Let's Get Real

Everyone in business today is serious about staying in their business and more so growing their business. But what does that really mean. What changes in behavior have you taken to find new business. There are a lot of people out there fighting for your share of the pie, and guess what ~ they may be more serious than you. What do you have to do in order to keep the business you have and actually win more business?

The answer lies in your focus, drive and commitment to work harder than your competition to keep your current customers and win new ones. Let's say for example you have a frozen yogurt shop in your neighborhood. You already have a lot of regular clients ~ you even have a loyalty program and stamp their card each time they come in. Well, what happens when someone opens another yogurt store within 1 mile of your existing shop? The new yogurt store even tells customers that they will honor your loyalty card and they have priced themselves evenly with you, offer more toppings for the yogurt than you have and even more so, they have a customized juice bar that you don't have.

What are you going to do. Complain to your friends that the community should not have allowed them to open another yogurt store by yours, lower your prices, try to build a juice bar, add more toppings - what are you going to do?

Let's get real! No one has a license on market share. What should you do? Make sure this doesn't effect you. First let's look at business today and see how focused you are and how competitive you must be. Answer the following questions to make sure you are prepared for the next competitive strike.

1. What new things are you providing to your customers now...before they ask for it?
2. How do you respond to customer feedback?
3. What does sense of urgency mean to you?
4. How do you actively stay on top of the competition?
5. How much fun do you have with your customers and your employees?

The answers to these questions and others will help you continue to position yourself aggressively against the competition. Remember ~ Let's Get Real! Stop blaming everyone else about your loss of revenue. Find new ways to contribute to top line revenue right now, whether you are in sales or not.

For more help contact www.masterconnection.com and ask for Cindy - I will give you what you need, and don't be surprised if it isn't a good kick in the pants!

Pay Attention to Everyone Around You!

So here I am skiing in Breckenridge, Colorado after just getting back from London....oh I know you think it is all fun and games, but seriously...I am always working, even when I am playing. Tonight I had a great dinner at Keystone Ranch - just like skiing, I love ski in and ski out. Dining is no different. I love the places where you drive up for dinner, they valet your car and you never have to hassle with your coat - dine in and in out. So why am I telling you this. Well, as in any situation, I love to talk to people around me. Tonight was no different. At Keystone Ranch, after you finish dinner, they escort you to a wonderful great room around a blazing fire and you sit in comfortable chairs with strangers and have your dessert and coffee - I said strangers! Everyone sitting around you is enjoying the same ambiance, and yet everyone is talking to everyone. That does not even happen in the same office. So we engage in conversation and it so happens that the party we are talking to is from Arizona...they began to tell us how they work hard so they can come to Keystone and enjoy this - fine food, wine and 40 year old port. They also said they noticed there were less people skiing - well it is the "crisis." The financial slow down of America. That is when the conversation got good. One person was a teacher, one was a business owner and the other was a lawyer. They began to talk about how we really need to focus on keeping business going and not keep dwelling on the negative. So I mentioned the MSN comment I read on line today - a financial writer for MSN spoke about how we should get rid of Valentines Day because we spend millions of dollars on unnecessary things. Now please understand why I am over the top about this author. She lives in a log cabin in upstate New York and just because she has this unbelievable degree in journalism she can write for MSN and make people believe she has all the answers. Well here are my answers....it is about capitalism and spending money to keep the economy going...not getting rid of what makes this country so great - she must be a very unhappy and naive woman who thinks that getting rid of a holiday like Valentines Day will save the economy. She needs to take a trip to the center of Manhattan and see how business is really conducted. Does she even know why she gets a pay check every week? I question anyone that thinks that big or small business is the problem in this country, when it is the reason this country has led the way for so long. So back to my friends at Keystone Ranch. They simply want to work hard, play hard and sip 40 year old port along the way. Mark my word - tough times don't last - but tough people do. I dare you to challenge the status quo and get out there and make a difference - not next week, next month or next year. Tomorrow will make the difference. Cheers to all of us that want to enjoy this fine ride of life!

Let's Take This Opportunity to Succeed!

