What Impression Are You Leaving?

Most of us understand the importance of leaving a good impression with our customers. Why not aim for making a PHENOMENAL impression instead?

As Paul Spiegelman wrote in a recent Inc.com article titled, ‘Win Customers: 7 Small Gestures That Go Far’, “It’s the little things that leave a lasting impression and encourage people to buy.” http://www.inc.com/paul-spiegelman/win-customers-small-gestures-that-go-far.html

Paying attention to the extra details, the things that your competitor does not, will set you apart. Instilling this culture in your workforce is key. And just what do these “extras” cost? Spiegelman says, “Not much more than the commitment to excellence and the clearly thorough internal training program.”

Every chance you have to make a great first impression on a new customer is one more customer you won’t need to replace down the road. Make them smile and marketing will take care of itself.

So, what impression are you leaving?

I am proud to be an American.

Knowing that there are people in other countries who do not have the same freedoms we have has always been something I’ve been aware of as far back as I can recall. My eyes still swell at the singing of our National Anthem and I still get goose bumps from the words that have always meant so much to me – “…And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there”. That our flag was still there. I get choked up just saying those words.

The 4th of July is a day for Americans to celebrate our freedoms, to reflect upon the history of our nation and to honor the brave men and women who continue to protect our freedoms today. Without them, we would not be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Thank you Veteran’s for your past, current and future service to our country. I bow deeply to you in gratitude and I am proud to be an American!

Leading With Your Heart

We all use acronyms to help us remember things we don’t want to forget. By remembering the acronym for the TOUCH Principles, you can begin from where you are both personally and professionally and instill these principles in your life and business.

What are the TOUCH Principles?

T = Tell your story, tell it well, toot your own horn. Be proud of who you are, what you are and what you stand for.

O = Be optimistic. Always smile and be positive. This world is full of pessimistic poops. Don’t be one of them.

U = Be unconditional in your relationships. Don’t create walls.

C = Show that you care. Be transparent. Be real.

H = The most difficult of them all…Ask for help when you need it. But more importantly, accept help when it’s offered.

Leading with your heart isn’t just good for the soul, it’s good for business.

Start With The End In Mind

At a get together with friends last week I overheard a conversation between two men. One was talking about how he would love to write a book. The other one said that this has been on his bucket list for years but he just didn’t know where to start.

One of the greatest authors of our time, John Irving, recently said in an interview, when the host asked him how he came up with the ideas for his books, that he always starts with the end in mind. Writing the last paragraph of a book then allows the book to be “filled in” with the story.

Having run the operations for two technology based companies in my corporate career, this philosophy was something that I carried with me to accomplish any major task handed to me. Writing the last paragraph of my accomplishment first made it much easier to gather the necessary resources and experts to achieve my goal.

In business, always remember to surround yourself with people who know more than you do. Create a small Advisory Board of business people who can give you honest advice and open doors to opportunities that will help you achieve your business goals.

Always start with the end in mind.

What’s Your Differentiator?

You have a successful business and have goals in place to expand in 2-3 years. Great! But your competitor has the same plan. Why will your perspective clients choose you and not them? Credibility.

No matter where the organization is today you can receive a boost in your business’ credibility. Imagine an Advisory Board of subject matter experts in their sphere sitting around a table talking about your business, giving you answers and direction to all of your most difficult business issues. Credibility changes everything.

So if you make a widget and you try to sell your widget to ABC Co and ABC Co personally knows one of your board members, doing business with you has little to do with the quality of your widget and has everything to do with the relationship ABC Co has with your board member.

If your prospective clients don’t know you they will respect you because of the leadership in the organization and what the experts bring to the table.

So, what’s your differentiator?

What’s Bugging You?

We have a client that, before learning about how we could help him, had literally and figuratively hit a brick wall. The owners’ life was all about work and that’s what he lived for. His home life was suffering terribly.

By helping our client create a “work to live” philosophy, suddenly his business began to turn around creating a happier environment for everyone at work and at home.

Our job is to make your business more successful. Period.

We are your CEO Advisor in your ear answering the business questions that you’re presented with on a regular basis; yes, hire her, no, don’t spend those marketing dollars, yes, hire that social media person, yes, it is an HR issue and you need to consult with an HR attorney, no, don’t buy that piece of equipment.

So, what’s bugging you?