Let’s face it … there’s a LOT of FEAR brewing inside of people these days.
These times are UNCERTAIN!
And, it would be easy for entrepreneurs to “freeze up” or panic. But, it’s doesn’t have to be that way…
Yes — this economy is coming to a screeching halt in some areas and in some ways. But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed and prosper in these times.
It WILL take a different level of commitment, and it will take a higher level of belief. It will also take creative thinking and maverick marketing to grow businesses. But it can be done.
You can do it!
And, if you’re committed to it, I intend to do everything in my power to help you do it.
To equip you. To educate you. To share with you what I know.
Over the next few days, weeks and months, I will share more and more with you.
We’re going to have opportunities for you to learn how to outthink, outperform, outmarket, outsell, and outrun your competition.
You’re going to make it. You’re going to WIN!
And, you’re not just going to survive — you’ll thrive.
So, let me give you some ideas today on what YOU can do to generate some FAST CASH in this SLOW Economy.
Some ideas that WILL NOT require a HUGE investment of money for you to DO THEM.
Fair enough?
Those are just FIVE quick ways to make FAST CASH in this SLOW economy.
If you like what you just ready … I’d love for you to share your comments below.
If you want — you can tell us how your business is doing in this economy, what you’re doing to fight back and succeed, and how this article may have given you some ideas and/or motivation to profit BIG even in the face of tough financial times.
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Don’t let this happen to you… I’m embarrassed to admit it!
Hey Friend,
In this latest video, I reveal one of my dumber (and costly) mistakes…
It’s my “shortest” video yet — but with 3 GREAT lessons!
Watch it now:
>>> http://www.jpmaroney.com/videos/godiva.html
TIP: … and don’t repeat what I did!
This one’s a doozy!
Check it out, JP
PS: If you’d like to post a comment about any of the videos — just click the link shown under the video and it’ll bring you directly back to my blog where you can share your feedback. (again, thanks…)
A guy by the name of “Nick” asked a really good question on a popular business/marketing forum.
I answered him on the forum, but thought you might want to read both his question and my answer — be sure to take the suggested “ACTION STEP” noted after my answer.
SUBJECT: Difference Between Making 5k and 500k / Month
Hey guys
This morning I asked myself a really smart question:
2 guys each sell products from their websites … one guy makes 5k / month … the other makes 500k / month. Why is the first guy not making more? What does he have to do to make 500k / month like the second guy?
I’m not talking about selling high-end products like cars or real estate … I’m talking about what most of us do: Selling INFORMATION!
If you can make 1 buck out of nothing … you can make $2.00!
If you can make $5,000 … why can’t you make $500,000?
I’m trying to find out WHAT IT IS these guys do different. The only answer I could come up with myself was:
MORE OF THE SAME! … MORE, MORE and even MORE!
Now, am I missing something here or is the answer (again) really that simple?
You should have more products (specially at the back-end), more and bigger newsletters, more PPC spending, more affiliates promoting you.
Just MORE!?!
I’m just looking for answers right now as I’m experiencing good growth but I haven’t just reached 5 figures / month … but my goal is 6 figures.
Why can’t I or anybody else out there reach it if we just do more of the same?
Let’s hear your input.
Nick
Excellent question, Nick!
Many of the answers have been “good” — but not complete. Why? Because they’re tactical … more JV’s, pricing, etc, etc.
A couple (Mike Filsaime’s for example) are spot-on because they require you to “uncover” the answer.
That’ll be your key!
Let me add something to that:
Continue Reading »
I’m convinced that…
… virtually EVERY entrepreneur is sitting on piles of undiscovered CASH!
That includes YOU!
In fact, I’m 99% sure that if you knew how many untapped resources you already have at your disposal — that you’re not using — it would make you want to puke!
Strong language? Maybe…
But the sad truth is, far too many entrepreneurs have overlooked the true potential of their businesses.
Day in and day out you struggle with the nagging question:
“Where’s the money?”
“Where’s all that success I thought I’d have by now?”
You question yourself… You ask, “Is it ME?”
You question your products… “Did I miss the mark?”
You start obsessing over it – you lie in bed at night staring at the ceiling thinking about how to grow your business… doubt creeps in and you think maybe you’ve topped out.
You become desperate … to grow the business … to pay the bills … to provide for your family.
In your heart of hearts you believe there must be a way to get out of the jam you’ve found yourself in … but you’re not quite sure how.
