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Digg it UP - Introducing the 15 Frameworks of Successful Self-Employed Professionals
There are two factors at work in a prospect's subconscious mind when he's considering doing business with you: confidence and risk. Your job in advertising is to raise confidence and lower risk. If you successfully do that, you'll sew up all the business. So let's talk first about confidence. The problem is that in today's marketplace, people are more jaded, skeptical, and weary. Weary of getting ripped off. Jaded from bad service. Skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true. In short, people are generally in a defensive buying position. As a result, the tendency is to either do nothing (remember your third kind of competitor, the dreaded inertia?) or to stick with their current supplier even if the relationship isn't all that great. People figure it's safer to stay in a so-so relationship than test the waters of finding a new company to do business with.You can prob
By the way, your clients will be amazed at this attitude. They aren't used to experiencing it. Most people avoid even the possibility of failing(because they don't understand that failure is a requirement for success)!
12. Creeping excellence beats perfection.
You can't afford the luxury of being a perfectionist -- and neither can many of your clients. Adopt the habit of creeping excellence in which you ensure that everything you do is just a bit better than it was the last time you did it. Leave everything better than when you found it. Creeping excellence reduces the time and costs racked up by perfectionism. Perfectionists spend 80% of their time and resources perfecting the last 20% of everything. Do what you do best and hire others to do the cleanup. Give your clients the choice between perfection and excellence.
13. Focus is power.
"If you chase two rabbits, both will escape." Chinese Proverb
Being a Jack-of-all-trades is a sure way to fail as an independent professi
I know of an industrial company whos website was banned from Google because of a hacker who’d been hosting spam on their domain. Because the re-inclusion at process can take upwards of several months, I was of course surprised to see one of their keywords getting results on Google. (I know full well none of their pages are indexed.) A click on the result brought me to their distributors website. Evidently this distributor has several sections of their website dedicated to promoting ‘mini versions’ of their supplier’s sites, which, while a fine marketing move, raises HUGE duplicate content issues that can adversly affect rankings.The innterconnectiveity between businesses and brands within the industrial marketplace presents a unique scenario as it relates to duplicate content and advertising online. To save your rankings, here are a few things for industrial companies to wa
1. Marketing is more important than mastery.
Being a master of your craft, skill, or talent doesn't ensure the success of your business. You can be the greatest at what you do, and if nobody knows about you, you're quickly out of business. Yes, it's important that you deliver a quality service. But it's even more important that you consistently and appropriately promote your business.
2. Risk is always reducible.
Everyone faces risk -- in life and in business. And risk is always reducible. You may find that at times, even after you've reduced the risk, it is still too costly. Great! Just find another path to your goal. Make sure your clients know that you're also helping them reduce risk -- it makes you more valuable.
3. There is usually an easier or better way.
No matter what strategy, process, or procedure under consideration, there is usually an easier or better way. Think beyond the traditional ways of solving a problem, creating a deliverable, or accomplishing an outcome and you'll find a new, better, easier, faster, less expensive, or less risky way.
4. Delay is unacceptably expensive.
Today the windows of opportunities open more often and shut more quickly than ever before. Delay lets those opportunities pass by without you or your client being able to take advantage of them. Reducing or eliminating delay in your business and your projects reduces costs, increases your perceived value to your clients, and gives you more opportunities for success.
5. Self-confidence can be arranged.
You don't need to rely on yourself to create your confidence. Nor do you need to wait until you have attained mastery of your services. You can arrange for support structures and encouragement, and can design situations that feed you the confidence you need.
6. The answer is somewhere.
Do you have the answer? Does your client have the answer? Does a competitor have the answer? Is the answer on the Internet? The point is that it doesn't really matter where the answer is, but that there is an answer somewhere. And it's up to you and your client to find it. Knowing that the answer is somewhere, but that you aren't the only source for the answer, releases you from needing to be the "answer person." This, in turn, frees your energy for collaborating with your client in finding the answer.
7. Problems don't exist.
Okay, this one might require a shift in your perspective. Especially if you think of yourself as a problem solver! Flip it over and what you have is an opportunity, not a problem. An opportunity to showcase your magnificence. An opportunity to challenge your knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs. An opportunity to really get creative! Stop seeing problems and start finding opportunities.
8. Everything is a project.
Regardless of what service you provide to your clients, you are a project manager. Running a business, whether for one person or 500, is a series of projects. Creating your business identity is a project. Creating your web site is a project. Upgrading your technology is a project. So is creating and implementing a marketing plan. Use project management tools and techniques to save time and keep your business on the right track.
