Archive for the ‘Grow Your Business’ Category
|How to warm up the business when it’s cold outside!
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
Was your company on fire last year? Did you make record-breaking sales and take on new clients who reallyunderstood your product or service? Or did business fizzle out, slow down, or go into hibernation? Were you tired, blank, or financially concerned?
Some good news came last week from a survey (released by the Bank of Canada), of senior loan officers at the chartered banks. According to Diane Buckner, Small Business reporter for CBC News online, previous tight lending practices of the recession have loosened up. It’s now cheaper and easier for small companies to get financed. That’s one option. Another is to ramp things up and set aside some time (even an hour!) for 2011strategic planning.
Whether you warm up those leads that have gone cold, leverage your current client projects for new ones, or solicit new business, it’s time to kick-start the company! 2011could be YOUR year to break loose from the doldrums of being hit with the entrepreneurial “I NEED TO MAKE MORE MONEY!” virus!
Tips for getting YOUR business in shape for 2011:
- Get focussed. Review, analyze, and improve your product or service before you sell it. Make your company message clear and valuable for potential clients.
- Organize your leads: Make a list of your BOSS Connections, contacts from your social media networks (LinkedIn or Facebook), friends, and family who may need your service or product. Contact people you know first because the relationship is already there and there’s a good chance the trust is too.
- Budget your time. Schedule phone, Skype or in-person meetings no more than once or twice a week. Getting conversations started prepares you to fill up your client pipeline. Remember, all clients are ready to do business at different times.
- Be a marketer. Polish up and freshen up your marketing materials. Be a pumped up ambassador for your company. Potential clients latch onto business leaders who are passionate about what they do and usually do a great job.
Business always goes in cycles. But with some thought, planning, and proactive legwork, you’ll heat things up and once again celebrate the warmth of being your own boss.
Posted in BOSS Leadership, BOSS Success System, Grow Your Business | No Comments »
Grow Your Business Cost Efficiently!
Monday, November 29th, 2010
You’re passionate and revved up about having your own business. The clients are lined up, your workload is maxed out, and now you’re at a crucial point. You want to expand the business. Only one problem. Your resources are maxed out too.
Until now, you’ve likely been enjoying the adrenaline rush of being the decision-maker, the order-taker, the service provider, the marketer, and the money maker. But to survive and stay competitive, you have to grow the business. And that means more time and more money you’ll need to spend to stay on top in the marketplace. So what do you do?
According to Business Weekly magazine, here are some suggestions:
Step #1: Give up some control. Delegating small tasks frees you up for the bigger ones that need more focus.
Step #2: Take smaller steps. Accomplish a few things each day, not a laundry list of over-ambitious tasks. This allows you to complete them right away.
Step #3: Be resourceful and innovative. Enlist the help of student interns or professionals interested in bartering services with you. Sign up for webinars and business seminars attended by other business owners.
Step #4: Maintain your focus. Many people will try to sell you services that don’t improve your bottom line. Take on only services that are vital to the day-to-day operations of your business. Team up with other likeminded business owners to form an effective group purchasing power.
Step #5: Promote your business inexpensively. Instead of traditional advertising, find other ways to market your product/service. Attend a business networking event where you have an opportunity to exchange business cards, services and ideas that put your company at the forefront of the marketplace.
Taking your business to the next level comes with challenges. But a little creativity, drive, and ingenuity will yield results in a cost-efficient and often more effective way….simply because you’ve worked hard to find solutions that increase your revenue and decrease your costs!
Posted in Business Advice, Grow Your Business | No Comments »
BOSS Success Story | Bernie Schmidt
Monday, September 27th, 2010
SUCCESS STORY
BOSS Member: Bernie Schmidt
Company: TorontoSmallBusiness.com
The Achievement: increased his revenue by $10,000 through BOSS Community
How it Happened: By being a BOSS Member for 4 months; through events and online platform
What Led to Success:
- - BOSS “Speed Power Networking” & “Triad Power Networking” sessions that gave him solid referrals and leads that converted to sales
- - Business Networking with quality business owners that were passionate about growing
- - Trusting Relationships that allowed members to confidently promote his services to people in their network
- - Establishing himself as an expert in his industry by sharing what he knew about SEO Optimization rather than what services he delivered
Bernie (BOSS Member) Says…
“It was the goodwill value of BOSS that has truly made all the difference. It’s created an environment where business owners have a “How can I help you?” attitude, and in the end everyone benefits.”
When asked which members used his services, he went on to tell me that, in addition to current membership, many leads have developed with people from the networks of other members. Through this extended relationship-building he has been able to generate $10,000 from the referral marketing of other BOSS Members!
Now that’s results. Business Networking through BOSSystem works. Congrats Bernie!
Next Events:
Breakfast with BOSS: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 REGISTER
BOSS Triad Power Networking: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 REGISTER
… or email jtufts@bossystem.org to reserve yourself a spot.
Tags: Business Networking, referral marketing
Posted in BOSS Success Story, BOSS Success System, Business Networking, Grow Your Business | No Comments »
Class of September 2010
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
Earlier today 14 of our BOSS Members successfully completed the BOSSystem Orientation!
