Keep that Sales Pipeline Full
Networking and diligent follow-up are indispensable elements of successful business strategies, mainly where personal connections, and referrals, such as real estate, are paramount. Referrals, especially those from individuals who know, like, and trust you, stand as your most promising prospects. New realtors often secure initial sales through friends and relatives, underscoring the power of well-nurtured […]
Ideas Are a Dime a Dozen
When I was running the Innovations Project, I had the opportunity to speak to various business groups, inventors, and economic development organizations. My opening line in my presentation was, “Ideas are a dime a dozen – people who put them into action are worth millions.” At Innovations, we looked at thousands of inventions, product ideas, […]
Ethics as a Competitive Business Strategy
In the years I have built and managed businesses, I have given little thought to ethics or considered ethics a business strategy. Of course, I understood that honesty and integrity were necessary, and businesses that did not operate with those qualities almost always did not survive over the long term. When I took over the […]
Learning When to Hold ‘em and When to Fold ‘em
Emotion is a funny thing when it comes to business. Emotion can drive an entrepreneur to overcome tremendous obstacles and succeed, and it can cause bone-headed decisions leading to failure. Generally speaking, business decisions are much better when made without emotion. Successfully playing poker is an excellent example of decision-making without emotion. Winning or losing […]
Leave Politics at the Door and Avoid Turning Networking into a Debate Club
Elections are popping up everywhere—US Presidential, provincial in BC and New Brunswick, and maybe even a Canadian federal election! It’s hard not to get pulled into the political buzz, especially at business events. But trust me, discussing politics at a networking event is like bringing a porcupine to a balloon party—not the best idea. First […]
Why People Buy Stuff (Unconsciously)
Marketing isn’t just about pretty pictures and snazzy slogans—it’s about cracking the code of human behavior. Lucky for us, Nancy Harhut’s Using Behavioral Science in Marketing spills the beans on how people make decisions (spoiler: it’s not with logic). According to Nancy, most of us are on autopilot, relying on mental shortcuts called heuristics. These […]
Moby Dick – A Whale of a Tale about Building a Cash Cow
The tale you are about to read is not a fish story but an unlikely cash cow. It all starts in a picturesque border town located in Southwestern British Columbia, about 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Vancouver. Located on the ocean, the town and its main drag, feature wall-to-wall restaurants and shops. Our story begins […]
Nailing Your Niche: How to Find Your Ideal Client Without Losing Your Marbles
Defining your target market and identifying your ideal client are pivotal for any business aiming for success. Remember, targeting “everyone” is like trying to herd cats—impossible! Instead, focus on a niche to stand out against larger competitors. Going too broad, like targeting “anyone interested in my services,” waters down your efforts. Zeroing in on a […]
Never be Late…
I came across this story a while ago: A priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading local politician and member of the Congregation was chosen to make the presentation and give a little speech at the dinner. He was delayed, so the priest decided to say […]
Never Eat Alone
Never Eat Alone is the title of a book written by Keith Ferrazzi. In it, he lays out specific steps and the mindset to reach out to thousands of friends, colleagues, and associates he has helped and who have helped him. Ferrazzi maintains that what separates successful people from others is how they use the […]