Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

ThriveAMERICA

Produced by Blank Stage Productions, ThriveAMERICA is an internet video-blog show where you can come and gain invaluable insights on how to thrive in this economy… and beyond. We recently asked Top ActionCOACH Business Coach, Wayne Kurzen, to visit the set as a guest to serve up his expertise, strength and hope. Please leave a comment by seeing the comment icon next to the main video player above and if you know of anyone who would benefit from the interview use the “share” button to share this valuable information with others.

Plan for Harsher Downturn, Free your “C” Players, and Don’t Cut Marketing

Wayne Kurzen | Corporate Video Bio | ActionCOACH Master Coach

Show Notes: Not sure if I have ever had someone so ready and prepared than Wayne Kurzen.  Wayne KNOWS his stuff when it comes to the basics do’s and don’t’s of running a business.  As an ActionCOACH he is privy to the back end matrix of thoughsands of other ActionCOACH’s and the latest in businss development and marketin trends.  If I can apply an ounce of what he shared into my business I will be well on way to business success.

Give Wayne a call and let him learn about your business!
678-494-5155 or 678-362-7734

.

find or follow or both

Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Blank Stage | YouTube

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

We asked Angel Investor Alan Urech of Stoney River Capital LLC to come as a guest on our show to share his experience, strength and hope so that other business owners might learn a new principal they can apply in their business today. Below represents a very basic summery of the interview so you might find what you need and move on. Be sure to comment on what you may have learned from this segment or list examples of how you might apply these principals in your business. Beside the video player is the comment icon.

.

10 Killer Secrets to Developing a Powerful Business

The following is a listing of 10 Killer Secrets that will help you develop a powerful business. They are not in order of importance because I see them as equally important to business growth.

.

· Develop a stellar Advisory Board across functional levels

This is not a Board of Directors (BOD), which is a legal entity with potential liability. Advisory Boards are a must to grow strong businesses. As business owners we get very wrapped up with what we ourselves think is important and forget that there are other ways for business growth. We are products of our own life’s business experiences but should understand that other people have diverse experiences that may be more relevant to the situation at hand and we should embrace those experiences to grow our businesses intelligently. Advisory Boards should be set up along functional business parameters and members chosen for their experiences within those functions. Operations, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Product/Services are some of the different functional areas the slots you should have solid focused and seasoned professionals represented on your Advisory Board.

· Understand the Management’s strengths and weaknesses

As managers we all have our strengths…and our “challenges”. This is the way it is and we must understand what they are and make sure that our management team has representative diverse views. Some managers see no dangers and charge ahead with programs while others may be more hesitant and see the positives and the negatives of the movement. Whether you are optimistic, a risk-taker, can rally the troops and engage others, are traditional and hard-working with a strong focus on quality, detail and precision or can build trust and help others, you need to know your business personality “gifts”. Embrace them. Brownell Landrum at DrawSuccess (www.DrawSuccess.com) has some very interesting methodologies for you to access your strengths and weaknesses.

· Grow the Business methodically

In Six Disciplines for Excellence Gary Harpst states that most businesses do not succeed because they are not grown methodically. Something always gets in the way of a business’s methodical growth path. I believe that if you establish upfront some solid and non changing parameters like “Monday mornings 9:30am we are having a management meeting and reviewing operational issues that affect the business”, most of the time you will succeed. Don’t deviate from that plan. Keep it simple and formal on a Project Management type electronic or paper template and make sure that everyone one is accountable weekly for the action items that they said they would complete. Have firm dates and if the task is not completed by that date, make sure that the whole team knows why. This takes a couple of weeks to instill but the company’s president must be vigilant and hold his/her management team accountable for the actions they have agreed to accomplish.

