Categories
Success Attitude

To-do Lists vs. Promises and Agreements

to-do-list.jpgI’ve been asked several times to make the distinction between promises and to-do lists. Here’s one way to look at the difference. When setting your sights on a goal you wish to reach in the future, you will typically lay out an action plan that includes the steps you will take to get from here to there, right? In other words, what you will do to arrive at your destination. Each step will have a result. While it might initially start out as a promise, you might find yourself slipping into creating a to-do list.
Consider making a mental paradigm shift on the idea of goal-setting to focus on committing to weekly and monthly agreements as stepping stones to the bigger vision you have for yourself. When you identify actions you will take and promise to follow through (to yourself or anyone else) you have created an agreement to fulfill.

In other words, being congruent with your intentions and actions keeps you in integrity with your dreams and desires. How good do you feel when you say you’ll do something and then you don’t do it?

One of your goals might be to systematize your business so that you’re working more efficiently. Your steps might include:

1. Evaluating current programs and continuing to upgrade where needed.
2. Calling a web person to revamp your website.
3. Scheduling time to declutter and organizing your office.
4. Ordering new office equipment.
5. Updating your marketing material.
6. Outsourcing work.
7. Registering for a new course or training.

I make this distinction because getting caught up in making lists rather than being accountable or in integrity to the promises being made will affect the value received from masterminding. The goal is not to show how busy you are doing stuff, rather to make agreements that have a built-in intention that challenges you to s-t-r-e-t-c-h outside of your comfort zone.

The agreements you make are meant to nudge you forward and might create some discomfort so that you feeling slightly off balance. Being slightly off kilter offers opportunities to limitless possibilities that can lead to rich results. In fact, you might choose to add something in your promises that is deliberately uncomfortable with the intent of kicking things up a notch.

The promises you agree to are meant to stretch you out of your comfort zone so that you are challenging yourself to grow yourself and your business. They reflect your dreams and desires in ways that are meant to motivate and inspire you forward.

So be bold in challenging yourself to have what you desire. The possibilities are endless.

Have a great day!

Categories
Home-Based Business

Interview Do’s and Don’ts

interview.jpgWork at home moms are still somewhat of a novelty in our society. The concept is growing, but has not yet reached many women in the corporate world. Many times when a successful work at home mom is “discovered,” she becomes an inspiration to her community and may be asked to do an interview on a local radio or TV program.

Going from working in your bathrobe to a public platform can be intimidating, but these simple tips will help lesson the stress.

1. DO prepare ahead of time. It’s important to be ready to answer the interviewer’s questions promptly. You don’t want to be caught off-guard. If possible, write up questions and submit them for the interview. If this isn’t possible, ask for a list of the questions or topics you’ll be covering.

2. DON’T take over. Let the interviewer ask the questions and control the flow of conversation. It’s not your show – you are a guest. Let the interviewer set the tone. Write out a couple of things that you want to make sure to mention and find a good opportunity to mention them briefly. Leave the audience wanting to know more.

3. DO breathe. Take your time, pause when you can. You want to be heard, not leave people scratching their heads when you’re finished. Focus on answering the questions as simply and clearly as possible.

4. DON’T be a know-it-all. Yes, you may be an expert on your topic, but you don’t want the listeners to be turned off by your attitude. Be professional, but try to make it personal. The listeners will relate to you and in turn be more interested in what you have to say.

5. DO smile. Even if the interview in on the radio, you can “hear” a smile. The listeners can tell if you’re enjoying the interview or if you’re shaking in your boots. Start out with a smile and you’ll enjoy the whole experience more.

6. DON’T Panic. Everyone gets nervous and everyone makes mistakes. If you flub up what you’re saying, take a quick breathe and start again. Move on like nothing happened and no one will even remember.
Working can home can be wonderful, but it does not always provide the experience necessary to make one comfortable with public speaking.

With a little practice and these simple tips, you’ll be a star in no time!

Categories
Franchise

Do You Follow Marked Trails or Bushwhack Through the Bush?

