action   Planning is preparatory to action. Analytically at least, planning must be separated from implementation so that the major policy decisions can be taken and their implications understood prior to actionHere's 9 Steps to Develop a Plan for Action1 Express your solution as a series of goalsHaving agreed on a solution to a particular problem within your organization, you first need to define that solution... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Steps+to+Developing+a+Plan+for+Action http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Art+of+Persuasion Whether you are conducting a one-on-one interview, motivating a team or delivering a keynote address, your success as a leader is defined by your ability to persuade with clarity and passion. In fact, you might say that leadership is synonymous with effective communication. According to Harvey MacKay, author of the book Swim With the Sharks, "The No. 1 skill most lacking in business today is public... by Vic Ciuffetelli http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Art+of+Persuasion http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Value+of+a+Good+Question One of the more difficult aspects of B2B sales is letting go of our natural need for approval and asking the tough questions that lead prospects to make a decision. The conflict between our "need to be liked" and our "need to get the sale" is often at the core of our resistance to asking the tough questions. You can't always have both, and that's why it's hard. But letting your need to be liked get... by Vic Ciuffetelli http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Value+of+a+Good+Question http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Hit+the+Target A question I get asked by many people is what is the most important factor when it comes to marketing my business? Is it my unique selling proposition (USP), the offer I give, or even how fancy my marketing pieces look?Actually it is none of these and the answer is quite simple. It is targeting the market you are aiming to sell to. When I tell people this, the stock answer I get is "everybody can use... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Hit+the+Target http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Consistent+Decisions+are+the+Key+to+Long+Term+Success I work with so many clients that feel overwhelmed and out of control.  They believe the lie that if they just had more time, or if they managed their time better, that they would lose that feeling.  The fact is that the feelings of overwhelm are rooted in a lack of clarity about what is best.  Almost everyone has more to get done than time to get it done.  And if you lack clarity on what is most important,... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Consistent+Decisions+are+the+Key+to+Long+Term+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+do+some+salespeople+give++poor+prospects+more+time+than+they+deserve%3F All prospects are not created equally. Some are worth the continued investment of your time, resources and energy, while others will only sap your motivation, as well give you ample frustration . Why do some salespeople give these poor prospects more time than they deserve? Here are a few reasons for you to consider.The salesperson:1. Lacks an adequate number of good prospects so spends time trying... by Vic Ciuffetelli http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+do+some+salespeople+give++poor+prospects+more+time+than+they+deserve%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/FEAR+OF+SALES+SLUMP%3F No other recession has done as much damage to your sales as this one. But the power a recession possesses lies in the perception of the producer. Here's a question. Is your sales volume down this year over last? If yes, is your activity down as well? If you said no, you're among the lucky few. The truth is, someone's doing business out there and I want it to be me. The casualty of this recession is... by Vic Ciuffetelli http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/FEAR+OF+SALES+SLUMP%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Ways+To+Motivate+Yourself Do you struggle with making deadlines? Do you feel burnt out and tired all the time? Do you put tasks off? These are some signs of being unmotivated. Below are four key ways to help you motivate yourself. When someone is motivated they are more on top of their priorities and feel good about themselves and their work. Try these motivation tips to better yourself and your work. 1) Make time psychology... by Heather Christie http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Ways+To+Motivate+Yourself http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+the+Most+Out+of+These%3A It's 8am on Monday morning. You had a great weekend and wish it didn't have to end. Last week was finished with a bang but today you just don't feel the same motivation to win. As a result you walk in the office and immediately read your mail. Then you talk to a colleague for an hour while sipping coffee. It's almost time for lunch. You avoid prospecting for customers due to the lack of time available... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+the+Most+Out+of+These%3A http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Big+Lessons+for+Small+Business+Owners   As a Business Coach I observe trends and practices of business. Recently I met with a new banker client for coffee to learn more about his bank and what I could do for them. While I was there we got into a few conversations that made me really think about big companies, profit, and customers. Below is what I observed:1. I met the banker at Caribou Coffee. I personally prefer Starbucks over Caribou... by Jon O Malley http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Big+Lessons+for+Small+Business+Owners http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Marketing+Behind+the+Revenue Excel is great for building budgets-but are they realistic?  Try a different tactic this year when building your 2010 plan.1. Make sure you include a strong salary for yourself in your fixed costs.  The first person the business needs to pay is you.2. Include a profit budget in your plan-not what is left over, but an actual budget for profit that is part of your fixed cost3. Include a retirement portion-we... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Marketing+Behind+the+Revenue http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/12+Days+of+Business Playing off of the 12 Days of Christmas (insert whatever holiday you like), here are some thoughts as you plan for 2010:1. On the first day of business, my business gave to me-Profits (otherwise the rest does not matter).2. On the 2nd day of business, my business gave to me-Team so that I don't do all the work3. On the 3rd day of business, my business gave to me-Time to spend with friends and family4.... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/12+Days+of+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Keys+to+Getting+the+Most+Out+Of+Your+Networking+Event The keys to getting the most out of your networking time are (1) having a goal and (2) knowing how to effectively "work the room".Have a GoalBefore you go to any networking meeting determine what you want to achieve by attending. Are you simply going to socialize or are you looking to move your business forward? A typical goal I've heard is to talk with 5 people or get 10 business cards. Those are... by Van Smick http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Keys+to+Getting+the+Most+Out+Of+Your+Networking+Event http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Effective+Time+Management+Starts+With+Clear+Vision+and+Goals As we begin our look at time management, it only makes sense to start with the end in mind. Why is that important? Simply put - if you do not have a clear vision or goals in life or in business - then time management really becomes pointless. Developing the right mindset and proper attitude sets the stage for creating effective time management habits and disciplines. Many of us feel chaos in our lives... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Effective+Time+Management+Starts+With+Clear+Vision+and+Goals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Holidays+are+Not+an+Excuse   Bah humbug!"It's the most wonderful time of the year," as the song goes. In the hustle and bustle, it is real easy to "let up" on marketing and default activity because "everyone's distracted". Years ago my track coach trained me to sprint to the finish line and not let up just because the "end" was near. Here are 3 things to remember so you can finish the year STRONG!One of the most important things... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Holidays+are+Not+an+Excuse http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Rehearse+Your+Business+Plan You've spent untold number of hours building your business plan. Perhaps it's your first. Perhaps, it's the 15th year you've revised it and are determined this year, not to just leave it on the shelf to collect dust while you put out another "fire". How easy would it be to take all that great planning you worked so hard to accomplish and break it down into manageable chunks? Think of achieving short-term... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Rehearse+Your+Business+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+your+number+one+Priority%3F  What's your #1 Priority? When I ask business owners this question, the answers are varied and interesting. When I narrow it to a choice of three: the team, the customers or the business overall, the answers are still varied and interesting. Allow me to help.In a business that's working well, the owner focuses on the team, allowing the team to focus on the customers and the customers, in turn, to take... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+your+number+one+Priority%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Can+You+Improve+Your+Business+Chassis%3F Ask any business owner what their business needs and you will get a host of different answers. Some will say "new equipment". Others will say "better staff" while others will say "more time." Many will probably say they need all three and then some! However, the most common responses, when all is said and done, will invariably be related to the following three areas: More Customers, More Revenue, and... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Can+You+Improve+Your+Business+Chassis%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+the+Sting+Out+of+Confrontations Take the sting out of confrontationsAs a business owner, chances are you will at some time have to deal with difficult situations in the workplace. You may have to discipline a staff member, bring up an issue of poor performance or even sack one of your team. In addition other people's behavior may occasionally make you feel angry, hurt, demoralized or betrayed, and you may react by choosing... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+the+Sting+Out+of+Confrontations http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Two+Most+Dangerous+Words..... The two most dangerous words.....It has been said that the two most powerful words in the English language are "I am." This is because whatever we fill in after those two words is something our subconscious goes to work on immediately, good or bad, positive or negative, right or wrong.On the flip side, the two most dangerous words a business leader can use are "I know." Once... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Two+Most+Dangerous+Words..... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Discounts+vs.+Profits Do you have (or have you ever had) one of those salespeople who thinks that giving a discount is the easiest, quickest way to make a sale? Of course, they may be right, but what about the profit (your profit) they're giving away?If your product has a profit margin of 30% and your salespeople give a 10% discount to make the sale, you're losing a massive, one-third (33.333%) of the available... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Discounts+vs.+Profits http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Motivating+Employees+with+the+Hawthorne+Effect Are you looking for ways to motivate your team? Let's look at a principle called the Hawthorne Effect.In the 1920's, Elton Mayo, an Harvard University professor, started research at the Western Electric Company's Hawthorne plant in Cicero, Chicago. Mayo conducted behavioral research and was considered the founding father of industrial psychology.Mayo's research showed that workers are motivated more... by David Drewelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Motivating+Employees+with+the+Hawthorne+Effect http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Your+Pulse%3F I went into the doctor the other day for a routine checkup.  After filling out a million forms, they called me back and what do you think they did?  That's right, they took my blood pressure. Next, my temperature.  Both routine items that give them an overview of what is going on.Now, suppose my heart was jumping out of my chest and my blood pressure was off the chartsandmdash;what do you think... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Your+Pulse%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Committed+To+Succeeding%3F Many people talk about succeeding in business and in life, but few actually make the commitment. There is no gray area with regards to commitment. You either are committed or you aren't. This is where most people struggle.How come this is a major challenge for many people? It is simple. They think they are committed because they want the result of what being committed will bring them yet they... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Committed+To+Succeeding%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+4+Essentials+of+Effective+Leadership I remember a bumper sticker: "Either Lead or Followandmdash;But Get Out of the Way!"When our role calls for the former, here are 4 important things to keep in mind:1. Great leaders communicate. Realizing that good communication is a 2-way street, we must be responsible for our part. That being said, true communication is the response that you get. Whatever form you choose (verbal, mail, e-mail,... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+4+Essentials+of+Effective+Leadership http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+ActionCOACH+Definition+of+Money What is the ActionCOACH definition of money? It is a very simple concept. Money is an Idea Backed by Confidence plus Action. Starting with an idea is critical. An idea is simply a thought about something. Many business owners become stuck and just don't know what to do. When business owners are stuck they just need one thing to create momentum. That one thing is an idea.As a business owner, if... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+ActionCOACH+Definition+of+Money http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+The+Right+Team Every championship team begins with the first draft pick. The people you choose to surround yourself with will make the greatest contribution to your success or failure. Profiling and Action's Four Hour Hiring Process are invaluable tools when selecting "the right person for the job, and the right job for the person" - but also never underestimate your intuition.Here's a "sixth sense"... by Joanna Shows http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+The+Right+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Listening%3F One of the biggest weaknesses of most people in relationships is that they don't listen - that means 'really listen'.Listening is from hearing. Hearing is a physical act that we do with our ears. Listening is a mental act that we do with our brains. Many factors contribute to a person's poor listening behavior or habits. They include, but are not limited to:    * distractions in the environment   ... by Joanna Shows http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Listening%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Features+vs+Benefits If you're not careful in creating your marketing copy, you may inadvertently end up with features-laden descriptions of your products or services. This can be unfortunate, in that most clients and customers will base buying decisions on the benefits they perceive the product or service to provide, not its features. Most of us have been well-trained in telling people what they'll get when they buy... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Features+vs+Benefits http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Increase+Sales+with+a+Sales+System A key challenge business owners face with the sales people they employ is inconsistency in sales results. Many business owners struggle to pin down the exact cause(s) of these inconsistent results and usually end up churning sales reps on a frequent basis as a result of pure frustration. Of course, there's a certain percentage of sales reps that just plain lack motivation or work ethic and that's an... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Increase+Sales+with+a+Sales+System http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Eat+That+Frog Eat That Frog:Okay.  So, you've started your day, and there's so much to do.   Ever ask yourself, "Where do I start?"  Many business owners I talk to do.  They've got so much on their plate: sales, marketing, finances, hiring, cleaning the bathroom (just checking to see if you are still awake), and let's not forget actually providing your product or service.  Many people, faced with so many balls... by Joanna Shows http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Eat+That+Frog http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Think+-+Believe+-+Dream+-+Dare%21 Think, Believe, Dream, and Dare! An eight-year-old boy approached an old man in front of a wishing well, looked up into his eyes and asked: "I understand you're a very wise man. I'd like to know the secret of life." The old man looked down at the youngster and replied: "I've thought a lot in my lifetime and the secret can be summed up in four words: The first is think: Think about the values you wish... by Joanna Shows http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Think+-+Believe+-+Dream+-+Dare%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Keys+to+Entertaining+Your+Audience+While+Persuading+Them+to+Buy When appearing on radio or television, it's vital that you maximize the opportunity you have created or been given. Here are just a few thoughts about how to do that: Quote from your book, business, product or cause. Tag the pages in your book or materials and rank them in priority. Give the audience a tasty bite of what it would be like to indulge in the banquet of your services, buy your book... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Keys+to+Entertaining+Your+Audience+While+Persuading+Them+to+Buy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Emotional+Intelligence+-+the+X+Factor+for+success I have been working with businesses for over 20 years now and one question that has constantly puzzled me is, how do you measure the potential in people? In the past I put it down to how clever people were, but was often frustrated when those intelligent people were just not able to turn that intellect into success. There must be another part to the formula, an X factor, that I was missing.Well, just... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Emotional+Intelligence+-+the+X+Factor+for+success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Football+Basics+for+Business How's your favorite (business) team doing this fall? Are you completing pinpoint passes to prospects, making bone jarring tackles of economic conditions and marching down the field to the cheering throngs of customers? Or are there a few too many fumbles? Maybe your defense is a little soft in the middle and the offense isn't "moving the chains" often enough. Fantasy football... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Football+Basics+for+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Can+You+Take+Advantage+of+the+Recession%3F How is the economy impacting your business? Are you just going to sit back, cross your fingers and hope for the best?Only you can make a difference in your business and your life.Are you tired of Blaming others, making Excuses and living in Denial? Then it is time to take action and ask yourself, "How can I take advantage of the recession?"If your current way of doing business doesn't... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Can+You+Take+Advantage+of+the+Recession%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Overcome+your+Fear+of+Failure The only thing that separates life's winners from the losers is the fact that the winners learn to take power from losing and use it to help them to win, while losers allow failure to take away their power and give up trying.   Winning is not everything; one victory in a life long journey of is little consequence, unless it is something truly unique such as landing on the moon or being... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Overcome+your+Fear+of+Failure http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Master+Money What is one of the most critical aspects of getting you to the finish line and really knowing you have arrived?Money Mastery. While some of you may be tempted to push on and read the next article, I encourage you to take the time to read this section now; how else will you know the score?If business is a game, what's the scoreboard? Yes, your financial statements. The question is, if you can't... by Thom Torode http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Master+Money http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+it+the+Economy+or+Your+Attitude%3F Many business people believe that there is nothing they can do to be successful in this economy. They don't believe there is anything they can do differently to change their fortunes during these challenging times.They think if they work harder, put in more hours or cut expenses it will cure their challenges.The real challenge is coming from within. Each business is a reflection of the four inches... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+it+the+Economy+or+Your+Attitude%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Pronoucing+Names+Correctly+Builds+Rapport+and+Opens+Doors Rapport is defined as "a relationship, especially one of trust or mutual affinity."Whether you seek to build rapport with a sales prospect or an employee, correctly using the person's name in conversation can help. The simple act of saying one's name communicates to the brain a connection or relationship that doesn't exist with strangers and plants seeds that can grow into a profitable sale or a loyal... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Pronoucing+Names+Correctly+Builds+Rapport+and+Opens+Doors http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Time+Your+Challenge%3F I've been helping business owners and managers find better ways to manage their time for many years. That's given me plenty of time to figure out what it takes for an owner to get the most from his/her 24 hours each day.The most valuable lesson I've learned over the years: There are three key aspects to effective time management for business owners...andbull; Personal organizationandbull; Keeping a project... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Time+Your+Challenge%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+Your+Business+Stand+Out+from+the+Crowd One of the more common complaints I hear among business owners is how tough the competition is and how it's getting tougher every day. The reality is that competition will never disappear; however, there are several effective strategies that can reduce the competition's influence on your business.In this column, I'll focus on two of the most fundamental approaches: Defining your Unique... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+Your+Business+Stand+Out+from+the+Crowd http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It+Boils+Down+to+Commitment You don't really need new ideas. You don't really need new strategies. What you need is to commit to doing the things you know you should be doing but aren't.It's really that simple. Let's say it is New Years Eve and I jump on the "get in shape" bandwagon. So, I go out and buy new running shoes, a heart rate monitor and join a gym. But my heart is not really in it, my commitment level is low... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It+Boils+Down+to+Commitment http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Factors+to+Achieve+a+Good+Quality+of+Life   Many of us have dreams and aspirations of changing the quality of our life. However, few of us ever achieve the results we desire. Why is that?   Is it because our dreams and aspirations are unrealistic or impossible?   A few years ago I might have answered yes to this question. However, one of the most profound lessons I learned is there are 7 factors that equate to living the... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Factors+to+Achieve+a+Good+Quality+of+Life http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Identity+Iceberg Many of us are challenged with achieving the results we desire. We have dreams, we set goals, we develop action steps and implement plans to achieve them. However, many of us never achieve what we set out to accomplish?Why is that? One of the great lessons I have learned is that when we are unable to accomplish something we immediately want to focus on our behavior, which is the effect. Instead we... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Identity+Iceberg http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+the+Work+to+Make+Business+Easy Are you committed to doing the work to make your business easy? Or are you committed to blaming others, making excuses and living in denial?The truth is only you can make a difference in your business and your life. If you want to create amazing results in your business and your life you must take total ownership of it, be held accountable for your results and be totally responsible for your actions.The... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+the+Work+to+Make+Business+Easy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Be+a+Great+Leader Good leaders, some experts say, are creative rather than reactive. In other words, they anticipate future demands and trends and make new products or tailor the ones they already have to suit that future. For many reasons things are changing very rapidly, these days.That's why it's more important than ever to be able to understand how those changes will affect your business...and establish ways... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Be+a+Great+Leader http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Believing+in+Yourself+is+Everything A young man fell asleep during math class. He woke up as the bell rang, looked at the blackboard, and copied down the two problems that were there. He assumed they were the homework for the night. He went home and labored the rest of the afternoon and into the evening knowing if he didn't complete the work he would surely fail the class.   He couldn't figure out either one but he kept trying for... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Believing+in+Yourself+is+Everything http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Fear+of+Failure The only thing that separates life's winners from the losers is the fact that the winners learn to take power from losing and use it to help them to win, while losers allow the fear of failure to take away their power and give up trying.Winning is not everything; one victory in a life long journey of is little consequence, but one win often leads to another and from that great things are achieved.... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Fear+of+Failure http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Top+10+Ways+to+Motivate+People The Top 10 ways to Motivate People.1. Know Where Motivation Comes From. First of all you should recognize this. Motivation comes from within. The key here is that good managers get people to motivate themselves. They manage agreements, not people.2. Tune In Before You Turn On. This simple advice works wonders!! In order for leaders to be heard, they must first listen. Shut your mouth. Listen, and then... by Jeremy Fairbanks http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Top+10+Ways+to+Motivate+People http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Savvy+Business+Practices+from+those+in+the+Trenches I frequently talk with business owners about their challenges. My research indicates that there are some folks who are doing some pretty smart things. Here are the Top 7 I have observed lately: 1. Persistence Pays. Frequently, when a prospect says "NO", it really means "not now". A Timely follow-up at professionally prudent intervals is not only appreciated, but is often rewarded with a sale.... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Savvy+Business+Practices+from+those+in+the+Trenches http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Living+on+Auto+Pilot Are you going through your life on auto-pilot? Are you letting your reactions and responses tolife's circumstances and events be dictated by your previous values, attitudes, and beliefs...orare your responses a result of living in the present?Most people tend to react (act again) as they go through life. They react to other people's conscious, or unconscious desire, or ability to "push" their... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Living+on+Auto+Pilot http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Overcome+Factors+that+Limit+Success+in+Business How time flies! We're almost through the third quarter of 2009. How are you doing with your business goals for the New Year? Consider this month's column as your first quarter checkup. Hopefully you're making great progress toward the goals you set back in January.If, however, you're like the majority of the world who tends to get slightly detoured, slowed down, or even completely... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Overcome+Factors+that+Limit+Success+in+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+Marketing+Your+Business+Despite+A+Dwindling+Budget If, as a result of the present economic times, you find yourself cutting back heavily on your marketing budget, it does not mean that you also need to cut back on your marketing activities.  Marketing is paramount in these times of economic distress.How then can you keep your marketing efforts alive despite a dwindling fund?There are many marketing initiatives available that are free of cost or have... by Mark Cadbury http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+Marketing+Your+Business+Despite+A+Dwindling+Budget http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stop+Chasing+Sales+to+Close+More+Sales John had been doing very well in sales.But he knew he could do better. So he called and asked for some business help. He was making a very good living, but felt that he wasn't focused. He wasn't spending his time, effort, and energy in the right places.John was running on two cylinders which weren't running very smoothly and was still making over $100,000. For years... by Terry Lussier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stop+Chasing+Sales+to+Close+More+Sales http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+Your+Customers+Coming+Back I talked last month about the importance of ensuring you boost your conversion rate for the leads that you generate, because each of these leads costs you money and you need to ensure you get a good return on that investment.Many businesses think that once they have a new customer, the work is over. How wrong they are, as the work has only just begun!When a prospect buys from you for the first time,... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+Your+Customers+Coming+Back http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Has+Junk+Mail+Killed+the+Effectiveness+of+Direct+Mail%3F Many consumers may feel they are being inundated with unsolicited mail when they find their mailbox bursting with catalogs, flyers, brochures, discount coupon packages. And some of these mailing pieces will go directly into the waste basket without opening. So where should direct mail fit into a company's marketing mix?A United States Postal Service (USPS) study conducted in 2007 indicated that... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Has+Junk+Mail+Killed+the+Effectiveness+of+Direct+Mail%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Does+Your+Business+Have+a+Unique+Value%3F Most of the business owners I speak with KNOW that they are different from the competition in one way or another; but how to explain that difference to their clients and prospects is the problem they struggle with.In the past few weeks I have spoken with several different business owners working in the retail and service sectors and the most common answers given to the question "Why are you different"... by Tim Rylatt http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Does+Your+Business+Have+a+Unique+Value%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Effectively+Implement+Organizational+Change The most important resource of a business today is it's people. This is increasingly meaningful not merely as rhetoric but also in practice.If we depend more and more on fewer people and if the loyalty of these people, particularly managers, can no longer be assumed but rather must be earned and retained, then clearly we need to be concerned about how we utilize them, develop them and resource... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Effectively+Implement+Organizational+Change http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Coaching+Experience%3A+Azure+Marketing+Communications One year. Twelve short months. It's one of the most basic metrics that every business uses to measure itself against. How much was planned and accomplished within the compact time frame of 365 days?In many cases there is "a year" in the life of any business that is looked back on with either a strong degree of satisfaction (that was the year it all came together) or dismay (that was... by Dennis Wagner http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Coaching+Experience%3A+Azure+Marketing+Communications http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Waukesha+WI+Builder+Grows+Despite+Economy What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?The smartest thing we did in the last year is getting involved with a local community through participating and supporting organizations such as Phantom Lake YMCA, the Waukesha Food Pantry, Pregnancy Support Network for abused young mothers, the March of Dimes, and our own in-house nonprofit organization called Project Paradise which is... by Chris Carman http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Waukesha+WI+Builder+Grows+Despite+Economy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Harness+the+Power+of+the+Internet+to+Market+Your+Business A chicken and egg story: Are electronic marketing tactics being adapted to cultural changes or are cultural changes being impacted by electronic marketing tactics?Expenditures on Internet Marketing have been growing exponentially over the past five years and will continue to grow at a rapid pace.The under-40 population has grown up with computers as part of their lives. Education, entertainment, games,... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Harness+the+Power+of+the+Internet+to+Market+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Tips+Para+Tener+Un+Mejor+Equipo+De+Trabajo 3 Tips Para Tener Un Mejor Equipo De Trabajo Para lograr un equipo ganador primero debe haber un fuerte LIDERAZGO por parte tuya como empresario, director o jefe de departamento. El ĂŠxito de un equipo depende en primera instancia de su lĂ­der. Como lĂ­der debes cambiar las cosas, tienes que hacer que las cosas sucedan para obtener el resultado. TambiĂŠn tienes que hacer crecer a tus colaboradores... by Agustin Torres http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Tips+Para+Tener+Un+Mejor+Equipo+De+Trabajo http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/True+Communication+is+the+Response+You+Get As a business owner, how often have you said to yourself: "Why didn't they do it the way I told them?" "Why do I have to tell them again?" "Why didn't they get their activities done that I told them in the meeting?" Any of these types of questions that you ask yourself should be turned around to the question, "How did I communicate to them?"    In... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/True+Communication+is+the+Response+You+Get http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+Steps+to+Minimize+the+Effect+of+an+Economic+Downturn A survey conducted by American Express in August indicated that almost half of small business owners believed the current economic situation was negatively affecting their profits.And nearly one in five of these business owners believed that they were at risk of going out of business because of the overall declining economic climate.And this survey was conducted more than a month before the emotions... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+Steps+to+Minimize+the+Effect+of+an+Economic+Downturn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Lessons+From+a+Successful+Franchisee My experience stems from buying and selling franchises. I believe in franchising as a wealth creation tool but be sure you don't become a victim. If you want to build an international franchise or are simply looking at acquiring a franchise to increase your wealth- always look if you can tick the following check boxes.My 7 learnings as a successful franchisee (and in order of merit): Buy the... by Themi Stergianos http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Lessons+From+a+Successful+Franchisee http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Boost+Your+Conversion+Rate In the current economic climate, most business owners I come across are looking at ways to maintain if not increase their sales.Although not all sectors are badly hit, everybody is reporting that the marketplace is different to what it was 12 months ago. Some businesses are finding that their leads are drying up, others that their leads are there, but people are being more cautious about spending... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Boost+Your+Conversion+Rate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Protect+Your+Profits+Through+Financial+Planning You've worked smart and hard with a Business Coach and one of the benefits of coaching for you has been growing profits. You've got great fundamentals mastering Cashflow, increasing productivity and predictability while serving a great niche with a great team and making profits beyond what is needed for the business. What now? It's a great situation to be in especially while... by Stephen Marino http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Protect+Your+Profits+Through+Financial+Planning http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Operational+Planning+Will+Help+You+Achieve+Your+2010+Organizational+Goals Developing an operational plan including a budget for the upcoming year tends to be a daunting task for most companies.During the 4th Quarter when next year's operational plan needs to be finalized, this process occurs at the same time that management is focusing on maximizing the business performance in the current year.So, which is more important?Well, they are equally important for the ongoing... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Operational+Planning+Will+Help+You+Achieve+Your+2010+Organizational+Goals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/8+Steps+To+Help+You+Organize+Your+Work+Day If you are a business owner, you are frequently confronted with the issues of time management. You need expert skills at organizing your office and time in order to succeed. Follow these steps and make more time in your work day - time that is well-spent - and can save you many hours in the future, whilst also making you more effective and efficient.   1. Make an exhaustive list of all your responsibilities... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/8+Steps+To+Help+You+Organize+Your+Work+Day http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Business+Mistakes+To+Avoid Here are 5 business mistakes to avoid (now more than ever):1. Ignore your customers. If you neglect your customers, someone else will be happy to take them. Remember, 68% of customers leave due to perceived indifference they think you don't care!Instead of focusing all your efforts chasing new ones, cut yourself a great deal because it is 6 times more expensive to get a new one than it... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Business+Mistakes+To+Avoid http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strategic+Plan+Plots+the+Course+to+Organizational+Goal Strategic Planning is the most important function of a CEO or business owner. It identifies where a company wants to be at a defined point of time in the future and what actions it is going to take to get there. Strategic Planning is critical to the growth and success of every company. And if the company has a Board of Directors, a formal strategic planning process enables the Board to have a significant... