Views from The Growth Coach�
May 2009
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Greetings!

Swine Flu? What's next? It's as if we are being forced to confront the fact that there are things beyond our control. But, it also means that everything else can be, if not controlled, at least influenced. Give it a try.

Accept Your Past, Create Your Future
 
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I heard an interview on the radio the other day. The interviewer asked a celebrity if he regretted anything he had done up to this point. After a thoughtful pause he said: "No. There are choices I made that could have been better, there are things I'm not proud of, but I wouldn't be the person I am today if I had not had those experiences."

That really struck a chord with me. It's too easy to slip into woulda-shoulda-coulda thinking when no matter what we wish for we can't change the past. Sure, we should probably apologize for some of our actions, but all we can do is to promise to try not to do it again in the future.

The fact is, the future remains unwritten. It can be whatever you choose to make it. No, you can't control what happens around you, but you can control your own behavior and your response to what happens. You can initiate action and influence people and events. You can be where you choose to be and think what you choose to think. Your past has created who you are but not who you will become.

Embrace the future, it's yours to create.


Focus on Sales
 


Everyone I talk to tells me that the sales cycle is taking longer in their business. The obvious implication of this fact is that we need to adapt to our customers' decision-making pace and recognize that we're participating in a marathon, not a sprint. This means that the information you present needs to be in smaller chunks - the same information spread over a longer timeframe.

In a marathon, if you run too fast at the beginning of the race you won't have enough strength left to finish strong. Pace your presentation and make sure your prospects are keeping up.


Networking Tips
 


It's finally warm enough to spend more time outdoors. Walking is actually pleasant, so make it a point to walk 20 percent farther than you normally would. Shop at the smaller stores in your neighborhood and visit one store you didn't plan to on each trip. Introduce yourself and find out how they are doing. Create some new relationships. Remember, your next customer is someone you haven't yet met!


Attend the June 4 Small Business Conference at CLC
 

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As a Counselor in CLC's Small Business Development Center I reccommend this conference.

Meeting the challenge of today's economy is the theme for the Small Business Success in Lake County event on Thursday, June 4 at the College of Lake County. Learn about valuable resources that are available to support your Lake County business at this event.

Information sessions, presented by Lake County business experts, include the following topics: Starting, Growing, and Expanding your Business; SBA Loan Overview; Talking to a Banker in Today's Economy; Marketing Strategy & Web Presence; Workforce & Professional Development; and more.

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. and includes an Information Networking Breakfast, Kickoff Speakers, and four Information Sessions. The event ends with lunch and a Lake County Business Success Panel Discussion from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Pre-registration and payment is required for the event. It's $25 for the morning session and $10 for lunch. Tell your friends. It's a no-brainer investment.

To register or for more information



If you have ideas for future issues or questions on this one, let me know. Who do you know who would enjoy the articles? Use the "Forward to a friend" link below.

The future is yours for the making,


Dave Ferguson
The Growth Coach

Phone: 847-968-2468
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