Monday, 30 June 2008

Do You See Failure or Success?


by: Heather Dominick

I remember attending a meditation workshop with Mark Epstein, a well-known 'Buddhist psychologist.' He told a story about a meeting he had with Ram Dass, spiritual teacher and author, where Ram Dass had asked Mark Epstein about his work with his patients. As Mark talked about his work, Ram Dass interrupted him and asked, "Do you see them as already healed?" I was so struck by this story. As a coach and healer of businesses, I saw the clarity in this question. So often as solo-service professionals it is easy to focus on our success by looking at ourselves (what we are doing, creating, visualizing, etc.), but the results are incredible when we turn the focus on those that we serve. What do you see when you look at your clients or customers? Do you see failure or success? When I worked as a high school teacher--in moments when my students were working on their own--I would say to myself, "The light in me sees the light in you." I really felt that. I could see my students succeeding long before they could see it or could even venture to believe it. However, I knew as their teacher it was my duty to hold that vision and energy for them and then guide them through the action steps of getting there. It always worked. I have countless high school teaching success stories. I see that same (if not more--I've learned a lot in the past few years) success for the private and Boot Camp clients I work with now. I literally see them as a successful magazine owner, professional organizer, coach, meditation expert, Feng Shui practitioner...and the list goes on. It continues to work. I ask you to begin to apply this to your own business. Here are 3 steps to begin SEEING success in those that you serve. 1)Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. In Dr. Wayne Dyer's book, The Power of Intention, he sites that, "It turns out that at the tiniest subatomic level, the actual act of observing a particle changes the particle." This is a clear example of energy affecting energy. If I look at you and see your success, then you begin to create more of and be success! How great is that? So when speaking to a prospect, customer, or client, instead of questioning your abilities (wondering if you'll get the sale or joining them in their woes), the most powerful action you can take is to change the way you are looking at the situation. See them as happy, joyful, peaceful, well, successful...and more. You will be effecting a change that will result in more success and abundance for the both of you. (It feels so much better than worry and doubt!) 2)Be constantly giving. The energy of success is constantly giving and the supply is limitless. When you can come from this place in your own business, you begin to attract more into your life. I know when I first heard this, it was hard for me to grasp. Mostly, because I used to come from a place of giving, but have one eye immediately on making sure that I was compensated and at the same time convinced that I wouldn't be. Guess what? I wasn't and I felt a whole lot of resentment at the same time. When I shifted my attention to giving for the sake of the success of those that I was serving and simultaneously confidently took care of what I needed for myself and my business (instead of waiting for someone else to do just do it), there was more success ALL around. 3)Detach from the outcome. When you are able to SEE success, you don't need to be attached to the outcome because you KNOW that it's going to be successful. Whenever you are caught up in accumulating (I have to get this client; I have to sell to this customer), then you lose sight of what your main goal is--to see the success of those that you serve. Find out exactly what's going on for the person that you're speaking to. Ask them and ask yourself, what do they need? The answer to this question is usually multi-layered. (For example, prospects that come to me may need more income from their businesses, but they also need to move through the blocks they've unconsciously set up for themselves that's keeping them from getting more money). So, you then SEE them as getting their needs fully met and begin the process of working with that person, so you can help make it happen. Call To Action: 1) Ask yourself, how do I see my prospects, clients, or customers? Be honest. Just let the answer come. No judgment. It will give you a lot of information. 2) With whatever answer you get now, ask yourself, "How can I improve?" How can I see this situation differently? 3) For one day focus only on those you serve and their success. Write down the difference in how you feel, the results that your clients get, and anything else that pops up.

How I Generated More Revenues Without Having a Sale!


by: Jonathan Marino



You want more revenue and you want it fast. The marketing experts tell you to “create a compelling offer.” You immediately think “Sale.” You wonder how big the sale should be. How much can I afford to give away before the sale starts costing me money? How will I word the sale materials so customers don’t take advantage of me? The worries start and you realize you have a huge task to pull off this sale and generate real revenue. Unfortunately, in our crowded market place, a compelling offer has become synonymous with a “sale.” There are other, better alternatives to motivate customers to buy from you. This article will show you six options that will accomplish your goal of getting more revenues. These options will build a stronger relationship with your customers that the sale will not accomplish. The Limitations of the “Sale” The fundamental problem with most sales is that they are good for the business but not necessarily good for the customer. A sale usually starts with a business problem you want your customers to solve for you. You need more cash. You have excess inventory. You need to meet sales quotas. You want to get ready for new merchandise. Your sale is asking the customer to solve your business problem. There will always be customers who don’t mind being used. Their agenda coincides with your agenda. Quid pro quo. When you create your offering around something they really value, however, they look on your offering differently. It becomes more than just a customer transaction. It is the start or the continuation of a relationship that will result in sales now and in the future. The customer’s primary concern is always how the product or service benefits them and makes their life better. Six Alternative Offerings Convenience Structure your offering around customer convenience and you have a motivation that does not require sales or discounts. At my daughter’s school recently, the uniform company came to the school to sell uniforms. The parent’s alternative was to drive 30 miles into the city to purchase the uniforms at the company’s store. Parents were lined up forty deep to purchase the uniforms at regular prices. This store made convenience a motivator for the parents to shop. Enhance Your Expertise If your customers are buying your expertise, by enhancing that know-how you give them additional motivation to buy your product or service. Suppose you were in the copywriting business. You announce to your customers that you had just completed a copywriting campaign that generated thousands of dollars for a particular business. Customers now see doing business with you as even more desirable. No discounts; no sales! Self-Esteem and Praise from Others Those who market golf equipment say the main motivation for customer purchases is praise from others. “Great shot, Bob. You’re really driving the ball well!” If your product or service involves these types of motivations, repackage your offering to foster self-esteem and praise from others. It has more power than a sale! Tapping into Social Issues (Idealism) I recently worked with an acupuncture clinic. This form of Chinese medicine can heal many ailments and injuries. We chose to focus their acupuncture marketing on the treatments on athletic injuries because of the current scandals involving the use of harmful drugs and steroids. We presented their offering as a safe and natural alternative to more harmful drugs. By presenting an ideal alternative to a current social issue, no sale or discount was required. You can appeal to your customer’s idealism. Popularity People want to be part of the “in-group.” They want acceptance. By repackaging your offering to emphasize the popularity of your product or service, you give people another motive for wanting to buy from your business. Scarcity Scarcity is another motive that drives customers. It can be expressed in limited product or service quantities; limited editions; selective lines of products; preferred customer programs; limited time; or taking advantage of opportunities. There is some greed in all of us. If we feel we are going to lose out, we get very motivated. Conclusion This article has shown you six alternatives to generate more revenue that don’t involve a sale. When you need a compelling offer, start with the motivations that drive your customers to buy from you and then emphasize these motivations. You will find these motives are just as effective as a sale. They will also help you build a better relationship with your customers because you’re doing it for them! http://www.cbmall.com/?storefront=kaboom1131 http://www.cblinkus.com/index.php http://cbglobe.com/x.cgi?id=downloadc1
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