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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tip of the Week: Make the Decision
What is one of the biggest differences between those who succeed and those who fail? The difference is those who have made a decision to succeed are much more committed to actually following through. Oftentimes, I talk to people who have big dreams and goals. But if they don't make a decision to stick with it, even when the going gets tough, then they often give up before they even have a chance to taste success. However, those who make that decision to persevere, no matter what, end up seeing the results of their hard work.
So what does "making the decision" actually mean? How can you put it into action? First, you need to really determine what your goals are, and WHY you are doing this business. What will it mean to you to reach your goals? How will it change your life? What if you DON'T reach your goals - how will that affect your family or your life? First think about these things, then WRITE them down. Then, decide if you are truly willing to commit to your goals, and if so, decide that you will do so no matter what. Lastly, write down your commitment and read it every day. You must keep this decision in front of you. Otherwise, emotions, other people, or circumstances may cause you to forget about that decision.
So, don't wait: Make your decision today and stick to it - NO MATTER WHAT!
So what does "making the decision" actually mean? How can you put it into action? First, you need to really determine what your goals are, and WHY you are doing this business. What will it mean to you to reach your goals? How will it change your life? What if you DON'T reach your goals - how will that affect your family or your life? First think about these things, then WRITE them down. Then, decide if you are truly willing to commit to your goals, and if so, decide that you will do so no matter what. Lastly, write down your commitment and read it every day. You must keep this decision in front of you. Otherwise, emotions, other people, or circumstances may cause you to forget about that decision.
So, don't wait: Make your decision today and stick to it - NO MATTER WHAT!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Tip of the Week: Focus on Others
My tip for this week in building your business is to focus on the needs of others! So many times in home-based businesses, consultants & distributors are focused on their own goals and incentives, that they forget to focus on their customers or potential customers. While we all know we should focus on others, actually doing it can be difficult. It requires you to forget about your own goals, in a sense, and instead focus on the other person and how you can help them. However, most of the time when you do this, you end up reaching your own goals as well!
So, if you are feeling stuck, or your sales have not been what you want, or you aren't finding the partners you want for your business, perhaps you need to start looking at where your focus is. Are you getting up each day asking yourself, "What am I going to accomplish today?" or are you asking "Who can I help today?" While the first question is definitely worthwhile, the second question is actually the one that will take you places!
You see, in the long run, you must have people that know you, trust you, and like you in order to stay in business. And you can only do this by focusing on others and helping them with their needs and goals!
So, if you are feeling stuck, or your sales have not been what you want, or you aren't finding the partners you want for your business, perhaps you need to start looking at where your focus is. Are you getting up each day asking yourself, "What am I going to accomplish today?" or are you asking "Who can I help today?" While the first question is definitely worthwhile, the second question is actually the one that will take you places!
You see, in the long run, you must have people that know you, trust you, and like you in order to stay in business. And you can only do this by focusing on others and helping them with their needs and goals!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Value
I have been thinking a lot lately about value. What does it mean, exactly? Value certainly means different things to different people, but I think that we can all agree that shoppers are looking for value. If you have a home based business, it's important that you understand this concept and offer value to your customers. Essentially, value is what sets you apart from your competitors.
First of all, value does not necessarily imply "low price," although many people may think this at first. Just because someone offers the lowest price does not mean that they offer the best value. Let's do a comparison here. If you wanted to buy a tent for camping during the summer, you could go to several different places to shop. You could go to Wal-Mart or K-Mart, and buy a tent for $40 or 50. You could visit LLBean and buy a tent for $150 or 200. Now someone might say that K-Mart had the best value, but when you consider that the tent you bought there might not be waterproof and might be broken by next summer, while the tent from LLBean has a lifetime guarantee and keeps you dry at night, most would agree that LLBean offered the better overall value. So when considering what you are offering your customers, don't worry if you don't have the lowest price around. What you should be concerned with is whether your price is fair and reasonable for the product or service you are offering. For example, if your price is $10 higher than the competition, but there is absolutely nothing to set that product apart, then yes, customers are going to go with the competition!
Secondly, value means customer service. When customers shop with you or your company, are they having a great shopping experience? Is it easy and convenient? If they have a problem, it is easily resolved? How do you treat your customers? Again, this is about setting yourself apart from the competition. If you don't do anything different or above and beyond your competitors, customers may not have a reason to keep coming back to you. One thing I do for my customers is send them a thank-you card when they join. It's a small gesture and doesn't cost me much at all, but it sets me apart from other places they might shop. It's lets them know that they are valued! So find ways to show your customers that you appreciate them, and do it today!
