The first quarter of 2009 is in the books. How did you do? Now is the time to look back and reevaluate your business. When we talked about goals we said they must be in writing so you can see them and measure them. Well now it's time to measure. Let's look at each goal individual.
Personal Goals:
Be honest with yourself here or your just wasting time and blowing smoke up your backside.
Did you take the time to improve your mind body and soul? How many books did you read or listen too? Did you go to any seminars that concentrated on the person not the business? How about exercise did you join that gym? How about that walk you were going to take. It's well known people who exercise are more focused and can handle stress better (not that your life is stressful) source CDC, men health magazine.
How much time did you spend with your spouse and family? Your family is the most important aspect in your life and like all the other parts of your life your family needs your time as well. When you're looking over the first quarter results you need to take extra special looks at this part of your live and realize that if you failed to spend the time with your family ( Quality Time) you're not becoming the person you want to be. And more importantly when push comes to shove it's your family that will be their not your friends or network buddies or that supplier you went out to dinner with and missed your Childs event. I not trying to preach to you but I'm trying to get the point across that family is more important than your job or career. Yes I know the bills need to be paid and you should do all you can to put food on the table and a roof over their head but you also need to find two hours for that special program your family member is involved in.
Now let's move on to your business. How did you do in the first quarter? Did you meet your sales goals profits and customer service goals?

Let's take each one at a time

Financial goals: Did you reach your sales goals how close were you to them. How often did you evaluate your progress during the quarter? It is recommended you evaluate your progress at least weekly what did you do? This way you can tweak your goals and be ahead of the curve and your completion. When you're going over the results don't over look repeat customers they are usually higher profit and easier to sell to then a new customer. Your goal is to increase this section of your business as soon as possible. While adding new customers as well.

 
Customer service: is your next biggest profit center. Are you meeting their expectations? Are you supplying them with the service that makes them feel wanted and appreciated? Are they will to refer you to their friends and co-works? Nothing smells like profits then a referral. No marketing costs to you and a higher success rate of sales. All you have to do is give them high quality service and a great buying experience. So how was your referral business this quarter? If it's to good ask your customers for one and if they won't give one you better find out quick and make the changes in your business.   
Marketing:  I hope you kept close tabs on all your marketing programs. Did you monitor the results of each marketing piece how many sales profits and what type of returns did you get for your money. I suggest you try using surveys in your marketing programs to see how your customers/clients perceive your business and service. This is also a great way to get referrals or to find out why you're not getting them.
Now that we are staring the second quarter you need to look at your all your goals and make the adjustments that will get you to your goals.
Sit down and evaluate all your business plans and your goals. Send out a survey to all your customers that purchased from you in the last 120 days.

If you need help with what you should be asking give me a call and I will help you with this. I can be reached at 941-716-2597 or paul@pauljdacosta.com Next month I will go why you need to incorporate multi step marketing. 
    

 

 

 

 

   Many of you know that I just spent the last 3 weeks taking the Georgia Real estate class. This was quite a learning experience for me. One of the biggest things I learned was the Fair Housing Law. I thought I had a good understanding of this law but I learned a lot and I will go over just a few things here but I plan on putting together a 3 or 4 hour seminar with all the information needed to help investors and Real Estate agents understand this law and save them big headaches.

What Is Prohibited?

In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:

Refuse to rent or sell housing

Refuse to negotiate for housing

Make housing unavailable

Deny a dwelling

Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling

Provide different housing services or facilities

Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental

For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or

Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.

This is just the beginning of what Fair Housing Law covers. In the seminar we will put a complete program together so you can have an understanding of the law.

If you would like to attend this seminar or have one in your area please e-mails me at paul@pauljdacosta.com and we can work out the details.
 

 

 

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certin unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty; and the pursuit of happiness...
 
 
 Thomas Jefferson

 

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

 

Thomas jefferson

 

When angrey, count to 10 before you speak; if very angry, count to 100.

 

Thomas Jefferson