You’re desperate to find new streams of income so you can sleep at night without worrying the one or two methods you’re currently using will dry up.
Well, I have good news for you — the answer is closer than you think.
MUCH CLOSER…
You might say that, “It’s in your own backyard.”
Ever heard of Russell Conwell — or “Acres of Diamonds?”
Acres of Diamonds originated as a speech which Conwell delivered over 6,000 times around the world; it was eventually published as delivered in Conwell’s home town, Philadelphia. The central idea of the work is that one need not look elsewhere for opportunity, achievement, or fortune — the resources to achieve all good things are present in your own community. This theme is developed by an introductory anecdote, told to Conwell by an Arab guide, about a man who wanted to find diamonds so badly that he sold his property and went off in futile search for them; the new owner of his home discovered that a rich diamond mine was located right there on the property. Conwell elaborates on the theme through examples of success, genius, service, or other virtues involving ordinary Americans contemporary to his audience: “dig in your own back-yard!”.
Acres of Diamonds originated as a speech which Conwell delivered over 6,000 times around the world; it was eventually published as delivered in Conwell’s home town, Philadelphia.
The central idea of the work is that one need not look elsewhere for opportunity, achievement, or fortune — the resources to achieve all good things are present in your own community.
This theme is developed by an introductory anecdote, told to Conwell by an Arab guide, about a man who wanted to find diamonds so badly that he sold his property and went off in futile search for them; the new owner of his home discovered that a rich diamond mine was located right there on the property.
Conwell elaborates on the theme through examples of success, genius, service, or other virtues involving ordinary Americans contemporary to his audience: “dig in your own back-yard!”.
And, here’s what that means for you…
As I said … It’s in your own backyard. You’re literally sitting on a mound of opportunity — untapped potential.
And, I’m convinced you can find it, dig it up, and FULLY monetize it. With some help…
The very first step is to do a Strategic Business Analysis of your business and uncover every little facet of what you’re doing now.
What’s your point of differentiation in your market? What can you do to make it stronger?
What’s your ultimate buyer look like? And where can you find them in droves?
What joint ventures, strategic alliances and referral programs do you have in place? And where are the biggest opportunities for new ones?
What’s bringing your customers back to buy? What can you do to make it work better?
What advertising and marketing is working best for you now – and why? What are you not doing that you should be?
What systems or processes do you need to put into place that will help you grow your business to the NEXT level… to get it beyond YOU and build it to it’s maximum potential?
These are some of the building blocks for designing a growth strategy specifically for your business.
There is no “one size fits all” plan for profitable growth.
In order to create explosive growth, every element of your strategy needs to be TAILORED to your business.
If it sounds like a lot of work – it is – but I’m going to show you a remarkably easy way to get it done.
Quickly!
That’s right — I’ll do all work for you! I’ll sit down and go through your business with you on the phone. And you’ll get my decades of business building experience working to build your business.
You’ll discover opportunities you never knew were in your business. And money you never knew you had!
Let’s face it…
A lot of people are struggling right now. People who normally have reasonably stable businesses are dropping like flies.
It’s happening in the ONLINE community as well as OFFLINE.
You may be one of them. If you are, there’s hope!
More on that soon…
If you’re not — take notice! Things will get tougher before they get easier.
You can believe that…
But, it doesn’t mean you should run off and hide in a cave — waiting until the coast is clear before you emerge to resume your business.
Not at all!
There are actually some positive, proactive steps you can take to “Recession Proof” your business. In fact, not only can you survive in this market climate … you can actually prosper.
I’m going to teach you HOW over the next few days and weeks of blog posts.
For now, I want to give you a gift… the recording of a teleseminar I conducted on “How to Create a Business Breakthrough!”
Check it out — my gift:
CLICK HERE TO GET IT
You Will Learn My…
Also… be sure to add your comments here on the blog!
Talk soon,
JP
I’d like to open a dialogue with you about PROBLEMS!
Here’s my question:
What do you believe are the TOP 5 Most Common Fundamental Problems, Challenges or Mistakes Entrepreneurs must overcome in order to grow their businesses?
In other words, what are the “barriers” most likely keeping you or other business owners from succeeding at maximum potential?
Answer that question in the comments section below. I’ll be back with additional comments over the next few days.
Warmly,
It’s your time now. Time to grow. Time to get everything you’ve ever wanted from your business.
But, you first need to identify what’s holding you back. And, get past it!
