25 Super-Practical Steps to Build Your Business!
For the past several weeks, we have
focused on some wonderful but (to my way of thinking) rather fancy ideas about
life. I wrote about motivation (I don't believe in it). I wrote about sorting
out priorities (I do believe in that!). And I wrote about the 4 traits of highly
successful people. I love that stuff! But I believe most of you subscribe to
TIP's for help in actually running your office from day to day. Most of you have
told me you're professionals in private practice, or owners of small businesses,
or a manager. And that means you must attract clients or customers, serve them
very well, and earn their return business - and do it every single day.
So. Let's talk about some practical steps that my clients have used to build
their referral business quickly and systematically. I call it the "5-by-5"
process. Let's walk through it.
Monday: Take care of, clean up, and get rid of 5 tolerations in your office or
work. Make a list! Look around your space, your car, your desk or office, and
commit to spending an hour taking care of at least 5 small, daily annoyances
that have been bugging you, robbing your energy, or making life difficult. Do
that filing! Repair that broken light, or throw out those old magazines. Buy a
new desk chair, or a whole new desk! You can't afford to be distracted by these
things. Fix them. Do it on Monday!
Tuesday: Contact 5 former clients or customers. Send them a letter, call them,
even send them flowers or a small gift in cases where that might be appropriate.
Invite them back, offer them a free follow-up or consultation. Ask them to help
you evaluate your service by completing a questionnaire or ask them to come in
for an interview. Tell them you value them as customers and want them to come
back - and refer their
friends! You can do this! Schedule an hour and do it on Tuesday.
Wednesday: Contact 5 current clients. Follow a similar routine from yesterday.
Call them up, or send a card or letter telling them they are valued customers.
Invite their comments on how you can improve your service or expand your
business. Let them know you appreciate their trust and value their ideas. Do it
nicely, with tact and sincerity, but ask them to help you build your business.
You practiced on Tuesday, so you know you can do this. Schedule an hour and do
it on Wednesday!
Thursday: Contact 5 potential customers or clients who have never used your
services, and make them an offer they have to respect. Go through your rolodex,
your list of friends, colleagues, associates and members of organizations you
belong to - use the Yellow Pages if you have to - but pick up that phone and
invite 5 people to check you out! If it's appropriate, tell them you want to
grow your business and offer them a free sample (who could turn down a free
massage or a free oil change, or….?) If that's not appropriate, tell them you
want to grow your business and you'd love to meet with them, buy them lunch,
whatever it takes. You've been practicing for two days, so you know you can do
this. Schedule an hour and do it on Thursday!
Friday: This is the hardest one of all: Do 5 wonderful things for yourself!
You've worked hard all week, taken risks, put the word out that you are ready
and eager to handle more business. That means you need to be healthy, energized,
relaxed and ready. So, go for a walk. Take a long lunch and visit a friend. Read
a great novel - or a trashy one, your choice! Enjoy the sunshine, or relax and
listen to the rain. Spoil a neighbor's kids, then give them back! Schedule TWO
hours, and do it on Friday!
This week, take 25 specific, measured steps to create more room and build your
business. If you wanted practical, this is it. Now, it's your choice. My advice?
Go get 'em!
"Written by Dr
Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr.
Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and
resources for your success, including a great newsletter.
It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com"
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25 Super-Practical Steps to Build Your Business!
