Bill Gluth's Creative Business Strategy Blog

The Future Depends on YOUR Business

Recently, I did a presentation at Arizona State University that talked about the future of the American Economy.

I pointed out that we recently reached another 100-year cycle. At those times, historically, brilliant people seem to rise to the forefront and create innovations in arts, science, commerce, and society.

For example, in the first 10-years of the 20th Century:

Ford mass-produced automobiles

Tea bags and boxed corn flakes were introduced

Air Conditioning and vacuum cleaners were brought to the public

The manned, gas powered airplane made its first flight

Great ideas and amazing inventions came from average people who rose up to create the extraordinary.

In 2008, a new paradigm is emerging.

Today, we have the information age, which has recently given way to the knowledge economy.

Everyone now has access to all of the information a person could ever need. The question becomes what to do with it.

Businesses that will soar to new heights are those that find a way to help people use knowledge to create a result.

This makes the secret to business success in 2008 and beyond simple.

Create value that enhances the lives of other people.

Share your vision, passion, and talent through marketing, sales, and content delivery strategies.

Once someone becomes your client, treat him or her like a trusted friend. Look out for their best interests and continuously use your knowledge to help every client get more of what they want.

Use your knowledge and talent as your greatest competitive advantage consistently.

When you accomplish that, you’ll be one of the many small businesses who are building a bridge to the future, one client and one piece of information at a time.

Is a Recession Really Just a State of Mind

My friend, James Casey made and excellent observation about the ideas on the recession presented in this week’s Creative Business Strategy.

James pointed out, “The worst part of life is holding on to negative beliefs.
Recession is a "State of Mind". If we claim it, we own it!

“We are responsible for our own reality. Our economy is built on
belief and circulation.

“Our biggest challenge is the masses buying into "things are bad".

“Then they stop spending while they hope other people will buy their products and services.

“They do not understand what they practice is what they really promote.

“Thank you for doing your part in presenting the truth with solutions and being a great asset to our community and our world.”

And thank you, James, for your excellent observation and kind remarks.

Here's one reason why I think people are worried about a recession.

It's because they got used to being average or “normal” and having that work.

When the economy slows, they have to deliver a true value in order to make a sale.

That's a real challenge because many get lazy and do not want to stretch themselves to think beyond what they already do every day.

I totally agree. If you believe things are bad, you'll sit back, worry and not ever take action to move forward.

This is the default setting for a LOT of people I'm afraid.

Well, let's see if we can inspire people in small business to live beyond their fears, overcome their limitations and move into a bright and prosperous reality right now.

After all, small business is the future of our economy.

Just like at the turn of the 20th Century, now is the time for brilliant people everywhere to step up and claim their prize of success.

All they have to do is create a value that makes a difference in the lives of other people.

Then be so passionate about that value they can easily SHOUT it from the rooftops and tell everyone they see about it.

That is easy to understand and often difficult for many people to do, all at the same time.

Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller Five Secrets to Slow Time Success

Five Secrets To Slow Time Success
How To Thrive Not Just Survive During A Recession
By Jimmy Vee & Travis Miller

“The recession is coming, the recession is coming!”

So for those who are feeling a bit of the conjured pressure and need some help weathering the storm, this article will give you five secrets to slow time entrepreneurial success. These secrets will help you not only merely survive in the slow time but thrive, dominate and prosper.

Why are these entrepreneurial secrets? Because most corporate business people probably won’t believe in the raw power of them or have the capacity to implement any of them before the whole “recession” blows over. Slow to see, slow to act.

Slow Time Entrepreneurial Secret #1: Differentiate.

Me too products and services with no distinguishing qualities are forced into the commodity marketplace and bought only based on price…low price.  In the slow season these are the first to get cut from the spending budget.

Slow Time Entrepreneurial Secret #2: Innovate.

The first thing a person asks someone they haven’t seen in a while is, “What’s New?” That’s what they want from you too. Just because things are tightening up doesn’t mean you have to or should slow down. Your business needs to innovate now more than ever.

Slow Time Entrepreneurial Secret #3:  Hit The Gas.

During these uncertain times the first reaction of most business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals is to cut back. It’s a dangerous move and a mistake too commonly made.  The smart move is to hit the gas and do more. Add, initiate, market more heavily, recruit the best people and blast through it with momentum and speed.