· Be very focused on what your business is…and is not. Understand what is important to you…and your business

Strong businesses must understand what their market opportunity is and then focus their organizations on their core competency within that opportunity. Know your opportunity and then exploit it. This does not mean that you can’t have adjacent products and services that improve your core offering. You can. For example, if you are in video productions and your first product is traditional movies, it does not mean that you can’t go into some adjacent product lines like commercials or promotional pieces. Just treat this as an adjacent product line. The core product is still video productions. Do an “elevator” pitch of 15 words or less about what your business is. An example might be “North Atlanta Networks, Inc, develops, markets and services high technology turnkey satellite, terrestrial, wireless and VoIP network solutions to business and government customers.” Or “The Medical Group is a provider of all-inclusive turnkey management solutions to meet the increasingly complex technology needs of physician practices”. Also understand what your personal goals as a manager are. What you will do and what you will not do. Each organization should have a posted Vision Statement, a Mission Statement and a Values Statement.

· Focus on Sales and Marketing, not on the products or services

Once your product or service offering is “complete” or Version 1 is complete, shift your human and monetary resources to sales and marketing. Most companies have a very difficult time crossing over the chasm from a Research and Development organization into a Sales and Marketing business that can commercialize your product and make you money. Understand that your product/service will never be done because our world is in constant change mode. Put a “stake” in the ground to when your resources will be focused onsales and marketing. At this point, 90% should be spent on Sales and Marketing and 10% on R&D.

To market your product use “Groundswell” techniques. Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff wrote a great book on using new technology tools to market your products by getting a social network “buzz” about them and then when people come to your website, they will be “warm” prospects. Much easier than cold calling. Free social networking technology tools like LinkedIn (an online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries, www.linkedin.com), Flickr (online photo management, www.flickr.com), Wordpress (blogging, http://wordpress.com), FaceBook (social network, www.facebook.com), Twitter (social networking and microblogging service utilizing instant messaging, SMS or a web interface, http://.twitter.com), Del.icio.us (social bookmarking, http://delicious.com), Digg.com (discover and share content by tagging, http://digg.com), Wikipedia (online free encyclopedia that anyone can add to and edit, www.wikipedia.com), Add This (Social Bookmarking that adds content everywhere, www.addthis.com), Ping (a website that makes updating your social networks a snap, www.ping.fm) and Second Life (virtual world, www.secondlife.com). To measure and monitor your blogs and online discussion groups use TNS Cymfony (http://www.cymfony.com), Nielsen BuzzMetrics (http://www.nielsenbuzzmetrics.com), and Google analytics (improving your understanding about where your website visitors come from to better utilize your marketing dollars, http://www.google.com/analytics/). It is easy to do and will gain you great exposure.

.

Blog Directories:

If you are starting a blog or have a blog it might be a good idea to submit your URL to blog directories.  A blog directory is sorta like the yellow pages and can be a hub for all kinds of blogs.  Below is a vast list of such directories. I thought this would be a good edition to Alan’s installation sense he is focusing on sales and marketing and that creating a blog is a very powerful way to market yourself. Another site where you can find places online to list your blog is found here: Online Marketing Blog

List pulled from the Seach Engine Journal

Best of the Web Blog Search

EatonWeb Blog Directory

Blog Hub

Bloggeries

Blogarama

Blog Search Engine

Blog Catalog

Globe of Blogs

Ultimate directory of British blogs

Bigger Blogs

Bloggernity

Bloggapedia

Spillbean

Blogging Fusion

Blogflux

Bloglisting

Blogio

Blog Explosion

Super Blog Directory

· Work with people that are Compatible

Life is too short to work with people that you don’t like or are not compatible. Surround yourself with people that have similar values that you do so that in addition to just “working” in the business that you sometimes get together in social events to understand each other as fellow human beings with personalities, families, attitudes, biases and needs. I think this is critical for people to understand where their work companions are coming from and sometimes forgive them when you know they have had a rough day when something outside of the work place is weighing on them. Help them along and you will be stronger and happier in the business and as a person.

