Archive for Business

The Magic of First Impressions! Not What You Think…

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (1)

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

What do you think about when I say, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?”

Most people would say that had to do with meeting people in person, face to face. But does it? In today’s world of social media, Internet, and I can Google you to find out everything I need to know, have things changed?

They have changed and in a big way. Years ago I taught a seminar series on The Magic of First Impressions. With all of the changes to our world, I have updated that list. Here are some areas that you need to examine in your business.

You need to ask yourself the following question…

“What is my customers first impression in each of these areas, and am I presenting the image I want to make?”

Here are the areas:

Your Social Media, including Twitter, You Tube, and Facebook
Your business card – a great resource is www.gotprint.com, high quality, low cost
The way your phone is answered at your office
Your voice mail greeting
Your website
Your office
The way you dress
Your grooming, or lack thereof
Your professional photos
Other printed material

You never know how someone will be introduced to you for the first time, so make all your points of contact reflect the image you want to make!

Categories : Business, Marketing, Sales

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How to Build Great Relationships Using Social Media

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (0)

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

I was reminded again today on the power of social media to build relationships. Before 10 AM I had a half dozen people ask me how golf was this past weekend. At first, I didn’t really think more about that other than it was polite conversation. However, later today I realized that they knew about my golf adventures because of the postings I had made on my facebook account.

After giving this some thought here are some things I learned…

You never know who is looking at your post. We often think that that the only people watching are those who are commenting. That is not true.
You need to make sure you realize what you are posting and if what you are saying is how you want to be perceived. Perception is reality and you can not take back outburst of anger and frustration.

That being said I also learned how valuable social networking can be in building relationships. Most people will post things that they are interested in. Things such as family, sports, quotes, etc. People love to talk about what they enjoy, so how can this help you in your business?

If business is about building relationships, then taking the time to review post people make can help you build better relationships. What if you have a client or referral partner that you are trying to build your business from? What if you took time to review their social media post prior to your next meeting or conversation? How would that impact your relationship growth?

If you do a little research, you will find out exactly what is on your prospects mind and then you can spend time discussing those things in an effort to build the relationship. Very powerful!

So here is a quick action plan that you can use today to grow your business:

Look up 5 of your prospective referral partners
See what their last 5 post were about
Give them a call
Ask them about those specific things they are posting about (You don’t have to say you saw it on social media, just make it part of the conversation)

Try these action steps and let me know how it goes! I am sure you will be amazed at the results!

Remember what I always say,

“If you want to be successful, you must take the on-line, off-line when it comes to building relationships!”

Categories : Business, Marketing, Motivation, Sales

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4 Speaking Tips to Grow Your Business from The Sermon on the Mount

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (0)

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Have you ever wondered how you can grow your business in a tough economy? Start speaking! Giving seminars and speeches is one of the fastest ways to grow your business regardless of economic conditions. The more you speak, the more you will grow. Here are some quick lessons on building credibility, influence and growing your business from the greatest teacher of all time!

Jesus spoke to the multitudes. The secret hear is to build your business, give presentations to large groups of people. Speaking builds your influence!
His message was full of encouragement. Never give people bad news! You have a message and you want it spread. Good news spreads fast!
He told stories! The bottom line is that facts tell but stories sell! Practice the art of using analogies and telling stories.
He asked thought provoking questions. Engage your audience and ask the thought provoking questions

If you want to grow your business, you do not always have to work harder. You need to work smarter. If you have been meeting prospective referral partners one on one, you need to consider holding a seminar. It will give you more time, build your influence, and grow your business. Give it a shot! You will be amazed at the results and if you need help, let me know. I would be happy to coach you on becoming a great presenter and growing your business through seminars.

Categories : Business, Marketing, Sales

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The Two Words That Will Keep You From Reaching Your Potential

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (0)

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Have you ever needed advice? Have you ever asked for advice? If so, what happened when you received the advice?

Lot’s of people want to know what will make them successful. They want to know how to reach their maximum potential and how to achieve success. The problem is when they get the answer, they often reply with the two words that destroy their destiny…yeah but.

Here is the truth about success. It takes HARD WORK. It takes FOCUS. It takes DEDICATION and PERSEVERANCE. It takes, TIME AND MONEY. I know, I have built several successful businesses and each one of them took all of these and more.

Let’s take this example. You ask a coach the following question…

“What do I need to do to grow my business in the current economy?”

