Service, Success, & Significant

Horizontal Leadership Part 2

2011-12-11T08:02:00.001-08:00

According to Google Analytics, the most popular post on thissite is horizontal leadership. In thelast post on this topic, I gave you specific insights as to what horizontalleadership is and is not. Now I want to help you take horizontal leadershipinto your community, organization, family or business by understanding thefoundation of horizontal leadership. I have got some great information toshare with you that you may want to print off and share with your co-workers,organization members, family and maybe even your boss. One of thegreatest secrets to life is one's ability to inspire and motivate others intoaction. This is deeply rooted back through our history.

During the farming era, your wealth was directly tied to yourability to encourage your farm hands to plant and harvest healthy crops. If you could harvest fast, you could sell it to everyone in yourcommunity before anyone else. Then, you would receive payment firstand be able to buy more ground before others. Purchasing more ground allowedyou to plant more crops next year. If you could offer a better lifestyle toyour employees they would work harder for your business and thus your businesscould make more money.

Think about the industrial era. The industrial era produced awhole new set of challenges for employers in their ability to motive;employees were now receiving their own money. It was not long until theemployer started offering additional bonuses as an incentive; if the employeecould produce more, they received more compensation, thus improving theirlifestyle. Rewarding employees basedon performance became the standard, especially in sales. During this time, the concept of “moving up”in a corporation equated to earning more money. This introduced the ideas ofrewards and recognition. A title change or promotion later in the industrialera meant a better lifestyle was soon coming.

Then employees began learning that if they were more educated theycould gain rewards and recognition faster. This is where the informationera emerged. More parents began seeking every which way to get theirchildren enrolled into a college so they could have a better life style.

The birth of the internet shifted the dynamics of business aswell. It made it easier foremployees to find information to improve their work performance.Employees that were self motivated began excelling and the employers began tofall behind with their rewards and recognition. Many of the starting positions in companies employed people thatexceeded the education requirements of the job. They were literallyoverqualified. Formal schooling and free information werereducing the motivation within the organization. Formal schooling was beginning to mean verylittle to the company and free information was being misused or underused withinan organization.

The birth of the internet also spawned the birth of the connectedera. The connected era is where we find ourselves today. Itis during this connected era that employees share information fasterthan ever before. With lightening speed, an employee has access to ideas andcurrent information about their industry from other peers working within the industry.How can employers stay ahead of the connected era in a way that inspiresemployees to produce and see a greater impact in their companies,organizations, or community?

The answer is found within the concept of horizontal leadership!There are 7 principals that form the foundation of horizontal leadership:

1: Trust - Between the people interning/beginningwith the organization and the long time veterans.

2: Responsibility - Understanding of levels of responsibility.

3: The plane of psychological understanding - Where theleader sees themselves in accordance to their team.

4: Vision - Team vision developed and set where everyone can see.

5: Direction - The direction or the Value-Goals outlined by theteam’s efforts.

6: Communication - The team’s ability to share ideas and thoughtsfreely without fear of someone stealing their ideas to look better orbeing reprimanded for thinking creatively.

7: Connection/Community - The teams ability to work together andoperate with a since of culture and unity.

Think Big

2010-05-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

Thinking big is the best way to move your organizaiton ahead.

How to you think BIG

B- Believe in the outcomes
I- Investigate the opportunities
G- Give Value First

How BIG do you think?

How to talk to anyone anytime anywhere for any reason!

2008-11-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

How to talk to anyone anytime anywhere for any reason!

I must fair warn you that learning this skill may open the door to your future success beyond your wildest dreams; this skill may propel you mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. This one skill alone has built more millionaires, developed more great leaders, helped people to be more giving, solved major social problems and has help to feed the hungry. Not only that it has made more people more friends and helped people to have a richer fuller life. Learning this skill has built more marriages, raised better children, and made a difference in my life.

Ok so, I have learned this far in life that talking to people will ultimately lead to more success in life. Have you ever noticed that there seems to be some people that can just start a conversation with you and next thing you know you are talking to them as if they were your best friend? This is not a talent it is a skill; just as you learned to write and spell, you can learn to start a conversation.The questions is do you want to learn it? The thing is I don’t even think you care enough to learn it, but I will put it out, so you now have a choice:
1. Continue reading and have the life you wish or
2. Give up like so many others.

How to talk to anyone anytime anywhere for any reason!

1. Prepare your self to talk – tell your self that you are a great conversationalist and that you can talk to anyone no matter who, what, when, where, or why.
2. Pick one of the following things to start the conversation with: current events, current in the situation, current weather, current topic on peoples minds, current sports team or current holiday (there are many more these are just a few).
3. Put a smile on your face- strife and laughter can’t co-exist
4. Have a reason for the conversation- conversations must have a mission attached, friendship, friendliness, new job, or whatever
5. Start with saying hi - hello, how you are, what’s up, or whatever greeting you are used to using. The trick is to start saying it to everyone with a smile on your face. The ability to say hello to anyone, anytime, anywhere, for any reason is as important to being a good conversationalist as batting practice is to a baseball player.
6. Call Nathan Bush for the rest of this article……..(636) 399-0416

Uncover the TRUTH in the Mission

2008-11-17T23:13:00.000-08:00

Uncover the Truth in the Mission

What is the mission statement? How does it contribute to the organization? Why is it important to have a mission? One simple word answers all these questions: VISION!!!! With out vision an organization has absolutely no direction and with no direction no growth.

Like anything that is living (I do believe that organizations are a living creature) if it’s not growing its dieing and the mission is the blood of the organization. Each employee, volunteer, donor, board member, or client should have the mission running through their veins. The mission is what keeps the doors open in hard times and what contributes to the ultimate success of the organization.

A Non-profit with not mission has no reason for existing, and non-profit with a week mission has no reason for growth; a non-profit with a strong mission shows that strength through everything it does.

What is the TRUTH in a mission?

Territory
Reality
Utilitarian
Trustworthy
Heavenly

Territory – Where will we operate and what needs are we filling.
Reality- In reality are we helping
Utilitarian- Does our mission benefit more people than it hurts
Trustworthy- Is our mission believable in that people trust the organization to achieve
Heavenly- Is there a spiritual calling to the organizers of the mission statement

If you uncover the TRUTH in the mission your organization will bleed the mission and when in battle people will see if wounded what your team bleeds. Help, healing, higher achievement, and Hero’s come from bleeding TRUTH in your mission

What’s your mission?

Customer Satisfaction Survey Instructions

2008-04-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

Customer satisfaction is the key to success. You want customers to be happy with the products and services you provide. If they feel they have received good value for their money, your business will prosper. Getting your customers to tell you what’s good about your business, and where you need improvement, helps you to be sure that your business measures up to their expectations.

A customer satisfaction survey is one way to gather this vital information. There are any number of ways to get copies to your customers. Copies can be included with orders, mailed directly at regular intervals, sent and received by fax, whatever is convenient for your particular business. Many won’t be returned, but those that are will make it worth your while.
The customer satisfaction survey below is designed to get your customers to tell you what they really think.

No ranking of quality on a scale of one to five, no lengthy questions, just a list of key business activities and space to respond. Limiting the choices to “outstanding” and “needs improvement” sends a clear message that you expect the products and service you supply to be the best available, period. Keeping the survey to a single page makes it more likely that customers will take the time to respond. It also facilitates faxing. Be sure to include instructions on how to return the completed surveys.

Give your fax number, include stamped, addressed envelopes, or whatever it takes to make it more likely that you’ll get them back.Don’t forget to follow up on the comments you receive. If you have to change a procedure, tell an employee how you want things done, pick a new delivery service, do it. And advertise the fact that you did.

Send thank you notes to the customers whose comments caused you to make a change. Let them know that you can do an even better job because they took the time to help you improve.

One company that is notorious for great customer satisfactions is www.inbeefinancial.com to be a great internet based compay you need good customer satisfaction or customers will not return. Not for profits need even better customers satisfaction or they might as well close up thier doors.

5 Ways to Ensure Ethical Fundraisers

2008-02-16T07:52:00.000-08:00

1. Open communication
Show donors what the money will be used for. Then as the money comes in make sure every dime goes towards whatever project your 501 (c) 3 raised money for.
2. Set obtainable realistic goals
To ensure ethics in you campaign, make sure your board, leaders, and employees set obtainable fundraising goals. There is no need to raise money above and beyond the goal. Goals that are set too high cause ethical problems because your organization obviously doesn’t need the money.
3. Give money yourself
Individuals are the ones with ethical problems not organizations. A company can not be corrupt; it is the people within the organization that are. By giving you are ensuring that the fundraising in a valid cause.
4. Strong relationships
Your organization has a responsibility to every person who has ever donated moeny to keep them updated with what the organization is doing with the money today and from this point on. It is perfectly acceptable to ask them however, if they would like to be updated on the progress of your organization. Your donors no matter how small, are the stock holders in your organization.... keep them informed.
5. Finalize plans
Never EVER start a fundraising program and halfway through change your mind...... bad idea. Make sure all plans are finalized before you raise a dime.

The basics of non-profit management

2008-01-01T10:53:00.001-08:00

1. What is a member driven association?
This is perhaps most obvious for a membership organization- the trade association, professional society, or technology user group- or the other group created specifically to assist a profession or industry. Members of these services provide a direct benefit to them as individuals.

2. What are some potential revenue sources for organizations?
Some potential revenue sources include: Trade shows, conferences, continuing education programs, journals, trade magazines, subscriptions, displays advertising, special publications, research independent studies, books, educational materials, directories, sponsorships, networking functions, working groups, research and statistics, certification programs, grants, cause related marketing, Event by- Products, tapes, cd-rom’s, conference proceedings, websites, sale of mailing lists, warehousing supplies, franchised chapters, cost sharing alliances, fundraisers.

3. What is a basic difference between a trade association and a professional association?
Trade associations typically have corporations as members while professional associations usually have people as members. Trade associations are industry specific while professional organizations do not necessarily specify which industry they are to pursue.

4. A user group is...
A user group is a specialized type of not-for-profit organization. Its members are customers and users of the products or services. We define user groups this way because the members literally are the members.

5. The importance of a cost-benefit analysis.
It is important to decide the cost / benefit of the program to see who what when where why and how the program can sustain its self and to determine if the program is financially youthful.

