Each of these 'key strategies' is vital to any business if it is to succeed and thrive. But, assuming you have followed each and every one of them faithfully, you still have to get new punters through your door every day. And word of mouth - no matter how powerful it is - is only one way of getting new customers.

The true value in story about Chiropractor is in powerful concept of doing new things all time.

Most businesses, if they bother to promote themselves at all, follow a very narrow path. They do same things over and over, and wonder why they keep getting same results.

"If you do same things today as you did yesterday, don't be surprised if tomorrow never comes."

Every business should set aside some time each week to find a new promotional idea. Many of them won't work, but when they do ... boy, listen to till going ka- ching!

There is a bookstore in my local town. The owner has a truly awful position, tucked away off main street. Most bookstores rely on bestsellers to drive traffic into store, and passing trade. This guy doesn't get much passing trade. Yet his business is thriving.

How does he do it? He has a deal with local cinema and offers cheap movie tickets if customers buy novel. He takes time to visit local schools and does book readings - and he gives schools a cut of profits. He gets every customer's name who comes into store (wherever possible) and sends out a monthly newsletter with great special offers. He does dozens of other things too, but most importantly, he multiplies himself.

Knowing he has a small store in a side street, one thing he lacks is a highly visible shop window. Most people would be put off by that fact alone and give up - or never open in that position in first place. Not this guy. He looks for ways to joint-venture with as many shops in High Street as he can. He offers other shop keepers free ads in newsletter in exchange for a small window display. He puts flyers in books he sells for other stores in exchange for window space. He creates special displays for other stores with books relevant to what they sell (travel books for travel agent, for example). The result is that this tiny little back-street bookshop has more High Street shop windows driving traffic his way than almost any other business in town. And in doesn't cost him a penny.

This is real secret to getting new customers: thinking outside box. And it applies to just about any business you can think of.

"Do what you always do, and you'll get what you always got."

Learning to not take things personally may be difficult, however, it's a very necessary part of evolving. One of other big lessons of setting boundaries - whether business or personal - is that you don't owe anyone an explanation on changes you're making. We humans seem to think that when we say "no" we have to explain ourselves. Yet, when we say "yes" we never explain ourselves! When someone asks you why you've made a business change, it's OK to give a simple answer like "it's a business decision" or "it's best for me this way."

Professional standards and boundaries help our businesses most often by adding a new level of consistency and structure. Michael Gerber, in his book "The E-myth Revisited" says, "The business development process is not static. It's not something you do and then are done with. It's something you do all time."

This month, take a look at your Professional Standards and Boundaries and raise them to next level. If you'd like to view sample business standards or boundaries, visit www.coachmaria.com/articles/professionalstandards.html