It is February and still the media, government and even your friends are focusing on the dismal economy and what lies ahead. I am refusing to let this get me down. The apathy that fills the air is pathetic - we have never "saved" our way out of an economic crisis and we certainly won't this time. It is time to figure out how to grow your business - encourage your employees and create new, exciting ideas that will innovate our way through this mess. I didn't need a bail out, I didn't cheat investors and I certainly am not going to curb spending, traveling or conducting business on the road. I am an entrepreneur and I will continue to find ways to make money. I am a sales leader, a coach, a parent and the "stimulus package" for my company and family. I don't believe in negativity and yet I believe in reality. There has never been a better time to show the world what you can do... I plan on doing just that. So those who think I am crazy, can just set back in their easy chair and watch as life passes by. When you are living life, you are tackling problems - not hiding out waiting for hope to pick you up. So with that, I am off on a plane to Lisbon - upgraded to business class using miles - not money, reading The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson to figure out the history of money and how to make it all work in 2009! Have a great week - and remember that the miracle is YOU!

Full On!

I talk about positivity, I talk about going the extra mile, I talk about thinking beyond your boundaries and disruptive innovation. What is next? It is about you wanting to make things better. To communicate better, sell better, be a better partner/friend/spouse/parent or boss means that you take on each and every moment "full on!" I starting saying the phrase "full on" years ago when I would be telling a story and get excited - people would say to me, "really, did that happen," and my answer was not yes, no or maybe, it was "full on." It actually does not make a lot of grammatical sense, but I never worry too much about that - what it means is to allow life to come at you "full on."

January is almost over - financially speaking everyone is holding back until the first quarter is over...I say why hold back? While everyone is standing still - I am moving at a fast pace - "full on." I don't agree to let this "slowdown" actually "slow me down." In fact, just the opposite. Remember to be noticed you must keep moving while everyone else stands still. This is the year of hope, change and uncertainty for some. For me it is the year of success, pride, certainty, fulfilling my dreams and working harder than ever! Good luck as we enter the second month of this fabulous year!

Now More Than Ever!

Welcome to 2009! I can't believe it is here, and all the drama that is following it. I was over the top in December with travel to Egypt and the holidays that I had no time for "blogging." So here we go. The first focus is how to handle the coming months for business. My answer....we will thrive, not survive. Now is the time for disruptive innovation. Stir it up, blend it up, mix it up but whatever you do turn it upside down.

Ignore the negative media and friends around you, keep your head on straight and focus. Remember those who say it we can't survive should get out of the way of those of us who are making things happen. As we keep positive we must remember how lucky we are for what we already have. We are off to a busy start and you will not hear me grumble about the travel, the weather or the economy. I am thankful for everything that is going on in my life. Just this week, Lefty's dad had a heart attack....thank goodness he is in the hospital right now, and they just put a stint in and he is doing fine. I am thankful that Lefty could jump on a plane and get right there by his side. Jessica is back to Texas A&M, and for me....well it is back to the great smell of jet fuel in the morning. Happy New Year!

I love the smell of Jet Fuel In the Morning

So here we go again....great flight to Dublin, no issues and the city is beautiful. I was with Pam Jordan last week training in LA (which we are never together) and she mentioned this quote to me about smelling jet fuel in the morning....it is so true. When you live on the road, and at airports it is not the coffee you wake up to but the "jet fuel." So the traveling continues...

MCA just completed their first training in Nigeria, Africa and the client just emailed the results....a fabulous response to our sales and service training. MCA has made it into Africa in the most lucrative market there - we are so excited and IK from our team did an outstanding job.

I have received many comments from travelers regarding my blog on the flight attendants...many agree that the service from US based flight attendants needed work. I mentioned before that since my last blog about service United and American Airlines have upped the ante. The service I had on this flight to Dublin on American was fantastic. So my hats off to you - US based flight attendants that want to be known for spectacular service once again.

Where has the Year Gone?

So it is November and I can't believe it. I just returned from Mexico City - great visit...so many great people and of course great food. On my way to Nashville, Wisconsin and then Dublin. I guess by the time Thanksgiving rolls around I will have spent more time out of the states than in them. So what about the future? Every one is looking at the economy and wondering - what is next? Here is my take on this. It always has been about hard work and doing the right things. Today it is no different. All of us who have money in the stock market remember past years when this happened as well. You could say - "oh not this bad." But there are plenty of facts to show, that yes this too has happened and this too will pass. The problem is that it won't be for a while and it will not be easy. That is the biggest problem. It will not be easy. So let's buckle down. Last month I talked about the United Flight Attendants from Asia that were laid off and how disappointed I was that the U.S. based flight attendants never treated us as well. Well I take it back. I flew back to LAX from Japan with an entire U.S. based crew and they were lovely. They talked about how bad they felt about the current layovers and they did everything in their power to make our journey wonderful. So, remember "you gotta do what you gotta do" well these ladies show they know how to do it. Congrats to United Airlines for getting it right.