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strategic+Plan+Plots+the+Course+to+Organizational+Goal http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Trying+to+Make+the+Big+Play%3F I was watching my nine-year old's basketball game recently and was amazed at the complex plays they were trying to run. The funny thing is, they still can't dribble and pass very well. So of course these BIG plays weren't turning out so well. Now several of the players seemed to enjoy this effort to make the big play, until they saw the scoreboard and realized they were losing the game!Do... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Trying+to+Make+the+Big+Play%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Delighting+Your+Customer+No+Longer+Needed%3F In today's market everyone seems to be competing on price. Yet whenever I ask a business owner to tell me why someone should do business with them and not their competition the answer usually is I have the best customer service. What do they actually mean when they say customer service? Do they just mean the customer is actually going to get what they expected to get?Let me give you an example. Say... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Delighting+Your+Customer+No+Longer+Needed%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Advertising+Hitting+Its+Target%3F Have you been frustrated with the amount of traffic your advertising is bringing to your business?Maybe you are not reaching the intended target. First you must determine your target market. Your advertisement must then offer a solution to that targeted audience. Similar to the golfer that knows what green to aim for but does not chose the correct club, is your advertisement aimed at your intended... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Advertising+Hitting+Its+Target%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Have+You+Accomplished+Everything+You+Planned%3F So, how many of you have accomplished everything you planned to over the last 3 months? I'm quite confident every one of you would say you didn't.  That something happened to knock you off course towards one or more of your goals. You have all sorts of reasons. The economy got bad, team members didn't perform, you were sick or injured. Whatever it is, something happened to cause you... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Have+You+Accomplished+Everything+You+Planned%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+You+Selling%3F I have spent a lot of time recently helping clients with their advertising. Quickly the conversation will center on "what is the intent" of the advertisement.Is the Ad being used to market a product or service or is it being used to sell? Too many times the advertising piece is trying to do both, market and sell. At this point, I bring the client back to the sales process we've developed, to clarify... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+You+Selling%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Manage+What+You+Do+With+Your+Time In business, time management is a major topic. There are thousands of books, CDs, seminars and courses all giving you top tips on how to better manage your time.But the real truth is there is no such thing as time management.Everybody has the same 24 hours in a day. Time does not stand still for anybody. We cannot create more time and once it's gone, it has gone forever.So if we cannot... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Manage+What+You+Do+With+Your+Time http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Do+More+With+Less We hear it every day; do more with less. I hear it all the time from my clients and their employees. In this economy we have to learn to do more with less. We have to cut back; lean up; flatten; get rid of the fat; skim the excess and just do more with less. In good times, people as well as businesses swell. Their profits soar and so do their employee rosters the extras are easily justified.However,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Do+More+With+Less http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Effective+Marketing+Techniques+You+Can+Afford Marketing is paramount in these times of economic distress.So how do you keep your marketing efforts alive despite a dwindling fund?There are many marketing initiatives available that are free of cost or have a minimal cash outlay with a relatively high return that small businesses can effectively employ to remain competitive.Here are 9 such techniques to help you survive and thrive through the present... by Mark Cadbury http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Effective+Marketing+Techniques+You+Can+Afford http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Tactics+to+Beat+the+Competition It's often far easier to rest where you are than to push yourself to the next level. But complacency leads to mediocrity... which almost always leads to disaster. So, if this is true, how can you keep yourself responsive, resourceful, and recharged in this competitive business environment?    Here are 7 tactics to help you move ahead, even while others fall behind:   Practice self-discipline... by Lee Munch http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Tactics+to+Beat+the+Competition http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Value+of+Time Consider these:   1. To understand the value of a year, talk to a student who has failed an important exam.   2. To understand the value of a month, talk to a mother who has given birth to a baby a month prematurely.   3. To understand the value of a week, talk to the publisher of a weekly newspaper.   4. To understand the value of an hour, talk to a couple in love, who are separated and want only... by Lee Munch http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Value+of+Time http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Teams+Do+Not+Grow One of the biggest factors that impact whether a company grows, stays the same, or contracts is the performance of its team.Show me a stagnant company and I will show you a stagnant team. If you are happy, positive, energetic, and full of ideas, why would you be content with doing the same old thing and not moving forward?ActionCOACH has a great saying, "if you are not growing, you are dying."... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Teams+Do+Not+Grow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Key+Areas+to+Help+With+Financial+Mastery+in+Your+Small+Business I often get this question: "What is the most common mistake business owners make when they are growing their business?"While I could say it is not setting goals, planning their time or doing enough sales and marketing, the true factor must be the lack of financial understanding. Businesses go bust because they run out of money.  Even the most badly run business will survive if it has a constant supply... by Kevin Stansfield http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Key+Areas+to+Help+With+Financial+Mastery+in+Your+Small+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Healthy+Cash+Flow+Strategies+For+Your+Small+Business You've probably heard the saying, "Cash is King," and truly, a healthy Cashflow is a vital part of any successful business. Net income doesn't pay the bills and neither do the assets or equity in your business. Only cash pays the bills.Without a doubt, proper Cashflow management in your business is critical to its growth and longevity. Understanding basic Cashflow principles... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Healthy+Cash+Flow+Strategies+For+Your+Small+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Steps+to+Make+Time+Management+Work+for+You The right techniques make time management work.In the quest for better time management, we have been flooded with a large variety of gizmos, tools, and programs invented to help us more effectively manage our time. These tools and programs make great claims, but most fail to help us achieve that ultimate "nirvana" of time management that we desire.Of all the time management "stuff"... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Steps+to+Make+Time+Management+Work+for+You http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Assessment+Tools+For+Smart+Hiring+Decisions Have you ever hired someone that disappointed you? I’m sure the overwhelming majority answer is a resounding “Yes.” Now, certainly it wasn’t your intention to make a bad hiring decision. The reality is that you just didn’t have enough information (or the right information) to make a good hiring decision! And once the decision is made, it’s unfortunately very costly and difficult to train... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Assessment+Tools+For+Smart+Hiring+Decisions http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Success+Strategies+For+Entrepreneurs One of the avenues we pursue in an effort to get our products introduced to business owners in the general public is to send out specific offerings of seminars to train them on ways to improve their business - both in the short and long run.Many of these seminars are free, “introductory” sessions meant to help these business owners with their mindset, business improvement tips, and to let them get... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Success+Strategies+For+Entrepreneurs http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Get+The+WOW+Factor+in+Your+Marketing+Efforts Remember the old perfume commercial? For those of the younger generation: "If you want to capture someone's attention... whisper." It got people's attention and stayed in our memories. Why? Mainly, because it was different!The very idea of capturing someone's attention by doing the opposite of logic will catch you off guard. That's one great example of attention-grabbing... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Get+The+WOW+Factor+in+Your+Marketing+Efforts http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Listen+to+Your+Customers+and+Improve+Your+Business As a business owner, it's easy to get swept up in the day-to-day activities of running a business. The demands on your time seem endless and it feels as if everyone and everything needs your attention now! Under these circumstances, it's easy for a business owner to get "tunnel vision" in their own business. I often use the analogy that owning a business is like getting swept... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Listen+to+Your+Customers+and+Improve+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Can+You+Ever+Know+It+All%3F While perusing YouTube, I came across a series of videos featuring world class pianist and conductor, Daniel Barenboim, giving a master class on Beethoven's sonatas. The interesting thing is that the "students" were world-famous and highly acclaimed pianists in their own right.    Maestro Barenboim would listen to them play the sonata which sounded as well-played as I... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Can+You+Ever+Know+It+All%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Growth+And+Big+Plans+Up+Cactus+Creek This is a conversation with a successful business owner in the Moore County area. We explore lessons from local businesses and from the Coach. We give you ideas and best practices upon which you can take actionable Steps.This local story has universal appeal and should be applied by every buisness owner in the world- irrespective of industry.I interviewed Mike Birky, owner and founder of Cactus Creek... by Ed Gideon http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Growth+And+Big+Plans+Up+Cactus+Creek http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Ways+to+Maximize+the+Sales+Value+of+Your+Business Business owners often ask me what they must do to maximize the sale value of their business. It is not simply the bottom line that determines the sale price. The most common issue is that the business simply will not operate effectively without the business owner and, when this happens, the business is worth very little, no matter how good the bottom line. So you must think like a buyer and focus you... by Mark Cadbury http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Ways+to+Maximize+the+Sales+Value+of+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Make+Your+Systems+Easy Ever wish you had an "Easy" button?Do you find that your business is so dependent on you that you just can't get away from it? Wouldn't it be great if you could just press a button and your business would take care of itself?Well, then - here's the good news! It's possible, but you need to understand one fundamental fact: people should never run a business systems should.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Make+Your+Systems+Easy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Boost+Your+Mind+And+Turbocharge+Your+Business Whether you're in manufacturing, wholesale trading, retail or professional services, there's no denying our global recessionary environment.We all know that the keys to business success are the right mindset, the right skill set and the right business model in that order.Here are 5 simple steps to keep your mindset in the right space no matter what the environment. I call... by Peter Lam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Boost+Your+Mind+And+Turbocharge+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Set+Yourself+Apart+In+This+Recession Yes, I am at another mid-year educational conference full of Coaches from the “Americas” and the learnings were tremendous! It continuously amazes me as to how much business around the world is the same regardless of nationality, size, trade or any of the other factors we might think make “us” different. As I discussed Coaching with my peers from Central America, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., common... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Set+Yourself+Apart+In+This+Recession http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brand+Your+Business+in+5+Easy+Steps Everyone talks of branding their business these days. Branding is what makes you stand out from all your competition in the market. What makes you different or unique? What is it about you or your business or your products that sets you apart from everyone else? Once you zero in on your uniqueness, you can easily target who your market is. Who in the masses want what you have to offer, at the price... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brand+Your+Business+in+5+Easy+Steps http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Know+How+to+Increase+Your+Profits+in+Uncertain+Times%3F The so-called credit crunch' has certainly changed the business environment in the last six months.  It wasn't long ago that business owners considered themselves fortunate if they got one decent applicant to a job advert.  The share market was reaching new highs and property prices seemed to be going up on a weekly basis.Oh what a difference six months can make...One thing... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Know+How+to+Increase+Your+Profits+in+Uncertain+Times%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Steps+to+Begin+Your+Business+Plan I recently met with a business owner not far from where I live who asked to meet me because his business was in dire straits.  When I assessed his situation it was apparent that the owner, who had been in business for about a year, had made a litany of mistakes that put his business on the brink.  However when I asked to see his business plan, he proudly showed me a 20+ page document that looked great,... by Kevin Weir http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Steps+to+Begin+Your+Business+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Where+Are+Your+Profits+Coming+From%3F The most important number in business is your Net Profit, yet how many of us look at this number when it comes back from the accountant at the end of the financial year and wonder how we arrived at that figure. One of the keys to creating a successful business is to constantly focus on the profitability in your business, in particular analysing and understanding what the main profit drivers are.Few... by David Bush http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Where+Are+Your+Profits+Coming+From%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Measure+Your+Way+to+Success+By+Using+KPIs One of the things I enjoy about watching a good basketball game is the commentator's use of statistics. I'm amazed by the wide range of statistics used and the conclusions drawn in the commentator's analysis of the game. Statistics, in many ways, really tell the story of how the game was won or lost. In a similar manner, business is a game, and in the "game of business"... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Measure+Your+Way+to+Success+By+Using+KPIs http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Do+You+Call+in+the+Expert As an owner or manager of a small business it's often tempting to do as much as you can yourself to keep costs down, rather than seeking expert advice. And now, given all the information that's freely available it's tempting to think that with a little time and effort there's money to be saved - whether it's using an online template to draw up a contract or doing the tax returns.Trying to do it all... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Do+You+Call+in+the+Expert http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Steps+to+Growing+Your+Business+and+Profits The right techniques make time management work.In the quest for better time management, we have been flooded with a large variety of gizmos, tools, and programs invented to help us more effectively manage our time. These tools and programs make great claims, but most fail to help us achieve that ultimate "nirvana" of time management that we desire.Of all the time management "stuff"... by Mark Tobiassen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Steps+to+Growing+Your+Business+and+Profits http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Motivate+Your+Team+With+the+Power+of+Numbers Patrick Lencioni, in his best seller, "Three Signs of a Miserable Job," identifies three factors that "de-motivate" employees.  These three include:   1. Anonymity  (nobody really cares about me);     2. Irrelevance (my work doesn't matter);   and   3. Immeasurability (I don't know when I am really doing a good job.  The third cause, immeasurability, may surprise... by Wayne Kurzen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Motivate+Your+Team+With+the+Power+of+Numbers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/We+Chose+to+be+Positive+and+It+Works Here's how one of my clients achieved year-over-year growth by refusing to take part in any kind of "recessionary" thinking.A specialty coatings manufacturing and distribution company in Pinehurst, North Carolina (U.S.) started 2009 with astounding results. January 2009 revenues were THREE times January 2008.The coaching difference!The owners began coaching in June 2008. They have experienced the up-and-down... by Ed Gideon http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/We+Chose+to+be+Positive+and+It+Works http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Overcoming+Your+Limitations%3F It’s amazing how so many people embrace limited thinking, which allows them to maintain mediocrity and not achieve their goals and results. Why is this? It's always interesting to see people who seem to really WANT to reach their goals, but seem to not have “what it takes.” The truth of the matter is, we ALL have “what it takes.” All we need to do is realize it, and overcome our limitations,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Overcoming+Your+Limitations%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+the+Key+to+Business+Success%3F With the beginning of a new year I want to wish all of my readers a healthy and prosperous 2009. Considering all of the doom and gloom in the news about a deep global recession, how can we make 2009 a better year than 2008? The answer is to focus on those issues about which we have some control and not allowing those factors over which we have no control to derail us.A new year presents us with an... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+the+Key+to+Business+Success%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Achieving+Success+Is+Simple Lack of Critical ThinkingThis article is the second in my Growth 2009 series. We will explore the first item from the list of reasons as to why businesses fail lack of critical thinking.Critical thinking is deep pondering of an opportunity, problem, or situation whereby we devote uninterrupted time in disciplined thought focused on the subject. We utilize all the information at our disposal... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Achieving+Success+Is+Simple http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Build+Your+Business+with+Market+Research+and+Competitive+Analysis A new year presents us with an opportunity to reflect on how to improve our businesses and our lives.Since 50% of businesses fail in the first two years and 80% within five years it is good practice to occasionally ask the "Why" question to avoid the pitfalls that snare so many. Most companies fail because they run out of cash.This article is the third in a series where we will examine... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Build+Your+Business+with+Market+Research+and+Competitive+Analysis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Market+Research+and+Competitive+Analysis Last week I ran out of space and elected to complete Growth Part 3 Market Research and Competitive Analysis this week hence Part 3.1. We have been examining some of the reasons why businesses fail so that we will be alert to avoiding those pitfalls.In Part 3 of this series we are looking at the second reason why many businesses fail, which is they fail to perform the market research and competitive... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Market+Research+and+Competitive+Analysis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Confusing+Product+with+the+Business Welcome to Part 4 of my Growth 2009 series! In Part 1 of this series I listed a few of the reasons businesses fail. Ultimately most businesses fail because they run out of cash.But what are some of the prevailing reasons?Here are six of them for the purpose of being forewarned and avoiding making these mistakes ourselves:   1. Lack of critical thinking   2. No market research or competitive analysis  ... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Confusing+Product+with+the+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Refusing+to+Release+Control+to+Others%3F This is Part 5 of the Growth 2009 series: Why so many businesses fail? Here are the six common reasons:   1. Lack of critical thinking   2. No market research or competitive analysis   3. Confusing the product with the business   4. Refusing to release control to others   5. Failure to execute using acquired skills and tools   6. Failure to innovate.This Sunday I am writing about the fourth reason: refusing... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Refusing+to+Release+Control+to+Others%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Failure+to+Execute+Using+Acquired+Skills+and+Tools Remember this: It's not what you do; it's how you do it! This is Part 6 of a series of articles examining why businesses fail.Since 50% of businesses fail in the first two years and 80% within five years, it is good practice to occasionally ask the "Why" question to avoid the pitfalls that snare so many. It's not what, but how. It's not what I do that matters. It's... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Failure+to+Execute+Using+Acquired+Skills+and+Tools http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Failure+to+Innovate This is the final part of a seven part series called Growth 2009, where we examined the following reasons that contribute to business failure and how to turn those reasons into success:   1. Lack of critical thinking   2. No market research or competitive analysis   3. Confusing the product with the business   4. Refusing to release control to others   5. Failure to execute using acquired skills and... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Failure+to+Innovate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strategies+for+Managing+Cash+in+2009 Gift shops. Floorings. Builders. Furniture Retailers. Telecommunications companies. Consulting Firms. Attorneys - What do all these companies have in common? Cash. Or should I say a lack thereof. In the last two weeks I have spoken with business owners in each of these industries who are going out of business, taking dramatic action to raise cash through liquidations and refinances, or are putting... by Jim Lyon http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strategies+for+Managing+Cash+in+2009 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Areas+You+Should+Focus+On+During+This+Recession Enough has been written about the current economic situation in the United States. The reaction of business owners is across the board - some are mad, others want to know, "Where is my bailout?" Yet, many others see the opportunity that is ahead of them. I believe that as business owners we are "all in," so my question for 2009 is, "What should I be doing, NOW?"I believe there... by Todd Kent http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Areas+You+Should+Focus+On+During+This+Recession http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/El+Caso+de+Viridiana Viridiana era una chica  de esas, cuyas aspiraciones suelen estar ocultas a simple vista. Como empleada de uno de mis coachee (persona que esta siendo coacheada) y al control del Almacén, no podía pasar desapercibida ante el escudrińo de mi coaching en el Paso de Dominio, específicamente en el Dominio del Dinero.Esta chica, seguramente sin saber la responsabilidad que tenía en mano, manejaba el inventario... by Esteban De Gyves http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/El+Caso+de+Viridiana http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Top+5+Tactics+For+Thriving+In+A+Recession In past recessions, some businesses have failed while others have grown and positioned themselves for future, explosive growth. What have successful businesses done and how can you adapt those ideas to your business today? Here are 5 tactics to implement today: Be Strategic Successful businesses have a written set of plans: business goals, business strategies and marketing plans. A good marketing... by Van Smick http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Top+5+Tactics+For+Thriving+In+A+Recession http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/All+Hands+On+Sales+Deck Everyone in the business needs to sell.Imagine what would happen if instead of axing people right now, every company transferred all of the employees to a sales role - whether it had commission only or a salary as well - what difference would it make?Would the same old resistance or excuses about "my personality doesn't suit selling," still apply?Do you think your people would still complain... by Simon Johnson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/All+Hands+On+Sales+Deck http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Overresponding+Vs.+Overreacting Here's a great perspective on the powerful human dyanmic of over responding, versus overreacting. By over responding, instead of over reacting, you evolve... One of the things that make you attractive as a person is when you evolve. Of course, you can't evolve unless you change. And you can't change unless you learn to respond to your environment.Here's a vital; distinction: overresponding... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Overresponding+Vs.+Overreacting http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Lider+O+Jefe%3F Como dueńo de negocio, żCuánto tiempo dedicas a ser líder y no solo administrar? Si tu objetivo es crear un negocio en crecimiento, redituable, que pueda funcionar sin ti, un fuerte liderazgo es necesario. El autor William Arthur alguna vez escribió, "Halágame y posiblemente no te crea. Critícame y posiblemente no me agrades. Ignórame y posiblemente no te perdone. Dame valor y posiblemente... by Esteban De Gyves http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Lider+O+Jefe%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Managing+Tips This article concludes my series on financial statements and the importance of understanding the three types of statements. I used the analogy that financials are like aircraft instrumentation. For the business owner to ignore or not understand financials is similar to an airplane pilot ignoring or not understanding aircraft instrumentation.It's not a question of if, but when the business will... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Managing+Tips http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Types+of+Cash In my previous article, we discussed the importance of cash flow statements. In this fifth part of a series examining financial statements we will discuss the three types of cash. Understanding these cash types can help you, the business owner, avoid many pitfalls that sink so many businesses. Remember, the number one reason businesses fail is not because they are unprofitable; it's because they... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Types+of+Cash http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Income+Statement This is the third part of a series where we are examining financial statements. In my previous article, we looked at the Balance Sheet. Now, we will discuss the Income Statement, sometimes called a Profit and Loss (PandL) or Operations Statement.As a business owner, not understanding your financial statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement) and acquiring the skills to use them... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Income+Statement http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Balance+Sheet I have introduced the concept of comparing financial statements to flight instrumentation in the cockpit of an airplane. As business owners, it is our responsibility to assure that our business arrives safely to its destination, our vision. (Read my article in the Coach Library to learn why and how to craft a vision for your company.) We ignore this instrumentation to our peril!As I mentioned in my... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Balance+Sheet http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Introduction+to+Financials+-Where+Am+I+and+Where+Am+I+Going%3F As a business owner, you are the captain of your ship or the pilot of your plane. Are you aware of where you are and where you are going? Your family, employees, customers, suppliers, and bankers are relying upon your piloting skills.Imagine that you are walking into a commercial aircraft to fly to Denver. As you walk past the open cockpit door you see the captain standing at the entrance, leaning... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Introduction+to+Financials+-Where+Am+I+and+Where+Am+I+Going%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Cashflow+Statement Welcome to the fourth part of my series examining financial statements. We have discussed the Balance Sheet and Income Statement in my previous articles in the Coach Library. Now, let's discuss the Cashflow Statement.As a business owner, not understanding financial statements and acquiring the skills to use them effectively, is like piloting an airplane while wondering what all those instruments and... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Financial+Statements%3A+Cashflow+Statement http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Organize+Your+Home+Office+in+2009 Getting organized is one of the top five New Year's resolutions people make.  Most goals fall flat because they don't have the right tools or advice to help them develop a system that works for them.Getting organized not only clears away clutter, it reduces stress and simplifies life.  January is National GO (Get Organized) Month and a new free interactive Web site, SmeadOrganomics.com, is offering... by Kevin Weir http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Organize+Your+Home+Office+in+2009 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Action+Is+The+Key+To+Success The best leaders act first, ask questions later.While it is true that executives that act impulsively, without considering available intelligence, risk making big mistakes, it is also true that highly effective leaders believe quick action is the key to success. Here’s why:There is no answer book. Today’s leaders face an extremely fluid marketplace. Instead of pouring over old data in an effort... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Action+Is+The+Key+To+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/11+Ways+to+Strengthen+Concentration Why do we sometimes have such trouble concentrating? The ability to focus is a skill it is not innate. Here are 11 ways to strengthen concentration, even under difficult circumstances:   1. Connect emotionally to the task. Tightrope walkers and lion tamers have no trouble concentrating. That's because their lives are at stake. But it's easy for the mind to wander when it lacks passion... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/11+Ways+to+Strengthen+Concentration http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+In+Growth+Mode%3F Considering all of the doom and gloom that covered the news in 2008 and 2009 about a deep global recession, how can we make 2010 a better year which we come out of the recession? The answer is to focus on those issues which we have some control and not allowing those factors over which we have no control to derail us.A new year presents us with an opportunity to reflect on how to improve our businesses... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+In+Growth+Mode%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Create+Your+Uniqueness+in+the+Market+Place If you are a business owner, I have an interesting question for you. How would you like to sell your goods and services and name your own price? Does that even seem possible?If you don't, ask the question "How can I sell not based upon price," you will be always fighting the lowest price battle. You may say "Dave, that may work for some, but you don't realize that our industry is completely... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Create+Your+Uniqueness+in+the+Market+Place http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Confronting+Bad+Worker+Attitude+With+Results If you are a boss that relies on disciplinary memos to improve employees’ attitudes or performance you should know by now, it rarely works. Written warnings are often perceived by workers as the untold beginning of their discharge process. It’s not surprising that they are counter-productive. On the surface, the employee may appear as if he will correct the situation. Wrong. He is just playing the... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Confronting+Bad+Worker+Attitude+With+Results http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Steps+to+Keeping+Your+Clients+Longer It is a known fact that it costs six times more to gain a new customer. In such a scenario, it becomes critical to keep your customers coming back so you get repeat business - over and over again.Here are 3 Steps to Keeping Your Clients Longer:Welcome Your Customers. People are more inclined to engage with a company that makes them feel important and appreciated. Customers can tell whether you're happy... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Steps+to+Keeping+Your+Clients+Longer http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Coaching+Can+Rescue+Small+Businesses A significant decline in economic activity, which usually spreads across all levels of the economy is called a recession, a phenomena that ever so often occurs throughout history, and has currently resurfaced. Indeed, the global economy is facing another downturn, affecting companies of all sorts, including real estate firms, financial institutes, service providers, the retail and entertainment industry... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Coaching+Can+Rescue+Small+Businesses http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Using+Your+Strengths+To+Ride+This+Recession%3F It is the nature of economics that there will be boom and bust cycles, and certainly small businesses are aware of the changing demands that are impacting our current economic climate. Yes, business owners are aware that there is less certainty and that they will have to work harder in order to maintain cash flow coming into their business. It is important to note, however, as we have moved into a... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Using+Your+Strengths+To+Ride+This+Recession%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Online+Marketing+and+New+Markets If you were to take a guess at what country has the highest number of Internet users, would you be surprised to know that it is China, with only 19% of the country using the Internet. One of the things to do is watch not only what the current trends are with online marketing, but also what the future holds. By keeping an eye on the top websites throughout the world, (which you can view on the Alexa... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Online+Marketing+and+New+Markets http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mind+Over+Matter If you desire something in life, positive thinking can bring great results. This is something you can practice and - over time reap the benefits and see positive results. It truly is is "mind" over "matter."To attain what you desire, follow the following steps: Idealization: Begin expanding your mind with possibilities. Decide upon your ideal life and how you want it to be, whether is it being a... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mind+Over+Matter http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+a+Fortune+in+Your+Business In order to move your company forward, it is critical that you start delegating routine tasks to wage earners so you can start focusing on the top-line activities that will drive revenues and add to the overall growth of your company.If you delegate without proper planning or a system, the entire process becomes self-defeating. Delegation turns into abdication.So where and how do you begin this process?... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+a+Fortune+in+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Make+Your+Business+Work+For+You+In+This+Economy To help them focus on the 1991 election, Bill Clinton's campaign manager picked four words to help them direct their efforts and ultimately win the election- "It's the economy, stupid, here we are again. During trying economic times, what are some of the things you need to do in order to ensure you continue to prosper? Here are a few things to keep in mind: Credit Markets:... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Make+Your+Business+Work+For+You+In+This+Economy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Preparing+For+the+Spring+by+Managing+the+Winter I believe we are in the middle of economic winter with spring on its way. Winter calls for some specific activities to ensure your business will be ready to handle the spring. The first thing you need to do is prune. Pruning gets rid of unhealthy branches and ensures that there will be room for new growth when spring comes. From a business perspective, pruning includes: pruning includes:... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Preparing+For+the+Spring+by+Managing+the+Winter http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Common+Mistakes+Entrepreneurs+Make People often make mistakes when starting a new business.Here are a list of some of the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when they start their business. 1. Relying on a Big Customer:If you depend upon a single customer for more than 50 percent of a company's revenues, your company may be headed for a meltdown. It may be easier to manage a small number of big customers, but relying on a small number... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Common+Mistakes+Entrepreneurs+Make http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Signs+You+Are+Getting+in+the+Way 7 Signs you are getting in the way:1. You are following your agenda rather than theirs. Take their lead, if answers to your questions go in another direction, follow it.2. You are getting objections. Objections mean you didn't let them bring up an important point during the conversation, or you didn't listen when they tried to get more details about an area.3. You are talking people OUT of buying.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Signs+You+Are+Getting+in+the+Way http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Do+You+Grow+Your+Business+Through+Franchising%3F One of the most successful ways to grow your franchise is to commit to just that: "FRANCHISING"We start off as students. The best become professors.The culture of most of the top franchise companies is that everyone in the organization is a FRANCHISEE. The CEO is a franchisee of the board; the executive team is made up of the CEO's franchisees. The Master Franchisee's are franchisees of the CEO and... