The other day I was sitting watching my two year old son as I often do and as always, I am amazed at his level of excitement, enthusiasm and determination to have fun. So, of course my mind went into Entrepreneur mode and I started thinking about what it would be like to start and run a business like a toddler. There are three areas that I think we could run our business like a toddler and find that we along with our customers will benefit greatly.
1. The 3 E’s – Excitement, Energy, Enthusiasm
Even though this happens on a daily basis, I get such a kick out of my son’s eyes lighting up when he sees me at the end of my work day with that big smile and the loud “Mommy!” What if we showed our clients or customers the same kind of excitement or enthusiasm each time we come in contact with them? Can you imagine how they would feel to know that you are excited to have them as a customer? If most of your contact with your customer is via e-mail you can she show warmth and excitement in your e-mail. Just chose your words wisely and when appropriate a little smiley face won’t hurt. Also, excitement and energy is just good for business. If you are not excited about your business how can you expect someone else to be excited about it? Excitement and energy are sometimes contagious. So, in your business don’t be stingy with it – get it and spread it around!
2. Determination
I’ve noticed on several occasions how determined my son is to find a particular toy. While I will try to get him to play with something that is similar to the one he wants he is determined to play with the blue train instead of the red one. And that’s the one that he looks for and looks for until he finds it. Sometimes in business we’ll give up too quickly if we can’t find the information we’re looking for or if someone turns us down on a deal we were hoping would go through or if we don’t see the results we want immediately. Maybe if we just continue on and not give up, we’ll get the results we are looking for or the business deal we were hoping for. Yes, it will take some extra work and time. But the extra effort will be worth it in the end.
3. Have Fun!
One thing I have noticed about my son as well as other toddlers is that he absolutely loves to have fun! He’d rather play than to do anything else in the world. As a matter of fact most times we have to literally force him to eat because he would rather play than eat. That’s one thing we should do more of with our businesses – Have Fun! We can have fun with our business by first choosing a business that we love or that we believe in. We can also have fun in our business, simply by choosing to do so each day.
Even though kids are constantly learning from us as adults, this is one situation where we can definitely learn from them if we just open our minds and see the benefits of being excited, energized, and determined and having fun in the process.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
What Santa Knows About Marketing
I know Christmas is over now, but I found this article and I thought that it was fun and informative for aspiring and current entrepreneurs. I hope you will find it to be helpful.
WHAT SANTA KNOWS ABOUT MARKETING...
What's that ringing sound you hear at this time of year? It's the sound of store registers ringing up the sales generated by Santa Claus.
Just because he's old, overweight, long haired and unshaven and dresses funny, don't overlook his marketing success. Santa is a marketing expert and you can become one, too, if you follow his marketing methods.
What's that you say? You don't believe in Santa Claus or you don't celebrate Christmas?
It's true that Santa may be mostly mythical, but ask almost anybody who Santa is and what he does, and they'll tell you. And there are millions of children who are convinced he's real. So put your doubts about Santa aside for a moment and take a look at why he’s so good at marketing.
A. Knows How to Be Unique - Whether it is his trademark red suit, his unconventional transportation, his belly laugh or his occupation, Santa is different. He's one of a kind, and makes quite an impression, one your unlikely to forget.
B. Gets Free Publicity - He's a master at getting press. He's mentioned in the media constantly during the winter holidays. Many songs, movies and books have been written about him.
C. Is Customer Focused - While everyone knows about Santa, his marketing isn't focused on his credentials. He rarely talks about how long he’s been in business nor does he bore people with long discussions of his work processes.
Instead, Santa makes a huge effort to learn what people want. It is estimated that each year over a million letters are sent to Santa.
Santa supplements this effort by appearing in thousands of shopping malls around the country, listening to an average of nine thousand children per mall. He does all this just to learn what his customers want.
D. Gives Something Away - While most of the presents under the tree are from family, including the annual fruitcake from Aunt Bernice, typically at least one gift bears Santa’s name. How can you not love someone who gives so many presents away each year and whose only expectation is a couple of cookies and a glass of milk?
E. Knows What He Is Selling - Santa knows what he is selling, and its not just games and toys. Santa sells hope, whether it is for the latest video game, a warm sweater or happiness.
Use these five ideas to market more like Santa all year long.
