Be Willing to Hear the Truth!

I spent the weekend reflecting on how my business has grown. I am in the middle of writing my personal story. A lot of reflection went on in my home this past Saturday and Sunday as a result. While looking back, I realized a major lesson in life and in business- you have to be willing to hear the truth in order to expand. I know many great people who owned failing businesses. Why? Well, they all had one thing in common when running their former companies- the inability to listen to the truth.

You may not like what you hear, but I promise you will learn something from it. In order to hear the truth, you need to surround yourself with people willing to tell you the truth. People see money and often forget to say what is really on their mind. Isn't that convenient! They are usually afraid to speak up out of fear of losing a paycheck or cutting of the gravy train. You don't need these types of people around you. They will sink you and then swim away.

Find people who are honest. People who can contribute constructive criticism to your life and business. Cherish them and don't be easily offended. The most valuable thing someone can do for you in life, and in business, is bring you down to reality.

Twyla Garrett

Leadership Types

There are four main types of leaders. I compiled a lot of information on each type. See if you identify with any of the personality types below to discover what type of leader you are.

1. Do you love to help employees develop their long-term goals and also have them coincide with company growth? Do you love to mentor employees but find you spend to much time on people who don't want to be coached? If so, you're a coach leader. The key is to surround yourself with other people who love to motivate and be motivated.

2. Do you give your employees a lot of freedom? Are your employees very loyal to you as a result of this freedom? Do you sometimes find yourself dishing out praise even when it really isn't deserved? If so, you're a team builder! Surround yourself with people who are tougher than you have no problem dishing out the truth when needed.

3. Does everything and everyone have to be perfect? Do your employees really meet your high-standards? Do you love to micro-manage? If so, you're a general! It might be hard, but try to listen to the ideas more. You might hear a great one!

4. Do you focus on the big picture? Are you results driven? Do you love to show others how smart you are? If so, you're a visionary. Try not to explain to people what your vision is. Instead, have them help you get to your vision!

Have a great weekend! I'll blog more on Monday.

Twyla

Become Wanted

The best asset you can create for yourself in business is to become wanted. Even if you are just starting out, creating a mystique for yourself as a "must have" product creator or service provide will sell itself. So, how do you become "wanted?"

Easy. Well, sort of. I've put together three tips to help you gain the mojo to drive clients and potential clients crazy and sales onward and upward.

1. Curiosity. I can say this enough. A curious quality if a profitable one. Be curios. Ask your clients questions. Have a desire to need more. Get people to talk to you about themselves. They will find you an endearing service provider or product manager and will be coming back more and more and more.....

2. Be positive. People don't want to be around other people who are negative or gossip. People want to be around people who lift them up with a positive attitude. Even if you feel terrible, slap a smile on your face and pretend all is ok.

3. Be kind. Offer to help. Offer to correct problems. Volunteer your time. Make a donation. Do whatever you can to be considered as helpful and/or kind.

These three tips are pretty basic, but they work wonders. Tomorrow is Friday. Get out there and try using each one of these tips at least once throughout the day. I promise you it will change how people view you.

Twyla Garrett

Cut the Corporate Cord!

I meet people everyday with amazing business ideas. These people are a few steps away from becoming millionaires. But these people are afraid to take the plunge. Many of them are executives for companies other than there own. And these positions do come with security. There is nothing secure about starting your own business, so I can kinda understand their fear. Well, if you have a great idea, but you're afraid of walking away from the security of your corporate job, let me say this to do you- life is change!

Nothing is "secure" in this world. Your regular paycheck can be gone tomorrow for a wide-array of reasons. People saved money via investments thinking it was "secure" when in walked Bernard Lawrence "Bernie" Madoff. While he was sentenced, the money wasn't returned.

You are not secure. So, why not be happy? If you have a great idea- have confidence in it. Say yes to it and yourself. There is nothing more rewarding then earning your own money and keeping it! Sure, there will always be Bernie Madoffs in this world. You will always have fear when walking away from a steady paycheck. But if you believe in yourself, and you should, the fear will quickly turn into profit. The hours of working for yourself are going to be longer. You may not make a dime the first one to three years. Your family will barely see you.... but in the end, you are in charge of your destiny and the reward will be great.

If your having fear today to explore your business idea- don't. The worst that can happen is you fail. I've failed. You always gain knowledge from failure and then you can pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and move on to the next idea!

