If You Take Your Business Casual You Will Become A Casualty

Wow, that's a strong but true statement. The definition of casualty is; victim, somebody or something destroyed or suffering as an indirect result of a particular event or circumstances. Yes if your not serious about your business you will become a victim of failure. To many people start businesses and treat them like a hobby not holding themselves accountable for the day to day operations or systematically seeking clients but than wondering why they don't succeed.

As a business owner you have to ask yourself a couple of questions:

#1. Am I willing to give it all I got to make it work?

#2. Am I prepared to go the distance no matter how hard it get's? 

Take the advice of William Barclay "Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory." With this being said you must take your business serious. Start by finding your niche. This will make you become an expert in your field. Don't depend on one traffic source diversify your marketing activities.

Always stay positive and surround yourself with other business owner's. This will protect you from negative influences and last but not least read about other people's success. This will keep you motivated and you can learn from their mistakes and duplicate their success formulas. It all boils down to whatever your business is, you simply must take it seriously if you want to be successful

and remember "Your bottom line is our business".

                                                                       Ricky Downs,CEO

Strategy: The Pathway to Success

The definition of strategy, the result of choices made to maximize long term value. Yes, strategy is the pathway to success. Think of it like this, on a dark night you need light so you can see where you are going to eventually reach your destination. Well, that's what strategy does for your business. It is the light so you can see where you are going to guide your business to it's destination which is SUCCESS! It is so important that you understand this because without strategy you have no road map.

Therefore the first thing you have to do is create a business strategy. Here are some tips you can follow:

#1. Set a vision statement- This describes a picture of the company's future and the direction it is headed.

#2. Set a mission statement- This describes what business the company is in and the target customer to determine their needs your business will meet.

#3. Set Goals- This is motivating, it gives focus, and yields more satisfaction from the sense of achievement.

Take this in and really think about it.  Michael Porter said "Strategy is about setting yourself apart from the competition. It's not a matter of being better at what you do it's a matter of being different at what you do." So there you have it a well put together strategy is created thru laser like focus and is implemented with the use of tactics and alway's remember "Your bottom line is our business".

                                                                

Ricky Downs, CEO

www.yourvideoviewer.com

People Come And Go But Systems Stay

     People come and go but systems stay, yes a harsh but true statement especially when it comes to business. In order for a business to be successful you need to have systems in place that run smooth, free of any delays and omissions. Systems help to maintain effective control in your day to day administrations and operations. In order to implement a  successful system it has to be well-planned and organized. This will save on time and money. However keeping in mind to stay focused on creating a system that meets your requirements and also the needs of the users who know how to use it.

     John Jantsch said it best "At it's core, a fully functioning business is basically a set of systems and processes". Therefore, by knowing this you can agree the more order you bring to your business the more business you can handle . With this in mind having systems in place will help you as a business owner to identify weak sales growth, low profits, customer dissatisfaction, and daily frustration. You can quickly resolve issues like the ones that were just mentioned having this information as a business owner.

     So to sum it up creating effective systems in your business will allow you to attain results that are consistent, measurable, and ultimately beneficial to your customers and always keep in mind "That your bottom line is our business."

Ricky Downs , CEO

www.yourvideoviewer.com

Promotions And Discounts: The Bait That Catches Your Customers

A fisherman puts bait on his hook in order to attract fish so he can catch them. This method can also be used by having promotions and discounts as bait to attract customers for your business. Any time you tell a customer he can save money your likely to get their attention. Discounts and Promotions will help boost your business as long as you offer it for a limited time. What this does is move a potential customer to make a decision.

You also have to remember to track your promotions. This will help you decide what's working and what's not. Winston Churchhill said " However beautiful the strategy you should occasionally look at the results." Yes by doing this it gives you control of your market.

There are all kinds of ways to entice people to buy your product. Here are 2 ways on how promotions and discounts can grow your business:

 #1. Gift cards- this is a simple and effective way to increase your cash flow.

 #2  Bundles-Pairing items together for a single price can help introduce low-selling items to a broader customer base. 

Yes discounts & promotions work as long as you effectively track them and remember  "your bottom line is our business".

                                                                              

Ricky Downs, CEO

www.yourvideoviewer.com

The Best Kept Secret To Marketing Your Business Is Networking

Yes, networking is one of the most inexpensive yet effective ways to market your business. Keep in mind the definition of networking which is to associate with like minded business people who recognize, create or act upon business opportunities it will lead to great referrals and leads for your business. Here are a few tips in successful networking.

#1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine-  In this arena you are building

relationships and trust also seeing how you can help others.

#2. Become a sponsor- this will allow you to participate in the event and in most cases

have a display about your business.

#3.-Always exchange information and have advertisement pieces to give out- This will act as a reminder to potential clients long after the event.

#4. The most important of all, follow up on all leads at this point you have the highest percentage of making them a customer.

The more you network the more your business will benefit but it also takes planning. You need to make networking a part of your business. Devoting time, attending certain events that are targeted to your field and know what you want to achieve. Always be prepared on what you are going to say about your business. Talk about what your business has to offer and why people need it. Never forget to ask others what they do? By doing this you are getting the most out of your networking and it doesn’t become a waste of time.