1. Clarify how you and your firm are unique, and what it is that separates you from the crowd. You don't need to put on a red suit or slide down chimneys. Define yourself by the problems you solve, the expertise you provide and what your customers say about you.
2. Get media attention for your business, not just during holidays but all year round. Sometimes imaginative stunts like appearing in a sleigh help.
3. Ask your prospects what they want and then provide services and products that give them what they've asked for. The better you understand their concerns, the better services or products you’ll provide.
4. Give something away. It could be an article, a report, a book or a workshop. Use your free offer to prompt people to contact you and demonstrate your expertise. It works for Santa and it can work for you.
5. Know what you are selling. Your products and services bring in the money, but what do they stand for? What do they represent to your clients? Sell your prospects on achieving their objectives and dreams and deliver with tangible results they can appreciate.
Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, market like Santa and you too, can have many happy clients this and every season, without having to squeeze down a single sooty chimney.
The author, Charlie Cook, helps service professionals, small business owners and
marketing professionals attract more clients and be more successful. Sign up to
receive the Free Marketing Strategy eBook, '7 Steps to get more clients and grow
your business' at http://www.marketingforsuccess.com/
WHAT SANTA KNOWS ABOUT MARKETING...
What's that ringing sound you hear at this time of year? It's the sound of store registers ringing up the sales generated by Santa Claus.
Just because he's old, overweight, long haired and unshaven and dresses funny, don't overlook his marketing success. Santa is a marketing expert and you can become one, too, if you follow his marketing methods.
What's that you say? You don't believe in Santa Claus or you don't celebrate Christmas?
It's true that Santa may be mostly mythical, but ask almost anybody who Santa is and what he does, and they'll tell you. And there are millions of children who are convinced he's real. So put your doubts about Santa aside for a moment and take a look at why he’s so good at marketing.
A. Knows How to Be Unique - Whether it is his trademark red suit, his unconventional transportation, his belly laugh or his occupation, Santa is different. He's one of a kind, and makes quite an impression, one your unlikely to forget.
B. Gets Free Publicity - He's a master at getting press. He's mentioned in the media constantly during the winter holidays. Many songs, movies and books have been written about him.
C. Is Customer Focused - While everyone knows about Santa, his marketing isn't focused on his credentials. He rarely talks about how long he’s been in business nor does he bore people with long discussions of his work processes.
Instead, Santa makes a huge effort to learn what people want. It is estimated that each year over a million letters are sent to Santa.
Santa supplements this effort by appearing in thousands of shopping malls around the country, listening to an average of nine thousand children per mall. He does all this just to learn what his customers want.
D. Gives Something Away - While most of the presents under the tree are from family, including the annual fruitcake from Aunt Bernice, typically at least one gift bears Santa’s name. How can you not love someone who gives so many presents away each year and whose only expectation is a couple of cookies and a glass of milk?
E. Knows What He Is Selling - Santa knows what he is selling, and its not just games and toys. Santa sells hope, whether it is for the latest video game, a warm sweater or happiness.
Use these five ideas to market more like Santa all year long.
1. Clarify how you and your firm are unique, and what it is that separates you from the crowd. You don't need to put on a red suit or slide down chimneys. Define yourself by the problems you solve, the expertise you provide and what your customers say about you.
2. Get media attention for your business, not just during holidays but all year round. Sometimes imaginative stunts like appearing in a sleigh help.
3. Ask your prospects what they want and then provide services and products that give them what they've asked for. The better you understand their concerns, the better services or products you’ll provide.
4. Give something away. It could be an article, a report, a book or a workshop. Use your free offer to prompt people to contact you and demonstrate your expertise. It works for Santa and it can work for you.
5. Know what you are selling. Your products and services bring in the money, but what do they stand for? What do they represent to your clients? Sell your prospects on achieving their objectives and dreams and deliver with tangible results they can appreciate.
Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, market like Santa and you too, can have many happy clients this and every season, without having to squeeze down a single sooty chimney.
