Archive for Mission

Do The Work Your Follow Friday SoundAdvice

Posted by Phyllis on Friday, April 29th, 2011 in Follow Friday, Resources | Comments (2)

Do The Work
by Steven Pressfield



Get a copy of the book today.
Right now.
It’s been made available at no cost to you. (see below)
You have no excuse.
Anyone who has struggled to get things done – big things – your dream things – will find your internal weapon to resistance.

Find out how to start, how to finish and how to just keep the hell going!

“a child has no trouble believing the unbelieveable, nor does the genius or madman…it’s only you and I, with our big brains and tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” Listen to your dream, and work hard to beat “resistance” and “rational thought.,” that inner voice that chatters with all the reasons why you can’t.

With chapters titled: Start Before You’re Ready; Stay Primitive; and Swing for the Seats – this isn’t just an intellectual exercise, but a map for getting your stuff – your work – done.

A way to push past all the reasons why not and the method to cling to the reason why.

The book is an easy read. I followed the suggestion in the forward and read it through, stopping just once.  I went back and read it again – this time, noting things that really resonated with me.  I suspect this is the type of book that I will read again when I’m in a different place in my life and I’ll glean other bits of wisdom that make sense to me just then.

The kindle version of the book is available at no cost thanks to GE.
No kindle? No problem.
Download the free Kindle for PC and then claim your free copy of the book.
Or go old school and buy a copy.

Steven Pressfield’s book Do The Work is part of the Domino Project. Created by Seth Godin and “powered by Amazon”. The concept is simple. The name is from the idea of the domino effect; that powerful ideas spread quickly and easily from one person to another.

Follow Steven on Twitter

What part of the book speaks to you?

How To Show Your Sales Confidence

Posted by Phyllis on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 in Mindset, Sales Tips, SoundAdvice Sound Bites | Comments (2)

SoundAdvice Sound Bite

Click to hear the audio – 2:20

SalesConfidence

Text Version

Today’s SoundAdvice Sound Bite is about Sales Confidence.


This is an issue that solopreners and business owners bring up when we’re talking about sales results or the lack of results.
Being confident in what you’re offering is key if you want people to opt in, hire you, buy your thing.
If you’re not sure about what you’re offering – how can your customer be sure?
Let your confidence come from a place of service and value.
I’ll explain.
This is what I like to call quiet confidence.

It’s not about being arrogant or pushy.

Quite confidence is about being helpful – offering hope – offering solutions.
Because it comes from a place of value and service.
If you know you deliver value, your products and services deliver and clients will feel better, look younger, be happier, lose weight, see real results – Then it isn’t just a good idea to share that – it is part of your mission – to make sure that those who need what you have can find you – get access – and get results.
When you are selling from a place of service – the focus and emphasis is always on the customer.
What will they receive?  how will they feel? what will they learn?
What results can they expect?

Remember, people buy results.

Have that conversation – and give them the chance to say YES!
When you sell with this kind of confidence, your customers will be confident about working with you or buying from you as well.
That’s todays SoundBite – let me know in the comments if you have any questions or thoughts about your sales confidence.

While you’re here please sign up to receive my newsletter, it’s the best way for us to get to know each other.

Thanks for listening  and have a great day!

 

Bootcamp Life Lessons

Posted by Phyllis on Saturday, July 17th, 2010 in Lessons Learned | Comments (1)

 

 I just started a workout program this past week.  It’s a high intensity bootcamp style class with an instructor who really makes me push myself.  For those of you who don’t know me well, I am in serious need of this type of fitness instruction.  On a fitness scale of 1 to 10 I’d rate myself a 3.  I can jog slowly for a mile or so and I’m coordinated enough to not fall over or trip on the stairs, but that’s about it. 

  It wasn’t always this way, but that really doesn’t matter now.  What matters is what I decide to do today. 

  In the class - they are at 5 AM, did I mention that part?  Just getting up and being there on time is a big win for me – there are others who are in much better shape, older, younger, men and women. 

  After class on Friday a nice guy I that I met the day before came up and said he was glad to see I came back (I think I looked really pathetic at the end of class on Thursday)  He began to relay his story.  He started working out 9 months ago and has lost over 100 pounds.  Looking at this super fit guy you’d never guess he’d been heavy. 

  The best part was that he wanted to encourage me.  He gave me some advice about what worked for him.  He told me not to worry about what I couldn’t do in the class (and there’s alot) and not to compare myself to others.  He also said I can do more than I think I can.  Like so many things in life, results come with persistence and a willingness to put in the time to master new skills. 

  So what do you want to master?  Where can you push yourself?  What have you mastered lately?  It’s nice to share!

Sales Rx: When You Don’t Know What To Do

Posted by Phyllis on Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 in Sales Rx | Comments (1)

confused-computer-user

 

 

What To Do When Bad Things Happen
Owning a business means you’re juggling lots of things. There are so many challenges and priorities, it’s often hard to see when things get slightly off track. Sometimes, things aren’t broken or in need of repair so much as a cry for attention.
Then IT happens. A competitor lands the account or gets the great partnership that you wanted. Or you find out that someone with less experience is charging 3 times what you charge.  It’s enough to make you want to scream and then find someone or something to blame. Before you do anything drastic hold up and let’s think this through.

You will be okay.
Small business owners tend to live and breathe work. If you lose a deal, or find out that the newbie got your well deserved recognition, it’s critical to your sanity that you don’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean you aren’t liked or that people hate you. It may mean they don’t know you as well as they should, or that you aren’t highlighting your success for all the world to see.
Life isn’t always fair.   Now is the time to focus on what you can control.  Ready to tackle this, feel better and move on? Great! Grab a pen and paper to make some old school notes and get going.

Rx: Profile, Pricing or Performance
Profile: Are you and your business or organization the best kept secret around? Are you doing amazing work or have the best product but only a handful know how awesome you are? Take time to evaluate the way you communicate to current customers and prospects as well. Make sure you regularly update your info to reflect the great accomplishments for your company and most importantly for your customers.

Pricing: Does your price structure represent the value you offer? There’s a psychology regarding pricing that is based on our need to assign value – and reward those who deliver it. The fact is that we value the $200. pair of jeans over the $20. pair even though the raw materials are similar. Should you improve your value or offer and increase your pricing? Higher margins can mean better relationships with a smaller number of clients while seeing a rise in revenue.

Performance is the great equalizer. If you deliver and you know you bring amazing value to your clients, then it’s also your responsibility to let those who need what you offer know about it. It’s also expected that you charge for it, based on the value your clients can expect to receive. If you know you over deliver, it’s also your mission to make sure that becomes part of your message.

Action is the magic pill!
If you are delivering great value to your customers without the expected results in revenue, apply attention to your “problem” area. The magic is in the action! Clarify your target market and identify irresistible benefits that you are uniquely positioned to offer. It really can be that easy. Let me know what you come up with – or how I can help. What obstacles get in the way?