It's that time of year again, when it's important to start planning and making a decision about your business success for 2012... 

 

Our 2012 'Build Your Business & Get Results'

Coaching Program Is NOW Open!

Are you ready?  

 

In 2012, we are working with a limited number of clients to transform their businesses.  Over 6 months, we will be working together closely in our one on one and group coaching program - this is for those of you who are serious about making a difference to your business in 2012.

 

We are accepting ONLY the following clients:

• 15 clients into our "The Essentials" Program
• 10 clients into our "Essential Mastery" Program
• 7 clients into our "The Maven" Program

 

For more details on each level  - click here.

 

Don't wait to make your decision!  Registration is OPENED, and with numbers limited - our programs will sell out...

 

These programs are going to be stronger than anything we've ever done before.  And I'm looking forward to seeing your business grow like you could never imagine.

 

If you're ready to put yourself forward, and take the required action, then I'm ready to bring to the table all I know and have learnt about building successful businesses.

I'm looking forward to working with you in 2012.

 

Yours in success

 

Deb

 

Ps.  Go ahead - let's work together in 2012

PPS.  Feel free to forward this email on to others you think might be interested in attending...

 

 

When I sent this interview out in my VIP newsletter, I titled it "She had me at HELLO" - and when I first spoke with Melanie Summer, she did!  I knew that our interview was going to be fun and real, that there would be no pretense.  I knew that Melanie would reveal to us warts and all, what she did to turn her business from a $250,000 debt into the multi-million dollars business it is today.

Here's the interview:  Melanie Summer

If you want to know a little more about Melanie, here you go:

Melanie Summer is an award-winning business owner who oversees a multi-million dollar glamour photography company with 23 staff.  Her success hasn't come easily - she has battled bankruptcy, stress, language barriers, confidence and self-esteem issues, all while being a single mother with little or no support.  Like many small business owners, Melanie realised early on that passion and hard work are wasted without clarity of vision and that being a victim of circumstances is a mindset, not an excuse.  Rather than give up she chose to transform her life and her business by taking on a coach, immersing herself into every self-help seminar she could lay her hands on, re-training as a hypnotheraphist/public speaker and creating a focused, clear roadmap for business success.  Within three years she turned a $250,00 debt into a multi-million dollar assess and was recently awarded the Telstra National MYOB Small Business Award for her remarkable achievements.  Melanie lives and works on the Sunshine Coast with her daughter, Dana. 

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Our mission is to support you in starting, growing and leading your business.  To do this, we provide you with the tools, strategies and knowledge that will help you get the edge in your industry.  Over the next few months, we have new programs coming out to support those of you who are new to business, as well as higher end programs for those of you who have been in business for a while and want more personalised business growth coaching.

The key foundations we’ve developed that run through
all parts of our coaching, focuses on FOUR Foundations: You, Your clients, Your offer, and Your message.

When you have these four foundations in place, your business is growing strong.

Although I would love to walk you through specifically what modules, key points, and measures form the basis of each of this foundations, we really don’t have the room here in today’s article, so what I am going to do is share with you some of the key snippets about the first foundation. 

The first of these foundations is: YOU!  And yes, mindset is very much a part of this foundation.  I’m going to say this as it is - it really doesn’t matter how educated you may be, if you don’t have the right mindset for business success, you will struggle to grow your business. 

There is more to the YOU than just a positive mindset – it’s also about how you think about work, what you do to structure your days, how you lead your business, and what you do to continually stay ahead of what is happening in the marketplace. 

The key point here is being clear on your work ethic. What actions do you do day in and day out that are building your business?

Growing a business takes time; it takes energy, focus and hard work. But it doesn’t need to be rocket science. You can grow your business by working smarter, not harder.  Be smart about how you build your business, don’t wipe yourself out or put those closest to you on the ‘back burner’, thinking they will be there when you reach your goal.  They may not! 

Another important point is to look at the activities within your business that you can outsource.  What is it that you don’t need to be doing, that you can outsource to someone else?  