The author, Charlie Cook, helps service professionals, small business owners and
marketing professionals attract more clients and be more successful. Sign up to
receive the Free Marketing Strategy eBook, '7 Steps to get more clients and grow
your business' at http://www.marketingforsuccess.com/
Discover Business Ideas and Purpose in Your New Year’s Resolutions
Now that Santa has come and gone, we are facing a new year with old problems and issues - problems and issues that we would rather not have in our lives for another year. Therefore, each and every year we make New Year’s Resolutions in hopes of making positive changes in our lives. Every year gyms across the country experience an increase in memberships and activity only to see the normal decline weeks later. Losing weight is one of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions people make if not the most popular. Following is a list of popular New Year’s Resolutions I compiled from a variety of sources on the internet. If you examine this list you may recognize how popular they are based upon existing books and businesses. The weight loss industry is a very hot market and everybody is trying to get in on it. There are so many weight loss programs and diet books that I can’t begin name them all. Self help books and programs are no doubt popular around this time of year. There are probably numerous books and businesses that could be matched up with anything on this list.
Popular New Year’s Resultions
Lose Weight
Pay Off Debt
Break Unhealthy Habits (smoking, drinking, overeating..)
Develop Healthy Habits (exercise, eating healthier,..)
Learn or Try Something New
Spend More Time With Family & Friends
Reduce Stress
Work On Spiritual Growth
Change Employment
Take a Trip
Are you New Year’s Resolution on that list? If you have made a New Year’s Resolution maybe your purpose is to help yourself as well as others to reach their goals this year. Many people give up on there goals shortly after the New Year rolls in. Perhaps you could start a Coaching business or a Networking Group to help yourself and others get through those rough spots when it just seems easier to let it go instead of continuing on to success. Also, if you have to “Spend More Time With Family & Friends” on your list starting your own home-based business or internet based business could afford you the opportunity to do so. Or perhaps you can show others how they can spend more time with family and friends by starting a home based business.
Even if you don’t have any New Year’s Resolutions for the year maybe you can still get ideas from the above list of popular New Year’s Resolutions. If you examine the list closely maybe you will see some areas that you may have an interest in or have some inside knowledge or information that you can share with others. Perhaps you can create a fun product that will help people to stay focused on their goals. Actually, the other day I saw a Personal Goals Countdown Clock similar to the ones that are popular for counting down to weddings and the birth of a baby. I’m sure those will be popular during this time of the year when everyone is Gung Ho about their New Year’s Resolutions. I truly believe if something seemingly difficult is made to be a fun process people will stick with it more. So, put your thinking cap on and see how you can turn yours and others New Year’s Resolution Goal a reality. The possibilities are endless with the type of business you can start to help people stick to their new year’s resolutions and make the improvements they desperately desire to make. So, check out the list above as well as your own list and see what types of businesses come to mind that would be purposeful for your life.
Popular New Year’s Resultions
Lose Weight
Pay Off Debt
Break Unhealthy Habits (smoking, drinking, overeating..)
Develop Healthy Habits (exercise, eating healthier,..)
Learn or Try Something New
Spend More Time With Family & Friends
Reduce Stress
Work On Spiritual Growth
Change Employment
Take a Trip
Are you New Year’s Resolution on that list? If you have made a New Year’s Resolution maybe your purpose is to help yourself as well as others to reach their goals this year. Many people give up on there goals shortly after the New Year rolls in. Perhaps you could start a Coaching business or a Networking Group to help yourself and others get through those rough spots when it just seems easier to let it go instead of continuing on to success. Also, if you have to “Spend More Time With Family & Friends” on your list starting your own home-based business or internet based business could afford you the opportunity to do so. Or perhaps you can show others how they can spend more time with family and friends by starting a home based business.
Even if you don’t have any New Year’s Resolutions for the year maybe you can still get ideas from the above list of popular New Year’s Resolutions. If you examine the list closely maybe you will see some areas that you may have an interest in or have some inside knowledge or information that you can share with others. Perhaps you can create a fun product that will help people to stay focused on their goals. Actually, the other day I saw a Personal Goals Countdown Clock similar to the ones that are popular for counting down to weddings and the birth of a baby. I’m sure those will be popular during this time of the year when everyone is Gung Ho about their New Year’s Resolutions. I truly believe if something seemingly difficult is made to be a fun process people will stick with it more. So, put your thinking cap on and see how you can turn yours and others New Year’s Resolution Goal a reality. The possibilities are endless with the type of business you can start to help people stick to their new year’s resolutions and make the improvements they desperately desire to make. So, check out the list above as well as your own list and see what types of businesses come to mind that would be purposeful for your life.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
What is a Purposepreneur?