10 Things To Live For

2007-10-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

1. to embrace your values
2. to make a difference
3. to help others
4. to learn
5. to teach
6. to earn
7. to give
8. to love
9. to achieve
10. to share ideas with others

Take an opportunity to study to true meaning of thees reasons for living, and then share them with some one else. If you have noticed, on this site, I do not in any way write things that are shocking or crude or offensive. The only way others will hear about this positive site is for you to share it with them. I would appreciate your help in encouraging positive thought and share this site with two friends, it would me the world to me!

The Core Questions of the Non-Profit Sector

2007-07-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Why are nonprofit organizations such a significant part of the culture and local community in the United States?
Non-profits exist to help others. The benefits instilled in our culture include personal growth, career development, social development, cognitive/ academic development and it’s all to better the community.
What are five things all not-for-profit agencies should do to provide appropriate and effective customer service?
Devise a strategy. Get the top management to behave like customer service fanatics. Concentrate on motivating and training employees. Design services that make good customer service possible. Invest in service infrastructure.

What is a vision and why is it important?

A vision is the picture of what is possible for the organization. It evolves into a shared dream for your organization. Visions always picture hope and greatness, and aim at changing the world for those the organization serves.

Visions suggest future orientation
Visions can-notes a standard of excellence, and ideal. It implies a choice of value.
Vision has the quality of Uniqueness. It hints at what makes something special.

Characters of a Leader

2007-06-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

1.Self- aware} recognize yourself
2. Self- Regulation} Thinking B 4 Acting
3. Motivation} passion to work for no money
4. Empathy} Understanding others
5. Social Skills} Charm- build networks
Emotional Intelligence

16 Potential Revenue Sources for Non-profits

2007-05-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

1. Trade Shows
2. Conferences
3. Continuing Education Programs
4. Journals, Trade Magazines
Subscriptions
Advertising
5. Special Publications
Research
Independent Studies
Books
Education Materials
Directories
6. Sponsorships
Conference Activity
Publications
Networking Functions
Working group, Chat rooms
7. Research/Statistics
8. Certification Programs
9. Grants
Government
Private
Foundations
10. Cause-Related Marketing
11. Event By-Products
Tapes
Cd-Roms
Conference Proceedings
12Websites
Chat rooms
Banner advertising
Job Postings
13. Sale of Mail Lists
14. Warehousing Supplies
15. Franchised Chapters
16. Cost Sharing Alliances

The Guide to Social Change (How the Rich Change Society and the Poor and Middle Class Follow)

2007-04-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Guide to Social Change (How the Rich Change Society and the Poor and Middle Class Follow)
The V and the D in the Humanitarian Quadrants have few tax advantages. Working out of these quadrants makes you poorer while the S and the P do get richer. It works like this: (See picture at top of page)

Because there are many more tax advantages for the S and the P they are able to keep more money. By paying less in taxes they are able to utilize their financial resources when making a social change. Think about this, would you like your children’s college paid for? Rich people are able to help their children move ahead and poor people are not because of the tax advantages associated with the humanitarian quadrants. Did you know that if you start a foundation that the money is tax free and can actually grow to put more than just your children and family through college? Social entrepreneurs and philanthropists know that money set aside in a foundation protects their assets and allows children to go to college on tax free money. However, volunteers and donors can not just send their children to school tax free.

Understanding the mind set of the S and the P are very important to making social changes. The S and the P get their governmental policies passed because their children that go to higher education are hand picked by the organization itself. Those children are going to grow up with the framed outlook to prevent society from going in the direction contradictory to what the S and the P want out of life.

A Problem with Passion?

2007-04-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

Do your employees struggle with enthusiasm or passion for the job? Passion is not something that just happens to your employees or yourself it is a planned operation. Just as you have a plan for how you are going to market you business you should have a plan for how you are going to build passion in your company. There are four ways to build passion in your organization: developing a strong mission, building a training program, including your employees in goal setting.

Developing your mission!
What is your company’s purpose? Why do you exist? If you do not have something to live for then you merely exist, not living? Have a strong company mission is one to the biggest builders of passion in any organization. Many for profit companies could take a cure from the not-for-profits. People who work in the nonprofit industry have amazing passion for their mission. You mission should be instilled during your formal training program.

Building a training program!
When I was working for the YMCA of Greater Saint Louis one of my main projects was to compile research into understandable charts that show the efficiency of the training program. From my research the YMCA was able to determine that training (Formal) training improved employee retention rates, improved employee moral, improved the number of customers, decreased customer un-happiness, and helped raise more money. All in all I would say, in conclusion, training improves passion! What is your training program like? During formal training your company has the perfect opportunity to include employees in company goal setting.

Including your employees in goal setting!
By including your employees in company goal setting you not only help shape the future of your organization, get buy in, improve passion, and help your employee understand goal setting, you create an environment of creativity that will help fuel your organization. Having employee buy in improve the passion they have for the organization. Goals help them feel like part of the team and that they belong.

Where do you belong?

Humanitarian Quadrants (Cont.)

2007-04-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

Why do nonprofits have paid leaders/employees?
A. Managing volunteers takes a lot of time
Planning Organizing
Motivation
Staff Placement
Leadership

What are the responsibilities of a paid leader in a nonprofit?
B. The paid people do the dirty work that most volunteers don’t want to do
C. Fill the needs of Volunteers through
1. A Mission
2. Providing Fun
3. Self- Fulfillment
4. Showing Productivity
5. Good Direction
6. Recognition

How do you keep good volunteers?
D. Good relationships
1. Treat them how you want to be treated
2. Become a social base
3. Make the job easy enough for them to be successful
4. Recognition of good job.

People in the S and P Quadrant know and understand this compleetly and this is why they are able to make the greatest social changes!!!

Humanatrian Quardants (TM)

2007-03-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

Think back to the Humanitarian Quadrants™, many of times people will say to me “I volunteered this weekend and I made a difference.” I will in turn reply, “While it was very nice, and probably well intentioned, you did not make a difference.” Volunteering as well as Donating are on the left side of the Humanitarian Quadrants ™ . The left side of the quadrants does not make social change only the right side does. Let me explain: Social Entrepreneurs and Philanthropist are truly making the social change, you working in their system helps them to accomplish their social change.
Volunteers and donors have no control in the social arena, especially when trying to make a difference. Think back to 911, the Red Cross was responsible for collecting millions of dollars for the incident. What happened? The Red Cross received to many donations, more than enough to support the disaster of 911 so they redistributed to money, while they did catch some heat, they were never truly punished for not informing the donors. Why? Because it is the social entrepreneurs and philanthropist that make all the decisions for the Red Cross. They are the people in control of who, what, when, where, why, and how. Social changes are made by these decision makers. The donors and volunteers are only pawn in their strategic moves.

If you want to make a big difference you must begin to think like a philanthropist, or social entrepreneur and less like a volunteer. Instead of wasting your time you could be spending your time making a difference.

How do you spend your time?

The Humanitarian Quadrants

2007-03-19T21:16:00.001-07:00

Lesson's Realting to Social Change:
Things the People in Power don't Want You to Know About Helping People

V= Volunteer
D= Donor
S = Social Entrepreneur
P= Philanthropist

This is a teaching tool that I will use in the future to describe how to create a social change for the betterment of mankind. Each person is from one of these, and operates in one of these quadrants during their life. While the V and the D are on the Outside of Social Change the S and the P are on the inside

Leadership, Ethics, Busisness Oh My

2007-03-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

The foundation of an individual’s life that is not associated with their physical body, but the make up of their personality and confidence that is to search, by logical reasoning, for the understanding of basic truths (principals of the universe, life, morals, and human perception). This is the definition of ethics broken down to its foundation, to the core, to the root of the word. When discussing ethics it’s a matter of absolutes, maybe not absolute right but definitely absolute wrong. Leader-follower, follower-follower, and follower-group relationships are established in a leadership situation, and each relationship must be based on ethics or the cesspool of corruption starts to collect its bacteria that feed on the unethical ideology. There are four ways that something can be absolutely wrong and here is how: “nothing is better than me, and I’ve earned it all myself”, “hurting others with the intent of bettering myself”, and “I’m going to punish the innocent, to protect myself.”

“Nothing is better than me, and I’ve earned it all myself.”
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Be for sure of what you make greater than yourself. What you follow. What you make your God, your moral guidance, your leader. It is no lie to say that everyone will worship something; there is no doubt about that. What makes-up the person is their thoughts and their dreams. That is what makes-up their character and credibility. What you choose to follow is what you are becoming. When one views one self as the greatest and proclaims that he follows no moral guidance he is saying, he decides what is right and what is wrong. We must as a society care about the needs of others, stand strong in what we choose to worship, and remember there is something greater than me. I only got to where I am through the help or allowance of others.

“Hurting others with the intent of bettering myself.”
What is worse damaging someone physically, mentally, or spiritually? I say damaging others to better myself is worse, because when I do I damage all three. Do not take advantage of people. Give your word and stick by it. We ought always to deal justly, not only with those who are just to us, but likewise to those who endeavor to injure us; and this, for fear lest by rendering them evil for evil, we should fall into the same vice. Good people do not need laws to keep them from hurting others, and bad people can always find a way around laws.

“I’m going to punish the innocent, to protect myself.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson:
The moral sense reappears today with the same morning newness that has been from of old the fountain of beauty and strength. You say there is no religion now. 'Tis like saying in rainy weather, There is no sun, when at that moment we are witnessing one of its superlative effects.

You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership. If you have ever sat in a class, and then cheated off your friend’s homework, and then got caught. Your teacher punishes your friend but not you. It was you who in-fact cheated, and you let your fried get punished for doing nothing wrong; you are unethical and do not deserve to be a leader. Although, all leaders must make mistakes but truly be able to admit them.

In conclusion a selfish person with selfish reasons for selfish gains is unethical. All “ethics” means is that there is something greater than me. In our society people tell me all the time that I can achieve anything I want to in our culture, but what they don’t tell me is that it takes others to get there. I can not lead myself because something bigger than me will always guide my decisions. That guidance is my ethics and those who lead with ethics which have the least amount of selfishness will gain the most in the end.

Basic Elements on Public Relations

2007-03-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

1). What are the five common elements in the definition of Public Relations?

1. Management Function
2. Two way Communication
3. Planned Activity
4. Researched Based Social Science
5. Socially Responsible

2). How is PR related to the concept of relationship management

Well managed organizations know they must have good relationship with publics important to their success. Good relationships can reduce threats such as litigation, regulation, boycotts, or lost revenues.