Make a list of all the critical and non-critical tasks and then look at what competencies some-one needs to have to work on the non-critical tasks for you.  Once you're clear on what type of person you need, take time to either bring some-one in to do this work for you, or outsource it.  Remember that you can bring contractors in and out of your business on a project-by-project basis if you need to. 

It’s important to take time to detach from your work, and to nourish the people and activities that are important to you.  Using the excuse that you’re too busy to spend time with those who mean the most to you just doesn’t cut it.  I see it all too often, in fact I’ve done it myself, and it makes having a successful business very hollow.

Another key point is take time to detach each day from your business. 

What can you do at the end of the day, that will allow you to detach from your business?  Make a list of the things you can do and work your way through this list – have some serious fun!

Finally, I would like to leave you this final key point, which is to have a vision for your business that is bigger than you!

I would love to hear back from you, about what you believe also sits under the YOU foundation.  As mentioned earlier, our aim is to support you as much as we can, so please let us know what else you need from us.

“Ninety days goes very fast!” is the comment Christian posted on his facebook wall yesterday.  You see we’ve just finished our 90-day Get More Clients coaching group, and boy ninety days does go by quickly...

There’s no beating around the bush here today, as I want to share three things you really will want to STOP doing, so that your business can move to the next level.

1. STOP doing everything yourself, and being a lone ranger.
2. STOP doing the things that don’t generate you an income.
3. STOP thinking that because you are brilliant at what you do, your business will be successful!

All too often we hear from business owners, whose lives and businesses are coming apart at the seams, because they don’t use the concepts mentioned above.  I know that this may seem to be a chicken and egg situation, i.e. you can’t bring in another person to take away some of your non-essential work, because you need to make more money to be able to do this and vice versa. 

But let’s take a positive approach.  Rather than focus on the areas that you need to STOP doing, why don’t we have a look at what you can START doing.

Secret #1. Surround yourself with successful, positive, honest, can-do individuals.

As Mark Twain said:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that. The really great make you feel that you too can become great.”

Now let’s be honest here, this is NOT a new concept and every successful person I have spoken with or read about always speaks about the individuals who have had a positive impact on their businesses and lives.  Whether it’s family, friends, colleagues or mentors, being surrounded by happy, positive people has a lot going for it! 

As entrepreneurs our days can be pretty solitary, heads are down creating products, delivering services and results, and you are working in your business rather than on it.  Not having the chance to brainstorm ideas with other people, or having someone to work through a particular issue or challenge, can be soul destroying at times.  This is where a community is so important, not only for your sanity, but also for your growth and development.

The use of collective wisdom is so important, and it works!  During our group ‘Get More Clients’ call, I opened the call up for clients to ask the group any questions they have about their business.  What I loved about this process, after one particular client spoke about a challenge she was facing, was the range of possible solutions that came forward from those on the call.  As we wrapped up this part of the call, this client was thrilled as she now had a number of different strategies she could look at putting in place that she hadn’t thought of before.  It was great to hear the excitement in her voice.

Who is in your community?  Do you have a group of individuals you meet with regularly for support and encouragement, or do you work with a mentor?  You all know that I am passionate about having mentors as part of your business building strategy, and for me personally, the impact that my mentors have in my business is immeasurable in terms of growth and development.  Next week I’m heading off next week to spend a day with my mentor and mastermind group in Chicago, and can’t wait to spend this time strategising and planning the next stages of my business.  This type of investment, is invaluable to the growth of my business, and will flow on to my clients.  I can’t wait to share with you the gems I learn.  

Secret #2. Identify the profit making areas of your business and focus on these.

Often we spend more time working in our business rather than on it. With this step, it is time for you to step back and look at your business as a whole. This is most important when you find yourself stuck at a certain level of revenue and things don’t seem to being moving forward.

Be honest with yourself, have you become the speed bump in your business? When this happens it is time to start thinking, “Am I the person that really needs to XYZ?” [xyz being the many things you spend your time on each day that aren’t making profit].