In conclusion at any networking event talk to everybody because you never know who you might meet and most of all who they know and remember, "Your Bottom Line Is Our Business".

The CEO,

Mr. Ricky Downs

www.yourvideoviewer.com

Delegation: A Must In Business Management

As a business owner it is a must that you learn how to delegate. Running a business isn’t just a job it’s 20 jobs. You have to realize that you can’t do everything and at the same time be very effective. The definition of delegation is to grant authority by one party to another

for agreed purposes. By knowing this and using it you are on your way to a successful business.

Delegation in business is known as a secret weapon. It allows you to free yourself and concentrate on things that matter the most by redistributing some of your tasks to others. There is a way to do this effectively. Here are a few tips that will help you. #1- In your lists of tasks

you need to select the one's you want to perform yourself. #2.-Make sure that the tasks you are giving out, the person is capable of performing them. #3.-In giving out the tasks you have to clearly define what you want done and give an exact deadline on how long it should take.

However keep this in mind, just because you delegate the work as a business owner you are still responsible that the work gets done! You have to inspect what you expect, by doing this inspection will keep the employee on track and accountable. Remember to always PRAISE AND REWARD hard work. This will encourage your employee to do there best work for you every time. In mastering the art of delegation this will allow your business to grow and operations to run smoothly. Like always "Your Bottom Line is Our Business". 

The CEO

Mr. Ricky Downs

www.yourvideoviewer.com

Your Excuses Aren't Reasons And Your Reasons Don't Excuse You

Yes as a business owner there are no excuses. You are held responsible for good and bad results in your business. Businesses fail because of two main reasons - they cant generate enough sales or they are poor at customer service. In other words it doesn't make a difference on how hard you work. In the world of survivors , for those who persevere and achieve the next level of success the word excuse does not exist.

Only results, actions, solutions are what customers care about. A leader is constantly adjusting, learning, accepting challenges and always building better customer relationships. With these activities you are always working with a professional attitude even under the most adverse conditions with no excuses just results.

George Washington Carver said it the best "Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses".

Let's take it a step further the definition of a leader is one who knows what to do next and excuses is not one of their options. So in order to run a successful business excuses is not in the formula and remember "Your Bottom Line Is Our Business". 

The CEO
Ricky Downs
www.yourvideoviewer.com

The Fuel That Drives Your Business: Passion

"Strong and barely controllable emotion" this is the definition of passion. Your chances are greater to succeed in business if you love what you do. According to the Small Business Administration only 44% of new businesses make it to their 4th year. However these numbers will not be a factor if your business is your passion. The reason why is because when times get rough and trust me they will, you stick it out longer because you love what you do.

Even though you have the passion for your business there are 3 other components that will help support your business. They are a business plan, financial plan, and a marketing plan. You need this because it will keep you focused. When you are passionate about something it can be easy to forget details. You may get so focused on your immediate needs that you lose sight of your vision. As John Wesley said " When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn."  Wow I couldn't of said it better. So to sum it up your passion should drive you to embrace it, revel in it, and use it to stand apart. 

Follow your gut which in turn will impact your heart and not the crowd and remember "Your Bottom Line Is Our Business".

The CEO

Mr. Ricky Downs
www.yourvideoviewer.com
@yourvideoviewer on twitter

Product Knowledge: Knowing Your Business Inside And Out

Before getting started in business you must do research and really understand what product or service you want to offer. In order to sustain long-term success in your business you must be prepared to remain hands on and get to know every aspect of the business from the inside out.

"There is only one boss. The customer. He can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else." When Sam Walton said this he clearly understood that in knowing your business you also had to know your customer. So remember knowledge is power and the more you know it helps you to make better decisions in growing your business.

So here are a few tips in starting your business that will assure that you are going in the right direction:

#1. Write a business plan -This will help you map out how you will start and run your business.

#2. Finance your business- There are many ways to get money to start a business. No excuses if you want it bad enough you will get it .Also there are several programs to assist start up companies.

#3. Decide the legal structure of your business- research the form of ownership is best for you : LLC,corporation,S corp.,non-profit ect.

#4. Understand your employer responsibilities - learn the step on how to hire employees.

No one said it would be easy but at the end of the day it is very rewarding. In the beginning you had a vision in fact you dreamed about it but along with that vision you must have a plan and a clear understanding of what you are about to get into. In other words I was once told "A vision without action is just a dream and action with vision is a nightmare."

In conclusion get a deep understanding of your business and the industry in which it operates this is essential to make a business thrive and remember "Your Bottom Line Is Our Business".

Enthusiasm And Excitement Two Main Ingredients Of Marketing

     

In marketing your company, product,or service you have to do it with enthusiasm and excitement. Clearly you can see they are two different words but they compliment each other nicely. Enthusiasm is to have great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause and excitement means to have a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness.

By knowing your company or product inside and out ,sharing the results of your company or product on how it has changed your clients business ,creating a vision of your success will help create an enthusiastic personality in which is highly contagious, and it tends to rub off on people. Also your genuine enthusiasm in helping your customers solve their problems is absolutely essential if you want to deliver outstanding service and differentiate yourself from your competition.

