Thursday, April 18, 2013
Sunday, February 27, 2011
How To Business... Practical Application: BizBit #4- Understanding Your Value... with Shaphan Roberts
Practical Applications: BizBit #4 - Understand Your Value
When I say to "understand your value" I'm not referring to intrinsic value, but hard tangible verifiable value.
For example, my wife and close friends may think my advice is priceless, but in all reality it has a real value. That value was determined by assessing the market and comparing services and prices offered by other consultants with a similar track record and experience. Another bench mark I used was attorneys, they have a cut a dry fee structure. However, since I'm not an attorney I had to come in under what they charge for similar services.
Once you've done the research to establish a value you know what is fair. This way you're better equipped to defend your cost point if necessary. You also have better bench marks with regard to offering sales and discounts to favored customers, etc.
In closing, understanding your value keeps you grounded and helps to maintain proper perspective. With a clear grasp on your value you won't price yourself too high so that you're out of the market, but you won't sell yourself to cheaply out of ignorance.
Understanding these important points will help you navigate your way to future success.
H2B
Business Channel: http://www.blinkx.com/channel/How2Business
When I say to "understand your value" I'm not referring to intrinsic value, but hard tangible verifiable value.
For example, my wife and close friends may think my advice is priceless, but in all reality it has a real value. That value was determined by assessing the market and comparing services and prices offered by other consultants with a similar track record and experience. Another bench mark I used was attorneys, they have a cut a dry fee structure. However, since I'm not an attorney I had to come in under what they charge for similar services.
Once you've done the research to establish a value you know what is fair. This way you're better equipped to defend your cost point if necessary. You also have better bench marks with regard to offering sales and discounts to favored customers, etc.
In closing, understanding your value keeps you grounded and helps to maintain proper perspective. With a clear grasp on your value you won't price yourself too high so that you're out of the market, but you won't sell yourself to cheaply out of ignorance.
Understanding these important points will help you navigate your way to future success.
H2B
Business Channel: http://www.blinkx.com/channel/How2Business
Friday, January 21, 2011
How To Business... Practical Application: BizBit #3- Communications & Networking... with Shaphan Roberts
Practical Applications: BizBit #3 - Communications & Networking
Everyone promotes the virtues of networking and I too agree with its value.
Equally important are the rules associated with networking. When you're at a function and you're engaged in a conversation that's the time to make the most of that moment. This is not the time to scan the room for who else is present, looks better or is more important.
The saying " a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" is relevant here. The current discussion is equivalent to your "bird in the hand" and you want to make a maximum impact with that contact.
Conversely, if your attention seeps past your present conversation, the disrespect is palpable and the thing you hoped to achieve (to network) is now working against you; don't let that happen!
Secondly, reach out and touch someone. Following up is key, I can't count the times I walked away from a convention with dozens of potential contacts that went no where because I didn't follow up. So essentially, you could say the convention or event and the conversations had were a waste of time.
So when networking stay focused, have one conversation at a time and stay in touch with your contacts. It really is that simple!!
H2B
Everyone promotes the virtues of networking and I too agree with its value.
Equally important are the rules associated with networking. When you're at a function and you're engaged in a conversation that's the time to make the most of that moment. This is not the time to scan the room for who else is present, looks better or is more important.
The saying " a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" is relevant here. The current discussion is equivalent to your "bird in the hand" and you want to make a maximum impact with that contact.
Conversely, if your attention seeps past your present conversation, the disrespect is palpable and the thing you hoped to achieve (to network) is now working against you; don't let that happen!
Secondly, reach out and touch someone. Following up is key, I can't count the times I walked away from a convention with dozens of potential contacts that went no where because I didn't follow up. So essentially, you could say the convention or event and the conversations had were a waste of time.
So when networking stay focused, have one conversation at a time and stay in touch with your contacts. It really is that simple!!
H2B
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Practical Applications: BizBit #2 - Be The Successful You!
Practical Applications: BizBit #2 - Be The Successful You
It's typically not the information, but how the information is packaged that creates the most impact.
For instance, if John Doe tells you about a particular product that is good for your heart/health etc., you may listen, but if Dr. John Doe tells you the same thing you're more likely to go out and buy the product. The difference was the messenger.
In business, you want to be the most credible, professional "you" possible because ultimately YOU are the messenger for YOUR business, service or product.
We all have a perception of who we hope to become in the future...an important key to success is putting a piece of that "future you" in place with each step you take. There is really no secret here, if the" future you" is well read, articulate and cultured and the "current you" has got a deficit in those areas; then you need to pick up some books, take a speech class and brush up on your art history.
Nothing changes unless you change it, don't talk about it, be about it!
H2B
www.youtube.com/How2Business
It's typically not the information, but how the information is packaged that creates the most impact.
For instance, if John Doe tells you about a particular product that is good for your heart/health etc., you may listen, but if Dr. John Doe tells you the same thing you're more likely to go out and buy the product. The difference was the messenger.
In business, you want to be the most credible, professional "you" possible because ultimately YOU are the messenger for YOUR business, service or product.
