No rest for the weary!

My family and I went on vacation over the week of the 4th to our family’s cabin in the mountains….totally secluded, no phone, no internet, just peacful nature! The problem with online MBA learning in this case was my new class started the 1st day of vacay….and with no internet connection I was at a loss. So we went in to Breckenridge one day and I popped into a hotel and asked if I can borrow their computer in the lobby to get online , they said “15 minutes” so I had enough time to print off the reading assignment and the details of the case study. Then when I got back Sunday evening, I wrote up the case study and posted it at 9:30 pm (deadline was midnight)

Thought you may like to see this week’s forum discussion topic:

Please discuss the Future of Globalziation and its Impact on International Business.

In addition, some least developed countries (LDCs) and underdeveloped countries (UDCs) may not have the resources (i.e., knowledge and capital) to fully participate in the “Globalization game”

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Whew! Finished up last week and got the grade back….”A”… Sweet!

I really did enjoy the class because of the way it gave us a case each week to write up a Legal and Ethical case study on, it really taught me to think critically as I read these cases. To not only read for the facts of the case, but also to be thinking “What is the Legal issue here”….”What is the Ethical issue here”.

Nice class and even nice to Ace it…..1st 4 MBA classes down and all “A’s”. Not too shabby for a 40 yr old with Wife and 4 kids and a full time job

I thought you may like to take a mini tour inside how the online MBA at Regis looks!

Enjoy!

We all know the power of e-mail….fast….cheap (FREE!).
But, sometimes it gets B.O.R.I.N.G!!!
Here’s a webinar I did recently on Video E-mail

For a 21 day FREE trial for this video e-mail service click here!

The 1st step in sales and marketing success is to actually have a plan!

Recently I was asked to do a Webinar on creating a marketing plan, and I recorded it here for you!

If you’d like a free E-Book on creating your own marketing plan just e-mail me at:

TotalMarketingToolbox@comcast.net

The best and cheapest business you can EVER get is a referral! You will not get as much price shopping comparison and the deal will close faster. In this short video you’ll learn how you can take action to become more refer-able.

Enjoy!

For more information conctact Bill at info@referralcoach.com or visit his website www.referralcoach.com

Let me ask you a couple of questions…

If your sales are down and your expenses are up, when would be a good time to
craft a new sales plan? How about next month? It will never work. You need to
start today, you need to start right now that’s when you need to change your
strategy.

If your pants are tight, and you’re out of breath by simply climbing the stairs,
when would be a good time to change your diet and focus on being healthy? How
about after that heart attack? That’s crazy, you need to change and implement a
new way of eating today.

If your debt is high and your savings are low, when would be a good time to
change from being a spender to a saver? How about the day after you file for
bankruptcy? You’ve got to be kidding me? You need to start right now-today!

When should you start doing anything that you really want to do? You need to
start today, not tomorrow, always today.

It’s Time for a Wake-Up Call

We are now six months into 2008 and if your performance is less than expected, if your results are not ahead of target, and if you have more
excuses than goals achieved, when would be a good time to get a new plan?

How about when you get to the end of the year and realize that it’s been the
worst year of your life? How about when you ease ever closer to 2009 and realize
that your sales goals will never be achieved? Of course not, that would be
completely irresponsible.

Today-right now is the best time you’ll ever have to make 2008 the best year of
your life, and I’d like to help you start the second half of the year strong,
focused, and fired up.

ACTION PLAN:

Click on the “Goals Guy” banner to the right in this blog and check out the Free download on Goals!

If you’re not interested in increasing the amount of revenue you’re bringing in, you might want to check your pulse. Some of the most ingenious ways to make a buck are also wonderful ways to make you a richer (no pun intended) more well-rounded person. Luckily for you, we’ve listed some of them below.

1. Start a Business
Starting your own business is a wonderful way to bolster your income. Being your own boss can also do wonders for your mental state. Granted, there’s risk involved, but there are also serious benefits. If you want to pad your pockets, you’ll be glad to know your tax burden is decreased as a small-business owner. Plus, the IRS allows you to write off a greater number of expenses. Just follow the rules.

2. Learn to Earn
One of the most popular techniques for earning more is by furthering your training and education. Yes, it can cost you money now, but it will lead to higher wages and greater professional marketability. A 2003 U.S. Census Bureau study estimates that the median income for a high school graduate is $36,000 compared with $51,000 for someone with a bachelor’s degree and $79,000 for a master’s.

3. Learn a Second Language
Sure, we could get into a long discussion about how learning a foreign language will open all sorts of new doors for you, but the facts speak for themselves: Bilingual employees earn $5,000 to $7,000 more per year than their English-only counterparts. We think that will improve your well-being pretty quickly.

4. Don’t Pay the “Plain Penalty”
Did you know that how you present yourself has a direct correlation to your earnings potential? Well, it’s true. Nice threads can do more than make you feel like a million bucks. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found that well-dressed and neatly groomed people earned 5 percent more than their slouchy counterparts. You can’t change your DNA, but you can maximize your appearance. Do it. You’ll be (stylishly) laughing all the way to the bank.

