ActionCOACH Tells Top Tips at Shenandoah Valley Technology Council Luncheon 

Originally titled the "Top 11 Tips for Business Owners in These Economic Times," ActionCOACH speaker Johnnie Barr implemented Tip #3 and added more value by presenting a baker's dozen of helpful tips for SVTC members at the Wood Grill in Harrisonburg last Thursday.

There is no doubt that getting your business through tough economic times requires a bit of cutting edge and what Grandma called "elbow grease."  The trademark tips facilitated fruitful discussion among members over extra helpings (how can you eat just one plate at the Wood Grill?), as ideas and mentalities were openly shared from the years of cumulative experience present in the dining room. 

Developing a "thrive mentality" in today's economy seemed to be the imperative springboard from which the remaining tips took flight.  In the words of Billy Ocean, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going,"  and the following tips provided by ActionCOACH are designed to get today's business owners "going" on gaining that competitive edge... 

ActionCOACH's Top 13 Tips for Business Owners in These Economic Times:

Develop a thrive mentality 
(Tips:)  Network, Focus on successes

Recognize that you need more...
Activity, Business, Upselling, Relationship building, Improvement on conversion rates, Repeat sales, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.!           

Add more value  
(Tips:) Give customers more "face time;" learn and meet their needs, Form strategic alliances, Find/create services or products that are of small value to you and have large perceived value to the client/customer, Provide consulting svcs., Exceed client/customer expectations

Review all aspects of your business from a financial perspective
Does revenue exceed cost? Do you need to reduce costs? (Tips:) Know your break even & cash flow amounts on a daily basis. Assess expenses, vendors, employees, payment plans, financial statements, inventory, etc. 

Be creative
How do you stand out in the marketplace?  (Tips:) Involve employees for ideas, barter services

Develop and expand your marketing efforts
Marketing is an investment -- are you getting a good return?  (Tips:) Continue marketing to clients/customers after the sale, Follow through

Work on yourself
You are the lid of your organization.  It can't get any better than you are.

Train your team
(Tips:) Evaluate/implement training resources and incentive programs

Review your delivery and distribution systems
(Tips:) Assess and strengthen staff on phone etiquette, customer service skills, dress and behavior. Collect client/customer surveys. Develop and strengthen company image.

Be efficient and effective
Effectiveness=doing the right things
Efficiency=doing things right

Get over it
Events + Responses = Outcome
Events you can't control.  Responses you can.

Get a coach...
Who can see your blind spots and serve as a sounding board and mentor.

Have fun!
With your employees, with your family, for yourself!  "If you love what you do and you do what you love, you never go to work."

Contact T-Ann Johnson to receive ActionCOACH's White Paper covering the subject of Thursday's luncheon, at tannjohnson@actioncoach.com or (540)885-8181.