For example, working recently with one of my 1:1 mentor clients, we spent the day  going through her business; pulling it apart and re-grouping all of her ideas and products. As we were putting together her new plan, she suddenly felt overwhelmed by all the potential projects and products she could develop. It wasn’t until I asked: “Who on your team can you delegate some of the non-profit making activities too?” that she got her ‘ahh’ moment.  She realised that by stepping aside, letting go of the need to control everything, and delegating some activities, she could focus on her passion and really move her business to the next level.

3. Remember, You are in the business of MARKETING!

Controversial I know, but if there is one thing that will make a difference to your bottom line it is when you realise that your business is that of MARKETING! I have worked with some amazingly talented, educated, and brilliant people over the years, who have fabulous reputations yet only mediocre businesses. I have worked with and  watched other individuals who are good in everything they do and their businesses keep growing. What stands out is those in the second group GET that they are in the business of marketing, and they know that by focusing on their message and marketing to their target audience, they will achieve their sales. However, the first group often get stuck with working in their businesses that they don’t appreciate the importance of MARKETING until it is too late.

So what group are you in?  Take a moment to share with us your thoughts...

Over the past month, have you noticed that there has been quite a bit of commentary around the humble e-newsletter making a comeback!  Personally, I don’t think it actually went anywhere.  Yes, it may have got a bad rap for a while, and might have been side-lined for the whole social media onslaught, but there will always be a market for receiving strong, practical, value-added information.

In fact, I was reading a report today by Ali Brown in which she stated “According to a 2010 study by ExactTarget, 56% of Internet users interact with brands only via marketing emails, compared to 1.3% who interact only via Twitter and 0.7% by Facebook.”  Interesting statistics don’t you think?

A well written e-newsletter really is a must have within your marketing campaign. 

Whether you are starting out, or are a seasoned email marketer, developing an e-newsletter that attracts your ideal clients and makes you sales, is what you really want to be focusing on.  Remember that you don’t want too be ‘in your face’ pushy with your clients. What you do want, is to build strong solid relationships, engage in a conversation, and increase the overall trust factor between your client and yourself.

You can do this by making sure your e-newsletters adds value, that it's practical and makes a difference.  Your clients' email addresses are valuable commodity, and they’re not going to hand them over to just anybody!   

Over the past ten years, I’ve always done some type of email newsletter.  At first it was monthly, then fortnightly, but now it’s sent out weekly to all within our community. The frequency works and we have no illusions that you read it every week, but we do know that you will read the topics that add value to you and your business, and that is really all we can ask for.

Our current format was worked out last year with my mentor MaryEllen Tribby (ME), as she had a specific strategy for successful e-newsletters. And interestingly enough, I’ve received emails this week asking me about my newsletter, after she had presented it as one to follow in a webinar she was co-hosting with Ryan Deiss.  Together they were launching their new Inbox Empire product, which focuses on the whole business of e-newsletters.  So when ME is focusing on developing a product based around e-newsletters, you know they're back on the radar.

So what are three strategies you can put in place to make sure your e-newsletter engages with your clients and makes you money?

1.  Add value with your content.

Don’t waste your clients’ time by not adding value to their day. You ideally want your content to be practical and focused on results. The best way you can do this is to be really clear about your ideal clients, because as their problem solver, you will know exactly what they will want to read.  Focus on them – your client!

Stuck on ideas? Then why not include a case study illustrating a client’s success story; interview other experts; have guest writers write for you. These are a few additional strategies you can include to add value to your content.

2.  Direct your clients to make the right buying decision.

You can be providing great content, but unless you have a sales strategy in place, you won’t make money from your newsletter.  Now that’s okay if you don’t intend it for that purpose, but if you do, then your clients are looking to you for your advice.  In fact, they will want to know what your new products and promotions are!

You’ve built a strong relationship and they know you deliver results, so don’t feel shy about sharing your latest promotion.  You don’t have to fear coming across as a used car salesman. Just keep consistent with your personality and style and they will appreciate it. 

