MoxieWorks

Do your least favorite thing - no excuses

So, yesterday I talked about having a No Excuses Life. The idea is that you show up for what needs to be done and you don't make excuses for any of it. Everyday we make lists (either in our head or on paper) and we either cross things off or we don't. The lists keep coming day after day and there are always things on the list that you don't want to do.

They vary for different people. Personally, I don't like paying bills, filing paper, or dealing with the IRS. Granted these are all things that we have to do. And I just do it. We all just do those things. (Some happily, to my amazement.) 

Everyone has a list of things they don't like doing (exercise, flossing, cooking, etc.) Make your list. What are the things that have to be done that you just don't like doing? The challenge is to just do them - don't wait, don't put them off - just do them. Do them when they need to be done.

I challenge you to pick the thing you like the least and just do it. See what it feels like to just do it and cross it off your list.

There is a level of anxiety that happens when you think about or start doing something that you don't like doing, but when it is over the response is usually, "that wasn't so bad."

The key is that it has to be something that has to be done - not something that you think you should do. That is something for another post - those pesky shoulds. Pick your thing, do it, and let me know how it was.

No Excuses Life!

Stop making excuses. I find myself in this trap often and I don't like the feeling that comes over me when I make an excuse. The remedy? Just stop making them. I am beginning to think that all there is to life is showing up. You make your own heaven and your own hell. Some people live in ways that I couldn't fathom living, but they are happy and others are in situations that continue to drive them crazy. What seems to be true everywhere is that people (me included) have a million excuses for not doing.

I don't have time.
I forgot to do that.
I was meaning to do that.

On and on, but all those excuses just add up to more nothing.

The reality is that every time I make an excuse for not doing something I am shortchanging myself and I have two real options. I can either do it or I can say I don't want to do it. Both can be difficult depending on what it is that I am supposed to be doing. Often though, if I am putting something off it is because I really don't want to do it - and wouldn't being honest about that be better than continuing to make excuses?

No, I don't want to attend a meeting where nothing gets done.

No, I don't want to meet with you and talk about something until it is dead.

No, I don't want to work on that project because it won't move anywhere.

Granted, in some situations you just HAVE to do it - and I'll talk about that more at a later date.

What I am frustrated by is my own unaccountability. That I will make excuses rather than just do something - it is as if there is some mental block to just doing what needs to be done and then stress happens because stuff piles up.

So, I propose that living a NO EXCUSES life would be easier, less stress filled, and more balanced. Things would get done, I would have integrity, and commitments would be met.

A challenge, but definitely worth considering. What is your experience with excuses?

Saving my small town one buck at a time.

I have been thinking about the shop local idea - granted in the new global world that can seem old fashioned. I believe though for our goods (and some services) stepping into our local storefronts can have a lasting impact. Granted, I live in a quaint, small town - but this applies if you are living in Chicago or San Francisco, too.

Here are My Top Ten Reasons to Shop Local

1. Fresh Food. Sometimes we have to consider our global footprint when we are buying our food - those tomatoes from California look great, but the cost of shipping can be hazardous to our planet... plus local food supports local farmers.
2. Community Support. Local businesses tend to support local causes - they may even support a cause that means something to you.
3. Jobs. Local jobs mean a better economy where I live. That is a good thing.
4. Quirky, Unique, Decidedly Different. The local shops in my community are part of our culture and by supporting that I add to the diversity and creative expression in business.
5. Building Dreams. I, obviously, believe in small business and the right to find your passion. If we make a commitment to support other peoples dreams we are expressing that in action.
6. All About the Roads & Schools. The money that I pay for sales tax pays for the the services that keep my community healthy and safe.
7. Competition. I LOVE competition on the small scale. If a pizza shop opens up across town that allows me TWO options for lunch and they have to both up their game to win my business. Good for a community to expand their choices.
8. It's the Environment, Stupid. Driving less, shipping less, creates a smaller impact on the planet - that will eventually be an important part of our economic picture.
9. Caring Community. In my small town when someone gets hurt or sick they open an account for them at the local bank for the community to help pay for their care (small businesses often can't provide health care - another topic). The community works together to build parks, fund nonprofits, and care for one another. That is something worth investing in with my dollars.
10. Long-term Goals. I want my community to last another 100 -200 years as a vibrant community. It is only by investing in it with my dollars that I show that commitment. Sure, things might be a bit pricier than I can find on line, but I am sure that I have built something solid every-time I spend a buck in a local store - and that is a long term goal.

