High-Achieving Women's Blogazine

It amazes me how many business owners and entrepreneurs realize the importance of developing a business plan (power tool #1) but so often forget to prepare the marketing plan (power tool #2).  By far the “marketing plan” is the most powerful tool that any business owner can possess.  When you think about it, the marketing plan is designed to enhance the business plan by identifying very specific target market(s), the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT), the competitors (large and small), how to position the company for target market advertising (products and services) and how to expand the company’s footprint in the marketplace (brand recognition).

What you want to remember is that the marketing plan should be defined in such a manner that everyone in your company, network and database can clearly understand the purpose, core values, products and services being offered along with the benefits. In today’s marketplace your marketing plan must include collaborations, strategic alliances and partnerships.

Most new businesses fail because they have not allocated monies for marketing.  They seem to think that just because they open a store front or create a website that the customers will come.  The truth of the matter is that you must advertise and promote you business daily.  Yes daily!

Here are three tips to complement your marketing plan (power tool #2):

1. Create the ‘Wow’ Factor

Define your ‘differentiation’ (it’s your WOW).  Create your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and your brand statement.  Whatever it is that separates your stuff – your products or services – from the similar stuff your competition is selling, that’s your ‘Wow’ — its makes your stuff better and why your stuff is better.

2. Leverage Online Forums

There are many communities that have online forums/bulletin boards that offer varying levels of paid memberships.  Purchase a membership that allows you to advertise your business and USE IT. Don’t forget to leverage other social media opportunities (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)

3. Collaborations

Pick one or two charitable organizations or causes and donate only to them for one year.  This is a great way to get recognized and link your company to a particular cause or charity.  You should create a letter that says why you chose those organization(s) so when you get inundated with requests for large donations, you can politely and formally say ‘no’ and still send a respectful message that you are committed to your community.  You not only build your brand in the community but also the brand of your favorite charities and you now have a collaboration or strategic alliance that is a win-win for your company and your charity of choice.

If you really want to know more secrets of developing a high-end marketing plan, join the Global Association of High-Achieving Women’s Millionaire Success Club (Platinum Premier Success Circle).

If you want information that will allow you to maximize your footprint and potential for business growth and career success go to our Freebies Page and sign up for a wealth of free information.

Lastly, will you become a Fan (Like) of the Global Association of High-Achieving Women?

Love, Success and Greatness

Dr. Laureen

Million Dollar Solutionist™

Twitter: DrLaureen  
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaureen
Facebook: http://profile.to/drlaureen

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

PS: If you haven’t done so yet, will you head over and become a Fan (Like) of the Global Association of High-Achieving Women?

PPS: The Global Association of High Achieving Women and Masterpiece Solutions are the sponsors of the free monthly newsletter: Elevations™. Elevations™ has three focus categories:  Your Career – Your Business – Your Life and You. If you would like to receive free monthly issues of Elevations™ please provide your name and e-mail address below.

One of best ways to make sure that your actions produce more results is to develop a clear picture of what you want to accomplish. State the end results in one sentence that even a child can understand and remember.

One of the best goal statements ever recognized was President John F. Kennedy’s goal statement of sending a man to the moon whereby he simply said:  ”to send a man to the moon and bring him safely back home within this decade”. This one simple statement involved thousands of people to carry out the details, perform the work and it cost billions of dollars.

Although your initial goal statement may be more than one sentence, the goal is to get the statement down to a one sentence goal statement that produces maximum results.

To develop an action plan that will produce more results, follow the below steps:

1. Enlist support from others.

2. Set up milestones and develop a reporting system.

3. Create an advisory team.

4. Monitor progress and make adjustments.

5. Form mutually beneficial alliances with others.

6. Work your plan regularly and continuously.

7. Keep your allies on your side and your enemies at bay.

8. Celebrate progress along the way and at the completion of the project.

Finally, when you have a plan of action that you follow consistently, you are better able to produce more results.

Love, Success and Greatness

Dr. Laureen Wishom

Million Dollar Solutionist™

Twitter: DrLaureen  
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaureen
Facebook: http://profile.to/drlaureen

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

One of the fastest growing trends in business today is the increasing number of strategic alliances. A strategic alliance can range in scope from an informal business relationship based on a  simple  contract to a joint venture agreement.