Thirdly, value means that the product or service is important to the customer and that it works! What is it about your products or services that make them different or better than others? Do the products do what they claim? Or does your company make claims without having proof to back them up? Customers will only shop for so long before they start to realize that there is not a difference. So consider what you are promoting to your customers and determine whether there is something unique or different - something that your customers will need and want.
As the economy is currently in a slump, it is more important than ever to offer value. If not, you'll be out of business before you know it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on other things that provide value to customers, or what you are doing to bring value in your business!
First of all, value does not necessarily imply "low price," although many people may think this at first. Just because someone offers the lowest price does not mean that they offer the best value. Let's do a comparison here. If you wanted to buy a tent for camping during the summer, you could go to several different places to shop. You could go to Wal-Mart or K-Mart, and buy a tent for $40 or 50. You could visit LLBean and buy a tent for $150 or 200. Now someone might say that K-Mart had the best value, but when you consider that the tent you bought there might not be waterproof and might be broken by next summer, while the tent from LLBean has a lifetime guarantee and keeps you dry at night, most would agree that LLBean offered the better overall value. So when considering what you are offering your customers, don't worry if you don't have the lowest price around. What you should be concerned with is whether your price is fair and reasonable for the product or service you are offering. For example, if your price is $10 higher than the competition, but there is absolutely nothing to set that product apart, then yes, customers are going to go with the competition!
Secondly, value means customer service. When customers shop with you or your company, are they having a great shopping experience? Is it easy and convenient? If they have a problem, it is easily resolved? How do you treat your customers? Again, this is about setting yourself apart from the competition. If you don't do anything different or above and beyond your competitors, customers may not have a reason to keep coming back to you. One thing I do for my customers is send them a thank-you card when they join. It's a small gesture and doesn't cost me much at all, but it sets me apart from other places they might shop. It's lets them know that they are valued! So find ways to show your customers that you appreciate them, and do it today!
Thirdly, value means that the product or service is important to the customer and that it works! What is it about your products or services that make them different or better than others? Do the products do what they claim? Or does your company make claims without having proof to back them up? Customers will only shop for so long before they start to realize that there is not a difference. So consider what you are promoting to your customers and determine whether there is something unique or different - something that your customers will need and want.
As the economy is currently in a slump, it is more important than ever to offer value. If not, you'll be out of business before you know it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on other things that provide value to customers, or what you are doing to bring value in your business!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Ground Floor Opportunities
I've been thinking lately about "Ground Floor Opportunities." I hear about these often, being that I am in the home business industry myself. I attend a women's networking meeting on a regular basis, visit online forums, and talk with others who have their own home business frequently. I often hear or read people referring to getting started with a "ground floor opportunity" in a positive light. In fact, one colleague's signature line in her email states: "Ask me TODAY about exciting new parties, new products and a GROUND FLOOR business opportunity!"
If you are someone who is searching for a home based business or just a way to earn some extra income, this idea of a "ground floor" business may appeal to you. "Ground floor" implies many things. Here are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head:
Now I want to clarify - I am not saying that all "ground floor opportunities" are BAD. I am just saying that someone should not use this as their main reason for choosing a business. Unfortunately, I think some people jump on every new business that comes down the pike, hoping that the next one will be "the one." But all too often, those business that started as "ground floor" end up going under before you can blink. So I recommend considering companies that are well-established and have a solid track record of success, especially in this economic climate. This is not the best time to take a risk on a company that may or may not be here a year from now.
So if you are looking at your options and have been considering joining a "ground floor opportunity" or a business that is less than 5 years old, I strongly urge you to think twice and do your research!
- If you get in early, or at the start of the business, you will make more money than someone who joins later on.
- If you get in early, you will have more of the potential market share.
- If you get in early, you may have more direct contact with the company's corporate office.
Now I want to clarify - I am not saying that all "ground floor opportunities" are BAD. I am just saying that someone should not use this as their main reason for choosing a business. Unfortunately, I think some people jump on every new business that comes down the pike, hoping that the next one will be "the one." But all too often, those business that started as "ground floor" end up going under before you can blink. So I recommend considering companies that are well-established and have a solid track record of success, especially in this economic climate. This is not the best time to take a risk on a company that may or may not be here a year from now.
So if you are looking at your options and have been considering joining a "ground floor opportunity" or a business that is less than 5 years old, I strongly urge you to think twice and do your research!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Consistency & Persistence
Consistency and persistence are two of the most important character traits for anyone who wants to work from home. In any legitimate business, there must be time and effort invested before you see a return on your investment. To see a significant income, you will need to be consistent and persistent. What does this mean?