3). Hunt-Gruing models of PR are? Why are they important?

1. Press/ Publicity model – Coverage, Or Publicity
2. Public Info Model – Accurate information
3. Two Way Asymmetrical – influencing a particular point
4. Two Way Symmetrical – two way communication of conflict resolution

They are important because they help predict the future. Organizations that practice PR correctly are said to be successful but the organizations who don’t fail. This is important in deciding what organization to work for if you specialize in relationship management.

4). How do PR and Marketing differ.

Marketing- Process of researching, creating, refining, and promoting a product or service and distributing that product or service to targeted consumers.
PR- management of an organization’s relationships with its publics.

5). Four steps it traditional PR.

1. Research
2. Planning
3. Communication
4. Evaluation

6). Why is PR considered a dynamic process?

It is a critical thinking process involving a constant analysis and reevaluation of information. What was true yesterday is not true today.

7). Describe the role values play in PR.

Values are the fundamental beliefs and standards that drive behaviors and decision making.

Personal Ingredients

2007-02-28T05:03:00.000-08:00

Personal development

- what goes into you?
What are your personal ingredients?

Just as it is important to know what many of the ingredients in your retail products do, it is more important to know what ingredients you need to become successful and out perform the other products in your market. As you know in the retail hair care market there are many, many, many competitors. With out having the proper ingredients in your product ultimately it will have poor performance. When you find the right formula your career will catapult upwards and you will begin to feel what it is to have the best product available. There are five main ingredients that your products needs:
1.Education
2.Organization
3.Discipline
4.Values
5.Dreams

10 Things that I Learned today

2007-02-21T16:06:00.000-08:00

1. Banks ask for a lot more information to pre-qualify you for a loan than they need
2. Most 21 year olds don't invest in property
3. My wife is REALY GOOD at putting on make-up
4. Some people were never supposed to be business owners some how they still are
5. Giving FREE SAMPLES does absolutely no good for wholesalers charge at least $0.50 for anything
6. There is a new support group for smokers similar to AA that helps smokers and nonsmokers alike and it is sponsored by Barns Jewish Hospital
7. In sales if you can touch your customer on the shoulder, hands, or arm in an appropriate way do so, touch is one of the biggest factors to opening up a relationship and building trust
8. Repeat sales are almost as tough to get as the first one especially because they know what your product or service does its best to lock them into a long term agreement.
9. Go out of your way to please a customer
10. Don't get upset when somebody misses a meeting with you. Even if you have called them and sent them a thank you card with the schedule time and date. Stay positive, if not it will cost you sales!

You’ve got the power!

2007-02-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

For the first time in my life I was truly able to understand the law of magnetism.

I had just finished reading one of the many books in my library. The premise of the book was that with the right attitude people and success will become attracted to you hence the law of magnetism spoke about in John Maxwell’s book “the 21 irrefutable law of leadership”. The new book I read was practical applications for the law of magnetism or law of attraction!

The unique thing about this book is you can not find it in any bookstore it is passed among the elite members of society. I started practicing many of the things in the book and guess what they worked.

Three days ago I received a phone call from one of my friends. We had not spoken in two days, not because of a fight but because we were very busy in our careers. Had asked me what was going on in my life, and I replied honestly and sincerely. The funny thing was in the past two days since we talk I had started and grew a company, Got re-involved in my religion, set up to purchase two apartment complexes, My mother quit smoking, and about 13 other great things that were happening in my life.

Nick stated “Nathan I feel like if I don’t talk to you every day I am going to miss something.”

That’s kind of the point is it? We want to be able to accomplish, produce, and grow. The Lord even Calls us to grow and be “Fruitful and Produce” We were designed for accomplishment.

The ability to capture and understand the law of magnetism will undoubtedly multiply your life by 10. The ability to magnetize people to you is available to anyone who desires.

If you have some extra time, I always make time to help people in search of bettering themselves. We can set up a lunch just give me a call. Your first test to see if you are serious about help is to find my number!!!

What else can I get you?

2007-02-08T20:41:00.001-08:00

It was not to long ago that my wife and I went to the grocery store. I thought that this was going to be a quick trip but I soon learned that no shopping trip with my wife is a quick experience. Anyways, as we were walking through the grocery store picking out all the food we needed for the month, we suddenly remembered we forgot the lunch meat.

Now little did I know I was about to get a lesson in persuasion, sales, and motivation. It is not important what meat we were to buy it was the man behind the counter that did all the teaching. To understand the lesson it is important to first understand our conversation.

Deli Employee: How are you two today (Friendly Greeting)
Nathan & Wife: Excellent!
Deli Employee: Wow! You two are with it tonight. How can I serve you two?
Nathan: Well, We need 1lbs of lemon pepper chicken
Deli Employee: and, what else can I get you?
Nathan: We need some turkey how about a half pound
Deli Employee: and, what else can I get you?
Nathan: We will take a pound of roast beef.
Deli Employee: And, what else can I get you?

I finally caught on to the man’s game, but at this point I could not tell him to take back the meat. What we went there for was turkey, but we left with every thing else. Why? I believe that it was because of this employee’s kind greeting, serving attitude, and phrasing “what else can I get you.” This very specific question can be very powerful.

What else can I get you?

How far shall I go?

2007-02-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

How far shall I go?

How far shall I go?
As far as you possibly can!
How high should I reach?
As high as you possibly can!
How much should I read?
As much as you possibly can!
How many should I lead?
As many as you possibly can!
How big should I get?
As big as you possibly can!
How much should I learn?
As much as you possibly can!
How much should I earn?
As much as you possibly can!

Thank you Jim Rohn!

Mapping out your Career!

2007-01-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

It has been over 7 months since I graduated from Lindenwood University, with a B.A. in not-for-profit management. Since then, I took a job selling websites, advertising, tried to start a business, and now sell hair care products to salons.

The field of not-for-profit (my passion) has yet to cross my path, so I wondered; why in the world did I get a degree in non-profit management and start my career as a salesman?

Today I took out one of my old text books (GOD thats like taking out an old girlfriend on a "I've got no one date") and started flipping through it. So many ideas started racing through my head. Is it possible for a social-preneur to get excited about sales? Why do I take jobs in fields that do not relate to my interests?

I want to help people and make a difference. I want to change society for the better, but currently, I can not find a cause or issue I am interested in. Of course I want to help where it is needed but, where do you find the need?

I know that a sales career is helping people help themselves. The good thing about selling hair care products is that you don’t get thrown out on you ass, like in advertising sales, however, I wonder how big a difference do I make in peoples life?

Growing up I was always in the leadership role, but now not so much. I like the idea of leading organizations, setting the culture, and helping people grow; how do you do that as the salesman?

This blog was a lot of philosophical personal question, I know that. I recommend that in your daily journal you take some time to jot down some of your questions you have about your life. I read somewhere that questions are like the road map, you keep driving and driving thinking you know exactly where you are, but you have no idea (you’re truly lost). You reach into the glove box and pull out the folded up QUESTIONS. I can't ever fold the questions back up and put them back in the glove box!

What are your goals for the future?

2007-01-27T15:36:00.000-08:00

I recently read a good book that helped me re-evaluate my goals. In previous post I wrote about ideas of value-goals. It is important for you as the reader to understand the value-goal before you continue reading this post.

I found it is easied to focus on your goals if you separate them into seperate catagories. The catagories let your mind develop ways to help each happen. Our brains work simaliar to a computer and by labeling the files it is easier for you to recall the goal every day. Next, filing your goals allow you to pull or draw from other information that can be vital in accomplishing that goal. Lastly, Filing goals help you to create a balanced life.

The three catagories I used when setting my goals include: health, wealth, and love. According to all the books I have read, and experience I have gained, goals are not accomplished just because you write them down. In a previous post you will learn that goals are accomplished when you do the following: Read about topics related to your goals, write about ideas and actions to accomplish your goals, investigate or ask people questions that relate to your goal, and lastly, speak or talk about your goals. (do forget you have to provide the actions, take opprotunities, and not procrastinate.

My Goals Broken Down:
Health
Chemical: I will enjoy not smoking and abuseing alchol
Physical: I will enjoy weighin 185 lbs
Mental: I will enjoy reading 3 new books per month
Wealth
Financial: I will enjoy my first day as a millionare
Work: I will enjoy making over $100,000 a year
Lifestyle: I enjoy vacations once a year and appreciate the people that help around the house.
Love
Friends: I will have 6 groups of friends that get along with my wife
Family: I will spend more time envolved with my family every year.
Sexual: ************** Not appropriate

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

2007-01-20T19:25:00.000-08:00

Have you ever made someone put their money where their mouth is? Two years ago, as a college student, I was leading a fundraising campaign for our Annual American Humanics Golf Tournament. American Humanics is a campus organization that develops non profit leaders. The goal was $5,000 and it was going to come from HOLE sponsorships.

As the fundraising chair, I began to make it my personal goal to raise all the money as I loved the organization, and I wanted it to continue to grow for future nonprofit leaders. Chris Burk, was the president, Bryon Haverstick, was the vice president, Sheryl Guffy was the Dean of Humanics and Jack Beckerle was our Campus Advisor. Not to mention Jack was my fundraising teacher the semester prior.

Sitting in my dorm room I began to think back to last semester: What did Jack teach us?

Raising money lessons:
The Board of Directors, The volunteers, and the staff have to buy into the mission and support the organization with their time, talents, and money.
Ask for specific amounts, People will give you $100 if you ask for it but they could give you $20 if you ask for a donation
Have one major Goal for the entire campaign, and have all the specific reasons that you are raising money lined out for people to follow.
Before you can ask for money you must first have give your donation.

So I finished my planning, and I had three levels of sponsorships $50 silver, $75 gold, and the big $100 platinum donation levels. I also completed designing the pledge cards with all the future goals of American Humanics.

The next day I had a conversation with Jack our student advisor after his new fundraising class let out. The conversation went a little like this:

Me: Hi JACK how are you?
Jack: Fine, how is the fundraising going
Me: Great! However, Last year I had this very WISE professor teach me that the first people to give during the annual campaign should be the people with the most invested interest. And I would say that the student Advisor has an Invested interest. What would you say!
Jack: Nathan you are killing me.
Me: Jack that $100 hole sponsorship pledge card is due by next Friday for all board member and advisors.
Jack: Nathan you made me put my money where my mouth is!

We laughed and I became $100 closer to our fundraising goal.

