Saturday 10 October 2015

Does Running Your Business Feel Like You Are Herding Cats?

Let's say that you started your business with a full blown business plan.

Oh! You didn't!

Then you've come to the right place.

When I worked as a business consultant with the University of the Fraser Valley College in Abbotsford, BC a FEW years ago, I had the pleasure of advising 32 different businesses each year. The program was a 10 month program, and it was my responsibility to go into each of those 32 businesses each month and help them implement the things they were learning in the program into their own business.

Do you know what I discovered?

I discovered that 85-90% of the small businesses I was working with were technically bankrupt. I am not kidding!

One of the first things I did with each of my 32 businesses is sit down with them to assemble a simple 12 month cash flow projection. I felt that I could not help them until I had some idea of where they needed help, and a cash flow projection usually is very revealing.

Each business would be in shock as they saw their bottom line getting deeper and deeper into the "red" as the months progressed. They would invariably gasp and turn to me in amazement saying, "I need to get me a good salesman!"

Their next question usually was, "Do you want a sales job?"

Here's the straight goods. If they do not know how to market and sell their own products better than anyone else, they cannot begin to teach someone new, like a salesperson, how to sell their products or services for them. What usually happens is the new salesperson will just bring their old habits, both good and bad, into the mix. This could leave the business in a more precarious position, because they wasted good money paying the salesperson ... especially if the sales do not increase significantly.

It is all about ROI = Return on Investment. There will need to be more sales than before, not just to cover their regular expenses, but to also pay this new employee.

So, if you do not have a business plan, you are staring failure in the face.

All the businesses that were in the '85-90% technically bankrupt range' had started their businesses "flying by the seat of their plans." (Quote from Betska K-Burr)

However, I bring you relief!

Dorothy Briggs has brought together 25 successful women in business to share their incredible stories and tips for how to "Plan Your Business", Grow Your Business", and "Grow Yourself". We have now written and published our book.

"Mentoring Women Leaders", is being launched October 23rd, 2015.

On the 23rd, Buy your copy: http://bit.ly/MentoringWomenLeaders

Here is the special offer for you, when you purchase a book that day!

Upon receipt of your invoice from Amazon, show us your copy, and then book your seat at any one of the dates and times available in November. 
For those at distance, we have webinars that will be scheduled for you during the month of November. Skype by appointment. 
Pick the session you want to attend and the date and time:
Plan your Business – Tuesdays November 3rd , 10th, 17th & 24th
Grow your Business – Thursdays November 5 th , 12th, 19th & 26th
Grow Yourself – Fridays November 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th
Session Locations are:
Preferred Client Services - #201 - 2327 – Ellwood Drive SW. Edmonton 780-439-9457
Investment Planning Counsel Energy Square - 10th Floor 10109 – 106 Street NW Edmonton 780-702-1551

Oct 23rd Buy your copy: http://bit.ly/MentoringWomenLeaders

Contact:
Christine Till
The LinkedIn Marketing Mentress
marketingmentress@gmail.com

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