Using Technology to Grow Sales

Information technology is important. It is apparent that technology does not have to be complex or costly to be effective. Technology is probably the most important enabler for change and tracking results that a company can introduce.

This is a very big topic so I am going to ask you a few questions.

Does your company have a plan on how to use technology to grow sales?

Does you company have a plan on how to use technology as a competitive weapon?

If not you are missing some great opportunities.

Information technology should be an asset to a business and support the business through a clear definition of the role technology will play in the business. This is done in the business plan. Continue reading “Using Technology to Grow Sales” »

Stand Out From the Competition

Today it’s not only challenging to be in business but the question of how do you get more business from the thousands of new companies starting up every day.

With many people losing their jobs or not being able to find new employment, many of these people are electing to start their own businesses.

For many small business owners this presents the challenge of increasing competition and giving more consumers more choices in selections in an ever growing marketplace.

So that brings us to the question of how do we stand out from the competition as well as how can we separate our businesses  from our fellow competitors. Continue reading “Stand Out From the Competition” »

Will 2012 Be Your Year ?

It’s 2012 and another new year. What will 2012 bring for you and your business?

I’m sure many small business owners are asking or have already gone through their sales analysis and resolutions for their new  year goals for the coming business year.

Many times already I’ve heard “ I hope things are better this year” or the question “ you think the economy’s going to get better?”

Well, we all know things are tough out there and I doubt much will change in a presidential election year.  So I guess it’s up to all of us as small business owners to do what is a favorite phase of mine , “make it happen”.

I’m sure many of us last year attended business functions such as chamber meetings, trade shows, seminars, and  heard  some excellent talks on some great business topics. Maybe some of us read some good books or listened to some educational CDs.  These are always excellent things to do but here’s the payoff.

How many of us actually took the step of implementation on what they learned and even more importantly took the step of implementation through to the end.  Without implementation it’s like buying a new book that sits on the shelf in your office you never read.  It serves no purpose and has no value to your business.

So many business owners are looking for the quick and easy, jumping to the next shiny object in the room.  Yes, business owners are wearing many hats, you’re overwhelmed, but many times being overwhelmed is the result of little or no planning, having nothing very well organized, or a proper business plan going into the new year.

But here are some simple questions to ask yourself on whether 2012 will be extremely profitable and a much easier year to achieve success, or just another year of the same. Continue reading “Will 2012 Be Your Year ?” »

Some Things to Keep in Mind for Marketing in 2012

A new year, 2012. Will it be better? if it is, it’s up to you to make it happen.  I doubt we’ll see much of any headway into the new year with this being a presidential election year.

You can be the difference this year and I have put together a list of some of the things to pay attention to and use to your advantage. Continue reading “Some Things to Keep in Mind for Marketing in 2012” »

Simple Things to Make Achieving Your Goals in 2012

              First lets set the new year for what we must be clear on and decide what your purpose is and if

you  even have purpose. I think you need to truly ask yourself some qualifying questions to

sure you are clear on what your purpose actually is.  If you are not, you will have much

internal conflicts with the actions you are taking, and what your thoughts are.

It’s no wonder so many have trouble achieving their goals.  So first let us get crystal clear on

Is important to us and what our purpose really is.

Two things to keep in mind went going through this process. Is what I am doing moving me closer

To my goals or isn’t it. If is not, simple quit doing it.  So lets get into some of the simple things you

Can do.   Continue reading “Simple Things to Make Achieving Your Goals in 2012” »

Some Review To Make 2012 Great!!!

For many small business owners 2011 was more of a game of survival. Many challenges still face us and the economy as we try to press forward and identify opportunity and how we can take full advantage of it.

We discussed many items and topics this past year in my effort to try and make you better in your business and create some awareness of what needs to be accomplished to move forward and be more profitable.

So what I wanted to do being the end of 2011 and as we think and decide what 2012 may bring is a review that I hope renews some fresh ideas and thinking of how to win the challenges ahead of all of us. Continue reading “Some Review To Make 2012 Great!!!” »

Selling is More Than Price or a Product Pitch

Selling. As a small business owner we are selling all the time. Many small businesses will say, I hate to sell but selling is one of those necessary evils of the trade.

I think for many of us selling is such a tough and challenging task  because no one likes to be told no for one and  at times it is somewhat adversarial. Continue reading “Selling is More Than Price or a Product Pitch” »