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Do+You+Grow+Your+Business+Through+Franchising%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Understand+the+Purpose+of+Marketing+for+Your+Service-Based+Business%3F If your small business is service-oriented, knowledge is your product. This becomes your value proposition and you can use it to stand apart from the crowd. The better you market your expertise, the better you’ll grow your business.Here's how you can Position Yourself as an ExpertThe Web 2.0 world provides great examples of selling a service-based business. Here’s a quick list: Blogging. Starting... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Understand+the+Purpose+of+Marketing+for+Your+Service-Based+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strategic+Alliances+Are+Built+Around+Trust "Trust creates the flow and gentles the mind-body-spirit. When I trust myself, I am able to enter fully into the process of discovering and creating who I am. When I trust my own inner processes, I am able to become what I am meant to become. When I trust you, I am able to allow you in. And when I trust the processes of living, I am able to join others in the life journey." - Jack R. Gibb, from TRUST... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strategic+Alliances+Are+Built+Around+Trust http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Pushing+Through+the+Perturbation What do you do when you have done your best and the results are still not evident?  There is a powerful presupposition of NLP that states that there is no failure, only feedback.  We all have the ability to retain all of our learnings from our experiences as we enact and become more and more flexible in our behaviours. What is required is to become more creative, curious and strategize massive action... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Pushing+Through+the+Perturbation http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+a+Permission-Based+Email+Campaign%3F Permission Email Marketing:The most paramount and lucrative method you can utilize in Email Marketing is to create and maintain long lasting individual one-on-one relationships with your prospective and current clients. These personal relationships are the solution to the long-term profitability to your current lead base.Effective Email Marketing has two basic premises1. Permission         ... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+a+Permission-Based+Email+Campaign%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+You+Feel+The+Fear+But+Do+It+Anyway%3F Why would you "FEEL THE FEAR, AND DO IT ANYWAY" ... ?Simple: fear is a part of every success.Some people fear asking for help, some fear making money, some fear success and others fear failure.I used to feel that I was weak if I asked for help.It was probably all that military training, but I like being independent and taking care of everything myself.It's important to know that, when you have a large... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+You+Feel+The+Fear+But+Do+It+Anyway%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Four+Critical+Customer+Facts Customer Fact 1An average company loses 50% of its customers every 5 years. The other fact that goes with that one is that the cost of replacing them can typically be 6-7 times more expensive! And what this really means is that you get a whopping 600% to 700% bigger bang for your buck by investing in retaining and marketing to your existing customers than to acquiring new customers.Question - How much... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Four+Critical+Customer+Facts http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+Web+Stats%3F What are some of the common website statistics?To name just a few:   1. Location of your visitors   2. Length of time on your site.   3. What screen resolution they use   4. How many unique hits you have daily   5. Returning visitors for your websiteAnalyzing these stats can be a powerful way to increase your visitors and increase your conversion ratios from your leads.For example, by monitoring... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+Web+Stats%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspire+People Take it from Jim Rohn: Everyday people are improving their lives and businesses. Whether you do or not doesn't matter to those who do. They are going to do it, regardless. It is simply a matter of a decision being made. Let that person be you!COMMIT TO: Self improvement. Are you going to get stronger, or stay the same? No matter what you have achieved, you are where you are right now. What you... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspire+People http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Top+10+Ways+to+Orient+Yourself+Around+Your+Values The definition of 'values': 'Those qualities of behavior, thought, and character that society regards as being intrinsically good, having desirable results, and worthy of emulation by others.'Picture the Identity Iceberg... The deepest, core aspects of you achieving your results are environment, identity, and VALUES.Isn't it interesting that the stronger your values appear to be, the more valuable... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Top+10+Ways+to+Orient+Yourself+Around+Your+Values http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Giving+Thanks+for+Your+Gift There are times when you know -without a doubt- you have been placed on this earth for a reason. If you've ever wandered around aimlessly contemplating your purpose and not finding a satisfactory answer, chances are your calling has now made itself loud and clear.You are a business owner. This is your gift. You're not just thinking about it. You're not just playing at it. You're not just preparing... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Giving+Thanks+for+Your+Gift http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mindset+Budget Mindset BudgetOne of the key concepts for small business owners to adopt is to "Pay Themselves First" - What this means is that they should allow for their own Salary / Drawings / Dividend as part of their business planning. It also means that they stop subsidizing their business by being the last person to actually take money out of the business.So when you put budgets and targets together, you should... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mindset+Budget http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Working+Smart+or+Working+Hard%3F So what IS "smart work" anyway (besides a trendy buzzword)?It's leverage.Leverage your time, your team, and your money to empower you to do work more effectively.Examples include: Hire a PA when you can afford to pay half of their salary. Learn about Virtual Assistants at www.teamdoubleclick.com. Leverage the money to pay half a PA's salary by aligning with other coaches, and pool funds. Schedule... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Working+Smart+or+Working+Hard%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Using+the+Holidays+to+Network%3F As the holiday period is upon us, many of you are wondering if this is a good time to market your business. After all, isn't everyone preoccupied with shopping and waiting until next year to make business decisions?They may make their decisions next year, but NOW is a great time to market and to network. Let's put one myth to rest forever: "The holiday season is a bad time to market your business."... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Using+the+Holidays+to+Network%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+on+Setting+and+Achieving+Goals+in+the+New+Year Write your goals down. There is something about the act of putting these goals on paper that increases the chances of attaining them. Digest them in small pieces. It is easier to digest goals when they are in bit-size pieces. So break them down into smaller goals and tasks. Give yourself a deadline. Without a deadline, you cannot measure your goals and they lose meaning. Post your goals.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+on+Setting+and+Achieving+Goals+in+the+New+Year http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Afraid+of+Change%3F    For those owners that may be contemplating the future of their less-than-spectacular companies, here are some  alternatives for consideration:Sell OutThe owner can try to get a fair price for the business and go to work for someone else.  Be advised that “less than spectacular” does not translate well to market value.DownsizeBy cutting back operations, the owner’s workload will decrease... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Afraid+of+Change%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Tips+For+Differentiating+Your+Company If you are a small-to-medium sized business wanting to differentiate your company from competitors, here are a few tips to consider:Know the EnemyYou must know the competition.  Collect and compare their marketing documents, including advertisements, web pages, white papers, and sales brochures.  Identify their main marketing messages and note similarities and overlap between vendors.  Analyze product... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Tips+For+Differentiating+Your+Company http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+for+Writing+an+Effective+Press+Release Write the headline. The headline should be brief and to the point. Generally, news release headlines should show an "announcement"-type style in order to attract readers, i.e., journalists. It may describe the latest achievement of an organization, a recent newsworthy event, a new product or service. Headlines are written in bold and are larger than the press release text. Conventional press release... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+for+Writing+an+Effective+Press+Release http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+11+Rules+of+Social+Media+Etiquette Social media, as the name suggests is a social medium and calls for some etiquette and codes of conduct. Just because, you are in a virtual world and no one can see you does not mean that you stop behaving in a proper manner. Following proper social media etiquette is a key to achieving online success. Here are 10 rules you should follow: Give More than You Receive- If you are using the social media... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+11+Rules+of+Social+Media+Etiquette http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+A+Disaster-Response+Plan%3F Recent floods in the Midwest and hurricanes as well as tropical storms in Texas and Florida have cost people millions of dollars in damage. The recurrence of these events and the vulnerability people face during these natural disasters serve as reminders for businesses to have a disaster-response plan in place.Business owners cannot just rely on government aid and have to take responsibility to prepare... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+A+Disaster-Response+Plan%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Listo+Para+El+2011%3F Obtener los mejores resultados que queremos-ya sea en nuestras vidas o en nuestras empresas-es el tópico que llena  bibliotecas y salones de conferencias. żCuántas metas de las que te pusiste este ańo  has logrado hasta ahora? żCuántos sueńos incumplidos  se ocultan en los confines de tu mente? żCómo te está funcionando todo esto? La  incapacidad para producir resultados se complica aún más cuando... by Esteban De Gyves http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Listo+Para+El+2011%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Tactics+To+Survive+This+Recession The stock market is down, banks are failing, and people are running scared. The prudent business owner should be cutting costs and scaling back operations, right? Wrong!Here are five tactics that companies need to execute to survive a recession.1. Keep Selling, Only HarderA company doesn't need to sell harder during times of economic boom. On the other hand, during an economic slowdown, customers... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Tactics+To+Survive+This+Recession http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Marketing+Strategies+to+Distinguish+Yourself+From+the+Competition by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Marketing+Strategies+to+Distinguish+Yourself+From+the+Competition http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Components+of+Delegating+Work+Effectively The owners of small and medium sized companies often tend to wear every hat possible. While this might have been necessary at the start-up level of operations, many owners find it increasingly difficult to let go as the company grows and end up overwhelmed and distracted by a tremendous workload. They end up working increasingly long hours without the commensurate returns.  While small-to-medium sized... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Components+of+Delegating+Work+Effectively http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Handle+a+High+Performer High performance employees - employees that exceed expectations in a consistent manner are the ones that make a huge difference in the overall success of a company. This combination of talent, skills, enthusiasm, passion, ability and ambition can benefit the company immensely - however, it is these same traits that can lead to much turmoil and conflict within the organization. A high performer can... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Handle+a+High+Performer http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Aspects+of+a+Solid+Communication+Plan A good communication model will ensure that every team member has the same vision, is focused on the same goals, and has the same plan of execution. Here are ten aspects of a solid communication plan: Document and communicate the goals and strategy in simple words.  Repeat that message over and over again.   Clearly define the individual responsibilities needed for implementing and executing... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Aspects+of+a+Solid+Communication+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Hone+Your+Selling+skills In order to build long-term customers, salespeople must establish strong personal relationships with the clientsâandeuro;andtrade; decision makers and influencers.  Here are six most common areas that need improvement in a sales team:Listening skills: Listening is the most important skill a salesperson can have. Good listening skills help the salesperson understand and identify what the customer wants... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Hone+Your+Selling+skills http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Success+On+Purpose+Or+On+Accident%3F Think of it as a modern version of Natural Selection.  The challenging economy will assist those businesses that are underperforming to go out of business (just like the dinosaurs years ago).Why will the economy accelerate the end of a business?  Most likely, because the business was realizing success on accident.Think of the web companies in the late 90’s—whether they were good or not they made... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Success+On+Purpose+Or+On+Accident%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Control+Interno+En+Tiempo+De+Crisis En épocas de crisis los negocios demuestran sus verdaderas competencias. Una recesión económica, es vista por la mayoría de las empresas como situación de alto riesgo, que se asocia con reducción en ventas, liquidez, inversión, despidos y eventualmente quiebras. Las capacidades de las empresas se ven vulneradas.Son contadas las empresas que reciben a estos tiempos como la gran oportunidad de medir... by Esteban De Gyves http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Control+Interno+En+Tiempo+De+Crisis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Your+Relationship+With+Time%3F At ActionCOACH, we like to say that time is your most valuable asset. After all, as a wise man once told me, you can always make more money, but when your time is spent, its gone forever…….So, how do you think about time? Can you really manage it or does it manage you? Why is it that some people seem to get so much done and others just spin their wheels accomplishing little or nothing in the course... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Your+Relationship+With+Time%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+A+Train+Wreck+Waiting+To+Happen Life is more complex than it has ever been, with increasing interruptions and demands on our time. As a business coach I see many business owners literally drowning under all these demands, their life and business is operating in chaos mode, each day is spent fighting "bush fires" and they are highly stressed, running on adrenaline to get them through most days.If this sounds like you,... by David Bush http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+A+Train+Wreck+Waiting+To+Happen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Get+Online+PR+To+Work+For+You If you think public relations is a double-spaced document intended to sit on a reporter’s desk, you need to think again!The internet has changed the way PR professionals all over the world look at Public Relations.Traditionally, press releases were created and distributed to a wide list consisting of editors and journalists – in the hope that they would carry the story in their respective publication(s).... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Get+Online+PR+To+Work+For+You http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+10+Best+Resolutions+You+Can+Make+In+2010 Is it that time of the year when you start thinking about your New Years' resolutions? Here's a list of 10 great resolutions - which, if followed - will make 2010 your best year ever: Resolve to stay brutally optimistic. See the opportunity in every difficulty and anticipate the most favorable outcome out of every situation. Whatever you look for, that's what you'll find. We can get better or... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+10+Best+Resolutions+You+Can+Make+In+2010 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Targeted+Marketing%3A+Shooting+With+A+Laser+Beam First, it's vitally important to understand the meaning of "targeted marketing". From my experience, most business owners who have learned about this still don't really understand it well enough. When I talk about "targeted marketing" I mean marketing with a laser beam rather than a shot gun. Imagine there is a shooting target with the red rings and the bullseye 50 feet away from you. Some people would... by Jon OMalley http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Targeted+Marketing%3A+Shooting+With+A+Laser+Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+3+Necessary+Ingredients+To+Ride+The+Recession In this current business climate when our economy is apparently shrinking slightly, there are three things that will help you as a business owner weather this storm. They are: Keeping a healthy, positive mindset. Who is the most important person in any company? Most people understand that the leader of any group is the most important figure to that organization. And what is the one thing about... by Jon OMalley http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+3+Necessary+Ingredients+To+Ride+The+Recession http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Hardwork+Is+the+Key+to+Success What’s the key to success as a coach and/or a business owner? It’s simple: Hard Work. Here’s why... Massive activity bridges the gap between fear and confidence. And we all know that confidence is the key to being a great coach. Fear is something with which we’re all faced. So plow through your fear by taking massive action, and driving past the fear. While we’re at it, let’s address... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Hardwork+Is+the+Key+to+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Look+Outside+Your+Business+In+This+Economy A friend of mine recently relayed an experience he had at a leads group meeting. Forty- three business people attended and were asked how many had experienced effects of the economic slowdown. All but about five people raised their hands. Then the question was asked, "How many of you have sought assistance for your business or yourself to offset the effects of this slowdown?" Three people raised their... by Ross Cox http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Look+Outside+Your+Business+In+This+Economy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Importance+of+Setting+Goals+For+Your+Business Over the years a number of surveys have exhaustingly shown and proven that businesses that plan are much more likely to thrive in the business world compared to the businesses that have no plan, or only have a plan held in the business owners or managers head.These same surveys have also shown that these businesses continue to thrive well – even in times of economic uncertainty. And yet – a number... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Importance+of+Setting+Goals+For+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Economic+Crisis%3A+Small+Business+To+The+Rescue "Enough with all the blame. There's plenty to go around. From Wall Street to Washington, from greed to no oversightandmdash;a lot of factors helped create the 700 billion-pound gorilla in the economy that is sitting right on Main Street, probably right on top of your business."Wall Street and Washington are attempting to mop up this historic mess. And, as they do, it will be the small-business-owning,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Economic+Crisis%3A+Small+Business+To+The+Rescue http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Write+Effective+Web+Copy There is a certain way of writing articles for the Internet.For instance, to really grab your attention, I should write like this: Short sentence fragments A well-thought out heading Occasional use of bold to prevent skimming- (please don't overuse) Bullet points Explanatory subheads No puns Did I mention lists? Here are 12 tips on writing effective web copy: Write in bite-sized... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Write+Effective+Web+Copy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Email+Marketing+Rules+ROI It is a known fact that email marketing is cheaper than traditional direct mail, but did you know that it also beats most other online marketing methods as far as cost-advantages are concerned? A February/March 2008 retailer survey by shop.org revealed that email marketing has the second lowest cost per order (CPO) of any online marketing tactic. Here are the top 5 reasons email marketing will... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Email+Marketing+Rules+ROI http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Coaching+in+a+Downturn+-+Business+Coaching+Keys+to+Success+in+a+Slowdown While the U.S. economy may not officially be in a recession, most business owners and their customers certainly believe it is - and many are acting accordingly by tightening budgets and cutting back on purchases.However, a business slowdown presents unique opportunities for small business owners, in addition to increased challenges. As more businesses are turning to business coaching as an alternative... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Coaching+in+a+Downturn+-+Business+Coaching+Keys+to+Success+in+a+Slowdown http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/ActionCOACH+Helps+Business+Owners+See+Marketing+Spending+as+an+Investment It may sound like a cynical sales pitch from your ad agency that the worst time to cut a marketing budget is when business is slow. Yet time and again, the first budget cut in any downturn is marketing.As the world's number one business coaching firm, ActionCOACH takes the perspective that marketing is an investment - rather than the conventional view that it is an expense. During the recent slowdown,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/ActionCOACH+Helps+Business+Owners+See+Marketing+Spending+as+an+Investment http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+tips+para+retener+a+tus+clientes+actuales De acuerdo con la revista de Negocios de Harvard, el 67% de los clientes que escogen un nuevo proveedor: Estaban satisfechos con su proveedor anterior!! En promedio, la mayora de los negocios en Mexico pierden lamitad de sus clientes base cada 5 anos. Entonces porque los clientes satisfechos simplemente dejan de hacer negocios contigo?Las estadesticas nos dicen que el hacer clientes nuevos nos cuesta... by Esteban De Gyvs http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+tips+para+retener+a+tus+clientes+actuales http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Recession+Is+a+Great+Time+to+Plant+The+Seeds+of+Growth Great wealth can spring from economic downturns. With proper planning, true entrepreneurs can prosper during slowdowns.A down cycle offers opportunities to gain market share over the competition. It's a great time to buy up poorly managed competitors.If business cycles were seasons, we would be in a severe winter. And as farmers know, winters are for enduring, and for planning for spring. In spring,... by Steve Goranson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Recession+Is+a+Great+Time+to+Plant+The+Seeds+of+Growth http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Crisis+U+Oportunidad%3F Cuando me invitaron a escribir este artĂ­culo sabĂ­a que uno de los temas obligados era la crisis financiera mundial y su efecto en las Pymes. Mi idea era transmitir a los empresarios que este momento de tensiĂłn mundial deberĂ­amos verlo mĂĄs como una serie de oportunidades para crecer y desarrollar nuestros negocios que como una crisis en si. Pero cĂłmo hacerlo en medio de tantos comentarios de “expertos”... by Esteban De Gyves http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Crisis+U+Oportunidad%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keeping+the+Cash+Flowing+in+a+Down+Economy It seems like I can't watch, listen to or read the news right now without being surrounded by doomsday forecasts about the economy and fear about how the world markets will respond. At the local level, we see the foreclosure rates, we listen to colleagues who are worried about their investments, and we see businesses fold.Let's put this into perspective though.The US economy goes through... by Susan Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keeping+the+Cash+Flowing+in+a+Down+Economy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keep+Them+Coming+Back+For+More We all know the economy is slow, and it doesn't seem like it is going to improve in the near future. When you hear this what should you do, fold up shop or take action? I say grab your current data base and let them know you care, they need you and you want/need them. Folding up shop is not an option, nor is additional cash outlays on new lead generating tactics. So use your raving fans as a way to... by Todd Kent http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keep+Them+Coming+Back+For+More http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+ABCs+of+Firing+Your+Customers%21 Remember when we used to charge home from school and proudly show mom and dad our report card. Grinning from ear to ear you would wait to hear their excitement over the A's and B's. Think of the sense of accomplishment and pride. Do you apply the same report card to your business? Could you hold up your book of accounts and be proud of the A's and B's or would we find a large number of C's, D's and... by Todd Kent http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+ABCs+of+Firing+Your+Customers%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Escribe+Auncios+Que+Vendan Las preguntas de partida para hacer anuncios efectivos son: quien?, que?, donde?, porque?, y cómo?. En esta ocasión nos estaremos enfocando en la pregunta: que?El mayor tiempo y esfuerzo que se dedique a contestar esta pregunta, así como las demás, mayor y mejor respuesta se obtendrá. Podría apostar que nadie mas que ustedes saben las cosas únicas de lo que la gente compra de su negocio. Déjenme explicar... by Esteban De Gyv's http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Escribe+Auncios+Que+Vendan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Sobre+La+Crisis No pretendamos que las cosas cambien si seguimos haciendo lo mismo.La crisis es la mejor bendición que puede sucederle a personas y países porque la crisis trae progresos. La creatividad nace de la angustia como el día nace de la noche oscura.Es en la crisis que nace la inventiva, los descubrimientos y las grandes estrategias. Quien supera la crisis se supera a sí mismo sin quedar 'superado'.Quien... by Esteban De Gyv's http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Sobre+La+Crisis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+TeamRICH ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars believes one of the fastest ways to grow profits in any business is to get everyone working towards a common goal as acommitted team.That is what ActionCOACH's TeamRICH is designed to do. In fact, after attending a TeamRICH workshop, you'll never refer to your 'team' as your 'staff' again.Why?A staff requires constant supervision because they aren't committed... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+TeamRICH http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+PhoneRICH Is your phone a powerful sales tool? Is it a nuisance or a license to get more business?That is the premise of the PhoneRICH seminar - which looks at how you use and work your phones at every point of customer contact in your business.The PhoneRICH seminar goes beyond standard "telemarketing," or phone sales. Beyond  telemarketing, the list of how a business uses the phone in their operations is endless.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+PhoneRICH http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/SalesRICH Do you and your team ask the right questions when you're selling?Do you even know what those questions are?Taking a new approach to sales- or establishing the correct approach- can make all the difference in a business that grows and one that struggles along. Unlike other sales training workshops, the ActionCOACH 1-Day SalesRICH workshop is designed to re-orient even "non-sales" people to the strategies... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/SalesRICH http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+an+Executive+Would+Hire+an+Executive+Coach Why an Executive Would Hire an Executive Coach The fact is, you are probably already good at your job. If you had to think back on your executive track record, you would probably remember the many accomplishments that you have had over your career. However, you may also remember the times that you or part of your executive team could have done better, if only you had more knowledge to make better decision.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+an+Executive+Would+Hire+an+Executive+Coach http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+the+Difference+between+an+Executive+Coach+and+a+Business+Coach%3F Executive coaching overlaps with, yet differs from, business coaching. Both disciplines focus on getting results in organizations, recruiting and developing talent, building teams, and achieving extraordinary results.    However, the business coaching client primarily needs to create a viable business that run without him or her. The owner probably runs a simpler operation with fewer resources... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+the+Difference+between+an+Executive+Coach+and+a+Business+Coach%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Executive+Coaching%3F Executive coaching is a one-on-one session between a coach and an executive. The aim of executive coaching is to e helps enhance individuals as well as organizations by providing content, processes anhance the on-the-job performance of the executive. Executive coaching alsond attitudes to help leaders improve and sustain results.    Executive leaders are highly effective people in positions with... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Executive+Coaching%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Principios+De+Liderazgo żQue es lo que hace a una persona seguir un líder? La gente quiere ser guiada por alguien a quien respeten y que tenga un sentido claro de ubicación. Para ganar respeto, debe de ser ético. Un sentido de ubicación se consigue mediante una fuerte visión del futuro. Las tres claves más importantes del liderazgo:Estudios han demostrado que la confianza es el sentimiento más importante para los empleados... by Esteban De Gyv's http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Principios+De+Liderazgo http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Six+Ways+to+Work+Through+a+Business+Slowdown What ever the reason, when running any kind of business it's inevitable that sometimes business will slow down.  As a small business owner you have a choice about how you react to it. It can be a time of high stress, worry and fear or you can view it as an opportunity. Many times our reaction is to stop a lot of things we have been doing and hunker down waiting for the business to come back. Instead... by Rich Phillips http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Six+Ways+to+Work+Through+a+Business+Slowdown http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+It+Worth+It%3F Does your goal seem at times too far away?    Does it feel like it's going to take ages to get there?    Well, my question is: Is it really worthwhile to you?    You know, there are a lot of books out there about dream building and goal making. And it's interesting to see people (including myself at first) come up with pretty much the same dreams... the car, the house, the stack of money, the... by Cynthia Wihardja http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+It+Worth+It%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Antidote+For+Rejection If I could sum up the antidote for rejection in one word, it would be ALTERNATIVES.No, it's not positive thinking or optimism.... just ALTERNATIVES. Think about all the times you've felt rejected. It feels bad, but how bad does it really feel when you know you've got other alternatives to go after?How bad would you feel if you got turned down for a date and you only had one name in your telephone book?... by Cynthia Wihardja http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Antidote+For+Rejection http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/So+What+Is+Good+About+You%3F Enough about your weaknesses... what's good about you?   Enough about your mistakes... what's good about you?   Enough about your failures... what's good about you?   Enough about how much you need to improve... what's good about you?   Energy flows where attention goes. Where are you focusing your attention? Your imperfections, or your talents? Your challenges or your strengths? Your threats... by Cynthia Wihardja http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/So+What+Is+Good+About+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Find+Opportunity+In+A+Crisis%21 With the media's focus on the troubled times, many business owners and professionals become paralyzed. They embrace a do nothing strategy because they aren't sure how to proceed. These are the companies that will lose their sales and customers. They may not even be around when the economy turns around.   Here are 5 simple tips that will help your business thrive now:   Trim the fat-This is an... by Judy Freeman http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Find+Opportunity+In+A+Crisis%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Prepare+For+Your+Glory What's the price of a dream? Money? Time? Commitment? Hard work? Brain work? Perseverance? Persistence? Rejection? Failure? Standing up for what you believe in? Delayed gratification? Long hours?Are you ready to pay it up front with no money back guarantee? The price of a dream is paid up front in full. No down payments, no credit terms. PAID IN FULL NOW!It's paid not only with your mind and body,... by Cynthia Wihardja http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Prepare+For+Your+Glory http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Planning As many of you know, Business Coaches like to ask a lot of questions. So as we approach the title of this month's article for Keys to Business Success, I will be asking some questions for you to think about.What determines the success or failure of a business? How many of you believe that the reason that the businesses in our community are closing is because of the economy? How many of those businesses... by Barb Kyes http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Planning http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/De+6+Meses żRecuerdas los 6 pasos para que tu negocio funcione sin ti? żcómo vas? żya estás en la etapa de nicho?Lamentablemente, el 80% de los dueńos de negocios que como tú, tuvimos una entrevista individual o nos conocimos en el seminario, después de 3 meses siguen igual... y que decir si hay una situacion dificil como la que viene?Eso no es lo más triste...Luego de 6 meses su negocio sigue igual o peor... by Esteban De Gyves http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/De+6+Meses http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dream+Teams+Do+Not+Just+Happen When it comes to business, profit is important, but cash is king!  The same analogy can be made when it comes to your team – hiring well is important, but retention is king. The cost of hiring, training and the temporary loss in productivity represents thousands of dollars for most businesses.  The return on this investment depends on two things – how long employees stay and how much they contribute... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dream+Teams+Do+Not+Just+Happen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+500-Year+Old+Lesson+By+Machiavelli+Resonates+Today A sober lesson Machiavelli offers us today..."It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more uncertain of success nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new order of things. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution, and merely lukewarm defenders in those who would gain by the new ones." "The... by Keith Roberts http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+500-Year+Old+Lesson+By+Machiavelli+Resonates+Today http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+A+Plan+For+Success%3F While a business plan has its purposes (bank financing among them), a concise action-oriented plan will serve most business owner's needs. It’s for your use - your road map to success. Don’t strive for perfection. Lay out your goals and strategies (actions) along with time-frames for completion. Don't forget to incorporate ownership for critical tasks and measurements to evaluate success.When it... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+A+Plan+For+Success%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+ServiceRICH True business growth comes from a stable customer base. Yet most businesses don’t have systems in place to make sure current customers come back time and time again. Customer service – and customer service delivery – is the focus of the ActionCOACH 1-day ServiceRICH workshop.“Most businesses don’t realize it, but the average customer only becomes profitable after buying from the business... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+ServiceRICH http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+BusinessRICH The first “rung” of the SeminarCLUB ladder is BusinessRICH, a two-day workshop designed to give business owners a wealth of business growth strategies in an action-packed and highly-focused event. Introducing business owners to many of the ActionCOACH systems for the first time,  BusinessRICH offers insight to strategies that help owners start running their businesses for the first time - instead... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+BusinessRICH http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+SeminarCLUB What makes a great seminar or workshop worthwhile for a busy business owner?“The great thing about SeminarCLUB is that it works on so many different levels,” ActionCOACH Scott Biggs says. “Ifthe owner feels he or she can’t take time away from the company, we can run a workshop as an in-house trainingevent.” “Or, if the owner wants to get away from the company and into a vibrant and unique... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Clubs+for+Growth%3A+SeminarCLUB http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Rules+of+the+Game If you've decided to take the step of actually working with a Business Coach, there are a few guidelines that will help get the most out of your coaching program."Whenever clients start working with me, I tell them the same thing," ActionCOACH John Layzell says. "First, be prepared to keep an open mind. Second, be prepared to make decisions. Third, be prepared to do things you may never have done before.