Here are 5 possible barriers to your business growth:
1. Lack of Strategy or The Wrong Strategy
It’s vital that you have the right growth strategy in place. That strategy includes your overriding plans, goals, sales targets, and long-term objectives.
Example: If you’re building a business to sell, you may have an entirely different strategy for growth than a business owner who’s planning to build for the long term and pass the company along to his heirs.
2. Lack of Action
Far too many entrepreneurs are, “Getting ready to get ready!” They never do anything. Never get off the launching pad.
Many different reasons keep business owners from taking action. They can include: Fear, lack of knowledge, perfectionism, and other “barriers.”
The end result is the same. The entrepreneur fails to get started, and therefore never reaches her goals.
Take action today. Do something. Move forward at least one step.
3. Lack of Scalability
If you build a business without scalable systems in place, you’ll ultimately hit a wall. Growth will stagnate. Sales will stall.
You’ll wonder why you can’t get any larger. Why your sales don’t continue to grow.
You need to create a business model that includes the proper systems in place that can grow with you. That way you can be just as effective at $1 Million in sales as you were at $100K. And, at $10 million as you were at $1 million.
4. Lack of a clearly defined market
Ask 100 entrepreneurs who their product is for and count how many times you get, “Everybody needs what I sell!” It’s sad but true.
Fact is, you can’t market to “everyone.” And shouldn’t for that matter.
It’s more than money. It’s the fact that your marketing message can’t possibly hit the hot buttons, wants, needs, desires or motives of EVERYONE.
5. Lack of follow-through
OK, I’ll admit it. My entrepreneurial mind jumps from one topic to another faster than bees between flowers.
Yours probably does too. We have to deal with that.
That means finding the discipline to “stick to it” and follow through on your goals, objectives, plans, strategies and tactics. In other words, “get it done!”
###
FREE: Download a copy of my special report, “The Art of Profitable Growth: 5 Ways to Double or Triple Your Business!” Get it here FREE … CLICK HERE!
I believe you can:
Double your sales this year… Triple your sales… More…
Double your sales this year…
Triple your sales…
More…
Those numbers might seem impossible.
They’re not!
I’ll show you how when you download and read my complimentary report…
“The Art of Profitable Growth: 5 Ways to Double or Triple Your Business!”
Get it here:
==>> http://www.jpmaroney.com/5-ways-free.html
Big question:
Are you really ready for your Massive Business Breakthrough?
Here’s what to do…
1) Download the report
2) Print it out
3) Find a quite place
4) Read it carefully
5) Mark it up with insights as you read
6) Take action
It’s my gift to you:
It’s here…
Enjoy!
reply: http://www.ReplyToJP.com http://www.JPMaroney.com – main http://www.JPMaroney.net – blog
PS: If you’ve not already checked out the Mr. Monetizer Podcast, do that now… http://www.MrMonetizer.com
By JP Maroney
Unless you’ve had your head in the sand you realize that we are living in a changing world, a changing universe, a changing marketplace. Change is everywhere.
You can’t avoid change. You can’t ignore change. You can’t prevent change. You just have to live with it!
And if you fight change you’ll ultimately end up the loser.
So how do you deal with change? And if you’re a leader, perhaps the more important question is, “How do you help your people deal with change?”
The truth is…
“People resist change with every fiber of their being!”
They would rather things stay the same than to risk change. They would prefer to go about business as usual. Perhaps brought on by fear of the unknown.
In the past, keep things the same was ok. But those days are over. Technology significantly and dramatically influences nearly every imaginable industry. In the last ten to twenty years, entire market segments have disappeared.
The phonograph, eight track tapes, and LPs have given way to CDs, DVDs and MP3s. As a result, companies find themselves forced to either change to keep up with the times, or simply go out of business.
No doubt, you’ve seen businesses right in your hometown ~ or in your industry ~ that have resisted change – and lost! In today’s world, businesses either move ahead, or get left behind!
Change leaves its mark on history. If no one were willing to embrace change, we would still ride horses to work and have outhouses. Lucky for us, our forefathers were not afraid to ask, “What if?” and to seek the answer.
Candlelight is romantic on occasion. However, I sure enjoy flipping the switch and being able to see. It’s more than a convenience – it’s a way of life.
Thank goodness, Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison were persistent in finding a better way. You can be sure the skeptics scorned and criticized these change agents because they did not understand the possibilities of electricity and light bulbs.
