Cathy Stucker - The Idea Lady

Attract Customers and Make Yourself Famous

The High ROI Hour

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If you were to write down all of the things you do in a typical day, what might that list look like? You would probably be surprised to realize how much time you spend on tasks that do not make money for you. For example, in a typical day you might spend one hour on email, two hours on client work, one hour on invoicing and bookkeeping, one hour on the telephone, one hour on social networking and other online activities, and the other two hours…who knows where they went.

Based on that list, two hours were spent on actual paying work. The rest was administrative, overhead and wasted time. Although some of those other tasks are necessary (It doesn’t pay to do the work if you do not invoice and get paid for it.) it may be possible to have them done by someone other than you. Or you may be able to set up a more efficient system so you spend less time on those tasks.

Here is the really important part: [Read more…]

What Did You Learn Today?

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Do you like to learn new things? Most entrepreneurs have a lot of curiosity about…well, everything. And they love to learn.

Learning can take the form of reading books, researching on the web, attending seminars and workshops, completing a home study course, listening to audio books and teleseminars, watching webinars and videos, signing up for courses at colleges and other institutions, etc. There is a massive amount of information available that can help you to become more successful or enrich your life in other ways.

The danger in learning is that you can spend all of your time learning and not take the time to apply what you have learned. I know I can be guilty of this. I get excited about something new, dig in to learn all I can about it, then I want to move on to the next thing.

Learning is important, but it is more important to do something with the knowledge you acquire. Here is how you can put your knowledge to work:

Even before you tackle a new topic, ask yourself how you plan to use the information. You may not have a solid, actionable plan when you do not yet grasp the subject, but you should at least have a general idea of how the new knowledge will help you.

Choose your best way to learn. Some people learn best by reading or attending a class. Others like to listen to audio or watch video. And some simply dive in and learn by doing. I use each of these methods at times. My choice may depend on what I am trying to learn, or simply what resources are available to me. Be aware of your learning style so you can get information in the way that is best for you.

Do not wait until you know “everything” to put your new expertise to work. There will always be one more book to read, one more class to take, one more website to explore, etc. As you learn new things, put your knowledge to work right away.

Watch for actionable tips. Many times, the most valuable information I get is in the form of little steps I can take to make a difference. Sometimes these tips take only minutes to implement, but have long-lasting effects on my productivity and profits. When you discover an action you want to take, make a note and put a giant star next to it. Then put it in place as soon as you can.

Reinforce what you learn. Take notes, do a review or whatever works best for you to help you retain what you learned. Many people find that the act of taking notes helps them learn more effectively, because restating the lesson causes them to internalize the information. If you are studying with a buddy, take the time to discuss what you are learning.

Know when to quit. If as you learn you determine that what you are learning is not useful to you, quit. You do not have to finish everything you start. Find something that will work better for you.

When we stop learning, we stop growing. Follow your curiosity to discover ways to make your business and your life better.

Turn Complaints Into Opportunities

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complaintsWhenever you hear anyone (including yourself) complain about something, ask yourself, “What opportunity is hidden within this complaint?”

1.More often than not when anyone complains about anything there’s an opportunity wrapped up in the complaint.

Many businesses were created in response to complaints. People complained that something they wanted was not available, or it was hard to get, or the quality wasn’t up to their standards, or…whatever the complaint, the response can be the creation of a successful new product or service.

2.Listen when other people complain about situations. Make it standard procedure to turn the coin over—see what opportunity is spelled out on the other side.

Ask yourself, “How could this complaint be addressed?” Think about solutions you could offer.

3.Listen when you yourself kick about little “personal” things that get your goat. When you act to correct these annoyances you not only get rid of the bother, but it can touch off a whole new attitude for the constructive handling of all sorts of things that bother you.

How often do you grouse about not being able to find things, or that you can’t make your computer do what you want it to do. A day spent with an organizer could solve the first problem, and a computer class at your local college could resolve your other complaint. A little time invested now could make you much more productive—and stop your complaints!

4.Remember that when we refuse to do anything but complain about things that bother us we perpetuate an endless cycle of frustration.

Are you going to continue to complain about that $#@%^# computer, or are you going to take action?

5.Get things out of your system by crabbing about things first if you must—but then ask yourself, “How can I capitalize on this?”

OK, sometimes we just want to bitch. So do a little complaining. Set a timer, and let yourself whine and moan for seven minutes. Then stop and come up with a solution. (You might find it hard to keep complaining for a full seven minutes when you realize how silly you sound and that your complaining isn’t getting you anywhere.)

6.When something about your work doesn’t suit you, be sure to turn the coin over. Here’s your chance to go to town in an area that you yourself control.

Don’t like your job? Bored with your business? Find ways to challenge yourself and make things more interesting.

7.Remember, there is not just one opportunity on the other side of the coin—there are often several.

In school, we were taught that there is one correct answer to every question. In life, there can be dozens or even hundreds of workable solutions.

The next time you hear yourself or someone else complain, stop and ask, “So what am I going to do about this? Where is the opportunity for me to do something exciting and wonderful?”

What is Your Next Step?

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woman-jumpingDoes the state of the economy have you feeling down? Listening to negative talk can make you feel hopeless and helpless. When you believe that it won’t do any good to market because no one is buying, you have created a self- fulfilling prophecy: You think no one will buy, so you do not attempt to sell, so you do not make sales.

Although many people have seen their financial situation, and thus their spending patterns, change, there is still a lot of spending going on. And when the economy bounces back (and it will) you want to be positioned to make the most of it.

In a previous article, I talked about finding opportunities in a down economy. Here are some ways you can attract customers to what you have to offer. [Read more…]

Do You See the Opportunities in Today’s Economy?

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binocularsWith more bad economic news every day, it is tempting to be like a turtle, pull yourself into your shell, and wait for things to calm down. However, as a business owner, you can not afford to do that.

Times of economic upheaval are not only times of crisis, they present great opportunities, too. But if you are deep in your shell you will not see them.

The fact is that if you can help people get what they want, they will find a way to pay you in any economy. People are still spending money, but they are making different choices than they have in the past.

Keep in mind that “downsizing” spending can mean greater opportunities for some businesses. For example, fewer people are splurging on expensive restaurant meals these days. However, some grocers have reported that they are selling more of their expensive cuts of meat, such as quality steaks. People who want a good steak may choose to cook one at home rather than going out to a fine dining restaurant. Bad news for the restaurant means good news for the grocer.

How can you find new opportunities for your business?

Listen to your customers. In some businesses, you may find that the help your customers need today is different from what they wanted from you in the past. How can you adjust to help them realize their dreams?

Solve new problems. The saying is that if you keep doing what you have always done, you will get the results you have always gotten. The idea is that you have to try new things in order to move forward. However, today you may find that if you do what you have always done you will start moving backwards. Old solutions to old problems will not work. Help customers with the needs they have now.

Find a way you can provide a substitute for a more expensive option. For example, if companies are cutting their travel and training budgets, could you provide lower-cost training options such as webinars and teleseminars? Can you help companies get more for less in any area, from telecommunications to advertising to shipping, supplies and other expenses? The same idea works for consumers, too. Can you offer an option that helps them make more money or spend less?

Get outside of your shell and look for the new opportunities that exist. They are everywhere, just waiting for you to find them.