How much do you give?

4 Ways to Attract Success

2007-01-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

Sometimes living everyday it’s hard, when going through the motions, to step back and evaluate where you are and where you want to be. There is always something that is important and needs to get finished. As we grow older time seems to fly by and personal time disappears. It’s funny and ironic that: in our personal time we as humans dream, discover, and explore our inner most desires.

So, as the days go on, the time for planning our future is reduced to the carpet that needs replacing and the PRM report need by Friday. Is it possible to find time to dream?

It is in those times of dream, discover, and exploration ideas are created, enterprises are discovered, and communities are changed. If it is true that success attracts success; how do we get the ball rolling with all of the other challenges in our lives? Can a person continue their life, job, and responsibilities and make a difference in the future?

The following and methods used to create success, build wealth, and fulfill dreams

I have discovered 4 ways to get the ball rolling and get on the right track. These methods are for people dedicated to taking the lead in life and are methods used by many of the world’s most successful people.

1). Read
It seems simple enough, however my suggestions is to read things you are already interested in. By reading you can begin to distort your experience cure. Reading can eliminate many of the problems someone else had in your similar situation. Reading expands your mind and helps you to dream. Reading can be accomplished while standing in line or waiting for an order. I read somewhere that if you read about a topic for thirty min. every day for the next five years, about one topic, by the fifth year you would be an expert on that particular subject.

2). Write
Keep a note pad and when you have an idea where ever you are jot it down. After six months go back and read through your note pad. If you remember what you were writing about it is probably important to you. Not only is it important to write ideas down on note pads. It’s important to make lists of things needed to be accomplished, and to keep a calendar. It is also important to develop writing skills; it will help with person to person communication.

3). Investigate
Ask thousand of questions about the things you are interested in. When you do this you first do not come across as a know it all, and second, by asking questions people will begin to realize you are interested in one particular subject and lead you in the direction of answers. People will be on the look out for you. Say you wanted to change the local community center for the better. By asking questions people you know will lead you to where you want to be.

4). Speak
It is funny that when you share information how much more knowledgeable you become. (A side note: people’s number one fear is public speaking.) Many times the thing that keeps people from accomplishing thier goals respectfully is fear of success. By overcoming your fear of public speaking you are moving psychologically into a transition and therefore able to tear down the mental barrier that keeps you from becoming successful. It is not only important for you to speak but it is also important for you to listen to others speak.

How successful are you?

5 Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

2006-09-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

The roles of the board of directors:

In the not-for-profit industry there are many misconceptions about the board of director’s role. First of all, all members of the board of directors have to be volunteers. Those volunteers have agreed to carry out the mission of that particular organization. It is the responsibility of the executive director to keep the relationship between the board and the organization healthy.

The five main responsibilities of the Board of Directors include:
Maintaining the mission
Developing long term plans
Financial stability of the organization
Developing policies and procedures
Building a supportive network and atmosphere

Maintaining the mission
It is the responsibility of the Board to ensure the direction of the organization. With that in mind the mission is the symbol of what the organization stands for with out a mission there is no organization. But over time organization can lose focus, direction, or support. A strong Board can make the difference between a growing organization and a shrinking organization. Over time the mission of the organization may be met (ex: curing cancer) what happens when the cure for cancer is found? It is up to the board to help redirect the new mission of the organization. Most missions theoretically could be met but will never be accomplished, over time the board may narrow down the mission or change the direction of the organization to provide focus.

Developing long term plans
Now that the mission has been established by the Board where to they go from here? Long term plans and goals. Goals are formed in the progress can be measured. Goals are to an organization what a map is to a vacation. In the same way a map tells you when you’re on the right track so do the goals the board set. Lastly, the board evaluates their long term plans to determine where they are at on the map, and to see if the organization needs to take a different path to end up at the mission.

Financial responsibility
It is the responsibility of the board to maintain good financial standings, and many times that means digging deep into their own pocket first. In an organization where a board provides direction how can anyone honestly believe that a board member is serious and committed to organizations success if they can’t put some money into help. If they don’t donate they should not be on the board. Donations are not the only thing financial responsibility means, when organizations have large sums of capital it is important to manage that responsibility, the board should approve budgets and keep an eye out for fraud and embezzlement. The Organization should be able to meet financial goals the board determines in their five year cash flow projections.

Developing policies and procedures
Policies and procedures reduce risk, and improve productivity. Getting the board involved in setting policy is one of the most important keys to meeting goals. Policies and procedures reduce the amount of discrepancies with in a company. The policies the board usually set revolve around legal and personnel issues.

Building a supportive network and atmosphere
It is not usually thought much about but the working atmosphere is important to the long term success of an organization. With out the correct atmosphere turnover rates skyrocket and the company spends countless hours and dollars training new employees. Not only is the atmosphere important to the success of the board and the organization, the network of who the board knows becomes important. Many times building a strong organization starts with a strong network of people. When the board members are firmly grounded in the community, the community allows the organization to influence to the people.

32 Steps to Starting a New Business or Non-Profit

2006-08-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

Background work
1. assess your strengths and weaknesses
2. establish business and personal goals
3. assess your financial resources
4. identify the financial risks
5. determine the start-up costs
6. decide on your business location
7. do market research
8. identify your customers
9. identify your competitors
10. develop a marketing plan
Business transactions
1. select a lawyer
2. choose a form of organization (proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, for example)
3. create your business (register your name, incorporate the business, etc.)
4. select an accountant
5. prepare a business plan
6. select a banker
7. set up a business checking account
8. apply for business loans (if applicable)
9. establish a line of credit
10. develop the mission
11. obtain business insurance
First steps
1. get business cards
2. review local business codes
3. obtain a lease
4. line up suppliers (if applicable)
5. get furniture and equipment
6. obtain a business license or permit (if applicable)
7. get a federal employer identification number
8. get a state employer i.d. number (if applicable)
9. send for federal and state tax forms
10. join a professional organization
11. set starting date

The Best Coffee and the Best Way to Drink it!!!

2006-08-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

Shane Scott Coffee Co's beans are roasted to satisfy your individual taste. The founders of Shane Scott Coffee Co. recommend using one level tablespoon of grounded Shane Scott coffee for three ounces of hot water. However, the coffee’s strength depends on the amount of coffee to water ratio. You ultimately determine the brewing amounts that satisfy your taste.

It is important to remember to use fresh coffee bean. Making a fresh brew of coffee requires the proper equipment, clean water and beans of the highest quality. Using Shane Scott coffee, 100% single-bean Colombian gourmet coffee, will assure you a bitter-less, smooth cup, fresh cup of coffee with no aftertaste.

The Equipment
There are many different ways to brew coffee. The better ways include:
French Press Percolator, Drip-filter type, Espresso & Cappuccino
Coffee makers and other utensils must be clean. It is important to wash the coffee maker thoroughly after every use to prevent the accumulation of residues that will alter the flavor and aroma of the brew. For best results always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

The Water
Water is an important ingredient. You want to start with cold pure water, preferably filtered, if possible. Heat the water to almost the boiling point, but it should not boil. This is the optimum water temperature to fully extract the substances that give coffee its characteristic aroma and delicious flavor.

Your Coffee
The quality of the coffee bean depends largely on : 1) the soil conditions and altitude where the coffee trees grow, 2) The appropriate amount of rainfall, 3) the care and handling of the coffee from the moment of harvesting ,& 4) beginning of the roasting process to the end
Because the demand for freshness, aroma, and flavor Shane Scott is determined to provide the highest quality roasted beans on the market today, the roasting process is a crucial phase in the final product. Roasting the beans for too long at high temperatures (what’s called "dark roasting") will result in a flavor that masks the natural flavor of the bean. A light roast uses less heat. This method does not injure the bean and reveals its full flavor. Do you expect to get a great cup of coffee if you use a low-grade cheap coffee? Of course, taste is a matter of individual preference. A high quality coffee like Shane Scott is processed to meet the requirements of most demanding and discriminating tastes.

with so many post about topics that will help in the nonprofit sector, this one will become a life savor to anyone who has to work long, long hours.

15 things to remember when starting a new project, business, program, or event

2006-07-31T21:34:00.000-07:00

Keep others best interest at heart
Don’t Give Up
Hire a Good Lawyer
Hire a Good Accountant
Give more than you ever have before
Don’t let others run your project for you
Marketing & Sales are everything
Build an Image
Branding is important
leaders are readers
Pay people on time
Designate one weekend a year for retreat/ alone time (reflect)
Create a atmosphere of teamwork
Training saves money in the long run
Do what ever it takes to keep a good employee

3 Ways to Significantly Reduce the Cost of Advertising!!!

2006-07-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

Non-profits can save extra money on their advertising bill by keeping the following in mind:

1. Cooperative advertising – This is when two or more companies teamup. They may offer complimentary products or services. The teammates may share the same space.

2. Co-op advertising – Ask a supplier or manufacturer to pay part of the costs by including their logo in the advertisment.

3. Trial advertising – It is perfectly exceptable to try smaller ads in your immediate target area before unleashing your entire budget.

The four C’s of team success

2006-07-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

–Collegiality :
working as colleagues, with respect for intelligence and capabilities of others
–Collaboration:
working together towards a common goal
–Coordination:
well planned activities, being able to work independently for the sake of the team’s goals
–Coaching:
the leader guides the team in setting goals, trains the team lacking in areas, and motivates the team towards a common goal

A team is a group of people who collaborate and interact to reach a common goal. Corporations use team because they can get accurate input on decision making from the entire organization.

Provided by idiot's guid to team building!!

Why a web site?

2006-07-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

Credibility
A web site validates your business. Think of the number of times someone wants to know more about your business and resorts to the internet to find this information. If you don’t have a web site you are missing out on the opportunities of connecting with customers, employees, potential partners, donors, and investors.
Access
The internet works for you 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Therefore your website is always accessible to your potential customers. Your web site never makes a mistake or doesn’t show up for work. It sounds like your web site is your best employee already.
Exposure
The internet reaches people in every state, country, and continent. No other channel of distribution can possibly offer that kind of exposure for your business.
Innovation & Relative Cost
Relative to other forms of advertising, your website will be the least expensive form of advertising you will ever incur. A web site can do more to add to the bottom-line of your company as well. Ask any representative how integrated databases report effort, improve efficiency, and increase productivity.