Consistency means that you work day after day without taking huge breaks. For example, working every day for 1 hour is more effective than working one day for 5 hours and then taking 4 days off, then working another 2 hours, and taking 3 days off. Even though you may have worked about the same amount of hours, you will probably see more results be doing something EVERY DAY, rather than working in big chunks and then taking a lot of time off. On my team, I encourage people who are working very part-time to at least do one thing every day - whether that is making a new contact, setting an appointment, or doing a customer follow-up. At least it kept them "in the game." People who take several days or weeks off have a MUCH harder time getting back into the saddle to work their business.
Persistence sounds similar to consistency, but it is a bit different. Being persistent means that you don't give up easily. It means that even when you hear "no" or have a bad day, you continue to put forth effort. Persistence means that you are not quickly discouraged and that you don't give up easily. In any home business, there will be days when you feel like giving up. You may feel like you aren't reaching your goals quickly enough or that you don't have the income you want. Now, a key point here is that if you are 100% sure that this is the RIGHT business for you, then I encourage you to be persistent and not give up! However, perhaps you have questions about whether this business is for you or perhaps the company is tanking, etc - then you may want to consider looking at other options if you are serious about ensuring your financial future. Personally I have been there, and I am very glad I made a switch. Even if I had persisted in the other business, I would still not have made the income I wanted since the compensation plan was not set up for success.
In closing, I encourage you to consider this question: If you were to interview yourself based on your current activities in your business, would you hire yourself? If you are being consistent and persistent, the answer will probably be yes! If not, it might be no. What can you do? Change your activities today and make sure they are in line with your goals. No matter what, do something every day in your business and keep working towards your goals despite the obstacles.
Consistency means that you work day after day without taking huge breaks. For example, working every day for 1 hour is more effective than working one day for 5 hours and then taking 4 days off, then working another 2 hours, and taking 3 days off. Even though you may have worked about the same amount of hours, you will probably see more results be doing something EVERY DAY, rather than working in big chunks and then taking a lot of time off. On my team, I encourage people who are working very part-time to at least do one thing every day - whether that is making a new contact, setting an appointment, or doing a customer follow-up. At least it kept them "in the game." People who take several days or weeks off have a MUCH harder time getting back into the saddle to work their business.
Persistence sounds similar to consistency, but it is a bit different. Being persistent means that you don't give up easily. It means that even when you hear "no" or have a bad day, you continue to put forth effort. Persistence means that you are not quickly discouraged and that you don't give up easily. In any home business, there will be days when you feel like giving up. You may feel like you aren't reaching your goals quickly enough or that you don't have the income you want. Now, a key point here is that if you are 100% sure that this is the RIGHT business for you, then I encourage you to be persistent and not give up! However, perhaps you have questions about whether this business is for you or perhaps the company is tanking, etc - then you may want to consider looking at other options if you are serious about ensuring your financial future. Personally I have been there, and I am very glad I made a switch. Even if I had persisted in the other business, I would still not have made the income I wanted since the compensation plan was not set up for success.
In closing, I encourage you to consider this question: If you were to interview yourself based on your current activities in your business, would you hire yourself? If you are being consistent and persistent, the answer will probably be yes! If not, it might be no. What can you do? Change your activities today and make sure they are in line with your goals. No matter what, do something every day in your business and keep working towards your goals despite the obstacles.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Looking for Leaders, Moms, Professionals who Want to Earn from Home
I am looking for some serious, motivated individuals to invest my time in and train to lead in my business. I work from home WITHOUT having to sell any products, go door-to-door, or purchase inventory.
When you get started this month, you can earn $1500+ over the next 3 months! That's a minimum paycheck of $500 for the next 3 months - it can be much more than that.
When you get started this month, you can earn $1500+ over the next 3 months! That's a minimum paycheck of $500 for the next 3 months - it can be much more than that.
So, what would an extra $500 a month for the next 3 months mean to you? If you are someone who is hardworking, willing to be coachable, and have a strong reason why you need that extra money, then give me a call TODAY. If there's ever been a time to start your business, it is now. Our partner company grew by another $28 million in 2008, while the DSA reported a decrease in sales by 5-6% across the board. That means that this company is one of the ONLY growing home businesses out there!
When I got started with this business, I was skeptical because I had tried another business for 3 years and didn't get the income I wanted. I was also unsure whether this would really work. But now after over 2 years of experience with this company, I couldn't be MORE thankful that I gave it a try. It has allowed me to be at home the majoirty of the time with my baby girl. It means that we have not had to rely on credit cards or worry about losing our home. It means that we are headed to complete financial freedom in the future!
Serious inquires only Call Esther 207-249-9013 or request more info on my site. Note: requests for info via email only cannot be met as this business cannot be described or explained via email. Please provide an accurate phone number if you wish to explore this option. I am the only one who will be able to access your information - it will not be sold or used for spam.
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