We all have a perception of who we hope to become in the future...an important key to success is putting a piece of that "future you" in place with each step you take. There is really no secret here, if the" future you" is well read, articulate and cultured and the "current you" has got a deficit in those areas; then you need to pick up some books, take a speech class and brush up on your art history.
Nothing changes unless you change it, don't talk about it, be about it!
H2B
www.youtube.com/How2Business
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
How To Business... Practical Application: BizBit #1 - You Don't Need What You Don't Have
Practical Application: BizBit #1 "You Don't Need What You Don't Have"
START RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE...
Many entrepreneurs place their success outside of themselves by constantly obsessing on what they don't have.
I like to call this trait "paralysis analysis" and it is NOT conducive to forward moving progress.
By obsessing on what you don't have, you don't realize what you do have and for some, this constant obsession is really a mask hiding a fear of failure (more on this later).
Take The First Step & Start Right Where You Are. You will find you have more than you might have thought.
Money is not the only resource necessary in getting a business started.
As an entrepenuer, I have often found my self in situations with limited resources. Consequently, I have found ways to become extremely efficient with the resources on hand. With that knowledge I have excelled and have been able to bring tremendous value to future opportunities when resources were not an issue.
The key to being successful is being resourceful!
I believe it was Mother Teresa who said "We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing."
H2B
www.youtube.com/how2business
START RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE...
Many entrepreneurs place their success outside of themselves by constantly obsessing on what they don't have.
I like to call this trait "paralysis analysis" and it is NOT conducive to forward moving progress.
By obsessing on what you don't have, you don't realize what you do have and for some, this constant obsession is really a mask hiding a fear of failure (more on this later).
Take The First Step & Start Right Where You Are. You will find you have more than you might have thought.
Money is not the only resource necessary in getting a business started.
As an entrepenuer, I have often found my self in situations with limited resources. Consequently, I have found ways to become extremely efficient with the resources on hand. With that knowledge I have excelled and have been able to bring tremendous value to future opportunities when resources were not an issue.
The key to being successful is being resourceful!
I believe it was Mother Teresa who said "We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing."
H2B
www.youtube.com/how2business
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
How To Business... Business Ethics: BizBit #4 - Under Promise & Over Deliver
Business Ethics: BizBit #4 - Under Promise & Over Deliver
This probably should be called "keep your promises and over deliver".
By no means do I suggest you under sell yourself or services to potential clients. Quite the contrary, I urge you to be plain spokenly practical about the service you can provide and the time frame you can deliver - then work like maniac on caffeine to over perform.
When you operate this way you have only upside to gain, if something unexpectedly comes up that impedes progress you'll, more than likely, remain on schedule and deliver as promised and if things go like clockwork and as planned you'll come out looking exceedingly competent. You should strive to put yourself in win-win positions like this.
I speak a great deal about reputation and the value of your word; over performing will go a long way in helping you solidifying a great reputation in business.
H2B
www.youtube.com/How2Business
This probably should be called "keep your promises and over deliver".
By no means do I suggest you under sell yourself or services to potential clients. Quite the contrary, I urge you to be plain spokenly practical about the service you can provide and the time frame you can deliver - then work like maniac on caffeine to over perform.
When you operate this way you have only upside to gain, if something unexpectedly comes up that impedes progress you'll, more than likely, remain on schedule and deliver as promised and if things go like clockwork and as planned you'll come out looking exceedingly competent. You should strive to put yourself in win-win positions like this.
I speak a great deal about reputation and the value of your word; over performing will go a long way in helping you solidifying a great reputation in business.
H2B
www.youtube.com/How2Business
How To Business... Business Ethics: BizBit #3 - Your Word ---- Be About It!!
Business Ethics: BizBit #3 - Your Word, Be About It!!
A wise man told me" if the mans word is no good, the man is no good" and I couldn't agree more.
In business, especially when you are starting out, if you simply do what you say you are going to do people will gravitate to you. Your clients will continue to come back and bring referrals which is essentially the foundation of success for any business.
I have clients that I have worked with for years; I am sure they could find someone who is less expensive, but they remain because our relationship has been established in trust. I find the typical response to not having trust in business to be an iron clad contract.
I agree with "putting everything in writing" but I've also seen people spend large sums trying to enforce those "iron clad" contracts.
Work with people you can trust and remember A contract is only as good as the persons signing it.
H2B
www.youtube.com/How2Business
A wise man told me" if the mans word is no good, the man is no good" and I couldn't agree more.
In business, especially when you are starting out, if you simply do what you say you are going to do people will gravitate to you. Your clients will continue to come back and bring referrals which is essentially the foundation of success for any business.
I have clients that I have worked with for years; I am sure they could find someone who is less expensive, but they remain because our relationship has been established in trust. I find the typical response to not having trust in business to be an iron clad contract.
I agree with "putting everything in writing" but I've also seen people spend large sums trying to enforce those "iron clad" contracts.
Work with people you can trust and remember A contract is only as good as the persons signing it.
H2B
www.youtube.com/How2Business
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