Coppia Communications
Coppia Communications  |  January 2013

Contact Allison

 

 
929.876.3161
 
Like us on Facebook  View our profile on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Find us on Yelp

Client Corner

 

This month I'm highlighting one of my executive coaching clients who owns a successful food service business. He shared that some clients are easier to work with and bring more lucrative projects than others. 

 

Who is your Ideal Client?

What came of our discussion was the need to promote healthier client diversification, define his "Ideal Client" and then tailor his marketing plan to specifically engage more of these Ideal Clients.   

 

Think about boulders, rocks and pebbles
I used the analogy of the "boulders, rocks and pebbles". For example, when I owned my engineering company, my boulders were large public development or solar companies, rocks were residential or commercial architects and our pebbles were remodeling contractors. 
 
The boulders can quickly fill up your project basket and also leave a gaping hole if they leave. Pebbles are hard to manage, with so many more required to fill the same amount of basket space and rocks are a solid choice. 
 
My basket was filled with some of all kinds, with mostly rocks. We examined his basket for his boulders, rocks and pebbles to see what changes he may make. From there we looked at his ideal clients within each type.
  • Do you have favorite clients and projects? 
  • Have you strategically examined your clients and defined your Ideal Client? 
  • When was the last time you fired a client? 
  • Do you know how to find and attract more of your Ideal Clients?  
If you haven't recently, I'd love to help you. Ask me about how I can help you develop an "Ideal Client Summary".

Colleague Corner

Justin Johnson
Twilight Solutions

 
Justin Johnston, Founder, of Twilight Solutions, a leading provider of integrated electronic systems
 
 Justin and his team retrofit homes so that with just the press of a button warm lighting bathes your room, the shades are lowered, the TV switches to your favorite channel, the hot tub warms up and music fills the room.
Justin Johnson
Justin Johnson, Founder
Twilight Solutions

 I've known Justin from the days when I owned a structural engineering company and we shared clients, as custom residences were projects we had in common. Years later, Justin helped me integrate a wireless sound solution in my own home.  

 

He continues to walk his talk and deliver quality solutions for his clients, so it's my pleasure to feature him in this month's Colleague Corner.

 

Contact Justin

925.525.6105
[email protected]

Resources 

 

Read Entrepreneur.com: How to Get Your Loved Ones to Love Your Business. Allison provides four tips for getting your family on board with your business.

 

Visit Coppia's Coppia's website blog/newsletter page to find great resources for Couples in Business, Family Owned Business and Entrepreneurs.

 

Blog Talk Radio Interview

BlogTalkRadio Business Innovators Show Interview, on "Couples in Business and Bed", you can listen to the podcast.

 

Bed and Business: Yes, it can be done. Ask Allison

 

Read Allison's article in the Contra Costa Lawyer, Partners in Love and Law: Top Ten Tips for Couples in Business and Bed Together.

 
Hello Colleagues, Clients and Friends!
  
Allison Tabor
With the year just under way
I thought it
would be a perfect time to
s
hare some fun,
creative and effective ways to help make 
2013 a great year for you. I encourage you to read the interactive article to follow, Ready, Set, Action!, as it could inspire you into a making it a great year--no heavy lifting, just fun, I promise. 
 
My Best,
 
Allison
 
Ready, Set, Action!

In movies, we hear, "Ready, Set, Action!" Let's apply that concept to your business or personal life.
 
ReadySetAction
Apply Ready, Set, Action! to your business or personal life
 
Last month I shared an article on An Alternative to Goal Setting that only takes 7 Seconds- "May Your Themes Come True."  Let's call that the "Ready." Do you have your short and memorable "Theme" for 2013? If not, you can create one very quickly.

 

Here's a convenient link to my short article that will help you to do this. Once you have your Theme, you are "Ready" to create an outstanding year. I was grateful to hear from so many of you last month who decided to share your Themes with me! If you wish, I'd love to hear from the rest of you, as you create your Themes.

 

Get ready for Mind Mapping

Okay, have your Theme? Now we can move into the "Set" phase. Using your Theme, you can get inspired through a creative and easy exercise, Mind Mapping. All you need is a piece of paper, preferably a BIG sheet with lots of room, and something with which to write. 

 

I prefer to use a presentation-sized sheet of paper with a thick marker. Since drawing is not one of my core strengths (I am a stick figure person, I'll admit), I get to have fun without being an artist.

 

It all starts with your Theme
  

In the center of the page, draw a circle and write your Theme in it. Without overthinking, planning, setting goals etc., just start creating branches and sub-branches off from your theme, listing whatever comes to mind relative to your Theme. The idea is to just allow your creative energy to flow. 

 

For now, just capture the WHAT to do with your Theme and don't try to figure out the HOW, at least not yet. There will be plenty of time for focusing.

 

You can create Mind Maps electronically as well. Also, here's a link to learn more about Mind Maps, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map. Remember to come back, as we still have one more step.

 

Ready Set Action

By now you should have a 2013 Theme and a Mind Map developed around your Theme. I continue to be amazed at how much from Mind Maps becomes reality. If you do nothing further, you will have shifted things through your elevated consciousness around your desire to live into your Theme.

 

However, to bring it into its full potential, you can shift into Action. Look back at all the things you listed on your Mind Map. What Actions could you take that would help you realize any of the things you've listed?

 

For some, the Action phase is informal; for others, it is very focused and strategic. Because creating a change in results requires a change in behavior, I integrate powerful tools to help myself and others change their behaviors.

 

Please let me know if you'd like my assistance in helping you create better results. Ready and Action!

Allison's Speaking Events

 

Allison was the featured speaker at the Women's Business Symposium hosted by Comerica Bank in October at the Wente Vineyards Event Center.

Proceeds from this event benefitted Girls Inc. of Alameda County.

Consider inviting Allison as a speaker to one of your upcoming events. 

About Allison

 

Allison is a Certified Professional Coach and Consultant with more than 23 years of firsthand business ownership expertise. Using her knowledge and skill acquired from owning a successful structural engineering business with her husband, she helps entrepreneurs, family business owners and corporate teams across a wide range of industries.
 
With her pragmatic, down-to-earth philosophy, she produces dramatic results for her clients. Allison is a leader who motivates entrepreneurs to achieve greater profitability and success. Her areas of focus include Communications and Strategic Planning.

 Food for Thought

 

There is all the difference in the world between having something to say and having to say something.

--John Dewey