3 Secrets to Success!

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success-graphicWhat comes to mind when you think of the word success? Do you picture having a thriving business and making an impact on the business community? Is it nailing a specific task? Or is it seeing your name in lights?  However, you define success, there are 3 secrets (shhh don’t let the word out) to success in business.

The 3 secrets to success are:

1. Think yes! What exactly does think yes mean? It’s about the power of positive thinking! When you think about your projects and business, it’s important that your attitude reflects positivity…winning, achieving your goals and dreams. Attitude is everything and it can impact how you see the world both personally and professionally.

2. Believe! You have to believe in the product or service that you offer to your customers. Have you solved the customers’ problem? Is the customer better off because they met you and have used your product or service? Your beliefs are critical to how you perceive yourself and the customer perceives you. Remember it does take time but you have what it takes!

3. Continue to learn! You should never stop learning in business. You can’t master one thing and stop because learning is a continuous process.  Your business and success is based upon building brick by brick and layer upon layer.  It’s important to sharpen your skills and knowledge by identifying ways to learn from others which can include attending seminars, networking events, reading books, and participating in webinars, just to name a few.

Success doesn’t happen overnight but think yes, believe, and continue to learn and you are on your way!

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3 Ways to Earn a Great Reputation!

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You have most likely heard the saying, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” What does this mean to you? Do you believe this involves your reputation? What do people think of when they are considering your business? Do you believe your reputation precedes you?  Today, with so many businesses in the marketplace and the onslaught of technology and social media your reputation is definitely a part of this equation. business-graphics-1057084

So here are 3 ways to earn a great reputation:

1. Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it! I know that is definitely a mouthful, but very important. Your customers are trusting you to meet the deliverables that you have promised them. Remember, it’s all about providing great customer service which means going the extra mile. Customer service is all about what you do and how you do it. You want to be known as the person that can get the job done and done well.

2. Be authentic! Today, with the avalanche of messages that customers are bombarded with; it can be hard to decipher between those that are authentic versus not authentic. Therefore, it is important for you to keep your authentic voice by being a business that customers enjoy, continue to support, and will gladly give referrals.

3. Be accessible! One of the most disappointing things that can happen when you are considering a potential business is the lack of urgency or responsiveness. One could think does this person want my business because they have not responded? It can be very frustrating when your inquiry or message goes into the abyss. It is important to be responsive, if you receive an inquiry about your product or service, you should respond timely. If you are having problems keeping up with your customers (consider a Virtual Assistant, okay shameless plug) then you should adopt methods and strategies to stay in touch in a timely and consistent manner.

A great reputation is important because you want people to value your product or service and what you bring to the marketplace.  Remember, word of mouth is one of the biggest promotions that you can receive from your customers. You want that reputation to be one that speaks to the quality of the service, product, and experience.  Reputation isn’t a one-time thing but requires a consistent effort in continuing to build. So be sure to protect it, nurture it, and grow it!

 

 

3 Ways to Keep Customers Coming Back For More!

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customer-service

Today, customers find themselves inundated with messages to buy the latest product or service.  It’s important to have a positive attitude that will attract and develop relationships with your customers.  So how do you stand out and keep customers coming back for more?

Here are 3 ways:

1. Add value for the customer! What do you bring to the table for your customer? Remember your customers are looking for you to solve a problem for them. The value that you provide to their business has to make sense to their mission, vision, and bottom line. This value has to benefit the customer.

2. Be authentic! In a day where it seems that we are moving away from being authentic, business owners can’t afford to do this when it comes to their customers. Your customers want to endorse you, support you, and stay loyal to you. However, you have to offer them something so they can do these things. Therefore, authenticity and being the “real” you is what will resonate with your customers. It’s all about relationship building!

3. Put in work to get work! In order to achieve the goals that you have set for your business and to attract customers, you have to put in hard work. It is important to make sure that your focus is on what will bring you the greatest return. This includes having a product or service that your customers will keep coming back for more.

Just to add a bonus way – great customer service! Think about your experience when you purchase an item or visit a place of business.  You are expecting great customer service!  The same should apply when customers are interested in your service or product.  Remember customers are your word of mouth promotion!

