Marketing to Your Greatest Assets

I know a lot about marketing, in fact it's what I do and love. But it always amazes me the lack of marketing women entrepreneurs do to take their businesses to the next level. Some people work in companies for years and then 'go out on their own' and take their clients with them. They think instant company but what happens if the client leaves? What's next?

A business is people, processes and more than one client. Marketing is about discovering your company's greatest asset and making it shine.

What's your greatest asset? If you are having trouble with this one, let us know what your business does and let us help take you to the next level.

Are You a Skilled Negotiator?

Women are notorious for not asking for what we are worth. What's your secret to achieving top dollar?

Obstacles, roadblocks, brick walls are always going to be there. But, they help you to solidify your plan, prioritize your dreams, uncover your true values, reinforce your vision and, with the creative energy of the universe, find alternative ways of reaching your goal.

When has an obstacle pointed you in the right direction?

When Being Bitchy is Appropriate

Recently I have had to reinstate my opinion about being bitchy. I have come to the realization that there are certain circumstances where being bitchy is appropriate. For example getting my car fixed properly the first time around.

What does being bitchy mean to you? How has it served?

How to Decide Your Priorities

What comes first the chicken or the egg? What happens when you have four clients and everything on your desk is top priority, how do you decide where to start?
Step 1. Make a list of everything that needs to get done.
Step 2. Highlight every activity that is revenue generating.
Step 3. Only work on revenue generating activities. Starting with the largest payback.

This might sound serve but when it comes to the crunch, what is going to bring home the bacon.
How do you stay on top of the pile?

Dysfunctional Multi-Tasking

For many years multi-tasking has been considered a gift of womanhood. It is the ability to think about and do more than one thing at a time. From working with hundreds of women business owners over the last 10 years, I've come to the realization that multi-tasking is one of the key reasons women-run businesses do not do as well as they want, or could. I call this dysfunctional multi-tasking.

Regular multi-tasking is doing things such as talking on the phone while typing emails, making phone calls from the car and so on. Dysfunctional multi-tasking is trying to run multiple projects, companies and initiatives all at the same time; and doing them poorly.

When has multi-tasking gotten in your way and what did you do about it?

Leaders Know What Drives Results

I know that the concept of paying yourself first isn't new to most of us. But how many of us do it? Building a successful business, if that is your goal and I know it is, requires that you pay yourself first. As with any new skill, you may find this uncomfortable to do. I recommend opening a separate bank account, one that does not provide easy access to funds, but a place where you can skim 10% of everything you earn off the top. If that is too much right now, start with 5%. Just like you put aside the Good & Services Tax (GST) in a separate account (I hope!) you put aside 5-10% of all your revenues into this new separate account.

This money, as it accumulates is going to be where you give from and grow from. I want you to commit to paying yourself first both financially and physically.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

Once this has become a habit, which usually takes around 21 cheques (or infusions of money) you are going to want to increase the amount until you are pulling aside 20 percent. This is where the real fun starts and you will begin to see and feel the effects of your work. You will find that by taking care of yourself first, you will have more of everything. Then you can share it with others.

Share with me your tips that drive results for you.

When Being Bitchy is Appropriate

The first time was with my mechanic. While I know that the automobile dealerships and mechanics industry is perfect fodder for a W5 report - actually getting my car repaired by someone I can trust is extremely difficult. What should have been a simple fix turned into a thousand dollars and my engine is still making the same noise.I don't recommend being a bitch all the time, in fact, it's a tool we should only use when all other communication strategies have been exhausted.Standing up for myself and letting the dealership know that their service and approach was completely unacceptable was necessary. And sadly - it took me becoming bitchy in order to get what I needed done.Caution needs to be applied when deciding whether to become bitchy or not. Have you tried all other communication strategies?When I was beginning the automotive repair 'project' of mine - I went directly to the top. I spoke clearly and articulated what I was looking for, when I needed it and what my understanding of the financials would be. I asked questions, showed respect and sought the dealerships perspective. I always remained calm. This is a cornerstone of effective bitchyness, never 'freak out', never shout and never cry.Just be very clear in what your expectations are and what you will and won't accept.I knew that I wasn't going to immediately find a mechanic I trust, but armed with my recent experience I now know what I have to do to get the result I want.Perhaps if enough of us demand the same level of integrity and service from our mechanics and other suppliers as we do for ourselves, we can make some positive change in the world.And we won't have to be bitchy more than necessary.