For small businesses, strategic alliances are a way to work together with others toward a common goal while not losing h/her individuality. Alliances are a way of reaping the rewards of team effort – and the gains from forming strategic alliances appear to be substantial. Studies have shown that companies participating in strategic alliances reported as much as 18 to 25 percent of their revenues coming from their alliances.

A strategic alliance is essentially a partnership in which you combine efforts in projects ranging from getting a better price for supplies, for by buying in bulk together, and by building a product together with each providing part of its production. The goal of an alliance is to minimize risk while maximizing one’s leverage and profit.

A strategic alliance is not, however a merger or acquisition. A merger is the full joining together of two previously separate corporations. A true merger in the legal sense occurs when both businesses dissolve and fold their assets and liabilities into a newly created third entity. This entails the creation of a new corporation.

On the other hand, an acquisition is assuming ownership of another business. The acquisition can be made through a direct purchase or through a merger agreement that involves the exchange of assets.

While there are similarities in which a business might consider one of these solutions, they are far from the same. Mergers and acquisitions are permanent, structural changes in how the company exists. 

A strategic alliance is simply a business-to-business collaboration. Another term that is frequently used in conjunction with strategic alliances is establishing a business network. Alliances are formed for joint marketing, joint sales or distribution, joint production, design collaboration, technology licensing and research and development.

You can learn more about strategic alliances by attending: Take It Up a Notch Boot Camp Intensive® scheduled to start 8/3/10 in Houston, Texas.   You will learn how to create sponsorships, form strategic alliances, partnerships and collaborations. It all starts on August 3^rd.   To register and reserve your seat visit:  http://bit.ly/bxm6i8.

Love, Success and Greatness

Dr. Laureen Wishom

Million Dollar Solutionist™

twitter: DrLaureen  
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaureen
Facebook: http://profile.to/drlaureen

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

I received a call from a potential client and here is what she asked: “I recently had the opportunity to talk with a CEO of a major company who was willing to share some words of wisdom with me at the recommendation of a mutual friend.  He gave me a lot of information and I decided to ask him why he was willing to give me so much information when I am going to end up being his competitor. The CEO’s departing words were: ‘I am not worried at all, because I can produce it faster than you can consume it’. “What was he trying to tell me and do I need a business mentor to ensure proper growth?”

My response was very simple:  “You are part of a marketplace that thinks in terms of scarcity, where people compete for limited opportunities. The CEO thinks in terms of abundance and unlimited opportunities”.

I told the client that when someone comes to him for help, he should give them everything that he can. I suggested that he must find a mentor and in turn become a mentor.

Studies show that organizations that have launched well-planned mentoring programs report lower employee turnover, higher productivity and more employee satisfaction.

Here are a few things that successful mentoring makes possible:

• The development of a strong and capable leadership with a line of succession
• The opportunity to improve the organization’s scorecard
• The ability to connect people within the organization
• The  capability to upgrade skills and knowledge
• The opportunity to not only attract but to retain the best people

Just remember that mentoring does add something to the people you mentor and it adds something to you. Through the mentoring process, you practice diagnosing situations and designing effective responses. You become more skilled in giving feedback and drawing out what is considered ‘untapped potential’. You will also experience the satisfaction of seeing someone reach higher and achieve more and you build a reputation for ‘growing people’.

Having a reputation for ‘growing people’ is worth millions; if you want to success great remember this: ‘the more you give the more you receive’.  Mentors are not a luxury, they are a necessity.

If you would like to know more about how to avoid time wasters and how to form collaborations, partnerships and strategic alliances which will impact your bottom line, become a member of the Global Association of High-Achieving Women. Membership does have its privileges and it will definitely impact your bottom line.

Love, Success and Greatness

Million Dollar Solutionist™

twitter: DrLaureen  
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaureen
Facebook: http://profile.to/drlaureen

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

In part 1 of HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD AND AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION, I discussed the first two ways to stand out in the crowd and ahead of the competition: 1. Stand out by doing different things and 2. Stand out by doing things differently.

