As of today, there are 81 days left until 2015… it will be here before you know it!
What’s your New Year’s Resolution – get in shape, travel, take on a new hobby, or spend more time with family?
January is too late to begin…NOW is the time!
Since the number of hours in a day isn’t going to change, the only way to make more time for the things you WANT to do is to spend less time on the things you HAVE to do!
Get a jump on your competition by strategizing now to:
- Quit Your Day Job – if you’re still working full-time for someone else, put a plan in place to give you the budget and infrastructure to strike out on your own
- Delegate More – hire the staff you need, even if it’s part-time, to give you back a few extra hours each day
- Do Things Faster – upgrade your technology and improve your skills to allow you to work more efficiently
- Do Fewer Things, More Profitably – focus on the the tasks (and clients) that make you the most money, and learn how to refer the rest to someone else
What are you prepared to do today for a better tomorrow?
Contact us for a free consultation before the clock runs out on 2014!
Does this image frighten you?
You’re not alone…most folks would rather die than speak in public. But like it or not, you are the best spokesperson for your organization. And the more successful you become, the more you’ll be required to do presentations, panel discussions and live meetings.
You know what makes these appearances less scary? A great introduction to a warm audience!
A great set of marketing materials can speak for you before you ever say a word. Done right, they can attract those who are most likely to listen and take action. Then you can be confident that the individuals you’re trying to reach will be attentive and receptive.
Here’s what you need to move the crowd (even if it’s a crowd of one!):
- A Great Web Site – a well designed web site gives your firm legitimacy, answers questions before they’re asked, and makes customers more ready to do business.
- The Brochure People Keep – print still matters! Ever get a brochure, booklet or catalog that you hold onto because it’s too nice to throw away? You want to be one of those!
- The Presentation People Remember – effective visuals can increase retention by 400 percent.
- Engaging Video – don’t like repeating yourself? A brief, well-crafted video can break the ice with your target market and let viewers absorb your message at their own pace.
What kind of warm-up do you need to making selling less scary?
Contact us for a free consultation and let’s find out together!
Does your annual revenue cycle look like this?
A roller coaster of dizzying highs, following by devastating lows?
One of the causes may be inconsistent marketing. If you’re not advertising when you’re busy, you’ll have no new customers when the work is done. This can wreak havoc with your ability to manage cash flow.
In addition, your peak revenue periods could also be even higher if you plan out your marketing months in advance to maximize its impact.
Don’t have time for all that? We do!
If you’re in a non-retail business, chances are you’re heading into a winter slowdown. Contact us for a free consultation to find out how to weather the storm.
By the way, isn’t the graphic above a whole lot more interesting than presenting the information like this?
In the industry, this is known as an infographic. News organizations use them all the time to convey complex information to present data in a way that’s easy to remember and understand. Perhaps you should too!
How much is that “Pro Bono” work costing you?
Over the years, we’ve done a lot of work with small nonprofit organizations in various stages of development. From this experience, we’ve observed 4 make-or-break factors which we believe ultimately determine the success or failure of most mission-based organizations:
Pontificating – we know you’ve passionate, but resist the temptation to tell your story in a rambling, self-righteous way. Make sure your written and verbal message is clear, focused and compelling.
Champagne Taste, Kool-Aid Budget – be prepared to pay for the services you need, especially accounting, marketing, key program experts and administrative services. You want your support in these areas to be top-quality and accountable. Go with the “Pro,” not the “Pro Bono.”
Stacking the Board with Friends & Family – you need board members that have operational or fundraising experience as well as connections to resources. This may mean going outside your immediate circle of supporters and volunteers.
Get Leadership Training – just because you’re the founder, doesn’t automatically make you a leader. Managing operations, funds, personnel and Donors take specific skill sets that may not come naturally. Read, attend seminars, join organizations and be open to new ways of thinking and doing.
Don’t know what you don’t know? We can help!
Contact us for a free assessment so we can show you ways to inspire your stakeholders.
If you’re reading this, you probably snuck away from family activities, football or shopping to do some work during the Thanksgiving holiday!
As long as you’re doing that, you might as well make the best use of your time. The end of the year is only 35 days away, and now would be a good time to get some things off your plate – pun intended – before the New Year begins.
Carve Up Your Contacts – go through your phone, laptop and business cards and organize your contacts by industry, priority, location or any other criteria that makes sense for you. Then put them all in one database and work from that.
Stuff Yourself with Data – read as many magazines, books, receipts and web links as time will allow. You know, the ones you’ve been stockpiling all year!
Slim Down Your Inbox – read through as many of your back emails as possible. You’ll be amazed at the new opportunities that have been laying there, waiting for action. Extract as many new contacts, potential clients, and tasks as you can and put them where you’re actually do something with them!
No Leftovers – whatever you start, finish it. Because you don’t know when you’re going to have this much quiet time again!
By the way, if you’re in a retail business or you’re hosting Thanksgiving, save this article for January – same rules apply! 🙂
Contact us if you need help making your data more actionable.
Thank You for Your Support and Encouragement!
We appreciate the opportunity to share information and work with you. Enjoy this time and make the most of it.
Please Be Safe…and Remember Those in Need!
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