What is Essential to Your Business?

What are the top priorities for your business? Is it staying on top of technical skills and technology? Is it maintaining a strong marketing presence? Is it ensuring your service is spectacular? What is the "make or break" element to your business?

Prioritizing the strategies for growing your business depends on the factors that drive success in your industry. You want to be sure that you maximize effectiveness where it truly matters, and work on the support systems to maintain that element while your company grows.

Economic recessions give businesses an opportunity to cross-examine all the functioning elements of their operation and cut costs in areas that are not central to their success. When money becomes tight businesses often fall back on the barebones systems that will keep their operation going, without sacrificing the effectiveness of elements that are essential to their success.

When you examine the workings of your business, be sure you have the elements of your operation prioritized correctly. While most businesses attempt to cut costs in marketing and advertising, this can be one of the biggest mistakes you can make. No business survives unless potential clients are aware of who they are, where they are, and what they do. Other businesses may try to trim their services and will sacrifice long-term clients in the process. Do you know how to manipulate the workings of your business effectively, to get the results you want?

If you're not sure how to prioritize your business elements, how to manipulate processes and personnel to increase productivity or profitability, or you're wondering exactly how to maximize profits in the coming year, give me a call. Running a business is no small task, and accessing the ActionCOACH knowledge base of thousands of business owners and case studies worldwide can bring amazing results to your bottom line. Learn the systems that will give you the greatest return on investment now and far into the future - isn't that one of your top priorities?

The Right Tools



Flickr CC image by skistz

No job is going to be easy without the right tools to complete it. In this way, running a business is no different than building a deck. Having all the right pieces is just the first step - being able to strategically place them, have them fit together, and get the most out of them is where a system of business tools comes into play.

The Measuring Tape - Initial Assessments

Some business tools provide initial evaluations and generalizations. For example, are you even ready to become an entrepreneur? A simple test will help you find out. We encourage other assessment mechanisms, such as using our Business Calculators. Initial assessments are key to moving a business forward - if you don't know where you're at, how will you ever know where you're headed?

The Instructions - Educational Resources

Every great business owner has a collection of educational tools that help keep them at the top of their game. It may be a collection of videos, a series of e-books (or a tangible library), membership in a seminar group, or a routine including mental positive reinforcement or consistent reading of newsletters. Whatever the means or the source, every business owner should seek a constant stream of inspiration. Continual growth on the part of the owner means consistent growth on the part of the business. A collection of educational tools is essential.

The Hammer - The Numbers

No matter what industry you're involved in, the numbers for your business provide the most valuable tool of all. Without a bottom line there is nothing to build, improve, adapt or manipulate. If you don't know your numbers and use them to your advantage, you don't know anything at all about your business.

Endless are the tools used by business owners worldwide. Luckily ActionCOACH also spans the globe. ActionCOACH offers the best line of business tools and strategies of any Business Coaching company in the world - the proof is in the results. The strategies that business owners take away from their relationship with ActionCOACH are invaluable. With hundreds of strategies focusing on every aspect of business, from marketing to pricing, from team building to profit margins, ActionCOACH Business Coaches are skilled and experienced in finding the best method for any company to build their bottom line.

Coach David with ActionCOACH Lethbridge brings an amazing background of franchise knowledge and experience to the home playing field of Southern Alberta. Isn't it time that you took advantage of a wealth of proven business systems and strategies?

Are They Listening to You?

Rumor has it that social media is gaining in the "white noise" label. Instead of providing followers, likers, clickers, and engagers with inspiring, upbeat, exhilarating content and satisfaction, it's starting to become the doleful, sad-eyed, here-we-go-again obligation. With so many people engaged so often and so much in social media websites, we all feel like we need to show up. Unfortunately, this party isn't fun for everyone anymore.

As a business, this means you've got to step up your game plan. It's time to explore strategies that won't land your messages in the totally-tuned-out stream. It all comes back to giving your listeners value. Here's some tips to get your marketing campaign back on the right track:

1. Know your audience. This is nothing new. Business 101 that you should have taken and mastered years ago. Know the likes, dislikes, habits, affections and longings of your target market. Do what it takes to find out what they want, when they want it, and how they want it.

2. Know your social media sites, and what people use them for. Do you really  need a presence on Twitter, Facebook, Stumbleupon, Evernote, Pinterest, Digg, Flickr, and every other "sharing" site out there? There's something to be said about getting your name and brand known. There's also something to be said about ineffective investment of time and money, as well as knowing how best to reach your target market. Do your homework and find out which road is the best road for the street signs you want to put up.

3. Give your audience value. Now that you've got their attention, give them something worthwhile. There are thousands of blogs, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and even good old email newsletters to be had out there. Why does someone want to tune in to you? Because it's worth their time to hear what you have to say. Keep it interesting and worthwhile, and they'll even come back for more.

4. Be real. Telling everyone that you have the greatest product in the world is no longer the way to have them believe that and buy from you. You have to prove yourself. Which means being honest, real, and trustworthy in all the interactions you have with clients and customers. They need to believe in you. This is the reason you don't hire someone to run your personal social media profiles. It has to be you. If you need a profile for your company, create one that is seperate and easily identifiable as being a company profile. But don't expect that to be nearly as successful as your personal profile. Nobody wants to talk to the gatekeeper - they want the real story from the horse's mouth. Give it to them. Take the time to let people know the person behind the product.

5. Use strategy. Again, this is nothing new. But lots of businesses seem to think that having a social media presence is enough. It's not. You're only part of the white noise if all you do is exist on Facebook and occasionally Tweet something that you think is interesting. Social media is, after all, a "social" thing. The idea is engagement - getting in on conversations, joining groups, and becoming a voice. Find your target market and engage them. Join relevant groups and lead relevant conversations. When someone is interested, know how to help them find out more about you and your product. Have a plan in place and a strategy in mind.

Summer Strategies

I've spent a lot of time in the past couple of weeks with various people, companies, and organizations that have dusted off the barbecue and welcomed everyone to share the good food, good company and good times. Events like these, especially with a sponsored charity to which the proceeds of the feast will go, are a great way to make an impact on the community and open your doors to the public. The weather in our fair city hasn't been ideal over the last little while, but let's face it: rain or shine, a good burger (or sausage) will bring out a smile. Especially one made from good old Alberta beef.

Have you considered ways that your business can have more impact on the community, and thereby up your profile in the public eye? Why not sponsor a streetside event that will draw crowds to the smell of great-tasting food? Have you updated your window display to cater to the fresh feel of a hot summer day, and followed it up with a little something that every person who walks through your door can take back out with them? Will your business be featured in the downtown events that will celebrate the upcoming national holiday and Whoop-Up Days? Will your float have something to offer spectators as it tours the streets during the parade? How many billboards have your unique name, brand and effective marketing message on them; and, are these strategically located to focus on your target market?

Summer is a time of rest and relaxation for a lot of people. Will your business be the one handing them a drink as they lounge in a poolside chair? Help make this summer the best summer yet for your community - offer them the best your business has to offer, and show it to them in value and rewards that they don't always have to pay for.