Stand Out From The Crowd

December 12, 2009

• Successful Entrepreneur – The Phoenix Way to Unlimited Success And Happiness

  

  Soar Above The Rest By Design

  You're familiar with the myth of the phoenix, the legendary firebird that dies every 500 years only to be reborn from its ashes, more beautiful and resplendent than ever before?

  That's what you're looking to do, isn't it? Rise from the ashes of your old life and be reborn as a successful businessperson?

  Fortunately, the way has been traveled before. Many folks have had to start from scratch and grow a business from the ground up. I call them the Phoenix Entrepreneurs.

  The Phoenix Entrepreneur Rising From The Ashes

  Just like the bird, Phoenix Entrepreneurs rise from the ashes of an old life, a life that was no longer viable.

  In the beginning, they felt just like you probably do now: scared, unsure, and probably pretty alone.

  Yet they made it.

  They created businesses that have withstood the test of time and nourished not only their own families, but the families of hundreds (if not thousands) of employees. If you don't believe me, just read No, You Don't Need a College Education to be Successful And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

  There are Phoenix Entrepreneurs all over the place. It's an illustrious group and one you can join! All it takes is following a few simple steps and thinking a certain way.

  If you need a point clarified, just ask. Leave a message on the blog and you'll get not only my years of experience, but the experience of all the others who respond to your question.

  Ready?

  Keep reading to find out how Phoenix businessmen and businesswomen think and act to grow a successful business.

  Think Like The Phoenix Entrepreneur To Succeed

  Read more on Successful Entrepreneur – The Phoenix Way to Unlimited Success And Happiness…

December 4, 2009

• Outstanding Customer Service – Look To Dr. Neal E. Bozentka

  

  When You See Someone Doing Something RIGHT: Tell People

  So why am I writing about one of my doctors in a marketing/social marketing website?

  Because his marketing and customer service is THAT good.

  Meet Dr. Neal E. Bozentka, Oral Surgeon

  Unfortunately I've needed Dr. Bozentka's services three times already.

  As a kid I brushed my teeth regularly and as an adult I floss and use a stimulator every day and brush twice every day.

  But even so, I've had some root canals and then some teeth drying out and needing extraction.

  Dr. Bozentka does that for me.

  He has his own practice in Swarthmore, PA USA and seems to be the "go to guy" for many general dentists in the area, including mine.

  Learn About Customer Service From What He Does

  So other than technical competence, why is he so good?

  1. He's a nice guy. He takes time with his patients. We're glad to see him and he shares his personality with us so we're totally comfortable with him.

  2. Two days before my appointment, I get a phone call from his office reminding me about my appointment AND reminding me about eating or not eating for 12 hours (depending on the type of anesthetic I've been told I will get). Nice, timely reminder… let's me know they are thinking about me.

  3. His staff is really nice (and believe me, it starts from the top down – I've seen some staffs in "professional" offices that would scare a bouncer at an inner city bar). They are MORE than just cordial – as I sat in the waiting room, I could tell that on the phone and in person they really care about the people they work with and the patients who visit Dr. Bozentka.

  4. His in-room staff are supportive and caring. When our blood pressure rises the most (you know… when the doctor comes at us with local anesthetic needles), his staff is right there reassuring us. And they chat with you when setting you up (you know: the bib and all that!). And I've gotten to know a couple of them (OK: so I've been there TOO often!), and they can joke around with me and put me totally at ease.

  5. This is the ONLY professional office I have even been to where they tell me UP FRONT (even when I make the appointment) how much the procedure will cost. Hey, this is serious work that takes a great deal of training to be sure it's done well (and Dr. Bozenka's work is really great), and he deserves what he's paid… especially when I feel NOTHING during a tooth extraction and very little discomfort even after the local anesthetic has worn off. It's great to know going-in what it will cost me (and there are never any hidden costs – everything is laid out up front).

