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Quickstart - So What Do You Do?
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Thank you.
Quickstart
Grow a Profitable Consultancy and Still Have Time for a Life
In this issue
Note from Beverley - Good News
One Step Further - So What Do You Do?
Ideas Bank - Networking
Products/Services - The Power of 4
Personal Reflections - It's The Little Things
What's Out There? - Leadership and Networking Workshops
Note from Beverley
Thank you to everyone who responded to my thoughts from last week on revamping Quickstart and the Ideas Bank. The general consensus was you like Quickstart the way it is, especially the Personal Reflections section and you would like to see the Ideas Bank grow. So I'll make no major changes and will consider how I can add further value for you.
Keep your ideas coming as the more you tell me the more I can help.
Have a good week
Beverley
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
+44 (0) 1344 625713
www.onestepfurther.co.uk
Author of Take Control of Your Time: 7 Straight Shooter Strategies for Success
One Step Further
It's inevitable you will be asked this question when you go to networking events, mingle at parties and meet people for the first time.
So What Do You Do?
So what do you say?
If you're boring and samey you'll probably say "I'm a marketing consultant" or "I'm an IT consultant" or "I help businesses grow".
However, if you really want to engage in a conversation and help people really start to get a feel, for what you do, please say something different.
If you consider that a part from a few people who are just being polite, the aim of your answer is to educate, inspire and provoke.
Educate by giving some knowledge to them that they don't already have.
Inspire by telling them in a way, which is different, engaging, and makes them interested.
Provoke by being creative in what you say so that the last thing they say is Tell Me More.
Here is an approach you might like to try
* Who - who are the people you help?
* What - is the problem you solve for those people?
* Why - is that a problem?
* How - do you do it?
* What - is the outcome?
Example
I work with independent business consultants, who struggle to manage the peaks and troughs of revenue, which means that they are stressed about where their next piece of business is coming from. I help them by focusing them on 6 key strategies which balance their time on delivering for their current clients as well as attracting more ideal clients. The outcome is a more profitable consultancy and a better life.
How might you answer "So What Do You Do?" in future and stand out from your competitors?
Ideas Bank
Referrals, winning proposals and how to price your products and services are just 3 of the topics in the Ideas Bank so far.
What can you add that would be of value to your fellow readers of Quickstart?
What experiences and successes have you had in these areas that other people can try?
This week I'd like to hear from you on the subject of Networking.
What works? What doesn't? What kinds of experiences and stories - good and bad, do you have that you can share with us?
Drop me an email at
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
Click on Ideas Bank to gain access and then to access each of the topics click on the orange links at the top of the Ideas Bank page.
We all share, we all learn.
The Power of 4
Imagine if 4 weeks from now you had achieved a REAL step forward in your business
Imagine if 4 weeks from now you were celebrating the completion of something BIG
Can you imagine what that might be?
* Perhaps you’ve been procrastinating over something for months?
* Perhaps you need some help to get started?
* Perhaps you need to be held accountable to make sure you do what you say you’ll do
* Perhaps you need The Power of 4?
Click on The Power of 4 and find out how you can take you and your business One Step Further NOW!
Personal Reflections
Last week I ordered some more vitamins by phone. (I've started taking fish oils to improve my brainpower!!) It was a simple and straightforward process, which was handled very smoothly, very efficiently and very quickly. Perfect and I was impressed.
I duly received those vitamins the next day as promised - even better.
And then that little something that really made a difference.
When I opened the packet there was a small note which said (in part)
"Dear Customer,
I am the person who packed your order and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank for choosing to use the Nutri product range... In addition great care has been taken to ensure that you receive your order in perfect condition..."
The note was signed by Angela.
Now you may think so what, but for me it added something extra, which I wasn't expecting.
The personal touch and reassurance.
Although the note was typed, Angela had signed it personally and I had been given reassurance about what I had ordered
The little differences that make you stand out, show you care and cost nothing but a little thought, are often the most powerful differentiators and yet so often we think being different has to be a huge statement.
In a business age where so much automation, depersonalisation and self-obsession are commonplace, being different, making a difference and standing out often takes very little.
How can you add that little something to your service offering that costs you very little and creates value for your clients?
Best Regards
Bev
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
+44 (0) 1344 625713
What's Out There?
If you want to improve your leadership and presentation skills or your networking you may like to take a look at these 2 workshop being rum by 2 of your fellow Quickstart readers.
Just so that you know - they asked I said yes. I receive no payment or reward for doing so!
Improve Your Leadership, Public Speaking and Presentations
28-30 July Wokefield Park, Near Reading Berkshire
Over the course of 3 days you will develop strategies to dramatically enhance leadership skills through self leadership and self awareness, develop your speaking and public presentation skills and increase confidence and personal magnetism. For further information go to Quantum Leap
How Not To Network
3 July Wokefield Park Near Reading, Berkshire
Networking is a one of the most cost effective ways of promoting your business and meeting new clients.
* But what do you do when you're too nervous to network?
* How do you make the most of the minute you're given?
* What can you say to get your message across and make a great impression?
* How do you handle the microphone, without tripping over your tongue and the wires?
This practical two hour workshop is designed to help you get even more from networking. The session will be lead by Chantal Cornelius from Apple Tree, a marketing company that has been built by networking. For further information go to Networking Workshop
NB - Proceeds for the Networking workshop go to the charity, Brooke Hospital for Animals |
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