With the first quarter of 2011 now behind us, have you started to see the results you wanted? If not, or you simply want to make even more progress, here are 3 simple, yet powerful ideas to help you.
1. Adjust
Look at the plans you made at the start of the year and see what adjustments need to be made, based on your first 3 months feedback. Immediately stop any commercial activities that are not generating the results you need. There’s no point continuing with something that is ineffective. Either fix or remove these ineffective elements of your business.
IMPORTANT – Here are over 140 FREE marketing and business development ideas for you, to help you make more progress than ever before! (You’re welcome)
2. Invest in you
Give yourself a business education budget and use it to sharpen the areas of your business knowledge, where you are least strong. Buy the books, attend the seminars, workshops or classes. One lesson can often be the difference between “getting by” and massive success. It can be the difference between making a living or making a fortune.
Be careful who you invest in though. Never, ever take advice from a mentor, expert or author, who does not have a demonstrable record of success in that area.
3. Remove the toxic influences from your business
One of the reasons many people struggle to make the progress they want, is that they have toxic influences around them and their decision making. For example, I often see small business owners taking business advice from people, who simply do not have the answers they need. These influencers can have a toxic impact on your business, as their bad advice causes you to make equally bad decisions.
Toxic influences can also come from clients who are more hassle than they are worth. One of your primary marketing goals, should be to FIRE your deadbeat clients and replace them with people who genuinely value you, your time and your expertise. Target your ideal profile of client with your marketing and then build a client list that inspires you.
Over to you!
What would you add to that list? What tips, ideas or experiences do you have for your fellow readers? Let us know!
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Photo: jakeandlindsay
Good article sir. I particularly like the “fire deadbeat clients” tip. I have seen quite a few business owners labor over mulish clients while ignoring their best customers. The old squeaky wheel gets the grease syndrome. Unfortunately not only are most difficult clients time consuming, they are the most likely do not want to pay for anything.
Your “Invest in You” point reminded me to schedule a marketing and speaking class and get cracking on another certification.
Glad you found it useful, Mike!
A very interesting read filled with good points and very good advice for the rest of 2011.
Jaun Wright
Yet another great post with practical usable advice Jim.
I really appreciate all you do for us.
Terry
Hi Terry. Good to know you find the ideas I share here practical enough to use. That’s important for me to know.
Thanks for the feedback!
Hi Jim,
I am always amazed at how people will spend on all sorts of junk and yet think twice (or try to go cheap) when spending on a business education.
Yes invest in you, and make sure you get advice someone who can show a record and give you references.
Cheers Jim, enjoy your weekend
I agree John. I know of people who blog $150 a month at Starbucks, yet refuse to invest in a reliable host for their business website.
Why people refuse to invest in themselves is beyond my comprehension.
Hi Jim!
Be vigilant on ways to be amazing.
SMB’s can’t rest on their laurels. We live in a day and time that information and advancement travel at lightening speed.
The only way to be amazing and continue to grow your business is to see and understand how it is that some businesses are growing and thriving in one of the most challenging economies in recent memory.
This requires the motivation and commitment to being awesome. Many business owners are just not desirous of going above and beyond to find out how.
One great place to research how to be amazing is to chew on the content on this blog. And, there are a plethora of resources to take your business to another level of awesomeness.
Have a great weekend Mr. Connolly
Thanks for the kind words my friend
We are big on goals and goal setting. Our Director Mark has been setting yearly goals and making sure we are accountable to the quarterly progress to make sure we are on target. Great reminders
I loved this article. Sometimes we forget that in live our best chance doe success is ourselves.
Thanks for the reminder.