  6. And if THAT weren't enough, early the morning after my most recent tooth removal, Dr. Bozentka called to see that I was doing ok (I was out on my AM walk, but he left a very nice voice mail). He expressed his concern and assured me that I could call him if I needed him. This wasn't a prerecorded message aimed at the whole world, this was a personal call from my doctor. When the hell has THAT happened to me before!??

  How Is YOUR Customer Service

  Don't we ALL want Raving Fans telling the world about the service we provide (the way I am telling YOU about Dr. Bozentka)?

  Don't we ALL want to be recognized for professional excellence AND great caring for the people we serve?

  Don't we ALL want our customers, clients, and patients to be MUCH better off after working with us?

  And I have to tell you, this guy (and his terrific staff) makes it look EASY! He's not working hard to make you happy or show you the respect you deserve or make you feel comfortable in his office (and in his chair): that's just the way things are.

  A tip of the hat to Dr. Neal E. Bozentka!

  I teased him that I'm sorry that I've gotten to know him so well over the past few years – I wish he did some other kind of work (because I really hate losing my teeth!). But if I have to have this work done, I'm sure glad it's by Dr. Bozentka!
  Read more on Outstanding Customer Service – Look To Dr. Neal E. Bozentka…

December 1, 2009

• Successful Entrepreneur – Recipe For Success

  

  Ten Ingredients To Your Success

  Success in business isn't a magic spell you can learn at Hogwarts nor a secret that's passed down among the world's elite.

  Success is a recipe that has a few proven ingredients. When you mix those ingredients with love, thought, and care, you'll create something that will nourish you and your family for years to come.

  Here Are Some Of The Ingredients I Find Important In The Recipe For Success

  1. Happy Customers and Clients. Yep, that's the number one ingredient that successful businesspeople have in their entrepreneurial cupboard.

  No matter what service you provide, it's all about the customer. If the customer isn't happy, she might not be back to buy another record, designer handbag, case of wine, your marketing service, or your web design service.

  Whatever you do in your business, you should always think about the customer. Each and every action you take should be geared toward providing the best customer service possible.

  Imagine yourself as your customer and visualize how you'd like to be treated. Use that as a beginning to establish your business's service guidelines.

  One other thing to consider: if you don't know who you're selling to, you can't market properly. And if you can't market to the right audience, the folks you do reach probably won't have much interest in your product or service. Know who you're selling to so you can reach the places where they hang out.

  2. Results. People expect things quickly these days.

  Our attention span isn't what it used to be (darn all those TV commercials with 27 edits for each 30 second commercial!), so when customers come to you with questions, you've got to be Johnny-on-the-Spot with answers.

  When they call with orders, you'd better have the product to them yesterday or they will go to someone who can get them what they want when they want it.

  If you always have answers and products/services for customers/clients, you'll become the go-to-person, something money just can't buy.

  3. Follow up. Part of keeping your customers happy is following up on an order, especially if there's some sort of snafu.

  (Let’s face it – no matter how hard you try, no matter how conscientious you are, SOMETHING will go wrong at times.)

  As a customer, it makes me smile when I get a call or email asking if I've received the order and if I'm happy with the product. This will only take a couple of minutes on your part, but will do wonders for your reputation.

  Now, when your business really gets cooking and you've got dozens or hundreds of orders to follow up on every day, you might need to consider getting some help. But isn't that a great “problem” to have?

  (And for those of us working online, drop-shipment houses and auto-responders help immensely!)

  4. Reputation. Your reputation is something that will grow when the first three ingredients are blended successfully.

  This might take a little time, but it’s well worth the effort. A good reputation is crucial to any successful business endeavor.

  (Hey, if anyone has ever talked to you about “branding” then THIS is branding – earn a stellar reputation and keep it!)
  Read more on Successful Entrepreneur – Recipe For Success…

November 5, 2009

• Marketing Ideas – 50 Simple Marketing Ideas You Can Use To Grow Your Business

  

  Grow Your Business Online And From Home

  Work-at-home entrepreneurs have many choices when it comes to marketing. Below you'll find 50 simple ideas that you can adapt to your own needs.

  Some ideas are geared toward online audiences while some target your neighborhood and involve getting to know local businesspeople.