9. The client is always right, or you must say "No!"
Enter the paradox. Don't "go along to get along" with your clients. As the hired-gun professional, your client wants your expertise and needs your insights. Although the client is always the final decision maker, she doesn't always know what's best. Tell her, gently and gracefully, when you see her going down the wrong path, misusing her resources, or being unreasonable. Your Ideal Clients will love it when you say "No!" in this way. Your Clients from Hell -- won't, but then these clients will receive your ultimate refusal -- not to work with them again.
10. It's all solvable, or it's not.
When you approach your business, your clients, and your projects from the perspective that it's all solvable, your options open up. Determining that it's not solvable, for whatever reason, releases your energy and resources for more appropriate action.
11. Success requires mistakes -- lots of them!
You won't stay in business long if you hide your mistakes or blame them on others, the system, or the processes. Your best growth and most important lessons come from making mistakes and then correcting them. Embrace your mistakes! Then fix and remember them. Fail your way to success!
By the way, your clients will be amazed at this attitude. They aren't used to experiencing it. Most people avoid even the possibility of failing(because they don't understand that failure is a requirement for success)!
12. Creeping excellence beats perfection.
You can't afford the luxury of being a perfectionist -- and neither can many of your clients. Adopt the habit of creeping excellence in which you ensure that everything you do is just a bit better than it was the last time you did it. Leave everything better than when you found it. Creeping excellence reduces the time and costs racked up by perfectionism. Perfectionists spend 80% of their time and resources perfecting the last 20% of everything. Do what you do best and hire others to do the cleanup. Give your clients the choice between perfection and excellence.
13. Focus is power.
"If you chase two rabbits, both will escape." Chinese Proverb
Being a Jack-of-all-trades is a sure way to fail as an independent professio
With higher cost of living, the money some individuals had available to support non-profit organization has diminished and these organizations are seeking ways to maximize the donations to support their causes. Many nonprofit fundraising seminars are held every year to help these organizations bring in the money they need to operate. Whether it is please to individuals or requests for corporate sponsors, nonprofit fundraising seminars show the methods used to successfully raise money.While the idea of selling merchandise for a higher price was popular in the past as a way of raising money, leaders at many nonprofit fundraising seminars point out that the public is rapidly becoming disillusioned with paying double for an item just so the profits can go to a favorite charity. They would rather donate half the cost to the organization and keep the other half for food or gasoli
4. Delay is unacceptably expensive.
Today the windows of opportunities open more often and shut more quickly than ever before. Delay lets those opportunities pass by without you or your client being able to take advantage of them. Reducing or eliminating delay in your business and your projects reduces costs, increases your perceived value to your clients, and gives you more opportunities for success.
5. Self-confidence can be arranged.
You don't need to rely on yourself to create your confidence. Nor do you need to wait until you have attained mastery of your services. You can arrange for support structures and encouragement, and can design situations that feed you the confidence you need.
6. The answer is somewhere.
Do you have the answer? Does your client have the answer? Does a competitor have the answer? Is the answer on the Internet? The point is that it doesn't really matter where the answer is, but that there is an answer somewhere. And it's up to you and your client to find it. Knowing that the answer is somewhere, but that you aren't the only source for the answer, releases you from needing to be the "answer person." This, in turn, frees your energy for collaborating with your client in finding the answer.
7. Problems don't exist.
Okay, this one might require a shift in your perspective. Especially if you think of yourself as a problem solver! Flip it over and what you have is an opportunity, not a problem. An opportunity to showcase your magnificence. An opportunity to challenge your knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs. An opportunity to really get creative! Stop seeing problems and start finding opportunities.
8. Everything is a project.
Regardless of what service you provide to your clients, you are a project manager. Running a business, whether for one person or 500, is a series of projects. Creating your business identity is a project. Creating your web site is a project. Upgrading your technology is a project. So is creating and implementing a marketing plan. Use project management tools and techniques to save time and keep your business on the right track.
9. The client is always right, or you must say "No!"
Enter the paradox. Don't "go along to get along" with your clients. As the hired-gun professional, your client wants your expertise and needs your insights. Although the client is always the final decision maker, she doesn't always know what's best. Tell her, gently and gracefully, when you see her going down the wrong path, misusing her resources, or being unreasonable. Your Ideal Clients will love it when you say "No!" in this way. Your Clients from Hell -- won't, but then these clients will receive your ultimate refusal -- not to work with them again.
