Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by
Pooja Gugnani, owner
Organizing With You, Inc.
www.organizingwithyou.com
pooja@organizingwithyou.com
312-282-8280
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
I am an expert professional organizer who offers residential and business organizing services. Simply put, I help people gain control of their environments by eliminating existing chaos and by creating functional organizing systems for them. However, it doesn’t end there. The systems that I develop are customized to the needs of the person so that he or she can easily maintain them after I’ve come and gone.
MY UNIQUENESS
There are many principles loosely applied to organizing projects across the industry, however, what makes me different from those who subscribe to the “one size fits all” theory is,again, that I customize every project. I spend a great deal of time interviewing my clients in order to learn as much about their processes and exactly what their vision is of the space in which they function. Equally unique, is that I realize I am not going to change people, so I actually incorporate some of their bad habits into their newly designed systems in an effort to have them gradually realize that the new process is more efficient. This often leads to their phasing out these inefficient habits on their own.
MY IDEAL CLIENT
Ideal clients for Organizing With You begin with your busy executive who needs to get his or her own space and daily processes in order. Then there are business owners who want to get their employees organized for better productivity which many major corporations across the country are now doing. And, thirdly, there is the busy mom who needs help in establishing better family-management processes for the home.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
At the beginning of building my business, my biggest challenge was creating awareness of my services and the overall value of professional organizing as a whole. People were always quick to hire professionals in other fields, but at the time, they really didn’t understand what a professional organizer was let alone what benefits they provided. That has changed over the past few years with our profession being featured through various forms of popular media. But, in the beginning, creating awareness and recognition of my business was my greatest challenge.
EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
To raise awareness, I began attending a number of business events at which I did a lot of networking and connecting with people who could leverage their connections to help me get the right introductions. In addition, I began utilizing social media, offering organizing tips on blog posts, writing articles for local publications which led to being featured in a Chicago-area business publication. As a result of this awareness push, my business began making great strides. As recently as last summer, I started partnering with healthcare professionals who work with both psychologically and physically-challenged people. I work with them to create more organized environments that help to make their patients’ daily lives more stress-free and manageable. I attribute this new client market to the time and effort I spent promoting organizing awareness along with the benefits offered to people in all walks of life by professional organizing companies like Organizing With You.
Showing posts with label marketing communications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing communications. Show all posts
Monday, January 17, 2011
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Remaining at cutting edge of craft results in sustainable customers
Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by
Jill & Gerd Loof, owners
Signs By Tomorrow
www.signsbytomorrow.com/arlingtonheights
arlingtonheights@signsbytomorrow.com
P: 847-255-0123
F: 847-255-0183
ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
We are a family-owned, full-service sign company that specializes in digital signage for trade shows and events, vehicle wraps and lettering, window graphics, interior, exterior, dimensional, architectural signage and more.
OUR UNIQUENESS
We are a solutions provider, not just order takers. We help clients save time and money by finding, making and/or offering very innovative, effective and competitive signs and graphics solutions. Taking advantage of new technologies, combined with a "do it right the first time" approach, also allows us to drive down cost, making our products and services even more competitive.
IDEAL CLIENT
Anyone with a repeat need for signs and graphics solutions would fit our ideal client profile. This is the same person who desires great results and/or the highest possible return on his or her sign investment.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
Our primary challenge is to quickly and correctly identify the customer's needs, then find and propose the appropriate signs and graphics solutions. With the countless options in materials, equipment and software, plus the wide range of prices, it's critical to avoid costly confusion that could affect both clients and us in time and money.
EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
We have found that by keeping up with industry trends and technology via publications, resources, trade shows and industry experts, we are better able to find alternative service and product solutions in different price ranges. Being able to offer customized solutions rather than "one fits all" products, we clearly help customers to differentiate themselves - to help make them look outstanding. Over the years, this approach has resulted in the valued relationships of sustainable and satisfied customers.
Jill & Gerd Loof, owners
Signs By Tomorrow
www.signsbytomorrow.com/arlingtonheights
arlingtonheights@signsbytomorrow.com
P: 847-255-0123
F: 847-255-0183
ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
We are a family-owned, full-service sign company that specializes in digital signage for trade shows and events, vehicle wraps and lettering, window graphics, interior, exterior, dimensional, architectural signage and more.
OUR UNIQUENESS
We are a solutions provider, not just order takers. We help clients save time and money by finding, making and/or offering very innovative, effective and competitive signs and graphics solutions. Taking advantage of new technologies, combined with a "do it right the first time" approach, also allows us to drive down cost, making our products and services even more competitive.
IDEAL CLIENT
Anyone with a repeat need for signs and graphics solutions would fit our ideal client profile. This is the same person who desires great results and/or the highest possible return on his or her sign investment.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
Our primary challenge is to quickly and correctly identify the customer's needs, then find and propose the appropriate signs and graphics solutions. With the countless options in materials, equipment and software, plus the wide range of prices, it's critical to avoid costly confusion that could affect both clients and us in time and money.
EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
We have found that by keeping up with industry trends and technology via publications, resources, trade shows and industry experts, we are better able to find alternative service and product solutions in different price ranges. Being able to offer customized solutions rather than "one fits all" products, we clearly help customers to differentiate themselves - to help make them look outstanding. Over the years, this approach has resulted in the valued relationships of sustainable and satisfied customers.
