Happy Turkey Day!

Posted on November 25th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

ThanksgivingHornofPlentyTis the season for giving thanks, for appreciating all we have, and all we hope to have in the coming year.  For some, this may be a tall order…

As I look back over the year, I see life has unfolded in ways I never could have imagined a year ago.  I definitely tried  to make things turn out the way I thought they should by setting goals and planning; but life had other plans for me, which are ultimately better than they would have been had I struggled and stressed trying to do things my way.  Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know…

There are master goal setters out there making big bucks teaching people how to set and reach goals.  This has never worked for me, and I’ve had a pretty good life.  I most enjoyed life when I gave up the need to be in control and surrendered to the greater good life had in store for me. 

I set a goal to retire from AT&T several years ago, but after 24 years it became clear that my heart was telling me to leave for my peace and happiness.  I’m sure glad I listened, because I have enjoyed every second of the freedom I’ve had being self-employed the past 14 years.

I was taught, probably like you were, to set goals and stay focused on them until they were achieved.  It sounds logical, but I found I needed to leave room for those diversions that ended up being better than the goal I thought I wanted.

This Thanksgiving I’m giving thanks for the willingness to live moment-to-moment, give up the need to control my destiny, surrender to the flow, and enjoy the ride.  Try it!  Next year you may have even more to be thankful for!

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The Secret Magnet that Keeps Customers Coming Back

Posted on November 20th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

ThanksgivingTableHere we are just a few days until Thanksgiving 2009 is upon us.  Soon mailboxes will be filled with Christmas paraphernalia and trash and recycle bins will be filled with the multitudes of catalogs and cards designed to sell, sell, sell…   Maybe among all the piles of mail will be your Christmas card to your customers.  Chances of them reading and really appreciating it are medium at best to mediocre at worst.  With all the competition for attention, how do you stand a chance of letting your customers know that you really do appreciate them and care about their continued patronage?  One way is by giving up the struggle for attention by not sending Christmas cards…

Since Thanksgiving is by definition a time set aside for giving thanks, make your business, and your appreciation for your customers stand out by sending them a special “Thank you for your business” card during the less mail heavy time of year, Thanksgiving.   Better still, in your card, offer them a special discount or gift to use in the New Year. 

I find it amazing that taking advantage of this time of year to let your customers know you appreciate them has not caught the attention of many greeting card companies.  When I visited my local Hallmark Store I had a tough time finding Thanksgiving cards appropriate for business.  You can find a selection of Thanksgiving appreciation cards online by searching on “business greeting cards for Thanksgiving”. 

Although it may be a little late this year for some of you to send a card, keep it in mind for 2010.  And as always, anytime of year is a good time to let your customers know you appreciate their business.

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Compassionate Business in Action

Posted on November 18th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

HelpingHandsMore days than not, when I pick up the morning paper I see an article about Bernie Madoff’s investment fraud activities and how they have affected yet another famous person.  It’s not surprising how long the bad press has gone on, since his Ponzi scheme has been called the “largest investment fraud in Wall Street history.”

Among all the stories you read about the tough economy and what you need to do to avoid schemes such as Mr. Madoff’s are gems such as this one, which was featured  in the May 2009 issue of More Magazine.

Imagine going into a restaurant that has no menu and no prices.  That’s exactly the type of business you will find if you visit Denise Cerreta’s eating establishment One World Everybody Eats, located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Tis the Season When Your Clients Expect Deals…

Posted on November 12th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

The nations #1 retailer, Wal-Mart, announced that in order to avoid a stampede of customers on Black Friday it will keep most of its U.S. stores open 24 hours, beginning the day-after-Thanksgiving.  Last year there was such a mad dash to get to the after Thanksgiving deals that one of its temporary employees was trapped behind a door and asphyxiated.  It’s hard to imagine saving money could be that critical to the buying public, but apparently that is the case.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term “Black Friday”, it’s the day after Thanksgiving when all the retailers hope to have so much business that it puts their business back into the “black” on their financial statements.  In other words, they hope to be making money – not losing money for the year.

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Build a Better Business – Give Up the Copy-cat Syndrome by Being Authentic

Posted on November 5th, 2009 by Sandy Reed

Did you ever feel like big brother was watching you every day?  I did many years ago when I worked as a manager for a large corporation.  Even as a management employee I felt like just  “an employee”.  When you can’t even go to the bathroom without someone noticing you’re gone, it’s tough to feel a sense of ownership.   But as a business owner it’s a whole new ball game.  Not only do you get to call all the shots, you have to be authentic and draw upon all your creativity to set your business apart from others in your field. 

As good as being your own boss sounds, with that freedom comes a big responsibility to you and to your clients.  No longer can you count on some company’s brand to bring in the big bucks.  You’re on your own, and you have to learn how to create your own brand and marketing strategies.  It’s up to you to make your business work.  You can get a business degree and hire good coaches and advisors, but at the end of the day it’s only you and your creativity that is going to make your business successful or not.  So, what makes some businesses work and some not?  Frequently it comes down to getting past the fear.  It comes down to not being afraid to put who you are front and center knowing that some people will like who you are, and some people won’t…

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