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Since 1993, Michael
E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to
help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written
in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
I do not know who to give credit for the quotation. I do know, there is a multitude of no-sayers dedicated to getting us focused on the thorns. They willingly tell you why you can't: "burdensome taxes will sink you," " so many new businesses fail," " nobody has done it before," " government regulations always crush the little guy," " what makes you think you can?" on and on. Yet, in the history of our nation, the future has never looked brighter and opportunities better for those willing to try.
Yes there are problems. But, as Abraham Lincoln said, "...most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Each year thousands of us start a new business. For us to succeed, however, it takes more than making up our mind to be happy. It takes an economically viable idea. Our business idea must make money. We need a strategy for success, a business road map. This takes a practical and well-thought-out business and marketing plan.
No matter how well our endeavor does financially, our family, our personality, and our business idea must be in sync. If not, unhappiness and even ill health may result. We also must have or get the necessary sales and business skills to run our own business. Then we need to back all that up with a willingness to take risks, a willingness to sacrifice, a willingness to embrace hard work - and a positive attitude.
Keeping a positive attitude does not mean we pretend thorns do not exist. They do. But we need to overcome the negative and accentuate the positive. When the thorns put us in a funk, we need to look at past accomplishments. Re-evaluate our goals. Spend sometime daydreaming. Fantasize about our own success. Look at ourselves as already being there. Then attack the problem - remove the thorn.
And, we must not allow ourself to be easily discouraged. Hang in there when we believe we are right. Finally, we need to accentuate the positive and keep at it.
"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." _______ Dorothy Nevill
Our Privacy Policy: We respect the privacy of those on our list of e-mail friends wishing to receive up to date ideas and news. We do not sell, rent, or in any way disclose our lists to third parties. To unsubscribe, just send your e-mail address to odell@seanet.com
march-april 2000 the stockmarket
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
During the next year, the U.S. Stockmarket could go considerably higher, or considerably lower. Either way, America will survive. But we want to do more than just survive. To do so, we need hope, a belief that the future holds promise. That hope cannot, however, be built on the false promise of financial comfort without labor.
In North America, the legitimate investment opportunities available are varied and numerous. Unfortunately, there are also investment vehicles, business opportunities, and stocks promoted with little or no possibility of making money for anyone other than the brokers and promoters. Many of these pseudo-opportunities operate on the "Greater fool theory." This is the belief that no matter how much you pay, a greater fool than you will come along and pay you more - regardless of true value.
Our hope for the future must be built on the entrepreneurs' traditional values of preparation, perspiration, and persistence. Even after the devastating Market Crash of 1928-29 and the following Great Depression of the 1930s, thousands of new and successful businesses were started each year. Today, an estimated 45 percent of all U.S. households support some kind of home office or business activity. Many are successful part-time ventures, endeavors undertaken to earn extra income. Many others are flourishing full-time enterprises.
The opportunity to create true wealth is unlimited. True wealth comes from hope, ideas, inventions, and the freedom to succeed. This new wealth raises everyone's living standard. To create new wealth and raise everyone's living standard we need entrepreneurs and men and women of character dedicated to preparation, perspiration, persistence, and service to others.
Ever so often someone like Microsoft's Bill Gates takes an idea or a resource and creates billions in new wealth. We are thankful for that. It is, however, the hundreds of thousands of ongoing small entrepreneurs who have created and continue to create trillions of dollars in new wealth, true financial prosperity.
"Steady plodding brings prosperity: hasty speculation bring poverty."___Proverbs 21:5
To learn more about the "Greater fool theory" of easy wealth, may I suggest the book: Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackey? From Alchemy to the Tulip Bulb mania, this book covers fashionable fads, popular scams, and once in-a-life investment business opportunities that wiped-out life savings and destroyed governments. This book is both a warning and fun to read, and a must for every investor or entrepreneur. You will want to read it more than once.
__________________________________________________________________
Your Internet Business
Endless opportunities await. But, building a web site doesn't mean we are in business. It just means we have a web site centered on our business. Treat it as a new business medium.
Develop an online strategy, a business and marketing plan centered around a new way of doing business. To be successful we need to build our marketing and sales campaign around consumer behavior. The latest survey shows men spent an average of 9 hrs 23 min online; women 7 hrs 11 min. Men seek information and women prefer sites that afford efficiency.