Monday, August 30, 2010
“Visual” testimonials help sell the benefits of interior redesign and staging
Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by
Marianne Yurko, owner
Redesigned With You In Mind
http://www.redesignedwithyouinmind.com/
myurko@sbcglobal.net
630-460-3000
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
The mission of Redesigned With You In Mind is to allow people to “fall in love with their homes all over again.” I’m an interior redesigner and stager who helps people with their home makeovers by simply using everything that they already own. This concept is particularly important in today’s economy for those who are tired of how their houses look, yet can’t afford a totally new interior design that traditionally requires purchasing most things new. Staging, in particular, is perfect for those having difficulty selling their homes often due to the fact that the interiors of their homes are not showing well. Among my specialties is color consultation which is valuable to people intimidated by the overwhelming color options available, today. And, I offer furniture placement that can economically and efficiently optimize the space and function of any room no matter its size or shape.
MY UNIQUENESS
I look at the whole picture, not at a particular niche. Unlike some of my peers who prefer to specialize only in redesign or staging, or just in window treatments or furniture placement, I take it all on so that I can manage the complete project from beginning to end.
IDEAL CLIENT
I have two ideal client profiles - women whose chosen careers are either inside the home caring for their families, or outside the home in the corporate world. Each has their own "house beautiful" vision in mind, but neither has the time to focus on making it come true themselves.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
One challenge is finding the right way to market myself so that people will find out about me. There are so many people who might enjoy having a room or house redone or just a new paint color who don’t know who to call. The second challenge concerns the economy. It is getting people to understand that they can afford my services. The perception is that people can’t afford to make their homes look better. But, they soon learn that through redesign or staging, it really is possible.
SOLUTION
As my marketing solution, I’m looking for different ways to market my business – networking through chamber events as well as giving presentations on redesign and staging to members of these same organizations. I find that for my business, it is much easier to acquire new clients at women’s groups. As a result, I’ve made special efforts to participate in several women’s conferences and symposiums this year as a way of gaining greater exposure. I also am a member of an association of redesigners and stagers, and am maintaining a social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn.
As my affordability solution, I am making it clear to prospective clients that I will work within their budgets no matter what their requests may be. And, as a “visual testimonial’ of sorts, I am now showing clients homes on the market for which I had done staging, pointing out how quickly they have sold. These before and after comparisons - either online or in my portfolio photos - seems to have the greatest impact on helping potential clients understand the affordable value of what Redesigned With You In Mind has to offer.
Marianne Yurko, owner
Redesigned With You In Mind
http://www.redesignedwithyouinmind.com/
myurko@sbcglobal.net
630-460-3000
ABOUT MY BUSINESS
The mission of Redesigned With You In Mind is to allow people to “fall in love with their homes all over again.” I’m an interior redesigner and stager who helps people with their home makeovers by simply using everything that they already own. This concept is particularly important in today’s economy for those who are tired of how their houses look, yet can’t afford a totally new interior design that traditionally requires purchasing most things new. Staging, in particular, is perfect for those having difficulty selling their homes often due to the fact that the interiors of their homes are not showing well. Among my specialties is color consultation which is valuable to people intimidated by the overwhelming color options available, today. And, I offer furniture placement that can economically and efficiently optimize the space and function of any room no matter its size or shape.
MY UNIQUENESS
I look at the whole picture, not at a particular niche. Unlike some of my peers who prefer to specialize only in redesign or staging, or just in window treatments or furniture placement, I take it all on so that I can manage the complete project from beginning to end.
IDEAL CLIENT
I have two ideal client profiles - women whose chosen careers are either inside the home caring for their families, or outside the home in the corporate world. Each has their own "house beautiful" vision in mind, but neither has the time to focus on making it come true themselves.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
One challenge is finding the right way to market myself so that people will find out about me. There are so many people who might enjoy having a room or house redone or just a new paint color who don’t know who to call. The second challenge concerns the economy. It is getting people to understand that they can afford my services. The perception is that people can’t afford to make their homes look better. But, they soon learn that through redesign or staging, it really is possible.
SOLUTION
As my marketing solution, I’m looking for different ways to market my business – networking through chamber events as well as giving presentations on redesign and staging to members of these same organizations. I find that for my business, it is much easier to acquire new clients at women’s groups. As a result, I’ve made special efforts to participate in several women’s conferences and symposiums this year as a way of gaining greater exposure. I also am a member of an association of redesigners and stagers, and am maintaining a social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn.
As my affordability solution, I am making it clear to prospective clients that I will work within their budgets no matter what their requests may be. And, as a “visual testimonial’ of sorts, I am now showing clients homes on the market for which I had done staging, pointing out how quickly they have sold. These before and after comparisons - either online or in my portfolio photos - seems to have the greatest impact on helping potential clients understand the affordable value of what Redesigned With You In Mind has to offer.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Correcting management/employee behavior brings new business to HR entrepreneur's client
Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by
Andrea Herran, owner
Focus HR
http://www.focushr.biz/
andrea@focushr.biz
newsletter sign-up: http://conta.cc/a98j1n
773-531-8199
MY BUSINESS
Focus HR helps entrepreneurs and business owners become great people leaders. I help them work better with their employees in becoming more effective, efficient and more customer-focused. By working closely with business owners, I learn what their goals are and how they are trying to achieve these goals through their people. Ultimately, I put programs in place to get it all done. In addition, I offer all the traditional HR services that are the foundation of reaching that higher ground of having everyone working in the same direction toward the same goals.
