Just like real estate’s saying: location, location, location… business is relationship, relationship, relationship. Actually, everything in life is based on relationships.

Relationships need to be built on a solid foundation of trust. People buy from people they like and trust. If you don’t have trust, it doesn’t matter how well you’ve drafted your plan, or what you’re offering. If a potential client doesn’t trust you, your foundation is built on shifting sands.

Many times "sales-leads" might consider you for the job if your price is the same as your competitors’. If your price is higher, you might get a chance if you get your price" in-line." Is that really what you want? Properly positioned companies don’t play the low-price game. They don’t have to. Their prospects see them as having something different. So, where do you start? By using one of the most effective marketing strategies on the planet; the "Always-have-something-to-invite-people-to-offer."

Don’t waste months trying to cajole one prospect at a time into throwing you a bone.

Proactively invite them to get to know why doing business with you is the solution they are looking for. The "Always-have-something-to-invite-people-to-offer" is a "low barrier to entry / low-risk" opportunity for them to get to know you. And for you to build trust over time. Create a schedule that you know you will do each and every time. Our next "Always…" event is next Thursday, November 6th at 9am Pacific. It’s every first Thursday of the month at 9am… notice that if the prospect can’t make it this time, they know when and where to find you when they are ready. If you would like to join us, register free at http://www.impressionengineers.com

As you develop an "always-have-something-to-invite-people-to-offer," consider how you are positioned in the marketplace. What is your niche? Are you the only one (or at least, one of the leading suppliers) of your specific solutions? If not, what benefits can you add to the client experience that will make sure there are no credible substitutes in the market? How can you enhance the customer experience ? Distinguish yourself in the marketplace.

Have a great day in whatever your adventure,
Sharon
—

Sharon

p.s. Remember, the first Thursday of each month is "Beyond Lip Service" A conversation on simple and effective success strategies. Looking forward to the sharing and learning that happens on first Thursdays! Register free at http://www.impressionengineers.com

We just got some amazing news here at Impression Engineers and wanted to share it with you, as you have all been so supportive and encouraging as we take our message of “Choose your business and life,” to a larger audience. 

I will be a guest along with Megan McKenzie on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bookyourselfsolid this Friday, October 31st at 11am Pacific (2pm Eastern.) It is a Q and A format and we will stream live, so nothing like jumping into radio both feet first!

If you would like to listen in, or even call in and put me or the other panelists on the hotseat, this Friday is your time.  To listen in, go to http://wwwblogtalkradio.com/bookyourselfsolid. When the show is live, there is a flashing, orange “Click to Listen” button. Just turn up your speakers!

If you want to ask a question or comment via live chat or call in, it will be necessary to sign-in to Blog Talk Radio. It is easy and free to join. On the home page of http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ in the top-middle above the Nav bar is the small link to register. 

If you can’t be there live and grill me Friday, the show is made into a podcast feed that will allow you to listen when it works for you.

Thanks again for all your support and good thoughts as we share with others the abundance we all have to offer each other. Talk to you again at our regular time on Thursday.
Enjoy the adventure
To Success! To Life!
Sharon

Have you noticed how much "text-talk" is becoming part of our unconscious response… does it bug you as much as it bugs me?

Then again, I can’t wag my finger…

I received an email that ended in "LMK if you want to discuss further."

I had to go to my son and ask, "What is LMK?"

Response: "LMK = Let me know"

Fair enough-makes sense.

From my iPhone I replied "TY. I wish people would spend two seconds and just write it out."

His response back, "So was your "TY" meant to be ironic?"

I could only respond with "LOL touche…"

Life Lesson 12,308, 923 (but whose counting)…You better be careful what you rant about.

Enjoy the adventure
To Success! To Life!

Sharon

I am so tired of the hand-wringing and the "sky is falling" in the media—creating "brick walls" that are really only of thought and flesh… We can stand at that wall and give our time, our energy, and in turn, our power away in worry or we can look through it with open curiosity to discover solutions. Those that stay staring at the wall dwell on the failure, the winner visualizes through, around, over, and under the wall to discover the solutions. This may sound trite, but it is true — winning begins with the thought, the belief that you will win.
Do not give your power away.

Thoughts are real–they have energy and power behind them. Thoughts move us, for better or worse. Preoccupying your thoughts with solutions and the "happily ever-after" endings is a do-it-yourself project. There are people who can instruct, encourage, and coach you, but the success depends on you.

This rant started this morning when I read (in addition to my live coaching I do email coaching) from a highly competent, qualified, intelligent person…“Oh, I do embrace this intention and I want it…” Not to be rude, but how can you “want” something you already have? JUST CLAIM IT! Coaches, friends, and family can give you ideas, pointers, and tips on being more effective in what to do. How you do it, when you do it and if you do it is up to you…

As I finish writing this to you, I reflect on my dear friend Wil Hart’s wisdom (www.CraigHartCosulting.com) I’m paraphrasing, so forgive me Wil… When you are a business owner, there is no difference between your business and your life. You’re right Wil… You better love what you do. You better believe in what you do. You better stand for what you do. (If those last 3 sentences don’t resonate, consider: Am I doing the right thing for me?)

I refuse to relinquish my power over myself and my outcomes.
Enjoy the adventure
To Success! To Life!

Sharon

p.s. Not long ago, I received a voice mail from someone that recognized themselves in one of my writings… It went something like: “Hello Sharon, I wonder, just wonder… who you could have written about today…” They were a good sport about it especially since I never mention names or anything else to identify individuals… To all my friends and clients, I know you sometimes recognize yourself, thanks for being a great sport and being the beacon for growth we all can reflect and learn with.

Sometimes a character from a movie just utters a great line that makes you stop and think…

"There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path."

Who are you? What do you stand for? More importantly, how do you show what you stand for to the world? I had to answer those questions while in Philly last week for my certification in the Book Yourself Solid Coaching Program. One of the basic premises of the Book Yourself Solid System is to know who you are, what you do and why you do it.

So, why is this important to know about yourself?

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Standing for something takes action. Agreeing with something and standing for it is not the same thing. "Standing for" requires a choice and action, sometimes a difficult choice. Yet knowing who you are, what you do and why you stand for it makes all other choices easier (but not always easy to live by….)

"Bruce, deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be.  But it’s not who you are underneath… it’s what you do that defines you."

It can take time to sort out our beliefs, needs and desires to get to know what we stand for–but once you do put into action what you stand for, your goals align. Reflect out into the world what you know is true. Be the beacon for others. Commit fully to the adventure of life. Coach others how to share their brilliance with the world.

Enjoy the adventure
To Success! To Life!
Sharon

p.s. There are 4 movie quotes above. Name the 4 characters and the 4 movies. The first 3 people to email me at support@livepassionatelysociety.com with the correct answers will receive a copy of my new book "Life’s Short. Live Passionately."  Have fun!