Much like electricity, automobiles, telephones and microwaves, some change can be positive. Sure, it may not be “the way we’ve always done it” but it just might produce better and faster results.
Ultimately, that is the kind of change we should embrace. That’s what our customers expect ~ in fact, it’s what consumers today demand.
Change is happening everywhere
Think about some changes that challenge us in business and in the workplace. What changes are we seeing, and what can we do to meet the challenge of those changes?
First, we’re seeing changes in customer mindset or expectations. Customer’s today have a microwave-mentality. They want their needs met and their problems solved, and they want it right now!
They don’t want to wait. They don’t want delays. They don’t want excuses. They want it now! And, if you can’t deliver what they want –when they want it — they’ll go somewhere else.
Have you ever been searching for a product or service, and called through the numbers in the yellow pages? What happens when you don’t find what you’re looking for at the first place you call? You call the next one right?
What does this mean for you and your organization?
Well, it means when customers call, employees should answer the telephone quickly, and with a sense of urgency in their voice. In fact, sometimes speed is the primary reason a company gets the business.
The person answering the telephone should possess knowledge in the company’s products and services. That person should effectively ask questions to identify specifically what the customer needs, and then either solve their problem, or direct them to the appropriate person or department who can meet their needs.
When people come in to your business, they shouldn’t feel as if they are intruding – but instead should feel like the most important person who has walked through the door all day. In other words, they need to know that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in the company is there to serve them.
Some people say, “Well, customer service is not what I do!” Wrong! Customer service is what everyone does.
I saw a sign the other day that said, “We don’t have a customer service department. We have a customer service company!” I love that. In fact, we turned that phrase into a FREE poster you can download from my website at www.JPMaroney.com.
We’re also seeing significant changes in technology!
A few years ago, my four-year-old daughter was with me in a popular copy shop and business center. I had just finished using one of their computers to print out a document when I heard her ask me, “Da Da, what’s this?”
I turned and realized she was looking at a typewriter. And it hit me just how much things are changing. Here she was, a preschooler who has her own computer, a binder full of computer games on CD, and she’s NEVER seen a typewriter.
Think for a minute how technological changes have affected people and companies who once depended on the sale and service of typewriters for their income. Pretty scary isn’t it?
The fact is…none of us are immune to the changes in technology. We must accept technology and learn to adapt and leverage it to fit our needs.
The other day, I was searching the Internet for a mailing list company. At one website, they had a button that said, “Click here for live support.”
I clicked and immediately someone from that company came online and began communicating with me using text-based Internet chat. What a great example of using technology to improve service. But it was an improvement brought about by… change!
Today, we’re seeing major changes in the workplace!
The new world of work has placed new demands on workers at all levels of the organization. In many cases they’re being expected to accept new responsibilities, expanded job functions, and increased workloads due to downsizing, restructuring and mergers.
These changes require a person who is flexible and willing to adapt with the times. It demands that individuals continuously upgrade knowledge and skills to meet the needs of customers and team members. We need people who are willing to change!
So what do the people in the organization need to do in order to compete and thrive in a changing marketplace? What actions are required by savvy employees and managers.
First, we need to get beyond business as usual. We cannot afford to become complacent and feel that our past successes will guarantee our future results.
Sometime back, I saw a movie, “Pirates of Silicon Valley” which is based on the early days of the personal computing industry, including the rise of Microsoft and Apple Computer. In the movie, the character of Bill Gates says, “Success is a menace. It fools smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”
That is just it. We cannot allow past successes to lull us into believing that we are invincible. We must consistently challenge status quo.
It suggests that we should question everything! Existing processes, existing methodologies, outdated products and services should all be subject to review in order to make sure we are still relevant in the marketplace.
How better it is to initiate change and revamp or update products and services than to find yourself forced to do it because of shifts in demand or more formidable competitors. Wait too long and you could find yourself reacting too late.
Second, we must keep open lines of communication throughout our organization. Teams, departments, branches and satellite offices should communicate with each other on a regular basis.
This creates a sharing of ideas, including: What’s working, what’s not, and where do we need to improve? Technology now gives virtually any size organization – even those spread across broad geography – to connect people and facilitate idea sharing through online message boards and forums.
That communication of information is vital for future successes. It ensures that everyone knows the specific direction of the company. It also keeps everyone focused on how the organization plans to get there. Everyone should very clearly know the mission of the company, and the strategic plan for achieving that mission. At every level, team members should know the goals of the company, and should know how they fit into the big picture with their own area of personal responsibility.
