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Hey
there! Hi there! Ho there, Mouseketeers!
If you were on the distribution list for
this newsletter this time last year, you
know that Halloween is one of my favorite
holidays. Read
last year’s story.
I just came in from
decorating the outside of the house
to let the local Trick or Treaters know
that they will be welcome to stop by
to load up their goody bags.
As I remembered my earlier
days, I recalled one of my favorite outfits
as Mickey and thought I would share it
with you. You can tell it was a while
ago by the plaid sofa, rust carpet, macramé
plant hanger, console (not-cable-ready)
TV and slimmer hips on yours truly. (Yes,
that really is me.) |
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| Message
From the President |
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 It
seems about every marketing seminar I participate
in advises people to identify and select a
target market to focus on. I have been actively
resisting that advice – for years. I
was always afraid that by selecting one market
that I would be shutting the door on everyone
else – in spite of anecdotes to the
contrary.
About
6 weeks ago, I attended a fabulous network
development seminar hosted by Chip Lambert
(Network2Networth)
and an attorney shared his story about vacillating
between selecting doctors and dentists as
a target market for his services. He finally
committed to one, and went on to talk about
all the fortuitous and amazing ‘coincidences’
that happened as a result.
His
story inspired me and within weeks, I finally
surrendered and selected one too –
women owned insurance agencies. I already
knew several and had some as clients. Just
as in the case with the attorney, once I
made that declaration, amazing things started
to happen. People began to introduce me
to more women who owned insurance agencies.
I’ve started researching the industry
and a rush of ideas of how I could better
serve them began to unfold.
So,
even though you probably won’t listen,
just like I didn’t all those years,
for those of you who’ve heard you
need to find a target market, but have been
resisting the idea, all I can say is “Jump
in! The water’s fine!”…but
you'll probably keep resisting – just
like I did.
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| Feature
Article - The Utility of Stepping Back & Looking
Forward |
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A
few weeks ago, I was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed
with all that I’ve put on my plate. (No
one to blame – I’m clear that I’m
the perpetrator of my schedule). I’m never
at a loss for something productive to do. Recently,
I’ve been creating strategic alliances with
a variety of people and all of this opportunity
was becoming a bit daunting.
Since
I’m an executive/business coach who often
deals with power players who also have too much
on their plates, I asked myself, “If I were
a client, what I would say to me?”. (Doctor,
heal thyself.) Well, when I hear people complaining
about being too busy, I have them distinguish
between what’s urgent and what’s important
(one of Covey’s 7 habits). See
last month’s newsletter.
So,
I cleared off one day on my calendar and promised
to devote it to looking at my business from 50,000
feet rather than from the trenches where products
are created and services are typically delivered.
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When
that day arrived, I pulled out the Strategic
Planning Toolkit I created last year.
I loaded the CD player with classical music
(which stimulates my mind), turned on the
outside speakers, poured a pitcher of water
and went out on my patio and prepared to dream,
think and write. |
I
spent the next several hours responding to the
over 80 questions in the toolkit and when I was
done, I felt better than I ever imagined! I revamped
my mission statement, refined my target market,
developed strategies and goals that left me feeling
refreshed, recharged and focused! My mood shifted
dramatically. The world seemed like a playground
rather than a prison. It was truly amazing.
I
realized that I could have used another day to
review the notes from all of the business conferences
I’ve attended during the year and decided
that when I have my strategic planning session
next year, it will be 2 days.
Is
it time for you to take a fresh look at your business
or department? If so, pick up your own copy of
the Strategic
Planning Toolkit and go forth and plan! |
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Syndicated
Article -The Leadership Choice
Reprinted
with permission - Copyright 2006 William Frank Diedrich
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Every
home and every organization has structure.
Structure is the invisible field that influences
behavior. Systems expert Peter Senge of
M.I.T. defines structure as “choices
made over time.” Choices made over
time becomes the “way we do things”.
The way we do things comes from the way
we think--our beliefs, assumptions, and
perceptions. Every relationship and every
organization that you are a part of has
a structure. You influence that structure
by the choices you make. Structure is what
compels people to act in certain ways.
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example, I went to a bookstore (Schuler’s
Books and Music) and asked about a certain book.
The sales associate looked it up, led me to it,
took it off the shelf, and handed it to me. All
of this was done with cheerfulness and a desire
to help me. I know that if I go into that store
and ask for a book, I will get the same response.
That’s structure. All the associates treat
customers that way. Why is that? It is because leadership
has communicated and modeled that behavior consistently.
Leaders consistently send a message as to how to
treat customers.
In another example, I decided
to visit a chain restaurant called Steak and Shake.
I just wanted a chocolate shake to take out. I
walked in and stood at the counter. Four people
who work there saw me but did not acknowledge
my presence. The waitress was pouring coffee but
ignored me. There were only three tables with
customers. That was a leadership problem. The
leaders in this restaurant had not created a clear
structure. Ignoring customers was acceptable.
Maybe the waitress didn’t want to deal with
a take out order. Maybe the two people in the
grill said to themselves : “Hey, greeting
that guy is the waitress’ job.” Maybe
she would have come over eventually, but I noticed
she wasn’t very busy. The place felt “dead”
so I left.
If poor performance, lack of cooperation,
or lack of responsiveness is happening in your
organization it’s because it is acceptable.
(Click to Read More) >>>
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| Upcoming
Events |
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Virtual
Seminar Week
Free
Teleclasses:
Break the Rules & Make More Sales
teleseminar with Sales Guru Brad Ferguson, Tuesday,
October 31st, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. MT
(starts 2:00 p.m. PT, 4:00 CT, 5:00 ET) Sign
up here.
Network2Networth
- Strategic Business Development,
Tuesday, Nov 21, 2006 2:00 p.m. PT (3:00 p.m.
MT) with Chip Lambert. Sign
up here.
Public
Events:
6
Keys for Dissolving Disputes Book Signing,
at The Authors’ Café, reading and
wine tasting, The Wine Studio, 7337 E. Shea Blvd.
Suite 105, November 15, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
$10 optional for the wine tasting. Contact Joy
at 480.330.4500 or StoryWizard@TheAuthorsCafe.com.
Be
Your Own Boss, Redefining Life After 50,
Scottsdale Boomerz, Scottsdale Community College,
October 31, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., RSVP 480
423-6188 or Scottsdale
Boomerz Brown Bag.
Living
the Dream, Redefining Life After 50, Scottsdale
Boomerz, Scottsdale Community College, November
7, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., RSVP 480 423-6188
or Scottsdale
Boomerz Brown Bag.
Leadership
that Transforms & Delivers, Women
Entrepreneurs Small Business Boot Camp. January
20, 2007, www.womensbusinessbootcamp.com.
Launching
Life Anew – Fresh Start Women’s
Center, $5, March 7, 2007, 1130 E McDowell, Phoenix,
602-261-7143
Private
Events:
This
Business of Balance, Naumann/Hobbs, November
9
This Business of Balance –
City of Peoria, November 14
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