Author: Ethan Theo

Abe WalkingBear Sanchez is an International Speaker / Trainer / Consultant on the subject of cash flow / sales enhancement and business knowledge organization and use. Founder and President of www.armg-usa.com, WalkingBear has authored hundreds of business articles, has worked with numerous companies in a wide range of industries since 1982 and has spoken at many venues including the Shakespeare Globe Theater in London.

Categories
Sales & Marketing

Do You Know How Much Each Client Is Worth To Your Business?

The lifetime value of each client is defined as the total gross profit that you accumulate from a customer over their lifetime of doing business with you less the acquisition cost and marketing expenses over their lifetime.

When you know this value, you also know exactly how much money you can spend to acquire a client through marketing.

Do you realize the power that gives you as a small business owner? Did you know that by knowing your customer lifetime value, you can literally dominate your market and eliminate your competition in the minds of your clients?

What you need to know…

Most business owners know intuitively that it’s much easier to make an additional sale to a current client than it is to make that first sale that acquires that client. Unfortunately, they don’t do enough to figure out how they can sell more to their existing client base.

Why you need to know this…

It’s important to understand that a client who has had an exceptional experience with your product or service is naturally going to look to you to help them fulfill their other needs with additional products. They now trust you, and are happy with the relationship they have with you. You should take advantage of their trust and make an offer for another product/service immediately after their initial purchase, and schedule frequent campaigns to offer more to your client base.

The cost to you if you fail to act…

When your customers recognize that you provide them with value, they will continue to purchase from you. But, you can’t assume they will just call you up and ask you to sell them something. You have to make the effort to ask for their order.

So are you doing that?

Do you know how to do that?

Are you aware that all of this can be put on auto-pilot, and requires no further action on your part whatsoever?

Categories
Recommendations

Stream Energy Reviews Highlight Benefits for Customers and Communities

Stream Energy is a Dallas-based energy supplier serving customers across 9 US states and rapidly expanding. Customers enjoy savings on their fixed-rate plans, leading many of the Stream Energy reviews found online to be positive. Fixed-rate plans are a good deal with Stream Energy with the company growing its user base and gaining popularity for offering green energy options. Additionally, the company has a great customer service reputation.

Company and Operations

Stream Energy is a natural gas and electricity network marketing firm located in the US. It focuses its distribution services mostly in states that have deregulated energy markets.

Its concept and business model are pretty new for the American market with the provision of alternative energy services. Founded in 2005, Stream Energy is now one of the largest direct selling companies across the globe. Larry Mondry is the current Chief Executive Officer.

Stream Energy reviews point one of the company’s main advantages being a licensed retail electric provider by the Public Utilities Commissions in the state of Texas. It was started up through initial enrollment of Texas customers and an innovative model of selling energy through word of mouth and in the process allowing people to make money for simply spreading the word about the company and getting new customers to sign up. Since 2005 the company has grown and operates in several energy markets in:

Georgia
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Washington D.C.
New York
Maryland
Illinois
Delaware
Ohio

Stream Energy Services

Based on available Stream Energy reviews – the company has a limited number of services at the moment, split among four categories: Energy, Wireless, Home and Protective.

Energy- The company offers three forms of energy, which sets it apart from other energy providers. Residential and commercial business customers can choose between electric, natural gas and clean energy. Part of Stream Energy services is purchasing the clean energy it sells to customers from wind, solar, hydro and other types of renewable resources. This is done to decrease the footprint of pollution and improve the condition of the surrounding environment. In online Stream Energy reviews people highlight their interest in green energy being an option for purchase and the fact that very few companies are offering such a service. This gives Stream Energy considerable advantage over completion.  Stream’s Smart 30 Thermostat Plan allows users to control their digital thermostat from their smartphone. Plus, this plan includes a free Lyric? thermostat (valued at $199).

Wireless- Stream Energy’s All In wireless plan provides unlimited talk, text, and data on a nationwide network with the best high-speed bandwidth that you can find anywhere. The All In plan is the only plan you’ll need. It includes features like 4G LTE data, mobile hotspots, and Wi-Fi calling.  You can use your own device and your current phone number – and there is never a contract required. Need additional phone lines for your family? The All In plan allows you to add additional lines to your service. You can also elect to supercharge your data or an international package.

