Resolve to revive your small business in 2009
December 14, 2008
I don’t know about you, but I love this time of year. Yeah, sure, there’s the whole Christmas thing which is great, but right after ol’ St. Nick visits, my mind switches to what I want to accomplish in the new year.
Since I can remember, I’ve spent a quite afternoon a few days before the new year reviewing where I wanted to be and what I wanted to get done in the current year and looking ahead to the new year, in this case… 2009. I just enjoy the exercise of thinking about and focusing on positive changes that I want to make to my life whether it’s finances, career, family, etc. I typically don’t have more than three per category so I don’t get overwhelmed and I keep my resolution list in plain view on the side of our fridge.
According to a recent survey by the small-business division of American Express sixty-nine percent of small-business owners plan to make New Year’s resolutions for their business.
Do such resolutions work?
Sometimes yes, sometime no. But I think the process of evaluating where your small business is and where you want it to be on (at least) an annual basis is valuable.
Here are the most common New Year’s resolutions by small-business owners and the percentage that make them:
| Resolution | Percentage |
| Be more profitable | 56% |
| Be a better boss | 36 |
| Get to know customers better | 36 |
| Make personal time for me | 36 |
| Get outside help I need | 25 |
| Do something to benefit the environment | 22 |
| Establish an emergency-preparedness plan | 16 |
Source: Survey of 627 owners/managers of U.S. companies with fewer than 100 employees, by American Express
- Choose a limited number of resolutions so you’re not overwhelmed.
- Set specific goals - such as “increase revenue by $50,000″ rather than simply “increase revenue” - so you can tell when you’ve hit your mark.
- Write down the steps and timetable needed to reach those goals.
- Share your resolutions with someone else. Talking them through with someone, even for just 15 minutes on the phone, will make them more attainable.
- Get key employees involved. Employees’ goals need to support the owner’s goals. It may be a good idea to sit down with your employees and say ‘Here are my goals for the business this year. Here’s how I see you fitting in. What other goals do you have?’”
- After three or six months, review the progress on your resolutions and determine whether you need to change tactics.
The difference between marketing coaching and consulting
December 9, 2008
I’m often asked what the difference is between a marketing coach or coaching and a consultant or consulting. Here’s the simplest answer I can provide.
A marketing coach will help you understand how and why you bake a cake, help you to determine what’s holding you back from baking a really good cake and stand by your side as you bake the cake.
A business consultant will explain why one cake mix is better than another, explain the best cake baking practices and, if necessary, bake the cake for you.
The one that is best for you depends on your budget, your time and your goals for your business.
As a Duct Tape Marketing Coach I work in a “hybrid” mode, as a coach-consultant. The Duct Tape Marketing System is set up to allow the best of both professions: advice and creative expertise when you need it, accountability and strategy when you’re stuck and proven tactics to help you systematically build your business.
The Duct Tape Marketing Program is based on 7 Steps that will be implemented in your business:
1. Narrow Your Marketing Focus
2. Find and Communicate a Core Difference
3. Package Your Business
4. Create Marketing Materials that Educate
5. Establish Your Lead Generation Trio
6. Automate & Dominate
7. Live By the Calendar
Are you ready to start attracting more customers? Are you overwhelmed by marketing? Not sure if The Duct Tape Marketing System is for you? Let’s talk.
No risk. No obligation. No strings.
Weaving a web(2.0) to non-profit fundraising success
December 8, 2008
I’m on the board of the Northwest Ohio Regional Office of the American Cancer Society and have been on marketing sub-committees for several events. One of the events I’ve helped with is Making Strides Against Breast Cancer an annual, non-competitive walk to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer.
Even though research proves that America’s largest charities are turning to the Internet and Web 2.0 strategies to increase awareness of their missions and to help connect with their constituencies, on a local level I’ve observed a less aggressive approach in utilizing social media tools such as blogs, podcasts, social networking, video blogging and widgets.
What I’ve seen is a reliance on a promotional model of partnering with local traditional media outlets (radio and/or print pubs) who offer to provide a few free or inexpensive ads to help push the word out. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s very generous on the part of local media and I know the ACS truly appreciates the partnership. I just think that, when used in conjunction with traditional media, social media can be very effective in building engagement, fostering a sense of community and conversation, and building excitement for these event.
Social media is an important part of the marketing strategy for large US non-profit charities. They are outpacing businesses in their familiarity, use, and monitoring activity. These top organizations have found a new and exciting way to win the hearts (and maybe the time and dollars) of potential volunteers and donors.
My goal is to start to bring social media tools into the promotional mix for the next NW Ohio Making Strides walk. The walk takes place Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Town Center at Levis Commons.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
December 6, 2008
Happy holidays everyone!
My wife, Joely, and I have been capturing Penelope’s firsts on video. We got her first taste of rice cereal, one of her first giggling fits and, just recently, her first visit to Santa. What a fantastic moment for us as parents. Of course, not understanding who Santa is just yet, Penelope was great and just went with the flow.
Here is a quick video in line waiting our turn.
And here is her first experience with Santa!
Happy Holidays Everyone! Enjoy every moment you can with family and friends.
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