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Rules+of+the+Game http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/There+Is+A+Turn+Every+Step+of+the+Way Suppose you called your business tomorrow morning and said, "Hi. I've got a really amazing opportunity that has just come up and it will take me out of the country for six months. It’s going to difficult to keep in touch during that time.  So, keep up the good work and I’ll see you when I get back.”Could you leave your business in the care of your team for six months and know it will be performing... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/There+Is+A+Turn+Every+Step+of+the+Way http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Can+Business+Learn+From+Sports%3F The ActionCOACH approach to business development is full of systems, standards and key performance indicators (also known as KPI’s).  Interestingly, coaching success in a range of sports follows the “systematic” approach –with winning results.What can business learn from sports?  ActionCOACH focuses on systemizing people and education, delivery and distribution, testing and measuring, as... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Can+Business+Learn+From+Sports%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Operate+Your+Business+With+a+Competitive+Edge A winning sports team would never take the field or enter the arena without a game plan in place.Likewise, a business that runs onto its own playing field without a business plan operates at a significant competitive disadvantage, especially compared to rivals that do.  For business owners, that's where the ActionCOACH GrowthCLUB can make a huge difference in just one day for any kind of company. Not... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Operate+Your+Business+With+a+Competitive+Edge http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Raving+Fans+Game+Plan Much has been written in recent years about the WOW factor, that unique aspect of certain businesses with service that overwhelmingly surprises customers by continually exceeding their expectations.How the ActionCOACH Ladder of Loyalty moves Prospects to Raving Fans A Raving FansGame Plan So how is WOW achieved?Like most winning strategies, it begins with fundamentals, and progresses toward service... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Raving+Fans+Game+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Questions+to+ask+your+prospective+Business+Coach+... As s the business coaching industry grows, so do the number of people in the market who call themselves “Business Coaches.” Since ActionCOACH was started in 1993, no fewer than 10 national and international competitors have started business coaching companies. All have failed. Currently, ActionCOACH outpaces its nearest competitor by more than 10-to-1.In fact, the greatest competition faced by... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Questions+to+ask+your+prospective+Business+Coach+... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Build+A+Game+Plan Building a Winning Game PlanTogether, focus on the each area helps move the business and its owner from a chaotic environment to one that is systemized, routine-based and controlled. Only then can an owner truly unlock and leverage the assets and resources that are available in the marketplace. “Most business owners don’t realize the gold mine they have in their business,” Shea says. “Small... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Build+A+Game+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Delivery+Mastery%3F Delivery masteryConsistency is at the heart of building a great service reputation. Today’s large companies – which were once small businesses – all realized that at some point in their early development.Delivery Mastery focuses on the factors that lead to service consistency from supply to actual delivery to service after-sale.“When we look at Delivery Mastery, we’re asking a few key questions,”... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Delivery+Mastery%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Time+Mastery%3F Time masteryDuring the 1990's, media attention was focused on the idea of productivity mainly because business owners and policy makers realized the benefits that had been gained over the preceding decade as a result of automation, computer technology and ITinfrastructure.The goal of Time Mastery from the ActionCOACH perspective is to leverage both an owner's effort and employee effort... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Time+Mastery%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Lemon+Tree The Lemon Tree is a bistro-style restaurant that features a stunning Roman Cavern dining room, set in part of Colchester's ancient town wall. I've been in the restaurant business for eleven years, starting out as a chef, doing the usual kitchen tasks, including the washing up. I now own The Lemon Tree with my wife, Joanna, and we've won several awards, including Customer Service Award... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Lemon+Tree http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Does+It+Take+To+Be+A+Great+Coach%3F Of course, we all know that the precessional path of getting to your goal of HAVING a successful coaching business, and achieving your goals (whatever they may be), is to BE a great coach. If the words “precession law” raise confusion in your mind, make it a point to type “Law of Precession” into your favorite web browser, and refresh your memory. Here are some highlights: Confidence.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Does+It+Take+To+Be+A+Great+Coach%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Seven+Strengths+of+Successful+Managers While there is no substitute for experience when evaluating potential managers, recruiters should also consider other traits, according to ActionCOACH Marketing Director Jodie Shaw.  Her company actively surveys it’s 2,000 Business Coaches, who are uniquely qualified to speak for the owners of small-to-medium sized businesses that constitute their client base.  From their own experiences as entrepreneurs... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Seven+Strengths+of+Successful+Managers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Secret+to+Communicating+with+Every+Employee As a small-to-medium sized company grows, it becomes harder to effectively communicate across the organization.  Whether within or between departments, communications must be optimized for organizations to execute at their peak.  The key, according to ActionCOACH Marketing Director Jodie Shaw, is to recognize each employee’s preferred style of information exchange.“Modern personality assessment... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Secret+to+Communicating+with+Every+Employee http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+ActionCOACH+Helped+Aspire Craig Turnbull started Aspire five years ago after recognizing a need in the market for innovative financial services by world-class wealth coaching. Craig’s partner, Michelle Carden recognized they should take on an ActionCOACH. Craig and Michelle wanted to overcome their challenges, move forward and expand their business.“Before having an ActionCOACH it was just the two of us working in the... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+ActionCOACH+Helped+Aspire http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keeping+Score+In+Business The job of an ActionCOACH is to coach business owners from chaos to control, with the ultimate objective of creating a commercial, profitable enterprise that works without them.To do this, it generally requires a lot of hard work, the ability to initiate and sustain change and an attitude and desire to create a business, which will help owners reach their goals and dreams that they had when they first... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keeping+Score+In+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Build+A+Winning+Team Selecting the right people is just the beginning of building a successful team for your business. However, you cannot simply expect your team alone will transform your business and take it to its next level of performance. It is equally important to have the following six elements in place:1. Strong leadership: Tom Landry, the former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, said, “Leadership is a matter of having... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Build+A+Winning+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Will+Fill+My+Calendar%3F 20 percent of a business owner’s priorities will give him 80 percent of his production, if he spends his time, energy,money and personnel on the top 20 percent of his priorities. When a business owner does this, he can get a 400 percent or fourfold return in productivity.Every business person needs to understand the Pareto Principle as it applies to the areas of customers, team and leadership. In... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Will+Fill+My+Calendar%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Clock+Is+Ticking There are two things business people find very challenging: thinking ahead and doing things in order ofimportance. Doing these two things makes the difference between success in business and just surviving. And the same is true for all areas of our lives.Leadership trainer and author John Maxwell says, “Thinking ahead and prioritizing responsibilities marks the major differences between a leader... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Clock+Is+Ticking http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Winning+the+Game For many small business owners, the opportunity to make more money working for themselves than working for someone else was the sole reason they got into business. For others, more control over the future, a layoff, or being tired of working for someone else was motivation to start their companies. Whatever the reason, every small business owner has faced the same problem at some point in their entrepreneurial... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Winning+the+Game http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Ways+to+Make+Your+Website+Work A bit of time spent planning before you start working on a new website can save you time, money and headaches.Here are a few points to consider before you set up your website: Put someone in charge. It doesn't matter if you're planning to have someone outside or inside your company doing the work on your website - you need someone to be responsible for keeping the site up to date and... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/9+Ways+to+Make+Your+Website+Work http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+for+Business+Survival+in+a+Turbulent+Marketplace At ActionCOACH, we spend our days talking with local business owners. We find, unfortunately, that many companies are operating without a secure foundation of basic business essentials.Here is the secret formula for success in a down market: (Knowledge x Planning) + Action = Success!A recent US Department of Commerce study found that overall only 6% of US business owners said they had a business plan... by Barb Kyes http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+for+Business+Survival+in+a+Turbulent+Marketplace http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Feel+Successful%3F As a Business Coach, I talk to a lot of business owners in my day. Business owners are people who started out with a dream, an idea for what they'd like their business to become. But relatively few of them "feel" successful, regardless of how their business is performing.I've found there are two major reasons that people feel unsuccessful:1. Not having worked out measures to... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Feel+Successful%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/%3FQu%3F+Diferencia+a+tu+Negocio+de+la+Competencia%3F Como ya lo sabes, las Pymes cada día están más competidas y los dueńos necesitan entender que tienen que diferenciarse de su competencia o estarán únicamente compitiendo por precio. Como dueńo de Negocio no puedes seguir tirando dinero en marketing y publicidad que no funciona, o seguir perdiendo el tiempo entrenando a los empleados por la alta rotación de personal.Invierte 2 horas de tu tiempo y te... by Esteban De Gyv http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/%3FQu%3F+Diferencia+a+tu+Negocio+de+la+Competencia%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mastering+The+Game The term, “6 Steps” is ActionCOACH shorthand for “The 6 Steps to Building a Better Business” – a proven and progressive, step-by-step approach that helps clarify company objectives and produces consistent profits over time.“The definition of a business in the ActionCOACH world is ‘a commercial, profitable enterprise that works without you’ – the ‘you’ being the owner of the business,”... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Mastering+The+Game http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Leadership+Vs.+Management%3A+Lead%2C+Follow+or+Get+Out+of+the+Way Leadership is a facet of management:Leadership is just one of the many assets a successful manager must possess. Care must be taken in distinguishing between the two concepts. The main aim of a manager is to maximise the output of the organisation through administrative implementation. To achieve this, managers must undertake the following functions:    * organisation    * planning    * staffing   ... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Leadership+Vs.+Management%3A+Lead%2C+Follow+or+Get+Out+of+the+Way http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Les+comparto+esta+carta+que+me+encontr Querido Trabajador...żTe acuerdas de mí? La otra vez visite tu empresa, cada que te visito me gusta que me recuerdes y me saludes con amabilidad y cortesía. En otras palabras, quiero que me hagas sentir a gusto e importante.Quiero decirte que a veces espero con paciencia, aunque sé que no es realmente necesario. Pero me haces esperar. Te pido de favor que no dispongas de mi tiempo. Sé que tu trabajo... by Esteban De Gyv http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Les+comparto+esta+carta+que+me+encontr http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Get+More+Done+With+Less+Time "Time management is a misnomer, we cannot manage time it just slips away, we will never have more of it and we will never get it back.The secret is to be more effective with our time and get to do the things we really want to do. As the saying goes; "Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today... because tomorrow never comes".So how can you be more effective with your time?   ... by Richard P Cullen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Get+More+Done+With+Less+Time http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Four+Tips+On+Enduring+Networking+Success Effective business networking is ultimately about building relationships. At the core of a successful relationship is Knowing, Trusting, and Liking.Quality relationships can yield long term friends, business buddies and raving fans who will help build your business, so where do you start?1. Be curious:Ask great questions and listen, listen, listen. Be genuinely curious in who your customers are and... by Keith Roberts http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Four+Tips+On+Enduring+Networking+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Closing+More+Sales+Now A critical success factor for all businesses is how good they are at selling.Every business is selling something, a product and/or a service, but very few are actually trained in the art of selling.Here are seven keys to selling to help you on the track to greater business success: 1. Ask More Questions:Questions are the answers in sales. Too many sales people tell their customers the features and... by Richard P Cullen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Closing+More+Sales+Now http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+New+Kind+of+Practice Most businesses have – or have access to – an accountant and an attorney. Ironically, so do most successful athletes. Most athletes, however, have one thing most business owners don’t. A coach.“Today’s most successful athletes are surrounded by all kinds of resources, because the best of them need to run their lives like companies,” ActionCOACH Thom Torode says. “What’s interesting... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+New+Kind+of+Practice http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Worthy+Opponents Given the growth and market potential of the business coaching category, a frequently asked question is an explanation of the difference between “business coaching” and “business consulting.” While some coaches call themselves consultants, and some consultants call themselves coaches, ActionCOACH has taken the point of view that the best way to explain business coaching is to explore the connection... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Worthy+Opponents http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Pioneers+of+Business+Coaching Back in 1993, Australian entrepreneur Brad Sugars started sending out business tips in a newsletter to 4000 customers. As requests for individualized and more customized help grew, he branched out and started delivering his format in a series of workshops and seminars. That eventually led to his association with Robert Kiyosaki and a host of other business development professionals whose programs were... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Pioneers+of+Business+Coaching http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+your+business+ready+for+a+tune-up%3F A large majority of small businesses can often appear perfectly healthy, even when basic business practices may be working against the main goals of the company. Whether your business needs improved organization and practices, or if you think things are functioning normally but just want to be sure, it’s important to evaluate your business with a Business Health Check. Just as your body needs regular... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+your+business+ready+for+a+tune-up%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Game+Plan As the world of business moves faster and gets more competitive, small and medium sized business owners have found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the changes in their specific industries, as well as the newest innovations in sales, marketing and management. As a result, many business owners find they need more and better information, and the information they need is something they need immediately,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Game+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspirational+Literary+Gems In my reading I constantly come across books, poems and essays so well penned they are litery gems. Don was such a gem, but he would not liked to have been referred to as such, more a rough diamond.He went to sea at the age of 131/2  training as a merchant seaman on the Pamir, a four masted steel barque  of  4500tonnes out of Hamburg.He sailed around the Horn, it took a week to get around the winds... by Frank Webb http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspirational+Literary+Gems http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Te+Conviene+Conocer+Tu+Punto+De+Equilibrio TE CONVIENE CONOCER TU PUNTO DE EQUILIBRIO Continuamente vemos empresas que necesitan un alto volumen de transacciones para sobrevivir y cuando baja la venta, los costos fijos las sepultan.Este tipo de empresa por lo general opera con márgenes muy limitados y es susceptible a generar más pérdida que ganancia. Una manera básica de evitar esta situación es conocer de antemano el punto de equilibrio de... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Te+Conviene+Conocer+Tu+Punto+De+Equilibrio http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Get+Your+Team+To+Take+More+Ownership Then, lead the way! Ownership means much more than being a legal shareholder. It comes from having an effective attitude, whether you own a business, or work for someone else who does. If you want to achieve different results, you need to change behavior. Before changing behavior, though, first examine your attitude and mindset both as a leader and as a team member. For example:1. When a crucial deadline... by Dan McNair http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Get+Your+Team+To+Take+More+Ownership http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Reasons+Why+You+Have+Got+To+Have+FUN Do you have to have a successful business to have FUN or, do you have to have FUN to have a successful business?Really, simply put: if you're not having FUN, you're doing something wrong.Here are 7 Reasons why you've got to ask yourself and your team how to make your days a LOT more FUN:   1. Your customers and clients love it; they want to leave with a smile on their face.   2. Prospects love it;... by Peter Lam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Reasons+Why+You+Have+Got+To+Have+FUN http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Pacify+Whining+Customers%3A+Tickle+Their+Toes I had the most wonderful experience of being able to watch my daughter with a little friend of hers last week. It was truly one of those "ah-ha" moments that I want to share with you.Coral is 4 years old and lives in the other half of the duplex where my daughter, Alyson, lives. It was Coral's birthday and she wanted to play "Pretty, Pretty Princess" (perfect game for 4 years old's and 40 year old's... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Pacify+Whining+Customers%3A+Tickle+Their+Toes http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/KISS+Your+Problems+Goodbye+in+Three+Simple+Steps We've all heard of the KISS principle and we're all generally in favor of simplifying as much as possible. We understand the "Less is More" concept and we know we only have two hands and so much time everyday. So, what really happens when we are suddenly confronted with a "complicated" situation?When it comes to making tough decisions or decisions we are not sure of, we say "that's a hard decision",... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/KISS+Your+Problems+Goodbye+in+Three+Simple+Steps http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Powerful+Tips+to+Network+Your+Way+to+Success Presenting in front of an audience is not everyone's cup of tea but with the correct advice, guidelines and practice it can be enjoyable for both the presenter and the audience. Preparation is everything and it is essential that you know your subject matter. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel which makes for a better presentation.Follow these simple tips and your presentations... by Roger Pemberton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Powerful+Tips+to+Network+Your+Way+to+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Develop+the+Ideal+Customer+Experience In Brad Sugars book, "Instant Cashflow," he comments that he would rather have 1% of 100 people's income than 100% of his own. What does he mean?Let's take a closer look. (I'll be using more of Brads comments from "Instant Cashflow" as I go.)How many people do you know work harder, are continually putting in the extra time but don't seem to be getting anywhere? Hands up if your one of those!! I certainly... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Develop+the+Ideal+Customer+Experience http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Do+I+Improve+My+Advertising+ROI%3F+Part+2%3A+Creating+Productive+Ads We are bombarded daily and incessantly by advertising.Think about how many ads you see or hear in an average day. Do you wake up to a clock radio? If so, it's possible that 50% of the time you wake up to an advertisement. Do you listen to the news as you get ready to go to work? More advertising. As you drive to work more advertising on the radio, on billboards, on buses that... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Do+I+Improve+My+Advertising+ROI%3F+Part+2%3A+Creating+Productive+Ads http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Working+Harder+Than+Your+Business%3F Are you working harder than your business, or is your business working harder than you? If you are working harder than your business, you are among the many self-employed who have succeeded in purchasing a job for themselves!Do you aspire to be an entrepreneur? Then you must figure a way to create a business that works harder than you, so that you can use your spare time to launch other business endeavors... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Working+Harder+Than+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Company+Does+Have+a+Culture+-+Can+you+define+it%3F As the owner of your business, do you realize that your corporate culture is a reflection of you and your leadership?The American Heritage Dictionary defines culture as: The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization. Even if your company does not have a vision and mission statement, your company does have a culture, by default! The predominating... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Company+Does+Have+a+Culture+-+Can+you+define+it%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Overcome+Self+Limiting+Fear+-+Take+the+1st+Step Have you ever been overcome with self limiting fear? How about just hindered by fear of failure? Don't rush by this next question. Pause and give this some concerted thought. What would you attempt if you knew that you could not fail?Fear is the greatest but, perhaps, the most subtle obstacle to reaching our goals. We might think we're stalled because of other people's objections, insufficient resources,... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Overcome+Self+Limiting+Fear+-+Take+the+1st+Step http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Cannot+Get+Good+People%3F I Just Can't Get Good People!Do you find yourself saying this?The US Department of Labor reports that 2 out of 3 new hires prove to be a mistake within the first year at a cost of thousands of dollars for each departing employee. Hiring mistakes negatively impact productivity and erode your company's profits. In Jim Collins' landmark study and book "Good to Great,"... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Cannot+Get+Good+People%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+to+Change+Your+Life As business owners, we made the choice to risk in order to have more control over our destiny than those who settle for a job. We recognize that we are not the victims of fate or chance.Changing our lives is a choice that we made. In reality, each one of us possesses the ability to choose to improve our lives! Here, I am going to share with you a concept for doing just that. If you take it to heart,... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+to+Change+Your+Life http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Craft+a+Raving+Fan+Strategy If you have read my article on the Customer Ladder of Loyalty, you know the ladder starts with Suspects and peaks at Raving Fans - one of your business' most valuable assets. Imagine what your business would be like if you had 500 Raving Fans on the street?Better than sales people in one respect, they have greater credibility. This article will describe a step-by-step process for creating a Raving... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Craft+a+Raving+Fan+Strategy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Directional+Drift+or+Creative+Destruction Never before in history have business owners had to cope with such a rapidly changing marketplace. Long term survival demands that the CEO/owner be able to devote considerable time to studying the horizon, which is reaching us at ever increasing speed.In my last article I talked about the six steps to building a profitable business that works without you, the owner, having to be present all the time.... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Directional+Drift+or+Creative+Destruction http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Where+are+You+on+the+Entrepreneur+Ladder+Compared+to+Where+You+Want+to+be%3F+Part+1 This is the first in a series of articles wherein I plan to give you a quick tour of the entrepreneur ladder so that you will come away with a sense of where you are currently in your journey and where you want to go.For some, this will not be new information. For others, it will challenge the way that you've been thinking for most of your life. Stay open to what I'm discussing and you... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Where+are+You+on+the+Entrepreneur+Ladder+Compared+to+Where+You+Want+to+be%3F+Part+1 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Where+are+You+on+the+Entrepreneur+Ladder+Compared+to+Where+You+Want+to+be%3F+Part+2 EntrepreneurInvestorOwnerManagerSelf EmployedEmployeeLevel 1 Self EmployedThis is usually the first rung on the e-ladder and, for most, it is the only level reached. Many seem to be unable to grow past this level. We truly can't call it a business; it's really a JOB. When you consider the amount of hours vs. income, this job is probably one of the worst jobs in the world. I think... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Where+are+You+on+the+Entrepreneur+Ladder+Compared+to+Where+You+Want+to+be%3F+Part+2 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+do+I+get+my+team+to+focus+on+the+highest+priorities+of+the+business%3F+Part+1 Is your team not performing up to your expectations? The good news is that you have more control than you think. It could be due to a lack of clear direction and focus.Leadership begins with painting a current picture of the future in the form of a vision. As the owner and leader of your company, you can determine what your business will look like years down the road. Steven Covey, in his book, "The... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+do+I+get+my+team+to+focus+on+the+highest+priorities+of+the+business%3F+Part+1 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Key+to+Success+is+Laziness In Brad Sugars book, Instant Cashflow, he comments that he would rather have 1% of 100 peoples income than 100% of his own. What does he mean???Let's take a closer look.  (I'll be using more of Brads comments from "Instant Cashflow" as I go.)How many people do you know work harder, are continually putting in the extra time but don't seem to be getting anywhere?  Hands... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Key+to+Success+is+Laziness http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+a+Willingness+to+Change%3F The more we want the more it costs.In the writings of his book "The Great Sales Book," Jack Collis states that success is limited by the price we are willing to pay.  He goes on to say that the price is not paid in money.  It is paid in knowledge, activity, creative thinking, innovation, identification, preparation, commitment, compromise, and a willingness to change.A willingness to change? ... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+a+Willingness+to+Change%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Being+A+Friend+to+Someone+is+the+Best+Gift+You+can+Give+Someone Ever wondered how your actions and comments impact on the people who visit your business. What is their experience?  Is it one that leaves them feeling uplifted as a result or are they left feeling deflated?  A friend shared this story with me and I thought it appropriate to share it with you...One day, when I was a in my first year in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Being+A+Friend+to+Someone+is+the+Best+Gift+You+can+Give+Someone http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/TGIM-+Thank+God%2C+It+Is+Monday How often do you hear your employees say "Thank God it's Monday! Not too often, I bet.An associate of mine shared this little article with me recently on how team relations can be enhanced...We spend most of our lives at work, so why not make it a place where people look forward to coming ...especially Monday!When you provide an environment that encourages, promotes and nurtures a "friendly, warm... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/TGIM-+Thank+God%2C+It+Is+Monday http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Make+a+Great+First+Impression Thanks to Iain MacFarlane who inspired this article! We often refer to the brain as having two hemispheres, the left, largely responsible for logic and the right, predominately responsible for creativity. This description fits what we know to be the cortex or new brain, however there is a third dimension, the hypothalamus or prehistoric brain which is in fact the brain stem and is solely responsible... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Make+a+Great+First+Impression http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Double+Room%2C+Two+Free+Meals%2C+and+A+Children What's a "Double and Dinner"? Have you ever heard of it? What does it mean? And what's it got to do with a motel?Recently my family and I visited a large Queensland provincial coastal city. We were passing through this city at about 6pm and were looking for a place to stay for the night. There were many motels to choose from, in fact there was a smorgasbord of motels available just along the road we... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Double+Room%2C+Two+Free+Meals%2C+and+A+Children http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Handling+the+Things+That+Are+Critical+To+Your+Happiness%3F During one of my coaching sessions this past week a client shared the following words of wisdom with me.  To me it was very profound and thought it appropriate to share with you. A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about 5cm in diameter. He then asked the... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Handling+the+Things+That+Are+Critical+To+Your+Happiness%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Let+it+Hit+You Following on from my article, "Conceive First and then Achieve" I would like to share with you a few words that were written by W. N. Murray who was part of the Scottish Himalayan Expedition.  He writes, "Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.  Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance... by Ian Christelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Let+it+Hit+You http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Marketing+with+a+difference Here are some clever marketing ideas that you may be able to use in your business:A new line of lawn furniture is no great media event but this outdoor furniture company got great press for their new product made from recycled plastics.How, you ask? They dropped the press release in the plastic milk cartons that are used to make the new lawn furniture. Then they MAILED THE CARTONS to the media.The... by Ian Christelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Marketing+with+a+difference http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Greatest+Value+In+Life+Is+Not+What+You+Get...+It It has been my experience that most people know what they need to do to achieve the things they want to achieve in life or their business but fail to do these things.  As always it's the "taking action" that counts.  You may have all the knowledge and skills you like, but unless you apply this knowledge and skills there will be no change to your situation.So can I ask your permission... by Ian Christelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Greatest+Value+In+Life+Is+Not+What+You+Get...+It http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+your+Small+Business+Big+Profits In the UK over 80% of all small businesses fail within the first five years of operation according to the latest business surveys. That means that only 20% of small businesses have what it takes to succeed.So why do some succeed and not others?  There can be many reasons. Being open to change and seeking advice from people who can help you is crucial to the ongoing success of your business.Business... by Ian Christelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+your+Small+Business+Big+Profits http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What%27s+Your+Opportunity+Cost%3F Are you "investing" your time working on your business or "spending" it working in your business?The challenge that I find a lot of business owners face today is that they are so busy working in their business that they cannot see the full potential of their business. So many times I look at a business and think the owner is doing well, only to discover on talking to them, that... by Ian Chrsitelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What%27s+Your+Opportunity+Cost%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+You+Can+Conceive+and+Believe+You+Can+Achieve You find inspiration in the most amazing places.  Sometimes as you are driving your car, other times you might be a walk in the park.  I found inspiration one Saturday night as I watched the "Worlds Greatest Ads" on TV (I think that was the name of the program).Yes I was veging out, not looking for inspiration of any kind when an ad was shown that I believe was so powerful and so true that... by Ian Christelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+You+Can+Conceive+and+Believe+You+Can+Achieve http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Finding+The+Hot+Buttons There are 3 reasons why people invest in the Mentor Program    * They want to make more money out of their business,    * They want more free time away from their business, or    * They are having team problems.Now sure, there can be many other reasons. But most of them come down to these 3. So if you want to get the prospect to buy, you need to find out what their "hot buttons" are, and... by Ian Christelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Finding+The+Hot+Buttons http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/RISE+and+SHINE+Essential+Networking+Tips The measure of your success in business is directly related to the number of people who know and like you. Effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another.By simply following my RISE and SHINE tips you will quickly become a successful and confident networker.1.    Research: Visit... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/RISE+and+SHINE+Essential+Networking+Tips http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Tips+To+Power+Up+Your+Presentation+Skills Presenting in front of an audience is not everyone's cup of tea but with the correct advice, guidelines and practice it can be enjoyable for both the presenter and the audience. Preparation is everything and it is essential that you know your subject matter. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel which makes for a better presentation.Follow these simple tips and your presentations... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Tips+To+Power+Up+Your+Presentation+Skills http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+you+spending+or+investing+your+time%3F We have at our disposal 86,400 seconds every single day, we only get them once and when they are gone they are gone forever. Unlike money, which we can all earn money, spend and then go earn again. Once our time has been spent it cannot be replaced.Becoming more efficient with our use of time is a vital key being successful in business; it is after all one of the mastery stages in our amazing 6 steps... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+you+spending+or+investing+your+time%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Customer+Service+Overrated%3F Today, satisfied customers switch suppliers all the time. In other words, Customer Satisfaction is the table stakes, for the game of business. What all business owners should be striving for is Customer Loyalty.Customers switch for a variety of reasons. Here are the top 6 reasons: The customer (or buyer) dies (1%) The customer moves (3%) The customer tries a friend (5%) A competitor paid them... by Sandy Kemp http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Customer+Service+Overrated%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+YouTube+for+You%3F I became an unintentional pitch man for one of my clients recently. Here's how it happened and what we learned.You might have noticed that there has been a huge surge in video on the internet recently. Inexpensive digital cameras and inexpensive high speed access enabled the wiz kids behind youtube.com, a video focused website, to really cash in. The young founders of the small business with... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+YouTube+for+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+There+a+Leadership+Lesson+In+a+Google+Search+About+Commitment%3F "When I say commitment, what do you think of?" seemed like an interesting question to ask Google. While it didn't return exactly what I expected, it did provide good fodder for the role commitment plays in leadership and business success.The first webpage returned was from a psychology website containing a forum post about commitment phobia. The best reply as selected by voting readers... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+There+a+Leadership+Lesson+In+a+Google+Search+About+Commitment%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+do+I+get+my+team+to+focus+on+the+highest+priorities+of+the+business%3F+Part+2 Is your team not performing up to your expectations? The good news is that you have more control than you think. It could be due to a lack of clear direction and focus.Leadership begins with painting a current picture of the future in the form of a vision. As the owner and leader of your company, you can determine what your business will look like years down the road. Steven Covey, in his book, "The... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+do+I+get+my+team+to+focus+on+the+highest+priorities+of+the+business%3F+Part+2 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Much+Should+I+Spend+on+Advertising%3F Ideally, the answer is zero! You should invest, not spend money on advertising. Every dollar invested into advertising should return multiples to your bottom line. More times than not; when I ask a business owner to tell me their advertising return on investment (ROI) they shrug their shoulders and say "I don't know". Through proper testing and measuring protocols you will be able... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Much+Should+I+Spend+on+Advertising%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/If+It%27s+Going+to+be+Right+I+Have+to+Do+It%21 Do you ever find yourself making that statement? Do you struggle with your staff delivering inconsistent service quality or handling customers with your level of professionalism? Do they sell your products or services as well as you? For many business owners, the answer is NO! So what is the solution?The default solution for too many entrepreneurs is to work lots of hours and do it yourself. If this... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/If+It%27s+Going+to+be+Right+I+Have+to+Do+It%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Now+That+I+Know+My+Advertising+ROI%2C+How+do+I+Improve+It%3F+Part+1 Now That I Know My Advertising ROI, How do I Improve It?The answer to that question is to apply smart advertising techniques and then test and measure on a small scale before rolling out a large ad campaign. Stop wasting your advertising dollars by treating them like you're playing a roulette wheel or throwing mud against the wall, hoping that some of it sticks! Businesses waste thousands of... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Now+That+I+Know+My+Advertising+ROI%2C+How+do+I+Improve+It%3F+Part+1 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Turn+Incremental+Improvement+into+Massive+Profit+Growth+-+Part+1 Does this headline sound unrealistic? Today I'm going to further illustrate a little known principle called "Divide to Multiply". The Divide to Multiply principle encourages us to segment a concept into its finest increments to produce deeper understanding. Then, by focusing on incrementally improving each segment, we benefit from the synergistic effect of those small improvements multiplying into... by Robert Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Turn+Incremental+Improvement+into+Massive+Profit+Growth+-+Part+1 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Turn+Incremental+Improvement+into+Massive+Profit+Growth+-+Part+2 Do you want to dramatically increase the profits of your business? Make sure you catch last week's article before reading this one.5 Ways Business ChassisRemember the 5 Ways Business Chassis: # of Leads x Conversion Rate = # of Customers x Average $ Sale x Avg. # of Transactions = Revenue x profit margin = Profit. By making small improvement to each of the 5 Ways we can dramatically improve our... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Turn+Incremental+Improvement+into+Massive+Profit+Growth+-+Part+2 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Would+I+Need+a+Business+Coach%3F Coaching in business? We've all heard of a coach, in terms of a football team, an Olympic athlete, or a golfer; but for a business owner? That's a new one! "Besides, I'm doing well in my business. What can a business coach do for me?"Think about the top athletes in the world. What separates the elite individuals and teams from the good? Certainly the element of God-given... by Rob Garibay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Would+I+Need+a+Business+Coach%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dont+Be+Cheap+Invest+In+Your+Business Pop Quiz: Is a beautiful smile an investment or an expense? (Don't call your accountant on this one.)A very good friend of mine, who is a dentist, was very excited about his purchase of equipment that cost $100,000. He explained that this equipment would generate over $1 million in profit in five year's time. He correctly characterized this purchase as an investment rather than an expense. Plus, he... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dont+Be+Cheap+Invest+In+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Build+a+Successful+Team Selecting the right people is just the beginning of building a successful team for your business. However, you cannot simply expect that your team alone will transform your business and take it to its next level of performance.It is equally important to have the following six elements in place:1. Strong Leadership:Tom Landry, the former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, said "Leadership is a matter of having... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Build+a+Successful+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Test+Your+Accountability One of the major challenges facing organizations today is to ensure accountability through its policies, systems, and philosophies. All of us have experienced numerous examples of businesses that have established rules, standards, expectations, and policies, yet are continuously ignored, sabotaged, and/or broken for a variety of reasons.As a manager, business owner or executive, ensuring that what... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Test+Your+Accountability http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/La++etica+y+el+fisco Como Coach he tenido muchos Clientes, que cuando tocamos el tema fiscal, ellos quisieran pagar los menos impuestos posible, o si se "puede" no pagar, mejor.Algunos dicen o por lo menos piensan : Si el objetivo es no pagar, no importa el medio para lograrlo(el fin justifica los medios). Y están dispuestos a hacer lo que sea necesario para lograrlo, tal como conseguir facturas apócrifas o algún otro... by Esteban De Gyv http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/La++etica+y+el+fisco http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Cannot+Lead+A+Person+From+Where+You+Stand A head full of what you want will get in the way of providing leadership.  Your vision, mission and objectives are wonderful and necessary to your success.  They are, however, only a tool of leadership and not leadership itself. You can’t lead a person from where you stand; you can only lead them from where they stand. If you can fill your head with what they see and fill your heart with what they... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Cannot+Lead+A+Person+From+Where+You+Stand http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Domain+Hijacked%3F++Check+Before+You+Pay Actress Julia Roberts got her domain name back without paying the person who registered it first, can you?'Buy this domain for $1895' was a shocking result when a client of mine looked up their product's name on the internet. They had appended ".com" to their product name and typed it in as if were a web address. My client felt this was a scam as it seemed that someone had registered the domain name... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Domain+Hijacked%3F++Check+Before+You+Pay http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Google+Rules Google Rules! Google, being its own company and master, gets to make up its own rules as to how its search results are determined. The "Google rules" are a moving target because people try to figure out the rules and use them to their advantage. Google then tries to alter the rules so people cannot take what Google considers unfair advantage.Keywords are words or phrases that are hidden in your website.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Google+Rules http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/S+...+M+...+P+...+A+...+La+clave+del+%C3%A9xito... S de SueĂąo- Entre mĂĄs grande sea tu sueĂąo, para ti y para los demĂĄs, mĂĄs increĂ­ble serĂĄ tu vida.M de Meta- Agarra tus sueĂąos y conviertelos en una meta SMART, dale un nĂşmero, un plazo y se especifico.P de Plan- Ahora que tienes una meta, escribe el plan para conseguirlo. ÂżQuien va a hacer que, cuando, y a quien le vas a rendir cuentas ?..A de AcciĂłn- Tiempo de trabajar, has las partes dificiles... by Esteban De GyvĂŠs http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/S+...+M+...+P+...+A+...+La+clave+del+%C3%A9xito... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Is+Your+Caddy%3F+-+Staying+focused+on+getting+results "Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." - Lou Holtz - Former Football Coach and AuthorThe current economic climate is challenging many small and medium sized businesses. They may have the ability and the motivation but do they have the right attitude to continue to grow and develop in a difficult market? The opportunities... by Richard P Cullen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Is+Your+Caddy%3F+-+Staying+focused+on+getting+results http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Steps+to+Creating+Amazing+Affirmations-+%22I+Laugh+in+the+Face+of+Danger+%22 We all know by now (or should) that affirmations and visualizations are some of the most powerful tools successful business owners use to keep their eyes on the prize. Starting and ending each day with statements about who we intend to BE in order to DO what we need to do to HAVE what we want is powerful stuff. But do we know what makes for really powerful affirmations with the power to change our... by Colleen Keenan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/3+Steps+to+Creating+Amazing+Affirmations-+%22I+Laugh+in+the+Face+of+Danger+%22 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Carrot%2C+Egg+or+Coffee+Bean+-+Which+One+Are+You%3F A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She didn't know how she was going to make it and how she wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling!Every time she solved one problem, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she dropped a handful of carrots, in the second a... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Carrot%2C+Egg+or+Coffee+Bean+-+Which+One+Are+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dealing+With+Disaster%3A+7+Plans+for+Business+Continuity These past two weeks have been trying for my business- all due to a computer hardware failure. Like many, I used to pat myself on the back for religiously backing up my computer system every week. However, when the computer failure occurred, I didn't realize that I needed a plan to recover the backups and get up and running instantly on another computer system.Before this month, I only had a... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Dealing+With+Disaster%3A+7+Plans+for+Business+Continuity http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Integrity+Anyway%3F What is integrity anyway?Integrity is holding true to your commitments, rather than endorsing your desires."Commitment" is used broadly to mean many different kinds of intentions, promises and relationships of trust and expectation. Why is integrity important in running a successful business?Have you ever felt a pit in your stomach when you said you would do something for a client and an unknown challenge... by Jennifer Kauffman http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+Integrity+Anyway%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Low+Cost+Ways+To+Build+Profit When profit declines, business owners react in various ways.  Some look to cut expenses while others look to get more leads and customers by investing in advertising and other lead generation strategies.  While controlling expenses is important whether profit is up or down, cost cutting is typically a short-term fix - you can only cut so much and still have a business. While a business requires a... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Low+Cost+Ways+To+Build+Profit http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Proper+Team+Training+Requires+Your+Focus It seems like there is never enough time to properly train a new team member. There's so much to be done and we're already behind. No matter how talented you are, you can't do it all alone!Here's why good team training needs your undivided attention:It allows you to be a good steward of the company's investment. Depending on the industry and the position, it can cost thousands... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Proper+Team+Training+Requires+Your+Focus http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Como+hacer+que+su+comercializacion+mis+eficaces Muchos duenos de negocios estan tirando su dinero en mercadotecnia porque simplemente no saben que es lo que funciona. Sus anuncios no se leen porque no le ofrecen nada de valor a sus prospectos mas que descuentos de precios.En promedio el 80% del presupuesto de mercadotecnia que se gasta, es tirado por la ventana. Algunos duenos de negocios piensan que con solo poner el nombre de su compania o producto... by Esteban De Gyvs http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Como+hacer+que+su+comercializacion+mis+eficaces http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+You+Afraid+of+Losing%3F All change means loss. We lose something in every change.It's not change that we resist it's the losses. So what are you afraid of losing?What are your people afraid of losing?People are wired to be more sensitive to possible loss than to possible gain. There's a large body of research here much of it on stock market behavior.As we approach changes, we are more sensitive... by Keith Roberts http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Are+You+Afraid+of+Losing%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Can+You+Go+It+Alone+In+This+Slow+Economy%3F Even though you have been running your business for a few years as a business owner or as a corporate CEO, it is unlikely that you planned your business to specifically deal with the slow economy, the high energy prices, the declining consumer confidence level, and the continuous negative headlines from the daily media. Maybe it was complacency or maybe it just crept up on you over the past 12 months... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Can+You+Go+It+Alone+In+This+Slow+Economy%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/All+it+Took+Was+Confidence I walked into my sales meeting face up, shoulders straight back, and a natural smile came to my face... all it took was confidence. Someone criticized my idea and I thanked him without having to defend myself... all it took was confidence. Facing a difficult client became easy when I chose being happy over being right... all it took was confidence. I made a mistake and I said sorry.... all it took... by Cynthia Wihardja http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/All+it+Took+Was+Confidence http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Tips+For+A+Winning+Marketing+Plan If you ask your accountant, they will tell you that marketing is an expense. Most businesses think of marketing as an expense because they keep writing checks for their marketing, but don't see anything coming back in return.The true entrepreneur knows that marketing is not an expense, it's an investment. It's an investment because for every marketing dollar that goes out, more money should be coming... by Steve Goranson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Tips+For+A+Winning+Marketing+Plan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Really+Pumped+About+Your+Summer+Vacation%3F As we are now well into our summer months, you may be approaching some well-earned vacation time - perhaps a week or two now and maybe a little more at the end.But, are you really pumped about it? Expecting it to be relaxing, exhilarating, a great recharge for your batteries? Or are you more than a little concerned about how things will go when you are away?As the owner, are you able to take a lot... by Sandy Kemp http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Really+Pumped+About+Your+Summer+Vacation%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+ABCs+of+Business+Coaching From my experience as an ActionCOACH Business Coach, here is a list of the ABC’s of Business Coaching:A –Accountability…We will hold you accountable for doing the things you say you are going to do.B-Best…We expect your best, and as we promise to give you ours.C-Coach…We will coach you to draw out your untapped potential.D-Destiny…We will help you discover and fulfill your destiny in this... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+ABCs+of+Business+Coaching http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Prospecting+this+Summer%3F No one wants to be bothered It's too hot It's a beautiful day; everyone is out No one is thinking about work Prospects are getting ready to go on vacation Everyone is on vacation Prospects are just returning from their vacations I'm preparing to go on vacation I'm on vacation I've just returned from vacation My assistant is on vacation Their assistant is on vacation No one is in on Mondays No... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Prospecting+this+Summer%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Timeline+for+Success Owning your own business requires a great deal of work and dedication, but it also requires a tremendous amount of knowledge in a number of areas. How well your skills are developed in these areas will determine the level of success in your business.Take a few minutes to review and rate your skills in the following areas (1 being no skills, 10 being expert level skills):Financial skillsBusiness educationMarketing... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Timeline+for+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Beliefs+That+Could+Change+How+You+Use+Your+Time Intellectual reasoning and practical behavior aren't always congruent. Professional results commanding high remuneration only occur when they are preceded with a mind-set on victory and the disciplined behaviors that one can refine to optimize results. Often is-the-case where the "hoped for" results are much greater in magnitude than the rigor and discipline people commit to achieving them.Logically... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Beliefs+That+Could+Change+How+You+Use+Your+Time http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Times+are+Tough%2C+Focus+on+Customer+Service%21 On a recent Southwest Airlines flight, crew members gave a passenger, who happened to be celebrating his birthday that day, a birthday "cake"- a toilet paper roll standing on end complete with "Happy Birthday from SWA" written on the side, "candles" fashioned from stir sticks stuck on top of the roll, and several bags of peanuts in the center of the cake.As the crew... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Times+are+Tough%2C+Focus+on+Customer+Service%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Marketing+Saying+What+You+Think+It+Is+Saying%3F I was walking past my office manager's desk the other day when I heard her sigh with frustration: "Why is it," she complained, "that all of these business women's networking sites are all pink with flowers? It's such a turnoff!"And she closed her browser window.When I asked her about it later, she said that the last three sites for business women she'd been sent to were the same: pink colour schemes... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Marketing+Saying+What+You+Think+It+Is+Saying%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Reasons+Most+People+Fail+at+Goal+Setting Have you set any goals in your business or for your life that you just haven't managed to accomplish? Or, maybe you started to set some goals but never went back and finished them or checked to see if you really accomplished them?Many people avoid setting goals because they tried it once and when they didn't achieve them, they decided goal setting just doesn't work.The fact is the people who are most... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Reasons+Most+People+Fail+at+Goal+Setting http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+Your+Sanity+if+You+Lead+a+Team Business owners have been known to experience increased blood pressure, extreme hair loss, and other stress-induced conditions as a direct result of interactions with their Team. The way to avoid these consequences is through consistent application of some sound principles.Communicate: Some years ago in my supermarket, I employed a young man named Wendell. Wendell was a loyal, dedicated teenager (yes,... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+Your+Sanity+if+You+Lead+a+Team http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+This+Really+All+You+Have+Got%3F With a two-day training just 24 hours away, I discover I have a sore throat. So today is resting day and maybe blogging day where I can express myself through typing instead of talking. So here I am in my living room with a laptop and some favorite music in the background.Just now one of my favorite tunes came on and something moved in me to sing along. And as I reached for the voice inside me, I heard... by Cynthia Wihardja http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+This+Really+All+You+Have+Got%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspiration+is+a+Choice%2C+Not+a+Gift Are we waiting to be inspired or are do we choose to find inspiration in our every day?Is inspiration a gift kept in someone else's pockets waiting to be given, or is it food in our own fridge ready to be eaten?Do only a few people have the gift to inspire, or do we already have that talent and ability within us?It's tempting to choose what we think as the "right" answers from the questions above,... by Cynthia Wihardja http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspiration+is+a+Choice%2C+Not+a+Gift http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Having+a+Credit+Crunch%3F There are literally billions of pounds changing hands across Scotland, yet the so-called credit crunch seems to be weighing far too heavily on business owners' minds at present. True, the current financial climate may be trickier than six months ago but are you content to let the hype in the press dictate how you run YOUR business by blaming the credit crunch, making excuses or denying there's much... by Robert Lappin http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Having+a+Credit+Crunch%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Relationships+Can+Tip+the+Sale No matter what type of business you own, one of the most important skills you must master to be successful is the skill of relationship building.Three key ways to improve relationships with your customers are visibility, sharing knowledge, and regular communication.Visibility is letting customers see who you are. Do you have a vision for your company? What about a mission statement? Are these displayed... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Relationships+Can+Tip+the+Sale http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Business+Is+Not+Fun+Anymore When Business Isn’t Fun AnymoreDo you remember the excitement and anticipation when you went to fill out your ‘Doing Business As’ or incorporation paperwork? All the planning and preparation that went into starting your new business. Deciding on a name, opening a business bank account, ordering business cards, difficulty sleeping because of all the ideas running through your mind.Do you still... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+Business+Is+Not+Fun+Anymore http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Game+Plan%3A++The+Growth+Behind+Business+Coaching As the world of business moves faster and gets more competitive, small and medium sized business owners have found it increasingly difficult to keep up in changes within their specific industries, as well as the newest innovations in sales, marketing and management.As a result, many business owners find they need more and better information, and that the information they need is something they need... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Game+Plan%3A++The+Growth+Behind+Business+Coaching http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+Certain+You+Hire+the+Best+Business+Coach+for+Your+Business As the business coaching industry grows, so do the number of people in the market who call themselves "Business Coaches."Since ActionCOACH was started in 1993, no fewer than 10 national and international competitors have started business coaching companies. All have failed. Currently, ActionCOACH outpaces its nearest competitor by a revenue margin of more than 9-to-1.In fact, the greatest... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Make+Certain+You+Hire+the+Best+Business+Coach+for+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Quieres+grandes+resultados%3F+Toma+grandes+acciones%21 Amigo empresario, żte ha pasado que hay días que no sabes si vas o bienes o mejor te quedas donde estás? Que no importa lo que hagas, tal parece que no das una? Que la decisión que tomes será incorrecta y acabas en una parálisis por análisis de esas que no te dejan hacer nada?Justificantes hay muchas, desde el efecto mariposa hasta el calentamiento global pasando por un rosario de excusas que sin duda,... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Quieres+grandes+resultados%3F+Toma+grandes+acciones%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Field+of+Play It's been said before, but "small business" around the world is anything but small.In every free market economy, small business is the most important component of that economy and the results for well-run businesses, their owners and their employees can be the most rewarding."Thomas Stanley and William Danko outlined the benefits of owning your own business with their... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Field+of+Play http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Coaching+Behind+Masters+Champions Few people outside of the world of the Masters Tournament have ever heard of Harvey Penick, Butch Harmon or Hank Haney.But most know Ben Crenshaw and Tiger Woods.Likewise, few business owners have heard of business coaching.But most know ATandT, the local car dealership or coffee shop.Just as the great Masters champions have relied on great coaches to guide their approach to the game, more businesses... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Coaching+Behind+Masters+Champions http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Multimillionaire+Founder+of+ActionCOACH+Drives+Entrepreneurial+Success+with+Billionaire+in+Training Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, has energized aspiring entrepreneurs with Billionaire in Training; the anchor for Sugars' highly popular "Instant Success Series," his best-selling line of 14 books aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs.Currently ranked #58 on Amazon's 100 New Business Enterprises bestsellers list, Billionaire in Training presents entrepreneurialism as a game that can be... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Multimillionaire+Founder+of+ActionCOACH+Drives+Entrepreneurial+Success+with+Billionaire+in+Training http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Use+Existing+Customers+to+Market+Your+Business%3A+Brad+Sugars+Shares+Expertise+in+Instant+Referrals Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Referrals, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."Instant Referrals, currently ranked #29 on Amazon's 100 best-selling books on marketing for small business and entrepreneurship, explains the process through which entrepreneurs can grow their businesses... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Use+Existing+Customers+to+Market+Your+Business%3A+Brad+Sugars+Shares+Expertise+in+Instant+Referrals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Working+On%22Not+In%22Your+Business%3A+Brad+Sugars+Reveals+How+in+Instant+Systems Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Systems, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."Instant Systems seeks to educate entrepreneurs regarding the benefits of systemizing work processes within their businesses so that the enterprises can function without the direct involvement... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Working+On%22Not+In%22Your+Business%3A+Brad+Sugars+Reveals+How+in+Instant+Systems http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Repeat+Business+Equals+Profit%3A+Brad+Sugars+reveals+techniques+for+Instant+Repeat+Business Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Repeat Business, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."Instant Repeat Business explains the process through which entrepreneurs can grow their businesses by encouraging existing customers to return, thus reducing customer turnover and turning... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Repeat+Business+Equals+Profit%3A+Brad+Sugars+reveals+techniques+for+Instant+Repeat+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Multimillionaire+Founder+of+ActionCOACH+Introduces+a+short-cut+to+long-term+success+with+The+Business+Coach Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, has energized aspiring entrepreneurs with Billionaire in Training; the anchor for Sugars' highly popular "Instant Success Series," his best-selling line of 14 books aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs.Currently ranked #58 on Amazon's 100 New Business Enterprises bestsellers list, Billionaire in Training presents entrepreneurialism as a game that can be... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Multimillionaire+Founder+of+ActionCOACH+Introduces+a+short-cut+to+long-term+success+with+The+Business+Coach http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Obtain+Financial+Security+Through+Smart+Investments+with+Brad+Sugars Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with The Real Estate Coach, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."The Real Estate Coach explains the process through which individuals can begin securing their financial future through smart investments in real estate with little or no cash.The Real... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Obtain+Financial+Security+Through+Smart+Investments+with+Brad+Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Outlines+Secrets+to+Franchise+Success%2C+Successful+Franchising Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of the world's number one business coaching franchise, ActionCOACH, reveals secrets and expertise in Successful Franchising, part of his" Instant Success Series.Successful Franchising explains the process through which Brad Sugars built ActionCOACH into a worldwide business coaching leader and teaches new entrepreneurs how to follow in his footsteps.Successful Franchising... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Outlines+Secrets+to+Franchise+Success%2C+Successful+Franchising http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Instant+Team+Building Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Team Building, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."In Instant Team Building, Brad Sugars explains the process through which entrepreneurs can grow their businesses by hiring and retaining quality employees.Instant Team Building follows... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Instant+Team+Building http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Revolutionizes+the+Sales+Process+in+Instant+Sales Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Sales, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."Instant Sales explains the process through which entrepreneurs can grow their businesses by converting business prospects into business customers.Sales are the cornerstone of any business, and... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Revolutionizes+the+Sales+Process+in+Instant+Sales http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Buzz+to+Attract+Dollars+Brad+Sugars+Releases+Instant+Promotions Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Promotions, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."Instant Promotions instructs entrepreneurs how to generate buzz for their businesses using small budgets and smart promotional strategies that get attention and increase sales.In Instant... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Buzz+to+Attract+Dollars+Brad+Sugars+Releases+Instant+Promotions http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Profit+is+King+in+Brad+Sugars+Instant+Profit Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Profit, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."Instant Profit explains why in business "profit is king," and details the process through which entrepreneurs can expand their bottom line by increasing profit margins, transactions and conversion... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Profit+is+King+in+Brad+Sugars+Instant+Profit http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Grow+Your+Business+with+Brad+Sugars+Instant+Leads Brad Sugars, Founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, continues to energize entrepreneurial success with Instant Leads, part of Sugars' "Instant Success Series."Instant Leads, currently ranked #76 on Amazon's 100 best-selling books on marketing for small business and entrepreneurship, explains the process through which entrepreneurs can grow their businesses... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Grow+Your+Business+with+Brad+Sugars+Instant+Leads http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Instant+Cashflow Brad Sugars, multimillionaire entrepreneur, Founder, and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise, is helping entrepreneurs tap into new levels of success with his book, Instant Cashflow.Instant Cashflow, currently ranked #47 on Amazon's 100 best-selling books on marketing, and #61 on raising capital for small business and entrepreneurship, is part of Sugars' "Instant... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Instant+Cashflow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Instant+Advertising Instant Advertising, one of a series of titles in ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars' best-selling "Instant Success Series," takes entrepreneurs looking to grow their business through a master course on results-driven advertising.Written by Sugars, Instant Advertising serves as a guidebook for entrepreneurs who seek to multiply business profits by smart and successful advertising strategies.Outlining... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Brad+Sugars+Instant+Advertising http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Cycle+of+Business Suppose you called your business tomorrow morning and said,   "Hi. I've got a really amazing opportunity that has just come up and it will take me out of the country for six months. It's going to difficult to keep in touch during that time. So, keep up the good work and I'll see you when I get back."Could you leave your business in the care of your team for six months and know it will be... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Cycle+of+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+ActionBOARD+Offers+Small+Business+A+Big+Business+Advantage From the perspective of small business owners, large businesses have all the advantages.Not only can a large business survive a downturn or hide losses better than a small business can, the largest corporations also have the luxury of a Board of Directors that serves as a "sounding board" and as a strategy-setting team to create synergy at the senior management level.To meet this need,... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+ActionBOARD+Offers+Small+Business+A+Big+Business+Advantage http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/ActionCOACH%27s+SeminarCLUB+Offers+A+Series+of+Workshops+For+Business+Owners What makes a great seminar or workshop worthwhile for a busy business owner?While knowledge is power, applied knowledge is powerful and that is the type of knowledge business owner take away from each of the programs that make up SeminarCLUB."The great thing about SeminarCLUB is that it works on so many different levels," ActionCOACH ((COACH)) says. "If the owner feels he... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/ActionCOACH%27s+SeminarCLUB+Offers+A+Series+of+Workshops+For+Business+Owners http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+the+2-Day+BusinessRICH+Workshop+Can+Boost+The+Performance+Of+Your+Business Before his race cars won him world-wide fame, Ferry Porsche was busy innovating better ways to build automobiles.One of the more interesting aspects of his work was a "template" chassis he designed the chassis being the frame and the mechanical "guts" of a car that that holds the engine, running gear, steering and suspension systems.As an engineer, Porsche knew those... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+the+2-Day+BusinessRICH+Workshop+Can+Boost+The+Performance+Of+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+ActionCLUB+and+its+Strategies+Get+Real+Results It's a question that makes many business owners really stop and think.Are you driving your business, or is your business driving you?It's unfortunate that most business owners end up being driven by their businesses rather than the other way around.In fact, many owners find that instead of being in charge of their companies, they have simply worked themselves into another job one... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+ActionCLUB+and+its+Strategies+Get+Real+Results http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+GrowthCLUB+Transforms+Your+Business+-+In+Just+One+Day A lot can happen in a day.A lot more can happen in 90-days.A winning sports team would never take the field or enter the arena without a game plan in place. Likewise, a business that runs onto its own playing field without a business plan operates at a significant competitive disadvantage, especially compared to rivals that do.For business owners, that's where ActionCOACH's GrowthCLUB can... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+GrowthCLUB+Transforms+Your+Business+-+In+Just+One+Day http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/ProfitCLUB+Offers+More+Than+Networking+Over+Meals Can you make money networking over breakfast and lunch?That is the premise of many networking groups and opportunities. Unfortunately, many prove to be a waste of time for the time-challenged business owner, who often discovers the time away from the office or the business doesn't justify the weak stream of new leads or business generated from the networking group or event.In general, we can... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/ProfitCLUB+Offers+More+Than+Networking+Over+Meals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Steps+to+Massive+Results The term "6 Steps" is ActionCOACH shorthand for "The 6 Steps to Building a Business" - a proven and progressive, step-by-step approach that helps clarify company objectives and produces consistent profits over time.The definition of a business in the ActionCOACH world is 'a commercial, profitable enterprise that works without you' - the 'you' being the owner of the business. The 6 steps are the building... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/6+Steps+to+Massive+Results http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keys+to+Success+in+Business+and+Hockey%3A++Having+a+System+and+Adapting+It Is there a success secret shared by the best ActionCOACH Business Coaches and the top NHL hockey coaches?The answer may be surprising."The key to running a successful business from our perspective relies on systems," ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars says. "In similar fashion, successful NHL coaches rely on systems for creating game plans and managing the flow of the game - especially during... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Keys+to+Success+in+Business+and+Hockey%3A++Having+a+System+and+Adapting+It http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Systems+Game+-+Business+Coaching+Lessons+from+the+NBA For ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching firm, the best approach to business is a "systems" approach, one that relies on certain metrics, standards and key performance indicators (also known as KPI's). "ActionCOACH focuses on systemizing everything in the business," ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars says. "Successful sports teams have done the same thing in terms of personnel... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Systems+Game+-+Business+Coaching+Lessons+from+the+NBA http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Olympics+of+Business An athlete's journey in many ways is a metaphor for the hurdles faced by the average business owner.The Olympic Games are universally associated with champions, as well as commitment and peak performance. These are the very same characteristics that businesses are constantly striving to achieve.With the upcoming 2009 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver just around the corner, business owners can learn... