Sad to say, but I really liked that song.  However, this post has nothing to do with that song, other than I thought the title would fit.

I attended a business meeting last Wednesday morning.  The speaker was a well-known sales trainer named Jeffrey Gitomer.  If you do not know who he is, Google it.  He is one of the best speakers that I have seen, and I was extremely motivated after attending this meeting.

Anyway, during his presentation, Gitomer spoke about what you are doing for your customers?  What are you doing for them?  Sure, you are trying to sell them something.  But, is that the only time that you call?  How often do you drop in just to say hello?  How often do you do something for them "just because"?

And the final one that really got me thinking:

When was the last time you gave your customer something they wanted instead of something you wanted to give them?? Think about that one for a minute.  If it doesn't immediately make sense, it will.

Fast forward to today.  I am at my local muffler shop having them look at some crazy noise that is coming from my truck.  I recently took my truck to them to put on a new muffler on my truck, cost me $450.

This is the second time that I have been there since they installed my muffler.  The first time I was there, they fixed something that had nothing to do with the muffler they installed.  But, this time it was the muffler.  It was making a horrible noise that sounded like the truck was going to fall apart.

After they examined the problem, they told me that a clamp on one of the pipes had been turned around backwards causing the awful noise.  What I forgot to mention was that my mechanic had the truck for a few weeks replacing some things, and he was the one that turned the clamp around.

So, they fixed it..........again.

Now, could they have charged me for the two times I took my truck over there. 

Did they?

No.

What muffler company will I refer every single person I know to from this point forward in my life?  That one.  To prove my point, here you go:

APS Muffler
3033 Cherry Rd. Suite #C
Rock Hill, SC  29730
803-366-8636

Call them.  They go above and beyond their call of duty.

Back to the first question.

What have you done for your customers lately?

Until next time,

T

I have to admit that lately I have been consuming a lot of self-motivation, self-help, success books.  I have read stuff from Tony Robbins, Darren Hardy, and many more in that arena.  As I read, I have noticed that although the title is different, the wording inside is almost always the same.

Do this.  Don't do that.  A,B,C and X,Y,Z.  The plans are laid out for you in the manuals. 

But, is it that easy?  Is it as simple as picking up a book on success, reading through it, studying it, and then implementing the practices?  Is it really that easy?

I am not sure. 

So, I started thinking about the 20% rule.  Of the one million people that have purchased books from the above authors, the rule of 20% would basically state the following:

- 1,000,000 people actually bought the book
- 200,000 people actually read the book
- 40,000 people actually took the time to implement a few things in the book.
- 8,000 people will actually implement everything in the book.
- 1,600 people will actually be successful

Now, this is not an exact science, but I believe that various studies have shown that this is typically what happens.

So, the question is, if success is measured in numbers, just like above, does that mean that if you go and buy the manual, and really implement the ideas, that you will become successful?

I have created a poll question for you to weigh your opinion.  Please leave a comment as to why you made the decision that you made!

Until next time,

T

Take the poll here!!!

If you are a small business owner like I am, please read below. I recently hired an admin assistant. Someone to help with day to day activities, paperwork, account management, etc. I was scared to death, didn't think that I could afford her, and battled with the decision for months before deciding to pull the trigger.

What I have found though is that it was probably the best decision that I have ever made.

Why? Well, let's say that my talents are not well suited in the answering phones, managing accounts, and pushing paperwork. Nope. My talents are to go out and meet people and SELL THINGS!!

The problem that I had was spending too much time in the office and not enough time outside the office. Not riding around and doing nothing, but finding new customers, visiting existing customers, and meeting new people. Now, I have not realized a return on my investment as of yet, but I know that I will. I now have free time to do these things because I am no longer a prisoner in the office.

So, the moral of the story is this. If you are considering making a move to free yourself up for more time to concentrate on what you do best, don't hesitate any longer. Spend the money on that person who can help. Actually, you can look at it as a cost savings. Let's say that your time is worth $100 per hour. Well, an admin person does not cost that much, so you would be saving money. And, you have less stress, more time, and will be back to doing what you love.

I hate that I waited so long to make my decision. Don't regret it, do it!!

Until next time, T

Yeah, this post is not my "normal" stuff......I know.

But, I felt like I should share this with people that read the blog, as well as those who will see this on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. 

I was on my way to Baltimore yesterday morning for a client meeting and decided to bring along with me a copy of a CD that was given to me by a good friend of mine named Glenn Boothe.  We had been to lunch earlier that week, and he handed me this CD and said, "Listen to this, it's some really good stuff."  After he told me it was Tony Robbins, well, I rolled my eyes.  What does Tony Robbins know about anything was the thought going through my head.

Well, I was wrong about Tony Robbins.  I know you didn't see that one coming.......

So, I pop the CD into my Mac at 29,000 feet, and I hear his voice.  Deep, kind of scratchy.  Makes you want to listen more actually.  Anyway, Tony begins to talk about how negative thoughts and a negative perception in life will absolutely ruin you if you don't change it. 

Tony took the old adage that "You are what you eat", and turned it into "You are what you think."  Think positive thoughts, and you will have positive results.  Think negative thoughts, and you will typically have negative results. 

I posted this because this really struck me.  I am guilty of this.  I have fallen into this trap of negative thinking.  I have become unproductive at times as thoughts of failure and despair controlled my mind.  

I decided to post my quest for positive results, and I wanted you guys to know my plan.  Part of succeeding at goals is to make sure that other people know about them, right?

Here they are:

1. I will stop talking about anything negative.  Doesn't matter what it is.  If it is not something positive, I will stop the conversation.
2. I will take everyday minute by minute, making sure that I am thinking positive thoughts throughout those times. 
3. I will no longer worry about things that I cannot control.
4. I will spin anything that I am faced with into something positive.  I will not dwell on bad news, but find the good in that bad news. 

There they are.  You now have seen my plan for success. 

Now, will I stumble a few times.  Those of you who know me are probably laughing right about now.  But, I have to start somewhere. 

If you are having these same problems, let me know.  I would love to have others join me on the journey to positive thinking.

I remember a sales trainer, or probably the best one that I know, tell me that head trash will kill a sales person.  He's right.  And I will no longer stand in line waiting to be killed. 

Want to join me?

Until next time,

T

So, the end of another year is upon us.  2009 was a memorable year for myself, and I am sure for most other business owners.  It was a year of ups and downs.  A year of new beginnings, endings, and everything in between.

Of course the recession is on everyone's mind, and I believe that 2009 will be the year of the recession.

As we begin 2010, I hear many business owners saying the same thing.  "We will never get that big again."  Or, "we will grow smarter next time."

With that being said, I think that 2010 will be a great year for most businesses. 

What am I working on?

I am working on growing my business more this year than last.  I am working on doing more within my community, and making sure that I do business with people that are like me......small business owners.

Last, I think that the most valuable lesson that anyone can take from 2009 is this.......... 

We are only as strong/rich/valuable as our relationships.

Relationships are what keep us running, and are the things that we can bank on at the end of the day.  Relationships with your friends, your spouse, your co-workers, your customers, your God, and your children are all important relationships. Make sure that you work on them, some more than others.

What are you doing different with your relationships in 2010?