Happy New Year and Welcome to the official Purposepreneur Blog!
I intentionally waited until the ringing in of 2008 to make my first post to my blog. I truly believe 2008 will be a wonderful year and today also happens to be my father's 80th Birthday. So, I am happy about this day and this year for many reasons.
I was watching the Oprah show today and she had a young lady on who had managed to escape a life of sadness and abuse. She was so passionate about her singing that she chose to sing in the subway stations of New York on a regular basis. Oprah told her that when your are that passionate about something that you will achieve your dreams. Passion is one of areas that help to make a person a Purposepreneur. What is a Purposepreneur?
According to Dictionary.com an entrepreneur is defined as “a person who organizes and manages any enterprise or a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.”
In recent years, several versions of the word ‘Entrepreneur’ have been used to reflect a specific group of people. Most of them are self explanatory based upon the name. Here are just a few of the ones I already knew about or was able to find on the internet:
Mompreneur
ParentPreneur
Technopreneur
Seniorpreneur
Elderpreneur
Actor-preneur
Solo-preneur
Writer-preneur
Author-preneur
E-preneur
Infopreneur
Being a mother myself I was very familiar with Mompreneur and have even read the book that explains and discusses what a Mompreneur is in detail. Well, one day I started thinking about the many years that I have aspired to become an entrepreneur, but I never really got anything off the ground because I didn’t think many of the business opportunities I pursued in the past would have fulfilled my purpose in life. While I wasn’t really sure what my purpose in life was at that particular time, I knew in my heart there was one. So, the light bulb came on and the word Purposepreneur quickly came to mind. I knew that was the kind of entrepreneur I wanted to be. I wanted to be able to make a difference the world while making a living doing something I loved and that had great meaning in my life. The word purpose means “the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc”. Therefore a Purposepreneur is a person who organizes and manages a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk selling products and/or services that have great meaning to them and has a positive affect on their customers and their community. I can also add to that meaning that the person is doing something he or she loves and/or does well.
Has anyone every told you that you missed your calling? They’re basically telling you that you missed your purpose. But that doesn’t necessarily have to continue to be the case. If you take the time to examine your life, past and present, you will uncover clues as to what your calling or purpose may be. If you are entrepreneurial minded and would like to start your own business those clues will lead you to what could be a profitable and purposeful business. I personally know several people who have told me that they feel there is something else they should be doing instead of their regular nine to five jobs. Perhaps you feel the same way. Even though you may have a good job with good pay, you may feel there is still something missing in your life. Perhaps you have children and would like to spend more quality time with them. Your purpose could be to start a business that would allow you to spend that precious time with your little ones. This will not only enhance your life and your kids lives but will no doubt have a positive affect on those who come in contact with you. But first you will need to examine your current lifestyle as well as the lifestyle you desire. In this situation a Home Based Business would be appropriate to help you achieve your goal. Also, you would have to look at your gifts/talents, interests and passions to help you decide what kind of home based business you will start. Maybe you feel called to help others. There are a number of businesses you could start that will afford you the opportunity to help others. When you desire to start a business that has meaning you must look inside yourself for guidance and direction. The task of starting a business venture should not be taken lightly. Because of the time and energy that goes into making a business successful you would want it to be something you feel has purpose and meaning in your life. Also you want it to be something that you enjoy and that you do well. This takes careful examination of your life and the things you feel passionate about.
Even though a purpose for a business can be bad or unethical, a true Purposepreneur’s purpose is good, meaningful, and will make the world a better place either directly or indirectly. There are people who may not even realize they are Purposepreneur. For examples many authors and musicians are Purposepreneurs because their words and music may inspire and motivate people in a positive way. Hair Stylist are also Purposepreneurs because people leave the place of business feeling better about themselves than they did when they went in. They indirectly help make people feel better and enhance the lives of others by directly affecting their self esteem. The ultimate Purposepreneurs are pastors. I know most pastors of churches don’t consider themselves to be entrepreneurs and recently there has been a lot of negative press about some pastors of mega churches. But let’s face it, these people are changing lives. They are inspiring people from all walks of live and in all areas of live.
When you operate in your purpose and you know who you are, then you impact the world in a direct way. You are giving out positive energy that beckons the world into your space.