10. It's all solvable, or it's not.
When you approach your business, your clients, and your projects from the perspective that it's all solvable, your options open up. Determining that it's not solvable, for whatever reason, releases your energy and resources for more appropriate action.
11. Success requires mistakes -- lots of them!
You won't stay in business long if you hide your mistakes or blame them on others, the system, or the processes. Your best growth and most important lessons come from making mistakes and then correcting them. Embrace your mistakes! Then fix and remember them. Fail your way to success!
By the way, your clients will be amazed at this attitude. They aren't used to experiencing it. Most people avoid even the possibility of failing(because they don't understand that failure is a requirement for success)!
12. Creeping excellence beats perfection.
You can't afford the luxury of being a perfectionist -- and neither can many of your clients. Adopt the habit of creeping excellence in which you ensure that everything you do is just a bit better than it was the last time you did it. Leave everything better than when you found it. Creeping excellence reduces the time and costs racked up by perfectionism. Perfectionists spend 80% of their time and resources perfecting the last 20% of everything. Do what you do best and hire others to do the cleanup. Give your clients the choice between perfection and excellence.
13. Focus is power.
"If you chase two rabbits, both will escape." Chinese Proverb
Being a Jack-of-all-trades is a sure way to fail as an independent professi
It's important for a salesman to have mental clarity and a healthy body to perform at the best of his, or her abilities. Our mind and body feed off each other. They go hand and hand. One affects the other…like a seesaw.If you have a body complaint it will constantly be on your mind. It may keep you from getting the proper sleep and rest. Nagging at you. If you have some type of mental disturbance it will be reflected in your body posture and demeanor.If you approach a prospect when you're feeling ill, or going through mental turmoil, you won't be able to give your sales presentation the gusto and conviction it deserves. Your sales will suffer.By approaching your prospect in a sluggish manner with a hangdog look on your face you will prevent your prospect from seeing you as someone who is capable of rendering them any kind of service
7. Problems don't exist.
Okay, this one might require a shift in your perspective. Especially if you think of yourself as a problem solver! Flip it over and what you have is an opportunity, not a problem. An opportunity to showcase your magnificence. An opportunity to challenge your knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs. An opportunity to really get creative! Stop seeing problems and start finding opportunities.
8. Everything is a project.
Regardless of what service you provide to your clients, you are a project manager. Running a business, whether for one person or 500, is a series of projects. Creating your business identity is a project. Creating your web site is a project. Upgrading your technology is a project. So is creating and implementing a marketing plan. Use project management tools and techniques to save time and keep your business on the right track.
9. The client is always right, or you must say "No!"
Enter the paradox. Don't "go along to get along" with your clients. As the hired-gun professional, your client wants your expertise and needs your insights. Although the client is always the final decision maker, she doesn't always know what's best. Tell her, gently and gracefully, when you see her going down the wrong path, misusing her resources, or being unreasonable. Your Ideal Clients will love it when you say "No!" in this way. Your Clients from Hell -- won't, but then these clients will receive your ultimate refusal -- not to work with them again.
10. It's all solvable, or it's not.
When you approach your business, your clients, and your projects from the perspective that it's all solvable, your options open up. Determining that it's not solvable, for whatever reason, releases your energy and resources for more appropriate action.
11. Success requires mistakes -- lots of them!
You won't stay in business long if you hide your mistakes or blame them on others, the system, or the processes. Your best growth and most important lessons come from making mistakes and then correcting them. Embrace your mistakes! Then fix and remember them. Fail your way to success!
By the way, your clients will be amazed at this attitude. They aren't used to experiencing it. Most people avoid even the possibility of failing(because they don't understand that failure is a requirement for success)!
12. Creeping excellence beats perfection.
You can't afford the luxury of being a perfectionist -- and neither can many of your clients. Adopt the habit of creeping excellence in which you ensure that everything you do is just a bit better than it was the last time you did it. Leave everything better than when you found it. Creeping excellence reduces the time and costs racked up by perfectionism. Perfectionists spend 80% of their time and resources perfecting the last 20% of everything. Do what you do best and hire others to do the cleanup. Give your clients the choice between perfection and excellence.
