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Build and Balance
Words to live and grow by.
March 2009
Greetings!
Welcome to the first issue of Build and Balance. With each issue you'll receive a few choice articles designed to help you build your business while maintaining balance. Remember, no one ever lay in their death bed saying, "I wish I'd spent more time at the office." You're unlikely to be the first. Therefore, pay as much attention to the balancing as the building and you'll always be more content with your station in life.
 
Now Is The Time
Picture of clock tower

As a business owner do you live in the moment with a sense of urgency? Or do you spend time dwelling on the past or longingly looking towards the future? This is a tough time economically. But what can you do about it as a business owner? For starters you can create a plan for the three best sales and marketing moves to make right now and begin executing them one by one.

Being passive won't serve you in this economy - and really at any time in the life of your business. Now's the time to plan and execute.

Find a quiet place where you can work for 60-90 minutes uninterrupted. Take out a piece of paper. Write down at least five or six good sales and marketing ideas you can execute without spending a ton of money. If you don't have any, then read the latest issue of Inc., Entrepreneur or Fortune Small Business to get some. Then, pick what you think are the top three ideas and start figuring out what to do to execute them.Write down action steps to get the idea done.
 
Here are some ideas I've thought of recently. First idea, have your own friends and family sale - why should only the big stores do that? You can do it, too. If it's your first time you might get a little buzz going around it since it's novel.
 
Another idea is to offer to teach something useful in your shop for free. If you don't  have a shop like me, then you can do it at your local chamber facility or rent a location inexpensively.

Most business owners have an expertise and can teach something valuable for free. Advertise this free class in a local paper, via email to your database and at networking meetings to generate interest. This could easily get people in to your shop that have never been there before.
 
Here's another idea for owners with stores in business districts...why not meet up with the owners of stores right near you and create a punch card with the names of all your businesses on it? If the recipient will shop at at least 3 stores in one visit, they'll get 10% off all their purchases. 4 stores, 15%, 5 stores 20%. You get the idea.

These are just a few ideas I came up with. I'll bet you can come up with plenty more. The point is this: It's time to move. The time is now. Contact me if you'd like to brainstorm together. I get a real kick out of coming up with new ideas, then figuring out how to execute on them.

Reconnect With An Old Friend This Month
Smiling woman on cell phone.
As a business owner, or busy independent professional, you're generally going, going, going nearly every day. It's not unusual to find yourself losing touch with some good friends over the course of the year.
 
Why not take some down time this month to reconnect with the friends you've lost touch with in the past few months? Sure, you exchanged Christmas cards, but did you meet or have a real phone conversation? Go through your Rolodex, Outlook Address Book, Linked In Connections, or Facebook Friends list and see who pops out at you. Chances are you won't even get through the first third of the alphabet before you realize you need to make some calls.
 
I recently reconnected with an old friend. We were roommates in college and very close in the first few years after graduation. I even lived with Vinnie again for a few months early in my career. Over time we lost touch as we went in different directions. I reached out to Vinnie through Linked In hoping to reconnect. He was happy to see my message and responded to me quickly.
 
When we did talk a few weeks later we spent a good hour on the phone. I'm so glad we've rekindled our close friendship after several years. It feels really good. Isn't there someone like this in your life? Perhaps it's not a friend but a family member or relative. Take the time during this season to reconnect with a few people. You'll find your heart warmed by doing so.
 
Time saving tip: The 2 Minute Rule
David Allen, the GTD guru, has a great time saving tip I'd like to share with you. If it can be done in 2 minutes or less, don't put it off. Just do it. Some of us have a bad tendency of putting things off until later that can easily be done right now in 2 minutes or less. This applies to email especially. If you open an email and can respond to it right away, do it.
Thanks for reading this month's issue. Remember that true fulfillment comes when you build and balance.
 
Sincerely,
 

Michael Neuendorff
The Growth Coach
Save 10%!
 
 
 
 
 
 
The presentation of this coupon entitles the bearer to a 10% discount off of a first-time, fully paid coaching or consulting engagement. This includes 1on1 Business Coaching, Marketing Consulting, Strategic Mindset Workshops, Strategic Manager Workshops, Public Speaking Coaching, Sales Training or a Special Project engagement. Note that the discount may only be taken off of a payment made in full for a coaching engagement. The discount cannot be applied to future services not yet paid for. This coupon is good for a one-time use and may not be combined with any other promotion or discount. This offer may be transferred to another individual.
 

Offer Expires: March 31, 2009
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Michael Neuendorff is ready to work with you to achieve your business goals in 2009. Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Let's start now! 
 
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My Network Spotlight
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I believe in the power of a strong network and will make it a point in my business to provide professional referrals to clients who need products and services I do not provide. In each issue of Build and Balance I'll spotlight people in my network.If you need a product or service not featured, don't hesitate to contact me for a referral to a qualified professional.
 
Banking
J. P. Verzosa
Bank of the West
650.944.1492

Insurance and Financial Services
Brandon Au
Mass Mutual
415.743.1014

Insurance and Financial Services
Quan Nguyen
Mass Mutual
415.743.1008

Incidentally, the gentlemen above are supporting members of the FYbI Network. Learn more about FYbI Network and how we're providing ongoing and valuable information to business owners at the dedicated web site: FYbI Network