Series: A Leaders Mindset

Definition: Mindset: a set of beliefs or a way of thinking that determines one’s behavior, outlook and mental attitude.

Offline I discuss with clients all the time a Leaders Mindset or what some would call a millionaire mindset…same difference.  I discuss this topic heavily with clients because no matter how many tools I give them, no matter how many resources I provide; without the right mindset success is still a 50-50 shot.  For my clients, I do not want to leave their success to chance. That is not what my mission states, nor is that the purpose of my company.  With this thought I decide to incorporate some of these conversations in my strategy blog, with the hopes that readers will utilize the power of changing or strengthening their mindset to encourage their business growth and success. Join us!

I created this as a series post because there are so many areas of this topic to cover. So please be sure to check back.

Today we’ll cover two:

• Long-Term Perspective

A large majority of people who plan for success and have set goals for themselves fail because at some point they stop trying. Basically they quit; quit on themselves. You have to have a long-term perspective that includes difficult times and moments. You have to literally plan for those moments because they will come. If winning was easy, everyone would be successful. Understand that winning is the harder path, its the harder road, but its the most rewarding road also. I am sure you’ve heard the sayings “there’s no gain without risk” or “nothing worth having comes easy”.  Well its true, but hard work is worth it. What some business owners do not do is plan for the trouble moments or down times. You have to look at that long-term perspective and have a real like expectation that like “real” life hard moments will arise. Plan for those moments and it will be a lot easier to keep your stride when they come.

• True Leadership – Growing Others

True leadership is taking out the “me” factor. True leadership means you stop worrying about advancing yourself and focus on building up those around you, which in turn builds your company. When you focus on your staff, they recognize it and they in turn ”buy” into you and your company. There becomes a different work ethic offered and it shows on your bottom line. A real leader makes strides to make the people around them smarter, better and bolder. Its almost of system similar to paying it forward and it does return to you.  You need your staff to mentally buy into you, your mission and the company. They will not do that if they recognize you are a leader with a singular focus. No one can run a company that requires a staff on their own. A company is as good as it’s employees. If you are a solopreneur right now then learn the lesson for when your company does grow or take the lesson and utilize it towards your clients. We all answer to someone.

A Productive Strategic Plan

Its not simply enough to have a good strategy; to do all the work to put together a personalized strategic plan for your company to move forward in a direction that will make your company successful. In order to have a successful stategy, that actually works, (because what’s the point in having one that doesn’t) is to monitor the element of that plan the you and your team put into play. See if those systems actually get positive, worthy results that you are looking for. If they do not, immediately replace those business tools or services with other researched alternatives, until you locate a system that works to the benefit and direction of the success of your company. Make sure you are measuring to prove the results.

Success In 2012!!

To be successful…be accountable. Be accountable to your brand, to your business, to your plan of action – your strategy. Know what you desire to accomplish not only in 2012 but simply in the next 2 weeks, the next month. Set goals, then tasks and a to-do list and then just do-it.  Small movement is better than no movement. Go for your dreams. They are obtainment, just plan for them : )

“From my business to your, wishing you great success in 2012 and forward…Happy New Year!!”

Strategy To Get Visitors To Your Website

As well all know just because we create a blog or a website doesn’t  we will instantly get a flood of visitors. We, as in all things, have to have a plan –  a strategy.  Just because your website is online, you can still use offline marketing strategies to drive traffic to your site.

Here are some options:

Offiline Strategies:

• Your website address should be on every marketing material, business document, flyer, coupons, stationary, any printed document possible.
• If you have a physical location place your website address on your store sign.
• When you have conversations with clients, customers, over phone or in person mention your website.

Online Strategies:

• Learn the keywords your customers use to search for your products or services and include those words in your website content so when they search they will find your website. Using Google Adwords Keyword Tool will help.
• Place your website on all the major online website directories
• Add a blog to your website and constantly add and update content

Social Media

• Announce your website on social media sites.  Make sure you express the benefit to them visiting your site.
• Add your website address to all your social media profiles
• If you place blog post on social media sites include share buttons within the posts so others can drive traffic to your site too.

Get Traffic From Other Sites:

• When you make comments on other websites and blogs you can place your website address with your comment.
• Write guest posts or articles for other websites and place your website address in the area that comments about the author. This also helps establishes you as an expert.
• If your website is news worthy, get media coverage for it. Request articles or reviews of your product or services. You can also submit a press release. There are websites that offer free press release services as well as paid.

Emails:

• Maximize your email signature by always including your website address as well as your other contact information.
• Use email newlsetters as a marketing strategy to bring exposure to your website, your company and services and your expertise.

And don’t forget to let your friends,  family and business associates know about your website and assist you in spread the word. Word of mouth still works.