The second thing we must do as a company is focus on fundamentals. This includes delivering exceptional products and services that meet the needs of clients. It means providing customer service that exceeds expectations.
People only do business with an organization for one of two reasons: One, you make them feel good. And two, you solve their problems. Preferably both!
Focusing on fundamentals in a changing marketplace means getting down to the nitty-gritty of how to best solve client problems and make them feel good. It means going above and beyond what’s expected -doing the unexpected.
Michael Dell, Founder and Chairman of Dell Computer wrote about this in his book “Direct from Dell.” He said, “At Dell, we’ve always tried to exceed (our customers) expectations with our products and service. But when you go beyond just offering better products and services, and attempt to build a meaningful, memorable, total experience, you win customers for life.”
Focusing on fundamentals means listening to what customers and clients say about your products and services and being willing to adapt and change with the needs of the market. The climate of our times demands this kind of flexibility and adaptability. Ready or not, change is happening. It is happening everywhere -especially in the workplace.
For organizations to grow, evolve and keep up with the changing times, we must teach people in organizations the importance of flexibility. We must teach them how to adapt and change with the times. Ultimately, that is one of your primary roles as a leader.
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JP Maroney is a business growth strategist, best-selling author and award-winning speaker. Receive his FREE book, “The Art of Profitable Growth: 5 Ways to Double or Triple Your Business” by visiting www.JPMaroney.com
——————————
Interested in publishing this article in your magazine, newsletter, blog, website or article directory? Send an email to info at jpmaroney dot com or call 1-800-304-5758.
Organization’s desiring to improve employee satisfaction need a system in place which consistently rewards employee achievements. I’m always surprised how few organizations have such a system.
Three key approaches to rewarding excellence and improving employee satisfaction include: appreciation, recognition, and compensation.
APPRECIATION
Many times, positive behaviors and achievements are not acknowledged by leadership, so people don’t know whether or not they are doing a good job. I recently had an employee of an organization tell me, “The only time we ever hear anything from management is when we do something wrong.â€
Employers can improve employee satisfaction levels by rewarding employees with personal attention; a pat on the back, a hand-written note, or a quick comment in the hall.
When showing appreciation, be specific. Instead of just saying, “We really are grateful for the good job you do around here,†the approach might be, “I really appreciate how you handled the Franklin Industries account last week when we had to get their rush order out late Friday afternoon. Your effort really made a difference.†By being specific, the employer comes across as much more sincere, and the employee realizes their actions are truly being watched.
RECOGNITION
Many people will do for recognition what they will not do for money. Strange, but true. Some people are motivated by the opportunity to get their name on the wall, receive a trophy at an annual banquet, or see their name in the company newsletter. It gives them an “emotional payoff†for their actions.
Look for ways to recognize excellence in the workplace. Ring a bell every time an individual or team hits the production target. Put up posters with the photographs of team members who have had the most days without accidents. Give out awards for attendance records. Just do something. It is so inexpensive, yet highly effective.
COMPENSATION
Some people are motivated by money. In fact, most people, are motivated by money; at least for their basic needs. Compensation can come in the form of raises, performance bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, or any number of “extra benefits†like, automobiles, vacations, or other tangible items purchased and used as rewards.
I noticed an interesting program in a hotel where I recently stayed. They have a sophisticated system for rewarding employees based on customer feedback. Throughout the hotel, they have placed customer feedback forms and boxes for depositing the forms. When customers comment on the performance of a hotel employee, the employee accumulates points which can be used to purchase rewards like trips, gifts, and other incentives.
Whatever the chosen method, it is important to have a system in place which rewards people’s efforts with some type of additional compensation. Not every person is motivated by the same factor, or combination of factors. Offering appreciation, recognition, AND compensation insures that the organization has something to contribute to the satisfaction of each employee.
(Note: this article is an excerpt from JP Maroney’s book, The Productivity Path: Your Roadmap For Improving Employee Performance. To learn more about this book, Click Here!)
BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS… CLICK HERE and scroll down to the comments area.
JP Maroney is a business growth strategist, best-selling author and award-winning speaker. Receive his FREE book, “5 Ways to Double or Triple Your Business” by visiting www.JPMaroney.com
—————————— Interested in publishing this article in your magazine, newsletter, blog, website or article directory? Send an email to info at jpmaroney dot com or call 1-800-304-5758.
