| Small Business Leader
Marian Banker, MBA, Business Leadership Coach, and creator of the Business Success System. |
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| "Lead Your Business to Success" |
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Note from Marian, ,
We had an
amazing turnout (over 400) for the fifth annual Small Business Summit. Seth
Godin was a big attraction and didn't disappoint. Our sponsors were happy, our
attendees active and friendly and we all had a wonderful time. Check out our
photo gallery and the great media coverage.
And I
introduced BizLeaders Network,
the new grassroots organization of small business leaders. The 6 member Advisory Board served as the Award Committee for the Small
Business Strategy Award and took turns covering the exhibit table. We're
EAGERLY awaiting finishing the site so we can start accepting members. We're in beta mode now, but stay
tuned. We'll be announcing shortly. Now that
the Summit is over I have room for a few more clients. If you've been thinking
it's time to get professional help, read this month's feature article, "Ask for
Help!", then let's schedule a time to talk. Go to the Contact Page, and tell me how I can help. | |
Also this
month I'm scheduling another Fast-Track Intensive series, starting on Tuesday,
April 27th, 1 - 2 p.m.
In 9 weeks you'll have analyzed your business, set priorities, developed strategies,
created a Short Term Action Plan, and will be working a system that will keep
you on track toward your goals. First session F*R*E*E.
This past
weekend I cleaned up my terrace, taking out last year's dead plants and
sweeping up. Planting season is just around the corner. Can't wait to get my
hands in the dirt.
 My
mother-in-law, Pauline, just turned 92 on April 3rd. The family (8 of us) took her out for a
birthday dinner. She's in a nursing home and mostly in a wheelchair, but she's
still mentally sharp...and funny as ever. She's a real character.
Wishing for
you a wonderful April.
Marian Banker Publisher Small Business Leader  |
 One Page Marketing Plan
Everything you need to create a Marketing Plan specific and timely to your business. You'll be amazed at how easy it is when you know the exact steps to follow. It's more than an e-book; it's a "system"; based on the same take command principles used in all the Business Success System materials.
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Success Tip
After
filing your taxes this month, evaluate any new information you may have gained
in the process and see how you can apply it to your decision-making process
going forward.
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COMING SOON! In beta mode now, BizLeaders Network, the grassroots organization of small business leaders, will be inviting Subscribing members shortly. Full
benefits and privileges coming soon.
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Business Success System
Fast Track Intensive
Learn and apply
the skills to put your business on the fast track.
Tuesday, April 27 - June 22, 1 - 2 p.m. EST (tele-conference series)
What's
holding you back right now? Do you need to make decisions and you're feeling
paralyzed because you don't know what to do? Would you like to move off dead
center, take a serious look at your business and begin to make some informed
decisions?
 This course trains you in using a proven
"business success system". As you learn the steps you'll be applying them to your own business. At the end of the series you'll be on the
fast-track to the results you want. First session F*R*E*E.
| | Feature Article
Ask for Help!
By Marian Banker
In a recent
interview I was asked what I thought was a common thread for all my  clients. Without
thinking, I answered, "They're ready and willing to ask for help". I
knew it was true before, but I hadn't put it into words. Understanding
and acknowledging this I can now focus on finding those who are ready
to ask for help. That's a great insight. I can simply ask prospects if
they are ready to get help.
Entrepreneurs by nature don't like to ask for help. An independent
and sometimes stubborn lot, we tend to think we can do it all. There
are many kinds of help we can ask for, from getting administrative
support to calling on expertise beyond our own to accomplish something
that would require ramp up time for us. That includes getting feedback
on our ideas, helping us monitor our milestones and keeping us focused
on our goals. The place to go for help is where the payoff is the
biggest. If we haven't clearly defined exactly what results we want, we
may want to start there and get help to define them.
It's much easier, and certainly more pleasant, having someone help us
sort out the issues, get focused on goals, offer solutions, function as
a partner and be a friend. Enter -- the coach.
How do you know if you're ready to ask for help from someone like a
coach? Here are a few responses I've heard more than once.
- Tried unsuccessfully to do it myself
- Feel stuck and tempted to give up
- Want to grow my business but don't know how
- Finances are out of control
- Staff is not productive; I end up doing it all
- Have great ideas, but don't know how to develop them
- Want to create a strong brand; need guidance
- Frustrated with my business partnership or family business
With those kinds of answers you can't afford NOT to get help. Humans
were meant to help each other. It's an honor to be asked for help. It
reinforces our sense of being valued.
Asking for help does not imply weakness. I've found that those who
ask for help when they need it are much more likely to succeed than
those who keep putting it off, continuing to hope they can do it
themselves. That can lead to total frustration and could be the
beginning of an unwanted downhill spiral.
Is it time to get help in making critical decisions or setting a
strategic course of action? Don't be afraid to ask. I'll bet you'll be
glad you did.
Go to the Contact Page, and tell me how I can help.
If you're ready to cut through all the "stuff" and move your business
onto the fast track to success, join us for the 9 week Fast Track Intensive, starting April 27th. First
session is F*R*E*E. |
What is a Strategy? Wikipedia
defines strategy as "A long term plan of action designed to achieve a
particular goal, most often "winning." Strategy is differentiated
from tactics or immediate actions with resources at hand by its nature of being
extensively premeditated, and often practically rehearsed. Strategies are used
to make the problem easier to understand and solve."
My definition is a bit simpler, and hopefully, easier to understand. I consider
developing a strategy as the "thinking" part of the process. It's
where you gather all the pertinent information, analyze it, and then make
"informed" decisions based on what you learn. A strategy is an informed decision that provides a framework for
actions.
From "How to Create a Marketing Strategy That Delivers".
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About The Publisher & Feedback
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER:
Marian Banker has been publishing Small Business Leader since January, 1999. Her focus is on bringing to the busy entrepreneur a quick look into the current world of small business from the perspective she's gained through coaching, consulting and training entrepreneurs in both service and product based businesses.
Marian offers individual coaching, business support groups, seminars and workshops on topics of critical interest to small business owners. Her monthly Brain Exchange Roundtable has proven to be a popular way for business owners to come together around a specific business topic. See notice about this month's topic in the content above.
To learn more about her services, visit http://primestrategies.com.
FEEDBACK:
Your feedback is always appreciated. Please write to marian@primestrategies.com.
If you've enjoyed this issue of SMALL BUSINESS LEADER and aren't already a subscriber, now's the time to subscribe.
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe go to http://www.primestrategies.com/newsletter
COPYRIGHT 2010 SMALL BUSINESS LEADER
A publication of Prime Strategies, 333 East 23rd St., New York, NY 10010
http://primestrategies.com
Notice and Disclaimer:
Small Business Leader is published the first week of each month. You are receiving this message because you have specifically requested it through our web site or requested to be subscribed by e-mail. In addition to the monthly newsletter you may receive invitations and special offers made available to our subscribers. We will not share your e-mail address with any third party.
Of course, I'm open to your including my content in your publication with proper attribution. You must, however, obtain my written permission first. Thanks!
Content in the SBL is for information purposes only and should not be construed as specific advice.
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