Strategically Viewing Your Competition

As a new or veteran business owner we focus on multiple tasks to accelerate the growth of our businesses. There are so many elements and facets of business that honestly it’s easy to become inundated if time management and good organizational skills are not consistently utilized.

Within your business strategy, knowing your competition is a key strategy element often not utilized. Understanding your competitive environment will not only give you a competitive understanding and edge but, if analyzed right, it will assist you in things like marketing, pricing, and target marketing.

Knowing your competition will give you direction to where your competitors strengths and weaknesses are, which will give you an advantage to strengthen your position in your industry and gain more clients; which grows your bottom line.

Foundation and Strategy

When discussing ideas and strategy with so many of clients, networking associates and fellow entrepreneurs (regardless of industry or level of completion); I find us in a common conversation. So I decide to briefly discuss it here on Strategically Thinking Blog. Its great to have an idea, a passion for your industry and to charge into business, but like every thing  in life you have to crawl before you walk and run. And like a lot of things in life before you get to the stuff you love you have to endure the stuff you don’t : )  For instance, an artist may love to paint and wants only to paint and sell her paintings as a business but in reality if that artist wants to be a successful business woman she has to do the “business” side of business first and in addition to painting. For her it’s not the fun stuff or her passion but it is part of the business.  

In all things there has to be a strong foundation and a strategy. A good strategic plan will allow you to look at all your opportunities and threats and assist you in making educated choices to help direct you in the best way to grow your business.

True success is not obtained by accident, its obtained by a series of educated or at least to say good choices.

2011 Setting New Goals

Its a new year and the first thing most people do is make new plans and set new goals. Setting goals is a major priority in life and in business if you want to obtain success. You hear that all the time. A crucial step to take before setting goals is to take the appropriate amount of time to really study what you want, what you want to accomplish and what your definition of success really is. Until you can answer those questions goals and setting goals, well even achieving them won’t really matter much because you won’t be happy with the end results.

Take time to know who you are and what you want; establish a strategy, then set goals. Start by setting smaller goals and create a daily to-do list, that will help you work toward your goals. Finally, review your plans on a regular basis and confirm you are staying on task and moving forward successfully.

Good luck in all your endeavors of 2011.

Live a life of passion and purpose.

Valarie

Learning To Get Free Publicity

Publicity is a great tool to utilize for growing your business. Free publicity is even better. You can create a lot of free publicity for your company by using certain strategies and it will cost you nothing but time.

There are many options for free publicity (and we’ll continue to talk about them here in the next coming months). Here are three that go hand-in-hand:

1. Media List – create a media list by locating publications, blogs, shows, newsletters, etc  that relate to your business. Your list can be saved on your computer as a file or a hard copy file. Record the editor’s  name, the name of any authors who write columns that would be of interest to your industry. Record all contact information including phone number, fax number and email addresses.  Continually grow your media list. Purposely look for different publications or media outlets.

2. Create a media pitch, which is a strong angle that would interest an editor to write about you and your company. Stories sell and that is what all editors and writers are looking for, regardless of industry.

Use that media pitch to…

3. Contact the editor. First off…no HARD selling…it simply doesn’t work. Contact the editor and just let them know if they are ever doing a story within your industry, that you would hope they would utilize your expertise.

Editors and the media are always facing deadlines and the tasks of finding relatable news worthy stories. For this reason they will greatly appreciate your help and it will foster and good relationship with you and that media staffing.

See you in the news!

Communicating Your Mission Statement?

Your mission statement is a short synopsis of your road map to growth. A good statement will give your customers and potential customers a vivid picture of what your company is about and where you “plan” for it to go.

At times, most times, you will have a small window to make a verbal statement and lasting impression before that window closes. The question you have to ask yourself is once your statement is stated will it increase your clientele and retain those you have with the potential of referrals.

This also relates to your employees, temp staffing and volunteers. Companies whose employees understand the mission and goals enjoy a 29% greater return than other firms.  Bottom line communication is key. Have a plan, a set direction and effective communication. It is key that everyone understands what the mission and direction of your company is; that includes clients and staff. That is the only way they can “buy into” the mission, purpose of your company and help you grow your business.

No company grows alone or at the efforts of only the CEO. Promote the buy-in from those that assist you, paid-staff or not, and always clientele. This will increase your bottom line and set a positive successful culture within your organization, your brand and your community outlook; which ultimately equals success.

Remove Your Fears – Momentum Series

The greatest source of procrastination is often a deep-seeded fear. A fear rooted from many sources;  fear of success, of change, failure, ridicule, or simply the unknown.  Take daily steps to remove your tears by asking yourself every day, “What would I do today, if I were not afraid?”  Then take small steps towards following your answers. Even if doing small steps each day, you will eventually take bigger steps and work around the fear. Procrastination is a dream killer and will steer you away from the life you are suppose to have. Minimize that possibility by taking control of how much and how often you procrastinate. Make your dreams come true and live the life you were intended to live.