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25
Super-Practical Steps to Build Your Business!
by Dr Philip E.
Humbert
For
the past several weeks, we have focused on some wonderful but
(to my way of thinking) rather fancy ideas about life. I
wrote about motivation (I don't believe in it). I wrote
about sorting out priorities (I do believe in that!). And
I wrote about the 4 traits of highly successful people. I
love that stuff! But I believe most of you subscribe
to TIP's for help in actually running your office from day to
day. Most of you have told me you're professionals in
private practice, or owners of small businesses, or a manager.
And that means you must attract clients or customers, serve them
very well, and earn their return business - and do it every
single day.
So,
let's talk about some practical steps that my clients have used
to build their referral business quickly and systematically. I
call it the "5-by-5" process. Let's walk through
it.
Monday
Take care
of, clean up, and get rid of 5 tolerations in your office or
work. Make a list! Look around your
space, your car, your desk or office, and commit to spending an
hour taking care of at least 5 small, daily annoyances that have
been bugging you, robbing your energy, or making life
difficult. Do that filing! Repair that broken
light, or throw out those old magazines. Buy a new
desk chair, or a whole new desk! You can't afford to
be distracted by these things. Fix them. Do it
on Monday!
Tuesday
Contact 5
former clients or customers. Send them a letter, call
them, even send them flowers or a small gift in cases where that
might be appropriate. Invite them back, offer them a free
follow-up or consultation. Ask them to help you evaluate
your service by completing a questionnaire or ask them to come
in for an interview. Tell them you value them as
customers and want them to come back - and refer their
friends! You can do this! Schedule an
hour and do it on Tuesday.
Wednesday
Contact 5
current clients. Follow a similar routine from
yesterday. Call them up, or send a card or letter
telling them they are valued customers. Invite their
comments on how you can improve your service or expand your
business. Let them know you appreciate their trust
and value their ideas. Do it nicely, with tact and
sincerity, but ask them to help you build your business.
You practiced on Tuesday, so you know you can do this.
Schedule an hour and do it on Wednesday!
Thursday
Contact 5
potential customers or clients who have never used your
services, and make them an offer they have to respect.
Go through your rolodex, your list of friends, colleagues,
associates and members of organizations you belong to - use the
Yellow Pages if you have to - but pick up that phone and invite
5 people to check you out! If it's appropriate, tell
them you want to grow your business and offer them a free sample
(who could turn down a free massage or a free oil change,
or….?) If that's not appropriate, tell them you
want to grow your business and you'd love to meet with them, buy
them lunch, whatever it takes. You've been
practicing for two days, so you know you can do this.
Schedule an hour and do it on Thursday!
Friday
This is the
hardest one of all: Do 5 wonderful things for
yourself! You've worked hard all week, taken risks,
put the word out that you are ready and eager to handle more
business. That means you need to be healthy,
energized, relaxed and ready. So, go for a
walk. Take a long lunch and visit a friend.
Read a great novel - or a trashy one, your choice!
Enjoy the sunshine, or relax and listen to the rain.
Spoil a neighbor's kids, then give them back!
Schedule TWO hours, and do it on Friday!
This
week, take 25 specific, measured steps to create more room and
build your business. If you wanted practical, this
is it. Now, it's your choice. My advice?
Go get 'em!
Have
a wonderful, productive and delightful week!
©
Copyright 1999 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved.
Written
by Dr Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach.
Dr Humbert is the author of a FREE weekly newsletter and
you can subscribe by visiting his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com
You'll also find many other free articles, humor, quotes, tools
and resources for your success, and a free motivational
screensaver!"
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