· Form Key Business Alliances/Partnerships/Affiliations

This is a critical component of growing a company into a strong business. Strong growing companies form alliances, partnerships and affiliations with companies and businesses that can support their growth. Once a company focuses on their business they should look for alliances and partnerships that make sense to them within their competency. Being a good partner means that when something falls outside of your core competency, you refer that business to the other organization to fulfill the customer’s needs. Customers love this and embrace this as being good corporate citizens by putting the customers’ needs above their own.

· Understand the Businesses Unique Value Propositions

When I consult with companies, I first develop with them a “Corporate Position Paper”. A CPP has three areas in it. The first section answers the question “What are the problems in the industry?” The second section answers the question “What is different and better about my products/services?” This should be about 3 bullets that include your unique value proposition that no other company can say. Remember that your unique value proposition does not include service, price or quality. No one will say that they deliver poor service, high prices or bad quality. They always have the best service, low prices and great quality. That is a given. Create your UVP on something that no one else can claim that they have like a product that does (xxx) or a service that provides this.

· Understand the Business’ Revenue and Profit model

A business must understand where they make their income. Detail by bullets the different components of where the businesses money comes from and the profit potential from each area. Once this “audit” is completed you may see that there are some areas that need to be focused on because they bring you more profit.

· Understand your Product/Service offerings

A company must understand their product lines thoroughly. It is vital to understand what the products are and what they are not. The “consultative sell” approach works wonders when the business development person first listens to the “challenges” the prospect has (what keeps them up at night) and then leverages their products and services to alleviate those challenges. They are showing an understanding of their business, a concern for the prospect’s business, and a solution to their concern. Many business development people do not understand this and subsequently do not form a relationship with the decision maker. Developing this relationship becomes capital that the strong business person can use to leverage their first product into the organization and positions them to sell additional products later on in the business cycle. I suggest a PowerPoint or something like that that outlines every product and service that you have and its value for the consumer.

I hope that these 10 Killer Secrets have helped you understand some business “Secrets” that can help you to significantly grow your business. Being methodical with great management focused toward your growth is the core, understanding your value proposition and then understanding where you make your money.

Alan W. Urech, Managing Partner

B: (770) 587-2166 | C: (678) 520-9989
E: AUrech@StoneyRiverCapital.com
www.StoneyRiverCapital.com

]]> http://thriveamerica.com/video/alanurech/feed 3 http://thriveamerica.com/video/brandonmiltsch http://thriveamerica.com/video/brandonmiltsch#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:46:27 +0000 Brent http://thriveamerica.com/?p=1326

ThriveAMERICA is internet video blog show and my personal journey to help you thrive in this economy.  We asked Brandon Miltsch, owner of Firewolf, to come as a guest on ThriveAMERICA to share his experience, strength and hope.  Press the comment ICON next to the main video player above and tell us what you think.

I don’t know why my interview went so well with Brandon, oh yea I do, because he has a passion for what he does. Of any guest he has been the most appreciative of his experience on the show. I have a feeling Brandon is going to do some great things here in Atlanta, and will help a lot of people with not only through Firewolf services but being a major resource for the rest of us. PLEASE check out this awesome cause Brandon supports: Brenden Smiles.

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

* Brandon’s BRAND NEW website: Brand Miltsch DOT com

Taxation Tales!

More Taxation Tales at Pro@ctive CPA.  Want a FREE business tax assessment?  Mention where you saw the video, and email:  Mark Wyssbrod, mark(at)pro-active-cpa.com

Videos produced by Blank Stage Productions.

Interested in advertising or being a guest on ThriveAMERICA , please email interest to: info(at)blankstageproductions.com

find or follow or both

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

Produced by Blank Stage Productions, ThriveAMERICA is an internet video-blog show where you can come and gain invaluable insights on how to thrive in this economy… and beyond. We recently asked Dr. Tim Langley, owner of Langley Chiropractic to join us as a guest on ThriveAMERICA to share his expertise, strength and hope. Please leave a comment by seeing the comment icon next to the main video player above and if you know of anyone who would benefit from the interview use the “share” button to share this valuable information with others.