What are your reasons for shopping local?

5 and 5 - Online and off you can create great promotions.

Are you thinking about running a promotion? There are some fun things you can do both online and off. You don't have to run the same promotion over and over - coupons or ads in the paper. Have some fun with it and let your customers see a little bit of your creativity!

Here are 5 in store promotions that have a bit of sizzle:

1. Pop That Balloon: If you own a shop you can put a discount in a balloon, have your shopper choose a balloon, pop it and that is the discount that applies to their purchase
2. Choose Your Duck: This is reminiscent of the duckie game at the carnival. Have a bowl of water and let each customer choose their duck - written on the bottom is the savings that they get on their purchase.
3. Business Card Trading Cards: If a customer gives you their business card you give them a discount - the added bonus is that you have their contact information if you are going to consider other marketing (email, direct mail, etc.)
4. You're a Winner!: A month long or even year long promotion that give every tenth customer (or your favorite number) either a discount or free bonus. Grocery stores have been doing this for years - for a reason!
5. Donate for a Cause: If you have a special cause you can ask either for a specific donation (school supplies, toys, etc.) or a monetary donation ($1 goes on a heart above the cash register) and they receive a discount on their purchase - everyone wins!

And here are 5 online promotions:

1. Twitter Poets: Offer a free gift for the best haiku about your company or product - 140 characters aren't many, but it allows for some fun creativity.
2. Blog Post Bingo: Offer a discount for folks that post at least 5 meaningful comments on your blog within a set period of time - make sure you have some good content to keep them coming back!
3. Email Answers: Send out questions to your readers of your email newsletter and the best answers win the prize - let your customers shine & post the results both online and through your newsletter. Getting people to interact with your brand adds to the excitement.
4. YouTube Who?: Create a YouTube contest where people either show your product in action, wax lovingly about your company, or create a dance video to show their true love of what you do. Have a host of "celebrity" judges pick the top 5.
5. Share Your Story: Have bloggers tell about how our product/company made a difference to them - have the readers pick the best story. Winner gets a fabulous prize!

These are all simple ways to enhance the ever growing need to create promotions and sales for our products. The good part is that they don't have to be boring!

What 3 expectations are you meeting with your customers?

Lately my husband and I have been going out to eat at a different restaurant each Thursday. So far we have visited six and the reviews are mixed. There are three things that we notice that we expect at each one: Cleanliness, Good Service, and Good Food. It is a restaurant after all - we aren't looking for anything extra special.

It made me wonder what the three things people are looking for in your business?

If you sold Gift Baskets: I would want you to be knowledgeable, have good customer service, and provide a good product

If you were an IT support company: I would want you to understand your area of expertise, have good customer service, and be price competitive

If you were a clothing store: knowledgeable, have good customer service, and provide a good product

These are all common sense, but something is lacking at many companies, stores, and restaurants. What are you doing each day to address your top three expectations from customers?

One Page Small Business Marketing Plan - Easy!

I recently taught a workshop on creating a one page marketing plan for small business. It was a strategy workshop where they created their plans right there. All of the participants have been in business for sometime and none of them had ever done a marketing plan. Most of them thought it looked to scary. It isn't. In fact, you KNOW everything that should be on the plan.

Here are some highlights:

• Who are your targets? I usually work with small businesses to identify three targets for their business.
• What are you doing to reach those three targets? This allows them to think about what they are doing now - and then we follow up with what they would like to do in the next year.
• What are you doing to reach each of these targets each month? Take a calendar or a piece of paper and write January - December. Now, write an action to attract these targets for each month.
• • This could be a direct mail campaign, changing content on your site, starting a blog that is specific to this target, setting up an in store display, etc. The point is that these are actions that can actually be accomplished.

That is just the beginning of the exercise, but it was tremendously helpful. Three weeks later I ran into a woman who was part of a participants plan to connect with. She mentioned that she was having lunch with the participant and I smiled because I knew that she was following her plan.

The secret is relationships - find out why.

If I had to sum my philosophy of marketing up in one word it would be: relationships. I believe that people buy/engage/connect with companies that they feel that they have a personal relationship with. It is that simple. You can have the greatest widget, but if you aren't connecting you won't sell very many of them.

