Home Wealth Project
Extensive Research On How To Build Wealth From The Comfort Of Your Own Home.
Expert Reveals 10 Keys to Having More Loving & Happy Relationships
Aug 15th
Great untapped niche market!! Brand new leading ebook with high demand topic with very high volume keywords & low cost for ppc. Website promotional tools are available.
Expert Reveals 10 Keys to Having More Loving & Happy Relationships
New Lotto Approach- 3.3% Cr- Happy Customers
Jul 14th
This is probably one of the best lottery offers ever. The unique approach makes it sell like hot cakes. Affiliates will receive all the help for promoting it efficiently and 75% commission out of $67. You must see the sales letter…
New Lotto Approach- 3.3% Cr- Happy Customers
Happy New Year Again: Let’s Just Start Over!
Jul 3rd
In an effort to inspire people for the New Year, Brendon Burchard, Author of the The Millionaire Messenger: Make a Difference and a Fortune Sharing Your Advice, says “Stagnation equals suffering. Your mental perspective about how this year will turn out impacts how this year will turn out.”
The year is half over. How has yours turned out so far? If you’re less than thrilled, it’s still not too late to make a difference by changing your focus. I say we go for it, but what do we focus on?
In “2011: The Year of…” on American Express OPEN Forum, Laurel Delaney lays out seven trends to pay attention to this year, including cloud computing and mobile entrepreneurship. Laurel says, “You’ve heard of small business, big business and global small business. Welcome to the era of ME: Mobile Entrepreneurs.” Check out this and the other trends that she mentioned and see how they play into your small business as you decide what you’re going to focus on for the rest of this year.
For me, it’s the year of websites and emails. It’s not my only focus, but I have learned (the hard way) that I can’t do everything at once—and win.
Simple Website Tweaks
In my opinion, certain old school concepts will always have a place in business. Don’t get me wrong, I know that we need technology and innovation, so I don’t support being a dinosaur in life or business. But some of the things that we learned back in the day can go a long way—today.
I heard this as a child: Charity starts at home and spreads abroad. Well, to me your home online is your website, not your Facebook fan page, Twitter account, Google Places website or some co-branded product like Blogspot or Tumblr. You may choose to have those accounts because they do serve their purpose, but ultimately, you need an online home. And like any home that’s cared for, you’re always working to enhance it. In ”7 Website Improvements That Will Increase Sales Now,” on American Express OPEN Forum, Ivana Taylor gives some great ideas for improving the effectiveness of your digital home.
She says, “If your website still looks like an online brochure, then you are missing out on the most effective lead generation tool that you have.” Then Ivana gives us seven simple actions to take. In fact, I double dog dare you (another childhood phrase) to implement or update your site using one of her suggestions today—not tomorrow, but today before midnight. I am working on #3 on her list. Plus, I have commited to tweaking something on my website every week.
Why?
Because (potential) clients find and judge me through my website (the same could be happening to you). For a lot of small business owners it’s the modern-day business office or front desk. So make it inviting and informative.
Email Still Matters
In “What’s the Future of E-mail?” Anita Campbell highlights findings from Score’s 2010 U.S. Digital Year in Review. Anita says, “Total Web email usage declined 8 percent in 2010.” In some cases, it declined even more, depending on the age group—among 25-34 year olds, email usages suffered an 18 percent decline, while among teens it dropped 59 percent. Despite this drop, Anita says, “Email isn’t going away, but it is evolving.”
My personal take on this mirrors another old-school phrase, this time from jazz legend Billie Holiday: God bless the child that’s got it’s own. I believe in having your own connections with your people (your customers) including their email addresses and their mailing addresses (because sometimes there is a need for good, old-fashioned snail mail).
The communication tactics we use in email may have to shift into something more personal, but there is still a place for this kind of connection with your (potential) customers. As Anita puts it, “Unless you market solely to teens, I don’t think you have to worry about email going the way of the dinosaur anytime soon. But you do need to be aware of changing marketing trends and make sure your business keeps pace.”
You may not focus on what I focus on for the rest of the year, but in spite of your schedule, choose something and begin to tweak your strategy in that area. It is amazing what a few focused and consistent hours can do.
Happy New Year Again: Let’s Just Start Over!
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
Small Business News: Happy Valentine’s Day!