The coach replies, “You need to invest more time and more money”

Your reply will determine your success. If you reply with, “yeah but” then what you are really saying is that you want success to be easier. You want a quick fix solution.

I think we all need to get real with life and ask the hard questions. The questions that so many are afraid to ask in the sake of saving someones feelings. If you really care about someone you will ask the tough questions and be silent until you get an honest response. I am more interested in you being successful, than me being popular.

The number one reason your business isn’t working right now, is that you are not working right now. If you want to reach your maximum potential replace the “yeah but” with “great, what else can I do in addition” and you will begin taking small steps that will lead to big victories!

Keep Believing, Keep Dreaming, and Keep Moving Forward!

Categories : Business, Motivation, Sales

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How to Position Yourself for Success!

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (0)

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Whether you want to admit it or not, problems are heading your way and most problems become big issues because they were “unexpected”. Far too often we don’t take pro-active measures to prepare ourselves for when problems show up. I see tragedies strike every day. Someone gets sick, there is an accident, or a financial crisis takes over…but do these problems have to have such a major impact?

I think that it takes planning for the unexpected, so that when the unexpected happens it doesn’t take you out of the game. Here are some time tested tips to keep you moving in the path to success even when problems strike.

Make sure you have little or no debt! The debtor is slave to the lender.
Make sure you have adequate insurance!
Make sure you take time to study business and economic trends and plan accordingly! Study to show yourself approved
Have a coach or accountability partner on your side! There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors.
Plan, re-visit your plan, and make adjustments!
Have multiple streams of income!

We all like to believe that we are 10 feet tall and bullet proof, but the reality is that the people who thrive are the people who are prepared!

Now, go out and make something happen!

Categories : Business, Personal Growth, Successful Living

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Get More Business in Under 5 Minutes a Day!

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (0)

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Click here to find out what I use to build relationships and grow my business!

Categories : Business, Marketing, Sales

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How to Turn a Challenge into an Opportunity!

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (0)

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Categories : Business, Motivation, Personal Growth, Sales

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Leadership Lessons from the Ark

Posted by: Tim Davis | Comments (0)

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

We just got home from an awesome service at church. Maybe it is just me, but so often I see a correlation from God’s word to our businesses. I had to take time and share with you tonight’s lesson and my take. Pastor J. Don George of Calvary Church in Irving Texas was the guest speaker and he taught on Leadership Lessons from the Ark. The lessons and principles are Pastor George’s, the comments after are mine.

Lesson #1: “It wasn’t raining when God told Noah to build the Ark” which reveals the Principle of Timing.

How often do we know that the marketplace is changing but we do not react quick enough. We let fear, intimidation, or lack of knowledge hold us back from changing. The time to make a change in your business is before you are forced to make a change. If you wait until you must change, then you have waited too long. If you need to learn new technology get started today. If you need to get up to speed on social networking, then start today. Don’t wait, because if you do, then your competition will win the customers.

Lesson #2: Experts built the Titanic, but a novice built the ark” which reveals the principle of Qualification

If you wait until you are qualified, then you may never realize your true potential. Much of what I have learned in business has come by try, try, and try again until we get it right. Experience really comes from getting your rear burned. The part about getting good at your business comes from two words – hard work. No one becomes an overnight success. You don’t need a degree, certification, or tattoo to be qualified – you just need the heart, desire, and willingness to try.

Lesson #3: “Cheetahs and turtles traveled at the same speed entering the ark” which reveals the principle of Diversity

We need all types of people and gifts to help us with our business. You can not do it all. Get the right people, with the right gifts to join your business and together you can make something great!

Lesson #4: “The storm outside the ark was not nearly as threatening as the woodpeckers on the inside” which reveals the principle of location.

The economy will be what the economy will be, but what the economy of your business looks like is entirely up to you. If you have negative people inside your company, they can do much more harm to your business than someone on the outsides opinion. There will always be people out to tell you how bad it will be, but it is up to you to keep them at bay and away from your business.

Lesson #5: “The storm ended because no storm last forever” which reveals the principle of Duration.

If you haven’t landed that big account, or your finances are running thin, don’t give in or give up. Keep moving forward and working hard. Business will have cycles, but in the down time, is when you need to press in and press on. Find a new value to provide your clients, add extra value to the current offer, or find ways to reach more clients.

Keep Marketing, Keep Selling, and Keep Making a Difference!

Tim, The Marketing Evangelist

Categories : Business, Leadership, Sales

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