13. Focus is power.
"If you chase two rabbits, both will escape." Chinese Proverb
Being a Jack-of-all-trades is a sure way to fail as an independent professi
Could the Crusades have been launched and the soldiers armed and fed without effective project management? Could the Great Wall have been built with ingenious natural materials and a team of millions over a span of a thousand years without project management? It is possible to say that the concept pf project management has been around since the beginning of history. It has enabled leaders to plan bold and massive projects and manage funding, materials and labor within a designated time frame. What leaders from the distant past managed to accomplish is amazing and without the project management tools available today.During the industrial revolution business and industry grew and expanded rapidly across continents. With the coming of automation, everything was done on a larger scale. The ability to manage projects in the way of budgets, supplies and labor at various or secon
9. The client is always right, or you must say "No!"
Enter the paradox. Don't "go along to get along" with your clients. As the hired-gun professional, your client wants your expertise and needs your insights. Although the client is always the final decision maker, she doesn't always know what's best. Tell her, gently and gracefully, when you see her going down the wrong path, misusing her resources, or being unreasonable. Your Ideal Clients will love it when you say "No!" in this way. Your Clients from Hell -- won't, but then these clients will receive your ultimate refusal -- not to work with them again.
10. It's all solvable, or it's not.
When you approach your business, your clients, and your projects from the perspective that it's all solvable, your options open up. Determining that it's not solvable, for whatever reason, releases your energy and resources for more appropriate action.
11. Success requires mistakes -- lots of them!
You won't stay in business long if you hide your mistakes or blame them on others, the system, or the processes. Your best growth and most important lessons come from making mistakes and then correcting them. Embrace your mistakes! Then fix and remember them. Fail your way to success!
By the way, your clients will be amazed at this attitude. They aren't used to experiencing it. Most people avoid even the possibility of failing(because they don't understand that failure is a requirement for success)!
12. Creeping excellence beats perfection.
You can't afford the luxury of being a perfectionist -- and neither can many of your clients. Adopt the habit of creeping excellence in which you ensure that everything you do is just a bit better than it was the last time you did it. Leave everything better than when you found it. Creeping excellence reduces the time and costs racked up by perfectionism. Perfectionists spend 80% of their time and resources perfecting the last 20% of everything. Do what you do best and hire others to do the cleanup. Give your clients the choice between perfection and excellence.
13. Focus is power.
"If you chase two rabbits, both will escape." Chinese Proverb
Being a Jack-of-all-trades is a sure way to fail as an independent professi
Most of us are aware of the many benefits to having an Internet presence. These days a website is an essential element of your public relations and marketing mix. Particularly for small businesses, it provides you with a distinct advantage over your competition and establishes you as a leader in your area of expertise.Some websites are designed as an on-line brochure for your business, yet others really drive the customer to make their buying decision. But what is the point of having a fancy brochure if no one is buying your product or service. A website can be a cost effective public relations tool for your business. It can help you attract prospective clients who may not hear about you otherwise and increase sales without adding overhead. But you need to promote it. Don’t just launch your site and then wait for business to come knocking at the door – it may not turn up.
By the way, your clients will be amazed at this attitude. They aren't used to experiencing it. Most people avoid even the possibility of failing(because they don't understand that failure is a requirement for success)!
12. Creeping excellence beats perfection.
You can't afford the luxury of being a perfectionist -- and neither can many of your clients. Adopt the habit of creeping excellence in which you ensure that everything you do is just a bit better than it was the last time you did it. Leave everything better than when you found it. Creeping excellence reduces the time and costs racked up by perfectionism. Perfectionists spend 80% of their time and resources perfecting the last 20% of everything. Do what you do best and hire others to do the cleanup. Give your clients the choice between perfection and excellence.
13. Focus is power.
"If you chase two rabbits, both will escape." Chinese Proverb
Being a Jack-of-all-trades is a sure way to fail as an independent professional. You can't market your business to the entire world -- you don't have the time, money, or energy for that. Narrow it down to one market segment of Ideal Clients for whom you provide one primary service. That's not only doable, it's powerful!
And stop multi-tasking! Did you know that each interruption, no matter how short in duration, steals up to four minutes from you? That's how long it takes for you to return to the flow of thinking that was interrupted. And switching from task to task is just another interruption. Get in the flow and stay there!
14. The goal's the thing, not the plan.
To what do you commit? The plan or the goal? If you find yourself getting the same unacceptable results over and over, you are committed to the plan. To change the results, get a new plan!
15. Independent employment is joyous!
What good is owning a business if it doesn't bring you pleasure? When you come from joy in your work, your clients find you easier and happier to work with. And that increases their enjoyment in working with you, which enhances your chances for a long-term, profitable relationship with them.
Copyright 2003 Rose Hill
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