Dr. Tim Langley offers serious ways to thrive in this this economy. ThriveAMERICA offers its fans practical advice from other thriving business and thought leaders in this community and beyond. Dr. Tim is leveraging social media and other free tools to promote and market his practice and shares these tips with you.

Production Notes: Had an awesome time with the good doctor.  Thanks to shooter Gil Braum we were able to go with a 2 camera set-up.  We covered a lot of bases and Dr. Tim came in ready to deliver some great tips on ways to thrive in this economy and beyond.  I look forward to working with Dr. Tim on various projects down the road and who knows you just may see him here hosting a segment on wellness! Take a look at some of the videos Dr. Tim produced…

Videos produced by Blank Stage Productions.

Interested in advertising or being a guest on ThriveAMERICA , please email interest to: info(at)blankstageproductions.com

.

find or follow or both

.

My time with Kal was truly rewarding.  Kal spoke with conviction about his business building principals and what is helping his mortgage business thrive in this economy.  At times I was simply  speechless with my interview with Kal.

.

Segment 2

WORK & PLAY

We just don’t like to work.  There is always something you like to do outside of work, a hobby for example.  I like to socialize.  I am out all the time.  I think to myself, how can I do revenue generating activities all the time.  Actually, it is not as hard as you may think.  I made match books with my name and my phone number.  I got 20,000 of them made for about $500. Most places let me put them out on the bar, they needed them.  For 2 years everyone in the city pointed me out, I was branded. I found away to go out and about and market myself.  You don’t hit the social scenes?  What If you like the beach then make beach balls with your company logo on them.  If you like golfing, host a golfing event.  If you can work without feeling like your working you might be onto something.

.

NICHE MARKET

I am 26, and I am around my niche market.  What I learned is the banks were not focusing on this specific demographic.  There was no banker they could really relate to.  They did not feel comfortable with this. This demographic has been very successful and I have worked hard to break down this uneasiness.  I produced niche marketing to appeal to this demographic.  Don’t be scared to go after that market you are in right now.   Join your local groups, and attend social events.  This can reap for you.

.

SELF PROMOTE

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.  People are worried that they may come across cocky when bringing up what it is they do.  To some extent this can be true.  Figure out a way to make in known what it is that you do in a way that is not so.  Think of some jokes.  Wear a wacky t-shirt for example.  When you leave an event everyone there should at least KNOW what is that you do.

.

Segment 3

.

WORK THE WEEKEND

Work Friday nights and over the weekends.  Your customer is available then.  When you are working 9-5, so is your customer and they won’t be ready to make certain buying decisions because they are to busy.  You’re creating that winning conversation. Your competition is not working then.  You have that edge.  You need to be there when your customers needs you.

.

ADVERTISE EFFECTIVELY

You are going to be approached about traditional advertising.  You have to look at the benefit for that cost.  You have to look outside the box.  For $4,000 you could get a magazine ad that will touch a fanbase one time.  Go gorilla.  Don’t go the traditional route.  You could make a series of videos for the same cost.  I spent $500 and made 2500 matchbooks with my name and contact info.

.

POWERS of the INTERNET

I do what I can to get on the internet. The viral commercials I did with you.  We did a farce of a sex hotline, a total comedy joke, it went viral.  We put it on YouTube. Myspace and beyond.  It created a worldwide phenomenon, I was on BBC, La Times, and MS NBC to name a few.  So many people have seen it and called me.  You can focus on your newspaper ads but are you going to adapt?  The market is changing. How can you CREATE a marketing opportunity?

.

Kal Wayman’s Internet Sensation…

.

SLIGHTLY FAMOUS

How are going to stick out from your competition.  If you are one of the guys in the yellow pages hoping to get a call because you are local, more power to you.  You need to always be thinking, how to market yourself better.  You need to stick out from your competition and I think become slightly famous in your industry.

