3 Steps to Overcome the Fear of Follow-up

May 8, 2012 – 5:00 am

Sometimes as a business owner, it’s enough of a challenge to get out there and talk up what you do. But once you’ve got your foot in the door, you must be committed to seeing the process all the way through to the finish line. Guest expert, Oma Edoja, shares her best strategies for moving beyond of the fear of following-up. Thanks, Oma!

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One reason small business owners struggle to get clients is the lack of effective follow-up. And one cause of this is the fear of follow-up itself! I have observed this from having worked with and interviewed many small business owners in the course of my work. Below, I share a few simple but powerful mind shifts that have helped my clients overcome these fears and get clients through effective follow-up.
1. To follow-up means to act or make further investigations on the basis of information received (Encarta). This means that the people you follow-up on have already indicated some interest in what you offer. If you follow-up effectively, you will ask for their permission at the initial contact to get back to them again to talk further. This means they will be expecting to hear from you. Remember again, they made the first move! Your prospects will therefore quite likely feel disappointed, and not think highly of your business if you do not keep your promise to get back in touch. How do you feel about a business when you make an inquiry and there is no response? I know I feel disappointed and go off in search of “a more serious business!” Instead of being concerned about contacting people who are expecting us, we need to be concerned about not showing up when we said we would! Continue reading →
By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Guest Posts | Tagged , , , , | Comments (3)

10 Big Lessons from Bad Business Advice

May 7, 2012 – 11:00 am

Last week’s post was centered around really great business advice that worked for the entrepreneurs who shared their stories.

In contrast, this week I wanted to showcase the big lessons learned from bad business advice. My hope in sharing this information with you is that you might avoid going down some of the wrong paths that these business owners did.

If you have a bad business advice story from which you learned a valuable lesson, please post it in the comments below.

And if you find this post interesting, by all means, share it. Enjoy!
Continue reading →

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

Biggest Secret to Becoming a Business Attraction Magnet

May 3, 2012 – 5:00 am

Spotlight on Success Show – Episode #29

How do you become a business attraction magnet?

The answer has nothing to do with networking, marketing, or sales. It has everything to do with you — you upholding your highest priorities and scheduling time for self-care. Because if you are the type of person who regularly burns the candle at both ends, you are actually hurting your ability to network or market or close sales effectively, because you are running at half, instead of full speed, mentally and physically.

On this episode of Spotlight on Success I share a three-step process to taking effective “Me Time” and why it is vital to your business success. Continue reading →

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Spotlight on Success Episodes | Tagged , , , , | Comments (3)

Brilliance in Disguise

May 1, 2012 – 5:00 am

Have you been struggling in your business, or know someone who is? We all need a boost from a colleague who has been on the rough roads we currently trod, to remind us that this is all part of the journey. In this beautiful post from guest expert, Elena Patrice, reminds us all that there is a light at the end of every tunnel, and you can get there. Perhaps this is just what you needed to read today, or it’s simply a great reminder of how we all need to keep things in perspective. Thanks, Elena!

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As an entrepreneur you have your fair share of obstacles, and as a woman entrepreneur there can be even greater hurdles to overcome. One of the most important things to remember it far more about the journey than the destination – since that always seems to change. The destination can change as you grow and accomplish; the journey molds you along the way. History is filled with great stories of entrepreneurial strife and victory, and yours is no different. It would be a challenge to stumble upon a success story that was lily-white and went exactly according to plan – that would be a book to read!

Often I reflected upon the story someone once told me during an uncertain time. They shared with me the story of how steel was made. It was explained that to get steel, raw materials are crushed, combined and put to the fire. The materials are liquefied becoming moldable and pliable; emphasizing the need for more and more heat. The hotter and more intense the fire — the stronger the steel. We think of steel in its physical form and strength, and don’t focus on what it took to become that strong. It was a great visual to keep in mind and often, this exact thought gets me through the most trying days. Continue reading →

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Guest Posts | Tagged , , , , | Comments (4)

23 Best Business Advice Stories

April 30, 2012 – 5:00 am

When starting a business there are often more questions that answers. Therefore it’s great to have resources on the internet, and other business owners who have already walked the path you are on.

Rather than asking just anyone for business advice, you seek out those you most respect and admire to assist you with the challenges you face. Looking for examples of pivotal moments in the lives of business owners, and the sage advice they were given I asked –

What is the single best piece of business advice you ever received, who was it from, and how did it help you succeed?

The responses I received to this question were outstanding (as always), including advice on staying out of debt, being yourself, and focusing on developing your strengths, rather than overcoming your weaknesses. Plus, I love that Linda Hughes not only shared her experience, but has been the wise advisor of many others too. Way to go, Linda!!

Throwing my hat in the ring — my biggest desire is to know that every day I am using the gifts God gave me to the maximum potential. When recently at a crossroad wondering how to best proceed, my business coach Kenneth Manesse told me, “Go where God is already working and join Him there.” These might seem like simple words, but they’ve had a huge impact on my mind, heart and direction.

Do you have a story to share about the best advice you’ve received that has helped you grow your business? Please post it in the comments below. And if you like what you read, don’t forget to share this — there are plenty of easy social media links below. Enjoy! Continue reading →

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Stop Sabotaging Your Business Success

April 26, 2012 – 5:00 am

Spotlight on Success Show – Episode #28

Did you know that you could be actively sabotaging your business success with your thoughts?

Do you tend to approach your work day from a proactive or reactive stance?

Learn what it means and what it takes to approach your day from a place of YES! and keep yourself open to the opportunities that are all around you. Getting caught up in negativity will only hold you back, and ultimately shut you down completely.

Join me for my latest episode of Spotlight on Success where I share a simple exercise you can do at the end of your day to see just how your thinking is guiding you, and adopt change for the better where needed. Continue reading →

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Spotlight on Success Episodes | Tagged , , , , | Comments (6)

Maximize Your Creativity with Very Little Time

April 24, 2012 – 5:00 am

I know that a lot of my readers are WAHM’s (work at home moms) who are masters at scheduling time between family activities to run thriving businesses. Moms or not, sometimes we all need to be reminded to take time to refuel our creativity. I am happy to present this great guest post from Elizabeth Cogliati, who shares her best strategies for keeping the creative fires burning for her business success. Thanks, Elizabeth!

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As a woman entrepreneur, with two small children, I find myself short of time every day. Not just time for my business, but time to recharge my creativity. If I don’t take that time for myself, I am unhappy and my business suffers.

I make time for myself every day, to write in my journal, read some poetry, and write my own poetry. When I do this, I find I am much more creative and energized to create products for my crafts business and take care of all my business needs.

I have a very small window of time in my day for myself, two and a half hours while my children are in school. In that time, I must fit in time to write and recharge my creativity, check all my online business items – email, chat boards, my online shop, and create new items for my shop. My strategy for getting it all done is to stay focused. Continue reading →

By Dr. Shannon Reece | Posted in Guest Posts | Tagged , , , , | Comments (5)