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Olympics+of+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+a+Winning+Game+Plan%3F In today's competitive marketplace, winning depends on more than business skills and know-how. To come out on top, business owners need a game-plan based on sound strategy.Like sports, a good game-plan gives businesses the flexibility to make decisions on the ground - under pressure from their opposition. The parallel between sports and business does not stop there. A recent article entitled, "Training... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+a+Winning+Game+Plan%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Planning+for+the+New+Year%21 Now that the year is "winding down", this is the perfect time to reflect on last year and plan for NOW!Were you satisfied with your business results last year? What are you going to do differently this year? Have you established your business and personal goals for the new year?You know the old adage "Failing to plan is planning to fail!". Think of the subject of business planning - does it sound like... by Judy Freeman http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Planning+for+the+New+Year%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Reasons+You+Should+Take+a+Fresh+Look+at+How+You+Hire Did you know... 2 of 3 new hires will disappoint in the first year. 2 of 3 employees report they would rather be working somewhere else 95 of 100 applicants will "exagerate" to get a job. Most hiring decisions are made in haste - during the first five minutes of an interview. 1 of 3 businesses will be sued over an employment issue. Turnover will cost thousands of dollars for... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/7+Reasons+You+Should+Take+a+Fresh+Look+at+How+You+Hire http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Have+You+Ever+Had+Conflict+In+The+Workplace%3F Conflict in the workplace and even at home is often inevitable. Conflict is generally a good thing. A difference of opinion inspires creativity and growth. Imagine if everyone was the same and agreed all the time. Life would be boring!The big challenge is knowing how to deal with conflict when it arises to encourage a win:win outcome."Seeking first to understand and then be understood,"... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Have+You+Ever+Had+Conflict+In+The+Workplace%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Entrepreneur+Ladder The E Ladder We find that there are six different levels that people move through as they go from working for someone to really being an entrepreneur: Employee—working for someone else to make some money and get a great deal of education Self Employed—trading time for money billing out hours (for a certain dollar per hour).  Finding the work and then doing the work and then finding more work,... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Entrepreneur+Ladder http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Your+Business+Ready+for+the+Beach Each year there is a push by thousands of people to get in shape for the "swimsuit" season (as they will be spending time at the beach). Is your business in the shape it needs to be in for the season? Are you on track for the revenue you expected for this year? If not, what are your plans over the next seven months to make up the shortage year-to-date. Have you defined the kinds of customers... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Your+Business+Ready+for+the+Beach http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Law+of+Precession+and+SMART+Goals Where do you want your business (or career) to be in three years?  Do you have clarity about where you are going and a timeline for when to get there?There is a law in nature called the Law of Precession that dictates that there are steps of progress to move from one level of success to another.  These steps, or milestones, confirm that you are on the right path.Your business and career are the same. ... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Law+of+Precession+and+SMART+Goals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Cannnot+Get+More+Customers+%28at+least%2C+directly%29 When we work with business owners they almost always want more customers. The challenge there is that there is no place to buy a customer. Instead, to acquire a new customer you either need to generate new leads (marketing activity) or get better at converting leads into clients (sales activity).I would encourage you to think about how to increase your number of customers by either increasing your... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Cannnot+Get+More+Customers+%28at+least%2C+directly%29 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Time+for+Reflection+and+Gratitude... As we approach the end of 2006 and prepare to  embark on 2007, it is a perfect time for reflection.  What have you accomplished in 2006 and how does that compare to what you wanted to accomplish?  What are your plans for 2007—do you have a clear picture of where you want to go?  The time to  prepare for 2007 is now.It is also at the holiday time of year that I feel grateful for all of the great... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Time+for+Reflection+and+Gratitude... http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Ways+to+Lose+Your+Customers There is a lot of discussion on customer retention; let's take the opposite approach- "five sure fire ways to lose your customers." Try to sell them something they already buy from you (as if it were something new). It never fails, each week I get an offer from a company trying to sell me something that I already buy from them. Wasted marketing dollars. Be inconsistent in your delivery. Have... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/5+Ways+to+Lose+Your+Customers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/So+How+Do+I+Get+My+Team+To+Do+What+I+Need+Them+To+Do%3F It’s pretty frustrating to most people when an expectation they have about how something or someone will work, doesn’t. Sometimes it is abundantly clear that a promise wasn’t delivered, other times its more subtle. This universal truism applies to your business, too. People do talk about their experience with your business and your team. It is your call whether they’ll have something positive... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/So+How+Do+I+Get+My+Team+To+Do+What+I+Need+Them+To+Do%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Is+Looking+Out+For+Your+Success%3F The person responsible for your success, most interested in your success, and ultimately who will benefit from your success is, well, you.  There is no one who is going to ride in and save the day.  There is no one who is going to invest their heart and mind in your success except for you.  A friend of mine Steve Leach put it perfectly to me when he said “it is what you say to yourself, when you... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Is+Looking+Out+For+Your+Success%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Summer+is+Over-+Finish+It+Off+Strong What do you plan to achieve over the next 90+days?There have been many books written about goal setting and I would like to share a few keys with you: Specific - goals can not be vague if they are to be achieved Measurable - you need the data to understand what goals you have hit and what goals you are still striving for Achievable - goals should motivate you and your team. To... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Summer+is+Over-+Finish+It+Off+Strong http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Management+is+not+realistic There are a million books,  workshops and web-based classes on managing time—the challenge is, time can not be managed.  There are twenty-four hours in a day and nothing to be done about it.  So, instead of managing time, think of managing yourself in the construct of time.To begin, please understand that time is the most valuable asset you have.  You can make money, lose it and make it  back... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+Management+is+not+realistic http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Not+All+Customers+Are+Created+Equal Businesses need customers and without them, the business won't  last long.  The question is, what kinds of customers do you have? General Electric has routinely looked at its business, team and customers and put process in place to get rid of the low performers. Does your business deserve less? I would argue that it does not.Why not invest the time to list your customers based on certain criteria... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Not+All+Customers+Are+Created+Equal http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Win+The+Lottery%2C+Buy+Your+Business%3F Congratulations, you have just won $1,000,000 in a lottery.  The only stipulation is that you need to invest the funds in buying a business.  As you start to shop for your business, there are several items to consider: Customer Base—is it a broad customer base,  or are most sales consolidated in a few customers?  The broader the base of profitable customers, the better. Financials—are... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Win+The+Lottery%2C+Buy+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Do+You+Need+To+Be+Successful%3F Seems like a simple question.  When we ask business owners, the answers are typically slow coming and non-specific."So, why do you need to be successful?  Let’s operate under the assumption that you will only be given what you ask for provided that there is a reason for your asking.  Asked another way—what are you trying to accomplish by building a great business.  Often times, business owners... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Do+You+Need+To+Be+Successful%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+More+of+Your+Existing+Clients Marketing focuses on driving leads to your business. Those leads are converted into delighted customers that visit your business again and again and ultimately become "Raving Fans."The challenge is that often times, the acquisition cost of bringing a customer to your business is more than the money you make on the initial sale -- which means you have to bring them back multiple times to make your ... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Keep+More+of+Your+Existing+Clients http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Successful++Business+and+Balanced+Life+Style+-+You+Can+Now+Have+Both There are over 325,000 businesses in North Carolina (152,000 in Connecticut) with revenue's under $20,000,000. A huge number and a major contributor to both the employment and "output" in the state.Many of these entrepreneurs started their business and assumed they were going to have to work a lot of hours for a few years. The challenge they face is that the few years have come and gone and they are... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Successful++Business+and+Balanced+Life+Style+-+You+Can+Now+Have+Both http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Business+of+Straw%2C+Sticks+or+Bricks%3F I am proud to admit that I spend a lot of time reading Disney stories - not because I think they are awesome, but because my daughters do.  Lately, the Three Little Pigs has been a big hit and it got me thinking about businesses.  Is your business made of straw, sticks or bricks?Let me briefly describe the differences between the three:Straw Business—a straw business is one that is typically short... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Business+of+Straw%2C+Sticks+or+Bricks%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/New+Year+Resolutions Happy New Year!  As 2007 gets rolling, each of us will put together a list of New Years Resolutions—changes that we are going to make in 2007.  If you have not done so, get going.This year, instead of loosing weight, quitting smoking, or being a “nicer person”, I would encourage you to set SMART resolutions where SMART stands for: Specific Measurable Achievable Results Orientated Time... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/New+Year+Resolutions http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Achieve+Success Business owners all over the World are in the midst of doing their budgets.  If you have not started yours yet, I think I know what you’ll be doing this weekend.To understand where we are going, we need to understand:   1. Where we have been   2. Where we want to goSpecifically, where do you want to go in the following areas:  Revenue: What does your sales number look like Profit: How much... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Achieve+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+Raving+Fans+Involves+Trust It is well documented that it is six times more affordable to retain an existing customer than to find a new one. Not only do we want these customers to stay (most of them) but we want them to become raving fans. We find that this level of commitment is built on establishing trust based upon the following: Reliabilityandmdash;can they count on you doing what you say you are going to do when you say... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+Raving+Fans+Involves+Trust http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Get+Out+of+the+Gates+Fast There is nothing better than starting a new year with quick success!What do you need to do this month to make sure that you get out of the gates fast (and keep those New Years Resolutions Alive).  Here are a few items to consider in January: Reach out to current "A" grade clientsandmdash;nothing is more profitable than existing clients that you love to work with and who love to work with... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Get+Out+of+the+Gates+Fast http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+your+Business+in+Shape+for+Summer When someone wants to get in shapeandmdash;the first thing they do is identify their goal, second is to put a process/game plan in place and third find someone to hold them accountable to do the work.Your business is no different.  If you want to get your business in shape this summerandmdash;here are a few ideas to make it a lean mean fighting machine. Goalsandmdash;what do you want to accomplish over... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+your+Business+in+Shape+for+Summer http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Just+Did+Your+Taxes+-+Now+What%3F The scramble is over and your tax return is in for 2007.  How did the numbers look?Did you hit your revenue goals?Did you hit your profit goals (please remember, it is not what you sell but what you get to keep)?Did the value of your company increase on your balance sheet?Did you reduce debt from the prior year?If the answers are not YES, what are you going to do about it?As business owners, it is... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Just+Did+Your+Taxes+-+Now+What%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Economy+Is+Slowing+Down+-+Now+What%3F The word on the street is that the economy is going to stay slow for a little while longer (hence the interest rate reductions).  As a business owner, you can't let this get you down as there still is business to be had and customers to embrace.One key to keep in mind during any economic change is that cash is kingandmdash;businesses with strong cash flow will be able to weather any storm.  Some... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Economy+Is+Slowing+Down+-+Now+What%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Listening In an era of "what's in it for me", many people  seem to have lost their ability to  effectively listen.  Often times, people (myself included) are so eager to respond, that we cut off the very person we are trying to impress so that we can prove how smart we are.  What we really prove is that we are more focused on ourselves than the other person.There are great benefits of being... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Listening http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Don%27t+let+the+summer+fool+you It is going to be 96 degrees today in North Carolinaandmdash;the summer has decided to show up a little early.Many business owners expect a slow down in business due to vacations, change in pace, etc.This is typically not the case.There are basically twelve weeks over the summer when the kids are out of school and people's thoughts turn to the beach.  That means that on average, 8% of your clients... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Don%27t+let+the+summer+fool+you http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+RAS%3F The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is an actual physical part of the human brain (it can be found at the core of the brain stem). It filters all the incoming stimuli bombarding our brain. It does this by deciding what to pay attention to and what to ignore.Contrary to popular belief, our mind doesn’t actually multi-task. It can have only one conscious focus at a time. Though like a computer, it... by Rich Herb http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+RAS%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Secret+to+Growing+Your+Business+in+a+Slow+Economy As a small-to-medium sized company grows, it becomes harder to effectively communicate across the organization.  Whether within or between departments, communications must be optimized for organizations to execute at their peak.  The key, according to ActionCOACH Marketing Director Jodie Shaw, is to recognize each employee's preferred style of information exchange."Modern personality assessment... by Jim Palzewicz http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Secret+to+Growing+Your+Business+in+a+Slow+Economy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Own+a+Black+Belt+Business%3F What does it mean to earn a black belt in any of the various styles of martial arts? What first comes to mind is that of a trained killer. But martial arts training is a lot more than that. In addition to being a form of self-defense and exercise, it's a philosophy or a way of life.I got involved in the martial arts at a very early age but didn't receive my Black Belt in Tang Soo Do Karate... by Steve Goranson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Own+a+Black+Belt+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Know+How+Effective+Your+Marketing+Is%3F A while ago, I came across an article about the annual awards for the Australian Direct Marketing Association. What interested me was the winner of the effectiveness' division Video Ezy.The video chain managed to increase the response to their direct mail campaign from 17% to 40% in some of their stores and they did it without changing their offer. A couple of changes to... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Know+How+Effective+Your+Marketing+Is%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Coaching+Will+Take+You+To+The+Top+of+Your+Game Succeeding in business gets tougher every day. The increasing pace of technological change, punishing workloads and evermore ferocious global competition are just some of the challenges that require business people to be at the top of their game.To help develop the necessary leadership and functional skills, more and more owners and executives are turning to business coaching.While business coaching... by James Malski http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Coaching+Will+Take+You+To+The+Top+of+Your+Game http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Want+to+Increase+Your+Odds+of+Success+in+Business%3F This is an interesting statistic: In 2003 the Missouri Department of Economic Development reported that 14,930 businesses were started, 2,493 of them were in St Louis County alone. That's just in one year!That's the good news, now the bad news. Two thirds of them won't be around five years from now. As business owners yourselves that statistic has been hammered into you for some time... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Want+to+Increase+Your+Odds+of+Success+in+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+it+from+the+Top How do you believe most Professional Business Owners, ie Lawyers, Accountants and the such like, are viewed by the public, by clients? I don’t mean what do you THINK the clients think of you, I mean do you KNOW? Have you ever asked, and if you have, do you keep on asking, and importantly do your team ask?Next, can I ask you this?      Do you have staff, or do you have a team? And do you know... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+it+from+the+Top http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Steps+To+Business+Success "Success in business is something that all people who own their own business want, and yet for most business owners it's something they may not have clearly defined for themselves. When asking business owners what they want from their business they usually say more freedom, but rarely do they end up with that freedom, as they get lost along the way and bogged down with the challenges of running... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/4+Steps+To+Business+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Don%27t+Ask+For+Referrals We are often told that referrals are a great way to build a business, however in reality many people are reluctant to give a referral. So don't ask for one!Instead, ask for an introduction. An "introduction" sounds much less threatening and informal than a referral. Most people are quite comfortable about introducing one person to another.Here are some tips to help you find introductions: Train... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Don%27t+Ask+For+Referrals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Understand+Why+Customers+Buy%3F The first thing to understand about selling is why people buy a particular product or service and what it is that they really buy. You may be surprised to learn that people buy only two things: Solutions to problemsThat means: People do not buy your golf lessons. They buy a vision of how good they will feel when they have successfully completed those lessons! In other words, people always buy to satisfy... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Understand+Why+Customers+Buy%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Are+Your+Business+Vital+Signs%3F Our topic this month deals with the health of your business. What are the vital signs for your business? When you visit your family practitioner, there is a routine. Weight, blood pressure, heart rate and temperature are the basic vital signs.On your chart is a list of all your other visits and your prior vital signs. When doctor grabs your chart, he already has an idea whether you are healthy or not.What... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Are+Your+Business+Vital+Signs%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/First+Things+First To improve your business you must take the following steps:   1. Values and purpose   2. Vision and Mission   3. Goals   4. Plan   5. Take actionValues and Purpose.What are your personal values, if you are not sure you must find out, the best way to find out is to spend some time by yourself and ask the following questions, what do I want my family, friends, community, employees (team members) and... by David Bush http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/First+Things+First http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+So+Funny+Bout+Vision+Mission+and+Culture%3F This title was supposed to be sung to the tune of the Elvis Costello Tune referencing "Peace, Love, and Understanding" but I know it doesn't quite work. My apologies to Mr. Costello. The challenge of writing on a seemingly overwritten business subject was to try and spice it up somewhat. Now that I've got your attention, I hope I can hold it for a couple of minutes!Realistically these three words are... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Is+So+Funny+Bout+Vision+Mission+and+Culture%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Como+convertir+a+sus+clientes+en+fanaticos Los Clientes Fanáticos son clientes que están tan emocionados con nosotros que no sólo le cuentan de nosotros a todos sus amigos y colegas, sino que nos los mandan y nos ayudan a venderles cosas.Es un hecho alarmante en los negocios el que gastemos seis veces más para atraer nuevos clientes que lo que gastamos para vender y servir mejor a nuestros clientes existentes de modo que sigan con nosotros.... by Agustin Torres http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Como+convertir+a+sus+clientes+en+fanaticos http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Los+pasos+para+las+Ventas+Exitosas MetasUsted logrará muy poco si no cuenta con metas de Ventas claramente definidas, medidas en un rango de tiempo (mes, trimestre, ańo). Establezca sus metas y la de cada uno de sus vendedores y realice juntas de seguimiento en forma mensual.Primero asegúrese de que cada vendedor aspire a mejorar los ingresos del ańo pasado ó de los meses anteriores en una cantidad ó porcentaje específico, a los nuevos... by Agustin Torres http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Los+pasos+para+las+Ventas+Exitosas http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/La+Verdadera+Medida+del+xito+de+la+Mercadotecnia Mucha gente odia evaluar la rentabilidad de su publicidad, esto es porque significa que hay una oportunidad, aunque remota, de que toda estrategia de mercadotecnia que pruebes no funcione la primera vez'. En otras palabras, es posible que gastes dinero sin ver ningún beneficio. Probablemente has estado probando y midiendo durante toda tu vida de negocios. Recuerda el anuncio en el periódico... by Agustin Torres http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/La+Verdadera+Medida+del+xito+de+la+Mercadotecnia http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Deja+de+vender+solo+en+base+a+precios+bajos Una de las quejas más comunes de los dueńos de empresas medianas y pequeńas es que no pueden competir con las empresas grandes en precio ó que la competencia está muy fuerte y tienen que bajar los precios para poder vender.La percepción en el Mercado es que la gente está comprando únicamente en base a precio. Sin embargo la única razón por la que el cliente te pide un precio bajo es porque tu mismo... by Agustin Torres http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Deja+de+vender+solo+en+base+a+precios+bajos http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Scripts+to+Sell+More When talking to business owners about using scripts in their businesses, this first question to answer usually revolves around the meaning of the word "script".As consumers, we have all been subjected to the bad sales script- remember that telemarketer reading their lines to you word-for-word that made you feel like hanging up just to make it stop? Or consider the most overused and ineffective script... by John Sheridan http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Scripts+to+Sell+More http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Efficiency+Methods+and+Tools Start UpstairsThink before you send:In the time of email, conversations can take place over days or weeks via this most wonderful tool.  But if you want to reduce misunderstandings- technical and personal, or if the subject of your email that you are typing out seems on the sensitive side, maybe you should think about picking up the phone to express what you need to say instead of emailing.   Thinking... by Bill Stack http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Efficiency+Methods+and+Tools http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Communication+is+the+Response+You+Get%21 I was speaking to a business owner last week and he relayed a big frustration to me, "I cannot seem to get my team to do what I want them to do. I know what I want them to do, but then it gets lost between my brain and my mouth. I end up frustrated because they are not doing what I want them to do, and they are frustrated because they don't know what is expected of them. How do I solve... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Communication+is+the+Response+You+Get%21 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+your+biggest+business+owner+challenge+a+roadmap+or+a+mindset+issue%3F James wasn't going anywhere fast. His vehicle was stuck in the mud. Surely his goal to arrive at the cabin on time and safely was blown. If a roadmap could tell James what to do, how to do it and when to do it; was not having a good one his problem? Or was his mindset oriented to believe that he didn't need the help that written directions or advice from friends could've provided.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+your+biggest+business+owner+challenge+a+roadmap+or+a+mindset+issue%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Pricing+Sound%3F In more than 25 years of making pricing decisions and of observing others making pricing decisions, I have come to the conclusion that there is no single business decision that can be made more quickly, but which deserves more cautious consideration than the decision of what to charge for one's goods and services.As a business coach, it never ceases to amaze me how business owners and managers make... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Pricing+Sound%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+24+Hours+in+a+Day+is+Not+Enough Time management is discussed a lot, when in fact you can't manage time... but you can manage yourself.If you don't have enough time now it's because of the choices you've made in the past which is great as it means that all you have to do to get more time, is make better choices!So the first step in Time Mastery is to look at your choices. At Action we use the time target to help you do this. This... by Toby Hollington http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/When+24+Hours+in+a+Day+is+Not+Enough http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+you+spend+more+time+on+your+employee One of the first things I teach my clients is about leveraging your time. That means getting the maximum results out of the minimum input - and a lot of the time, delegation is a big part of the solution.BUT - have you ever given a task to your team and ended up doing it anyway?If you spend most of your workday solving problems for your team so that they can do their jobs - if you spend so much time... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+you+spend+more+time+on+your+employee http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Story+of+Profitability+and+Cash+Flow Pretend you have 2 children.One you named Profitability, the other you named Cash Flow.I'll bet that too often in your years of business in the past, you have ignored Cash Flow and paid too much attention to Profitability.These 2 children are very different.Profitability is very smart, very logical and thinks long term- the next year, 2 years, 5 years...Cash Flow however, is needier, and... by Thom Finn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Story+of+Profitability+and+Cash+Flow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Key+Performance+Indicators+Effectively Measuring Business Performance:Although business operators initially have a great deal of control over their business, as organisations expand and take on extra staff, other staff members take on responsibilities and control. In order to continue to improve your business, you should consider implementing a formal process for measuring and improving staff performance.Key Performance Indicators:One of... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Key+Performance+Indicators+Effectively http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/About+Kaizen Kaizen is a system of continuous improvement in quality, technology, processes, company culture, productivity, safety and leadership. Kaizen was created in Japan following World War II. The word Kaizen means "continuous improvement". It comes from the Japanese words "Kai" meaning school and "Zen" meaning wisdom. Kaizen is a system that involves every Team Member - from upper management to the cleaning... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/About+Kaizen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Four+Stages+of+Learning Psychologists understand that people move through four psychological stages in the process of developing competence in a skill.The first stage is called unconscious incompetence. People at this stage don't understand something and they don't even know that they don't understand. In other words, they don't know what they don't know.The second stage is called conscious incompetence. People at this stage... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Four+Stages+of+Learning http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Your+Subconscious+Mind Your subconscious mind is a powerful mental magnet. Napoleon Hill's Philosophy of Success works more efficiently when you engage your subconscious mind in the learning process. Always advanced for his time, Dr. Hill recognized that the conscious mind was merely the tip of the iceberg. More advanced and more directly useful to students of success is the subconscious mind.This greater mind can... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Your+Subconscious+Mind http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Financial+Matters+Explained Accrual Accounting:Accrual accounting measures the periodic performance and position of a business in terms of the "economic events" that occur in the period, regardless of when their related cash transactions occur.For example if, in March, you were to purchase a wad of trading stock through a cooperative which did not issue a single, consolidated invoice until the first week in April, which you then... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Financial+Matters+Explained http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+a+Positive+Attitude Your attitude is everything!Having a positive attitude can help you cope much more easily with life's daily affairs.A positive attitude brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking.If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bring constructive changes into your life, and over the long run make you happier and much more successful.It's true. With a positive... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+a+Positive+Attitude http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Zonas+de+confort Has escuchado de ese experimento, bastante cruel por cierto, donde metes a una rana a una olla con agua y la empiezas a calentar? Obvio, la temperatura va subiendo y subiendo y la rana, siendo un animal de sangre frĂ­a, se va adaptando y adaptando hasta llegar el punto donde muere por la alta temperatura del agua. La rana nunca hace nada por sobrevivir. Pero si agarramos a la misma rana y la aventamos... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Zonas+de+confort http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Work+Your+Connections What is your definition of selling? If your definition of selling is pressuring people to buy things they don't want, then that belief may be holding your own sales back. ActionCOACH's definition of selling is: "Professionally helping people buy what they want." Let's consider how most people approach buying anything: We love to buy but hate to be sold We buy from people we like We like people... by Van Smick http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Work+Your+Connections http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Lessons+from+the+Grocery+Store+and+How+they+Apply+to+Business Lessons to be learned in life are all around us. Here's my take on some you might discover in, of all places, the grocery store. Some things are right under our noses. Have you ever searched for something in the spice section? All those jars look alike and when you finally give up and ask for help, the clerk walks right up and hands you what you need. (Hint: They're arranged alphabetically)... by Mark Raciappa http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/10+Lessons+from+the+Grocery+Store+and+How+they+Apply+to+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Repeat+Your+Message+for+Success While most business owners understand that having someone see your message just once isn't going to get your message across and build your business - when it comes to planning their advertising campaign, they end up doing exactly that!Most business owners end up conducting single-shot advertising by running an ad one time and then creating a whole new one for the next time. It may seem a little boring... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Repeat+Your+Message+for+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Losing+Sight+of+Your+Goals%3F Let me paint a scenario for you, which I know is familiar to many.You come into work bright and early to catch up on all those major things you need to do, and you sit back at your desk with great intentions.However, you need a coffee to get started, and there are a couple of little jobs that you could quickly knock check off your list before you start on that vital Marketing Plan.So you do all that,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Losing+Sight+of+Your+Goals%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Making+Business+Work%2C+Simply There are some things in life that are supposed to be really complicated; being a parent, learning how to invest and running your own business. When you look at all of these things nothing could be further from the truth. Parents are taught by their children, investors are taught by their experiences and business owners should be taught by a mentor. Often, when I look at businesses it is clear that... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Making+Business+Work%2C+Simply http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Selling+Solutions Would you be surprised to learn that most people don't like being in sales and don't believe they are good at it? The reality is everyone is in sales of some sort and in ways many people don't imagine. Why do some forms of selling illicit feelings of fear, disgust or sleaziness when other forms of selling are so much a part of your persona that you don't even realize it is happening?The... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Selling+Solutions http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Management+By+Crisis "Management by crisis" is a phrase used to describe the common problem of allowing unexpected events, interruptions, problems, or emergencies to dictate your priorities and actions.Effective crisis management is an important skill to have and use. It is an essential skill for effective time managers because unexpected things do happen in every business, every day. Sometimes we do need to react quickly... by John Layzell http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Management+By+Crisis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Principles+of+Leadership ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars believes, when people decide to respect you as a leader, they observe what you do so they can know who you really are.People then use this observation to tell if you are an honorable and trusted leader, or a self-serving person who misuses authority.A good leader has an honorable character that selflessly serves his/her organization. In your employees' eyes,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Principles+of+Leadership http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Will+You+Reach+Your+Goals+This+Quarter%3F With the current economic crisis, running a business is getting tougher. I often hear flustered business owners say things like, "I don't have enough time to get everything done," and "How do I become more efficient at time management?"Time is a limited resource. However, time cannot be managed. What you can manage are the activities that take place over time by defining... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Will+You+Reach+Your+Goals+This+Quarter%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Work+Less+Hours+and+Make+More+Profit++from+Your+Business The vast majority of business owners I talk to are either working ridiculously long hours in their business, or they're not making anywhere near the sort of money that they could be.So unless you're making too much money right now, or you have more spare time than you know what to do with, I suggest you read on. I'm about to make you an offer that will change all that.I specialize in assisting business... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Work+Less+Hours+and+Make+More+Profit++from+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Inspires+You%3F QUESTIONS: Where do you get your inspiration? What gives you the drive to move forward when you come up against powerful odds? Who has inspired, or actively encouraged, you to break through something that you thought you might not be able to overcome?  OVERCOMING CANCER, POLITICS AND WAR, HANDICAPS, AND MISTAKES: I have been blessed in the past year to come in contact with some... