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| Greetings!
When you're leading others, you must find a way to motivate them. One of my favorite axioms is "People act in their own selfish interest and that's ok. The art of motivation is making their perceived self-interest the same as yours". Well, that's all well and good, but what if you aren't leading people? What if the only person you're trying to motivate is yourself?
While all of us suffer from a lack of productivity from time to time, it is the small business owner who seems to suffer most  often. The small business person (for the purpose of this article, we will use the pronoun 'he' - no emails please about gender stereotypes - I'm just trying to save keystrokes). Now where was I? Oh yeah, the small business person is challenged to wear many hats. He is the marketing genius, the savvy salesman, the promoter, the bookkeeper, the secretary, the publicist, the manager, the leader, the baker and the candlestick maker. And each and every day he must maintain his enthusiasm, nurture his spirit, sustain his initiative, work well without supervision AND stay motivated. Whew. It makes me tired just thinking about it.
Let's put it this way: It's wonderful not to have to answer to anyone but yourself. On the other hand, with no one to hold you accountable, you could find yourself floating in the pool one too many days in a row when you should be doing something to grow your business (of course I wouldn't know anything about that personally, ahem).
So how does one stay motivated when your neck aches from the tower of hats upon your head? Well we found a great solution. Last January one of my very best friends and I started a Goals  Group. We invited two other companies to join and the four of us meet each and every Monday at 8:30 am for an hour to an hour and a half. The purpose of the Goals Group is to brainstorm, share ideas, and list our short term and long term business objectives. We hold each other accountable in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Just voicing your goals out loud or in writing is enough to make them legitimate. Telling someone else about them and knowing they will ask whether or not you accomplished them is a strong motivator for getting your butt in gear (and avoiding the pool raft). Furthermore, by sharing our goals, we seem to set in motion the manifestation of prosperity that only occurs when you put positive energy, thoughts and beliefs into the Universe.
Our Goals Group has been a phenomenal success! Each company has achieved growth and results none of us thought were possible in such a short timeframe. We all have different companies, with different products or services and all are in varying stages - one just starting out, one starting over, two in-between Phase III & Phase IV (If you don't know them, the basic Phases for building a business are listed at the end of this newsletter).
 We are all committed to the Goals Group and almost nothing interferes with it. We have it every week and with very few exceptions, everyone has attended each and every meeting since its inception. And as a result of this Goals Group, the four of us have built a bond usually only found in foxholes (our esteemed veteran friends will understand). When one of us is down, the other three lift us up. When one of us is facing a specific challenge, the other three offer suggestions and options for resolution. Together we are evolving.
Without a doubt, the Goals Group is the single best thing we've done for our companies and ourselves and I highly recommend it as a means toward self-motivation. In fact, it is so valuable, that none of us ever accept a conflicting appointment. The Goals Group comes first because we know it kicks our week into high gear.
Henry Ford said:
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
If you'd like to start your own Goals Group, please send me an email and I will happily reply with the guidelines we use. Even if you don't own your own business, you might find a Goals Group helpful for things like creating a healthier lifestyle, weight management issues, child rearing challenges, etc. It is a comfort to share with people who can directly relate to the conundrums you face. It is rewarding to know there is a non-judgmental and confidential environment in which to discuss your business affairs. And it is a great way to maintain your motivation. In fact, if you are properly motivated, your productivity increases which then leaves plenty of time for guilt-free pool floating <wink>
For more information about Executive Errands, please visit our website www.executive-errands.com or call us today at 760.469.2487 |
New to Executive Errands?
If this is the first time reading our newsletter, let me introduce you to who we are and what we do. Executive Errands is a Personal Concierge service. We are your one-stop-shop for all things home and convenience related. We will help Free Up Your Life so you may do the things you love.
For example, our Personal Concierges do absentee home checks, go to the dry cleaner, post office, grocery shop, provide transportation services, do babysitting; if it's on your 'to do' list, we can probably get it done.
And if you need services, we have a network of reliable and insured Service Providers for everything from Pest Control (welcome new Service Provider Powerful Pest Management) to Garage Door installation and maintenance. We have handymen, plumbers, landscapers, pool people, mobile spa services, mobile jewelry services - the list is endless.
Executive Errands is licensed, insured and bonded and as we are not a franchise, we're able to tailor a program to suit your needs. One phone call is all you need make - we'll take care of the rest.
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Uncomfortable Speaking to Groups?
For a limited time, we are offering Train the Trainer workshops. This workshop is ideal for anyone who is responsible for the development and delivery of information to be used by people after they leave the training or sales presentation.