  It's a good idea to choose a few methods from each category and make them work for your own business. Give each one a try to see which works best for you and your business.

  Online Marketing Ideas

  1. Start a Blog and write 2 – 3 times a week. Start simply at WordPress.com or Blogger.com.

  2. Post articles online that others can use with your byline and signature information – visit EzineArticles.com.

  3. Regularly comment on blogs that relate to your business – you can find some great examples at AllTop.com (which list the top blogs in the world and divides them into categories for easy searching). (In fact, look for my RaisingGreatFamilies.com blog there! We're proud to have it listed.)

  4. Visit Meetup.com and instigate a gathering relevant to your line of work OR join an existing group.

  5. Check out Podcamp.org or Barcamp.org to see if they work well for your business.

  6. Create your own Facebook profile.

  7. Join groups on Facebook that relate to your business and post regularly.

  8. Create your own Facebook PAGE and use it like a mini website to promote your business.

  9. Become a source on HelpAReporterOut.com.

  10. Suggest a story about work-at-home entrepreneurs to a blogger or offer a post for other people’s website by joining BloggerLinkUp.com.

  11. Write an ebook and offer it for free on your own website or Facebook Page.

  12. Send a press release about your business to PRWeb.com or PRLeap.com.

  13. Reply to questions on Wiki.Answers.com and similar sites.

  14. Open a Twitter account and send 2-3 tweets a day about what you are doing in your business.

  15. Distribute monthly eNewsletters to your clients (having captured their names on your website or Facebook Page).

  16. Put your business in both online and print directories.

  17. Use Google to search for forums that are in your niche (use your keyword followed by the work “forum” to find these) and become involved with the chatter on the forum (NEVER “sell” on these – participate and leave your name with your contact information below it).

  18. Write pieces for other companies' eNewsletters.

  19. Keep in touch with classmates through Facebook.

  20. Search Twitter for people who tweet about your type business and begin to tweet back and forth with them (find them using keywords at Search.Twitter.com).

  21. Optimize your blog by using keywords in the titles of your posts.

  22. Videotape short weekly talks and publish them online.

  23. See if Affiliate Marketing is right for you – search Clickbank.com.

  24. Trade blog ads with other work-at-home entrepreneurs.

  Neighborhood Marketing Ideas

  Read more on Marketing Ideas – 50 Simple Marketing Ideas You Can Use To Grow Your Business…

August 17, 2009

• Blogging – Lessons Learned From The Movie Julie and Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams

  

  Blogging – Find something that inspires you, write about it, KEEP writing about it, and Be Consistent

  I'm a man whose passions run deeply and I'm not afraid to show them.

  Family, theater, marketing, movies… I care deeply about each one and when it's time to talk about them, share my feelings, laugh or cry, I do it with gusto! (Wow, where did "gusto" come from – it just seemed like the right word, though I don't use it often!)

  I LOVE going to the movies. I enjoy theater – I enjoy DIRECTING theater, I enjoy directing and seeing MUSICAL theater most – but MOVIES really take me away like nothing else.

  They transport me, make me think, help me laugh and cry, and make me feel great just as I need them.

  They give me freedom to dream like little else does. And then chat about them when they are over – share my thoughts with whoever went to the movies with me or with my folks when I see them in church on Sunday.

  And I learned years ago that if no one wants to go with me, I'll go alone: I really do love to watch movies.

  And there is a ritual that accompanies me every time I go to a movie: I need something to eat and drink, I need to sit near the back of the theater (dang that motion-sickness I feel as a passenger in a car that affects how closely I can sit in a movie), and I love to laugh out loud when something amuses me – doesn't matter if the theater is full or nearly empty, I really enjoy myself!

  Friends have often told me that though they never saw me in the theater, they knew I was there – I have one of THOSE laughs…

  Why do YOU see certain movies?

  Have you ever stopped to think WHY you see a certain movie when you do?

  • WHY does it draw your attention at that very moment?
  • WHY do you feel compelled to see it?
  • Why does it call out to you, make you reach for your wallet, and then get you to empty a large portion of your wallet for the ticket and refreshments.