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Inspires+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Believe+You+Can A young man fell asleep during math class.  He woke up as the bell rang, looked at the blackboard, and copied down the two problems that were there.  He assumed they were the homework for the night.  He went home and labored the rest of the afternoon and into the evening knowing if he didn't complete the work he would surely fail the class. He couldn't figure out either one but he kept trying for the... by Phil Barton http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Believe+You+Can http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Unable+to+Get+a+Sale%3F Maybe you're not in a big slump, but just can't seem to hit the quota numbers. Let's be kind and call it "sales under-achievement." Don't panic. Don't press too hard. Don't get down on yourself. Don't get mad. And above all -- don't quit. OK, OK, there's a bit of a slowdown, but don't be too quick to blame your lack of performance on "it" before you take a hard look at "you." Take a closer... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Unable+to+Get+a+Sale%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Improve+Your+Conversion+Rates When I speak to most business owners for the first time and ask them what they think their sales conversion rate is, they almost always say 60-70%. Sometimes this is true, though most times it is not. But with our testing and measuring system, we help business owners find out what it really is. And surprisingly enough the true answer on an average is around 30%.So that means only 3 out of 10 new leads... by David Bush http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Improve+Your+Conversion+Rates http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+For+Systemizing+Your+Business Do you have systems in place?Remember Systems run your business People run your systems You lead your people There are four basic steps to systemisation Flowchart your processes. This will show you how it all fits together. Document how it gets done. Get the team member who is currently doing the job to write down every step in performing a task. This person then gets a new person to do... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Tips+For+Systemizing+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Run+Your+Business+or+Does+Your+Business+Run+You%3F Do you run your business or does your business run you?What does this mean? Well, business owners normally start their business for one of several reasons - they want a better lifestyle and want to earn more money, or they want to be their own boss and be in control of their own destiny. However, what happens is that they end up with a job in which they work long hours for little money. If you're a... by Stephen Marino http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Run+Your+Business+or+Does+Your+Business+Run+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Implementing+New+Habits It did for Joe, Mary and Tom. Perhaps you'll see a little bit of yourself in one of their stories:It was Joe's turn to give his one minute introduction about his business. At first, nobody paid attention. After four years of hearing the same recital, they knew what he would say. Joe was half way through his message when they realized this one was different.Sue left early last Thursday like... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Implementing+New+Habits http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Entrepreneurial+Attention+Deficit+Disorder%3F I have named it "EADD" or Entrepreneurial Attention Deficit Disorder. A few years ago, I thought it was just an isolated case- not commonly found. Now it has become epidemic; nearly 40% of all the small business owners I meet suffer from it.  Its symptoms include difficulty focusing on one thing at a time, trouble sticking to one subject or topic, not being able to finish a task, poor follow through... by Thom Finn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Entrepreneurial+Attention+Deficit+Disorder%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Quick+Can+You+Get+to+the+Guts+of+Your+Business%3F I think it was Shakespeare who said, “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” There’s a good lesson to be learned from it this classic line or the old adage, “What’s inside matters more than the shell.”   While this applies to business, does it also apply to marketing?The fact is that a 'rose' means something to all of us.  And the smell of a rose is distinct.  So, what does this have... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Quick+Can+You+Get+to+the+Guts+of+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Practice+of+Discipline Many of our Action clients learn that one of the toughest things to do is to CHANGE their habits.  We are all creatures of habit and yet in order to make the changes we want in our lives and our businesses we have to break current habits to form new ones.  This only happens with discipline.   Most people know what they need to do to be the very best in their field. "Doing it" on your own can be a huge... by David Drewelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Practice+of+Discipline http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Opportunity An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile of scrap metal and sees the making of a wonderful sculpture. An enterprising person is one who drives through an old decrepit part of town and sees a new housing development. An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life.To be enterprising is to keep your eyes open and your mind active. It's to be skilled enough, confident... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Creating+Opportunity http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Best+Test The "Best" Test by Chris Widener I spoke to a group of salespeople in Kansas City some time ago as they kicked off their new team. It was exciting to see them get excited about making a difference through their work. The topic they assigned me was "Simply the Best." So as I prepared, I asked myself, "What characteristics would help someone pass the "Best" test? That is, what are the characteristics... by Steve Thalls http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Best+Test http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Set+and+Achieve+Goals New year is always a great time to take stock of our results during the year. I make it a habit of writing down the wins and lessons for the previous year first. Reflecting on our past and taking the lessons out of our experience is a powerful way to make sure we don't repeatedly make the same mistakes. So before I write my goals for the new year, I make it a point of making the time to really... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Set+and+Achieve+Goals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Scarcity+or+Abundance%3F What is the first lesson that we learned in Economics class?  Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. Have you really questioned the idea that the world only provides limited resources? Contrary to popular economics, the world is a world of abundant resources. For example, in 1972 the Club of Rome, a then unknown think tank composed of scientists from around the world predicted... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Scarcity+or+Abundance%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Change+Your+Beliefs Don't like your outcomes, change your beliefs!Of all things in the world that have an impact on our success, our beliefs are at the core of our outcomes in life.  By the way, what are beliefs?  Are not beliefs defined as something that a person holds to be true? What you hold to be true can be entirely different than what I hold to be true.  Most people tend to hold strong beliefs, but even though... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Change+Your+Beliefs http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stimulate+Your+Creativity As a business owner of a small business, we do not have the luxury of possessing a multi-million dollar advertising budget to build a marketing program.  Rather we must rely on our time, energy, and creativity.  There are limits to our time and energy, but there are no bounds to our creativity.  Interestingly, most people do not view themselves as creative people which gives you and I an even stronger... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Stimulate+Your+Creativity http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Keys+to+Business+Success The Keys to Business Success:The following is the beginning of a series of articles that focus on the keys to developing a successful, thriving business. Many of the keys are based on principles and methodologies used by Action International Business Coaches all over the world. Some of the information may not be new to you, but it may contain points you have forgotten or have stopped applying to your... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Keys+to+Business+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Program+Your+Mind+for+Success Have you heard that we use only 10% of our brain capacity? This statement really got me thinking, well where is the other 90% and how do we tap into it??? After some research I discovered that this statement is based on the fact that our conscious brain is only 10% of our total brain capacity. The other 90% is 40-50% Sub-conscious and the remaining 40-50% Un-conscious. So, what does each part do? The... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Program+Your+Mind+for+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Make+Every+Minute+Count Your mind is your most precious asset; use it increase the quality of your thinking.One of the best ways is to turn driving time into learning time. Listen to educational audio tapes or CD's in your car. The average driver, according to the American Automobile Association, drives 12,000 to 25,000 miles each year, spending 500 to 1000 hours that each year in their car. That is the equivalent of 12 1/2... by David Drewelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Make+Every+Minute+Count http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Seven+Qualities+of+High+Achievers If you think the way successful people think and adopt their success habits, you too can be successful.Here are seven qualities of the top one percent of successful people:1.  They are Ambitious.They see themselves capable of being the best. They see themselves with the capacity of being really good at what they do.If we have feelings of self-doubt, we can't be successful. The word "deserve"... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Seven+Qualities+of+High+Achievers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspirational+Leadership+Quotes From my experience running multiple offices and leading over 40 managers and employees in the corporate world I have found that training and leadership development go hand in hand. I found that as a leader it was my responsibility to make sure my team got the best training available. It was my job as their leader to help them become successful. The quicker I trained them and taught them the best practices... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Inspirational+Leadership+Quotes http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It+Is+Not+The+Economy%2C+It+Is+You Is business success or failure the result of the economy - or, is it the business owner? A few political campaigns ago, Bill Clinton's campaign fired a shot over the bow. Referring to the incumbent president, he said, "It's the Economy, Stupid!"In today's cooled' economy there is still opportunity for you to grow your business. Just because things aren't... by Reggie Shropshire http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It+Is+Not+The+Economy%2C+It+Is+You http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Get+Your+Life+Back+by+Systemizing+Your+Business All too often the cry is heard, "You can't get good people," or "Why can't I get my people to do as I tell them?"Most people go into business for themselves with the aim of having financial freedom as well as more time. Consider then for a moment, the business owner who has 10 people working in the business, yet he/she is the one doing all the work. What's... by Paul Christie http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Get+Your+Life+Back+by+Systemizing+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Neglecting+Your+Conversion+Rates%3F Of the five areas in which we coach our business owners, increasing their conversion rate is generally the second easiest and most cost effective to help improve sales. Despite conversion rates being one of the easiest areas to focus on and improve in a business, from my experience as a Business Coach, it is also the one most neglected by business owners. Here is how you can change that! Do you realize... by Neil Sinclair http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Neglecting+Your+Conversion+Rates%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Enjoy+the+Game+of+Business "Fun" comes from doing something that you enjoy such as going out with friends or playing a game. Business is a game. Its purpose is to exceed our customers' expectations profitably so that they continue to come back to us and persuade others to buy from us.As business owners, our interests, beliefs and skills will determine the products and services we choose to create for our businesses.... by Russ Young http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Enjoy+the+Game+of+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Goal+Setting+is+S.M.A.R.T+Business Goal setting is as important in business as it is in life, and it is the most common subject in books on business success. These books touch upon setting both long-term goals and short-term goals for business, as well as specific personal and lifetime goals. The benefits of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results oriented, Time-framed goals (S.M.A.R.T goals) have been written about for years. Goal... by Steve Pitcairn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Goal+Setting+is+S.M.A.R.T+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Act+in+a+Slow+Economy I am hearing it all the time - at networking events, on the phone, in the pub, even within the family. Yes, the economy is going through some difficult times, although I am not convinced that it would be as bad if it wasn't for the media having an easy story to sensationalize.But with so many tightening their purse strings, often the first area businesses try and save in is marketing (for those that... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Act+in+a+Slow+Economy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Psycho+Cybernetics Maxwell Maltz was a cosmetic surgeon. He was amazed when, after he had performed some impressive reconstruction procedures, patients would complain they couldn't see the difference! "I still feel ugly." Maltz recognized that, in addition to the reconstruction work on the outside, the patient needed to have reconstruction work on the "inside," on the patient's self-image. The self image is a mental... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Psycho+Cybernetics http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Many+Customers+Can+You+Afford+to+Lose%3F According to the Harvard Business Review, 67 percent of customers who choose a new supplier said they were satisfied with their former supplier! On an average, most U.S. companies lose half their customer base every five years. So why would customers who are satisfied stop doing business with you? Well consider this: Customers go where they are wanted and stay where they are appreciated.Varying estimates... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Many+Customers+Can+You+Afford+to+Lose%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+Your+Attitude It was 7a.m. in our office and my first phone call of the day was from someone who was irate, depressed and totally below the line. I did the best I could to understand: 1) what the person was saying, 2) why he was feeling this way, 3) what exactly he expected me to do about it, and 4) how to offer a suggestion that might help them have a better day.By the time he hung up the phone, I could feel that... by Mark Carn http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+Your+Attitude http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Law+of+Attraction Here is one that never ceased to blow me away- the law of attraction. The law of attraction states that whatever you focus, on you will manifest in your life. No exceptions! This has often proved to be the most powerful universal principle in affecting change in our lives. Focus on what you don't want and you'll get more of it I used to be one of those people that when asked, "What... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Law+of+Attraction http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Your+Mind You are not limited to the life you now live. It has been accepted by you as the best you can do at this moment. Any time you're ready to go beyond the limitations currently in your life, you're capable of doing that by choosing different thoughts.We each earn the income we do today because that is the amount we have limited ourselves to earn. We could easily earn 5, 10, 20 times or more if we did... by Steve Thalls http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Your+Mind http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Join+the+Podcast+Revolution A most convenient way of gaining additional knowledge is to listen to audio versions of some of the popular business books. One can utilise time spent commuting or exercising very profitably this way. World-renowned author, Zig Ziglar calls this the University of the Automobile (in his Southern drawl.) The most convenient way of dealing with this is to use Apple’s iPod or similar hard disk based... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Join+the+Podcast+Revolution http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Seven+Top+Tips+on+Leadership Simple things that you can do, starting today, to be a better leader: TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE: Leaders think about the future and help others see the future. As Mark Collar says, "Leaders teach people to dream, not just execute." TEACH SOMEONE SOMETHING: Leaders are involved in their organisation and committed to growing organisational capability. Nothing sends that signal stronger... by Cherry Vanderbeake http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Seven+Top+Tips+on+Leadership http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Great+Leaders In today's fast-changing business environment, more than just good management skills are required to be a leader. Also required are vision and a knowledge of the big picture and the ability to see things not as they are, but how they are going to be.Leadership also requires the courage to take action on imperfect information about the future. As Henry Luce said, "Business, more than any other occupation,... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Power+of+Great+Leaders http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Win+the+Day We all strive to make the best possible use of our time.  Everyone realizes how important time management is, yet few people ever feel they are great at time management. There are dozens of time management techniques out there that require the average person to become unimaginably disciplined with their time.  But reality is that life and human emotions will prevent many of those techniques from... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Win+the+Day http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Business+Killing+You%3F Have you ever stepped back to assess why you are so tired when you get up to go to work each day?As a business owner, you may be passionate about your business without truly understanding why it seems to be such a personal chore every day to keep your head above water. The following survey of eight questions will help you answer the question, "Is your business killing you?" Circle one letter from a.... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Business+Killing+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Your+Reticular+Activating+System Your brain is amazing; and setting and focusing on goals is a powerful way to harness its massive energy and power.There is a network of nerves in the brain that control the state of awareness and attention.  This system functions as a filter or doorway to accept and reject the overwhelming stimuli that we all encounter when we are awake.  A person can actively set this filter' by choosing... by David Beam http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Your+Reticular+Activating+System http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+You+Can+Boost+Your+Level+of+Confidence When you see people who are successful, did you wonder how they achieved that success or what barriers and obstacles they had to overcome? It is easy to recognize confidence in a person, but was that due to successes that they had already achieved or was it the confidence they exuded that was the basis for their successes?Confidence is certainly not something a person is born with. Confidence is a... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+You+Can+Boost+Your+Level+of+Confidence http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Leaders+Must+Go+Outside+of+Their+Own+Comfort+Zones Small businesses have always been, and they will continue to be, the engine for the success of the U.S. economy. Owner-entrepreneurs have passion about their ideas and a willingness to take the risk to prove that their product or service is better than anyone else's.Unfortunately, only 80 percent of start-ups survive the first five years.Owners of businesses in the early years of operation are comfortable... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Leaders+Must+Go+Outside+of+Their+Own+Comfort+Zones http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+a+Business+Partner Partners in business can be a tricky situation when it comes to success.  Frankly most partnerships fail, but on the other hand, the ones that succeed can achieve much greater levels of success more rapidly than if the same individuals went after the same goals, all by themselves. Here are some of my ideas that help to guide individuals in building successful partnerships:    1. Values:This area is... by Brian Blomgren http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Choosing+a+Business+Partner http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Leading+Your+Company+Or+Just+Managing+It%3F As the owner or chief executive in your company, how much time do you spend on leading and not just managing? If your goal is to create a growing, profitable business that can work without you, strong leadership is a must.Author William Arthur Ward once wrote, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I many not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I may... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Leading+Your+Company+Or+Just+Managing+It%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+an+Agent+of+Change%3F A man walked into a psychiatrist's office and said, "Doc, every time I see nickels, dimes, and quarters, I have a panic attack! What can the problem be?" "Oh that's easy," answered the doctor. "You're just afraid of change."A majority of people go through life virtually paralyzed because they are afraid of change- afraid to try something new or... by Ann Hofferberth http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+an+Agent+of+Change%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/80+20+Rule The 80/20 or Pareto Principle states that a small number of inputs and activity actually account for the majority of outputs and results. In all likelihood, 80percent of your profits result from just 20 percent of your sales and customers.However, while most managers understand the principle intellectually, few turn this understanding into sustained and focused action. Like an overweight person who... by Stuart Ross http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/80+20+Rule http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/If+Your+Business+Were+a+Sailing+Vessel+-+Would+Your+Leadership+Be+More+Visible%3F You never read about a sailing race in which one of the competitors failed to know the destination or the starting line. Precious few captains start without a serious game plan or preparation behind them the risks are simply too great. Why don't more business owners guide their business that way?Strong leadership is a success factor in sailing and in business. When leadership fails, there... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/If+Your+Business+Were+a+Sailing+Vessel+-+Would+Your+Leadership+Be+More+Visible%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Five+Ways%2C+The+ActionCOACH+Way It may sound like a trick question.Can a business increase sales 10%, keep expenses constant and still see a 61% increase in profits?It can if it looks at increasing the bottom-line the ActionCOACH way.Conventional business looks at sales from the standpoint of three variables, namely sales, expenses and profits defined by the formula: Sales - Expenses = Profits.In this approach, each variable depends... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Five+Ways%2C+The+ActionCOACH+Way http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It+Is+All+About+Relationships Years ago, as President in a Fortune 1000 firm, I was fortunate to be introduced to Dr.  Vance Caesar, a well-known business coach and author.  He soon became my business coach and this relationship lasted about a decade. He advised me in corporate world strategy, and then worked closely with me through my successful entrepreneurial forays.  It is by far the best investment I have made in my career... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/It+Is+All+About+Relationships http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Business+Coaching%3F What is a Business Coach?Just like a sports coach guides players to victory with a winning game plan, a Business Coach guides business owners to an improved and more profitable business with a tested, proven and systemized "game plan" for any type of company.As all great athletes eventually realize they must rely on a coach to improve their game and "take it to the next level," more and more business... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+Business+Coaching%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Do+Your+Customers+Stop+Working+With+You%3F If your year was like mine, you heard several people sing this song (that should find a voice coach)"Why do my customers stop working with me? I got to thinking about customers and why they leave.Why do your customers stop working with you? At ActionCOACH, we have found that it is for the following reasons: 1 percent - Due to death. 3 percent - Move to another area. 9 percent - Sold by a competitor... by Steve Brock http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Why+Do+Your+Customers+Stop+Working+With+You%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Attracting+Your+Ideal+Clients%3F Do you experience the 'Too Many Clients, Not Enough Money' syndrome? Most of us are familiar with the Pareto Principle or the (80/20 rule). This principle has wide application in many areas of life, especially business. Many business owners I know have validated this principle when it comes to their business - that typically 80 percent of their business comes from 20 percent their clients. In many... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Attracting+Your+Ideal+Clients%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Welcome+to+the+SOHO+World Gone are the days when home-based business was limited to Tupperware parties, Amway and the sole-operating seamstress. With the advent of new technology, the thirst for a lifestyle greater than the 9-5, 40-hour work weeks that are actually 60+, and the changing dynamics of the modern day family, more and more people are turning toward professional home-based businesses. There are five key motivations... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Welcome+to+the+SOHO+World http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Much+Potential+Do+We+Leave+on+the+Table%3F What percentage of your potential are you achieving?  For most, the answer is far less than 100 percent.  Improving the potential of your business requires sorting out which daily interactions are valuable to your business, and which ones are merely distractions.   Here are some simple steps you can take to guide the focus, intention, and behavior of your daily performance and to increase your business... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Much+Potential+Do+We+Leave+on+the+Table%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Maximize+Your+Profits+by+Increasing+Conversion+Rates My goal as a business coach with ActionCOACH is to help business owners THRIVE not merely SURVIVE. What does that mean? It means I work with my clients on how to be a top performer in terms of Time, Team and Money. TIME: Teach you as the owner how to systemize the business so you can work ON building the business rather then having to work IN the business to produce the product or service. TEAM:... by Van Smick http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Maximize+Your+Profits+by+Increasing+Conversion+Rates http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Selling+Your+Business+-+The+Hardest+Sale+You+Will+Ever+Make They say the three most stressful times in a person's life are when they get married, buy a house and change jobs.  Well, try selling a business - It's your baby, the thing you have built over 15 years.  You have put your heart, soul and an incalculable number of hours into it.  Now you are going to sell it. There are many things you need to do and consider, but these seven areas are of immense importance... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Selling+Your+Business+-+The+Hardest+Sale+You+Will+Ever+Make http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Identity+Theft+-+It+Could+Hurt+Your+Business If you're like most business owners, you've heard the headlines about identity theft but you probably don't know that YOUR business is the prime target today! The stats are on the nightly news: 10 million people affected last year. 27,000 a day, 1,100 an hour, 19 per minute. $48 billion stolen from businesses and financial institutions. $5 billion out of pocket to the victims. 175 hours... by Van Smick http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Identity+Theft+-+It+Could+Hurt+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Revenue+Generating+Advertising 80 percent of all advertising doesn't work! And yet there are companies whose advertising generates MORE revenue, than they spend on it. What is their secret? It's a simple 7-step process which starts with knowing where their prospects can be reached and ends with a well-designed layout. But before we look at the successful process, let's review the most common advertising mistakes.The... by Van Smick http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Revenue+Generating+Advertising http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Can+You+Avoid+Leadership+Negligence+In+Your+Company%3F Negligence may have too strong a connotation with serious harm or injury to describe leaders who don't take initiative to grow their business.    Missed opportunities' from inattention to results' is more likely what occurs when desired results don't manifest.  Focusing on the positive is what is important.  Leaders can maximize the impact of their actions when... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Can+You+Avoid+Leadership+Negligence+In+Your+Company%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Is+a+Leader+at+Your+Company%3F For Anybody to be in true dialogue and partnership with Somebody, for Everybody to ensure Nobody feels left out or not respected, a company would serve itself well to have ‘rules of the road’ which Everybody agrees to abide by and can hold Anybody accountable to.  Everybody can likewise be held accountable to Somebody.   Anybody is invited and can help create the rules of the road, but Nobody... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Who+Is+a+Leader+at+Your+Company%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Do+You+Do+When+Your+Business+Leaks%3F Most people who realize that they have a leak do three things.  First, they try to stop it.  Second, they try to fix it.   Third, they survey the damage the leak caused.  Leaks, of course, can be very costly and they almost always take you down a path you didn't intend to go. More often than not, people who hear the word leak' think it pertains to water.  What happens when money... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+Do+You+Do+When+Your+Business+Leaks%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+Potential%3F The answer, of course, is yes!  More importantly, though, how do you maximize it?   People who achieve or exceed at creating the impact they desire do so by turning potential-maximizing behaviors into habits.  If you don't know what those habits might need to be, how do you get started? The answer may be easier to learn and implement than you think.  Like most things with infinite boundaries,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Have+Potential%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+to+Rest%2C+Time+to+Play I thought about doing a piece on management of time at work but decided to adopt a piece written by John Niland about using your time outside of work as well. Time to Play:The quality of a business owner's life and the success of the business is heavily dependant on sources of energy and inspiration outside the workplace. These activities and relationships are enjoyable in their own right, and... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+to+Rest%2C+Time+to+Play http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Control+Of+Your+Business As a business coach, Chris Crace coaches business owners from chaos to control, with the ultimate objective of creating a commercial, profitable enterprise that works without them.  To do this it generally requires a lot of hard work, the ability to initiate and sustain change, and an attitude and desire to create a business which will help them to reach their goals and dreams that they had when they... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Control+Of+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Play+the+Numbers+Game+to+Reach+Goals There is no question that financial numbers are the critical scorecard of a business' performance, whether they show a significant profit, mere survival status, or that it's time to throw in the towel. Business owners who start companies are risk-takers who are taking their life and financial future into their own hands. And they should all be congratulated for taking that step; it is the foundation... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Play+the+Numbers+Game+to+Reach+Goals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/17+Tax+Deductions+You+Should+Consider+Before+You+Lodge+Your+Tax+Return I was reading an article regarding tax deductions and how much tax we should pay. Did you know the average Australian is paying 110 percent or their taxation obligation!  When I heard that, I thought to myself, why? I suppose most people don't know what they can claim and what they can't. And rather than take a risk, they err on the conservative side.  A friend of mine put the whole thing into perspective... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/17+Tax+Deductions+You+Should+Consider+Before+You+Lodge+Your+Tax+Return http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+Not+Confuse+Ownership+and+Leadership When performance in small to midsize businesses needs to be improved, start by exploring the source of leadership in that business.In most cases where a business is underperforming the owner's expectations, the leadership direction and the vision for the company are not understood by the employees.Just because a person is the business owner does not mean he or she is providing effective leadership... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+Not+Confuse+Ownership+and+Leadership http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Coach-Client+Relationship What is the Number 1 thing coaches work on first with a new client? As coaches the first thing we do is hold the mirror up to the business owner and have them take a close look at who they are, what their dreams are and what they want out of their business. We also help them understand they should be working on gaining their personal goals/dreams through the business success. Coaches spend 60-70 percent... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Coach-Client+Relationship http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Fishing+For+The+Right+People Continuing on the theme of TEAM' (as mentioned in my last column), it all starts with getting the right people on the bus'.  Recruiting the right employees has always proven to be a daunting task for any business, large or small.  Almost weekly we read about labor pool shortages. While many political, business and education leaders work to increase the supply of qualified... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Fishing+For+The+Right+People http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/New+Employee+Orientation+System+Makes+a+Good+First+Impression Last time we discussed some strategies for improving your ability to find and hire good employees.  The hiring procedure mirrors the process of securing a new customer in several ways: Both require an extensive search effort using multiple marketing channels. Both require a lengthy conversion effort, from initial interest to final commitment. Because of the large investment in time and... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/New+Employee+Orientation+System+Makes+a+Good+First+Impression http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Link+Pay+to+Performance An important key to success for any business is to ensure that all team members clearly understand the overall goals and objectives of the business.  However, to make this big picture' awareness effective, each team member must clearly understand their role in the company's objectives and what results are to be achieved in each respective position.   Many organizations use job descriptions... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Link+Pay+to+Performance http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/I+Need+People+Who+Think+and+Work+Like+Me Finding good people  is one of the biggest issues faced by owners of SMEs frustrated at their slow progress. Any business advice worth its salt will tell you that in order to be successful you must hire high calibre people in a good team environment. But good people gravitate to ‘good’ companies ‘smaller businesses’ are not that attractive and so they must often make do with second best. And... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/I+Need+People+Who+Think+and+Work+Like+Me http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Hiring+the+Right+Person How do you determine who the right employee is to hire?  How does your management team determine it?  First, do you have a clear profile of who you want to hire for a particular position?  The profile should include not only the level of experience and responsibilities required but also the personality and attitude requirements for the job.  People too often hire employees just based on whether they... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Hiring+the+Right+Person http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strong+Leadership There are six keys to a successful team, and the first of these is STRONG LEADERSHIP.  Many books, and dissertations (including my own MBA dissertation) have been written on the subject of Leadership, but a key challenge arises when the leader is promoted from the peer group, and, overnight, becomes ‘boss’ over people who used to be ‘mates’.  This happened to me in a multinational computer... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Strong+Leadership http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Nine+Secrets+To+Getting+The+Perfect+Employee These days too many business owners are throwing their advertising dollar down the toilet using out-dated recruitment methods and using boring old ads. And, then they wonder why they're getting the wrong response! In this article I have outlined the secrets to getting and keeping the perfect employee. This information is an invaluable and often neglected secret weapon when looking for the dream... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Nine+Secrets+To+Getting+The+Perfect+Employee http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Good+Leadership+Will+Build+Great+Teams All too often I hear "I can't get good people!" or "why can't I get my employees to do their job?" Well here are a few ideas that will make your life as a business owner a lot easier.The solution starts with the realization that a winning team starts with strong leadership.  