MY UNIQUENESS
What’s exceptional about my business is that I actually go on site once a month. I am not one who works exclusively over the phone or via email. This is an entity that you rarely see in my industry. By being at the client’s location, I’m able to experience the working environment. I sit in on employee meetings, answer questions, address their concerns, and whatever else is needed of me. Another facet of Focus HR that sets it apart is that all of my services are flat fee. This fee covers all the work I do with no additional charges for extras. Small business owners are very cost-conscious. By offering a flat fee, they know what to expect and how to budget. No one needs to worry what it’s going to cost just to pick up the phone.
IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
My ideal client is any business with less than 70 employees and an owner who knows that changes need to be made – especially in HR – for the business to grow.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
One of my clients was experiencing a high turnover in one of her two employee positions. After visiting the office I was quickly able to see the cause of the problem. My client had a disruptive manner of communicating with others. It wasn’t necessarily what she was saying, but how she was saying it. So, I recommended that we work on her style. She needed to say things in a way that this one particular person would understand. My client needed to know how that person takes in and processes information. She had to learn to look for the clues that would tell her what kind of learner her employee was so she could communicate accordingly. At the same time, her employees had no idea of what their exact roles within the company were or what what expected of them.
RESOLUTION/OUTCOME
The resolution was two-fold - changing the client's management style and developing the proper HR programs for her employees. I attended meetings to observe the client’s communication behavior and critiqued it afterward. I also conducted supportive sessions over the phone. She came to learn the different personality types with which she was communicating. With regard to the employees, creating job descriptions and defining their position expectations contributed greatly to the company's growth. After a year and a half, the results have been dramatic. The client has become a better manager. There no longer is employee turnover. And the business has been increasing month after month. The change has enabled her to concentrate on selling and not on the day-to-day operations of the business. A productive management style and employees' clearly understanking their roles have become the norm. Now, my focus is on helping the client and her employees keep these thought processes top of mind so the business continues to prosper.
Andrea Herran, owner
Focus HR
http://www.focushr.biz/
andrea@focushr.biz
newsletter sign-up: http://conta.cc/a98j1n
773-531-8199
MY BUSINESS
Focus HR helps entrepreneurs and business owners become great people leaders. I help them work better with their employees in becoming more effective, efficient and more customer-focused. By working closely with business owners, I learn what their goals are and how they are trying to achieve these goals through their people. Ultimately, I put programs in place to get it all done. In addition, I offer all the traditional HR services that are the foundation of reaching that higher ground of having everyone working in the same direction toward the same goals.
MY UNIQUENESS
What’s exceptional about my business is that I actually go on site once a month. I am not one who works exclusively over the phone or via email. This is an entity that you rarely see in my industry. By being at the client’s location, I’m able to experience the working environment. I sit in on employee meetings, answer questions, address their concerns, and whatever else is needed of me. Another facet of Focus HR that sets it apart is that all of my services are flat fee. This fee covers all the work I do with no additional charges for extras. Small business owners are very cost-conscious. By offering a flat fee, they know what to expect and how to budget. No one needs to worry what it’s going to cost just to pick up the phone.
IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
My ideal client is any business with less than 70 employees and an owner who knows that changes need to be made – especially in HR – for the business to grow.
UNIQUE CHALLENGE
One of my clients was experiencing a high turnover in one of her two employee positions. After visiting the office I was quickly able to see the cause of the problem. My client had a disruptive manner of communicating with others. It wasn’t necessarily what she was saying, but how she was saying it. So, I recommended that we work on her style. She needed to say things in a way that this one particular person would understand. My client needed to know how that person takes in and processes information. She had to learn to look for the clues that would tell her what kind of learner her employee was so she could communicate accordingly. At the same time, her employees had no idea of what their exact roles within the company were or what what expected of them.
RESOLUTION/OUTCOME
The resolution was two-fold - changing the client's management style and developing the proper HR programs for her employees. I attended meetings to observe the client’s communication behavior and critiqued it afterward. I also conducted supportive sessions over the phone. She came to learn the different personality types with which she was communicating. With regard to the employees, creating job descriptions and defining their position expectations contributed greatly to the company's growth. After a year and a half, the results have been dramatic. The client has become a better manager. There no longer is employee turnover. And the business has been increasing month after month. The change has enabled her to concentrate on selling and not on the day-to-day operations of the business. A productive management style and employees' clearly understanking their roles have become the norm. Now, my focus is on helping the client and her employees keep these thought processes top of mind so the business continues to prosper.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Self-confidence comes from believing in the value your business offers
Showcasing early entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing their insights begins with hearing their stories like the one offered by
Pamela DeVos, Partner
A’nuyu, Lincolnshire, Illinois
anuyu@aol.com - www.anuyustyle.com
847-347-3831
OUR MOTIVATION
My business partner, Diane Smith, and I had been in the fashion business for years. When I retired from it a few years ago many of my clients asked if I would still continue to buy for them. So, when I would attend North American style shows I’d have my list of clients for whom I would shop. This rolled over into Diane and I starting our own personal shopping business we named A’nuyu. We began simply by refreshing people’s closets with jewelry, wrapped scarves, handbags, and accessories. Then we began getting requests for T-shirts, beach cover-ups, and other basics. As a result, we began expanding the lines we carried to the extent that, today, we’re even offering a line of cowboy boots hand-made in Mexico.