.

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

.

Blog Coming.

.

Taxation Tales!

More Taxation Tales at Pro@ctive CPA!

Dave Savage
C: 404 323-8686
dave@davesavage.com

Blog Coming.

.
Our guest today on ThriveAMERICA is a keynote speaker and published author dedicated to helping organizations Produce Better Results In Less Time.  He has a real passion for helping Executives and Business Owners plan & execute Fast, Innovative Change . . . and he literally wrote the book on SPEED:  “Never Fry Bacon In The Nude: And Other Lessons From The Quick & The Dead.” Below represents a very basic summery of the interview so you might find what you need and move on. Be sure to comment on what you may have learned from this segment or list examples of how you might apply these principals in your business. Beside the video player is the comment icon.

Check out Stone on LinkedIn, see his book “Never Fry Bacon in the Nude“, visit his weekly radio program on High Velocity Radio!

Welcome to ThriveAMERICA . . . Stone Payton.

.

Why so much emphasis on SPEED?

I believe in all my heart that SPEED is the most consistent and durable source of competitive advantage available to all of us, large and small.  We can all learn this principle and use it in our businesses.  What I mean here is the capacity of being able to execute fast and reliable change.  The companies that do this are thriving. Many aspects about our businesses have a very short shelf life. If you understand this principle you will dominate your marketplace.

.

Accountant’s Fairy Tale!

An accountant with a sense of humor! Rare.
Pro@ctive CPA

.

What has you so inspired about your work?

The companies that don’t go about leaning the concept of SPEED leave themselves open and vulnerable in three different populations: Your culture, Your competitors, and the third is coming in just a minute.  You must execute structure into the fabric of your company and personal accountability with your employees.  These people are the source.  They are acutely prescriptive…

.

DISCIPLINES OF HIGH VELOCITY LEADERSHIP

We went on a journey to discover high velocity business leaders and companies and found some common distinct disciplines. Folks, here they are:

1) Structure.  Thriving companies use repeatable systems for routine tasks bringing structure to business. If you don’t have structure it will lead to confusion and diffusion in your office and people will make weird decisions.

2) Personal Accountability.  Business leaders who are thriving are very focused on taking responsibility for their corporate results. These leaders are committed to this idea of making themselves and their employees accountable in making key decisions and even encouraged to acknowledge failure.

3) Empathy.  The ability and willingness to project yourself into the minds of another group.  This can be your target audience.  Generally understand the way they think, feel and act. If you can have this discipline, it puts you in a position to predict behaviors and generate amazing results. When you predict behavior this empowers your company to do amazing things.

4) Education. Leaders who are committed to establishing learning culture will thrive in this economy.

5) Direction.  These leaders who are thriving in their organizations are extremely adept to explaining where they are going, the company’s direction, and this is transparent within the organization.  This also works its way down to the customer base.

.

ThriveAMERICA is produced by Blank Stage Productions

Check out Erica Parker on LinkedIn.

.

Commercial Lending Solutions

.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BUSINESS OWNER

Many people make the mistake of looking at entrepreneurship as being very cool, very hip and in some ways it is. But the harsh reality is that it is very, very difficult. If you follow an entrepreneur you will find they will work more hours then anyone else.  Business owners are always working in or on their business, so you have to LOVE what you do.  A trait that makes a successful business owner is passion.

.

Accountant’s Fairy Tale!

Pro@ctive CPA
.

A BUSINESS PLAN

It is very, very important to have a plan, it is the road map for your business. I look at them as a work in progress. Your business plan is not set in stone. You can change your plan to meet the changing needs of your business. The Edge is an awesome site to help you get started with developing a powerful business plan.  Also SCORE is an awesome resource to get counseling, professional advice and connect with other business owners.

WHAT ARE SOME RED FLAGS OF BUSINESS OWNERSHIP?

