3. It continues with relentless research. The fruit of this investigation is, for me, insight that much of success in any entrepreneurial activity is simply showing up. Beyond showing up, there’s excellence in execution. Then, it’s having a unique position,a burning desire, a mission so powerful that mission has me. Add alluring promotion, magnetic marketing, a bit of wit and a colossal commitment, so huge that everything is surrendered in service of success yearned for.

4. Then, on top of all of that it takes ceaseless work, unending hours engaging personal wisdom, personal intuition, personal initiative and so much more. First to discover how to direct market my services and products, then to master indirect marketing, to experience indescribable joy of hearing my phone ring. Imagine having decision-makers calling you to ask if you are available to serve them! There's nothing like it.

5. After that, with business flowing in, I have to learn how to deliver much like fabled Chinese meal: Products and services that leave clients/customers satisfied yet hungry for more, and then more again.

6. Let's not forget marketing graphics, appropriate for services, products, and fees at time. These are to be updated and revised often as services and products evolve.

7. Finally,and really first in importance, spirit, love, caring, acceptance of mantle of success along with accountability for being egoless while savoring this success.

Let‘s now look directly at your 21st century success and its aspects: When you surrender to your higher purpose, when you give yourself to your intentions, you may just find yourself living in a state of euphoria. You may find inner peace, a sense of rightness about how you are engaging your energies. We may even know you've found what Buddhists call your right livelihood.

Have you been waiting for point? Here it is:

You don't have to endure what I endured. You can attain business success—or greater business success—that you desire, faster and easier now. You can stand on my shoulders. You can hold your head high. You can know you’ve engaged classic principles to advance to fulfillment of your aspirations.

Burt Dubin, 20 year veteran of the business of speaking, mentors speakers and wanna-be’s world-wide.For samples of the wisdom available to you,simply go to http://www.SpeakingBizSuccess.com.

Burt Dubin, 1 Speaking Success Road, Kingman, Arizona 86402-6543, USA. Phone 800-321-1225 Fax 928-753-7554. mailto: burt@SpeakingBizSuccess.com

© Copyright 2003 Burt Dubin

[NOTE: most divorced people put this kind of thing in writing, usually as part of divorce agreement.]

Mr. Client didn't like my answer and began to plead his case more fervently. He became unreasonable. He wanted me to stop what I was doing and do his return immediately. I finally just told him, "You need to find a new accountant. I'm not in a position to provide type of service you're looking for."

(There are plenty of tax prep firms in town that provide faster service than me, and who offer services like "rapid refund", etc. That's not what I'm about.)

I then politely escorted him to door and told him it was best that we terminate our relationship.

In your business, I'm sure you deal with unreasonable requests on a regular basis, don't you? How far should you go to provide superior customer service without compromising your integrity or your sanity?

Sometimes it's a tough call. Here's a few guidelines.

1. When firing a customer, always remain calm and polite. No need for a shouting match. Be firm yet pleasant.

2. Not sure what to say when confronted with this type of situation? Sit down beforehand and write out 3 or 4 possible scripts. Not sure how to say it? It may take some practice, so practice! Stand in front of a mirror and rehearse how to tell a customer that it's best he go elsewhere.

3. Do not focus on lost revenue that results from firing a bad customer. Focus on resulting reduced stress and simple fact that you'll feel so much better knowing that you won't have to deal with this jerk any more.

Think about how much time you'll save. Problem customers are really a losing proposition, aren't they? You end up spending so much time and energy putting out fires they cause, do you really make any money on them, when you factor in value of your time?

4. When business is slow, firing a customer can really be hard to do. If you cannot afford to fire your problem customers, then you need to take a hard look at your marketing. If your marketing plan is producing a steady stream of new customers, then getting rid of bad apples every now and then should not be a problem -- they will be replaced soon enough with better customers.