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If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own business, you’re not alone. The desire for the autonomy and financial security that being your own boss can provide has never been more prevalent than it is today. There are many reasons for this but a main one would have to be that as big business gets bigger, the value of the individual employee is diminished and people are fed up with being disposable. Owning a business is a great way for a woman to take charge of her future.
One way to become a business owner is through franchising and the franchise industry is at an all-time high. There are more franchised businesses than you can possibly imagine. A recent survey found almost 500 concepts in fast food alone, a category that represents only 20% of U.S. franchises. The IFA Educational Foundation’s Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses study indicates there were three quarters of a million franchised businesses in 2001.*
There are other ways to become a business owner, include buying a business opportunity and creating a business from the ground up. There are definite advantages and some disadvantages to owing a franchise business over these other business ownership options and the franchise model is not right for everyone.
To see if franchising could be right for you, compare your previous business experience, your motivations and your current situation to the following examples.
Franchise Ownership
Let’s imagine that you are in your early 40s and have worked for a half a dozen large companies over the last 20 years. You’ve been recently laid off but even before the layoff, you realized you desperately wanted to change careers and find something that would allow you to use a larger skill-set and provide a greater income. Your company has given you a cash settlement and you are keen to take charge of your life, become your own boss and try something different. You want a good income and are willing to put in whatever hours necessary to jump start the new career but your overall goal is to eventually work reasonable hours and have more time for yourself and your family.
If your history is similar, you are probably an excellent candidate for franchise ownership. This path will allow you to benefit from a proven system of operations and a training program that will quickly get you up and running. As you have no previous business ownership experience, the ongoing support you will receive from a franchisor will be vital to your success. Many franchise opportunities offer a turnkey package that will include almost everything you need to start your business. In addition, most franchisors require no previous experience in their industry so you can be open to a variety of types of businesses and won’t need to stick to the one industry you know.
Another advantage to franchising is that franchisees can take advantage of lower cost materials due to group buying power. They also learn from each other and usually form a peer support system. Because you won’t be occupied with every minute detail of owning a business, you will be able to concentrate on growing your business.
Franchisors learn from their franchisees and use this information to continually improve their systems. Data from other franchisees can be used to help you predict your break even timeframe and franchisors are required to provide you with a UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular), which will help you learn about the company, the officers, the current franchisees, and any litigation against the company.
Franchising is a business model that works very well for those who have previously been in middle or upper management – particularly women as they are historically more likely to comply with a franchisor’s rules. Women, many franchisors report, are also quicker to see the value of using a proven system and less likely to waste time trying to fix something that’s not broken.
Compliance with a franchisor’s rules can also been seen as a disadvantage to franchise ownership. A franchise lets you be in charge as long as you follow and adhere to all of the elements of the franchise system. This is necessary so that the franchisor can offer consistency across the brand – and let’s face it, they’ve done the research and tested the procedures so their way is usually the right way. This is also a benefit to the consumer who can expect comparable quality products or services no matter which franchisee he patronizes, anywhere across the country or around the world.
Another perceived disadvantage is that a franchisee must pay royalties and sometimes a marketing fee to the franchisor. Royalty payments are compensation for everything the franchisor provides, including access to the brand, the operating system and related items. The franchisor uses the marketing fee to provide national advertising to build the brand and drive market penetration at a greater level than a franchisee could do on her own. Also, national marketing funds enable franchisees to benefit from professionally produced marketing materials and realize efficiencies from commingled funds.
If your are comfortable learning from others who have experienced success and would rather follow a proven trail than bushwhack your way through the jungle, buying a franchise could help you achieve your personal and financial dreams. However, if you’re the type of woman who likes to run with scissors and would never stop to ask directions, there may be better options for you. Read on!
Buying a Business Opportunity
As another example, let say that a varied work history has given you some great skills which you wish to put to use running your own business. You are not concerned about the type of business you buy but want to have freedom to run it your way. You would be okay with a certain degree of risk but also recognize the advantages of an established system of operations.
A business opportunity is a business you buy outright and have the freedom to run any way you choose. The benefit of a business opportunity is that they generally provide you with a successful business model and possibly some training and marketing assistance. The initial investment is usually lower than for a franchise and there are no ongoing royalty payments.
A downside to a business opportunity is that the seller isn’t as invested in your success or failure as is a franchisor because they make their money up front. Therefore, you won’t have extensive ongoing training, assistance, a national marketing program, research and development, etc. The risk factor is probably greater than for owning a franchise but could be less than starting your own business.
Starting Your Own Business
In this third scenario let’s assume that you have a steady, predictable income, perhaps from a working spouse or other source. You think of yourself as a truly entrepreneurial woman and you are brimming with ideas for new products or services and love to “tinker” with things until they are just as you want them. You are strongly attracted to the idea of being your own boss and don’t like to answer to others. You’ve previously been a business owner and have enjoyed the experience. You have the drive to follow through on your plans and have a background in a variety of disciplines, including sales, marketing, accounting and management, so you are not looking for outside support. In addition, you have plenty of money to spend on researching and developing your product/service so a predictable timeframe for break even isn’t a concern.
If you are like this type of person, one who likes blazing her own trails, franchise ownership is not for you. Instead you will be more comfortable setting up your own business using your own ideas. This is the most risky way to become your own boss because you will not have the proven operations system, nationwide brand and marketing, and the ongoing support of a franchise company. You may also have more difficulty obtaining business loans and the time from inception to when you start turning a profit will be hard to predict. On the plus side, you will owe no royalties and can run you business just as you please.
Historically this is the model least likely to succeed on average so it is recommended only for truly exceptional individuals who have the desire and stamina to start their own business based on their own unique idea or approach.
The chart below will help you compare the advantages and disadvantages of these three types of business ownership opportunities. For a majority of people, franchising has proven to be a viable way to become a business owner. For the most part it offers the lowest risks and the highest level of support. Because a franchisor doesn’t succeed until the franchisees do, you’ll find a team of dedicated professionals willing and able to help you every step of the way, from site selection to employee hiring to grand opening. They will keep in touch with you from the very beginning to years down the road and have web sites, toll free numbers and dedicated staff to make sure all your questions are answered quickly.
But it takes the right sort of person to be a happy and successful franchisee. Before you become too involved in the process of finding a business to buy, carefully consider which type of opportunity will be right for you. It can make all the difference between the success and failure of your new venture.
Business Ownership Comparisons
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* IFA Educational Foundation-FRANdata study released August 2006