OUR UNIQUENESS
What makes A’nuyu different from other personal shopping services is that it’s comprised of three distinct parts – personal shopping, trunk shows and fashion consultancy. While there are other personal shoppers in Chicago, we don’t run up against many in the suburbs. And, unlike your major department stores who offer style assistants, we are not limited to shopping in one store for our clients. What’s more, we’re able to shop at the various style shows. Consequently, we don’t pay retail. So, our pricing is generally 20 percent less than retail. And, about 95 percent of the fashion lines that we work with are produced by women-owned businesses.
IDEAL CLIENTS
We’re targeting everyone from their late 30’s to 70’s – especially women who, over the years, devoted all of their efforts toward caring for their families and less effort toward themselves. Now, they are coming to the startling realization – what happened to me? Often it is truly emotional to see women literally change before your eyes. We look for people who you might hear say – “I have nothing to wear,” yet have closets stuffed with clothing. Our clients need to be open-minded because this sort of change is very personal. They must have the will to empower themselves. In the end, they become more enthusiastic and confident because no matter what anyone says, when you look good you feel good.
SHARED ADVICE
What surprised us the most when we started A’nuyu was how much work it would be. When you’re doing it all on your own you’re not able to chose the fun aspects of the business for yourself and delegate the rest to staff members. While we did have a business plan in place when we started, we probably should have stuck to it more closely. We tend to follow opportunities that come along that aren’t part of our plan. As a result, we often find ourselves in a “catching-up” mode. Just as we tell our clients that they need to “own” their new images, I’d tell new entrepreneurs that they need to own their new businesses. Listen to your own advice. Remain self-assured. Don’t become intimidated among other, more seasoned business owners. You business offers a worthwhile product or service, so stand tall and represent it with confidence.
Pamela DeVos, Partner
A’nuyu, Lincolnshire, Illinois
anuyu@aol.com - www.anuyustyle.com
847-347-3831
OUR MOTIVATION
My business partner, Diane Smith, and I had been in the fashion business for years. When I retired from it a few years ago many of my clients asked if I would still continue to buy for them. So, when I would attend North American style shows I’d have my list of clients for whom I would shop. This rolled over into Diane and I starting our own personal shopping business we named A’nuyu. We began simply by refreshing people’s closets with jewelry, wrapped scarves, handbags, and accessories. Then we began getting requests for T-shirts, beach cover-ups, and other basics. As a result, we began expanding the lines we carried to the extent that, today, we’re even offering a line of cowboy boots hand-made in Mexico.
OUR UNIQUENESS
What makes A’nuyu different from other personal shopping services is that it’s comprised of three distinct parts – personal shopping, trunk shows and fashion consultancy. While there are other personal shoppers in Chicago, we don’t run up against many in the suburbs. And, unlike your major department stores who offer style assistants, we are not limited to shopping in one store for our clients. What’s more, we’re able to shop at the various style shows. Consequently, we don’t pay retail. So, our pricing is generally 20 percent less than retail. And, about 95 percent of the fashion lines that we work with are produced by women-owned businesses.
IDEAL CLIENTS
We’re targeting everyone from their late 30’s to 70’s – especially women who, over the years, devoted all of their efforts toward caring for their families and less effort toward themselves. Now, they are coming to the startling realization – what happened to me? Often it is truly emotional to see women literally change before your eyes. We look for people who you might hear say – “I have nothing to wear,” yet have closets stuffed with clothing. Our clients need to be open-minded because this sort of change is very personal. They must have the will to empower themselves. In the end, they become more enthusiastic and confident because no matter what anyone says, when you look good you feel good.
SHARED ADVICE
What surprised us the most when we started A’nuyu was how much work it would be. When you’re doing it all on your own you’re not able to chose the fun aspects of the business for yourself and delegate the rest to staff members. While we did have a business plan in place when we started, we probably should have stuck to it more closely. We tend to follow opportunities that come along that aren’t part of our plan. As a result, we often find ourselves in a “catching-up” mode. Just as we tell our clients that they need to “own” their new images, I’d tell new entrepreneurs that they need to own their new businesses. Listen to your own advice. Remain self-assured. Don’t become intimidated among other, more seasoned business owners. You business offers a worthwhile product or service, so stand tall and represent it with confidence.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Prioritizing is key to success for multi-faceted entrepreneur
Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following offered by
Liane Sebastian
Publishing pioneer who wears a designer's hat, an editor's coat and a publisher's shoes
http://www.lianesebastian.com/ - lsebast999@aol.com
Blog - http://wisdomofwork.wordpress.com/
847-570-0050
Publishing pioneer who wears a designer's hat, an editor's coat and a publisher's shoes
http://www.lianesebastian.com/ - lsebast999@aol.com
Blog - http://wisdomofwork.wordpress.com/
847-570-0050
MY BUSINESS
As a graphic designer, publisher, author, speaker, and businesswomen, I claim to be the consummate entrepreneur. If you have the gene, entrepreneurialism propels every big decision. Although my focus has always been on visual communication, my writing and editing follow parallel career paths.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Most of what I design I don’t write. Yet, I MUST read it to represent it on the page. My publishing skills influence and distinguish my design work. I mesh the visual with the verbal message. However, this blend offers challenges of prioritizing and focus. I’ve learned many unexpected lessons in this blend.
