Of recent, I have been meeting and consulting with small business owners. I am noticing a trend. If your business isn't giving you more time and customers aren't walking in the door spending more money, something needs to change. Wouldn't you agree? People in my age category and older are still doing business as they did 10 years ago or even longer! There is a new way to do business. It is vital that the traditional storefront business embraces the online world and that the online businesses learn how to build a business with offline basics. Doing business in today's world requires polarization. You must define and focus on a specific market. Find a way to stand out from the others in your industry. Uncover ways to give you more time with simple leveraging solutions. When you are open to change, the change will come. You can have more time and more money. It's time for you to refresh, reinvent and revitalize your business. As the famous saying goes, "If you keep doing what you are doing and you expect a different result, that is the definition of insanity." For some of the reasons above, I am excited to announce my own revitalization, refreshing and re-invention. In another month we are rolling out with a new brand and defined focus. It will help business owners really take centre stage in their community so they can live the lifestyle of their dreams. To Doing Business The New Way, Floydilou
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In today's faster, bigger and social media world, do you not feel a shift for people wanting to physically connect again and people craving to share their creativity? Our local shopping neighbourhoods is one way to reconnect, hence my strong belief in the comeback of the owner operated business a.k.a. the local mom and pop shop. Combining a STAND OUT brick and mortar business with an irresistible online presence is entrepreneurship at its finest. I have always had a preference to shop in neighbourhood communities. It becomes a special outing. Shopping at local, quaint mom and pops allows you to connect to people around you. Whether it is taking a walk with your spouse on a Sat. morning over to the farmers market or chatting with wise grandma Betty who still runs the bakery, you have a destination place that brings flavour to the community. Walking into each owner operated store with its unique designs and atmosphere, offering one of a kind products and one on one service feels special. In my opinion, the big box run by the unreachable CEO or buying products because they are cheaper is changing. It is time to reconnect with the local shop owner and the neighbourhood. Jobs are created the 'old school way'. Not by government but by the dynamic entrepreneur. The local economy improves and there is a great sense of pride in your community. It is also time for the traditional business owner to step it up. Reach out with social media and offer stellar services. Stand out and set yourself apart from the 'big guys'. Team up with the local merchants in your neighbourhood and create a destination place. Your store may need a little tlc or reinvention. What can you do to make the people want to come to you? We are here waiting for you. As my old cheerleader self once chanted, "Stand Up. Give a Cheer. Let Them Know. You're Here!' To the Mom and Pop Shops' Revival!, Floydilou Recently I read on a post where increasing your net worth isn't sexy. Well, If it is easy it is sleazy. Net worth takes time to build but in my opinion, net worth is sexy! 10 Steps to Increase Your Net Worth with 10 Sexy Bonuses! 1) Change your investments*: I think Apple and Virgin are Sexy, don't you?! Invest in companies that float your boat. Bonus: Feel good with what you are investing in. Sexy is feeling good. 2) Change what you invest* in: The world is moving at a fast pace. Keep up with trends and new products available to you. Bonus: Keeps you on your toes and present. Living in the present moment is sexy. 3) Use your skill and bring it to the marketplace: Start your own business! Bonus: You are using your gift and sharing it to the world. Sharing is sexy. 4) Get a part time job: Whether you own a business or work full-time you can find a casual part-time job that fulfills a 'want.' Example: fitness club reception or direct sales Bonus: Get into shape for free! Healthy is sexy. 5) Add an additional revenue stream in your business: There is always a way to find an additional revenue stream Bonus: You have increased the value of your business along with immediate income. Money is sexy. 6) Cut back on expenses: Can you go without cable? Can you switch your landline to a VOIP, such as Magic Jack. Bonus: You become more aware of what is really important. Sexy is connecting to your values. 7) Reduce your interest rates: Call up your creditor and ask them 'how much can you reduce that rate?' Bonus: With the interest you just saved, put that money into your "Fun" money jar. Fun is sexy. 8) Pay off the credit cards: With your reduced expenses, lowered rates and extra revenue coming in, pay off your cards! Bonus: You sleep better and longer when you are credit card debt free. You age slower. Vibrancy is sexy. 9) Education: School is never out for the pro. What workshops can you take online? What books can you read? Bonus: You become more confident. A well read and educated confident person is sexy. 10) Philanthropy: When you give, you get back in tenfold. Bonus: Giving to the community and our world is sexy. Here's to increasing your net worth, Floydilou (NOTE: * When it comes to making financial decisions with stock market / investments please speak with your financial advisor. ) As a young child what did you daydream about? What are your first fond memories of childhood? As a young girl, I was always drawn to the riverfront. I would ride my bike down to the river and gaze at the Detroit skyline. I would sit by myself for an hour or so. I would feel the grass between my feet. I would look at the tall buildings across the way. I could hear the freightliner sounding it's horn and watch the birds in the sky. Imagine a 10 year old sitting by themselves just dreaming and staring off at the skyline for over an hour. No other friends. Just me and all the other people off in the short distance walking by. It makes me recognize my independence today. I am more productive when in solitude but love to be surrounded by interesting and loving people. I tend to travel and live in places close to water and with beautiful tall buildings surrounding me. It's a combination of architecture mixed in with nature. For me I choose places such as New York or Waikiki. Others may prefer Easter Island or Machu Picchu. I must have a view of a city skyline and lots of people around for the energy! I also grew up in a dance studio and that was my 'play' place. Music, costumes, learning new steps, movement and lots of people around me in the classroom. Yes, I always preferred the solo routines on stage with the bright blinding spotlight. Nobody but me, my music, a spotlight and a loving audience surrounding me with love. I share this memory with you because of late, I have noticed my clients are completely stumped by my first two basic questions that I ask them: 1) What is the vision of your business and why do you want it to be successful? 2) What was it that you wanted to be when you were a younger person and why did you not pursue that dream? Some are in businesses that do not hold true to their authentic self. Others are in businesses they think they 'should' do. Even as I write this today, more of my own memories flood my mind and I recognize how much more of what I do today is reflective of my childhood. After reading the next questions, I want you to think of what brought you joy and take 5 minutes daydreaming and 30 minutes to write down those memories. I want you to think about your favourite place to play when you were a child. Were you alone or were you with many friends? Did you sit back on a couch and read a book by yourself or were you playing stick ball on the streets with all of your friends. Were you the leader? Were you the instigator? Did you prefer to have others to take centre stage? What was it that you wanted to be when you grew up? What did you do on a daily or weekly basis that brought you joy? Ready!...Now sit back, close your eyes and remember those fond childhood memories. Afterwards ask yourself what you can do to bring more of that into your business and life. To your success, Floydilou |
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