KimberlyEllisPhoto.jpgKim Ellis is the President of Bison.com, a leading online resource for franchise and business opportunities. She has been quoted as an industry expert in USA Today, Wall Street Journal and a variety of local and regional publications regarding trends in business and franchising. Kim combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a diverse background in marketing and operation to help others succeed in franchising.

Categories
Success Attitude

Business & Life Success Tip – The Value of Self-Investment

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How often do you register for classes and courses that promise to share success strategies and secrets to help you grow your business? How many books and products do you buy with the hopes of learning from experts in the field? If they’re successfull, they must know things you don’t know or you’d be more successful, right?

Some of these trainings, courses and classes carry a hefty price tag ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. And yet, people whip out their credit cards and yell, ”sign me up” because if the result is making more money, the short term investment is worth it. Long-term gains are compelling and the investment is justifiable if it delivers. That’s the reasoning folks use to say yes.
I’ve signed up myself. I’m in favor of quality programs and products. I even promote them to my email lists, colleagues, and friends. Why not? If I find something great from a proven expert, why would I keep it a secret? I invest in acquiring knowledge and honing my skills all the time.

I sell my own products and programs too. I share what I’ve experienced and learned personally, and from my work with clients.

So, what’s my point?

Just this…….. investing in getting to know yourself well is key to any success you dream about. When the program or product offers personal development, transformation or spiritual growth, people are less inclined to make the time and financial investment in their own evolution and awakening.

How many times do you complete a program with the intention to follow all the steps suggested and all the strategies outlined? How long do you stay motivated and keep it up?

It’s amazing to me how many people will come up with reasons why they hem and haw about paying for programs that will help them spiritually awaken, address self-sabotage, work with The Law of Attraction, eliminate negative thinking/beliefs, and experience greater personal happiness. Yes, some of these products and programs carry a larger investment in time and money.

There is a direct relationship with who you are on the inside and what you do outside in the world. Failure to see the value of investing in growing yourself as a person, as well as growing your business, will affect your outcome – guaranteed. You might be losing more than you can imagine.

~ If you have issues about being wealthy, how do you think that will affect your ability to generate and attract a lot of money?

~ If you have beliefs around unworthiness, how do you think that will affect your ability to have business success and personal happiness?

~ If fear is a driving force in your life, what affect will that have on your willingness to take action so that you can have the good stuff in life?
So, this is also a bit of a rant. I’ve had to confront my own excuses when money comes into the picture and I find myself saying, ” It’s too expensive, or it’s not in my budget”. Forget thinking cost and begin thinking investment. I’m talking about making the long-term investment in YOU rather than using the short-term amount as a reason to say no.