  Read more on Blogging – Lessons Learned From The Movie Julie and Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams…

August 13, 2009

• Marketing Guru Bill Glazer Coming To Philly September 9, 2009

  

  Dan Kennedy's partner in Glazer-Kennedy Insiders Circle To Speak To Entrepreneurs

  Delay and you will miss out on one of the most important nights you will ever experience (if you are an entrepreneur or have your own business).

  Read more on Marketing Guru Bill Glazer Coming To Philly September 9, 2009…

June 29, 2009

• Business Marketing: 5-Step Formula to Add 6 Figures to Your Business THIS YEAR & Re-Ignite Your Passion While You Do It

  

  Create A Side Business To Produce 6-Figures Annually

  I’m a marketer and have been marketing ever since I left Wharton Graduate (of the University of Pennsylvania) in 1975 with my MBA in marketing, management, arts administration.

  Hundreds of millions of dollars in personal sales. A billion or more dollars through my marketing skills. And a life-style that allows me to select the type work I want to concentrate on.

  And since earning my formal degrees, I’ve been a student every day – learning from the best people I can find.

  Two of them are Dave Dee and Alexis Martin Neely. Learn About Dave & Alexis Newest Information – Click Here!

  I am mentioned in more of Dave’s products than any of single individual. I was just listening to another of his very helpful products about email marketing and he mentioned me quite prominently and read some of my materials. He has done that on other occasions too.

  Why is that?

  Dave and I share a love of learning: learning from success, and then sharing those successes with others.

  And I pay him when I learn from him. And he pays me when I help get people to learn from him. We know that what we pay for, we appreciate even more, and we work hard to use the information we learn.

  Like me, Dave & Alexis help business owners, like you, who've already figured out how to bring revenue into your core business; leverage your business SYSTEMS, processes, and intellectual property; and then take what you’ve learned to help other people.

  And if you learn how to do it and work at it, you can turn your “sideline” business into a 6 figure (or more) profit center within your business (by packaging the way you do things in your own business and licensing your way of doing things to non-competitors in your industry).

  In this season of Independence Day, this could be the start of REAL independence in your life.

  Here’s what I’ve learned through Dave & Alexis:
  Read more on Business Marketing: 5-Step Formula to Add 6 Figures to Your Business THIS YEAR & Re-Ignite Your Passion While You Do It…

April 23, 2009

• Marketing Power – Stand Out To Shine and Think Big, Charlie Seymour Jr Says

  

  Marketing Power – A Good Theater Background Helps!

  I was six and it was my first theatrical production. OK, so I sat quietly licking a lollipop in one courtroom scene at the local Little Theater, but I must have done something right because they asked me back year after year and I went on to create a musical theater group at Tufts University (Torn Ticket, now with the name Torn Ticket II) and worked professionally in theater after earning my MBA from Wharton Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

  Theater – that team sport of people in the spotlight. And whether directing or acting, it taught me some very important lessons that I use in my marketing today.

  Sing Out, Louise

  That classic line from the Broadway Musical, Gypsy, is instructive for all of us:
  
  You must stand out for people to notice you!

  Have you ever taken the Sunday newspaper (well, it's like that here in the USA) and flipped to the real estate section. Squint a little so it goes out of focus and what do you see?

  Nothing.

  Everything is exactly the same. It's as if no one wants to stand out and get noticed. It's just a blur of black and white with no stars singing out.

  If you make a presentation along with other people; if you give your 30-second "Elevator Speech" of introduction at a business meeting; if you make a proposal to earn some local business and you look like everyone else you will get what everyone else gets: normal results.

  Normal. The norm. Average.

  And who the heck wants THAT?

  Timid you say? Then ACT the part of someone who is not.

  Hey, I really don't care that Donald Trump jumped all over one of his Apprentice candidates who said something like "fake it" until she was ready to make it.
  Read more on Marketing Power – Stand Out To Shine and Think Big, Charlie Seymour Jr Says…