As a graphic designer, publisher, author, speaker, and businesswomen, I claim to be the consummate entrepreneur. If you have the gene, entrepreneurialism propels every big decision. Although my focus has always been on visual communication, my writing and editing follow parallel career paths.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Most of what I design I don’t write. Yet, I MUST read it to represent it on the page. My publishing skills influence and distinguish my design work. I mesh the visual with the verbal message. However, this blend offers challenges of prioritizing and focus. I’ve learned many unexpected lessons in this blend.
LESSONS LEARNED
Visibility is strategic. It is more important to be seen by the right people than it is to be seen by a lot of people.
Work past self-education. I tend to analyze and read more books sometimes to procrastinate. There comes a time where you have to stop reading and start doing.
It is too easy to get distracted. In a tight economy, networking is under pressure to produce clients. It is too seductive to hang out with colleagues or collect conversations with friends online. Communication must be used as tools rather than as recreation.
Focus on core business. This is a necessity in a tight economy where margins are bare bones. It is unfortunate to work in a profession that has actually had to lower fees versus raise them.
Commit to simple themes. My choice is creativity. My blog applies creative thinking to business and has a running self-seminar workshop column hybrid to help readers polish their ability to access their own creativity.
Target promotion with a finer pencil. In defining my ideal client, the nonprofit association executive, I need to direct all my publications to that audience, even though it is a lot of fun to write to other professional communicators.
Avoid over committing. It is easier to start projects than it is to sustain them. I carefully grew my blog into a routine I can sustain. I learned my lessons from groups joined where I didn’t participate and publications started that I couldn’t support. I have new ideas every day. I am careful to put each away for a few days to reevaluate before serious consideration.
Stir the referral network differently than new business targets. They require very different strategies. I’ve become very cautious about referrals because I lost an opportunity where my referral dropped the ball.
My biggest challenge is building readership in a target market that is too busy to read, but needs the help. The proof can be seen in the state of most graphics - always fitting the 80/20 Rule. But, I add that the excellent are always less than five percent. I strive to be in that five percent and recognize excellence when found.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Qualifying referrals first leads to client relationships that last
Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by
Sue Kramer Harrawood, Owner
Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance
http://www.vapeaceofmind.com/solutions@vapeaceofmind.com
708-361-4863
MY BUSINESS
Since 2003, Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance has been providing clients - typically small business owners - with a network of highly skilled entrepreneurial veteran virtual professionals. Our clients outsource a myriad of items to us - bookkeeping, social media, events, speaker items (shopping carts, web updates, logistics, etc.), overall executive management and much more. Due to the Internet we are able to serve clients across the country saving them time which equates to dollars and peace of mind. We allow them to focus on what they love and are best skilled to do. As a 100 percent referral-based company our referrals come quite simply from those who know, like and trust us. The criteria for business owners to be considered a prospect are these: established business, enjoyable to work with, have the highest integrity, leader (business and community), possess and live traditional values, transparent communicator, committed to building long-term relationships, and “get” what we do and that we sincerely desire to help grow their businesses.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Not long ago, I had a lesson learned which profoundly changed how I see myself as a business owner and how I operate my business. It also changed how I perceive other professionals. Due to our service nature and support mindset, we occasionally bypass our in-place processes and take on new clients who need help quickly. As a result, I’ve learned my largest business lesson to date.
REALIZATION/SOLUTION
By letting my supportive nature supersede my processes at times, I realized a few things. My company cannot help everyone and there are those folks out there who are not who they portray themselves to be. As much of a “duh” moment as that may sound, due to the high caliber of clients we’ve had over the years, I forgot that not everyone portrays themselves honestly. My caution to other entrepreneurs is to screen, screen, and screen some more. Regardless of who refers a prospect to you, don’t assume that because they’re in a hurry to start working with, you should also be in a hurry to work with them. Do not circumvent your process for anyone. Go with your gut and if you pray, do so. Take time to find out if the potential client is a good fit. If you do bring them on continue to listen to your gut and to God. If something seems odd, it probably is – move on. I learned the hard way and am eager to save my fellow entrepreneurs from learning the hard lesson of taking on the wrong client, as well.
Sue Kramer Harrawood, Owner
Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance
http://www.vapeaceofmind.com/solutions@vapeaceofmind.com
708-361-4863
MY BUSINESS
Since 2003, Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance has been providing clients - typically small business owners - with a network of highly skilled entrepreneurial veteran virtual professionals. Our clients outsource a myriad of items to us - bookkeeping, social media, events, speaker items (shopping carts, web updates, logistics, etc.), overall executive management and much more. Due to the Internet we are able to serve clients across the country saving them time which equates to dollars and peace of mind. We allow them to focus on what they love and are best skilled to do. As a 100 percent referral-based company our referrals come quite simply from those who know, like and trust us. The criteria for business owners to be considered a prospect are these: established business, enjoyable to work with, have the highest integrity, leader (business and community), possess and live traditional values, transparent communicator, committed to building long-term relationships, and “get” what we do and that we sincerely desire to help grow their businesses.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Not long ago, I had a lesson learned which profoundly changed how I see myself as a business owner and how I operate my business. It also changed how I perceive other professionals. Due to our service nature and support mindset, we occasionally bypass our in-place processes and take on new clients who need help quickly. As a result, I’ve learned my largest business lesson to date.