Make sure to check out Dennis Waitley’s banner link on this blog!

In a world of too many options and too little time, our obvious choice is to just ignore the ordinary stuff. Marketing guru Seth Godin spells out why, when it comes to getting our attention, bad or bizarre ideas are more successful than boring ones…..you’re gonna LOVE this talk!!

Seth Godin just wrote a post on his blog about this and it made me remember a case study in my last class in my MBA program. It was from the Harvard Business Review in 2005 on a company called “Neptune Gourmet Seafood Class or Mass”. Where the concern was over abundance of supply caused some executives to consider slashing price and starting a low-price/generic brand….but their entire business model was built on decades of affluent positioning….and to abandon this would totally be a mistake, the recommendation I had in my case-study was to build on their brand!

Here’s a couple paragraphs from my case-study:

Finally, what initially looks like a supply side issue with executives screaming to slash prices to reduce inventory, I submit to you that this is more of an issue dealing with an opportunity to expand; not only into more markets, but expand the brand. One executive is pushing to create a low-price line of seafood, but this will be a mistake because their brand image will be lessened. I think they need to tread lightly in expanding to a low-price model. If they use the same quality seafood, call it “Neptune Silver”, and sell it at a cheaper price, people will notice the difference and start buying the lower price packaging, which in fact is the same product!
Inventory is overstocked at the moment, they now need to focus on expanding market share. Since they recently made the $9million investment in the new technology and freezing processes, they need to focus a new marketing campaign around these new features. They need to market to both NEW markets that they are not now in and also bolster their brand to become even more exclusive than it already is. Neptune should see this as an opportunity to drive revenues and profits, and in the process of expanding to new areas of the country with this increased affluent focus to their brand their supply issue will solve itself.
In the short-run they should clear out their supply by donating 50% of it to homeless shelters and other charities for not only the tax write-off, but also in conjunction with spotlighting their “Green” fishing methods, their marketing message to the ultra affluent will be well received.

What are your personal and business goals for this year and beyond?

What kind of growth and/or profit margin would you like to experience?

Get ready to take your business to the next level!
Introducing a systematic approach to building business and increasing profit margins brought to you by Total Marketing Toolbox.

The Success Coaching Program

Ever wonder why it is so hard to market your business?
You don’t have to look far to understand why this question is critical.
It really has to do with why people get into a sales business in the first place.

The World has Changed….are YOU prepared to adapt and succeed?

Years ago, it used to be that you could hang a sign outside the door, take out a yellow page ad, and business would flow in. Not any more. Now you have to keep the right information flowing out whether you’re just getting going or you’re an established business. This means having an active, dynamic marketing program that focuses on making your message STAND OUT!

Don’t kid yourself….you are in the marketing business!

And if you are not marketing your services literally everyday… you won’t be in business much longer!

What if marketing was easy and almost automatic?

What would happen if there were a proven system of generating new sales and relationships in your business?

What will you receive by joining the Total Marketing Toolbox Success Coaching Program?

1. One-on-one coaching to immediately analyze your Personal and Business goals. Completed MBA-level Business and Marketing Plan that lays out the company vision, goals, SWOT analysis (strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats) and existing marketing activities.
2. Action Plans customized for your business that includes suggested marketing strategies and tactics. This is the foundation that is the basis of the marketing program.
3. Two personal coaching sessions per month to facilitate progress and accountability.
4. Unlimited email support. You may email as many questions as you like and receive our promise of a return email or phone response in less than 48 hours of receiving your email.
5. Implementation of each of the latest, cutting-edge marketing tools detailed in the Total Marketing Toolbox….we’ll take the “learning curve” out of each tool and give you the Fast Start you need!  Customized and integrated specifically for your business industry and target audience. The result is that your marketing message will stand out from the competition!

OK…let’s get to the bottom line….what’s this going to cost?

I could start talking about how hiring a Success Coach will help you avoid hiring a full-time Marketing Manager for $80,000/yr.
Or how much we’ll add to your bottom line in revenues….so this small investment of $997/mo. will pay for itself!

But here’s the deal, I believe in providing so much value that everyone wins….and wins big!

So I will provide this one-on-one Success Coaching for 90 days for $77/mo.
no contracts….cancel anytime!

The reason for 90 days is that it gives enough time to get through the foundations of the programs. At that point you can try to continue on your own, or continue on to another 90 days to build to the next level.

Let me earn your trust and business!

E-mail me at TotalMarketingToolbox@comcast.net to schedule your initial consultation

Aweber, the industry leader in Mailing List Management, recently announced a complete redesign and the addition of an impressive Email Analytics package.

The new & improved Aweber offers an extensive Email Analytics package. It will tell you who clicks what, where they go on your website once they click the link in your email to send laser-targeted messages to individual segments of your list….can you say FOCUSED MARKETING??!!

