Do you remember the planning of a road trip?  The excitement of the road trip and what was at the end of the road trip?  I remember as a child travelling from Perth, Western Australia, across the Nullabor, through South Australia, Victoria, NSW and finally to Queensland, before heading back again across back to WA.  The places we stopped, the people we met and the experience were priceless.  Over 40 years later and I have vivid memories of seeing snow for the first time, climbing the "Big Banana" and the "Big Pineapple" eating McDonalds for the first time and seeing "The Cross".  As a child my brother and I were along for the ride, my parents of course had set the trip up, planned the stops and anticipated any emergency.  Taking a young family across Australia in a camper van, takes some planning.  Back in  those days there was no GPS but there was a map at hand and a keen eye on the destination. 

We as business owners need to have our eye on the destination and set ourselves up with a business GPS.  The fun and the journey of being a business owner is all in the people we meet, the experiences we gather and the opportunities that are bestowed upon us.   Sometimes, it can be easy to divert for a bright shiny object, follow another person's vision, get lost in overwhelm and all other matters of misdirection.  Having a good business GPS, helps us to stay on track and not divert to a dead end road or a cul-de-sac, it helps us to maintain a clear vision of what we ant our future business to look like at the destination.
 
A business plan can act as a GPS and also using some clear guiding questions around your business to formulate what your destination looks like at the end.  
Why do I want this business?
When do I want this business to be at it's peak
What do I want it to look like in XX years?
How will I develop this business?
Who is my target market?
Where will I promote my business?
Guiding and open ended questions are a great way to plan your journey so you know exactly what to put in your business GPS.

Times Are A Changing A BIG Happy New Year to you and yours.  I really feel 2013 is a year for greatness and year for growth for all.  From November of 2012 I spent countless hours revising my business over the last 12 months.  I checked out what worked, what could be improved and what was a challenge.  I do this every year in my business, I almost go into a hibernation state as I work through the ups and the challenges for the last 10 - 12 months.  You will notice the newsletter has had a change of colour and layout.  You may also notice the heading has significantly changed.  My reevaluation of my business and core strengths invited me to re-access my business style and service. I now have incorporated the areas of my business under one umbrella making it easier to distinguish each part.  This was a huge challenge and exciting at the same time.  Are you in the process of re-evaluating your business and your life?  How did you go about the process?  Are you still in the process?  If you are stuck and would like to share your challenges please contact me for a complimentary 15 minute action traction session.

The ABC's of Great People SkillsI am a very fortunate person, I am surrounded by amazing people who have come into my life just at the right time.  One of those people is Dawn Billings, CEO & Founder of Heart Link Network International and renowned Author. One of the books Dawn co-wrote is the ABC's of Great People Skills a great read that is to the point and an easy read.  I really wanted to share the A-Z with you.  When you read each line it really starts you thinking.  Such a timely reminder as we start our journey into 2013.

Please enjoy this small excerpt from Dawn Billings:

Appreciate others.
Be kind.
Consider other’s feelings.
Don’t make fun.
Envision the future.
Forgive dumb people.
Great-fullness.
Hate or Hope.
Inspire.
Join forces.
Keep your faith.
Look inside.
Make room for diversity.
Next.
Offer help.
Push yourself, not others.
Quit Blaming.
Reach out.
Stop the Violence.
Teach tolerance.
Understand.
Value life.
Watch closely.
X-pand your views.
Yes you can!
Zero is a number, not a name.

How do you communicate with your customers?

Do you send thank you cards to your clients?

Did you know that not saying thank you to a customer hurts your business more than saying thank you helps.

Let me say that again.

Not saying thank you hurts your business more than saying thank you helps.

What I mean by that is our customers and clients expect to receive a thank you; especially if they spend a lot of money with us.  They expect us to at least acknowledge and thank them.

If I buy a house, I expect a thank you.

If I buy a car, I expect a thank you.

If I buy a Snickers I don't necessarily expect a thank you.

Big ticket items = increased expectations

If you don't send thank you cards to your clients, do you know what they are thinking?

They are thinking you don't care about them!

Studies show the reason why we lose 68% of our clients and customers is because they don't think we care about them.

Here is a simple solution I found to let my customers know I care about them.

www.leescardsonline.com

For $5.48 a year I can send 4 custom greeting cards to my clients to keep in touch with them and let them know I appreciate them.

How much is one dedicated, loyal, and happy client worth to you? Is it worth $5.48 a year?

If so watch this 3 minute video for more information:

www.leescardsonline.com

Once you watch the video, email me back and I'll be happy to help you get started.