8 Powerful Ways to Improve Your Advertising & Make More Money!

2006-07-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

1. Keep it attractive, reader friendly, and above all simple.

2. Put yourself in the customers shoes. Think: “what offer would I respond to.”

3. Pack a powerful headline that is highly targeted. Use subheadlines sparingly.

4. Ask others such as co-workers and/or family if they would respond to your offer.

5. Keep running a successful advertisement until it becomes unsuccessful.

6. Remember advertising is usless unless it gets into the hands of a specific target audience.

7. Specialize in one particular product, service, or idea. Selling too many things confuses the customer.

8. Give a reason to buy now!

The Most Important Things to Include in a Business Plan

2006-06-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Many people have been asking me about writing business plans and grants. I have outlined a sample of some of the work I completed . This format has been funded before.

Your success in being funded will ultimately be determined by your ability to create a vision, demonstrate passion, and structure a plan that is easy to understand and follow.

You may ask for some help when putting together all the numbers.

1. Executive Summary
2. Business Description
3. Business History
4. Statement of Impact (to the community)
5. Business Highlights
5a Product
5b Market
5b Customer Base
6. Sales/ Marketing Strategy
6a Advertising
6b Competition
6c Direct Competition
7. Management Structure
7a. Key Management
8. Goals and Objectives
9. Financial Budget
10. Terms and Conditions

Appendix
Sample marketing materials
Sample of Systems (such as inventory control methods)
Contracts (agreements with customers)
Vision for the future

Nathan Bush © 2006

Advertising in Unlikely Places

2006-06-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today in between sales calls I went to the book store to do some research. While I was there something interesting happened. I ran into a gentleman whom I happened to know from a while back.

He asked me what I was doing these days and I responded with a power packed phrase, “at Hometown Family Savings, we help companies increases opportunities for specific industries such as home & garden, restaurant, children & teen activities, and holiday gifts!”

I asked if he had a minuet and he did. I went into my presentation at the Barnes and Noble off Midrivers mall drive. (Thank you for the good coffee Sam).

By the end of that encounter I was able to help another business owner increase his opportunities and increase his exposure to 130,000+ homes.

Always be ready for anything.

Advertising morale: Like my encounter at the book store, nonprofits can find customers/funders in unlikely places. Remember to keep 3 things in mind when advertising:

1. Target your message – Like I did. I was able to use the book store to build common points of interest.
2. Use powerful wording – The words you choose move people to action whether they are written or spoken.
3. Be in front of the customer when they are ready to buy- the customer was obviously in the mood to spend money, it just so happened our publication appealed to him and he was ready to make a purchase/decision.

Branding For Nonprofits

2006-06-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up and ate a bowl of frosted flakes (Tony the Tiger). Next I took a shower and scrubbed my head with dove shampoo (White Dove), and as I drove to work in my Ford F150 (Built Ford Tough), I thought about the meeting I had coming up at subway (Jared) for Lunch.

It seems to me that these companies have a direct influence in my life and they have also built a strong Brand Name, or influence in other peoples lives as well. Branding is not something new to the corporate world, but to the not-for-profits, branding has yet to be implemented as part of major marketing plans.

Brand, what is a Brand? The term originated in the days of the Cowboys and the Wild West. A Brand or an iron rod shaped into a recognizable image was used to mark cattle. The Cowboys would heat up the rod until it was red hot and literally burn the shape into the cow’s hide. Now, that cow was forever known as branded, marked, or identifiable. If a cow was to wonder astray or become mixed in with the other cows, the Cowboy could easily spot his cow and separate out the rest.

This concept applies in the same way to not-for-profit branding. Who are your company’s cows? How can you mark the people who should be reached by your organization? Which clients, donors, or volunteers do you mark and claim as yours?

Every time your organization is able to brand the correct cows, then your advertising dollars are more effectively spent, it is easier to target you market (because you know your customers are the ones with the brand), and your organization has the ability to reach more people and influence more lives.

Herman in his book The Jossey-Bass Handbook if Nonprofit Leadership & Management states marketing for nonprofits unlike the private sector marketing, which defines the market solely in terms of customer, is always focused on two major constituencies, namely, the resource provision market (volunteers, donors, funders, government grantors) and the resource allocation market (clients, patients, students, legislators, general public).

Further more he goes on to say, a brand will embody a set of organization or program characteristics that the market believes will be delivered consistently…. It can position and organization, builds trust, raise an organization’s profile, and provide insulation from competition.

4 easy steps to remember when branding:

The 4 R’s of branding
Recognize – how your organization is positioned in the marketplace
Remember- your brand is your company’s image
Remind- markets of your brand
Reevaluate- how your brand fits into the marketplace

10 things that payoff when fundraising or selling

2006-06-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

1. People don’t care about your company they care about theirs
2. The less information the better
3. Every technique you learned in school is theory and not reality
4. Giving up is not a good idea because persistence pays off
5. Get the amount of the money out of the way first
6. Show up on time
7. Call before appointments (gas is expensive)
8. Try to be good at what you do but not too good
9. Invite people to do things with you
10. Ask for payments not lump sums

Ten Things to Keep in Mind When Working with Mentally Challenged

2006-06-14T22:45:00.000-07:00

Working with the Mentally Challenged can be a tough job. If you are considering a job within that specific field there are 10 things to keep in mind:

1. The people you care for, care even more for you
2. Losing someone is hard
3. Some people can get you to do things for them that they could do themselves
4. Give options
5. Let them try to do things on their own (you are there to assist them with living not live for them)
6. Take good care of yourself (including personal hygiene)
7. Introduce them to everyone
8. Smile even when things are rough
9. Don’t encourage negative behavior, reward positive behavior
10. Be ready for anything.

P.S. Mentally Challenged people are the most loving people on this earth. It is best to approach a job working with the MC from a best friend’s point of view. Treat them as though they are your best friend and they will be.

Case Study & Team Leadership

2006-06-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

1. Michael is a coworker and he has been assigned to your team. You have no choices, but to work with him and his abilities. Michael is a worker with a MBA in Marketing and is the Vice President of the St. Louis region of Core Express, a company that builds telephone networks and sells them to Southwestern Bell and other telephone companies. Michael always does just satisfactory work but that’s all.

When projects fall behind Michael’s work is slower or less accurate, the other associates/technicians have to help him catch up when confronted work speeds up, but then slowly reverts to mediocre performance. What type of trouble maker is this? What can you do as the team leader when assigned to a project with this team member?

1. Low self esteem
2. A Member Who Does Not Carry Thier Load
3. Overly sensitive
4. Can’t keep their cool
5. Information hoarder
6. The Naysayer
7. The know it all
8. The prima donna

You can respond to this question: bignatelu@hotmail.com

What First Money or Mission?

2006-06-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Continue to be money driven and be out of business in a year’s time; and with only mission an organization cannot continue to sever the very people they are trying to help. One good example to understand this principal comes in a story. The story of the little boy who was on a mission to find his dad a father’s day gift:

There was a little boy on a mission to find his dad a father’s day present. The little boy only had a small savings of $5 but it was important for him to go look. He went to the shoe store to look for shoes, but they were too expensive. Next he went to the bakery, but the goods would have molded quickly. He went to the tackle shop, but the fishing lures did not seem to be the perfect gift for his dad.

It was getting late and dark outside. The boy had to be home by dark. He stopped at a watchmakers store on his way home. Out side he ran into a gentleman to whom he told his story about the father’s day gift. The man bent down and handed him $100. The little boy took that $105 into the watchmaker’s store. The kind gentleman was sitting on the bench when he came out of the store.

The man asked the kid, “So, what did you get him?”

The kid responded, “nothing from the watch shop that’s were my dad works!”

“What are you going to get him?” The man asked with a confused look on his face.

The kid responded, “I think I’ll give him an awesome rock I found and a kiss for father’s day. I’ll spend the $105 on candy for my friends and me.”

The moral of the story: the kid’s mission was to find his dad a father’s day gift and the man thought it was money that was important to the kid. Without money organizations can not possibly continue to operate, but without the right mission they would not exist.

Advertising & Not-for-Profit Organizations

2006-06-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

There are two different types of Advertising: Image (Brand) advertising and Retail advertising. Image advertising is a way to change the life styles we live, and the items of importance to a society. Retail advertising is a way to move people to buy a specific product from a specific place.

One good example of Image advertising is a full page advertisement for the YMCA; it may show some kids in the daycare while the parents work out in the gym, the advertisement might read: we build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. A good example of retail advertising might be the advertisement of ¼ a page for the YMCA, with a coupon for one month’s free membership if you sign up before the following month.

Nonprofit image advertising could be thought of as a way to change the way people think, feel, or act about their organization. Not only that, but image advertising can help people become informed of ways to: donate, volunteer, or participate in a program or service that they wanted to, had the desired to, but never knew, that such a/an program or organization existed.

Marketing a Good or Bad Mindset for Not- for-profit Organizations?

2006-06-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Few nonprofits have marketing departments and even fewer embrace marketing as an important part of operations. Throughout the history of the nonprofit sector marketing has almost been a bad word, but there are many reasons these ideas are changing. Most nonprofit organizations now, recognize the need to broaden their activities beyond the production of services or advocacy to focus on the clienteles they are trying to reach.

One definition for the term marketing includes: any action, process, or situation implemented for the purpose of selling a product, service, or idea. The word selling is where most people have a problem. In a Non-profit organization there is no such thing as selling. There is programming, fundraising, recruitment, accounting, grant writing, but absolutely no selling. Or do non-profit organizations sell?

Selling is nothing but a way to make products, services, or ideas desirable to another person so that they try to obtain those products, services, or ideas. An employee can sell a good idea to his boss in the same way the YMCA can sell memberships to potential members.

What does it mean to sell a product, service, or idea? three things must happen before you can say something was sold: 1. A business or person must be helped or improved, 2. The person being sold must feel the same way about a product as the salesperson feels, 3. Everyone within the transaction must understand enough infromation about the product that they respond with positive actions.

Well, Non-profits certainly do not have a title position called salesperson or account representative, but everyone in the organization ought to be a salesman for the organization. What is the role of the “salesperson” in a not-for-profit? MARKETING!

Making services/programs available
Arranging materials to be easily understood & desirable by "markets”
Relaying feedback to the upper management or board
Keeping all profitable markets open (succesful programs open too)
Encouraging new ideas & new markets to buy into the mission
Targeting specific markets that may have interest in the mission
Investigating new ideas and
Nudging people to for financial resources: donations, grants, or program
Growing the organization because of successful segmentation

Advanced Advertising:

2006-05-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

FREE GAS CALL TODAY! The idea behind advertising is to catch people’s attention! Right? This tag line was precisely the way Cool Shades Vehicle Tinting caught people’s attention. The owner was looking for a way to create value for the customer and empathize with the people who suffer from rising gas prices.