The message is quite simple…the customer needs help.  So all you have to do is help them!  Remember the customer needs you and is searching for you too! So keep being the solution for them.  Keep the customers coming back for more!

How to Stay Ahead of the Game!

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How many books did you read this year to help you expand your horizons and discover methods to help you grow your business?  Would the number be zero, one, or two?

With all the goals and dreams that you set for your business, it’s important to develop strategies that can assist you in propelling your business to the next level.

As the visionary and founder of Biz Bosses Book Club and with being an entrepreneur, this FREE book club is “for and about entrepreneurs.”   The mission is to connect entrepreneurs with an opportunity to learn, explore leading business practices, inspire creativity and ideas, grow your business, and network with other entrepreneurs.

There are many reasons to join including a few that we have mentioned above and members also have opportunities monthly to win a free copy of the featured book.  I would like to personally invite you to the book club with the entrepreneur in mind!!

Be sure to join us as we embark on this journey in learning and propelling our businesses to the next level.  Sign up today by checking out the website here! And don’t forget to invite a fellow entrepreneur, friend, or family to this unique opportunity.  It’s time to stay ahead of the game!

biz-bosses-book-club-finalReading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary! – Jim Rohn

As busy as I am, I still take the time to read. To get and stay successful, you should constantly be learning and growing! – Steve Harvey

We must not permit anything to stand between us and the book that could change our lives! – Jim Rohn

Are You Overthinking Everything? Here are 3 Ways to Stop!

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Have you ever thought over and over again about a project, task, or plan that you had to complete?  Did you think, “if I just make a decision than I can just move on and not stall my progress?” This can happen as you pursue both personal and professional goals with your business. girl-thinking

We have all been there before.  It is easy to overthink a situation when just making a decision could relieve you of the pressure. However, it’s when we do not move forward that we stagnate or even paralyze our growth and progress.

So what can you do to not overthink when it comes to your project, tasks, or plans?  Here are a few tips:

1) Just start! Sometimes the fear of getting started or thinking it might not go according to plan can hinder you from making a decision. Remember, don’t let the start stop you. Don’t feel like the moment has to be perfect.

2) Allow yourself to shift gears! When you are driving a car and shifting gears, you have to adjust based upon the road, hill, or what is around you. The same applies when taking on a project. You have to prepare for the bumps or challenges that might come your way.

3) Allow yourself the opportunity to make mistakes! When you are working on your success, remember that you might make some mistakes along the way. It doesn’t mean that you have failed.  The key is learning from them.  We absolutely love the subtitle from Sam Weinman’s new book, “Win at Losing.”  It is true that, “our biggest setbacks can lead to our greatest gains.”

So stop overthinking! Put that project, task, or plan in motion!

 

3 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From the 2016 Olympics!

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Go For The Gold!

If you kept up with the 2016 Olympics in Rio, it was filled with various sports where athletes experienced the victories, defeats, highs, lows, joys, and pains, associated with their respective events.  It was also filled with determination, grit, goals, dreams, and visions.

We watched in awe, anticipation, and pure delight as we have seen some of our favorites, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Simone Manuels, Katie Ledecky, Gwen Jorgensen, Gabby Douglas, Allyson Felix, Helen Maroulis, Lilly King, Michelle Carter, Aly Raisman, and Laurie Hernandez. This list goes on and on with the number of talented and just simply inspiring athletes in Rio. Victories, defeats, joys, pain, dreams, goals…doesn’t this sound like the life of an entrepreneur? After all, it’s all about “going for the gold” in business.olympic medals

So what can we learn from these amazing athletes? Here are the 3 lessons entrepreneurs can learn:

1. Show up to win! Many of the athletes had to prepare mentally long before the start of the 2016 Olympic Games. This preparation was years in the making which included costs associated with equipment, memberships to certain facilities, and coaching, just to name a few. The athletes had to decide early on in the process in order to win…I have to show up! Showing up doesn’t just mean in the physical sense but also showing up with the mental mindset, writing down visions, dreams, and goals as it relates to the strategies to win. You have to have heart and visualize success.

Entrepreneurs have to adopt the same methods as they approach their businesses. It means being prepared when you are working with your clients, being able to exceed their expectations, and going the extra mile. Remember in order to “go for the gold” you have to show up to win.