Feb 15th
Valentine’s Day is here. Talk about a recognizable brand! But what can this day of love teach you about improving your business by building better customer relationships through communications, branding and customer care. Here are some thoughts for this special holiday:
Branding
Valentine’s Day: Anatomy of a failed branding campaign. It’s Valentine’s Day again and as recognizable as hearts and the adorable cherub cupid might be, Jackie Purnell maintains it’s time to evolve the brand. Is your business stuck with a brand that no longer fits your message or the essence of your company. Change it before your out-manuevered by competitors and ask yourself the hard questions now. Building Business Creating Brands
Marketing
Valentine’s gifts for your special customers. No we’re not necessarily talking here about a heart-shaped box of candy, flowers or some colorful balloons that say, “I love you.” (Although, hey, whatever works.) But think of what you do for your special clients letting them know thay are special as a Valentine’s Day gift you give the whole year through. Dawn Westerberg Consulting
Self-development
Being in love with entrepreneurship. Want to know who you should be in love with this Valentine’s Day. Karen Post has an answer for you. There are so many people miserable about their jobs that it could almost be called an epidemic. What’s the solution. Fall in love with entrepreneurship. It may be a romance you never get over. Oddpodz
Social Media
Showing love to your customers Twitter style. Those who see Twitter as a way to market to new customers only may be missing a big part of the Web site’s appeal. Twitter can also be used to bind your loyal customers closer assuming you follow a couple of important tips that will help you build a strong relationship with your best customers. Building Success
Tips
Small business in full bloom. What to know what strategies work best for small businesses when customer demand outstrips their ordinary ability to cope. By reading the piece above you can learn more about how small florists survive the biggest day of their year and come out smelling like a rose. Entrepreneur.com
Operations
Wow, do we wish we’d thought of this idea. Through a Facebook poll, small business owners were asked to describe, “Who do you love for making your small business life a little better?” And what a response. The answers are virtual love letters to the people who help make small businesses what they are everyday. Beautiful! Today’s Chicago Woman
Tech
Better romance through the “virtual office.” While you might not initially think more time holding your favorite mobile device than holding your sweetheart’s hand is a good thing, a survey suggests the virtual (and sometimes mobile) office is allowing more work-life balance which means, of course, more time spent with your significant other. Business Wire
Promotions
We just love great promotional ideas, don’t you? This one is for Valentines Day and is it a hoot. Name a cockroach after your special someone. No kidding! Read more! When promoting your business, especially on a special day, always try to think out of the box…way out of the box! Business Opportunities Weblog Network
Finance
Don’t forget, Valentine’s Day also represents sales. We’re sure it varies from community to community so the figures in the article above may be different where you live, but, of course, Valentine’s Day has also always meant a tremendous opportunity for sales. What did you do this year to capture it? HeraldSun.com.au
Trends
Valentine’s Day always good for business. No matter what the latest fad in the small business world or what state the economy is in, Valentine’s Day remains always good for business, and better for those who learn to adapt their businesses to it. Check out this story from one local media outlet about how one community’s economy is literally transformed by the holiday. How about yours? Hollister Free Lance
Small Business News: Happy Valentine’s Day!
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
Happy Holidays!
Dec 21st
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Keep Clients Happy by Humbly Asking Forgiveness
Nov 28th
As Catherine Walker’s Alzheimer’s disease advanced, her daughter Gail Watson tried to balance her mother’s disease and caring for her ailing father. Struggling as caregiver to both her parents, she found Vancouver, BC-based Nurse Next Door, a company that rescues caregivers by providing support to help care for loved ones at home.
Founded in 2001 by John DeHart and Ken Sim, Nurse Next Door was born out of their personal experiences when, seeking a caregiver for their parents, they were repeatedly sent inappropriate candidates. Like many small businesses born out of personal passion, Sim and DeHart’s business has grown rapidly. But as with any fast-growing business, growing pains occur. So DeHart and Sim decided that when mistakes happen, they would send a sincere and heartfelt apology, explaining what went wrong, how they will resolve the situation, and humbly asking forgiveness.
How $1,500 Spent on “Humble Pies” Saved $100,000 in Business
When they slip up, Nurse Next Door sends a freshly baked pie as part of their apology. Not any old pie—they send a humble pie, with a note that says, “We are very humbled by our mistake and sincerely apologize for the poor service.” They depend on a few local bakers in Vancouver to supply the pies, the most notable of which is an outfit called Acme Humble Pie. Sim and DeHart say, “What’s wrong with eating a little humble pie?” Especially when a customer is at stake?
