Category: Sales & Marketing

Is it good to change? ‘Why make changes when ‘we have always done it that way…..’

I regularly remind people to set aside some time to work ON their business.  They are busy digging in their business trenches and moving forward, but how fast are they moving, and are they moving in the right direction?

To extend the analogy, I compare my training and coaching to the action of getting my clients to stand and take a look over the edge of the trench, to see the bigger picture and to check they are going in the right direction.  I then give them some sharpened tools to help them move forward more quickly. 

This big picture view proves useful in many ways, and in some cases it can change their whole approach to their business.  In most cases it is about making some small but significant tweaks that together make a big improvement in income, profit, growth, job satisfaction and even all-of-the-above.

In one particular case I remember helping a lady who was running a business involved in finding long lost relatives and researching family trees.  She was running this business for two days every week. The rest of the week she was teaching ‘to pay the bills’.  During one of the Salient ‘One-to-One Coaching Days’, a few tweaks were made and then one key question.  She realised that her answer to this would change everything.

She had the courage to take that decision and make that change.  Her business is now full-time, she employs a large team and gives talks about her business all over the world.  That question, and her subsequent answer, she told me had ‘transformed my business’.

If you are prepared to make large, or small changes to your business approach, your practices and processes, then you will reap the rewards.

It is a simple matter of being open to change.

Is it good to change? ‘But we have always done it that way’, cannot be an excuse for not trying a potential improvement.  Most changes are reversible so there is no excuse! If you would like to investigate what can be done, what tweaks or changes can be made to move your business onward and upward, I am always open for a chat.  Salient has helped many businesses and business leaders to make changes and to grow their businesses.  How about yours?

So, what are your thoughts, is it good to change? Are there any changes you’ll be making moving forward? I hope I’ve been able to give you a little more clarity on these questions.

And if you’ve got any further questions, why get in touch? You can do so by HERE or by Email directly!

*Image Credit: © Neil Moore – moore-photographics.com

On a scale of 1 to 10, how good are you at networking?

Difficult to estimate?  Here are a few questions you could ask yourself:

1. When people ask, ‘what do you do’, do you state the facts, or do you impress them as to the value you give if they used your product or service?
2. Do people regard you as an attractive business proposition?
3. Do you take time to ask them about their business?
4. How many contacts do you make from a networking group of say 20 to 30?
5. More specifically, how many contacts do you make with whom you have agreed a follow-up?

In answering these questions, would you still give yourself the same score?

I have noticed during my recent forays into new networking groups, that some people are still hesitant about networking.  This may be due to their lack of experience, or it may be that they are still feeling a little insular after the covid lockdown years. 

Confidence is key; that and a simple method of approach.

When you venture forth into a networking situation, a little preparation can make a big difference.  It could mean the difference between a zero result and 3 or more useful contacts. 

Some of the key preparation questions to ask yourself:

• What am I offering? – lack of clarity here can scupper your efforts to attract new prospects.
• What do they need/want? – find out how you can help them
• What added value can you give? – have you something up your sleeve to sweeten the deal?
• Can you give them something to read? – taking something away will help to reinforce their memory of you and your business, even if it’s only a business card!

Networking can take a lot of time, and sometimes a large subscription.  It is worthwhile investing in yourself to make sure you become a smart networker and make it a profitable experience.

If you would like some help and guidance in networking, I am holding a double workshop on Thursday 20^th June ’24, at Bowman House in Royal Wootton Bassett.

In the morning, we will start with ‘Selling Yourself’ – important skills in making a great first impression and attracting interest.  In the afternoon we will have ‘Smart Networking’ as a great way of using these skills to the best and most profitable effect.

Full details can be found HERE or you can get in touch by Phone or Email.

*Image Credit: © Neil Moore – moore-photographics.com