2. Train for opportunities daily! The athletes at the Olympics didn’t just wake up and decide the next day I am ready to run this marathon, complete my balance beam routine, or swim the 100 meters without any training. There was a process prior to attending the 2016 Olympic Games which included working with their coach, long-term training, having a dream, setting goals, getting into the right mindset, just to name a few things.

In business, entrepreneurs must be training for opportunities daily by providing excellent customer service and completing projects on time.  Entrepreneurs should also take advantage of seminars, courses, coaching, and mentorship so they can compete in business. It’s not an overnight process for athletes and the same would apply to entrepreneurs. It requires endurance to “go for the gold!” olympic-rings-on-white

3. Even when it gets tough, keep going! I would imagine at some juncture during these athletes training and very strict regimen there was an obstacle they experienced and had to navigate through. This obstacle could have made the difference in deciding not to pursue their dreams. Or on the flip side, it could have increased their fervor to keep going despite the obstacle.

In business, there are obstacles that might occur as we work on an important project; prepare for a major event; or close a major deal.  However, we have to continue to pursue the finish line and “go for the gold!”

Remember you have to show up to win! Train for opportunities daily and even when it gets tough make sure you still “go for the gold”!

How To Plan For Success

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What dreams and goals have you achieved this year with your business? Have you taken action steps toward your dreams and goals? Have you been intentional with your success? I love the quote by Pat Summitt, “set a goal that stretches you, requires exceptional effort, but one that you can reach.” It requires exceptional effort because your dreams aren’t just going to happen!

One of my many goals this year was to create an event that was designed with entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs) in mind committed to building their businesses. And since a good discussion is always even better with food…why not discuss “Biz over Brunch?”

As the visionary and host of the Biz Plus Brunch event and also being an entrepreneur, there are so many words that describe the life of a business owner. I think of words such as marketing, promotion, branding, strategies, challenges, clients, customers, networking, connections, mission, vision, and success.  These are just a few…okay maybe a dozen but as you can see we could easily add even more! The great news is that we are providing entrepreneurs the opportunity to talk “Biz over Brunch!”

I would like to personally invite you to the event that was designed with the entrepreneur in mind!  The topics will include:

  • Strategies to create and promote your services/products to clients
  • How to market and brand your business to attract clients
  • Keys to successful networking connections
  • How to create your very own “2016 Business Success Wall”

Join us for great food, fun, speakers, gifts, and more. Check out the flyer and click the link below to register. I can’t wait to see you there. And don’t forget to invite a fellow entrepreneur, friend, or your family. It’s time to plan for success!

 

Biz Plus Brunch Event

Click Here To Register Today!

3 C’s Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Candace Payne – Chewbacca Mom!

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In case you might have missed the latest internet sensation and possibly have been “in a galaxy far, far away” then you have heard of Candace Payne…Chewbacca Mom!

This woman blasted into many of our lives just a short time ago and brought something we will never forget — her infectious laughter. And although we didn’t know her, it had many of us thinking who wouldn’t want to hang out and laugh with Candace.

In case you might have missed the video, check it out. And if you can’t get enough of this laugh (like us) then watch it again!

So what are the 3 C’s that entrepreneurs (and everyone) can learn from Candace Payne? Here you go:

1) Be confident and be ready! Opportunities are yours and the possibilities are endless. You have to be ready at any given moment to seize the opportunities. In the May 2016 People Magazine article, “Chewbacca Mom Candace Payne Reacts to Sudden Fame: ‘I’m Enjoying Every Single Moment” Candace shares that she is ready although she doesn’t know what all is in store for her and even her family. After all as an entrepreneur, we must always be ready for the next call or email that leads to a client or deal!

2) Be creative! I love the definition of creativity provided by Jamie Friedlander in the recent June 2016 Success magazine. The article states, “when we talk about creativity, very often people think of creativity as something where someone has an idea that comes fully formed into their mind that’s totally new and original. But we know from studies of creativity is that almost never happens. What usually happens is that these people known as innovation brokers, they’ll take two ideas that are clichéd or pretty well worn and then they’ll push them together in some new way. It’s the juxtaposition of two ideas that makes the creative spark happen.”