REALIZATION/SOLUTION
By letting my supportive nature supersede my processes at times, I realized a few things. My company cannot help everyone and there are those folks out there who are not who they portray themselves to be. As much of a “duh” moment as that may sound, due to the high caliber of clients we’ve had over the years, I forgot that not everyone portrays themselves honestly. My caution to other entrepreneurs is to screen, screen, and screen some more. Regardless of who refers a prospect to you, don’t assume that because they’re in a hurry to start working with, you should also be in a hurry to work with them. Do not circumvent your process for anyone. Go with your gut and if you pray, do so. Take time to find out if the potential client is a good fit. If you do bring them on continue to listen to your gut and to God. If something seems odd, it probably is – move on. I learned the hard way and am eager to save my fellow entrepreneurs from learning the hard lesson of taking on the wrong client, as well.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Experienced entrepreneurs sharing business challenges featured on Transparency online showcase
Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by
Gary Swiontek, Owner
GrooveMaster Graphics, Arlington Heights, Illinois
http://www.groovemastergraphics.com/ - gary@GrooveMasterGraphics.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/groovemastergary on LinkedIn
847-394-8512
MY BUSINESS
GrooveMaster Graphics is a graphic design company that in reality creates “message delivery systems.” Attractive graphics are only a means to an end. We create logos, brochures, postcards, ads and other printed marketing communications to help clients build their brands. In the end, they’re able to sell their goods and services as a result of our broadcasting their messaging via professionally designed graphics.
OUR UNIQUENESS
Our tag line is “We Listen, We Deliver.” So listening to clients in order to understand their goals is important to us. We ask for specific information about the project as well as general information about their brand, philosophy and so forth. Most projects begin with a questionnaire used to gather this information so that we are in the right neighborhood before we start development. Ultimately, because we are listening we can deliver the appropriate artwork. But, much more importantly, we will deliver the client’s precise messaging. We seek clients who have solid marketing plans and are committed to them. We also look for prospects who understand the value a professional graphic designer adds to the success of their businesses. The ideal client is one who puts a great deal of trust in our judgment.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
An ongoing challenge that faced GrooveMaster Graphics was how to handle the roller coaster environment of projects either coming in all at once or widely spaced apart. The main reason that this was occurring was due to the fact that we were not acquiring enough clients who required services on a semi-regular basis. This would have generated a strong, consistent revenue stream. This predicament affected our bottom line as well as our growth potential by never knowing for certain where the next project was coming from. At the same time, we found it even more difficult to be as creative as possible when squeezing multiple projects into a small time frame. Everything seemed out of balance.
OUR EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
I decided we needed an action plan. It began by seeking advice on how to be more focused and organized in terms of marketing GrooveMaster Graphics. I got in touch with professional business and marketing consultants. Here is the result of working with them.
1. We have put our marketing plan in writing. Until we did, it wasn’t real. Seeing it in black and white makes it a concrete element for which we are accountable.
2. We’ve also clearly defined our services so that clients have no misconceptions as to what we provide. In addition, we have created service bundles to give clients an economical choice of “message delivery” options.
3. Next, we identified our specific target audience. This makes our own messaging process much more focused and effective.
4. A social media strategy came next. We are a social media participant, yet we are still exploring what forms of social media are most appropriate for reaching our ideal clients.
5. GrooveMaster Graphics does email a monthly newsletter. It is a major element in our marketing strategy. It provides informational and educational content to our readership.
6. A great deal of effort will be put into building a new website with easier navigation, more information and highly effective SEO and SEM initiatives as part of its overall scope.
While many of the plan’s elements are in action today, several others are in their development stages. Our evenly-spaced projects problem is not entirely resolved as of yet, but we are putting a stronger focus on new goals which our action plan should help us reach. We feel that a true commitment to our plan along with follow-through should help in GrooveMaster Graphics’ overcoming its roller coaster challenge.
Gary Swiontek, Owner
GrooveMaster Graphics, Arlington Heights, Illinois
http://www.groovemastergraphics.com/ - gary@GrooveMasterGraphics.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/groovemastergary on LinkedIn
847-394-8512
MY BUSINESS
GrooveMaster Graphics is a graphic design company that in reality creates “message delivery systems.” Attractive graphics are only a means to an end. We create logos, brochures, postcards, ads and other printed marketing communications to help clients build their brands. In the end, they’re able to sell their goods and services as a result of our broadcasting their messaging via professionally designed graphics.
OUR UNIQUENESS
Our tag line is “We Listen, We Deliver.” So listening to clients in order to understand their goals is important to us. We ask for specific information about the project as well as general information about their brand, philosophy and so forth. Most projects begin with a questionnaire used to gather this information so that we are in the right neighborhood before we start development. Ultimately, because we are listening we can deliver the appropriate artwork. But, much more importantly, we will deliver the client’s precise messaging. We seek clients who have solid marketing plans and are committed to them. We also look for prospects who understand the value a professional graphic designer adds to the success of their businesses. The ideal client is one who puts a great deal of trust in our judgment.
UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
An ongoing challenge that faced GrooveMaster Graphics was how to handle the roller coaster environment of projects either coming in all at once or widely spaced apart. The main reason that this was occurring was due to the fact that we were not acquiring enough clients who required services on a semi-regular basis. This would have generated a strong, consistent revenue stream. This predicament affected our bottom line as well as our growth potential by never knowing for certain where the next project was coming from. At the same time, we found it even more difficult to be as creative as possible when squeezing multiple projects into a small time frame. Everything seemed out of balance.
