Before anyone buys anything, they have to complete their own buying or Buy-In Continuum™, process. This is true whether they are from the government, a non-profit, a consumer, or another business. From your point of view, you want them to accomplish this process and in a specific order. If they do, your sales cycle will shorten. It will result in a win-win for you both or you will be able to cull them as a prospect with a clear conscience that this was NOT the sale for you. [Read more…]
Business Owners Hierarchy of Needs
You’ve probably heard of Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs”. He identified how a person’s needs dominate motivation and behavior and that there is a specific order in which they should be met.
His theory suggested that the basic needs (physiological, safety, love and belonging) had to be met before the individual will desire and pursue higher levels of needs (esteem, self actualization, and self transcendence).
If a need is not met, the individual will feel tense and anxious. Although people may have several needs at any time, one will dominate their actions. [Read more…]
Working Successfully with a Virtual CFO
Outsourcing your financial management to a Virtual Chief Financial Officer may make sense.
You may be tempted to be part of the virtual revolution: virtual office space, virtual secretary, virtual business? My partner, Jan Triplett, steps in as a Virtual Marketing Officer for our clients. She helps set up alliances, creates sales channels, runs trade shows, and recommends and implements sales strategy to find right prospects and keep the best platinum profile customers™.
Maybe you’re thinking about it because you…
- Hate doing books, dealing with collections, payroll, taxes, etc.
- Don’t understand financial management or are not good at numbers
- Are too busy to do the recordkeeping, stay up to date and stay in compliance [Read more…]
Overcoming 5 Business Challenges in Tough Times
Business Challenges: What Goes Up Must Come Down
Sir Isaac Newton proved it. David Clayton-Thomas wrote about it in the “Spinning Wheel” song. BS&T (Blood, Sweat & Tears) and Dame Shirley Bassey covered it in their albums.
How many ups and downs has your business experienced? Since we started our business, we have been through seven ups and downs – oil, banking, real estate, savings and loans, dot.com, Wall Street, and now real estate again. It has caused us to refine and redefine our business at least that many times.
If it’s a part life, it does not make sense just to try to survive this one. Another wave is coming. If you own a business, the wave that could take you under could be something global like this “Great Recession” or something unique to you and your business. So be watchful; be prepared for those business challenges that are out there.
[Read more…]
Best Pricing Practices: 3 Right & 3 Wrong Ways to Price
I have proposed a topic, “Best Practices in Pricing”, for ProductCamp Austin. If you’ve never been or ever heard of it, it’s a great day of free business information for product managers, business owners, and those thinking of starting a business. Attendees select the topics the day of the event so they get to hear what they are most interested in that day.
Although the session has sold out, there is a waiting list. I encourage you to get on it. For more information on Austin Product Camp, go to http://productcampaustin.org. For information on my session on Pricing and the 39 other great sessions, go to http://bit.ly/e6chc0. [Read more…]