entrepreneur

Want a Mentor? Look around you.

March 2, 2011 By Jan Triplett 3 Comments

Business Success Center prospects tell us in their initial meeting they want a “Mentor” to advise and guide them to solve a specific problem or achieve a specific goal.

I completely understand. I’ve had several wonderful mentors. My godmother, Northwestern University professor Alvina Krause, had “teas”. At these salons, I learned the fine art of conversation. My grandmother taught me the importance of family. My mother helped me find my voice and be comfortable being myself. She always said, “We grew up together”. Maybe so, but she was my guide.

There were important male mentors, too. My brother Bill (aka WC Triplett, II) has worked for Presidents and Senators, Tibet and Tienanmen, written best sellers and significant treaties. He showed me how important it is to get involved. Ed Van De Vort gave me confidence because he believed everyone was capable. [Read more…]

The Networker Magazine Remembered: Overtime Roach Article Reprised

August 3, 2010 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

Austin, Texas’ small business and entrepreneurial history is long and full. There were special support meetings called “Satellite Network Meetings” all over town and even in Round Rock long before there were Meetups and Bootstrap groups.

Masthead banner from The Networker 1981, originally sponsored by the Commission on the Status of Women, City of Austin.

And, there was The Networker, a small monthly publication especially for women. From June 1980 to its last issue in August 1987, I wrote, managed or was its editor. We covered politics, interesting women, events around town, the arts, business, sports, education, healthcare, and jobs. We covered issues from the ERA to “Should women fear computers?” And, yes, that was the title of an article. We covered women magicians like Judy Wilkes and Valerie Cordell, early aviators like Pearle Ragsdale, truck racer Shawna Robinson, women firefighters and women at war. Young and old, of all colors, creeds, and backgrounds were included in our news. We even did some interesting articles about men including Cactus Pryor and cartoonist Ben Sargent. [Read more…]

Why Go for Platinum Profile Customers™

March 2, 2010 By Jan Triplett Leave a Comment

Proud to be green. Here’s my paperless slide presentation, “Does Your Business Need Glasses”, from RISE Austin 2010. It presents what we believe is a better way to get better sales by using niche marketing that focuses on Platinum Profile Customers™. The goal of this system is to make positioning, pricing, and sales procedures more approachable for independent businesses.

The slide presentation also includes details on the Business Success Center’s sales process that all customers go through, the “Buyer’s Purchasing Continuum™”. The Continuum starts with their decision to look for something to meet their needs and desires. After a few steps, they buy. But, it doesn’t end there. The last step occurs after they buy when they either rejoice about their decision or experience buyer’s remorse. Knowing exactly how your Platinum Profile Customers™ do this allows you to focus your sales and marketing efforts.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs will want to follow the prioritized action items suggested. These will help avoid mistakes and expand sales opportunities. This is primarily of value to those already in business although it has ideas that startups can incorporate.

Using these ideas results in:

Better sales and lower costs
Collateral is more effective
Shorter sales cycle [Read more…]