OUR EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
I decided we needed an action plan. It began by seeking advice on how to be more focused and organized in terms of marketing GrooveMaster Graphics. I got in touch with professional business and marketing consultants. Here is the result of working with them.
1. We have put our marketing plan in writing. Until we did, it wasn’t real. Seeing it in black and white makes it a concrete element for which we are accountable.
2. We’ve also clearly defined our services so that clients have no misconceptions as to what we provide. In addition, we have created service bundles to give clients an economical choice of “message delivery” options.
3. Next, we identified our specific target audience. This makes our own messaging process much more focused and effective.
4. A social media strategy came next. We are a social media participant, yet we are still exploring what forms of social media are most appropriate for reaching our ideal clients.
5. GrooveMaster Graphics does email a monthly newsletter. It is a major element in our marketing strategy. It provides informational and educational content to our readership.
6. A great deal of effort will be put into building a new website with easier navigation, more information and highly effective SEO and SEM initiatives as part of its overall scope.
While many of the plan’s elements are in action today, several others are in their development stages. Our evenly-spaced projects problem is not entirely resolved as of yet, but we are putting a stronger focus on new goals which our action plan should help us reach. We feel that a true commitment to our plan along with follow-through should help in GrooveMaster Graphics’ overcoming its roller coaster challenge.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Early entrepreneurs gain new marketing and social media opportunities through online business showcase
Showcasing early entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing their insights begins by hearing their stories like the one offered by
Barrie Hinman, Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), Diplomate Acupuncture (DiplAC), Barrington Acupuncture Clinic, Barrington, Illinois
www.barringtonacu.com – barrie@barringtonacu.com
847-382-1884 or 847-624-4ACU (4228)
My Motivation
By my mid-fifties I knew I would want to work for a lot longer rather than planning to retire but I wanted to make a shift to something that would give me joy and allow me to give back to the community in a more proactive way. As I have always been interested in alternative means of healing and personally found acupuncture to be a tremendous way to maintain health and well being I decided to pursue it as my longer term career. While continuing to work and serve my existing clients for payroll and bookkeeping, I enrolled in the acupuncture program at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard IL and graduated after three years of rigorous studies in August 2009 with a Masters degree in Acupuncture.
Uniqueness
I bring a lifetime of experience in living and working to the practice along with a life-long love of alternative healing methods that promote wellness by considering the mind and emotions as two other significant components of physical well being. As a Buddhist, I am also well-versed in the impact of spiritual well being on our physical health. Having spent time working in both large and small corporate America over the years I have a clear understanding of the pressures people face in balancing work and life with the inherent physical imbalances that tend to crop up while attempting to juggle conflicting demands. Having been the beneficiary of acupuncture treatments for many years I am a firm believer from experience that it can help us maintain balance and well being in our lives. As an acupuncturist, I treat the whole being not just physical symptoms so I spend time listening carefully to my patients to help them find relief from stress and pain in their lives.
Client Profile
Given the culture we live in, our dietary habits and how we live our lives, people are experiencing the stresses and strains of the imbalances that cause physical pain, anxiety, depression, loss of sleep and other hardships very early in life. So, my perfect client is anyone who suffers from chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, stress, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological disorders or frequently recurring illnesses.
Marketing Methods
While still in school I developed a business and marketing plan and started working with a branding specialist who designed my logo and the theme for my website's visual appearance. I used VistaPrint® to print my business cards and a local printer, Forrest Press in Barrington to print my rack cards (the new brochure) and prescription pads to give to doctors for patient referrals. Since I believe that the Internet has pretty much become the new Yellow Pages® I have focused on visibility via the Internet. I registered with Acufinder.com and created a profile to highlight my practice in Barrington as well as to highlight my work at Healing Tree Physical Therapy in Wilmette. Acufinder.com does a good job of getting my practice on the first page of a lot of search engines and if someone goes to the acufinder.com web site and searches for acupuncturists by zip code it shows my practice by geographic location. I’ve also registered my business with Google Maps® so that when a person googles “acupuncturist Barrington Il,” I’m featured on a Google map indicating various acupuncturists in the Barrington area. I also have registered with Yahoo® and Yelp® and have updated my listings on LinkedIn® and Plaxo®. In addition to all of the collateral materials for marketing my practice I focused on finding a physical location that would be visible from well traveled streets with signage out front so that people driving by would be reminded that acupuncture is available here in Barrington. I also have been making sure I got my name out locally by rejoining the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, visiting doctors’ offices, placing business cards and rack cards in local businesses and joining a local business networking group Pro Alliance in Barrington. I will be continuing to establish referral relationships with various health care providers in the area; I see these relationships as a win-win for both myself and the other practitioners as we can complement each other’s strengths to ensure maximum wellness for our mutual patients.
Learning Experience
I envisioned taking board exams before I graduated so that I could be licensed and have my practice up and running by mid-September of 2009. The reality was that I took boards after graduation and it was a tremendous gift as the studying gave me time to integrate all of three years’ education and start visualizing a practice that truly reflected my vision. It also gave me some time to slow down and recover from the rigors of school which was much needed for my own health and well being. I also didn’t comprehend the complexities and wait times between completing board exams, receiving national certification, applying for state licensure and waiting for licensure to occur. I had a great realtor who expedited my finding a space and I moved in about three weeks after we started looking in mid-November. I also didn’t foresee that it would take me a month to get settled in and organized but moving in early December plus the holiday season and starting to see patients in Wilmette did complicate that process. By January 2010 my practice was finally open for business in Barrington.