Cool Shades in Saint Charles MO is offering a $50 gas card to anyone who gets their entire car tinted before August 30th 2006. The owner said, “The best way to increase business is show people that you care personally about them.” This Ad that ran in Saint Charles County Home Town Family Savings is a great example of how to advertise effectively.

The Ad: featured in coupon style, was to be cut out of and old time gas pump. It is really cool! To this date, this is probably the best example of putting the customer first and meeting the needs of the growing community.

Advertising like this takes customer service one step further than normal. This idea catches people’s attention because the business owner was able to empathize with the community (customers) and not just sympathizes. He knew & understood how increasing gas prices reduced the discretionary income contributing to things like car window tinting. But he does not feel down like the customers he servers.

Instead, this smart owner was able to back away from the problem (increasing gas prices) and offer a solution ($50 free gas).

Basicly reading this just saved you $50 on your next gas bill: if you pick up a copy of HOME TOWN FAMILY SAVIGNS.

I Set Goals! Why Am I Not Successful?

2006-05-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of busy people out there. I’m sure you’re one of them. Just being busy is not accomplishing your goals. You know that but why? I know you work hard just like everybody else, and it seems like the only way to be successful is to “GET LUCKY.”

I was told a long time ago that LUCK is when: Living, Understanding, Connecting, & Kindness enjoy each others company or to put it in simple terms: “When opportunity meets preparedness.” ~ Brian Bush.

Living- breathing, moving, thinking, and learning.
Understanding- knowing the opportunities, knowing something, and putting it to use.
Connecting- finding the right situation.
Kindness- knowing that you must put the needs of other first.

Alright, alright, alright……how does all this tie into goal setting and being successful.

When you set goals it is important to attach a value to that specific goal. Simply saying I want to buy a house is an idea but it is not a goal. Let us think about this for a second. What are your values????

Do you value family, wealth, security, teamwork, planning ect……

Now that you have determined some of your values…..every goal that you set should be formed around those values.

If you value
Family: I want to save/earn enough income so that I can help my family
Wealth: I want to save/earn enough income so that I can obtain wealth
Security: I want to buy a home so I have security

When you attach values to your goals the goals you set become important to you. When you are working on value-goals those opportunities to get lucky open up.

Get lucky set a Value-Goal today!!!
Nathan Bush.
636.399.0416
http://www.nonprofitmindset.blogspot.com/
May 12, 2006

Close More Sales With Referral Based Selling

2006-05-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Many salespeople would like referrals, matter-a-fact it is what pays a lot of people’s living. Sales books and CD’s everywhere pride on referrals. It was a Thursday when I first introduced referral based selling into my sales process.

I was on a sales call and it hit me, like most good ideas. It was the first meeting of the day, and I was meeting with Bob from BBrook Auto Insurance. He was the owner of this franchise and was just starting out. He had been in insurance sales for a while, but decided that he wanted to own his personal firm.

His insurance policies focused mainly on high risk auto insurance sales. I was trying to help him advertise in Hometown Family Savings, the direct mailer magazine I have been selling for. The only reason I was in his office to begin with, was because of a referral from my hairstylist (anyways).

The conversation that closed 7 sales (including this one) went like this:

Bob: So, I want to purchase a ¼ size space I think it would help me out…
Me: Yes it would, and I understand you are ready to make a decision?
Bob: Yes I am!
Me: Bob, I don’t think it would be in your best interest to do so right now….
(I turned down a sale WHAT?) No I did not! follow me for a second
Bob: What?
Me: Bob, to help your AD do the very best, I think that we need to fill the page with other businesses that revolve around high risk auto.
Me: Do you consistently deal with any traffic lawyers or any other business that complements your company? If you do, we should have them on the same page… To receive the best response possible we should fill the page with companies that people go to when they are in high risk auto situations.
Bob: yeah that’s a good idea; I want my AD to be looked at more often.
Me: So bob, why don’t you talk to the people you do the most business with, and see if it would be beneficial for them to commit with you. Until then I can not sell you this space….See until this is the best decision for you; I can not let you make a mistake….

Thee days later I sold his entire network because it was in their best interest.

Five things that help close referral sales:
1. Integrity
2. Problem solving
3. Turn customers into salespeople for your company
4. Make the product desirable, but only obtainable with referrals
5. Patience (Don’t pressure customers into buying)

Volunteer Management

2006-05-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

Recruitment, Retention, & Reward

Recruitment
The 4 Secrets of Superstar Sales People.
1. Positioning and Being Prepared for Volunteers.
2. Provide Potential Volunteers Time to Think.
3. Probe, Don’t Push Volunteers Away.
4. Prevent Misunderstandings (Use Good Communication Skills).

Retention
You must B.O.T.T.L.E your volunteers if you would like to retain them.

Believe in the volunteers
Offer Orientation
Train Volunteers
Trigger action
Listen to feedback
Evaluate their progress

Reward
The only way to truly reward your volunteers is L.O.V.E them.

Listen to their needs
Offer support
Value their work
Encourage volunteers

The best way to introduce a volunteer program is complete the 4 steps to reaching organizational maximization:
Research
Plan
Implement
Evaluate

College AH! Where did it Go?

2006-05-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

“10 Steps For Students Who Are Graduating”

College is over! It is the end of the semester and graduation is this Saturday. I am truly the most scared I have ever been in my entire life. College has been fun though, and I have had some great times.

There were things in college that have shaped my thoughts, beliefs, and actions. After only 3 years its over! Up until now my life has been easy, fun, and comfortable; all I had to do was what I was told.

Man I had some great times!!!

Now it is time for me to be set free. Free?? Was not I free before? NO! I was in the educational system, and now I have the whole world in front of me. I have so many questions that I need to answer myself NOW:

What do I want to do for a living?
What kind of hours do I want to work?
What kind of benefits do I need?
How in the hell do I pay all these bills?
How do I become Wealthy?
How do my peers see me?
What do I want to be known for?
Do I have enough experience?
Who will give me the chance?
Will the person who employs me pay for my continued education?
How can I make a difference in the world?
What do I truly like to do?
What needs to be done?
Where are all my friends now?
What kind of jobs are they getting?

The list goes on and on, but there has to be a rational way to take the step from college into the real world right? Answer: Yes! There is a logical step by step guide to follow.

Here are the10 steps for students who are graduating:

1. Email people
Send an email to all your contacts (teachers, friends, family, coworkers, business owners ect...) thanking them for all their support guidance through your college experience. Let them know how much they mean to you.

2. Keep a journal
Write down your best marketable qualities. Write down things that happen to you. Keep writing all your ideas and review them at the end of the month.

3. Talk to everyone about your skills (Network- not neteasy-netWORK)
Go to seminars, association meetings, and family events. Use these opportunities to build relationships with people. Call other professionals and ask them if they have time to talk to you about their job.

4. Read a motivational book or magazine on success
There are many books written to inspire you as well as focus your attention on your personal best qualities. Try to apply principals that you learned in books, to your life

5. Listen to speakers on your Ipod
It may sound funny but I did it and it helped me focus my personal goals as well as teach me how to negotiate my salary.

6. Review interview question
I feel it was important to practice before the “game.” It dose not matter how good of a programmer you are if you can not sell yourself in the interview.

7. Do something to help other people for free
Zig Ziglar states “You can have everything you want in life if you are just willing to help enough other people get what they want first!”

8. Write your resume
By the time most people graduate they already have completed this step.... but, go back and review it. Try to structure the resume to the specific job you are looking for.

9. Find a mentor – someone you look up to for guidance

10. Set personal value-goals
Read my section on setting value-goals and it will make a difference in your life.

A Testimonial from a Volunteer

2006-05-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am a volunteer, and I was asked to help your organization. I am dedicated to helping the people this organization serves.

I am your volunteer, and I need an orientation. I am not just free labor. I am not here to just clean the floors or take out trash (although I will).

I am a volunteer, and I want to make a difference. I have a career already, and I came to your organization ready to use the skills I have already developed to fulfill the (organizations) mission. In every way I want to help because I love what this organizations stands for.

I am a volunteer, and I want people to at least say thank you to me, when I do something.

I am a volunteer, and I spend my own money, time, and resources to help this organization.

I am a volunteer, and this organizations success depends on my ability to perform. I struggle with my family, friends, and peers; they do not understand why I a volunteer.

I am a volunteer, to give to the community so that other do not have to suffer, so that kids can grow up with the right head on their shoulders, so that people can have the same opportunities as myself.

I am a volunteer, and I would put my life on the line to defend this organization because I stand by the principals from which it was founded. I want people to know that the values of this organization are the same as mine.

I am a volunteer to bring peace in the world, to those who are attacked in this world’s war, and they don’t know why, or how come.

Yes! I am a volunteer, and I know that this organization, with all my heart, represents me and I represent this organization. Where you lead me I will follow and where I lead you, you too will follow.

I am a volunteer changing the world, living in the world, and helping the world one person at a time.

Are you a volunteer?

Any Business Owners that Need Training Call Me!!!

2006-05-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

8 out of 10 businesses will fail in the first year of operations. Each and every day I find another business owner that actually has no clue what in the world he/she is doing. There are so many businesses out there that fail and now I understand why.

Today while I was out soliciting potential advertisers, I found a couple more of those business owners that I just wish had a clue. Today started Ok things were going fine. The first business owner was perfectly normal. He pretty much had things under control. But things went down hill quickly.

At one point I remember going into a restaurant and I remember the owner saying to me, “we already advertised on the radio, in the newspaper, and other publications for May. None of them have worked out.”

I ask him, “How do you track your response, how can you tell if they worked or not?”
With a confused look on his face he replied, “Track my response?”
I said “yeah, you know, how do you measure your return on investment?”
He looked puzzled and responded, “Return on Investment?”

I sat down with him and tried to helped him understand that a return on investment means an increase in the amount of money you make after (advertising) spending money to better the business and so on…..

I still don’t know if he understands, but what I do know is that if there was any way at all to help this business owner I wish I could do it. Training business owners seems to be 80% of sales.

