I am reminded of the fact that during the 1930’s more millionaires were made than any other time in history. So with every perceived challenge there is also an energetic opportunity to create new and greater opportunities. The Japanese translation for the word crisis is “Opportunity.”

 

What new and better opportunities could be lying right under your nose that you may be missing?

 

Years ago while working for a sales training company in Silicon Valley, I remember during slower times we were encouraged to pick up the phone and talk to our previous customers enjoying a “I just called to check in with you” phone call. I was always happily surprised when several would respond, “I wondered when you would call again.” It was a wake up call about the power of continued relationship-building. 

 

Many of us often perform day to day at the pace of an ADD person, jumping on to the next “hot new lead” or looking for the “sure-bet sale.” Many business owners using the internet to market their products and services haven’t talked to a live customer in years. When is the last time you actually picked up the phone and connected with your past clients? How about past prospects who have yet to purchase from you?

 

Now is the perfect time to get back to the basics of relationship-building by offering personalized touch, being available as a real live person who actually cares and connects with one’s clients.   It is still the fastest way to build trust, provide personalized service and create relationships that can last a lifetime. When you take the time to personally connect with people, it’s not a matter of if they will work with you, its a matter of when. I believe Dale Carnegie’s wisdom when he said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” 

 

 

1. Make at least 3 -5 “I just called to say hi” phone calls today. If business is slow, this is the perfect time to reconnect with customers and prospects. The expression, “Out of sight, out of mind,” is even more true today. Reconnecting with our customers goes along way to make our customers feel important. It is also a good time to suggest new products and services you have that can help their business. The personal touch is more important than ever now -- and definitely worth the time and effort.

 

2. Drop a “thank you note” or greeting card to 10 people this week. No, emails don’t count! Our society has lost the art of hand-written notes and cards. When you send them, you immediately set yourself and your business in an entirely new, favorable and unforgettable light. I remember receiving a tiny box of Godiva Chocolates (4 pieces to be exact) with a Thank You note attached after meeting a man at a seminar. To this day, he stands out in my mind as a thoughtful person. Small tokens go along way to building business relationships.

 

3. Call past clients to say hi and ask “Who do you know who could benefit from our services?”  People are always generous and want to help others, if we just ask. We can learn from the real estate industry’s “People Refer Up” sales statistic: “When referring friends and family, referrals often spend more money than the original customer.” Consider this one fact: If you took your existing customer base and got just one good referral from each, you could DOUBLE your sales -- almost overnight! There is a gold-mine right under your nose with potential referrals when you take advantage of this strategy.

 

4. Select 3 “good networkers” who also service your ideal clients. Make a date to sit down over coffee or lunch and discuss how you can become strategic alliances helping each other’s business to grow. Networking in general is a great way to increase your credibility and build the trust factor especially now when people are “nervous” about spending their cash. Just last week I attended a networking meeting, introduced myself at the meeting sharing how I help people, and then talked to a few people after. That same afternoon a man I met during the networking meeting called to discuss my services, and enrolled in my upcoming Best-Seller Business Bootcamp within a few minutes. 

 

5. Continue to expand your “Possibility & Prosperity Mindset” with continuing educational books, tapes and personal and professional development programs.    I am coaching many more people this year, helping them get out of the fear in their own mind first and foremost. Fear begets fear. Before you invest the time and money with your marketing campaigns, make certain your mindset is heading in the direction of success. Even the best marketing campaign can go sideways, when you are fearful and nervous. This economy calls us all to grown more INTERNAL CERTAINTY during these uncertain economic times. Internal certainty will always take you to your desired goal. Internal fear will not!

 

It’s been said that owning your own business is the biggest personal develop seminar you will ever attend. It takes constant and consistent expansion of our business systems, our marketing proficiency, our success mindset, our communication skills and much more.

 

Want to succeed, but having a difficult time keeping a psychology of success, no matter the external economic factors? Then it’s time to take action and invest in a step-by-step coaching system that will keep you focused moving in the direction of success. The Grab Your Ultimate Dreams Coaching System gives you the most important things to do daily to create a mindset for more success, get out there in a big way achieving your biggest goals, while continually feeling confident, fulfilled and loving life! This is a step-by-step system geared to moved you forward daily in the direction of your dreams.   You can get it at www.GrabYourUltimateDreams.com