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December, 2009:

Create a Strategic Alliance

Dec 17th, 2009
by Angie Dobransky.
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  Strategic Alliances are a great way to effectively build your business and much buzz currently surrounds this concept.  What is a strategic alliance and how is this different than what you are doing now?

  1. Strategic alliances are generally formed between complimentary but not competing businesses.  Examples would be bankers and accountants, landscapers and housekeepers, graphic designers and printers.
  2. Good alliance partners target the same customer and the same decision maker within a company.
  3. Alliance partners work together to market each others businesses.  They actively introduce their partners to their prospects and clients.
  4. Strong strategic alliances work together to develop new ideas and means of cross marketing with each other.
  5. Good partners be sure it is a win-win for all partners involved.

How do you create a strong Strategic Alliance?

  1. Determine who good partners would be. 
  2. Approach prospective partners with a plan that shows the benefits of working together.
  3. Develop concrete cross-marketing initiatives.
  4. Keep in touch on a regular basis.
  5. Evaluate which activities work the best to create business and move forward with those ideas.

Do you need help getting your strategic alliances off the ground?  Visit www.businessresourcecommunity.com to learn about a membership organization that can do just that for you.

Talking Your Way to Better Service

Dec 8th, 2009
by Angie Dobransky.
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The 10 important words to say:
I apologize for our mistake. Let me put it right.

The 9 important words to say:
Thank you for your business. Please come back again.

The 8 important words to say:
I’m not sure, but I will find out.

The 7 important words to say:
What else can I do for you?

The 6 important words to say:
What is most convenient for you?

The 5 important words to say:
How may I serve you?

The 4 important words to say:
How did we do?

The 3 important words to say:
Glad you’re here!

The 2 important words to say:
Thank you.

The 1 important word to say:
Yes.

This is the only Tip of the Week that I have not written myself.  It came from another ActionCOACH over in England named Neale Lewis and I felt it was too good not pass along.  Thanks Neale!  I know that Neale found it on the internet and I have researched to find the original author.  Unfortunately, every place I find it credits someone else.  If you know the origin, let me know!

Reward Your Team

Dec 1st, 2009
by Angie Dobransky.
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This week is Thanksgiving and most people are thinking about what they are thankful for, it seemed appropriate to speak this week about rewarding your team.  Not only now, during the Holiday season, but year round.

First, who do you think of when you think of your team?  These should be all the people around you who help you to be successful and reach your goals. 

  • There are employees, co-workers, family members, strategic alliances, referral partners, business partners and anyone else who is there for you when you need something.

Second, how do you reward them?  There are so many ways. 

  • It can be monetary – raises, bonuses, fees, etc.
  •  It can be with gratitude – a note or word of thanks.
  •  It can be with small CNE’s (Critical Non Essentials) – an unexpected gift, occasional lunch treat, special parking spot and the like. 
  • It can be with recognition – awards, testimonials, and nominations.

Thirdly, how do you make it a success? 

  • It needs to be genuine.
  •  It needs to be meaningful to the person receiving it.
  • It needs to come from your heart and not from a sense of obligation.

 This week, try and think of ways to reward your team.  They will be Thankful.

Don’t Fear Failure

Dec 1st, 2009
by Angie Dobransky.
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“I can accept failure.  Everyone fails at something.  But, I can’t accept not trying.” Michael Jordan, NBA Legend.

Is fear of failure holding you back from having great successes?  Many of the greatest success stories have had many failures.  Thomas Edison tried over 1000 times to create the light bulb, Tony Robbins lived in his car at one point, and there are many more examples.  You can only achieve greatness by getting out there and trying.

What is one thing you would do in your business that you are not doing now that you would do if you knew you could not fail?

 Why not get out there and try it today?

What do you really have to lose by not trying it?

Good luck!