 In the Train the Trainer workshop, you'll learn about the different ways people learn, the factors that influence learning and retention, various learning styles, key motivation factors, how to handle the frustrated learner, and how to ask effective questions.
This workshop was originally designed to train Trainers for continuing education courses and seminars and was used for in-house training of group leaders and department heads who were responsible for educating their staff about company policies and procedures.
As it addresses training in the aggregate sense, the Train the Trainer workshop is an effective tool for sales people in many industries. This workshop has been presented to several hundred people by our own in-house facilitator. The Train the Trainer workshop runs approximately 2 hours. For groups of 3-5, the rate is $125/person. For groups of 6-10, the rate is $100/person. To schedule a Train the Trainer workshop, please call Executive Errands at 760.469.2487
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Service Provider Spotlight
Brite and Clean Windows
Whether it's the continuous blowing sand or the occasional sprinkler spraying on the windows, you've probably realized by now that windows just don't stay clean for long in the desert.
Here at Executive Errands, we have discovered an innovative window cleaning company who shares our commitment to quality.
Brite and Clean Windows is not just another ordinary window washing service. The company has its roots as a family trade going back over 38 years in the window cleaning industry, and has distinguished itself as a leader in quality window cleaning with an insightful understanding of customer service needs.
More importantly, the owner of Brite and Clean Windows has helped develop a patented technology called Diamon-FusionŽ, that actually helps to keep windows and shower doors clean longer. It was even recognized as the "Innovative Product of the Year" by Kitchen and Bath Magazine.
Utilizing Diamon-FusionŽ Dust Blocker, you will experience windows that stay clean longer, even after a sand storm. With the Diamon-FusionŽ Stain Blocker you will have shower doors that clean up without the need for a squeegee or costly cleaning chemicals.
To learn more about how Brite and Clean Windows can help you keep your windows & shower doors clean longer, visit www.briteandclean.comand read more about the patented Diamon-FusionŽ technology. You can call 760-346-9274 to request a brochure or schedule a no-obligation consultation.
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 We will give two hours free to any of your home buyers with escrows that close after 1 July 08 - the gift certificate is addressed to your client specifically and includes your name as the person from whom the gift certificate originates. It also includes a 'congratulations on your new home' message. All you need to do is email info@executive-errands.com or call with the client name and we will get the certificate to you as quickly as possible.
We've already had requests for eleven (11) of these gift certificates! Realtors - please pass this along to your Buyers. This is a $110 gift that costs you nothing, yet will generate good will with your clients and hopefully will lead to increased referrals for you.
For more information about this gift or any of our services, please call Executive Errands at 760.469.2487 or visit our website at www.executive-errands.com | |
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Other News & Announcements
As most of you know, Executive Errands is very active in this, our Desert community. This month we joined the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce. They are a great organization and we are excited to be working with them. We will be babysitting Gamby in January, hosting a breakfast in February and are participating in the Member to Member Discount Program featured on their website www.lgchamber.com.
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Once again, we've been fortunate to receive an abundance of positive publicity. The Public Record published a Press Release about our new relationship with Private Trade Winds www.privatetradewinds.com Both the Palm Desert Chamber Business to Business and the La Quinta Chamber GEM newsletters published articles. And The Press Enterprise released a very nice article about Executive Errands and our Personal Concierge Service. The Press Enterprise article should be available online for at least another week and may be viewed by clicking on The Press Enterprise link in the Quick Links Block of this newsletter.
For those of you who don't know, I 'wrapped' my car last month. This is a fairly bold step for someone who doesn't believe in bumper stickers!! Now my car looks like a bumper sticker on steroids! A picture of it is in the Press Enterprise article. If you see me around town, please wave! | |
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| As promised, here are the basic Phases for building a new company:
Phase I - Perform the due diligence, create the business model, develop the mission/vision/value statements, create the business plan, spec the website, create all the intellectual property
Phase II - Branding, publicity, name recognition, networking, marketing and sales
Phase III - Execution
Phase IV - Growth
Phase V - Expansion
 Statistics vary on the failure rate of new business startups. The SBA recently improved the odds: "two-thirds of all new businesses survive at least two years, and 44 percent survive at least four years." That's encouraging, but I suspect those figures may be slightly lower here in the Desert where long time residents are cautious with their loyalties since new business ventures come and go so quickly.
It isn't enough just to have a great idea. You need passion and you need to be able to maintain your motivation over a long period of time. It isn't easy, but with the right support system (like we have with our Goals Group), you may just find yourself on the road to success.
We here at Executive Errands are humbled by the warm and generous reception we've received in this community. For that we thank you, our faithful readers, our friends and our business associates. We look forward to working with you for many years to come. Sincerely,
Leslie Spoor 
760.469.2487 |
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