jeanlserio.com

In years past, when catastrophic situations occured - such as 9/11 - people changed to reflect the moment.  Though serious as it was, less than a year later it was life as usual. People reverting to previous ways of life and spending habits.   

Unfortunately, in today’s unique economic times, the world is in a state of financial turmoil. Businesses, large and small alike, closing daily.  With millions of jobs lost, investments tanked, homes in foreclosure, people are seriously changing. Not just making simple changes.  But serious decisions affecting their entire way of living life.  Changes which are slowly working their way down to all businesses. In fact, it’s been determined these changes will affect the way business is done.  For years. Even decades to come.  

There’s no question any business wanting to succeed, and prosper, is required to make the necessary changes to survive. Let’s face it, what was business as usual is no longer. Especially when it comes to advertising and marketing. 

Businesses can no longer rely on people thinking and shopping as they did. Or being responsive to the old ways of advertising and marketing. For example, they want deals; not expensive, full-priced items. They’re searching for coupons, discounts. Shopping at thrift stores.  Trading everything from food to diapers to save a buck; with friends, family and church members. And becoming more “green” than ever.

Scientists and researchers, alike, believe this is not only a sign of the times, but a sign of what will continue to be. 

It’s time to re-think who you are, what your business is and does. With the old standby newspapers folding, social networking a way of life, it’s time to reconsider how to effectively reach your target market. Even market old customers.

Will you be one who steps back and retrenches;  digging in, hoping to wait it out  relying on old ways of business.  Or will you bite the bullet?  Work through temporary upheaval on the way to positive changes.  Which will ultimately help create a stronger and more successful business.  Whichever you choose, remember, the road will be bumpy. But “changes they are a comin’”,  the old song says.  You can believe that.     

Jean L. Serio

Has 35 years experience in business, working for 4 top retail corporations. Helping launch and manage 7 multi-million dollar operations. During the past 15, personally, and through the Network, has helped thousands of women start up a biz of their own. Not sure it’s for you?
Take our Free Business Readiness Assessment.
We’ll score it and email you the details along with some great biz start up tips.

Tons of great Father’s Day Gifts

In his inaugural speech, U.S. President Barack Obama reminds us how those who came centuries, and decades before us, dragged their families across continents, toiled exhaustively, endured the lash of the whip, and more. To begin creating the basis for the life most of us are privileged to live today.

“These men and women saw America”, Obama says, “though they struggled, sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw, “as bigger than the sum of each individual’s ambitions”. In short, though they had big dreams, and wanted more, each worked unselfishly to help others succeed and live well too. While pioneers, we can look back and see that many of these selfless and tenacious people were actually some of our first entrepreneurs. And they had hope and belief in a better future. President Barack Obama History and Hope 56th Inauguration

“It’s been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things….who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”, President Obama reminds us. These people weren’t born entrepreneurs with big ideas. But ordinary people like you and I. Who renewed their courage, daily. In order to continue their journey.

That said, we are in the midst of crisis. Similar, in some ways, to those people before us have suffered through. Yet, with the ground shifting beneath our feet, it can be the best time to turn crisis into opportunity. To rethink who we are. To discover what we can do to create a better life for ourselves, family, children. Others.

If you need some inspiration read Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech. Barack Obama (Yes We Can Speech) Art Poster Print - 24″ X 36″

Furthermore, Obama also reminds us that “our workers (American workers) are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed. Than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity”, he says, “remains undiminished.”. ” In short, there are many, many ways to recreate your life. And tons of qualified, capable individuals out there. Ready, willing and able to work to help you reach your business goals.

How can any of us do this?

With changes in telecommunications, the greening of America, probable reorganization of the health industry, banking and real estate industries; global warming upon us, energy efficiency a common goal, plus changes brought about daily by the Internet - for example. It’s time to rethink who we are.

To reconsider not only our personal lives, but what we do for a living. How we can reorganize our businesses to reach out in new directions to capture new types of business. What new services or products can we create to meet these new needs?  What unique, or untried techniques can we use to reach customers; to retrain employees, for example. Bottom line, what new and better part does each of us want to play in our currently  evolving universe? Remember, in helping ourselves we are helping our children, our families. And others too.