When I finally help this business owner understand what is going on I am sure he will buy from me. The reason he will buy is because I know our Direct Advertising Magazine (Hometown Family Savings) will help him grow his business. He just doesn’t understand that yet.

Why do businesses fail? Many people will tell you things like:
Lack Of Capital
Poor Management
Flooded Market
Trend Dies

I think a business can only grow if:.
Research The* owner is well educated
Plan The* owner sets Value-Goals
Implement The* owner practices horizontal leadership
Evaluate The *owner does not have a self-destructive attitude.
*Owner can be replaced with CEO, President, Boss, or Manager

Do you understand Return On Investment (ROI)?

The Value-Goal

2006-05-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

"How to set goals that will be accomplished"

Every book you read will tell you that you need to have goals. You need to set goals, and you need to complete goals. That is true; however, what is a goal if it doesn’t mean anything to you. I could set a goal to build the tallest building in the world, but what actually happens? Nothing! Unless I attach a VALUE to that specific goal.

I have six personal values that guide my decision making and help me set goals:

Education
Charity
Respect
Leadership
Organization
Teamwork

Every goal I set has these six values attached to help me accomplish my goal with promptness and efficiency. When you attach a personal value to your goal, only then does the goal become important and obtainable.

So, how come some people never reach their goals?

Simply, It was not important to them. They did not have a VALUE-GOAL they probably had an Idea. The difference between an idea and a goal (value-goal) is: an idea is a feeling that something is likely. A VALUE GOAL is based on your core principles, and is a measurable something that (if not accomplished) will tear on your personal foundation.

Every time I am granted the gift of leadership, my personal plan is form all around my values.

In 2005 I was on the Executive Board of a Lindenwood Student Organization. I though it was time to implement a rewards system that would further ingrain these six values in all the students that went through the program.

I thought of these six awards:

Highest Scholar Award (highest grade point average) – Education
Heat Award (person who did the most volunteer hours) – Charity
Campus Citizenship Award (Person that demonstrated best integrity) – Respect
Valued Leader Award (high leadership skills) – Leadership
Prompt and Prepared Award (On time and prepared)- Organization
Committee Award (Best Committee) – Teamwork

Having specific “VALUE-GOALS” to achieve each semester will create a culture in that organization that is focused on significance, service, and success. If it is true that success breeds success then VAULE-GOALS matter. This rewards system was also a perfect demonstration of how to set VALUE-GOALS. If a student wanted to win an award they automatically knew the value that was attached to their goal. This made competition tough, but it helped move the organization into a more successful mindset.

Students that were once a part of this organization are now very successful. The key to their success is the ability to set VALUE-GOALS.

Why do I want to graduate from college? Answer: because I value my education.

How do you set goals?

My Fiance is the best salesperson ever.

2006-05-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

My fiancé is the best salesperson ever.

My fiancé is the best salesperson ever. Not to brag, but I learn a lot of things just from paying attention to her.

It was two days before this past Valentines Day (February 2006). She said to me, “Nathan, what are YOU doing tomorrow?” I just knew what was coming next….. She was going to ask me to go eat lunch with her, or waist my time when I had work to get finished… (I was working on deadline for a few accounts…. in sales).

So, I responded the only way I could, “I’m working tomorrow and it is deadline. I’m really busy. “Awe……pause ...she said. “That’s okay.”

Then she asked me (In her sweet lets go get lunch voice), “where are you going to be at?” and I was on to her trick. I said “all over town.”

She chuckled as she closed the sale on me like this……

“Well that’s great” she snickered….”I picked out my Valentines Day gift. It’s at Victoria’s Secret behind the counter on hold. All you have to do is go there and pick it up!” She said with a huge smile on her face.

What could I say…. She had made it easy, quick, and convenient to buy. How could I honestly say NO!?

I couldn’t!!!!

When I got there, and she had placed not 1 but 2 items on hold. What could I do I had to get both. I was thinking for our first Valentines Day I would spend, ya know, maybe $20 and move up from there over the years. Nope! $150 all because she is a good salesperson…..

Message sent…….message received.

How convenient is your service or program to buy?

Horizontal Leadership

2006-05-05T13:41:00.000-07:00

What do most people think of when they hear the word “leadership”? Some of the answers I received when I asked over 300 people at Lindenwood University this very question were, “strong, powerful, the boss makes decisions, likeable, and courageous.” People tend to associate a leader as a person who is over a group of people.

Leader
Followers
Followers
Leadership as defined by the dictionary is to influence people’s actions, beliefs, and/or decisions.

Leadership in the most common understanding takes a (visually) vertical approach. Kouzes & Posnes in their book Leadership the Challenge state, “The climb to the top is arduous and long.” Many people describe a leader as someone who, “is at the top of the ladder.” They make take charge. Leadership is recognized as the person who has the most influence, therefore recognized at the highest point in a group.

Horizontal Leadership
I’m here to tell you that leadership is not at the top (visually) or at the bottom (visually, as in servant leadership). Leadership is horizontal. What does this mean?

Followers Leader Followers

True leadership (influencing people’s actions, beliefs, and/or decisions) can only happen if the leader is seen on the same level as the rest of the people in the organization, group, or association. They share the same values, ideas, and beliefs. When people who are peers feel at any time that they are below the leader, anxiety well be felt by the peer group, and they will ultimately be envious of the leader’s position.

This was very obvious this in 2005 when I was working with a campus organization at Lindenwood. There were about 35 people in our organization and many of them were very ambitious people. Paul was the president of the organization at the time.
Paul was a very effective leader.

He had this ability to help people reach their full potential, and in turn the organization grew leaps and bounds. One day I ask Paul, “how are you such a great leader?” his answer was profound he said, “I ask others for advise”

The goal of a leader is to help their peers understand that they are on the same level. A great leader truly and honestly appreciates the input from others. My idea behind leadership is that a leader organizes other people’s thoughts, beliefs, and ideas to be productive. A leader is not the first to go into a room, a leader is the person whose peers have the desire to find out what is in the room, and the leader organizes the trip.

How do you see leadership???

For Part 2 of Horizontal Leadership: Click HERE

Ten Tips for Successful Phone-Drives that Raise More Money

2006-05-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

1) Make your donation first
How can you honestly expect someone one at the other end of the phone to make a donation if you yourself haven’t even made a donation? Wanting someone else to do something you are not willing to do dose not make much sense. Do you believe in the organization? Well then make YOUR donation.

2) Have the Story
Every successful phone drive is backed by a strong success story by the organization. Get everyone making the calls to understand the story and be able to recite it from memory. Powerful stories provide pictures for the prospect to visualize when making a big commitment.

3) Your smile will bring their smile
Smile before you dial. It is important to love what you are doing and why you are doing it. If you are not smiling your prospects will be able to tell, and a very small number of pledges will be make that day.

4) Find the decision maker
If the prospect says, “I need to talk to my husband.” You might respond, “Is he the one that will ultimately make this decision.” “I would love to talk to him. When is he available?”

5) Ask for exact amounts
It is better to ask for an exact $25 or $75 commitment. You might say “with your support last year at $25 the organization was able to accomplish amazing things…..this years we would be great if you were in a position to give at the $50 level or higher???”

6) No! “I don’t know enough information”
When a potential donor says “no” all that means is they don’t kNOw enough information about your organization. You believe in it or you would not be calling them. Well you kNOw way more information than they do, and it is your responsibility to help them understand WHY they should donate.

7) Think in their best interest
List the benefits of donating to help the potential donor see how they are exactly helping. If they are going to be recognized tell them how. Getting a potential donor to commit to a donation is as simple as helping them see how they will benefit from the donation……even when they benefit by feeling good about doing something right!!!! Help them to feel the way you feel about the organization!!!

8) Suggest different giving amounts
Never ask for money like this. “We are raising funds for the Boy Scouts. Do you want to donate?” It is better to give them a choice. Try this for example, “we have three levels we are excepting pledges at. First, the bronze level at $25 will help people like Dale make it to camp. The second level is the silver level at $50 and so on….”

9) Negotiate
Often prospects will say I can not afford to give at any of the levels you are asking. That’s Ok! Ask them why. They might respond “I do not have that kind of money available.” Your response might be “that’s ok I know how you feel, many of our top donors felt the same way before they made their decision, what those select few top donors have found out is that giving at that stretch level is not as hard as they had though. In fact year after year they continue to support our organization at the same level. If you would like to be a top donor we can work out a payment schedule.”

10) Follow up! Always follow up!

Eight Ways to Improve Your Business Writing & Profitibility Today

2006-05-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

“Guaranteed or your money back!”

1) Lead with the need
Get to the point right away. Tell people everything as soon as possible. In a nonprofit let people know exactly what the need is first. The need is the strongest point your organization can make.
For example :
3,000 people in your county are homeless. We want to see this number reduced drastically by May 15th 2006.

2) Build creditability
If you are a new organization find a way to build creditability by attaching your organization to established company. If you are an established company remind your audience of that. People want to do business with companies they know are established.

3) Less is more
Do not ramble on and on. Say what you have to say and stop writing. The shorter the better. Don’t try to make too many points all in one piece.

4) Who, what, when, where, why
Try to establish the 5 “W’s” as soon as possible. The reason this article is effective is because in the opening headline it establishes the “5 W’s”. Who: You, What: Writing, When: Today, Where: In Business, & Why: Increase Profitability.

5) Encourage people to take a positive action
If you don’t tell people what to do they will not do anything. Be specific in the directions, and don’t let your audience leave before they know what they are doing. If you want them to donate tell them to! Match the need to the positive action.
For example:
Donate today and you can help house 3,000 of the homeless people in your community, please call 555.555.5555

6) Be repetitive, Be repetitive, Be repetitive
This is self explanatory. Be repetitive, Be repetitive, Be repetitive!!!
With every piece of literature you create Be repetitive Be repetitive Be repetitive. It works!

7) Write to a very specific audience
All this means is target your message. Keep in mind which group of people you are calling on to take a positive action. The message should feel to your reader as though it was written specifically for them.

8) Be Looney, Opposite, Unique, or Different ***(LOUD)***
If you can make people stop and think, they will remember your writing. The more different your writing is the more people will talk about your writing to some one else. Remember to make your writing as LOUD as possible.

How to Over Come a SELF-DESTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE

2006-04-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

As recently as last week my fiance Casey was down on her luck. Anything that came out of her mouth was negative and depressing. All she could see was the negative in everything. She was looking for reasons to be upset and she found them.