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." ______ William James
Can I do Better
At the end of each day ask yourself, "How could I have done this better?" Open yourself up to constructive critiquing. You notice I said constructive. We should never compare our self to anyone else. There will always be those who achieve more or less. We just need to do our best and forget the rest. And keep in mind, the only bad experiences are the ones we don't learn from.
My Gosh I am Good
No matter how well things may be going and how proud we are of our accomplishments, it is always wise to remember the words of Michel de Montaigne: "Even on the most exalted throne in the world we are only sitting on our own bottom."
Definiteness of Purpose
Whatever our goal or goals in life, every action we take must answer the question: Will this help me reach my overall objective?
"Relentless, repetitive self talk is what changes our self-image."
___ DenisWaitley
__________________________________________________________________
Veritas Research & Publishing - Established 1986
Mailing address: P.O.
Box 306, Bellevue, WA 98009-03066 U.S.A.
Michael Odell's Small Business Solutions
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
Broke and discouraged, he sat in his apartment eating beans out of a can. The Laugh-O-Gram business owner had every reason to be discouraged. He owed everybody. Parents, friends and family had lent him money for his business. Now broke and facing bankruptcy, he decided to leave Kansas City. He had to leave the scene of failure. But to do so he needed money.
Hired to take baby pictures, with camera in hand he trudged door-to-door. He then sold his camera to buy a one-way first-class ticket to Los Angeles.
The year, 1923 - and in Southern California things were happening. And he was on his way there.
With only $40 in pocket, he put all he owned into his imitation leather suitcase: one shirt, two undershorts, two pairs of socks, and his drawing materials. Then Laugh-O-Gram business owner Walt Disney left town to pursue his dream.
Nothing takes the place of persistence. Not anything! Follow your dream.
Northwest Entrepreneur Samantha Pierce
___________________
"I have not failed. I have discovered 1000 things that do not work." ___ Thomas Edison
Yes, if we dare we may fail. But, if we don't, we have failed already. We need to make failure our teacher and not our undertaker. Let us make the coming year the year we dare, the year we do.
We need to be prepared mentally, emotionally and physically. Yes, physically. If we don't feel our best we can't do our best. That requires proper rest and sleep. Our body and our mind require suitable nutrients. Avoid fad diets. Eat balanced meals. Use vitamin and mineral supplements and exercise regularly.
Success is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Cultivate a picture in your mind of you successfully achieving your goal. Clearer the picture, clearer becomes the action you need to take. And, if circumstances are not as you need, change them. Create new circumstances for yourself.
Personal energy is limited. To succeed we need to center our energy on our goals. Yes, spend time visualizing your success. Yes, spend time talking about achieving your goals. To succeed, however, it takes more. It means taking the actions necessary. The more we put in the more successful we will be.
"The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." _____ Dale Carnegie
1. Win back inactive customers
2. Build new territories
3. Sell to new type of buyer or client
4. Follow up inquiries from trade shows
5. Bring client or customer to your establishment
6. Educate wholesalers and dealers
7. Create need for product or service
8. Announce special events.
9. Capitalize on advertising of others
10. Raise funds
11. Announce a new website or e-mail number
12. Secure qualified names for mailing list
13. Remind previous customers of available service
14. Announce a new product or service
15. Build goodwill
16. Welcome new clients and customers
17. Thanks for orders or payments
18. Collect past due accounts
19. Test new product or idea
20. Collect customer data
21. Follow-up sales information
22. Develop media attention
23. Encourage investors
24. Contact the hard to reach
25. Pave way for sales call
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even
though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy
much nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory
nor defeat." _________ Theodore Roosevelt
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We respect the privacy of those on our list of e-mail friends wishing to receive
up to date ideas and news. We do not sell, rent, or in any way disclose our lists
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your dreams
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
"The poorest person of all is not the person without a cent but the person without a dream."
I don't know who said that, but what a powerful thought. It got me thinking about my own hopes and dreams. What was your dream as a child, or when you first started on your own? Where are you today regarding your dreams and hopes of yesterday?
Maybe your dream is to work for you, full or part time. Never has the future been brighter for those who wish to do so. Today's communication technology has fueled an increase in one-person businesses; an estimated 45 percent of all U.S. households support some kind of home office activity. Many are successful part-time ventures, endeavors undertaken to earn extra income. Numerous others are flourishing full-time enterprises.
Maybe your dream is to write a novel, learn a musical instrument, race vintage cars, climb a mountain, turn your hobby into a full or part-time business, go back to school, change occupations. What are your dreams, your hopes?