The ground may be shifting beneath us. But we can each still succeed in our own unique ways. Says Obama, “Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity…these things are old. These things are true…..What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of of responsibility.”

It’s a fact. Our world as we know it is changing by the minute. And to keep up, instead of rushing to catch up, we must start now to reinvent ourselves, our businesses, our lives.

For more encouragement and Barack Obama tees and Memorabilia

Jean L. Serio has 35 years experience working for 4 top retail corporations. Helping launch 7 multi-million dollar operations. During the past 18, personally and through the Womens Marketing and Business Network, has helped thousands of women start up a biz of their own. Not sure if starting a biz is for you? Take a Free Business Readiness Assessment. We’ll score it and email you the details along with some great start-up tips.

This year we’re seeing hundreds of large corporations scaling holiday plans back to the bare minimum. Many small businesses, on the other hand, don’t have any holiday celebrations that include clients and customers. In fact, many don’t do much more than send clients a card. Why should they do a little more than that?

1. When it comes to customers and clients it’s essential - if only at this time of year - to let them know how much their business is valued. Showing clients how much you value their business, year round, should not be related to religious connections. Or how you may feel about the season. This is simply a gathering of your clients to show how much you appreciate them.

2. You’re spending personal time with clients. Likely talking about more than business happenings. Away from work, clients are more relaxed and willing to talk about kids and family. It’s your opportunity to share some personal info. To start developing a relationship. To listen. And show you care. They should be much more than a name on a check.

3. In these few unguarded moments, away from work, you may discover more than you learned all year working with them. And if you listen closely, you’ll discover new ideas they have. Other biz directions they’re thinking about, or planning, to take. Even info about people they plan to hire. Brief moments like these can provide a treasure trove of valuable info. Plus give you the opportunity to casually bring up plans you may already have in mind for them. Or you can use this valuable time to ask for suggestions on how you can better do the job.

A business holiday celebration can be as simple as having appetizers and drinks in your conference room. Dinner, or buffet, in a private room at a local restaurant. If you’re a retailer, an after-hours open house may be more appropriate. Whatever the case, don’t let the holiday season end without letting your clients know they’re an integral and valued part of your business. And will be for years to come.

Has this happened to you? Another entrepreneur has a great idea to add new customers and profit to her bottom line. One easily used in your own business. Unfortunately it ends up filed in the deepest recesses of your mind. Forgotten.

What’s the tool I’m referring to? And why is it so important to your success?

While I’ve always used this invaluable tool, it’s worked well for me and tons of other entrepreneurs, many others ignore it. In fact, not using it means they’re putting on blinders to greater success. Here’s what I mean.

For nearly fifty years sought-after speaker Jim Rohn has devoted his life to the study of behavior as it affects performance. In fact, he’s considered an expert - though his initial education wasn’t centered on this study. He began seriously developing his quest for behavior info when at the suggestion of his mentor he began journaling daily.

Rohn discovered journaling allowed him not only to note what each day brought - both good and bad - it became a place to collect good ideas and suggestions. Note thoughts about behavior he‘d seen. Plus making notes and writing down good ideas allowed review of them at a later date.

With a journal, that great idea you discover won’t be forgotten. And, very importantly, no good ideas would be lost. In his best-selling book “Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness”, Rohn says a journal is a good gathering place for all the good information and wisdom that comes your way.”So start today keeping a journal. Keep it with you, and easily accessible, even when traveling.The point, Rohn says, is “Don’t let good ideas escape you. A great idea can change your life.”_

__________________________________________________

Jean L. Serio has 35 years experience in business, working for 4 top retail corporations. Helping launch and manage 7 multi-million dollar operations. During the past 15, personally, and through the Network, has helped thousands of women start up a biz of their own. Not sure it’s for you? 
Take our Free Business Readiness Assessment. We’ll score it and email you the details along with some great biz start up tips.

For Great Deals on Holiday Gifts: www.christmasgiftscottage.com