Ask yourself where you are at today. Are you a yes person or a no person?

Twyla

You Said What!

Customers are funny people. Many of them are loyal, even if they have a problem. But almost all of them hate the next two words I'm about to toss out.

"Sorry" and "But" are the two words.

Customers hate these two words because they both signal disappointment and lack of accountability. Saying "sorry" means something went wrong and you can't or are unwilling to fix the issue. Saying "but" usually is a way to sneak an alternative offer or change the subject. Customers hate these words.

"Sorry, we don't have any more ham sandwiches. Did you want a turkey sandwich?" -Um, most people ordering a ham sandwich don't want turkey. Sorry only means you're not willing to take responsibility for the issue- even if you're the waitress delivering the message. A better way to handle this situation is as follows;
"We are out of ham for the day. We have everything else noted on the menu. Did you want to review other choices and I can come back in a few minutes?" While you're still saying there is no ham, you're giving the customer power over the situation. He doesn't have to accept turkey and he can chose his second favorite item. You're also not apologizing for something out of your control and that you can't do anything about.

"It is going to cost you a thousand dollars to fix your breaks, but the resale value will improve." - The but in this sentence doesn't need to be added. The cost of the item is what it is. If you can't justify the use of breaks to a customer, he isn't worried about resale value!

So, most of the time customers aren't upset by mistakes or disappointments. They are, however, more agitated by the way things are presented to them. Leave out the words "sorry" and "but" and you will have happier customers.

Twyla Garrett

The X Factor of Business

I've discussed this topic more than once. The key to running a business isn't solely based on book smarts. You also have to be street smart savvy. This requires possession of charm, or as I like to call the 'X Factor' ability. Not everyone is born with it, but you can mirror some of the aspects.

What are they?

1. Appearance. Don't be off trend and don't go for trend setting clothing. Find a wardrobe that expresses class and pay attention to the details. Paying a lot of accessories, beautiful manicures (yes, men too) and keeping your hair clipped and colored will signal that you care how you present yourself to people- a charmers first secret to success.

2. Eye contact is everything. Don't stare at your phone, other people, or the floor. Stay focused on the person you are speaking to or who is speaking with you. Engagement is a big factor when it comes to charming another person.

3. Command a crowd. This takes practice. First, you need to know what it is you're talking about. Don't just speak about your opinions- back them up with facts and by citing the occasion opposing view. Second, use humor to keep peoples' attention and not to sound boring. If you're a great story teller, you can sell anything- including yourself!

4. Other people are more important. This is the biggest part of using charm to help your business grow. All you have to do is listen to other people talk about themselves. If you do this, they will look forward to your company!

Have a great weekend!

Twyla Garrett

Business Advice from Twyla Garrett

There are a lot of entrepreneurs running around in today's business culture. Everyone has these larger-than-life plans to succeed. Their focus is on social media and getting the best rates to help increase a profit margin. However, many entrepreneurs are failing to provide a key element to customers and potential business partners/investors. What is it? Basic marketing materials.

That's right- most of today's entrepreneurs are so involved with Google rankings, SEO reports, etc. that they forget to develop a strong brand and print hard marketing materials. This oversight can cause failure to launch.

CEO of Eyeflor Phil Laboon recently said "Sales pitching, handshaking, and business-lunching are the behind-the-scenes reality of a growing start-up." His advice couldn't me more on the money. Business cards, brochures and flash drives have to be memorable. It is a part of your growth strategy- at least it should be! Laboon went on to say "business cards, brochures, and other promo items are the face of your company when you're not present, so spending top dollar to make these marketing tools professional and memorable is money well spent. These materials are what get people to return phone calls and schedule meetings. When customers sees a nice marketing piece, they have confidence in your business and remember you later on. Budgeting for analog advertising materials should be a priority rather than an afterthought."

There are many printing website that make cookie-cutter brochures and business cards easy to obtain and at inexpensive rates. Skip these websites. You should be developing custom logos and branding for your materials. Don't print on crappy stock either. Yes, I said crappy. Nothing is worst than meeting someone who has a flimsy business card. It sends a message that the owner ins't willing to invest in him or herself and neither should you! Budget to do things right the first time. Spend extra money on your marketing materials and it will pay off in the long run.

Until next time,

Twyla Garrett