There is a rule of thumb that for every newsletter you send, you can do two promotion emails – do you do this?

3.  Be consistent.

In your initial confirmation email, you should aim to provide your clients with the information they need to receive about your e-newsletter.  This includes the frequency of your e-newsletter, as well as what day they can expect to see ‘you’ in their inbox.  Once you’ve stated this its up to you to stay consistent. 

So, if like me, you’ve committed to a weekly format with delivery every Thursday, then you have to make it happen each week.  This is how you build the relationship with your clients and increase the trust between you and them.  If your email comes in bits and bursts or whenever you feel like it, how do you think this comes across to your clients?  

Putting together your e-newsletter will take time and commitment, but once you get going, it really is worth the effort.  There is nothing more special than when you receive comments about how your articles have impacted another person, or made a positive difference to their business. Words can’t explain how good that feels.

So what are you doing with your e-newsletter? Feel free to share with us your strategies and ideas for a successful e-newsletter.

Who’s Wayne Bennett?  Okay, so stay with me here as I give a little background for all of you who may not be aware of our National Rugby League (football), here in Australia.  Wayne Bennett is the current rubgy league coach of the St George Dragons.  He has set coaching records for the most grand final wins, and has been coaching professionally since 1988.  This year he is off contract with the Dragons, and there has been a frenzy amongst clubs to secure his services.

Why bring up a football coach and business?

It began when reading an article about Wayne Bennett last week, you see, he seems to have this unwavering commitment from his players to be the best they can be.  And it had me wondering what we could learn from his style…

1.  He believes in himself; and you need to believe in your abilities and yourself when in business.  One of your most valuable assets is your mind and what you think.

As we know, being a business owner can at times be solitary work.  You’re in your office working on creating a new product, writing an article or finishing off some client work, when the self-doubt begins.  It draws you away from your current activity and threatens to derail you. 

Yet, when you come from a position of strength, and that strength being the belief in your abilities, then any negative enhancing thoughts (NETs) or self-doubt is removed fairly quickly. 

You are on purpose with the goals you have set and know what needs to be done to achieve them – this is why having belief in yourself is so important to you as a business owner.

Each day is about being the best you can be in that very moment.

As Steve Waugh (Past Australian cricket captain) said:  “If you want to be mentally tough, do as Wayne Bennett says: follow your beliefs and don't give in to yourself.”

2.  He believes in his players; and you need to believe in your products and services.  Because if you don’t, then how can you expect your clients to believe in them? 

Imagine walking into a sales meeting with a potential client, and ‘sorta’ mentioning that you think your current product could provide a solution to their challenges.  You may get the sale, but my bet is that you probably won’t!

If you don’t come from that place of pure conviction that your product is the best fit for their current challenge, then the person sitting opposite you definitely won’t see you as their solution provider. 

You’ve got the results and you know what solutions you provide – your role is to communicate this effectively to your ideal clients, so that they know you are the person to call when they need your service. 

3.  He keeps the process of playing football simple, and he gets out of the way. 

Don’t look for complicated business models to grow your business – look for practical, simple models that you can implement effectively and derive results from. 

Too often, we see business owners looking at trying to overcomplicate your processes, when in fact if you followed the KISS principle you would have much greater success.  By keeping it simple, you are more likely to take action because you know that step by step the results will occur. 

When you overcomplicate the process, in most cases, you stop yourself from achieving because it becomes too hard.

If you look at the St George Dragons – they play a pretty boring game of football, because their coach, Wayne Bennett has kept the plays simple.  Last year, in his first year as their coach, he led them to win the Grand Finals.  His process is a simple step by step system – don’t overcomplicate the play, and each player knows exactly what they’re required to do.  They need to turn up each weekend and be the best they can on that day. Simple!

So if you feel you are constantly pushing uphill, stop and add the Wayne Bennett factor to your business.  Believe in yourself; believe in your products and services, and go back to the KISS business model. 

But most importantly take action to implement your ideas…