~ If your own self-defeating beliefs and behaviors are sabotaging your efforts, achieving substantial results from any program or resource will be diminished.

~ If you are making decisions that are in conflict with your heart, values and spirit, guess how successfull and happy you’ll be?~ If you are consistently overriding your instincts and inner wisdom, how much peace will you be giving up AND at what cost to you?

Drop the ” I can’t afford it, it’s too expensive, I don’t have time, now is a good time…” excuses you use to sit on the sidelines and watch the world move forward.

If you need assistance to bust through some business and personal barriers, make the time and financial investment to buy, hire, borrow, barter…. for the people and things that will help you become unfettered from whatever is holding you back or keeping you down.

It’s not rocket science.

It’s your life. Aren’t you worth the investment?

To your success and happiness!

Categories
Customer Service

Saying “No” Gracefully to Customers and Colleagues

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Envision the scenario: You’ve just been asked at the last minute by Chris, the organizer of your local networking group, to replace the scheduled speaker at next month’s meeting. You already have too many commitments on your plate. Imagine your response:

You: “Well, I don’t think I’d have enough time to prepare. I’m awfully sorry.  I wish I could help you!.”

Chris: “Your last speech was super’maybe you could just talk some more about that topic? I,d really appreciate it!”

You: “I’m glad you liked it–maybe I could do it”

Chris: “Oh that would be great! Just let me know the title”

How might you feel about doing this speech? You might feel stressed or resentful. You might not be at your best when you do the speech. Other work that you’d really like to be doing might suffer.

Now imagine a different response:

You: “No, I can’t be prepared on such short notice. I know how hard it is to find someone.” Alex speaks on a variety of topics and I think she could fill in for you. I’ll give you her number.”

Chris: “Thanks! That will really help.”

This is a win-win-win: Alex gets an opportunity to speak (her specialty), Chris gets a speaker, and you aren’t saddled with a commitment you don,t want–plus, you,ve probably earned some good will from both Alex and Chris. What a difference!

Whether you are saying no to a collaborator asking you to do something, or saying no to a potential client that you really don’t want to have, the ability to say no gracefully is a key skill when you are in business as a solo entrepreneur. Here are four quick steps to learning this skill:

  1. Understand the reasons you say “yes”, even when you don’t really want to. Here are some common reasons; which ones apply to you?
    • You want to please people; you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
    • The customer is always right, you can’t say no to the customer!
    • It’s not polite to say no; if you say no you feel you are being self-centered.
    • You are flattered by the request.
    • You feel like you need the business!
    • You can’t think of a nice way to say no fast enough.
    • You think there might be other unforeseen  negative consequencesif you say no. 
  2. Recognize the good things that can come out of saying “no”:
    • You have more opportunities to say “yes” to the right customer.
    • You have more time to do the things you *want* to do.
    • Saying no expresses how you *really* feel. You are taking responsibility for your own feelings and letting others take responsibility for theirs.
    • Someone else who really wants this customer’s business, has a chance to get it 
  3. Learn how to say “no” gracefully:
    • “No, I can’t do that.” Don’t beat around the bush- put “no” right upfront.
    • Use non-verbal cues to underscore the “no”-shake your head; use a firm and direct voice, use eye-contact.
    • Add an explanation if you want, but don’t apologize: “I have another commitment.” – even if that commitment is to yourself!
    • Be empathetic if the situation calls for it: “I know how hard it is to find a tax-preparer at this time of year.”
    • Recommend an alternative if one is available: “Let me refer you to…”
    • If you’re not sure, it’s always OK to ask for more timeto think it over! 
  4. Practice your new skill:
    • Rehearse ahead of time if you think it will help. Role play with your business coach or a friend or colleague.
    • Choose a low-risk situation first. Practice on your significant other, family, friends. Or practice on strangers, if that’s easier for you: the salesclerk who wants to sell you one more thing, the telemarketer calling at dinner.
    • Work your way up to friendly clients. They are likely to appreciate the boundaries you are setting!
    • When you have the courage to fire that client who hasn’t paid and makes unreasonable demands-you’ll know you’ve mastered saying “NO!” (Hint: refer them to someone else that is a better fit and help manage the transition!)

Saying “no” gives you freedom. It is a way of honoring both yourself and the person you are saying “no” to. Learn to do it well, and you will earn the respect of others–and yourself!