Protective Services- Stream Energy protective services provides Identity Theft Protection to alert individuals if there is any suspicious activity detected on their account(s) and in their name. Credit Monitoring allows customers to review past credit history, check current credit scores and to be alerted of any changes. Stream Energy reviews point out that Technical Support is unlimited and available 24/7 via phone and internet. Customers can secure online data, backup software, security, access to the self-help library and antivirus / anti-spyware. Additional services available through Stream’s protective services include Virtual MD, affordable and accessible healthcare for everyone and Roadside Assistance with 24/7 support, towing, and locksmith services.

Home Services-

Stream Energy Home Services keeps customers connected to their home or office from anywhere. With Stream Digital Voice services, customers can enjoy superior call quality, unlimited calling, and even access to smart safety alerts for only $14.99 per month.

Stream Energy Plans

The prevailing opinion in Stream Energy reviews shared online is that customers are pleased with the savings on fixed-rate plans with Stream Energy. On fixed-rate plans, the amount they end up paying for electricity per kilowatt-hour or for natural gas per therm remains the same for the entire contract period.

As long as they are able to find a competitive rate, they can save on fixed-rate plans in comparison to local utility’s rates. Many customers also benefit from the stability of Stream Energy’s fixed-rate plans – if their energy bill varies from one month to the next, it is only because their consumption has changed.

Stream Energy Rating and Reviews

Stream Energy has an A customer service rating from the Better Business Bureau. In Stream Energy reviews online it is consistently given high marks for responding quickly and appropriately to customer inquiries and complaints. The company is known to receive a small volume of complaints relative to its size.

Stream Energy reviews mention the company’s support department as one of the best Stream Energy services they receive. Customer support representatives are skilled at providing timely help and resolving account issues.

One of the best qualities of Stream Energy services is the option for renewable energy, which gives customers the opportunity to support green energy generation in the United States on Stream Energy’s Green and Clean plans. The majority of customers feel that rates are reasonable on green plans.

Conclusion

Stream Energy offers great value for the services it provides to customers in addition to the option to purchase clean energy. With a strong and growing client base in nine states, the company is looking for ways to enter new markets and continue to develop and expand its service offering.

Categories
People & Relationships

Philanthropic Efforts Help Individuals and Your Business

It is not a surprise anymore that increasing numbers of young people (we’re looking at you, Millennials) are entering the workforce and the economy and changing how businesses cater to consumers. And the beliefs of this segment of the working and purchasing public aren’t just modifying business practices; they are reshaping business cultures, too. An increased awareness of the world and our place as humans and consumers in it has shaped a new segment of the population, and businesses are becoming more and more cognizant of how their products and policies contribute to society, demanding social obligation be a contributing factor for all new ideas. One of the biggest changes has been the focus on philanthropy that businesses now see as an important requisite for success. Take a look at how philanthropic efforts can benefit not only individuals, but your business, too.

Philanthropy Breeds Respect

Let’s face it: giving back makes you look good. If you can’t see any other benefit to generosity, consider the fact that 70% of Millennials would rather spend their money on brands that are socially and civically responsible and nearly 67% of them would rather work for a company that makes charitable donations than one that does not. When your company donates to a cause, it sends a message that you care for more than yourself, a message that draws respect from the community and promotes their support of you, both as consumers and as employees.

Philanthropy Makes You Feel Good

If giving makes you look good, it also makes you feel good. Just like how putting on a nice outfit and combing your hair often boosts confidence, a dedication to charitable giving creates an atmosphere of positivity. Supporting a local cause can unite employees by boosting morale and fostering a spirit of community. A mere dedication to the bottom line could never forge the same alone. Where would you rather work? For a large law firm only interested in big paychecks or an EB-5 lawyer with a team committed to helping immigrants change the world?

Philanthropy Increases Exposure

Helping others will inevitably expose you to lots more people than staying at your desk and not helping them. Think about the types of people your company will meet as you make calls to research and schedule causes to support. These people become part of your network. They could potentially support you as customers, and they could become a part of your organization as employees or partners. Knowing more people only opens more doors.

Philanthropy Can Save You Money

This is one of those times when spending money can actually save you money. Tax deductions for charitable giving can help your company save money on taxes. Just make sure you follow all applicable laws when filing your tax return.

