Business Ideas

Archive for November, 2010

Down Times? Use Them To Clarify Your CompanyS Brand Message!

So perhaps these aren’t the best economic times. Business is off and you’re feeling a bit frantic. You wonder if you should slash prices across the board make new offers lay off staff or just hibernate until next spring. First of all realize you are not alone. A great number of business owners nationwide are facing these same questions and challenges. But what to do? lt;Pgt;
My advice would be to get clear. lt;Pgt;
“Get clear?” you ask incredulously. “That’s it?” lt;Pgt;
Yes. Get really really clear. lt;Pgt;
It’s at these times of duress that we tend to get reactive. It’s like the old saying about the politician who having lost his objective redoubles his efforts. If we are not clear and if we’ve lost our sense of direction how does going faster help? What typically happens is that we take on the wrong type of work from the wrong type of clients all at a deep discount stay busy for the sake of busy work make little to no profit and go nowhere. Not much of a plan eh? lt;Pgt;
What if you took slower times in business as an opportunity to get focused? Here’s another way to look at it. If you were a lumber jack and your axe blade had become dull you could either decide to keep swinging harder or you could take time out to sharpen your axe. For many business owners this seems threatening. They feel they don’t have time to sharpen their axe they have to pay the bills make calls stay busy. But in the end they swing with a dull axe and get nowhere working harder and harder with less and less to show for it. And they also get exhausted. Sound familiar? lt;Pgt;
On the other hand what if you took time to hone your message. Perhaps you have a confusing business name that communicates one thing a tag line that doesn’t match an outdated web site three versions of your logo a blog that sits idle and a newsletter that’s still on the “to do” list. You’ve been so busy the past few years reacting to business you haven’t had the time or the need to keep your brand message clear concise and compelling. In fact it’s gotten down right fuzzy. Now is the perfect time to go through a brand audit… a review of just where you are now in the market and where you want to be. Does your current image message and product offerings all line up? Are they speaking with one voice? Or are you pushing quality products here low prices there touting your service extraordinaire and introducing a baffling array of new ideas and goods in hopes that something anything will “stick.” lt;Pgt;
Here’s one simple test. Can you communicate your basic brand message in a matter of three to four words? lt;Pgt;
What if you took one day out of your schedule to simply relax and observe. Don’t try to figure things out or reason or solve or react just observe what’s going on. Don’t think… feel. A walk in nature is a great place for this type of exercise. Smell the earth watch the leaves hear the sound of water. Then ask yourself “Why am I in business?” What is your real motivation? Does it reflect your vision passion and direction? If you walked into this business today and it wasn’t yours how would you feel about it? Does it convey a sense of purpose mission and direction? What seems to fit and what doesn’t belong? Now might be the time to streamline and unify your business your passion and your message into one cohesive brand. A brand that stands for something singular. And if that were so what would that one thing be? Can you get it down to three words? One word? lt;Pgt;
You can take time to get clear. Or blindly redouble your efforts. lt;Pgt;
You can take time to sharpen your axe. Or just keep swinging a dull one harder. lt;Pgt;
When it comes to moving forward clarity can be a real confidence booster. Your decisions will be then based on insight and will energize you. You’ll recognize what builds your message and avoid what scatters it. You’ll act with focus and purpose. And in times like these that’s not just smart… it’s brilliant. lt;Pgt;

About the writer:  Phillip Davis is president and founder of Tungsten Branding company naming consultants located near Asheville NC. Phil and his team have assisted over 200 regional national and international corporations with business and product branding strategies. To view his company naming portfolio visit http://www.PureTungsten.com

Decisions Decisions! An Introduction To Decision Making

All human beings instinctively make decisions from the time they start to think coherently. But did you know that research shows majority of us do not make good decisions? Thus it is important to be knowledgeable about what is decision making as well as which techniques in decision making actually work.

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What is decision making all about? First of all a good definition of decision making is that it is the science of determining then selecting options at hand using the values and preferences of the individual in question.

What kinds of decisions are there? Let us look at them closely.

The first type of decision is dubbed Decisions whether. This type of decision answers a yes/no question to make an either/or decision. If we use this type of decision we will be weighing the pros and cons of the answer. We should be alert to making a decision whether because all too frequently we think that decision making starts with determining our options if the decision to select an option has already been formulated.

The second type of decision is called Decisions which. This type asks the decision maker to select one or more options from a range of choices. The choice will be made based on whether each option can match a predetermined set of criteria.

A contingent decision means that the decision maker has come up with a decision but has sidelined the decision because a preset condition or factor has not been met yet.

We must also bear in mind that majority of our decisions are not made in a linear fashion. Rather we keep shifting from the criteria that we would like our choice of decision to fall under and the determination of options which we can choose from. The options will have an impact on the criteria and vice versa.

It would be nice if the elements for making a good decision where there all the time. But this is not so in real life. Thus we can see that there are three advantages to postponing making a decision for a reasonable time. First we will be able to get more data that could be crucial to making a decision. We also gain more time to consider our options or find that there are more options out there we can include in our analysis. Lastly if you had more time you might amend your choice because other factors or criteria come into play.

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Thanks

Thomas S. Fisher

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Thomas S Fisher Born Raised on Long Island NYAuthor:Pennies2Billions.comEntreprenuer: www.automated10kmonthly.com

Deal Or No Deal – How To Negotiation Anything

Everything in life is a compromise; everything in life is a negotiation. We all seem stifled by the word and implications that surround negotiating. Yet what most of us do not realize is that we have been negotiating since we were born. From the time we wanted a bottle or refused napping our education in negotiation began. In fact research for this article illustrates that 43 of the American workforce changed jobs since 2006. And the divorce rate in the United States hovers at over 53.