I look forward to continuing to bring you more Information, Inspiration & Ideas!
I intentionally waited until the ringing in of 2008 to make my first post to my blog. I truly believe 2008 will be a wonderful year and today also happens to be my father's 80th Birthday. So, I am happy about this day and this year for many reasons.
I was watching the Oprah show today and she had a young lady on who had managed to escape a life of sadness and abuse. She was so passionate about her singing that she chose to sing in the subway stations of New York on a regular basis. Oprah told her that when your are that passionate about something that you will achieve your dreams. Passion is one of areas that help to make a person a Purposepreneur. What is a Purposepreneur?
According to Dictionary.com an entrepreneur is defined as “a person who organizes and manages any enterprise or a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.”
In recent years, several versions of the word ‘Entrepreneur’ have been used to reflect a specific group of people. Most of them are self explanatory based upon the name. Here are just a few of the ones I already knew about or was able to find on the internet:
Mompreneur
ParentPreneur
Technopreneur
Seniorpreneur
Elderpreneur
Actor-preneur
Solo-preneur
Writer-preneur
Author-preneur
E-preneur
Infopreneur
Being a mother myself I was very familiar with Mompreneur and have even read the book that explains and discusses what a Mompreneur is in detail. Well, one day I started thinking about the many years that I have aspired to become an entrepreneur, but I never really got anything off the ground because I didn’t think many of the business opportunities I pursued in the past would have fulfilled my purpose in life. While I wasn’t really sure what my purpose in life was at that particular time, I knew in my heart there was one. So, the light bulb came on and the word Purposepreneur quickly came to mind. I knew that was the kind of entrepreneur I wanted to be. I wanted to be able to make a difference the world while making a living doing something I loved and that had great meaning in my life. The word purpose means “the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc”. Therefore a Purposepreneur is a person who organizes and manages a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk selling products and/or services that have great meaning to them and has a positive affect on their customers and their community. I can also add to that meaning that the person is doing something he or she loves and/or does well.
Has anyone every told you that you missed your calling? They’re basically telling you that you missed your purpose. But that doesn’t necessarily have to continue to be the case. If you take the time to examine your life, past and present, you will uncover clues as to what your calling or purpose may be. If you are entrepreneurial minded and would like to start your own business those clues will lead you to what could be a profitable and purposeful business. I personally know several people who have told me that they feel there is something else they should be doing instead of their regular nine to five jobs. Perhaps you feel the same way. Even though you may have a good job with good pay, you may feel there is still something missing in your life. Perhaps you have children and would like to spend more quality time with them. Your purpose could be to start a business that would allow you to spend that precious time with your little ones. This will not only enhance your life and your kids lives but will no doubt have a positive affect on those who come in contact with you. But first you will need to examine your current lifestyle as well as the lifestyle you desire. In this situation a Home Based Business would be appropriate to help you achieve your goal. Also, you would have to look at your gifts/talents, interests and passions to help you decide what kind of home based business you will start. Maybe you feel called to help others. There are a number of businesses you could start that will afford you the opportunity to help others. When you desire to start a business that has meaning you must look inside yourself for guidance and direction. The task of starting a business venture should not be taken lightly. Because of the time and energy that goes into making a business successful you would want it to be something you feel has purpose and meaning in your life. Also you want it to be something that you enjoy and that you do well. This takes careful examination of your life and the things you feel passionate about.
Even though a purpose for a business can be bad or unethical, a true Purposepreneur’s purpose is good, meaningful, and will make the world a better place either directly or indirectly. There are people who may not even realize they are Purposepreneur. For examples many authors and musicians are Purposepreneurs because their words and music may inspire and motivate people in a positive way. Hair Stylist are also Purposepreneurs because people leave the place of business feeling better about themselves than they did when they went in. They indirectly help make people feel better and enhance the lives of others by directly affecting their self esteem. The ultimate Purposepreneurs are pastors. I know most pastors of churches don’t consider themselves to be entrepreneurs and recently there has been a lot of negative press about some pastors of mega churches. But let’s face it, these people are changing lives. They are inspiring people from all walks of live and in all areas of live.
When you operate in your purpose and you know who you are, then you impact the world in a direct way. You are giving out positive energy that beckons the world into your space.
I look forward to continuing to bring you more Information, Inspiration & Ideas!
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