Whatever the dream, you will need a burning desire to accomplish - this builds enthusiasm. And this enthusiasm will give you the mental and physical energy needed to sustain you when you need to just keep at it.
You will need to believe in your abilities. This will give you the self-confidence and determination to overcome setbacks and obstacles others consider impossible the self-discipline and persistence to keep at it.
You will need to be a visionary. Concentrating on achieving your dream will control the way you think and therefore the way you act. Write down your dream. Set deadlines. Visualize yourself step-by-step getting to where you want to be. Then keep at it.
If we keep at it there will always be hope. And hope is the magic ingredient to motivate both ourself and others. Is it time you give expression to your hopes, to your dream?
How to Win Friends & Influence People - still the best book to lead you to personal and business success. In this day of growing anger, crumbling families, and self- centered relationships, we need this book more than ever.
"The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the Sun." John D. Rockefeller.
Translated into almost every known language, more than 15 million copies have been sold. Written in 1936 by Dale Carnegie, there is a reason this book is still a best seller more than 60 years later. And the book's revised edition has not changed the content, only added a few more contemporary examples.
How do I avoid people problems? How to get cooperation? How to make a first good impression? How to become a good conversationalist? How to interest people? How to build successful relationships with family, friends, and business associates?
Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends & Influence People will answer those questions and much more. This book's proven principles - when applied to everyday life - has revolutionized the lives of thousands. It will do the same for you.
"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action."
______ Benjamin Disraeli
BIG BUCKS ON THE INTERNET? According to CommerceNet/Nielsen Media Research's Internet Demographic Survey, the number of Internet users in North America has reached 92 million. Sixty percent or 55 million of that number shop online. Although women prefer clothing and books, and men shop more for automotive parts and computers; men and women basically purchase the same types of products online.
THE INTERNET AN EXPERIENCE? You may see it, you may understand it, and you may be curious about it. But ultimately, to find out if it would enhance your life or your business, you must use and experience it.
The Internet is an extremely powerful tool. It allows information gathering and dissemination on a scale previously unimagined. Millions of people are on the Internet and tens of thousands more are signing up to access it every day. Not because slick advertising or media hype fooled them. They are doing so because the Internet is a new development, impacting peoples lives and businesses in an important way.
The Internet will never go away. And the world will never be the same. As a Micro Business you don't need it to survive. But it can make your life and business more dynamic and healthy and it can be fun! _____ Alex Johnson, The Resource, February 1996
USE A COMPUTER: To organize your life. Master it so you can learn faster and be more effective in all that you do. You'll be amazed on how much it can help you grow faster and bring out your natural talents for increased creativity. ____ L.L.Lee
________________
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." ____ Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
" The only place where your dream becomes impossible is in your own thinking."____ Robert H. Schuller
Veritas Research & Publishing - Established 1986
Mailing address: P.O.
Box 306, Bellevue, WA 98009-03066 U.S.A.
Michael Odell's Small Business Solutions
whoknow.ltr
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free. To unsubscribe, if you must, just send your e-mail address to odell@seanet.com
Most of us are so busy running our small business that we don't spend enough time reaching new customers. Our best and least expensive marketing tool for reaching new prospects is word of mouth - referrals. We need to, however, set ongoing goals for developing our referral network, then act on those goals. A well thought out referral program can be our most powerful business building tool.
First identify the type of prospect you want to go after. There will be our "ideal" customer or client. He or she is easy to deal with and profitable. Our "bread and butter" customer - although not the most desirable - will provide most of our business and is the easiest customer for us to get. Then there are the "sour pickles" - to be avoided whenever possible.
Next identify the best referral source or sources for reaching our "ideal" customer and "bread and butter" customer.
Referrals come from various sources:
Our existing clients or customers
Friends, family, and neighbors
Advertising and publicity
Speeches, seminars, and other personal promotion
Lead sharing and networking groups
After you identify your referral sources, develop them, motivate them, and inspire them. For you to benefit, show them how they will benefit, and how the person they refer will benefit.
Follow up each sale, establish a relationship, build trust, and then request referrals.
One easy and effective way is to reignite your client or customer’s original excitement. Send a thank-you resell letter. Thank the customer for their business and congratulate them on making a wise purchase. This is the time to restate the benefits of owning your product or service.
Know as many people as possible. We need to be visible, attend customer meetings, participate in business seminars, And we need to be friendly, enthusiastic, and we need to keep at it. The results begin the day you start.
"The one who says it
cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it."