New Features include:

• See exactly when subscribers click on links in your message so you can focus on the right time to send your message.
• Send a broadcast only to subscribers who didn’t open or click on your previous broadcast.
• Send an extra bonus offer to people who clicked your last email, but didn’t purchase
• Track sales revenue generated by each subscriber and send emails directly to your highest-value customers
• Send related offers to people who clicked in your last email - or each of your past few emails
• See what pages of your site subscribers go to after they sign up - even if they don’t use an email link to get there
• Segment your non-responsive subscribers and re-engage them (or if you prefer, remove them from your list)
• See which subscribers are responding to your campaigns — which messages they’re opening, which links they’re visiting, and where on your website they’re going after clicking through…

That’s a pretty powerful package, and those are just a few of the new features! Basically the new Aweber system lets you tailor your campaigns to segmented groups of subscribers, increasing your conversion rate and lowering your unsubscribe rate. You’ll be able to develop a closer relationship with your subscribers by customizing the messages that they receive.

So check out the new and improved aweber system today!

You can even take a Free test drive to see what you think!

I just read an awesome article by Brian Tracy from Success.com, here’s the summary!

Psychologist Abraham Maslow once wrote, “The story of the human race is the story of men and women selling themselves short.” The average person settles for far less than he or she is truly capable of achieving. The truth is we’re all extraordinary. You came into this world with more talents and abilities than you could ever use. You could not exhaust your full potential if you lived 100 lifetimes.

Your brain has 20 billion cells, each of which is connected to as many as 20 thousand other cells. The possible combinations and permutations of ideas, thoughts and insights that you can generate are equivalent to the number one followed by eight pages of zeros. According to brain expert Tony Buzan, this number is greater than all the molecules in the known universe.

In other words, whatever you have accomplished in life to this date is only a small fraction of what you are truly capable of achieving. The challenge is that you come into the world with no instruction manual. As a result, you have to figure it all out for yourself. Most people never do. They go through life doing the very best they can, but they never come within shouting distance of doing, having and being all that is possible for them.

In the Bible it says, “Ask and ye shall receive.” Develop the habit of asking everyone, and in every way possible, for the answers that you need to move ahead more rapidly. Read books on selling, and put into action what you learn. Listen to audio programs. Attend every sales seminar you can find. Continually ask other successful salespeople for advice. And ….most important…..develop the habit of immediately taking action on any advice or good idea that you receive!!

One of the most powerful aspects of Sales and Marketing success is your mindset, the way you approach life, business, opportunities as well as set-backs determines the level of success you will have!

Decades ago, Paul J. Meyer ran the #1 Personal development companies of it’s time and is considered to be the most influential person in the field of personal development by Success Magazine at Success.com

This is a short list that he considered his Million-Dollar Personal Success Plan:

Crystalize Your Thinking. Determine what specific goal you want to achieve. Then dedicate yourself to its attainment with unswerving singleness of purpose, the trenchant zeal of a crusader.

Develop a plan for achieving your goal, and a deadline for its attainment. Plan your progress carefully: hour by hour, day by day, month by month. Organized activity and enthusiasm are the wellsprings of your power.

Develop a sincere desire for the things you want in life. A burning desire is the greatest motivator of every human action. The desire for success implants “success consciousness,” which in turn creates a vigorous and ever-increasing “habit of success.”

Develop supreme confidence in yourself and your own abilities. Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths, instead of your weaknesses. Focus on your powers, instead of your problems.

Develop a dogged determination to follow through on your plan, regardless of obstacles, criticism or circumstances or what other people say, think or do. Opportunities never come to those who wait; they are captured by those who dare to attack.

Read more articles like this from Success.com

If you’ve been on the Internet at all over the past 10 years, you have seen Armand Morin whether you knew it or not. Either by seeing the end result of one of his many products, one of his student’s websites, or by simply seeing his name on hundreds of thousands of websites all over the Internet.

Do this, right now go to Google and type in Armand Morin.

Now go to Yahoo and do the same search.

Last time, do the same search on MSN.

In total, his name alone is on over 500,000 websites.

As you can see, Armand Morin is one of the most well known Internet Marketers in the world today. Having started online in 1996, his personal online businesses alone have generated over $35,000,000 in online revenue since then. This doesn’t include the millions of dollars his students have produced from his teachings.

Armand has taught tens of thousands of people his amazingly unique and proprietary Internet business building principles and strategies which work without fail for every single business who has implemented them.

It’s not uncommon to see Armand share the stage with other world famous marketers like, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Dan Kennedy, Jay Abraham, Alex Mandossian, Joe Polish, Jay Conrad Levinson, Mike Litman, T. Harv Ecker and many many more.

Armand Morin’s straight to the point teaching style which has the unique ability literally transform any business in 90 minutes or less has made him a requested speaker not only in the USA, but he also has a huge constituency in other parts of the world such as, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and in Singapore.

He has helped thousands of people from all walks of life to increase and enhance their online businesses through automation with his highly acclaimed Generator brand of software which is used by tens of thousands of people in 101 different countries.

So…Why should you care?

Because some of his products are the best on the market to increase sales….and they’re not just for internet marketers. As I’ve discussed on my blog here, traditional sales people and small business owners need to make their marketing message stand out and some of his tools are perfect for this. Make sure to re-read some of my posts on audio and video postcards and E-mail Auto-responders.

Make it a great day!