Speak With E's Part 3Written by Sandra Schrift
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7. Be creative. Include music, poetry, games, songs, dance, brainstorming, and role playing. 8. Dress appropriately. Always be a step above audience. If it’s “business casual,” be a little dressier than casual. You are your best visual aid! 9. Have strong closing remarks that include a summary that reviews main points. (People have short attention spans.) Or, make a statement or tell an anecdote. Call for action. 10.Start and stop on time. Be flexible and able to cut talks short if asked. Be in control. Leave time for Q&A. 11. Use an evaluation form. This will provide you with feedback and confirm your value to participant. Ask what they liked most and what they liked least about your presentation. Ask for referrals. You might ask attendees who else they know who would benefit from your program. 12. Send a personalized thank-you note. Ask program chair for a testimonial in writing. 13. Create “BOR” (back of room) products. Sell your books, e-books, and booklet(s). Create audiotapes, videotapes, and CD-ROMs. Having products will catapult your speaking career and make you more valuable to your clients. This “passive” income is frosting on cake.
Sandra Schrift 13 year speaker bureau owner and now career coach to emerging and veteran public speakers who want to "grow" a profitable speaking business. I also work with business professionals and organizations who want to master their presentations. To find out HOW TO MAKE IT AS A PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER, go to http://www.schrift.com/success_resources.htm Join my free bi-weekly Monday Morning Mindfulness ezine http://www.schrift.com/monday.htm
| | This Old Business...Written by Michael S. Winicki
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Secondly, gluten free and sugar free products are selling big nationally and these two categories should have a prominent place in building. One point when it comes to inventorydo it monthly. If all products were entered into a computer as were received in store and then checked off as sold, inventory would not take very long to do. This would help find areas of concern as they apply to both store security and inventory “turns”, which is a measure of profitability. The temperature of store seemed a bit too low for me. While I respect need to monitor utility costs this is an area where customers notice big-time and I think impression it gives is one of being cut-rate rather than first class. I think it probably does not foster a pleasant work environment for everyone either… I mean who really wants to be cold while they work? If you’re concerned about costs don’t be. Everything I’m suggesting is geared towards improving sales and profits of business. You neglect to do any of them and in my opinion your store’s ultimate sale and profit potential will take a hit. The signage thing I talked about in entrance-way is prevalent throughout building--too many old, battered signs that make place look unkept. Every month or so signs should be redone on computer because they do degrade quickly. Let’s talk about personnel or more specifically their appearance. I greatly suggest that a standard shirt or smock be adopted by management and worn by all staff at all times. Why I suggest this is that it promotes consistency plus it does give wearer a little pride because they are wearing a “uniform”. Consumers are always more receptive and respectful to people in a uniform. Call it psychological or call it crap but it does work that’s why chain and franchise businesses require them. It’s not because they want to spend money but because it helps them make money. Obviously layout of store needs to be changed as quickly as possible so customers don’t have to go through office area in order to reach other parts of building. I realize that it is going to take time and money and it’s something already in works. I would also have some kind of music playing in store, pick whatever type you want but music is usually beneficial for both employees and customers. I would think a “Policies and Procedures” manual would greatly benefit this business. Not only will it cause tasks to be done uniformly and consistently it will greatly relieve burden put on both staff and owner for training new employees. Not that new employees don’t need training because do but verbal training is inconsistent training. The same, exact set of instructions are rarely given twice in a row. Verbal instructions are not geared to creating consistent service to customers and consistent operations throughout store. High points should be touch verbally but every task that is done in that business should be written down in a simple step by step format and then arranged in a notebook. Each new employee that is hired by business is given one of these notebooks. Inside notebook would also be employment guidelines of business. Employees that aren’t trained in a professional manner and don’t work in a professional environment tend not to act professional about their position, towards customers and towards each other. Does that make sense? It should because while it may be painful to acknowledge it is truth. Even minimum wage employees need to be treated professionally, trained professionally and work in a professional environment. Do you want to see moral go up? Productivity increases? Theft goes down? Then implement these changes immediately. Will you still get some “bad apples”? Of course, it’s unavoidable but it will allow you to turn some of these folks on edge into good employees. The easiest way I know of in creating a “Policies & Procedure’s” manual is to take one task every week and do a procedure’s sheet on that task. List each step of task… you know “Step 1-Do this first”, “Step 2-Do this next”, “Step 3-Then do this”. Before you know it you’ll have a complete manual that can be photocopied and handed to each new employee. You can’t imagine how much easier a “Policies and Procedure’s” manual will make a business owner’s life. Now let’s talk advertising. I think easiest and cheapest way to advertise this business is to use simple and low-cost classified ads. Every week an ad should be run in some newspaper or penny-saver within trading zone of store. And these ads shouldn’t be some generic “Shop at Naturally Your’s” type ad. Instead advertise one product at an aggressive price OR advertise a unique part of your store, like “Lo-carb” products or “Gluten free” products or “Videos for rent” or something similar. Remember advertise something specific! Generalities don’t sell--specifics do!In conclusion I think there is a lot you can do to improve profitability of your business right now and without spending a fortune. Now is time to get started.
Submitted by Michael S. Winicki publisher of “Mike Winicki’s Small Business World”, http://www.small-business-world.com and the co-owner of AdsThatSuck.com, http://www.adsthatsuck.com the first internet site that compares how BAD advertising can be and how to make it better.
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