Not enough experience in that field, or starting capital to get started.  You have to have some starting capital when starting a business or getting a business property. Watch the video for great stories Erica shares about her experience with this.

.

2ND SEGMENT

THE PROCESS OF GETTING A LOAN

1. Have a mission, have a goal and some structure. This is your business plan.  We need to see that your idea is sound.  We are going to ask you questions about your experience, your financial forecast and how you plan to use the loan. So be ready to answer these questions.

2. Talk to a real estate agent.  Tell them what you are looking for in a physical space.  Make sure the real estate agent is experienced in the area you are looking to acquire.  Every area has different rules and regulations and you will need a real estate agent who is savoy in this area.

3. Prepare your loan package.  Get your tax returns, and your profit and loss statements together.  What are you showing?  We also need to know what the funds are going to be used for.  How are you going to use the two million dollars?  Let’s get a picture.

4. Identify the property and place a contract on the property.  Then get the property inspected with someone you find and can trust.  This is for you and represents someone in your corner.  You want to know what you are getting with the property.  Will the lights work when you expect them to?   The bank does not care really if the lights do or do not work.  You do! If you get a property, and expect to open business and find the lights don’t work, the toliet breaks, or some other concern then you will have to hold off opening and get these issues fixed.

Don’t get stuck in a property you can’t use, or a just a bad location.  Be smart and go through this process!

THE BUS TOUR

We have a bus tour for investors that educates potential commercial real estate investors.  On the bus we have a representative of all the people you will need to know when getting a loan and getting investment property there to educate you on this process.

3RD SEGMENT

HANDLE REJECTION

A lot of times you will get a “no” when applying for a business loan.  This, many times, means your business does not fit the box for that bank, not that you have a bad business idea.  This doesn’t mean you should pack up and go.  Do not give up, simply move on to the next bank or give us a call.   Much like an actor who will audition for a movie.  That actor may be a GREAT actor but does not look the part for that particular film. Have a think skin.  Here your passion and this will carry you through.

HOW CAN WE THRIVE?

Stick to the plan.  AND re-visit your plan.  Attend a ActionCOACH 90-day GrowthCLUB plan. This will inspire you to keep changing, keep innovative and sty on track.  Stick to your mission.  Consult with experts who know more then you.

CLS – HOW DO WE GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?

Just call us!

clscause.com

Commercial Lending Solutions,LLC
3020 Highlands Parkway Suite F
Smyrna,GA 30082
(678) 556-0887

.

CLS

CLS is committed to YOU, the borrower. Since we are not obligated to one bank, we have the freedom and flexibility to present your loan to a wide range of capital resources and secure the best terms and pricing the markets has to offer. We pride ourselves on effectively managing the process from start to finish.

Specialties

Commercial Lending Solutions, LLC offers a field education tour .
The day usually starts with breakfast, giving you a chance to mix and mingle with some of the other investors. From there, everyone will board the bus for an educational field trip, filled with an overview of the important numbers to pay attention to, what it takes to get started, and how you can make it happen.

.

ThriveAMERICA is produced by Blank Stage Productions

We have had amazing guests visit the set of ThriveAMERICA.  We have identified and put a collection of the best segments thus far.  To scroll through all the videos and get to the one you want to see, use the arrow icons you see in the video player.

.

FIVE Ways to use LinkedIn Effectively

Show Notes: Sean comes in right in time.  We know very little about the powers of the social outlet, LinkedIn.  No one has covered its potential, until now. In the show Sean outlines the five effective ways to use and succeed on LinkedIn.  Follow these basic steps and you will be well on your way to making things happen on this business professional social media networking hub.  If you like what you see here please leave a comment and if you want more info about LinkedIn, take a visit to Sean’s blog.  Sean’s blog reveals specific ways or instructions on how to upload video, use applications and many more strategies.
http://linkedintuition.com/blog/

.