Outlined below are the two additional ways for standing out:   They are:

3. Stand out by stirring emotions

Did you know that clients will surely remember you when you stir their emotions in a positive way?  It’s time to rev up the warm fuzzies.  Start by making people laugh and have some fun throughout the interaction. Whatever emotions (e.g. having fun, feeling powerful, showing empathy and being successful) are important to your clients; make them feel it in a big way.  Be sincere, and don’t hold back on the ‘drama’ (in this case ‘drama’ is a good thing).  You must act big to make them feel big.

4. Stand out by being consistent

If you are always something or never something (whether good or bad), then you are standing out in that way. That’s because consistency makes your message stick. It’s important to decide how you want and need to stand out in the minds of your target audience and always behave or present yourself that way.  Remember that anything done consistently creates a brand reputation. What do you need to be or do consistently?

In summary to stand out from the crowd and the competition you must:

1. Stand out by doing different things
2. Stand out by doing things differently
3. Stand out by stirring emotions
4. Stand out by being consistent

You can start by committing the next thirty days to identifying three ways where you can stand out in the marketplace and develop an implementation plan.  The more you stand out the more you outclass the competition.

Mark your calendar for the June 8^th teleclass entitled: “IS YOUR ‘FEAR BEAST’ OUT OF CONTROL OR HAS IT BECOME A PERMANENT WARDROBE ACCESSORY?” This teleclass will cover how to handle the fears associated with career change and career transition; the 7 tips for keeping your fear under control while taking your career and business up a notch in challenging times; the 7 tips for managing stress when fear prevails and how to break free of your fears and start reaching your dreams.

It is also the preview call for the launch of the Global Association of High-Achieving Women. This first-ever membership association is designed for high-achieving female career professionals and women business owners who want to ignite their careers and businesses through the use of the association’s innovative professional development tools, masterminding, platinum-style coaching, and leading-edge business growth and career success strategies. Be sure to register for this teleseminar at: http://tiny.cc/nf7q5 I will be giving away some powerful career and business growth materials valued at $500+.

Love, Success and Greatness

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

In the Part 1 of ‘Top Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Starting and Growing a Business’, I shared with you three common mistakes entrepreneur make. Just as a recap, the three mistakes are:

Mistake #1 – Not having a business plan

Mistake #2 – Losing the passion too quickly

Mistake #3 – Expecting success to come overnight

In the Part 2 of ‘Top Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Starting and Growing a Business’, I shared with you Mistake #4: Not Enrolling and Completing ‘New Business 101’.

In this post, I will discuss the syndromes that fall under: Mistake #5: Not Enrolling and Completing ‘New Business 102’

The course ‘New Business 102’ is a continuation of ‘New Business 101’.  This course is designed to help you avoid the very common business mistake syndromes listed below that are normally made during the start-up and growth stages.

1. Neglecting Continuing Education Syndrome
   
   You are the only renewable resource, besides your employees, your business has. You may be a master at getting the most out of your other resources, but how are you doing with you?
   
   
2. Not Having a Plan in Place Syndrome
   
   Many small business owners avoid planning at all costs. The old adage, “Failing to plan is planning to fail”, is true. Without a well-thought out plan for establishing your business, running your business, and marketing your business, you will waste a lot of time which you don’t have.
   
   
3. All Work and No Play Syndrome
   
   Running your own business is hard work. However, without proper relaxation, you will become increasingly less productive. Here’s my suggestion: Take a walk. Talk to people along the way. Join a gym and work out. Join a professional group or a Rotary or Lion’s Club.
4. Take Your Existing Customers For Granted Syndrome
   
   Remember the first few customers you ever had? Remember the appreciation you had for them? Remember the little things you did for them? When did you stop and WHY? If you avoid looking after your existing customers and they will go elsewhere.
5. Never Ask For Referrals Syndrome
   
   Happy customers are a major business asset. That asset can yield benefits in many ways. But you have to ask. Instead of spending a lot of money on your advertising, why not ask customers for referrals? Referral sales are the cheapest and easiest way to grow your business.
6. One-Stop Shop Mentality Syndrome
   
   Many business owners fail to achieve their true potential because they try to be all things to all people. You need to target your ideal customers. Look at your product. Ask yourself who would benefit most from your product. Once you have selected a targeted group, learn everything you can about them and go after them.
   