Developing
a positive mental attitude is the cornerstone to building a positive and successful
personal and business life. But how? We must consciously choose to eliminate negative
thoughts and replace them with positive ones. This takes self-discipline and practice.
We are the only ones who can control our attitude.
"The key to
personal prosperity and business success is learning to serve others: family, friends,
and customers."
Veritas Research & Publishing
- Established 1986
Mailing address: P.O. Box 306, Bellevue, WA 98009-03066 U.S.A.
Michael
Odell's Small Business Solutions
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
Nature has given one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak. ___ Epictetus
More than 85 percent of our information comes into our brain by eyes and 15 percent or less through our ears. The better we train ourself to listen, the better our chances to succeed.
Every day is filled with new ideas and information, information that can increase our social success and financial well being. All this if we learn to listen. Listening, however, is hard work.
It takes skill and practice to listen. Many of us start talking before we have all the facts. We daydream. Our egos block our hearing and we concentrate on what we are going to say next. To save time, we interrupt and finish statements for slow talkers. We anticipate what the other person is going to say and we continue on. We don’t listen.
"My wife never listens, she just talks." "My husband never pays attention to what I say." "My boss doesn’t listen." "My employees don’t listen." "My child doesn’t listen." "My parents never listen to me."
People want to know we are listening, we heard what they said, we are paying attention. Listening is the highest form of appreciation we can show and all it costs is a little time and concentration on our part.
Successful and happy people are good listeners. They concentrate on what is being said, not on what they are going to say next. They ask open-end questions to clarify, then listen. Good listeners look at you. The do not rush or interrupt the person speaking. Good listeners are patient. They focus on the person speaking and what is being said.
Practicing to be a good listener can only increase our chance for personal and financial success.
The Small Business Owner's Success Through Service
How? First we need to find what the other person wants. Then, help him or her find the best way to get it.
1. Make appointments.
2. Be prepared.
3. Know what you are going to say.
4. Ask questions instead of stating opinions.
5. Use the words "you" and "your" in the interview.
6. Express honest appreciation of your listener's needs.
7. Create confidence in you and in your product or service.
8. Find the key issue.
9. Concentrate everything on that one point the key issue.
10. And then, let them know you are in a position to do something for them no one else can. Ask for their business.
"Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the outcome. Not everyone can be Number 1." ____ Arthur Ashe
"In my opinion, one of the least publized benefits of the Net is the ability to put a selling presentation in front of a broad base of customers today, have the sales results today, and change the presentation today." ________ David Humble, President of Self/help Technologies
from Easton's book: Striking It Rich. com.
When ordering supplies by mail, telephone, or internet, pay by credit card. If you get conned, you can challenge the charge.
American taxpayers spend $200 billion and 5.4 billion hours working to comply with federal taxes each year, more than it takes to produce every car, truck, and van in the United States. Taxes eat up nearly half of the average family's income. That is more than the average family spends on food, clothing, and shelter combined. No wonder we must keep at it and take the positive advice of Robert H. Schuller: "Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost."
Make that first meeting a success. Always greet people with a smile. Introduce yourself, take initiative and volunteer your name. Put your hand out first, look other person in the eye.
What information and resources do you have that someone else might want, and willing to pay for? If your customers or clients are the kind of customers other businesses are interested in, you are sitting on a gold mine. So, stretch your imagination.
"We become what we think about most of the time." ___ Earl Nightingale
So, what have you been spending your time thinking about?
Michael Odell's Small Business Website: swiftsite.com/veritas/small.html
Veritas
Research & Publishing - Established 1986
Mailing address: P.O. Box 306, Bellevue,
WA 98009-03066 U.S.A.
August-1999
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free. To unsubscribe, if you must, just send your e-mail address to odell@seanet.com along with the word "cancel" - that is all.
"That which you share will multiply and that which you withhold
will diminish."
Our personal and business success depends on developing
the ability to get along with people. That means taking the initiative in our everyday
business and social contacts.
People seek positive individuals who look and
sound successful. So, we need to be positive, give encouragement, and show appreciation.
Do
you enjoy sincere appreciation? Of course you do. So do I. Our family, friends, and
business associates are no different. Sincere appreciation costs nothing. It pays
rich dividends in family happiness and business success.
But first, we need
to invest some personal initiative. We need to develop the habit of sincere appreciation.
Write yourself a "sincere appreciation" reminder on a several 4 by 4 cards.
Put one in your pocket, tape one to your computer, put another next to your phone.