Slow Time Entrepreneurial Secret #4:  Connect.

Now more than ever connecting with your current and past customers on a more than business level will be essential. Wait a minute. Isn’t business business and personal personal? You shouldn’t mix business and pleasure right? That’s true, if you want to make less money than you could that is. What you need to know is consumers do business with people, not companies. 

Slow Time Entrepreneurial Secret #5:  Rally.

Now is the time to ring the bell and rally the troops. Your employees, your past customers, your friends and even your family.  Get them fired up and on the same page when it comes to your unique qualities and what you have to offer. The order of the day is referral stimulation, buzz creation and an increase in transaction value.

Thank you Jimmy and Travis for this excellent advice. Read the full article at http://www.creatingwordsthatsell.com/Creative_Business_Strategy.htm and pick up a copy of their new book Gravitational Marketing http://www.gravitybook.com/

About Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller

Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller are the nation’s leading experts on attracting customers and specialize in helping small business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals generate a steady stream of highly qualified clients who pay more, stay longer and refer repeatedly. They believe that every business should be ESP–Enjoyable, Simple and Prosperous. Vee and Miller are the co-authors of Gravitational Marketing: The Science of Attracting Customers (Wiley). Get a copy of their new book and get a slew of free gifts at http://www.GravitationalMarketing.com

Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller Have Made Marketing Easier

I was recently invited to read and comment on a new book by Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller called Gravitational Marketing.

I feel that you can never read too much, so I was more than willing to take a look.

After all, even familiar ideas, when presented with a different point of view, can break through mind clutter, give you new perspectives, generate great ideas, and help you "get it.”

Of course, once you get it you can then take successful action and profit.

Jimmy and Travis’ book makes marketing easy to understand. It breaks the processes of marketing down, step-by-step.

They give specific examples, they make you laugh, their ideas make you think “Good one” and most importantly, they show anyone how to accomplish seemingly overwhelming tasks easily.

If you struggle with marketing, Gravitational Marketing is a must read and required reference on your book shelf. You’ll review it again and again.

Pick up a copy online at http://www.Gravitybook.com

When you do, you’ll get access to their free bonus resource section and a variety of free gifts you’ll enjoy.

I highly recommend this entertaining and action oriented look at marketing ANY business.

I Didn’t Get Meat – I Got Great Customer Service Instead

The windshield company my insurance agent uses met me at my 1 pm client meeting in Scottsdale, on time, as promised. The technician was waiting in the parking lot ready to install my windshield when I arrived.

I left the car doors open and Lead Technician, Adrian Vonville, did his work while I went into my client meeting.

After about 45-minute I came out to check on the progress. The windshield was installed and the small glass fragments that littered my front seat and dashboard was all cleaned up.

In Arizona, some glass companies offer a package of steaks for letting them install a windshield. I kiddingly asked Adrian if I got the meat too.

He laughed and said, “It’s a trade off. We decided to give good service that fit the customers schedule and need instead.”

After a stressful day like yesterday, I’ll take service and sizzle over steaks anytime.

Thank you Adrian Vonville, Universal Auto Glass, Glendale, AZ. You did a great job that fit my schedule and need exactly as promised.

How Does Your Insurance Agent Respond

I was involved in a near miss car accident yesterday. No collision damage, just debris damage to my car body and a smashed in windshield.

I was lucky the wire barriers between the East and West side of the freeway kept the other car from careening into my side of the road which would have caused major damage and injury.

These are the moments when your insurance agent gets to prove their worth and service value. I’m happy to report that my agent at State Farm Insurance once again came through brilliantly.

He had a report taken over the phone while I sat on the highway and arranged for a new windshield to be installed while I was at a client meeting that afternoon.

By the time the police report was completed and I was ready to leave the scene of the accident everything was handled and I was on my way without further stress or worry.

Thank you William Kohl, State Farm Insurance, Surprise, AZ, for your excellent service and attitude of caring at a time of need.

7- Steps that Make Blogging Simple

It’s easy and fun to blog once you understand the seven simple principles of blogging. Here they are, from my personal point-of-view:

1.  Don’t try to sell me anything.

2. Share your knowledge and expertise freely. Show me your world without filters, expectations, or restrictions.

3. Tell me about your personal observations of the world and life.

4. Share your real experiences of life, work, and ideas. Don’t just rehash what everyone else has said.

5. Show me posts that you thought were meaningful from other blogs. Tell me why you thought they were worthwhile and send me a link so I can see for myself.