From the Eyes of an Angel Investor, FIVE Secrets to Success

1. Know who you are and build your plans around this core strength.
2. Do not be diverted by attractive distractions from this core. Stay true to it.
3. Execute flawlessly. In this unforgiving economy there is very little margin for error.
4. Stay lean. You can not expect banks, VC’s or angel investors to provide you the funding you would have found just a few years ago.
5. That being said, if you can build share during a down economy you have a deadstart on competitors later on

.

How to Master Social Media

TODD SCHNICK

It’s OK to fail.  You might just find that right combination. To thrive in this economy you have to wrap your head around the idea that marketing is changing.  It is a two way street.  If you give you are going to get back.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/toddschnick

.

Why Become a Resource

CHAD MASSAKER

What a resource Chad has been over the years.  He gets the two spot for speaking with conviction about  digging deep in building relationships. Network Marketing.  It’s about relationships.  You have to dig down deep and figure out how to become a resource for other people.  Know people’s pains. You can do this in a lot of ways. Serve there needs, and take the time needed to get to know them.  Host networking events.  Let people get together.  There is more noise then ever before.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/chadmassaker

.

Understand Networking Myths

DAVID ALEXANDER

David is business leader for BNI, Business Networking International, and his tips are spot on. Get involved with community.  Check out your local chamber of commerce, and get involved on a deeper level.  Get involved with community events and civic groups.  You will be seen as a giver.  Start meeting people and figure out what makes you unique, different.  Have 30 seconds to talk about your business?  Avoid mentioning that you provide great customer service, rather describe what makes your customer service so great. What is key is inspiring people to refer you.  How can you do this? You have to take the time to educate people what it is you do.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/davidalexander

.

How to Empower Your Business

RICK CRAIN

My coach asked me to summarize what I learned from him, now it provides a powerful strategy list for any business owner. 1. Scout and develop your talent. 2. Plan, prepare and schedule.  How do you organize your business? 3. Position with a Mission. Why are you in business? Live your mission, your message. 4. Wake up, Get up and Show up.  Treat the day, the next client meeting like its game time, like Michael Jordan would approach a fame. 5. Do Your Best and Forget the Rest.  Determine what you are best at. 6. Do the Right Things. Be honest. 7. Go the Extra Mile. Who can our clients feel like they got more then they paid for.  How can we surprise them. 8. Practice Wild Empathy.  What are your customer’s pain points. 9. Never Deny Help.  See what comes your way. 10. Give to Others. Give referrals and watch what happens and be coach able.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/rickcrain

.

Powerful Secrets to Internet Marketing

LISA BLACKSTONE

Lisa is a personal client and I have seen her grow leaps and bounds in this journey, we list her high because of some powerful tips she reveals. You have to build both the look and feel of your website with strategies to drive traffic to your website.  I went and learned from people who are experts in the art of driving traffic.  I learned how to use market samurai, a great product that helps you focus in on great keywords for your business.  I came up with 30 keywords, then I bought those URL’s. Then I used wordpress direct, a powerful that scowers the internet and brings in content to fill your micro sites. Surround yourself with people who know more then you.  A lot of things change, technology for example reinvents itself every six months, relationships don’t.  Don’t fall in love with your product.  If people aren’t buying it, you need to change. Where is your balance. We all are great at something.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/lisablackstone

.

How to Find Working Capital

BOB FARRIS

Soft spoken, but listen carefully. Raising big money is often times easier then raising smaller sums of money. There are over 2,000 equity groups looking to get behind a certain business, could that be you?  Can you identify a competitor and acquire them?  This can help you get placed in a whole new league.  A business owner must be able to change on a dime. You can hang onto elements of your business way to long. Put your finger in the air and determine where the money is, go there.  Business can be a matter of luck, but you have to get into luck’s way. Get a mentor.  It’s funny how a mentor comes into your life. These people can sponsor you, help you grow your business and share their expertise with you.  Learn to recognize them.  A lot of businesses were started in the worst of times.  Do not be afraid.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/bobfarris

.