Decide to Say “Sorry”
Gail Watson, whose story we began with at the top of this blog, received one of those pies after Nurse Next Door missed her initial appointment. Though she was angry at first, the swift delivery of a heartfelt apology and the whimsy and humility of this simple gesture took the edge off. Watson remains a loyal customer today.
What started as a spontaneous gesture by one employee is now a regular part of how Nurse Next Door nurses customers’ wounds from the occasional service failure. DeHart estimates that yearly, Nurse Next Door spends about $1,500 on humble pies, but saves around $100,000 in sales. “It’s more about keeping clients than a question of whose fault it is. The value of lost clients is very high,” DeHart says. “And satisfied customers share their experience with friends and family.”
Since its early years, Nurse Next Door has thrived and grown to become British Columbia’s largest home health-care company. It’s likely that their much-talked-about services fuel their growth . . . or do people just want a piece of that pie?
Go Try This
Evaluate How Well You Say “Sorry”
- How would you rate your ability to identify and acknowledge mistakes?
- How would your customers say you are doing?
- Do customers rave about your humility and recovery from mistakes?
- How do your decisions to recover from mistakes compare with this beloved company?
- Do your apologies earn you “beloved” status?
Can You Decide to Say “Sorry”?
- What’s your version of “humble pie”?
- Are you open enough to consider that there are times when you’ll need one, and proactively go out there and find a baker to make them?
- What’s one way to earn back a customer’s trust when you occasionally slip up?
Keep Clients Happy by Humbly Asking Forgiveness
View full post on Small Business News, Tips, Advice – Small Business Trends
What Makes a Happy Business Anyway?
Nov 11th
What Constitutes Happiness?
Happiness is a state of being, and it varies from situation to situation. Just like in life, a happy person is productive, energetic and creative. They’re happy because their needs are met and they are motivated to give anything a try that will improve the quality of their lives.
When a business is happy, it is productive and seeks challenges as it sizes up its competition. It also has the confidence to go out and secure more, bigger and better business as it builds a solid track record.
So what makes a business this happy?
1. When it’s fulfilling its mission. Many businesses start off doing one thing and often get distracted by following what they’re competition is doing or trying to be the “be all, end all” for their customers. This is the best way to be miserable, especially if fulfilling those roles distracts the business from its goals. The business’ workers become unhappy and production declines. (How to Dev a Mission Statement)
2. Being profitable at what it does. Yes, making money is an important component of a for-profit business. They know they’re on the right track when the budget line is black and there are lots of trailing zeros! While this is probably the most common way to gauge success, profitability doesn’t always have to be in the numbers to make a difference. Profitable also means a loyal customer following who is consistent and likes what the business is doing, and shows their appreciation
3. Doing their one business thing well. It’s true that most businesses promote the idea of multi-offerings for products or printing services to keep things diverse, and it is really a good idea. But sometimes, it’s not such a good idea for those businesses who try to do too many things and are driven by the wrong motivators. Businesses love it when their names become a household name and synonymous with a product or service that they are exceptional in.
4. Watching expenses. Cutting back and making financial sacrifices makes the business happy over time. There may be a bit of financial sacrificing early on, but the end result will make the business happy that it went through any brief periods of financial strain to operate better.
People use various things to gauge the happiness of a business, however. Their profit level, the number of employees, the number of years in business and even its role in the business community. But businesses who are viable and have longevity don’t just use these factors as gauges. The same types of human components that it take to make happiness must apply to businesses as well.
Through trial and error, the business must find what works, change things when necessary and constantly work to improve the quality of their business. They need to also implement systems that work and are a great personality fit, as well as eliminate those things that cause stagnation. With business experimenting and good customer skills, businesses will find that they’re not only happy, but their efforts are working to create an image branding for themselves (or via personal branding). This is completed with satisfied customers and a business full of happy employees.
View full post on Business Pundit
Are You a Happy CEO? Twitter’s Co-Founder Wasn’t
Oct 9th
The blogosphere is buzzing this week with the news that Twitter CEO Evan Williams — a co-founder of the red-hot social-media company — is stepping down to “focus on product strategy.” Company chief operating officer Dick Costolo moves up to the top slot.