6. Don’t leave me hanging. If you tell me about a resource, give me the link so I can check it out too.

7. Make your blog posts a conversation that I can comment on if I am moved to do so.

Bonus Step

Be real, be genuine, and give me a true glimpse of your thoughts, feelings and inner world experience. You know, tell me about your worldview of life in general.

A Sad Farewell to the Best Guy Ever – Sedona Boynton Canyon

Over the past 11-years, I’ve had three dogs. Two of them left this world a couple years ago. Each time I posted a memorial on my blog.

Today, I lost my final furry friend, Sedona, to old age and internal organ failure.

Sedona came to me in April of 1997 at just six weeks old. He was an AKC registered Sheltie that I got from a wonderful breeder when I lived in Illinois. He was always very handsome, well behaved, and smart.

I named him after favorite places I had been. Sedona was one of those places for me in the 1990's.

He gave me 11-years of great companionship. Of the three dogs I owned, I always called him, “the best one” because he truly was.

He always made every effort to be as good as he could be.  He knew his good behavior made me happy. He was a sweetheart and my personal favorite.

Dogs teach us so much about life. They show us how to remain in the moment and help us remember to enjoy the smallest pleasures.

Most important of all, our dogs teach us how to forgive and live with compassion. I think that is their greatest gift to humankind.

Now that he’s gone, the house is extremely empty. The energy of humanities best friend is a powerful and welcoming presence.

When it is suddenly gone, the void is great, but, as with all life, as long as their memory stays strong in your heart, they continue to live on as great feelings and emotions.

I will miss you, Sedona. You were a wonderful boy and the best canine companion I could ever ask for. Thank you for the eleven wonderful years of companionship and love you gave me. I loved every second.

In Loving Memory of Sedona Boynton Canyon Gluth - January 4, 1997 - April 14, 2008

How to Turn SOMEday into DONE, Right Now!

Do you know what kind of marketing and sales process is guaranteed to fail 100% of the time?

It’s the marketing and sales process development that never gets DONE!

Whatever the reason, waiting for SOMEday to have a process that combines marketing, sales, and client relationship management into one solid package is costing you significant revenue every day it’s not completed.

To get you started, here are 7-steps to follow to develop a successful outreach campaign:

1st Develop the product or service. How does it work, what is the value the client receives for buying in?

2nd Identify the market and create a list of targets. Keep adding to that list of targets over time and consistently build a bigger list.

3rd Create a seven to nine tier “integrated” promotion effort and send it to your niche group of people.

4th Be sure you have developed a consistent sales component that turns attraction into revenue at least 1 in 5 times, with a goal of 1 in 3 times.

6th Track the success of your campaign. If your campaign is not successful, go out and talk to the market. See what you’re missing (the problem that keeps them awake at night). Then revamp your campaign with this new information and redeploy.

7th Continue to communicate. Write articles and create content that establishes you as the “Go to person in your niche” and feeds your sales pipeline consistently.

Remember, what you really sell is knowledge and experience other people do not have.

What to Write If You Cannot Write at All

Talking is fun for most people. Writing, however, is an impossible chore. Here's how to make it easier, which will give you "expert credentials."

All day long, you share your expertise. What do you say when you are in front of clients and prospects explaining how you’re going to help them?

Write it down and you instantly have an article. If you can’t write it down, record your ideas, have them transcribed and edited and your article can be developed without ever actually writing a word.

You may be thinking, “Who wants to read what I have to say?”

Other people do not have the depth of understanding you do when it comes to your business. No matter what business you’re in, you are an expert in that space when compared to other people.

The only way other people will know about your expertise is if you tell them about it.

An easy way to “tell” them is to write an article and send it to your new prospects. There is one catch, however. Only send the article with your contacts permission, or it will never be read.

You gain a new and interested sales lead. Your prospect gains more knowledge that will help them in their business. It's a win/win.

The person reading your article will also see you as an authority in your field because you sent them credible and helpful information that you wrote. They trust you more because you appear to be a knowledgeable expert.

As my good friend Michael Goodman, founder of AZ Sales Pros reminds us, interest, trust and credibility equals a sale.