Not much was changing, and being the motivational speaker that I am, I was beginning to wonder if I picked the right career. I could not get her out of her depression.

Then I had an idea! Out of no where it came to me. I simply said “hey Casey why don’t you e-mail me one thing you accomplished today and every day for one week.”

You would not believe the difference! Just seeing all the emails at the end of the week changed her entire perspective about live. I guess that the way to over come a self-destructive attitude is to realize that YOU are a GREAT person.

When she was shown all the things she had accomplished she started looking at the successes not the failures. When you can focus on your successes people will see you as a more positive person, and you will see yourself as a more positive person.

Think about this!!!!
Is it a bad day or do you see it as a bad day?

The Six Year Old Superhero

2006-04-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

This past Easter reminded me what giving is truly about!

Bill, 40+ years old, is Mentally Handicapped (MH), and has been his whole life. Basically Bill had no family.

The reason I know Bill is because he is under the care of a non-profit organization called Community Living, where my fiance, Casey, currently works.

Bill had been very down, depressed and upset because all the other guys in his group home had family to go see on Easter. He did not. Casey asked if it would be alright to bring Bill for Easter (to my families gathering), “Of course,” I responded. Little did I know what a difference it would make!

My whole family was there, and Bill seemed to fit right in. Everybody just loved bill, especially my little six year old cousin Olivia. She took a special interest in Bill.

Well it was announced “THE EASTER BUNNY WAS HERE, AND HE HID SOME EGGS. WHO WANTS TO GO EASTER EGG HUNTING?” Oh boy! Everyone was so excited to go out and find those eggs.

All my 10 cousins 12 years of age and younger rushed to line up at the door. Every one was so excited! Well everyone except for Bill. See he too wanted to go Easter Egg Hunting, but he did not have any thing to put the eggs in.

Then out of the corner of the room Olivia, my little 6 year old cousin, said “here Bill I found this bag for you.” Bill had a bag oh boy he was delighted. All the kids rushed out side.

Abby found an egg. Then Teresa found an egg. Then Kyle found three. Dustin found two, and Gabriel for 2 more. What about Bill?

He would see one but Kyle would beat him to it. He would see another and Abby would beat him to it. Then something amazing happened. Bill looked down at the little six year old tapping on his leg. “here bill I found this for you,” Olivia stated as she handed Bill a little yellow egg.

This story may not be much to you, but when you ask Bill where he got the little yellow Easter egg sitting on his dresser he always responds “the Superhero.” See the kind gesture, of that little girl, made a huge difference in Bills life.

Why was she his Superhero? Did she save his life? Probably, not! She did something much simpler…………………………….she GAVE………… she truly, truly gave.

4 Secrets of the Saint Charles Superstar Salespeople

2006-04-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

To be extremely effective at sales it is important to remember that cultures are different, not just around the world but, all around the country. Salespeople in Maine can not use the same approach as account representatives in California. Truly successful salespeople already know this; however, local culture is becoming more and more important to understand.

When doing business with the Saint Charles community companies should give some time to understanding the people and the corporate attitude. Saint Charles is filled with many opportunities for account representatives to increase their number of sales and assist in the growth of their companies.

How are salespeople in Saint Charles going to close more sales?

Secret #1
Positioning and Being Prepared to Sell
What does it mean to be prepared to sell? Having an order pad, laptop, pen, notes, and research of on the company? Most of the Super Star Salespeople in Saint Charles world agree it is much more. Salespeople must build a winning network, target specific companies, review their marketing materials, explore just one industry, become knowledgeable about that industry, understand their products completely, and demonstrate that the selling company can handle the order.

For example, if a beauty salon owner wants to make money by renting stations to hair stylist, it is important to provide an empty cabinet and station for the renter to put “their” things in; the salon should have rental contracts, and lease contracts prepared. Lastly, the salon owner must have marketing materials ready to hand to the prospect, this way the renter has time to think about their decision. This positing technique helps potential buyers to take ownership in the product before they even buy.

Secret #2
Provide Prospects Time to Think
Silence sells! Follow-ups are fine, but do not take it to the extreme. Saint Charles’s decision makers want time to think about the presentation they just experienced. This does not mean that salespeople must wait months to close the sale. One thing to try, when the prospect asks for a bid, is follow up with a personal visit. During this visit do not just leave the sales agreement for the purchaser, instead, explain and present the proposal.

This is the time to put the price into perspective, Super Star Salespeople in Saint Charles might say something like “this is only $2.60 per day.” Remember, when handing a bid over to the purchasing company explain the parts that are important for them to know. After the prospect has an explanation of the bid let them make a good decision and do not try to make it for them. Giving people in Saint Charles time to think gives them time to feel confident in their personal judgment.

Secret #3
Probe, Don’t Push Prospects Away
Pushy salespeople will not close the most sales in Saint Charles. In sales it is important to build long term buying relationships, if the prospect feels too much pressure coming from the salesperson, negative feelings will be brought into the overall atmosphere. When there are any negative feelings the trust built is destroyed, and the long term sale opportunities are destroyed, as well. Giving incentives to purchase products by a certain date is a good idea, but telling prospects that they have to buy today is a bad idea (special circumstances pending). The best way to improve closing ratios in Saint Charles is to ask probing questions about the business and relate purchasing reasons to those answers.

Secret #4
Prevent Misunderstandings (Use Good Communication Skills)
Use effective communication to close more sales. There are a lot of books on this topic of communication. In Saint Charles it is extremely important to prevent misunderstandings by having detailed contracts and following through on all promises. Do not bring up hidden costs at the time of the close. Lastly, restate the terms of the agreement in full before leaving, and follow up with an e-mail or phone call.

These secrets are to be used only by salespeople who want to be successful in Saint Charles, Missouri. All around the world, country, and state the techniques are different and this is why it is important to talk to the people in the area. Call up some of the people that are good at sales in the community you are targeting and ask them questions. What could it hurt, maybe they will end up being a valuable source for referrals or you might end up closing your first sale in that community.

Nathan Bush.

Positioning Your Mind (Positive Thinking in Negative Situations)

2006-04-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

Positioning Your Mind

No matter what happens, if you have the right mind set, you will be successful no matter the obstacles or the situation. Positioning your mind is all about knowing what you want to accomplish before you go into a situation.

Recently, I was attending a Business Network International Conference (BNI) where Scott Ginsberg, Nationally known author, was prepared to speak on “approachability.” I was so excited.

The conference was going great; everybody was sitting around eating breakfast. Each person I approached was willing to exchange information about their business, and they knew this conference was an opportunity to get closer to their next big sale or at least get meet more people.

After finishing breakfast with Terry Herring (from TC Herring and Associates: Human Resource and People Performance Development), a good friend of mine, we went into the ballroom to prepare our minds for one of my favorite speakers. It was so nice, we were going to receive Scott’s book, and on our chair in the ballroom there the book was, all for me.

Terry and I were chatting when all of a sudden someone came dashing through the ballroom saying, “There is a fire in the building we need to get out.” Spazio’s , located in Saint Louis, Missouri, was on fire!

Wow! A real fire. It took longer than I could have ever imagined for the firefighters to get there. It was only a matter of time before the flames busted out from the roof. Thankfully, to my knowledge, no one was hurt.

AWE MAN! I was not going to get to listen to Scott speak, who I had been waiting to hear speak for over 1year, and the conference was over before it even started, or was it?

While outside I saw Scott and I thought to my self “I wonder if he is truly APPROACHABLE!” He was. Scott has become a good friend of mine since and is helping me accomplish some things I would have never ever had the opportunity to, unless I had the right mind set.

Everybody came prepared to network and in the time of adversity people used this situation as what Scott would call a “Front Porch.” The fire was a conversation piece. It sparked a lot of conversations; the obstacle, the fire, the negative became the positive. The fire allowed networking to become easier.

Scott speaks about approachability and this situation definitely made people more approachable. My suggestion would be that no matter the situation, the obstacle, the circumstance, the objection, or reason there is always two ways of looking at a situation. If you have the right mind set you can accomplish amazing things even in these times.

Do you smell what I’m stepping in?

Service, Success, & Significant

Horizontal Leadership Part 2

Think Big

How to talk to anyone anytime anywhere for any reason!

Uncover the TRUTH in the Mission

Customer Satisfaction Survey Instructions

5 Ways to Ensure Ethical Fundraisers

The basics of non-profit management

10 Things To Live For

The Core Questions of the Non-Profit Sector

Characters of a Leader

16 Potential Revenue Sources for Non-profits

The Guide to Social Change (How the Rich Change Society and the Poor and Middle Class Follow)

A Problem with Passion?

Humanitarian Quadrants (Cont.)

Humanatrian Quardants (TM)

The Humanitarian Quadrants

Leadership, Ethics, Busisness Oh My

Basic Elements on Public Relations

Personal Ingredients

10 Things that I Learned today

You’ve got the power!

What else can I get you?

How far shall I go?

Mapping out your Career!

What are your goals for the future?

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

4 Ways to Attract Success

5 Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

32 Steps to Starting a New Business or Non-Profit

The Best Coffee and the Best Way to Drink it!!!

15 things to remember when starting a new project, business, program, or event

3 Ways to Significantly Reduce the Cost of Advertising!!!

The four C’s of team success

Why a web site?

8 Powerful Ways to Improve Your Advertising & Make More Money!

The Most Important Things to Include in a Business Plan

Advertising in Unlikely Places

Branding For Nonprofits

10 things that payoff when fundraising or selling

Ten Things to Keep in Mind When Working with Mentally Challenged

Case Study & Team Leadership

What First Money or Mission?

Advertising & Not-for-Profit Organizations

Marketing a Good or Bad Mindset for Not- for-profit Organizations?

Advanced Advertising:

I Set Goals! Why Am I Not Successful?

Close More Sales With Referral Based Selling

Volunteer Management

College AH! Where did it Go?

A Testimonial from a Volunteer

Any Business Owners that Need Training Call Me!!!

The Value-Goal

My Fiance is the best salesperson ever.

Horizontal Leadership

Ten Tips for Successful Phone-Drives that Raise More Money

***Eight Ways to Improve Your Business Writing & Profitibility Today***

How to Over Come a SELF-DESTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE

The Six Year Old Superhero

4 Secrets of the Saint Charles Superstar Salespeople

Positioning Your Mind (Positive Thinking in Negative Situations)

Eight Ways to Improve Your Business Writing & Profitibility Today