My advice to other potential entrepreneurs is this:
· Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
· Be realistic about the timelines of opening a business
· Have other ways of making money or supporting yourself while you’re trying to get your business going
· Possibly get some other form of financial backing – loan or line of credit
· Get your marketing materials in place – online positioning, website, business cards
· Plan and order inventory, develop forms and establish bookkeeping procedures you will need to support your business before opening
· It will take time, but with constant attention and outreach you will grow your practice and number of patients seen each week
Barrie Hinman, Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), Diplomate Acupuncture (DiplAC), Barrington Acupuncture Clinic, Barrington, Illinois
www.barringtonacu.com – barrie@barringtonacu.com
847-382-1884 or 847-624-4ACU (4228)
My Motivation
By my mid-fifties I knew I would want to work for a lot longer rather than planning to retire but I wanted to make a shift to something that would give me joy and allow me to give back to the community in a more proactive way. As I have always been interested in alternative means of healing and personally found acupuncture to be a tremendous way to maintain health and well being I decided to pursue it as my longer term career. While continuing to work and serve my existing clients for payroll and bookkeeping, I enrolled in the acupuncture program at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard IL and graduated after three years of rigorous studies in August 2009 with a Masters degree in Acupuncture.
Uniqueness
I bring a lifetime of experience in living and working to the practice along with a life-long love of alternative healing methods that promote wellness by considering the mind and emotions as two other significant components of physical well being. As a Buddhist, I am also well-versed in the impact of spiritual well being on our physical health. Having spent time working in both large and small corporate America over the years I have a clear understanding of the pressures people face in balancing work and life with the inherent physical imbalances that tend to crop up while attempting to juggle conflicting demands. Having been the beneficiary of acupuncture treatments for many years I am a firm believer from experience that it can help us maintain balance and well being in our lives. As an acupuncturist, I treat the whole being not just physical symptoms so I spend time listening carefully to my patients to help them find relief from stress and pain in their lives.
Client Profile
Given the culture we live in, our dietary habits and how we live our lives, people are experiencing the stresses and strains of the imbalances that cause physical pain, anxiety, depression, loss of sleep and other hardships very early in life. So, my perfect client is anyone who suffers from chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, stress, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological disorders or frequently recurring illnesses.
Marketing Methods
While still in school I developed a business and marketing plan and started working with a branding specialist who designed my logo and the theme for my website's visual appearance. I used VistaPrint® to print my business cards and a local printer, Forrest Press in Barrington to print my rack cards (the new brochure) and prescription pads to give to doctors for patient referrals. Since I believe that the Internet has pretty much become the new Yellow Pages® I have focused on visibility via the Internet. I registered with Acufinder.com and created a profile to highlight my practice in Barrington as well as to highlight my work at Healing Tree Physical Therapy in Wilmette. Acufinder.com does a good job of getting my practice on the first page of a lot of search engines and if someone goes to the acufinder.com web site and searches for acupuncturists by zip code it shows my practice by geographic location. I’ve also registered my business with Google Maps® so that when a person googles “acupuncturist Barrington Il,” I’m featured on a Google map indicating various acupuncturists in the Barrington area. I also have registered with Yahoo® and Yelp® and have updated my listings on LinkedIn® and Plaxo®. In addition to all of the collateral materials for marketing my practice I focused on finding a physical location that would be visible from well traveled streets with signage out front so that people driving by would be reminded that acupuncture is available here in Barrington. I also have been making sure I got my name out locally by rejoining the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, visiting doctors’ offices, placing business cards and rack cards in local businesses and joining a local business networking group Pro Alliance in Barrington. I will be continuing to establish referral relationships with various health care providers in the area; I see these relationships as a win-win for both myself and the other practitioners as we can complement each other’s strengths to ensure maximum wellness for our mutual patients.
Learning Experience
I envisioned taking board exams before I graduated so that I could be licensed and have my practice up and running by mid-September of 2009. The reality was that I took boards after graduation and it was a tremendous gift as the studying gave me time to integrate all of three years’ education and start visualizing a practice that truly reflected my vision. It also gave me some time to slow down and recover from the rigors of school which was much needed for my own health and well being. I also didn’t comprehend the complexities and wait times between completing board exams, receiving national certification, applying for state licensure and waiting for licensure to occur. I had a great realtor who expedited my finding a space and I moved in about three weeks after we started looking in mid-November. I also didn’t foresee that it would take me a month to get settled in and organized but moving in early December plus the holiday season and starting to see patients in Wilmette did complicate that process. By January 2010 my practice was finally open for business in Barrington.
My advice to other potential entrepreneurs is this:
· Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
· Be realistic about the timelines of opening a business
· Have other ways of making money or supporting yourself while you’re trying to get your business going
· Possibly get some other form of financial backing – loan or line of credit
· Get your marketing materials in place – online positioning, website, business cards
· Plan and order inventory, develop forms and establish bookkeeping procedures you will need to support your business before opening
· It will take time, but with constant attention and outreach you will grow your practice and number of patients seen each week
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