   
7. Neglecting Marketing Syndrome
   
   It is so easy for a business owner to get caught up in the daily operations of a business. The inventory ordering, data input, and more, can become all consuming. Then one day you look up and wonder what happened to the business.
   
   Marketing is all about future sales. You plant the seed today to reap the benefits tomorrow. If you want a long-term successful business you simply must market.

For those of you who read this post and who will commit to avoiding these seven mistakes, you just completed ‘New Business 102’.  Stay tuned for my next post (part 4) where I will continue to discuss the top mistakes that entrepreneurs make when starting and growing a business.

I will host a special teleseminar on June 8^th entitled: “IS YOUR ‘FEAR BEAST’ OUT OF CONTROL OR HAS IT BECOME A PERMANENT WARDROBE ACCESSORY?”

* How to handle the fears associated with career change and career transition?

* How to handle the fears associated with the 8 stages of starting, developing and growing a business?

* The 7 tips for keeping your fear under control while taking your career and business up a notch in challenging times.

* The 7 tips for managing stress when fear prevails.

* How to break free of your fears and start reaching your dreams?

Be sure to register for this teleseminar.  I will be giving away some great materials on fear and success. http://bit.ly/aVgiqK

Love, Success and Greatness

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

This is the last post of the Getting It Done series. Here are 12.5 important tips  that will help you to just get things done.

 1. Use lists to keep track of all of the things you need to get done.
2. Maintain a calendar and get in the habit of referring to your calendar often.
3. Develop systems for repetitive tasks and delegate them to others.
4. Set short- and long-term goals and record them.
5. Build strong working relationships with others. Don’t wait until you need help; build it as you go along.
6. Find the things you dread doing the most and do them first.
7. Eliminate time-wasters.
8. Take control of your time.  Don’t let the amount of time you have control what you get done.  
9. Organize your home and office.  Disorganization is one of the biggest time-wasters.
10. Use the right equipment.  Let technology work for us not against you.
11. Say “no”.  Before saying “yes” consider how the request fits into your overall priorities.
12. Delegate.  There is no rule that says that you must do it all.
12.5. Just do it!

In order to accomplish the things you want in life, it is important to set goals, determine how they fit with your other priorities and develop a sound plan of action to accomplish them.  If you don’t do this, you will find that you are getting things done, but not necessarily the things that truly need to be accomplished to achieve your goals.

If you enjoyed this post, take a moment to sign up for the Free Audio: Are You Making a Cardboard Connection versus a Brand Connection?.  It takes just a minute to sign-up, and you will benefit from my secrets to making an exceptional card connection.

Love, Success and Greatness

Take breaks from being “always on”. No internet, no TV, no cell phone, no video games. It does wonders for helping you reconnect with your life.

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

IF YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement: As a Career Success and Business Growth Expert, Dr. Laureen teaches high-achieving women around the world how to move up the corporate ladder, change careers, start a business, create multiple streams of income and vision their way to success. Get her FREE articles and advice at www.gahaw.com 

If you have not read the previous post entitled: 5.5 Tips: Getting it Done When You’re Under the Gun – Part 2, you may want to read it first so you’ll know why this post is key to getting started.

First, organize the project by drawing a circle on a piece of paper.  Put the name of the project in the circle.  Now start thinking of the things you need to do.  Draw lines from the main circle, draw a small circle at the end of each line and label each circle with each item that needs to be done.  If the project is a speech, sales presentation, report or something similar, use the spokes of the wheel to represent ideas or points you want to make.  The objective is to get as many ideas or components down on paper as possible.  When you finish this exercise, organize all the ideas or components into an outline.

If you are serving as the team leader or project leader of this project, perform the following tasks.

1. Summarize your responsibilities.
2. Outline the specific responsibilities and deadlines of other individuals involved.
3. Break these responsibilities up in to manageable, workable pieces.
4. Establish checkpoints when various aspects of the project are due so progress can be monitored.
5. When you have organized all that needs to be done, then call a meeting to make assignments, answer questions and explain checkpoints and deadlines.
6. Communicate responsibilities/deadlines orally and in writing. 