However we become increasingly befuddled by negotiation. We hold strong beliefs that negotiation is meant to be a battle. We begin negotiations on the defensive and seek to end them in a similar manner. The most vital idea to comprehend about negotiation is its definition. Negotiation is nothing more than an exchange of ideas and values between two or more parties with different interests. Conceptually negotiation is a communication and critical thinking exercise inducing creative problem solving. This article seeks to address ways in which you can negotiate and still move away with your credibility and friendships in tact.

The best concept for understanding negotiation is to indicate what it isnt. We first need to debunk the myths.

Myth:Negotiation is about winning and losing.
The myth of winlose is ancient. Validation of winning is not bequeathing more concessions than the other party. One simply needs to be concerned with the amount of take. This denotes loss.

Myth:Negotiation is about power
All people in a negotiation have power. If two sides are negotiating each as an equal amount of power one desires something from the other. Yet negotiation is not so much about power it is about honesty or lack thereof. Power stems from the side that enables it. Donald Trump by nature believes he has power due to wealth and notoriety yet if he desires something from someone else the power shifts. The larger concern is not relinquishing power to the opposing side.

Myth:Negotiation is about chicanery
In reality negotiation is about resolving an issue where both sides obtain equal value by amicably and honestly agreeing to terms. However negotiation is similar to chess strategies are used and sometimes held so that each party gains more than they requested. Rather than lie most negotiators are honest they simply do not fully disclose information.

Myth:All negotiations are about prices and are sales related
Nothing is further from the truth. Negotiations stem from all walks of life: from dating to deciding upon a movie to noise decibels. Negotiating establishes boundaries and how far each side allows another within them.

Perhaps the most understood principle of negotiation is a requirement to plan. Most often negotiations fail due to improper procedures paperwork or misread issues. Planning is the first and vital step in every negotiation. Each party should strategize to define the motives of each side goals that might be addressed time frames and players. Research affirms that in 73 of most negotiators are unprepared. This step is vital to assist in moving forward. Good planning and comprehension help to avoid miscues and maintain proper and efficient conversation. Exemplars of good negotiation techniques are barely surprised by new information.

Negotiations are mixed motive situations. Each side arrives with a variety of goals and objectives even timeframes. What appears urgent to one; is apathetic to another. It is imperative that issues be immediately addressed. Most importantly the issues must be documented so all parties agree without a misunderstanding. A foppish issue should not resurface at a latter time. The more detailed the documentation the easier it becomes to facilitate conversation. Once agreed to timetables should be established so as not to languish on any one issue.

Negotiation is information and relationship dependent. Information is crucial to negotiation. The data need be specific; it is easier to comprehend and complete issues. Typically a tactical ploy to assist concessions most data is not displayed. Negotiators should then decifer the most imperative issues first do that all needed data is disclosed making for effective conversations. Coincidentally conversations are more placid when parties are familiar with each other. Particular interest is implicitly displayed since familiarity with both parties shares a common interest saving face. Dignity is a traditional process. Whether in business or amongst friends all desire to maintain honor especially with familiarity of the parties. As the clich states familiarity breeds content; the more familiarity with someone the easier the negotiation!

Egos and Communication. Another crucial component for negotiation success is to check you baggage and your ego at the door. Good negotiators know they are purposeful and do not advertise their success. A negotiation is concerned with mutual agreement not wins and losses. Keeping egos in check helps alliances and other desired relationships.

Additionally all negotiators need reminders for ears and eyes and not mouth. Too often negotiators tend to spoil alliances by speaking too much. Peter Drucker once stated Communication is often about what is not stated. Listening enables all to understand issues allow for issues that might go unstated and strategically enable the opponent to move first. The alliance builders understand the vitality of listening it is a practiced art form.

Compromise Commitment and Conclusion. Negotiation would not exist if not for the power and the reciprocity of compromise. Concessions enable negotiators to agree on small things to assist in declaring small victories. Accommodations negate foolish issues and streamline discussion. Once decided agree to commitment and document so as not to rehash. Trivial details take time away from other important issues. It is more important to move forward then review unnecessary data. Once the issue is complete move forward or conclude it allows less time for pondering decisions.

To allay any fears of negotiating it is best to align this business tactic with athletics it is a learned format not born. Admittedly there exist individuals that love to converse and banter yet negotiation is not an easy skill. It takes patience persistence and proper listening to understand the issues. Negotiation is a part of everything we do in life almost every day. It is a skill that combines crucial critical thinking reciprocity and professional communication. It is not easy to win friends and influence decisions in negotiation yet if we understand motives create a thorough plan and expect the unexpected each negotiation we have becomes easier and more effective. Negotiation increases our perception our patience and our resolve to maintain business relationships.

2007. Copyright Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;About Drew Stevens PhD
Drew Stevens PhD is known as the Sales Strategist. Dr. Drew creates more revenues in less time. He is the author of seven books including Split Second Selling and Split Second Customer Service and Little Book of Hope and is frequently called on the media for his expertise. Sign up for Dr. Drew’s newsletter The Sales Strategist at drew3143901autocontactor.com and review his new book Split Second Selling at www.gettingtothefinishline.com/products.asp Also visit Dr. Drews Blog located at http://drewjstevens.blogspot.