Thursday, November 13, 2008

Building profit in a down economy

Last time we talked about protecting your most valuable assets.
Today we’ll discuss what you can do in our sinking economy.
I hesitate to call it a recession because I don’t know that it is.
Economists have predicted 14 of our last three recessions.
Rather than sing the blues, you can do something about it.
Based on our annual surveys, we have collected 79 strategies.
All of them are designed to build sales and revenues.
Here’s one from my book "Accelerate Your Profit Builders".
It’s from Florida publisher and entrepreneur Bob Bobber.
Bob only does business with people who do business with him.
It may be the guy who cuts his grass or his office supplier.
He lets them know that's his policy and he sticks with it.
If they are not a client. he does no business with them.
This is not a barter. Bob pays his bill. They pay theirs.
How many people do you do business with like this?
How many do you buy from who don’t reciprocate?
Think about it. There’s business to be had. Just ask for it.
For more strategies, tune in Friday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. EST.
Our West Coast friends can watch at 7 a.m. at breakfast.
Ruth King will be talking with me about my new profits book.
Watch us on www.ProfitabilityChannel.com on your computer.
For a unique holiday gift for someone you love, click here.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The 15-minute rule

Last time we talked about how dissent helps the best leaders.
Today we’ll talk about one of your most valuable assets.
A prospect called one of our account executives the other day.
They had to see her right away. She couldn’t go.
She had other appointments. She suggested 11 a.m.
Fine, they said. She showed up at 11. The store was crowded.
Could she wait while they took care of their customers?
She waited. A salesman dropped by. They just had to see him.
She waited an hour before they could discuss business.
She made a proposal. They wanted to think about it.
Could she come back in two hours? She agreed to call by phone.
Two hours later she called and they had changed their minds.
They didn’t want what they were so excited about after all.
That was worse than discourteous. It was disrespectful.
It was disrespectful to her and her valuable time.
They wasted a valuable 90 minutes of her day.
So we’ve adopted the 15-minute rule. That's all we'll wait.
"If you can’t see me now. I'll call back," we tell prospects.
Our time is one of our most valuable assets. We protect it.
Time is one of yours, too. How do you protect it?
For more on time and asset management, click here.
For a unique holiday gift for someone you love, click here.