If you are the sole person responsible for the task then:

1. Set aside a minimum of two hours and begin working.
2. Find a place you can work without interruption.
3. Identify and make arrangements for any additional resources/support you need.
4. Break the task or project up into manageable, workable pieces.
5. Establish checkpoints when various aspects of the project are due.
6. If you are experiencing mental confusion, take the one aspect of the task or project that you are the most comfortable with – and work on it even if it’s not the first step.
7. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted by getting coffee, answering the phone or reading emails.

Take steps to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

If you enjoyed this post, take a moment to sign up for the Free Audio: 10.5 Secrets For Achieving Success and Greatness.  Everyone deserves a competitive edge.

Love, Success and Greatness

© 2010 Dr. Laureen

IF YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement: As a Career Success and Business Growth Expert, Dr. Laureen teaches high-achieving women around the world how to move up the corporate ladder, change careers, start a business, create multiple streams of income and vision their way to success. Get her FREE articles and advice at www.gahaw.com

I received a call today from one of my former clients asking what secrets I could share with her on how to turn more of her contacts into relationships.  Here are the tips I shared on how a contact blossoms into a relationship.

 1. Figure out who they are and what they want.
2. Determine your compatibility with them.
3. Find out how you can help them get what they want.
4. Begin dialogue on a regular basis that has information they can use.
5.Try to learn more about them as time progresses.
6. Realize and be aware that people reveal their true selves over time.
7. Pay close attention to signs and follow your instincts.
8. Do what you say you will do.
9.  Make sure they know your needs and desires.
9.5.    The best way to win the connection is to first win the person.

The secret is this: The more they like you and feel they receive value from you, the more likely it is that the relationship will grow and prosper.  The rule of ‘give and take’ is: before you can take, you must give.

, Career Success and Business Growth Expert

Networking doesn’t end at the close of the luncheon or conference. Professional relationships require consistent attention and care, even after the ceremony. Think of your clients, their busy schedules, and their numerous daily demands. You can’t just love ‘em and leave ‘em hanging. Things they didn’t need yesterday might be absolutely vital to them in a couple of days or a couple of weeks. Try to find that perfect balance of contact. Clients and potential clients should know you’re there for them without feeling like you’re keeping them from getting important work done. Here are my 9.5 best tips:

1. Networking is about following-up after the contact, not about the free food and drink.
2. Be sure to ask for their business card only if you plan to follow-up, and give out your own card only when asked.
3. Ask permission to contact them in a few days to find out more about them and their business.  Do not negotiate any business at the networking event.
4. Write the date that you agree to contact them in a small pocket notebook.  Be sure to do this while in their presence. It shows commitment and provides links to the next stage of the relationship.
5. Make a note of where and when you met him/her and any other interesting facts. But be sure to do it later, out of the person’s sight.   
6. Throughout the relationship building process, be persistent but don’t pester.  Always ask permission to keep in touch.
7. Call when promised and mention some detail from the conversation at the event.  Your objective is to set a meeting with the person.
8. Offer to send some literature if they are not yet ready to meet with you. Ask if you may contact them within two weeks.  In the letter that you send, remind them when you will be calling.
9. Be persistent until your prospect says “no.”  However, do stay in touch even after the “no.” Circumstances and people change.  You can stay in touch without being overbearing by sending newsletters, or interesting articles.  If you don’t stay in touch, you will quickly be forgotten.
9.5.Explore their social media networks to see if your networks overlaps. Check sites like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.

Remember, it takes a minimum of seven touches before a relationship develops. Those touches include e-mails, phone calls, mailing literature, in-person meetings, etc.  All relationships are built on the Know.Like.Trust Factor.

This concludes this series on networking. If you enjoyed this post, take a moment to sign up for the Free Audio: 10.5 Secrets For Achieving Success and Greatness.  It will only take a minute to sign-up, and you will benefit from my secrets for achieving much success and greatness.  I believe that everyone deserves a competitive, successful edge.

Reflect on your experience and make note of what you did well and what you need to improve on. Did you collect business cards, distribute yours? Did you speak with the right people? Did you ask the right questions? Each networking event should serve as a learning tool. So after each event, make conscious strides to improve and be better than the time before.