A group of our driven BOSS Members gathered at the Old Mill this morning to learn more about the online component of the BOSSystem. They learned how to navigate their member account, post announcements for other members to see, utilize the BOSS Directory, and most importantly how to send and receive referrals using the very unique BOSS Referral System.
What once were strangers from different areas of the city, became familiar faces over the course of the morning. Not only were they now part of an innovative business community and support network, but they were armed with a tool that can really take their business to the next level.
As always the power of BOSS shon through as members began to give each other leads and referrals that could potentially lead to business. Best of all, everyone was more than happy to pass on these leads since they know what goes around, comes around … Seven-fold!
Congratulations to Francisco, Laura, Roman, Robert, Anne, Mark, Jared, Ryan, Khusheu, Steve, Kyle, Don, David and Carolyn who are all officially BOSS Certified Members!
Stay tuned for our next BOSS Member Orientation coming up in the next few weeks!
Posted in BOSS Events, BOSS Success System, Business Networking, Grow Your Business | No Comments »
GoToMeeting and BOSS Partner Up!
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Have you ever gone to a meeting naked?
Well with GoToMeeting now you can!
That’s right, whether it’s the comfort of your own home or the convenience of your own office, GoToMeeting allows you to attend meetings anywhere in the world – right through the internet. GoTo’s features are endless… users have the ability to share their screen with meeting participants, record meetings with one-click, instantly change presenters, instantly create meetings, plan meetings in advance, and best of all ..other meeting participants can join the meeting using the internet or even the phone.
but that’s not all…
GoTo also has other helpful tools for business owners including GoTo Webinar, which allows you to host large online seminars; as well as GoToMyPC, which gives you remote access of your Mac or PC from anywhere in the world. No more renting large conference halls or having to lug around your hard drive. With GoTo services you’re able to utilize the true power of the web to save yourself time, energy and money.
Only BOSS Members save 10%…
That’s right! BOSS has partnered with GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, and GoToMyPC to give BOSS Members 30 day free-trials and a 10% discount annual and monthly subscriptions! BOSS will also be hosting numerous meetings and webinars throughout the year that will be powered by GoTo. We’re excited to have them on-board working with us to help business owners grow their business.
To take advantage of this and many offers through BOSS Group Purchasing Power…
Become a BOSS Member today at www.bossystem.org!
Tags: GoToMeeting, GoToMyPC, GoToWebinar, Partnerships, Purchasing Power
Posted in Group Purchasing Power, Grow Your Business, Member Benefits | No Comments »
"I love BOSS events…"
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
“…because over the past 4 meetings I’ve began to figure out what works and what doesn’t in the way I market my business. BOSS helped me realize that it’s about expressing to others what it is I enjoy about what I do!”
These are the words of Jared, one of our BOSS Members, this morning as he reflected back on our event last night.
It still gives me quivers to hear these stories and many others which prove the incredible impact we are having on each and every business owner we work with. I am constantly motivated by the quality of the community of businesses we are bringing together to really leverage off each other in some of the most creative ways possible. After asking BOSS Members to share their BOSS Success Stories at the beginning of last night, we learnt about various new partnerships, friendships, and referrals all starting to form within BOSS. But don’t take my word for it, why not call some of our very own members to find out how they’re benefiting first hand! (more…)
Tags: Benefit, BOSS 90 Day Challenge, Partnerships, Possibilities, Stats Canada, Success Stories, Triad Power Networking
Posted in BOSS Events, Business Networking, Grow Your Business, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Next BOSS Event this Wednesday, August 25th!
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Come find out what all the BOSS Buzz is about!
This Wednesday, August 25th BOSS will be holding it’s Member and Guest event. Taking place at the Old Mill Inn, this is a chance for serious business owners to come together, connect, promote their products/services, share knowledge with one another, and learn about the creative and innovative ways that BOSS is helping businesses grow!
Here are the details:
What? BOSS “Triad Power Networking” Event
When? Wednesday, August 25th | 3:30PM – 6:30PM
Where? The Old Mill Inn
TO REGISTER PLEASE CLICK HERE
*Please note you must confirm your attendance by registering above to contacting Jonathan at jtufts @ bossystem.org
Posted in BOSS Events, Business Networking, Grow Your Business | No Comments »
BOSS Business Tip #11: Ask for Feedback!
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
After putting in countless hours and tireless dedication, you have finally completed that project. It’s easy to get caught up in the passion and put your guard up. Remember to take advice from others; it will only improve your initial ideas. Keeping this in mind, not all criticism is beneficial. Make sure you take into account feedback that addresses both the positives and negatives. Ignore the personal attacks. It’s impossible to tackle every comment, so pick selectively. Try inserting a “comments and concerns” section to your website. Avoid those rose coloured glasses; use the constructive criticism to your advantage!
Follow this link for more information…
Posted in BOSS 100 Awesome Business Tips, Business Advice, Grow Your Business, Wealth Consciousness | No Comments »
BOSS TV | Business Card Breakdown
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
What’s the first first impression your business makes, and the last impression it leaves?
Why it’s your Business Card of course!
Take a look at our latest BOSS TV episode that outlines the different looks and feels of business cards, and how you can turn it into a powerful marketing piece!
Tags: Business Card
Posted in BOSS TV, Business Advice, Grow Your Business | No Comments »