Then at the end of the day, go over each personal encounter. Were you positive?
Did you give encouragement? Did you look for and give sincere appreciation? If not
why not, and how can you correct the situation the next time? How long do we do this?
We keep at it until we establish the habit of sincere appreciation. ___________
"How
to get positive? Refuse to worry about those things you can do nothing about. Instead,
meditate on the good things that can happen during the coming day."
_____
More Prospects - More Success ____
A fun way to find qualified prospects
is a contest. You gather not only the names, but also the interest of potential customers,
clients, or students.
First decide on your contest and rules, making sure
you are not breaking any local or state laws. Then what do you want the participant
to do to enter your contest? How do you decide the winner or winners? And what about
the prize? You want the prize to qualify those possible customers for your product
or service your target market. And you want to keep costs down.
The object
of course is to promote our product, service, or idea. Contest follow up is the most
important part of the contest. Send everyone who entered, an announcement of the
winner. Thank all the entrants and of course promote your product, service, or idea.
And leave them with a reason for you to contact them again. _______________
"
It is wise to keep in mind that no success or failure is final. Failure doesn't mean
you don't have it. It does mean you have to do something in a different way."
____ Unknown
We can't change our feelings by a mere act of will. We can, however,
alter our attitude toward our feelings. The good news, we are not stuck with our
choices. It is not too late. So keep at it. ____ M.E.O.
Michael Odell's Small Business
Website: swiftsite.com/veritas/small.html
Veritas Research & Publishing -
Established 1986
Mailing address: P.O. Box 306, Bellevue, WA 98009-03066 U.S.A.
OUR PERSONAL SUCCESS - February 2000
FOOD AND SEX - May 2000
GOOD NEWS, IT'S NOT TO LATE - June-July 2000
LOOKEN GOOD? - August 2000
MAKING WRONG APPEAR RIGHT - September-October 2000
GETTING YOUR POINT ACROSS - November 2000
Our Privacy Policy: We respect the privacy of those on our list of e-mail friends wishing to receive up to date ideas and news. We do not sell, rent, or in any way disclose our lists to third parties. To subscribe just send your e-mail address to odell@seanet.com
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
"The ability to deal with people is a purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I will pay more for that ability than for any other under the sun." ___ John D. Rockefeller
Even in this day of soaring new technologies, 85 percent of our personal and financial success depends on our skill in human engineering - our ability to get along with and lead people. This, however, takes action on our part. It takes a desire and determination to increase our ability to successfully deal with people.
Negative and critical people are avoided whenever possible. So be positive. Don't criticize. Being negative and critical are habits, and like all personal habits, can be changed. If we have the desire and determination to do so. But how?
Set some time aside at the end of each day and go over each and every personal encounter. Were you positive in your speech and actions? Did you give positive suggestions and show appreciation instead of criticizing? If not what can you do to change your behavior next time?
The first step is developing a positive mental attitude, the cornerstone to a positive and successful life. Only you can consciously choose to eliminate negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. It will not be easy, but well worth it. Just keep at it.
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts." _____ Calvin Coolidge, American President
When at work or shopping for groceries, don't look at it as just working or shopping. Instead, we are there to make friends to find people to help.
"We can do no great things; only small things with great love. " _____ Mother Teresa
We need to be our self . That means practicing sincerity in a society of ego, deceit, and pretension. To be sincere all we need do is act the same with everyone, no putting on a different face for different people. This will give us a feeling of security no matter the pressure of our social surroundings.
"To be nobody-but-yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." _____ E.E. Cummings
There is more to people than their title or job description. Ask people who they are, not what they do.
"It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has."
_____ Henry Ward Beecher
E-Commerce
Consultant, Dr. Ralph F. Wilson's,
Six Simple Principles of Viral Marketing Outline
If you understand these, you'll be able to develop and adapt viral marketing strategies
for your own company:
1. Gives away products or services
2. Provides for effortless
transfer to others
3. Scales easily from small to very large
4. Exploits
common motivations and behaviors
5. Utilizes existing communication networks
6. Takes advantage of others' resources
For the complete article go to: http://wilsonweb.com/wmt5/viral-principles.htm
Michael Odell's Small Business
Website: swiftsite.com/veritas/small.htm
Veritas Research & Publishing - Established
1986
Mailing address: P.O. Box 306, Bellevue, WA 98009-03066 U.S.A.
Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
In the words of William James: "The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated." Well yes, but, to feel important is desired even more so. Desires for food and sex are strong. But, these are desires of the flesh. We have stronger desires, deeper cravings in our innermost being —— and that is to feel important.
We all need to feel important, to someone. There are those who will go to the most violent of extremes to be noticed, to feel important. And we all know the person who needs to embellish even the most insignificant statement, to feel important.
Without appreciation and feelings of importance from her children and husband, a woman's face becomes weary and cheerless. Without recognizing their importance employees become sullen, customers become ex-customers. And nothing is more heartbreaking than the child being misshaped by feelings of ineptitude. All will do almost anything to feel important. All will do almost anything for those who make them feel important.
Making others feel important is the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing to do. It will help us to prosper in both our personal and business life. It is not, however, an easy thing to do. We live in a world filled with negativism, a world of false pride where we think we must be number one, or just a little better than the next guy or woman —— even if it means embellishing the truth or putting the other person down.
To help us prosper in all areas of our life, we need to look for the worth in those we deal with: family, friends, students, customers, fellow employees, and strangers. Build them up. Appreciate them. Make them feel important. It is the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do. It is the prosperous thing to do.
____________________________________________________
"The trouble with life is - you're halfway through before you realize it's one of those do-it-yourself deals!"
Should I Start My Own Business? Should I Run a Marathon?
First, know yourself. What are you good at? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Make a list of both. Then write out how you will overcome your weaknesses —— real or perceived. Then write down how you can leverage your abilities. These steps are necessary whatever the endeavor you have in mind, business or otherwise.
Some of you know exactly what you want to do. You already have many of the skills necessary to succeed. You are merely looking for the right opportunity or financial resources. Others need to research business ideas or other opportunities before making a commitment.
Starting our own business or making a serious change in our life takes courage. Courage alone, however, will not guarantee success. Do we have a passion for our proposed activity? You must if you're going to succeed. This passion will buoy our enthusiasm, particularly during those times when things are not at their best. What are you willing to commit to making your endeavor successful? How much time are you willing to commit to the three Ps' of entrepreneurship: Preparation - Perspiration - Persistence?
"The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what interests and that you can do well, and put your whole soul into it —— every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have." ____ John D. Rockefeller III
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Avoiding Small Business Failure
"Poor financial management is one of the leading reasons that businesses fail. In many cases, failure could have been avoided if the owners had applied sound financial principles to all their dealings and decisions. Financial management is not something that you can leave to your banker, financial planner, or accountant —— you need to understand the basic principles yourself and use them on a daily basis, even if you plan to leave the more complicated work to hired professionals." ___ Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
And I must add. This is also true for our personal finances.
"Failure doesn't mean you'll never make it . . . it does mean it will take a little longer." ____Robert Schuller
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Things We Need To Know To Successfully Market Our Business
What is the market like? Know all about the competition and the supply and demand required to carry out a successful business.
Who are your clients or customers? What are they like? What do you have to offer your competition doesn't? What makes you special?
"Be ready when opportunity comes . . . Luck is the time when preparation and opportunity meet."
_______ Roy D. Chapin Jr.
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If there was ever a time to dare,
to make a difference,
to embark on
something worth doing,
it is now.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily...
but for something that tugs at your heart,
something that's your inspiration,
something that's your dream.
______ Unknown
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Since 1993, Michael E. Odell's Sales & Marketing newsletter has provided profitable information to help the small-business owner. Our e-mail newsletter, Hints & Tips, is written in the same essence. Proven ideas that work - and it is free.
We have all made bad choices at one time or another. I know I have - many of them. The good news, we are not stuck with those choices. Although we may still be suffering the consequences of our bad choices, it is not too late to make changes. We cannot make those changes, however, if we are preoccupied with the results of our bad choices and waste our time trying to justify our actions to others. This only prevents us from changing our attitudes and from solving any problems caused by our bad choices.
Attitude? This is how we look at things. And how we look at things affects our feelings. We may not be able to change our feelings, but we can change our attitude toward our feelings. First, however, to understand what these feelings indicate, we need to identify the origin of our negative feelings, then use this information to help us understand and improve our circumstances.
Every day remind yourself to focus on the good things that can happen. Refuse to worry about those things you can do nothing about. Worry only hampers our personal growth, eats away our positive attitude, and turns us negative. Why beat yourself over past mistakes? Learn from them, forget them, then move on.
"Do not build up negative mental obstacles. Whenever a negative thought comes to mind deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out." __ unknown
Some dot-com stocks have taken a horrific beating, their shar