Categories
Finance & Capital

Expert Equity: 3 Reasons You Should Have Your Equity Appraised

What’s your business worth to you? In abstract terms, it can mean the world. But knowing the actual value of your assets and equity is perhaps the simple most important factor in helping you plan for the future. Sure, an increase in assets typically means an increase in equity, but there are a few key reasons you should never be in the dark here.

  1. Know where you stand.

It’s time to start thinking of more than what the costs are to you. At some point, it’s very likely you’re going to have to answer to more than your current balance. The courts, agencies, investors, and clients you enter contracts with aren’t going to be impressed by an estimate.

Investors in particular like to anticipate what kind of impact their funds will have, as this can inform what kind of ROI they can expect.

An independent appraiser will help reveal your weaknesses, too. These are not aspects you want revealed when it counts, such as during a sale or at the behest of someone you’re entering a contract with.

  1. Make better decisions.

Buying and selling your business, as well as any associated equipment, is not an event anyone should enter into blindly. Just ask the pros at Equify – the market can prevent you from getting fair prices that work for your budget. You save money in all of the right areas when you know exactly where you should invest, and how much you should be willing to invest. This also applies to insurance, where coverage should be as cost-effective as possible, taking care of areas unique to your business.

It’s also way past time to start planning for your life beyond the business. If you ever plan on retiring, start getting regular appraisals now. Even if you’re not retiring, maybe you have a five-year plan to move on to another industry or company. If you want to get the absolute most upon exit, an accurate portrait of what you and your share of the business is worth is crucial.

  1. Monitor and foster growth.

My, how you’ve grown. However, you can’t really stake a claim as to how much growth you’ve enjoyed – and whether or not you can sustain that level of growth – unless you’ve had some appraisals along the way. Who knows; maybe the value of what you own is higher than you estimated. And when you’re ready to sell or net a new investor, those figures pertaining to growth are the absolute ace up your sleeve.

That aforementioned benefit where weakness are revealed matters here, too. Knowing which area of investment could optimize your rate of growth is the ultimate example of knowledge being equal to power. If you want to take your company higher, you have to know which areas are most likely to help you take flight.

Overall, appraising your equity gives you greater control. It’s the solid evidence backing every important decision and demand you make. In the end, it’s also the best tool for goal-setting. Get a clear, accurate picture of what your business is worth, and set your sights on increasing value every year from then on.

Categories
Finance & Capital

What Type of Trading Is Right for You?

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to meet traders, you will notice that they all tend to be quite different from one another. They could vary in terms of personality and style which is one of the reasons that there are so many types of trading. Now, if you want to be a successful trader, it is important to find a category that you fit best into and will ultimately allow you to understand what stocks to buy now versus down the road. It is only then that you will be able to make calculated moves and stick with your decisions. So, there are the most common types of traders and how you can find which group you fall into.

The Short-Term Trader

There are some people who just can’t hold a position for too long. As with most other things in their life, they prefer to finish off their projects within a set period of time. If this sounds like you, day trading could be the best fit. Here, you will find that you need to hold your position only for a few hours or a day at most. This means that by the time you go to sleep, you will have finished up your trades.

The Long-Term Trader

At the other extreme, you have the option of holding your position for years on end. This is why you should have nerves of steel if you want to engage in position trading. See, during the period you hold your position, you will find that numerous changes occur. This means that the market will not always work in your favour. What’s more, you might often have to go against popular opinion since you willhave to deal with changingtrends over the years. If this is something you are capable of, then you may find that this is a good avenue for you.

The Trend Trader

There are plenty of people who like to go with the flow. This means that they prefer to identify the current trading trends and participate in them. Thus, they end up moving with the momentum of the rest of the market. Now, to be able to do this, you are going to need to look at both fundamental and technical analysis. As such, you will need to be prepared to put in a considerable amount of work. Even then, there is some difficulty in determining the accuracy of the trends. Now, once you have narrowed down your trading style, it is important to stick with it, even when the results are less than great. If you wait it out, you may notice that your particular style actually works for you. That being said, you should also constantly evaluate yourself and your chosen technique. If there’s a lack of compatibility, however, it may be time for you to change.

You should be able to figure out what type of trader you areand in turn, you will find it easier to come up with strategies to suit your particular style to reach maximum success.