Holy fail whale! What does it mean for the company’s future? Why would he give up his chief executive role, just when the company is really taking off?
I’ve got a theory.
Often, company founders are idea people. They love inventing things, discovering things, the exitement of building something from the ground up.
Time rolls on, and the company grows. It becomes more successful — and it becomes more complicated. The CEO’s role gets bigger and bigger. They need to know about hiring, people-management, marketing, sales. If they like to create, they wake up and realize they’re not getting to create anything anymore. And they’re bummed.
That seems to be exactly what’s happened here. Williams wrote on his blog, “Building things is my passion.” He wants to get back to that.
He’ll probably take a lot of criticism for doing it. People will say he couldn’t take the pressure. Or that he was forced out by investors who think the company could be better run. (About that fail whale…we do see a lot of it.)
But likely it’s a smart move that ultimately will make Twitter a better company. Product development is everything, really. At the end of the day, in the cutthroat world of social media, you have to innovate and have a great experience, or users stop coming — just ask MySpace. By freeing Williams from the million other tasks that afflict CEOs, Twitter will have a better shot at staying popular and finding ways to make money off its fast-growing platform.
Also, heading a company like Twitter means living in a fishbowl-bubble. Maybe Williams was ready to take that thing off his head.
Most business founders quit Corporate America and start their own business because they’re hoping that will be more personally fulfilling. They’re hoping it will be fun. Once the business gets established and starts to grow, if they find it isn’t fun, then it’s time to tinker with their role at the company.
I think we see the opposite situation to Williams’ move too often — company founder/CEOs who stay in the top spot when they should move themselves back into a creative role instead, and let a bean-counter take the budget meetings. They get hooked on the power trip of saying they’re the CEO and won’t let go, even if they aren’t the best manager for a fast-growing, medium-sized company and could contribute better as a free agent.
Often, at companies that are preparing to go public, the founder/CEO steps down to become chief technology officer or something, and a more experienced CEO is brought in to run things and impress Wall Street that the company has a seasoned team. That could really be what’s going on at Twitter, too. Some bloggers report that investors are unhappy that Twitter isn’t ramping up revenue fast enough.
Even if that is the reason why, the change is probably a good thing. Now, we’ll see what Williams creates next.
Are you a happy CEO/founder, or would you rather someone else took that role? Leave a comment and let us know.
View full post on Entrepreneur.com – Daily Dose
Happy National Coffee Day!
Sep 29th
This picture forgot to include joy.
Today is National Coffee Day, that annual day where you have a communal excuse to flaunt your usual cuppa.
To honor the day, companies are offering you…statistics. Last year’s National Coffee Day was full of freebies, but few providers are ponying up much more than numbers this year. (Scroll down to see who is offering freebies.) Here are some of the stats that various surveys found.
According to this National Coffee Association survey:
* 56% of adults drink coffee beverages every day.
* 84% of drinkers “have not changed their consumption habits despite the economic environment,” although 4% more people than last year prepare their coffee at home.
* 40% of coffee people buy is gourmet.
FilterFresh’s survey found that:
* 95% of people get their caffeine fix from coffee (rather than soda or tea).
* More people would give up their cell phones before giving up coffee.
* 71.5% of people drink coffee with their coworkers.
* 68% of people would not tell someone if they had coffee breath.
More fun facts from this Dunkin Donuts/CareerBuilder survey:
* 40% of young American workers (18-24) can’t concentrate as well without coffee. 43% of 18-34-year-old workers have less energy without coffee.
* 24% of 18-34-year-old American workers “buy coffee as a way to treat themselves for a job well done.” (How about buying it as a way to congratulate yourself for getting up in the morning?)
* Nurses, doctors and hotel workers drink the most coffee out of all careers surveyed.
Freebies from Around the Web
Free coffee at LaMar’s Donuts with this coupon.
Some Dunkin’ Donuts shops are giving away free coffee to celebrate National Coffee Day. Check your local shops to see if they’re participating.
Boca Java is offering free shipping on all of its products today.
Dunn Bros. is giving away a free cup of coffee to its email subscribers.
Florida’s Barnie’s is giving away free coffee.
View full post on Business Pundit
Happy Social Good Day
Sep 23rd
| Mashable and (RED) invite you to join the social media for social good movement by taking part in Social Good Day… |
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View full post on Home Wealth Project Riot!