Now there seems to be so many ways to connect that it can be confusing, but it is actually very simple - do things that build real relationship with real people.

What does that mean?

Well, you can send out mass emails to a bought list and hope that those people respond, but I can bet that the response will be very small - instead you could:

• Join your local chamber/networking/social group
• Start talking and listening to your vendors/neighbors/business colleagues on a regular basis
• Volunteer to help someone
• Answer questions on LinkedIn/Twitter

As you slowly start to build relationships your credibility will grow and your business will too. This isn't the fast way - but is authentic and brings results.

It really is just like your momma said, "give more than you take."

Here is a real life example: our local chamber of commerce can't figure out why the retail merchants won't purchase ads in their publication. They think it is such a great deal with great exposure for them, but to date very few are interested. When you ask the local merchants they will tell you it is because they have never been asked in person. They don't have a relationship with the chamber. If they did they might understand the value more and they would feel part of the group. And they would probably purchase the ad and get involved with the organization.

The person who wants something needs to start the relationship. BUT you have to be careful you can't go into the relationship expecting an outcome other then building the relationship. BECAUSE the other person will sense the real reason and run away faster then you can say "hello, there."

So, what are the rules to this long way of doing business?

1. Give more then you expect to get.
2. Build relationships in your community, business sector, and online.
3. Be a resource of information.
4. Don't go into a relationship expecting a sale - go expecting a relationship
5. Be authentic - share who you really are and what you really know

The secret is building relationships - now pass it on!

Sometimes you have to build the bridge yourself in small business

One of the hats I wear is as the part time executive director for a downtown network - in that role I work with national, state, local leaders and local merchants to provide marketing, design & event strategy. Basically, I am my small towns marketing lead for small business.

When you are working with such a diverse group of people "AGENDAS" are going to come up. Everyone has one. Some are more visible than others, but we all have goals, ideas and dreams that we are trying to accomplish. Sometimes those don't mesh with what another "team mate" is trying to do.

And sometimes you just don't hit it off with someone and nothing seems to go right.

Enter the pineapple.

Yes, you heard me right. The pineapple is the international symbol of hospitality and is my personal symbol of bridge building, fence mending, and working together. When I get an inkling that a team member, partner, vendor, etc isn't happy I bring them a pineapple. And I say, "this is in honor of the international symbol of hospitality and our work together".

Corny?

You bet.

But what matters to me is that the process of working together is positive - that all of our agendas can be met and that the work can get done.

So, the next time you are struggling with a member of your team think about being the one to start building the bridge and offer up a symbol - and a terrific treat - a pineapple. The smile you cause is greater than any misunderstanding.

Doing good can make your small business even better

Is the recession, health care debate, general state of the world getting you and your employees down (or clients/customers)? Are taking that cynical, crabby, frustrated self out at work? If you are is any of that helping you be better at what you do, serve your customers better, or move you forward in anyway? I am guessing not.

Why not instead take that energy to make a positive change? Sure, things look crummy or unstable but we have choices as people and as business owners on how we react to our circumstances. I suggest that you take all the time that you are grumbling or your employees are grumbling and refocus it into something good for your community.

• Give a 10% discount on every sale for the next month to staff of a local nonprofit
• Sponsor a day of helping at a Habitat for Humanity building site
• Bring cookies to your local fire house
• Have a contest to see which employee can raise the most "tip" money for a local charity
• Collect coats at your location for a local shelter
• Donate a portion of sales to benefit a local nonprofit

Things may be bad, but it is in your power to make things better for someone else. Take charge of your attitude and the morale in your business and you will feel like a million bucks!

Small Business Ongoing Education - Students of Life!

So, you started your small business, freelance career, or solo entrepreneur concept on passion and a dream. I commend you! Living your dream is part of what life is about. You may, or may not, have the education to go with your vision. Now you can probably find all the tools you need online to create a custom "MBA Program".

I know... you are busy! But learning new information will always help you grow - consider yourself a lifetime student or a student of life!

A great resource for using FREE resources is the OnlineColleges.net - they have every piece to a stunning MBA program from some of the leading colleges in the nation.

Challenge yourself and do one class this year - you won't regret the time you invest in your education.