If your sales is essential to you than you have to take control and proactively generate enthusiasm

instead of waiting for it to come to you. Remember people do not gravitate towards boring people. Having enthusiasm and being excited about what you are talking about is a great way to get people to believe in what you are saying and when people hear excitement in your voice they want to know more about what you are saying.

Mr. Walter Chrysler said "The real secret of success is enthusiasm. Yes more than enthusiasm, I would say excitement. I like to see men get excited. When they get excited they make a success out of their lives. Wow! I couldn't of said it better and as for a final thought the more you are enthused and excited about your business the closer you are reaching your destiny and always keep in mind " Your Bottom Line Is Our Business".

How To Target The Right Customers For Your Business

  "How To Target The Right Customers For Your Business"

In your business plan it is very important to develope a target customer profile but you may ask, how do I

do this? Here are 3 important questions you must ask yourself in developing your profile.

#1. Does my product or service meets the needs of my customer?

#2. Is there something about my product or service that is preferred by my customers? and

#3. What is it about my product or service they admire?

By answering these questions you are narrowing down your target customer, also you need to understand there are some identifying attributes that your customer will have in common:

*Life Style

*Needs

*How often they purchase a product

*How often they use the product

Also keep in mind you have to be consistent with all your marketing and advertising. You don't want to confuse your potential customer. Stay focused by using strategy don't become a jack of all trades and master of none because this can have a negative impact on your business growth.By doing this the customer can truly understand the benefits that you are offering them.

Another way in identifying your customer's is by studying your successful competitor's. I was once told that it's 

nothing wrong in being a copy cat as long as you copy the right cat. Find out where they advertise,network, and

what tactics do they use. What works for them may also work for you and don't forget to work your personal

network of family and friends. As easy as it sounds most  people don't do it. Ask them if they know of anyone that can use your service or product. If your budget allows it offer a referral fee, money is always a great motivator.

Well I hope these tip's are helpful and remember "Your bottom line is our business".

You Are Addressed By The Way You Are Dressed

  You Are Addressed By The Way You Are Dressed

This is a strong but true statement. How you are perceived by others before you open your mouth depends mostly on the physical signals you send with your appearance. Branding yourself is just as important as branding your business.Your hygiene and grooming should always be top priority, also the clothes you wear serves as a substitute for character to people who don't know you well enough to judge you by anything else.

With this in mind you are creating a unique image for youself which ultimately promotes your business.

Here are a few tip's to remember when you are marketing and branding yourself.

#1.Become An Asset- By branding yourself you become the asset and the product you market is your set of skills and services.

#2. Be A Memorable Force- This means to keep yourself out in the market. Net-working events is an excellent way to market and brand yourself. Eventually you will get to the point that when a potential client need's your service or product they will think about you first.

#3. Build Trust and Recognition- By doing this it will allow you to easily engage with your clients and build trust. Once your clients trust you they'll never forget what you have to offer.

In conclusion, it all boils down to that in branding yourself apperance plays an important role. A wise man once said "If you look good you feel good and when you feel good you do good" and always remember "Your Bottom Line Is Our Business".

Ricky Downs

www.yourvideoviewer.com

Marketing with the Eyes and Heart of a Lion

The king of the jungle is often referred to as the lion. It's not that the lion is the strongest or the fastest of all animals but it has the biggest heart. A lion is very brave, protective, willing to fight, and a very good hunter. That's how you have to be when it comes to marketing your business.

Let's take a look at 4 Steps:

#1. Being Brave- You have to be willing to use technology and take the time to really understand it. If you don't you will be left behind and feel like a dinosaur. (Trust me I know the feeling)

#2.- Protective- You have to always be protective of your reputation as a business owner. In order to do this you have to provide proactive customer service and always please your customers by knowing what they appreciate before they know it.

#3.- Willing To Fight- You have to be willing to fight to retain your customers and the only way you can successfully do this is by FOLLOWING UP WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS.

#4.- Hunting- You have to be a good hunter. Hunting is the act of conducting a search for something. In this case you need to understand why people buy your product and what motivated them to choose your product over your competitor's.

Like I said, "become lion like when it comes to marketing your business and remember Your Bottom Line Is Our Business"

Mr. Ricky Downs

www.yourvideoviewer.com                                                         

What Is Marketing As It Relates To Business?

What Is Marketing As It Relates To Business?

Marketing is the process by which companies create value for customers and build strong customer relationships in order to capture value from customers in return.

So whatever your business, product or service is you have to create value. Doing this doesn't have to be as hard as it sounds. I have found a easy way to market anybody's business and get positive results thru the use of Video-Sharing.

You can create a 2 minute or less promo video of your business, product or service deliver it to your contacts and potential clients thru email and get positive results on what they viewed.

Keep this in mind marketing is used to identify,satisfy and keep a customer and with video it covers it all.

In conclusion you don't have to have a fortune 500 companies marketing budget to get your business in front of alot of people you can do it for less than a $1 a day and remember.....Your Bottom Line Is Our Business! www.yourvideoviewer.com

                                                                   Ricky Downs, CEO

                       

 www.yourvideoviewer.com