To quote Joe Namath, "To be a leader, you have to make people want to follow you, and nobody wants to follow someone who doesn't... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Good+Leadership+Will+Build+Great+Teams http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+the+True+Meaning+of+NICE%3F%3A It's funny how things happen in clusters. I have had a number of my mentoring clients' faces with the same issue of dealing with non-performing team members this week. This can drag down the rest of the team and potentially the whole business. Having someone on your team that is either not able to do their job or not interested in doing their job is very de-motivating to your clients,... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+is+the+True+Meaning+of+NICE%3F%3A http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/To+Motivate+Others%2C+First+Look+in+the+Mirror There is a saying that like attracts like. So to motivate others, whether it is in personal life or in business life, it is important firstly to understand what motivates you.You must look in the mirror when you ask who is responsible for your successes or your failures. As goes the ancient Greek aphorism, and as Alexander Pope suggested, "Know thyself."In psychology, motivation refers to the initiation,... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/To+Motivate+Others%2C+First+Look+in+the+Mirror http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Important+Interview+Questions+for+Hiring+the+Right+People You know the situation - you have three job applicants booked in to meet with you.  In some way you dread the process.  You think to yourself, I hope I pick the right one.  I hope I ask the right questions.  Well, here are some hints on how to get the "right" person: Why did you leave your last job?This is a very basic question, but it provides a lot of insight into the person you are speaking to. ... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Important+Interview+Questions+for+Hiring+the+Right+People http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Incorporate+a+Marketing+Strategy+into+Your+Hiring+Process One of the most common complaints I hear from business owners is this:  "I just can't seem to get good people on my team!" According to noted employment expert, Ira Wolf - considered one of the brightest and most talented minds at assessing employees for job performance, "The biggest problem with job growth right now isn't too few new jobs.It's too few skilled workers." Wolf, in a... by Wayne Kurzen http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Incorporate+a+Marketing+Strategy+into+Your+Hiring+Process http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+On+The+Edge+From+Saving+a+Customer%3F Companies can cruise along for a long time by giving adequate customer service.  Transitions in business mostly go smoothly.  But what happens when there is a bump in the systems or a delay shipment of product or an employee's impromptu leave of absence?  This is when GREAT COMPANIES distinguish themselves from the average.  Most of these companies see service recovery as an opportunity to improve... by Tom Maier http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+On+The+Edge+From+Saving+a+Customer%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+Small+Companies+Really+Different+From+Big+Ones I often emphasize that the one thing all businesses have in common is closing the sale. Small and big companies have one commonality that is even more significant they are in business. What does in business mean? It means that companies must hire people, attract prospects, help customers, pay vendors, understand financials, grow sales and set goals, among other things. Where big and small companies... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+Small+Companies+Really+Different+From+Big+Ones http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time%2C+Team+and+Money Life as a business owner provides a host of challenges every day.  Ask any business owner about their top issues and you’ll usually receive answers related to the following big three:  Team, Time and Money.  Team, Time and Money, are three vital resources for any business. Team challenges with recruiting, training, motivating and retaining employees.  Time is not enough of it and the time... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time%2C+Team+and+Money http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Make+These+Seven+Mistakes+in+Your+Business%3F Mistake No 1 - No Testing and Measuring: Most of the business owners don't do any testing and measuring for any of the business activities they do .Without testing and measuring and therefore putting numbers to their various activities,  they don't know where they are , let alone where they are going . With the numbers, the business takes on a totally new meaning. They are able to read... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+You+Make+These+Seven+Mistakes+in+Your+Business%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Sales+Are+Getting+Tougher Your competitors are killing you on price. Your margins are shrinking as customers challenge you to meet the lowest price available. The company's profits are under extreme pressure. Month after month, year after year, the price pressure rises. Customers get a constant overload of advertising and communications promising lower prices. In particular, the Internet has changed shopping habits in both... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Sales+Are+Getting+Tougher http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Having+a+Coach+is+Now+a+Must A recent survey published in Australian newspaper, the "Daily Telegraph" revealed some very interesting statistics.  Many businesses now regard their business coach as being as important as their accountant, a new survey claims. The survey, commissioned by ActionCOACH found that one in two (50 percent) small businesses viewed their business coach as vital. Further, one in 10 (10 percent) of those... by David Drewelow http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Having+a+Coach+is+Now+a+Must http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Become+a+Better+Leader Vision, optimism, pursuit of excellence, the quest to be the best - both professionally and personally - and the empowerment of others are the foundations of successful leaders. They can see ahead of others, and they see bright futures of what their businesses will look like when they reach their destinies. They begin with the end in mind. No matter what the situation, they will believe that things... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to+Become+a+Better+Leader http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Ownership-+Dream+or+Nightmare What do seven out of ten millionaires have in common? If you said that they own businesses, you are correct. Unfortunately, 80 percent of all start-up businesses close their doors within the first five years of being in operation.Of the businesses that stick around for the next five, 80 percent close down by the end of that period. That's 96 percent of businesses not making it to their tenth birthdays.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Business+Ownership-+Dream+or+Nightmare http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Need+for+a+Company+Vision Often business owners want to jump right in and begin fixing their business. The need for repairing what appears to be broken is only natural, but ends up as momentum lost when results show little if any improvement. The need for a vision for the long-term result is the key to the improvement process. Sometimes overlooked and considered wasted time, the process of creating a vision is vital to the... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Need+for+a+Company+Vision http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+you+a+Creative+or+Reactive+Leader%3F Good leaders, some experts say, are creative rather than reactive.  In other words, they anticipate future demands and trends and make new products or tailor the ones they already have to suit that future.For many reasons things are changing very rapidly, these days.  That's why it's more important than ever to be able to understand how those changes will affect your business and establish ways to... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+you+a+Creative+or+Reactive+Leader%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Art+of+Delegating In today’s busy world, one of the best ways to get more time for those top-priority projects is by delegating some of the lower-priority work to someone else.  (If you’re able to eliminate it, that’s even better.) We can’t speak for everyone, but many people are reluctant or afraid to delegate some of their work.  Do any of these reasons sound familiar? Nobody can do this work as well... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Art+of+Delegating http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Things+to+Foster+Innovation Here Are Ten Things You Can Do to Foster a Culture of Innovation and Creativity:  Live in the possibility.  Know that every problem has many possible solutions. Stand in the belief that you and your team can find a better way to do anything you put your minds to.  Practice CANI— Constant and Never-Ending Improvement. Always question what you do and why you do it.  All too often tasks... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Things+to+Foster+Innovation http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Motives+is+Central+to+Leadership People who are emotionally engaged in their work perform at higher levels than those who aren't. When we bring emotional energy to our work, we increase commitment, creativity, productivity, and cooperation. Our emotions generate strength and energy. Leaders who have an accurate understanding of motives are more frequently successful than those who do not. But pinpointing peoples' motivational needs... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Understanding+Motives+is+Central+to+Leadership http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Advertising+Writing+-+The+Right+Strategy If you have ever run an advertisement, you know the anticipation, sometimes the pain, of waiting for the results, of hoping people will come to your business or store, of expecting the sales - and the profits to begin flowing, and then the results fall below your expectations, and sometimes you end up getting nothing.Failed advertising attempts are a subject most business owners would rather forget.Many... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Advertising+Writing+-+The+Right+Strategy http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Warning+-+Written+Goals+May+Cause+You+Success Many business owners I speak with tell me they have goals -- to sell more, make more money, have more personal time. Yet, I am always amazed at how many fail to quantify them or put them down on paper. Think it's no big deal? According to a Harvard Business School study, written goals can translate into earnings of 10 times more than those who fail to establish goals or put their goals in writing.... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Warning+-+Written+Goals+May+Cause+You+Success http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Throwing+Your+Employees+a+Curve In the business world you need to grow or you'll die - maintaining the status quo doesn't work. So a key ingredient to success is incorporating change.But change is a difficult process because it has the element of the unknown. It requires that you and your employees move outside your comfort zone and the tendency is to revert to what you know, what you are confident about.It is very easy to get excited... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Throwing+Your+Employees+a+Curve http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+If+Analysis Many of us perform "What if ...?" analysis in our jobs every day.  It's a crucial function to any project, including budgeting and marketing.  For example, "What if we use an email campaign to save money and still keep in touch with our target market?"  Now apply that rationale to growing your business.  What if we grew our business beyond our wildest dreams?  Where would we be?  What would we... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/What+If+Analysis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Gap+Analysis In Project Management "speak", a "Gap" is defined as the difference of where you are now (current state) and where you want to go (future state). Some "gaps" can be rather large "gulches".Why is this "Gap" important to your business?A "Gap" in important to you because it's your roadmap to success. It's the result of your "Vision" and "Dissatisfaction".A "Gap Analysis" is the process by which you examine... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Gap+Analysis http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Improve+Your+Game+With+a+Business+Coach A basic premise of life is that most people want to be successful at whatever they set out to achieve. Whether it is education, sport or business, success is what people aim for.Unfortunately, not everyone will be successful. Excuses include bad luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, not being clever enough, not having a "business brain," not having enough capital, and many other negatives.While... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Improve+Your+Game+With+a+Business+Coach http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Key+to+Developing++Leaders More than just leading his or her team, a leader must be able to develop and mold the individuals under his or her wing to become potential leaders in the future while doing his or her part in the organization.This is one of the keys to success of an organization. From the beginning of his or her 'term', a leader must be able to condition him or herself that eventually, the baton must and will be passed,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Key+to+Developing++Leaders http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Simple+Rules+to+Good+Networking I'm often asked by business owners; "how do I get my new business up and running with little or no cashflow"?My answer is always the same; Network, Network, Network! Of course, to network well takes time and practice, but the best way to practice is to just get out there and do it. So, here are my 10 simple rules to good networking;1. Always carry a networking kit:  It includes... by Bruce Frame http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Simple+Rules+to+Good+Networking http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Create+Testimonials+That+Really+Sell Testimonials are one of the most low-cost, high-impact tools for marketing your business because they do the selling for you - even when you are not around.  They also act as a ‘third-party endorsement’ from someone who does not benefit directly from prospects choosing to work or do business with you.  Finally, testimonials can be used as references for potential clients if they are set up to... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+To+Create+Testimonials+That+Really+Sell http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Key+Performance+Indicators A key performance indicator (KPI) is simply a measure that predicts future outcomes of performance.  Often confusion arises over what an appropriate KPI is designed to do.  Here are some practical rules for designing KPIs for your business. First, decide what outcomes you want to achieve.  An example may be to achieve $100,000 in net profit for the year.  We all know that net profit does not just... by Brian Blomgren http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Key+Performance+Indicators http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Danger+of+Discounting We live in a price-focused world. Everyone is out to get the best deal. The bigger retail organizations spent big dollars on promoting their sales through the media and it would seem to the ordinary businessman that this is the way to conduct business. "We'll make it up on the volume" you hear them say. Don't be fooled by this. Not one bit. The fact of the matter is that most businesses on average... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Danger+of+Discounting http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+User-Friendly+Model+for+Business+Growth The driving reason for many entrepreneurs to start a business is freedom- the freedom to work for themselves and have more time to themselves, as well as financial freedom or just the freedom of knowing they are in charge.Yet despite this longing to be in charge, for most business owners the exact opposite is true: Their businesses run them. The owner spends a lot of time, energy and emotion working... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+User-Friendly+Model+for+Business+Growth http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+a+Team+for+Better+Business Today, quality initiatives, superior service, cost of doing business and succeeding at doing business are commonly shared ownership issues.Reliance on individual experience and competencies and even greater reliance on fragmented cross-organizational work units can actually prove prohibitive to achieving these.Proven, positive strategies should be applied to influence people to work together towards... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Building+a+Team+for+Better+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+Not+Buy+Into+These+Fallacies Marketing is the key driver of business growth. But marketing is not an exact science, leading to many fallacies and myths. And following some of these fallacies and myths can lead your business in the wrong direction.The good news is that if you recognize these fallacies, you can turn them to your advantage. Fallacy No. 1: Business owners and entrepreneurs have passion, energy and total belief in... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Do+Not+Buy+Into+These+Fallacies http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Referrals There is no doubt that referrals are not only a very cost effective way of getting new business, but a very efficient way too. You will place a lot of weight on a recommendation from someone you know for the services of a third party Learn to Ask:Your first step in getting referrals for your business is to communicate with your customers to let them know you're not just open to receiving referrals... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Referrals http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Marketing+is+Everything From the first day you got into business, you were taught that knowledge about what you do was what you needed to become successful. Was it that your "professionalism" will be the key to success? That people will come to you once they hear about how "good" you are. You were probably given the age old "wisdom" that says if you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door. Let's... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Marketing+is+Everything http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Combat+Exhaustion+With+The+D+Word As a business owner, are you exhausted at the end of the workday? Are your team members unwilling to make decisions and do they keep coming to you for even the smallest problems?Most business owners who become skilled at just about every task in their company struggle with a key concept that can make a big difference: Delegation.It may seem practical to stay lean and mean and do everything yourself.... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Combat+Exhaustion+With+The+D+Word http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Keys+to+Customer+Loyalty The goal when creating customer is to give your customers an unexpected positive experience that keeps you and your product at the top of their mind. Your goal is to have a frequent interaction with the customer, so when the time arrives for them to purchase your product again, they will think about you and your business first.By doing this you start to add value to them that your competitors aren't... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Ten+Keys+to+Customer+Loyalty http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Free+Sales+Force+Lives+Right+Under+Your+Nose-+Your+Customers It's one of your most powerful marketing tools and it lives right under your very nose. I was at a Jay Abrahams seminar recently. Jay is one of the top marketing gurus from the USA. He asked a question of the audience to determine what their most powerful marketing strategy was. As it turns out, referral was the number one strategy to get new business. This was pretty obvious.... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Your+Free+Sales+Force+Lives+Right+Under+Your+Nose-+Your+Customers http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Have+Only+One+Chance+at+Making+a+Great+First+Impression The human brain has been identified as having two hemispheres: the left, which is primarily responsible for logic, and the right, which is primarily responsible for creativity. This description fits what is known as the cortex or new brain.However, there is a third dimension of the brain, the hypothalamus or prehistoric brain, which is responsible for instincts, a critical factor in creating first... by Iain Macfarlane http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/You+Have+Only+One+Chance+at+Making+a+Great+First+Impression http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Team+Prepared%3F Is your team prepared for success?The best way to ensure you and your team are geared for success now or at any time is to ensure they are skilled to meet the goals and challenges at hand.Not sure how to incorporate a continuous education process for you or your team’s development?Here is an easy way to figure out how to make that work: Establish your business goals and objectives for the next... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Is+Your+Team+Prepared%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+is+Money+-+Invest+it+Wisely Time is a limited resource for most business owners, so it must be "manage" if you want to achieve your goals within the timeframe you set. Time management (or SELF-management) is all about setting priorities and sticking with them.When it comes to managing your time (or self) consider this: There is a big difference between activity- tasks that keep us "busy," and productivity tasks that take us closer... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Time+is+Money+-+Invest+it+Wisely http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Three+Keys+to+Sales+Success+and+Higher+Income As business owners, we depend on sales to provide us with the cashflow and profit we want and need. Whether you do the selling, have others sell for you or any such combination, your revenue, profit and income will always reflect how well you turn prospects into paying customers. So why do some owners and sales people struggle while others find easy success? No, the answer is not that they were born... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Three+Keys+to+Sales+Success+and+Higher+Income http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Quality+Service+Makes+Good+Cents Ask any business owner about customer service and satisfaction and most will admit that it's critical to their overall success and profitability. Ask them what they DO to insure their team consistently delivers quality service and the answers are vague or in some cases they simply shrug and say not much'. While customer satisfaction is important, it also makes great CENTS to... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Quality+Service+Makes+Good+Cents http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Wasting+Time+On+Quotes+That+Never+Convert+To+Sales%3F If you are like many business owners, you or your sales team, spend a lot of time generating and preparing proposals or quotes for customers and prospects. Yes, quotes are the pipeline for your revenue and cashflow, but leads that are not converted to sales are a waste of time and money!So why do some businesses convert 80 percent to sales while others struggle to convert 5 percent? Consider this --... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Wasting+Time+On+Quotes+That+Never+Convert+To+Sales%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Minimize+Employee+Turnover+by+Using+Good+Hiring+Techniques The US Department of Labor reports that two out of three new hires prove to be a mistake within the first year – at a cost of thousands of dollars for each departing employee.   Hiring mistakes negatively impact productivity and erode your company’s profits.   You can accept these statistics as ‘a cost of doing business’ or you can take steps to improve them.  What would your business... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Minimize+Employee+Turnover+by+Using+Good+Hiring+Techniques http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+is+Your+WOW+Factor%3F So a critical question is "How do I WOW my customers?" How do you create a customer experience that not only satisfies their wants and needs but delights them to the stage of becoming a Raving Fan?I just came back from running a Raving Fans workshop. Some interesting points were raised and discussed. So here are the top four: First Impressions are more important than most people ever... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+is+Your+WOW+Factor%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Your+Marketing+Leverage In today's competitive world, you must constantly improve your strategies and tactics to be more successful and profitable. Even the best programs lose their usefulness eventually. Billionaire Bill Gates said it best: "Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking that they cannot lose." Industry giants such as McDonald's, Mercedes Benz and AOL have all stumbled in recent years.... by Bruce Luecke http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Using+Your+Marketing+Leverage http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+Action+Now Many business owners (no it's not a spelling mistake) are so busy doing what they have to do in their busyness that they miss out on what they really want to do...in their life. Working long hours (that's more than 35) and getting a basic wage is NOT what being a business owner is meant to be about. So many owners I see are so busy that their family life suffers to a point where it's a wonder they... by David Carlin http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Take+Action+Now http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Developing+a+Winning+Team+for+Your+Business And guess who shapes the team's attitude? That's right you the owner!As a result, it is imperative that you begin by preparing your mind with the attitudes and perspectives that will set you free to achieve your business goals. I'm not talking about psyching yourself with positive thoughts, although at times this can help. What I'm talking about is adopting ways of thinking... by Sandy Kemp http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Developing+a+Winning+Team+for+Your+Business http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Team+Is+A+Key+Factor+in+Leveraging+Your+Time One of the keys to improving a business is to work on the business not in it. Many business owners are caught up in the doing of their business and do not have an overview of the process of what a business is. Over the next couple of months I am going to focus on the Cycle of Business. The Cycle of Business as a model which helps business owners achieve the perspective of working on their business... by Frank Webb http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Team+Is+A+Key+Factor+in+Leveraging+Your+Time http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Announcing+More+Books+by+Brad+Sugars These three books by ActionCOACH's Founder and Chairman contain useful and practical information for business owners. Pick up a copy today!"Instant Systems" - This book is all about getting your business to work for you, rather than the other way around. It shows you all you need to know about how to work 'ON' your business instead of 'IN' it."Instant Team Building" - Do you know that a business is... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Announcing+More+Books+by+Brad+Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Fantastic+New+Year+Challenge What are new-year resolutions?I'm sure you know the answer to that. Invariably these resolutions just end up getting lost in the endless list of things we have to do - all the things that we have created in the past in our busy lives.So what is a resolution?It's basically setting yourself a task, which we all do regularly to get things done. The challenge is that the resolution is usually more than... by David Carlin http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/A+Fantastic+New+Year+Challenge http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Conceive+and+Believe+Equals+Achieve You find inspiration in the most amazing places. Sometimes as you are driving your car, other times, when taking a  walk in the park.I found inspiration one Saturday night as I watched the “World’s Greatest Ads” on TV (I think that was the name of the program).Yes, not looking for inspiration of any kind when an advertisement was shown that I believe was so powerful and so true that I put it... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Conceive+and+Believe+Equals+Achieve http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Accuracy+V Feeling you always have to be right can cause a lot of stress and anxiety.The reality is that the people that typically achieve phenomenal levels of success did not get there by doing everything right every time.The main point is that people achieve great heights because they did lots of things with a reasonable amount of accuracy.When people get stuck on doing everything exactly right, they can't... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Accuracy+V http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Top+10+Ways+To+Improve+Your+Leadership+Skills If you desire to lead a passion-filled life and an inspired team, you will enjoy incorporating the following practices which will help you live your life as a conscious and strong LEADER. Have a clear vision of yourself, others, and the world. Who are you? What do you stand for? What is your life purpose? How do you want to influence others? How do you want to contribute to yourself, your family,... by David Bush http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Top+10+Ways+To+Improve+Your+Leadership+Skills http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Networking+-+Why+Bother%3F It’s not a waste of time unless you make it a waste. Networking is an extremely valuable tool for both business and personal reasons. The wider the network of people that you know and who know you the more positive things will happen.The problem is a “want something for nothing” attitude that is prevalent in business, especially small and mid-sized business. I know people who go to a networking... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Networking+-+Why+Bother%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Key+to+Business+Success+in+2004 Well, what is the most important determinant of a business' success? A unique selling proposition? Having the lowest prices? Great sales people? The best location? The best products? Great customer service? A strong local economy? While these are all factors, based on our experience working with all kinds of different businesses, the most important determinant is you the business... by Sandy Kemp http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Key+to+Business+Success+in+2004 http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/New+Year+Resolutions+Fade I have just returned from Cannons Health Club and already at the end of January the numberand in the gym isand returning to its normal level after the early January highs. Every year it is amazing how the activity at the Club becomes frantic in the New Year as all those members set their New Year Resolutions of losing weight or getting fit swell the gym. And every year the numbers gradually subside as... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/New+Year+Resolutions+Fade http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Host+Beneficiaries+-+Expanding+Your+Customer+Base The first thing our coaching clients tell us when we mention host bens is “host what?” Not surprisingly, I get much exited in introducing this strategy as it definitely teaches my coaching client something new and exciting that promises some special results. The way it works is quite clever. The main purpose of the strategy is to introduce your business to the database of another business. Now,... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Host+Beneficiaries+-+Expanding+Your+Customer+Base http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Living+Your+Worst+Case+Scenario%3F I was at a seminar recently where the presenter asked this question of the audience. Almost nobody wanted to be living like that. He then proceeded to ask several questions along the lines of:How many people are currently paid well?Who in the room knows that if they lost their job, that they could get another one of similar income immediately?If you lost your business today, would you be able to build... by David Guest http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Living+Your+Worst+Case+Scenario%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Important+to+You+is+a+Great+2005%3F This introductory note is addressed only to those business owners who want to increase profits and have a business that can run without them. John Wooden, the coach of 10 NCAA basketball champions at UCLA, once said "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." Coach Wooden constantly told his players that if they waited until opportunity presented themselves, it was too late. They needed to create their... by Bruce Luecke http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+Important+to+You+is+a+Great+2005%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to++Blow+Away+Your+Goals+In+the+New+Year Happy New Year!"The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months!" - Edward Payson PowellHow true Powell's statement is. Make this new year your best year ever - in profits, in time and in developing your team.How often have you hoped to achieve better results... by Bruce Luecke http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/How+to++Blow+Away+Your+Goals+In+the+New+Year http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Outside+The+Box People and organizations are told to think outside the box or color outside the lines as a way to stimulate creativity when they need to solve problems like streamlining production, establishing a new product, or developing a new process.And it's true that creativity and innovation often arise from unexpected and unconventional thinking.But there's a Problem...There is a serious problem... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Getting+Outside+The+Box http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Involvement+Equals+Ownership+Equals+Better+Results I know when I first started managing staff; I knew what needed to be done so I just told the staff what to do and when. If they didn’t do it right, I would grumble and for some reason end up doing it myself because it was faster than having to explain it to them again!When my staff numbers increased to over 50, I knew something was wrong. I was working really long hours and spending so much time... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Involvement+Equals+Ownership+Equals+Better+Results http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/101+Top+Business+Strategies+2%3A+Twenty+Plus+Ten 'Twenty Plus Ten' Each Day:The difference between who you are today and who you will be one year from now has a lot to do with the knowledge you gain over the next 12 months. We talk with hundreds of business owners each year and many of them seem to experience the same events year after year.One prospect said that he had 19 years in business. Upon closer examination, we found that he had experienced... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/101+Top+Business+Strategies+2%3A+Twenty+Plus+Ten http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Making+Your+Small+Business+Make+Big+Profits In Australia over 80 percent of all small businesses fail within the first five years of operation according to the latest survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The results in New Zealand are much the same. That means that only 20 percent of small businesses have what it takes to succeed.So why do some succeed and not others? David Schischka local ActionCOACH business coach explains, “There... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Making+Your+Small+Business+Make+Big+Profits http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Lead+Generation So what is Lead Generation?Lead generation is converting "suspects"- people who have never heard of your business into "prospects"-people who have inquired about your business. At ACTION we have 73 different strategies to generate leads.There are three major rules to follow in generating leads. First, you need to TEST and MEASURE how many leads you get from each marketing campaign. Second, you need... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Lead+Generation http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Book+Review%3A+The+E-Myth+Revisited Book Review: Michael Gerber's The E-Myth RevisitedIf I had to recommend only one book for business people to read, this would be it. It is a fantastic book that will open your eyes as to how to run a business. It is based around a story of a simple pie shop, but nevertheless relates to every business no matter how big or small.The book discusses the role of the technician, the manager and the entrepreneur... by Ashley Thomson http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Book+Review%3A+The+E-Myth+Revisited http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Coaching+-+Luxury+or+Necessity%3F Is business coaching a luxury or a necessity?Coaching is more than a fad of our time—as a business practice, coaching is here to stay...In the sporting world, it would be unusual for a team or athlete NOT to have a coach. We all know the vital function of a sports coach as someone to drive the players on, pushing them to reach their goals and win Gold.In the same way, a business coach is vital for... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Coaching+-+Luxury+or+Necessity%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Leading+Your+Business+or+Just+Managing+It%3F Author William Arthur Ward once wrote "Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I many not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I may not forget you."As the owner or chief executive in your company, how much time do you spend on leading and not just managing?If your goal is to create a growing, profitable business that can work without you, strong... by Bruce Luecke http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Are+You+Leading+Your+Business+or+Just+Managing+It%3F http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/101+Breakthrough+Strategies+%234%3A++Magic+Story Lee's 101 Breakthrough Strategies #4: Your Magic Story:The "Magic Story" is a very powerful tool for motivating yourself and all those around you.It can guide your team members to achieve great results. It can entice your current customers to recommend you to other potential customers.And, most importantly, it can motivate you to keep your eye on the short-term goal that will make you a successful... by ActionCOACH Corporate http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/101+Breakthrough+Strategies+%234%3A++Magic+Story http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Word+is+Leverage I was in the midst of a chaotic group of business coaches, frantically working against the clock trying to complete a very challenging team activity in the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne.There were eight sub groups, each with a little bit of paper with an obtuse pattern and instructions to paint the pattern onto a huge canvas. However ActionCOACH coaches are all passionate about the principles of Leverage... by Stephen Wanmer http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/The+Word+is+Leverage http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Will+It+Cost+Me+More+to+Implement+the+Strategies%3F In most cases we'll actually save you money by exposing approaches that aren't working for you. And yes, you'll likely have to spend some money to make some. When you follow our simple testing and measuring systems, you'll never again risk more than a relatively few dollars on any one campaign. When we, at ActionCOACH, establish ideas that work, we make sure you keep profiting from them, time and time... by Brad Sugars http://www.actioncoach.com/business-coach.php/Will+It+Cost+Me+More+to+Implement+the+Strategies%3F