Learn the Art of Reciprocity

JOHN HOLLNER

John was spot on, don’t let the placement fool you. Relationships.  This is the third R.  Learn the principal of reciprocity.  This is like Giver’s Gain. What can you do earn this principal. People are finding that you must connect 33 times with your clients to get your message across.  We are busy creatures, the gas we need to get, the groceries we need to buy… so you have to build your relationships. There is no silver bullet.  Try and out source your day to day tasks. Read the book the “4-hour work week”.  You have to meet your client in the way they want to be communicated with.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/johnhollner

.

How to Help Google Bots Find Your Site

CHRIS SPEARS

I might have found a better segment of Chris, if I were to vote on best overall segment Chris would be top two. What is SEO and SEM? What is Google looking for?  Relevant information.  SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing.  SEO is your content in your website while SEM is what you will pay for to be associated with key search words. Use Google Trends. Use keyword spy. You have to satisfy the Google Bots and these tools will help you.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/chrisspears

.

Why Now is the Best Time

CHRIS HEUSER

Here is another powerful recap. Chris speaks the everyman way, easy and simple. Quick recap of Chris’s previous segments: 1. Now is the best time to start a business. 2. Doesn’t take a lot of money to start your own business. 3. Choosing the right business and making sure people what what you do.  4. Get an informative website.  5. Get skilled up.  6. Write your roadmap, pick 3-5 achievable goals.  7. Find alliances and build your team.  8. Get testimonials, people love to read them.  9. Ask for referrals. 10. Networking. One of the most important things you will do for your business.   Find out how you can help them.  Our meeting that meets monthly allows you to get in front of 70-80 people.

http://thriveamerica.com/video/chrisheuser

.

Look For Opportunity

MARK WYSSBROD

Build liquidity and be more productive in our business. Now we need to look for opportunity.

Top Views on ThriveAMERICA | Click on Thumbnail to View the Interview

These past guests, in order of standings, are getting the most views for their past appearances on ThriveAMERICA. Click on their picture and see why!

Interested in advertising or being a guest on ThriveAMERICA , please email interest to: info(at)blankstageproductions.com

.

find or follow or both

.

RESOURCES – the first “R”

I challenge people in defining what there marketing resources really are. Define what your marketing resources and determine where you are allocating your them.  Most of us think marketing = advertising. However most people have intangibles such as goodwill, location and your client list.  There are 8 kinds of marketing and I define them by:  Advertising, PR, business networking, trades show, promotional products, signage, referrals, and the internet.  I teach people how to look at all these marketing channels and see where they can take advantage of each one, and many of them don’t cost money.
.

Accountant’s Fairy Tale!

Pro@ctive CPA

.

REFERRALS – the second “R”

Referral is a way to get great leads from word of mouth.  Get a referral program in place. When people refer to you, those people tend to shop you less.  You have a much better shot of getting the right price point. The more money you can per transaction the better.  Be sure to ASK for the referral.  People may assume you don’t need any more business, and do so early on in your sales process.  Establish a unique and tailored referral program.  Reward those that send you business.

.

RELATIONSHIPS – the third “R”

Your reputation should proceed you. If you have done a good job for someone that is going to spread. Practice reciprocity.  Make someone “feel” like they owe you something because of something you gave them first.  Most people don’t even have past customer list or a current one. Most business owners do not actively practice this, they don’t talk to their customers.  Research shows you should be getting in front of clients about 33 times in order to “sink in”. There is no silver bullet to manage your time. You can outsource this kind of work, but in general you have to work hard to build these relationships.  Host highly creative events, get in front of people and fight like mad connect those that come with each other.  People like coming to these kinds of events.   The more you can leverage your contact list in one room will better serve you and your community.

John mentioned this book: “The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini

.

Contact John:

770-912-8774

.

ThriveAMERICA is produced by Blank Stage Productions