Block Your Cell Phone Today

Hello... I can't hear you.. what what...

Take 30 seconds and register your Canadian cell number so that telemarketers can't call you! This is easy to do and is worth passing on to your family and friends. Cell phone numbers go public on September 1st 2009. Which means that all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

Use the "Do Not Call List Canada" web site and register your phone there. Remember it is only on the DNC list for 2 years, you will have to update it. Put a reminder in your computer's calendar.

Summer is Over... Get Some New Clients

I'm looking, I'm looking...
Click for larger image

You can count on some referrals from your existing clients and people who already know you, but that's a fairly limited number. How do you increase the size of your referrals circle to include more people. In order to refer you business, people want to be sure that you will take good care of the clients they send you. For that, they'd like to be better acquainted than just hearing your name.

How to use this approach effectively:

1. Create a most-wanted list of ten occupational categories whose members are frequently in touch with the type of client you desire. For example, a graphic designer who works with small businesses might choose accountants, attorneys, bankers, business coaches and consultants, business teachers and career counselors.

2. Make the acquaintance of ten people in each occupation. Seek them out, meet with them, and familiarize them with your expertise and the benefits of the service you offer. Find out more about what they do and the type of clients they serve so you can refer business to them as well.

3. When you connect with someone who seems open to sending you business referrals from time to time, you have found a referral partner. Make it a priority to refer potential clients to them so they will be more motivated to send you more referrals.


Now what do I do?

When you have a specific goal like this in mind, your networking can become much more focused. Whenever you meet someone whose occupation matches one on your list, ask, "I think we might be able to refer each other clients. Can we get together and talk about that?"

When you aren't able to make enough connections through networking and your existing contacts, don't be afraid to just look them up. If you approach them as a colleague and express your desire for the two of you to help each other be more successful, you'll find many people willing to get better acquainted.

Regardless of how you first get in touch, some of the people you talk to won't be receptive to getting to know you better or the idea of referring each other business. You only need ten names for each occupation, and there are plenty of people to choose from. Just move on to the next possibility.

One of the most useful elements of this strategy is that it is both simple and systematic. All you have to do is look at your most-wanted list, and you'll know right away what needs to be done next. Do you need to add more occupations, or do you need more new names in any group to reach your total of 100? Once you have 100 names listed, you can change your tactics from getting acquainted to following up. Stay in touch with everyone on your list at least once per quarter.


So now comes the hard part.

Getting started. If you want more business it's time to get started, September is a great time to reinvigorate your networking and referral building initiatives. Start that list today and try and get 3 categories going. Now book a networking event for later this week or at least go for a coffee with an past contact and share with them your plan to build your business using this referral tactic.

The internet is now a game

Great a new way to waist more time...

We’ve hand-picked the best links on the web and turned them into “cards”.
Collect coins by answering a timed challenge question for each card.
Redeem your coins for prizes and compete with other players for high scores.

2009 Top 10 Small Business Trends

Sorry we only take VISA...

September is almost here. Time to dust of this years trends and see where we stand in the evolving recovery.

Economic Trends

1. The Recession Drives Small Business Innovation: With the economy mired in a deep recession, small businesses will focus on cash flow, cost containment, customer retention and survival. But economic stress will also lead to a wave of small business innovation. Driven by the need to improve productivity and increase customer value, small businesses will re-evaluate, re-design and refine their products, processes and business models. Despite the adverse economic climate, innovation will create new opportunities for many small businesses.

2. Government Plays an Increasing Role in the Economy: Economic turmoil, corporate malfeasance and regulatory failure are leading to much greater government intervention in the economy. While we believe that the long term, global trend towards market capitalism continues to be strong, governments around the world will take a more active role in managing and regulating their economies. Small businesses will need to be aware of federal, state and local government policy and program changes and their impacts.

3. Global Infrastructure Spend: President-elect Obama and his transition team are preparing a massive, $850 billion economic recovery package. China, Japan, the EU and other countries are also developing large infrastructure spending programs. In the US bridges and roads, alternative energy, transportation, clean tech and education will likely see substantial federal spending increases with the impacts likely being felt in the second half of 2009. Small businesses will benefit directly through government contracting programs targeted at them and indirectly through providing goods and services to larger firms.

4. The Number of Small Businesses Will Increase in 2009: With job losses high and traditional employment options limited, many will turn to self-employment and small business in 2009. The prior three recessions have seen small business formation rates increase. And with it easier and cheaper than ever to start small or personal businesses, we expect a strong year for small business formation – especially personal businesses. Failure rates will also increase, but not enough to offset the number of new small and personal businesses.

5. Small Business Globalization Will Temporarily Slow: While we believe the long- term trend towards small business globalization is still strong, we expect small business globalization to slow in 2009. The primary reasons are the global economic slump, turmoil in currency markets and small businesses focusing on local markets. We expect small business exports to pick up in late 2009 as the global economy starts to recover.


Demographic Trends

6. Baby Boomer Retirement Problems Will Lead to Increased Interest in Small Business: We’ve long forecasted that baby boomers will stay in the workforce past the traditional retirement age. Current economic turmoil makes this trend even stronger. Baby boomer retirement has taken a series of major blows. The value of their homes, retirement savings and inheritances has all declined substantially. Many have lost or will lose their jobs. Boomers will have to extend their working years and small and personal businesses will be their best, and in many cases, only option.

7. Generation Y Will Turn to Small Business: Gen Y will continue to be be more entrepreneurial than youth in recent generations. The economic slump will make this trend stronger as many Gen Yers face limited traditional employment opportunities. With their risks and opportunity costs relatively low, many Gen Yers will choose to start or work for small or personal businesses.



Technology Trends

8. Mobile Computing Continues Strong Growth: On our list last year, mobile computing is entering the US mainstream. Notebooks outsold desktop PC’s in the second half of 2008, smart phones sales continued their rapid growth and millions of netbooks (very small personal computers designed primary for mobile internet access) were sold. Adding the continued rapid growth of navigation systems, location-based services and mobile search results in mobile computing having a major impact on small businesses in 2009.

9. Cloud Computing Continues Strong Growth: Another trend that was on our 2008 key technology trends list. Cloud computing offers too many small business benefits not to continue its strong growth in 2009. In particular cloud computing lowers capital costs and turns fixed costs into variable costs – two powerful attributes that are very attractive in a down economy.

10. Small Businesses Will Expand Their Use of Online Marketing Tools: Despite the economic downturn, we expect the small business sector to increase its use of online marketing tools and methods in 2009. Online marketing is cheaper and often more effective than traditional approaches. And although online marketing can be complex, many tools and methods are accessible to DIY small business marketers. With small businesses focused on customer acquisition and re-defining their business methods, we expect their use of online marketing to grow in 2009.

Selling In The Dog Days Of Summer

I can't wait for September to come...

Summer is here and for many people that means it's time to "kick-back". Does everyone really go on vacation at the same time? "Yes, many people do take vacation in July and August, but they also take vacation in January and February and selling doesn't stop then!

If you perceive there is nobody around, you are setting yourself up for a negative self-fulfilling prophecy and your production will drop. So, you need to think like a business owner this summer and leverage your talent and make a name for yourself.

Do some research and identify three unique challenges the summer months bring to your prospects and figure out how your products and services can help. While researching, also discover three opportunities that your prospects can take advantage of in the summer months. Then call your prospects and give them the great news.

Be a contrarian this summer and make a conscious decision to go against the grain. Whatever obstacle is put in front of you, respond by saying ‘bring it on!', then figure out a way to turn it around to your benefit and make this the busiest time of the year.