Star Wars has a thrilling legacy and Candace linked this with her creativity and spontaneity (and let’s not forget laughter) when she donned the Chewbacca mask and greeted Facebook. As entrepreneurs, it’s important to take the same creativity in your businesses to generate that next spark! After all, your creativity is what is going to solve the problems that face your clients. Remember, it’s all about your unique selling proposition (we will save that for another post)!

3) Be consistent! One would probably think that as Candace started her day, she had no idea what was going to happen once she donned the Chewbacca mask and went live on Facebook. However, imagine if Candace had decided to just give up on this day or decide you know what…I’m not going to do my normal routine. And let’s just say when embarking on her day, she decided that she wasn’t going to be her authentic or jovial self. One can probably gather that Candace’s infectious laughter is a consistent and constant part of her life. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to consistently bring your “A” game every day. Remember your clients need you and the value you bring!

Don’t forget to be confident, creative, and consistent! And to keep showing up with your “authentic” self!

3 Ways To Put Time In Perspective!

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Where has all my time gone? Does this sound like a familiar question? You might be familiar with the saying, “time flies when you’re having fun.”  Well time flies whether you like it or not and fun or not. And quite frankly if we had more hours in the day, who says we would want to spend them working as opposed to being on a vacation or spending time with family and friends.business-graphics-1236283

In the book, “The Smart Guide to Winning Your Time Back,” by Jeff Davidson it shares:

“Any activity in which you engage for only 60 minutes a day will take two solid years of your 48 years. How so? Quick math lesson, 1 hour is to 48 hours as one year is to 48 years.

Math buffs, here it is in equation form – 1 hour is to 48 hours as 1 year is to 48 years, or 1/48 = 1/48”

Wouldn’t you rather spend more time on the things you enjoy versus what you do not enjoy? Besides not doing it all can work wonders for you, your health, your family and business.  So how do you put time in perspective?

Here are 3 ways:

  1. Work smarter not harder! Working longer is not the answer rather it’s about working smarter. While there are times you might need to work overtime don’t let it be the norm. Instead establish new routines that will allow you to automate and delegate projects.
  2. Prioritization is key! Since time is such a valuable commodity, it is helpful to prioritize your responsibilities or projects. This may sound like a “no-brainer” but it’s important to plan your week. It is important to know where you are headed! You are able to achieve this when you have a clear picture of the things that are the priority.
  3. Time is short but you can get more money! Let’s just say you don’t have to wear a million hats in the world of being a “solopreneur” or “entrepreneur.” It pays to focus on what you do best! Remember you went in business to solve a problem for your clients/customers. It’s difficult to focus on that if you are bogged down in the minutia. And quite frankly, why even bother focusing on the projects that you least enjoy.

Hey, it’s not too late to get time in perspective! After all summer is coming…the beach, family, friends are calling your name!

 

How Can A Virtual Assistant Help Me?

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Have you been feeling overwhelmed lately? Do you not have enough time in the day? Are you looking to save time? Are you looking to focus on other projects to grow your business? Do you want to save money for your business?

Here are some of the words that describe what MAB Virtual Solutions can do for you!
Here are some of the words that describe what MAB Virtual Solutions can do for you!

Did you answer yes to any of these questions? These are just a few of the questions that are often asked by other business owners when considering a Virtual Assistant. It can be difficult going at it alone, but you don’t’ have to!

Think about this…delegating tasks/projects is the biggest way to free up your time! Just think about the time you gain by delegating the duties that simply take up too much of your time. Your time is a precious commodity. It’s easier to manage your time when you have support around you that understands your business and vision! Wouldn’t it be great to know that projects are moving forward without having to follow up on each and every detail?

In the book, “The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey” by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, one of the unforgettable lessons is how to save time to do what you need to do! You don’t have to work the long, hard hours and feel like you never get quite get caught up with the work you need to do!

Are you still unsure of how a Virtual Assistant can support you? Well check out this great resource, “101 Ways to Use a Virtual Assistant” posted by the International Virtual Assistants Association.

As I mentioned earlier, your time is a precious commodity. It’s important to have time and not let time have you! We would love to help – check us out here!