What’s in your email address?

Did you know that your email address can affect your business reputation, can help build business relationships and have an effect on your business? Think about the email addresses you see coming into your Inbox. Do you have a different impression of a new contact if their email address is @yahoo.com or @hotmail.com or @gmail.com? I know I do. I look twice. Sometimes I delete the email as spam. I also wonder if they really have a business.

When you own a business you need to have a web presence. It gives you credibility. It’s your online brochure. You can even get business directly from your website. At this point most of us know that we have to have a website. Yet, I receive business cards weekly from people that have a website address listed on their business card AND still have their local provider email or free email account. If you own a domain that is part of your business, add an email account and gain credibility.

There are several good reasons to have an email account from your domain:

1. Your professional email can clarify who you are and your business.
2. It gives people a domain to look at for more information about you even if you haven’t given them the web address.
3. Your professional email builds your reputation and legitimacy. When an email comes in from a generic free email provider it is unclear if your business is genuine.
4. Your email address advertises your website. When you see my email address @compassroseconsulting.com, you know that I also have a website at that address. Even if you don’t know me you can check my website and choose to do business with me as a result.
5. Credibility = trustworthiness; integrity; sincerity; reliability. Aren’t these the types of qualities that your company represents? That free email could be dwindling each of these qualities in the eyes of the beholder.

Building a simple, professional web page is achievable with site builder tools, templates and easy to use software programs. Setting up your professional email address is a simple 1, 2, 3 process. First, buy a domain if you don’t already have one. Second, set up a hosting account. Third, set up your new email account with your domain.

Most hosting companies offer a web mail version where you can check your email online or you can set up your email program such as Outlook to receive the email.

Remember, to always add a signature to your emails that includes your contact information, another credibility feature of email. It’s something that people look at to again, determine if the email is legitimate or not. When a business owner is emailing me and wanting me to take some type of action in response to their email, if there is no indication of who they are and their contact info, then my action is “delete”.

Each detail of your business affects your credibility. Look at all the details as you build your business.

Check out my new Free Report: 8 Keys to Business Success at: www.strugglingsmallbusiness.com

All the best,

Donna

Where have I been??

Wow! I can't believe that it is almost the end of February and I have been so out of touch with you!! I have been working on several new projects that I will tell you about. But first I want to share what is included in this newsletter:

1. Effective Small Business Training Available for you
2. Things happening around New Jersey
3. Article: Creating A Breakthrough
4. Next Week
5. Where I’ve been and where I am going!!

Enjoy!

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Effective Small Business Program:
Last year I hosted three tele-classes to celebrate my 4 year in business anniversary. They were great workshops both in person and via tele-class. They are now available to you as a set. Today you can buy the set.

http://www.launchingyourdreams.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=13&c=2371

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Things Happening Around New Jersey:

I am the President Elect of NJAWBO and we are hosting an incredible Boot Camp.
Here are the details:

2nd Annual Business Boot Camp
Offered by NJAWBO - Sussex-Warren Chapter Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Open to all business owners, both men and women
Participant Admittance: $69 / for the full day!
We are pleased to host this second annual event with Centenary College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Centenary College's main campus. Join Us on March 29, 2008 for the Sussex-Warren Business Boot Camp!
Location: Centenary College, 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, NJ
Directions: http://www.njawbosw.org/cgi-bin/01Calendar/EventDtls/Bootcamp/05Directions.asp

Once again, we’ve put together a great variety of experienced business experts for you to benefit from at the 2008 Business Boot Camp!

Fill your day with…

Up to three 20 minute private consultations with professionals such as:
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Representative, Business and Management Coaches, NJAWBO's Women's Business Center Director, Human Resources Expert, Accountant, Lawyer, Web Professional, College Learning Center Professional, Sales Consultants, Insurance Agent, U.S Post Office Business Development Manager

What questions will you want answered in your 20 minute private sessions?

Plus take part in an unlimited number of presentation sessions in our multiple one-hour time slots.

Presentation titles include:

3 Steps To 3 New Clients In 30 Days
7 Fatal Mistakes Business Owners Make (*and How To Avoid Them) ABC’s And D Of Starting A New Business
Action: The Blueprint For Success
Boost Your Bottom Line - Marketing Essentials Business Loans For The Small Business Owner Totaling about 30 presentation titles....

Plus
Easy Steps to Complying with Small Business Taxes
(A Three Hour Special Program you can choose to participate in)

And take some time to network and share ideas with other new and seasoned business owners.

To learn more about the Business Boot Camp visit:

• Our website at http://www.njawbosw.org/
(List of Experts and links to their business and individual profiles,
Workshop Details, Presentation Schedule, and more)

* To Register, go to:
http://www.njawbosw.org/cgibin/01Calendar/EventDtls/Bootcamp/01Registration.asp

We accept all major credit cards and payment via PayPal.
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Article:Creating a Breakthrough

How do you create a breakthrough in your business or your life? it's hard to see the possibility, to see that you can create a breakthrough, especially when times feel hard or tough but what it comes down to is getting out of your own way. How do you stop your own success? Do you sabotage yourself? Jinny Ditzler, in her book, "Your Best Year Yet" outlines a process for shifting your paradigm. As a program leader of the Best Year Yet program, I have seen this shift happen over and over. What I have witnessed is people creating break throughs by looking at themselves, their beliefs and their behaviors. How do you do this?

First is understanding:
Beliefs lead to behaviors which produce results.

So often, when we aren't achieving what we want and need we change our behavior. Underlying our behavior are our beliefs. If those beliefs are limiting beliefs then we must shift and change the belief. Since we are in charge of our beliefs we do have the power and the ability to make this change. First, look at your behaviors. What are the behaviors that limit your success? Some limiting behaviors that I see with business owners are: procrastination, not following up with leads, not asking for referrals. The next part of the process is to look at the underlying belief. What do you say to yourself about the behaviors? In essence what do say to yourself: that inner voice; that justifies the behavior: the excuses for the behavior. Now, some of these excuses are things that you believe to be true. Perhaps you are telling yourself -- they are only going to say no, or I'm not good enough, or they won't buy. What are your limiting beliefs?

Shift the beliefs

The key to the breakthrough is to shift the belief. This is more than positive affirmations. This is taking control of your inner dialogue and changing it. Often our inner voice is saying things to us we wouldn't allow people to say to our children. The trick is to replace the inner dialogue with more empowering dialogue and stop the negative talk. if you are telling yourself you aren't good enough, then how will people believe you are? In Jinny Ditzler's book, “Your Best Year Yet” she recommends creating a new empowering paradigm that is positive, short, written in the present tense. A new paradigm for the example we have been working on could be: "I am more than enough".
How do you live the new paradigm: because that is really the key. It is a great first step to identify how you are getting in your own way or sabotaging yourself. It's not enough. Creating the new paradigm is another great step. Living the new paradigm is the real key. Read the new empowering belief everyday, several times per day. Use the new words for your inner dialogue when the old inner chatter appears. Take control of the inner dialogue. Post the new empowering paradigm where you can see it several times per day. You can also write about how it is impacting your life. Journal about how changing your paradigm produces different results. Always write in the present tense, as if those results are happening right now. Practice your new paradigm. You can also create a CD with a brief meditation that talks about your new paradigm and the changes that have taken place.

The bottom line is that you are in control of creating the breakthrough. A coach can help you figure out the paradigm, and keep it on track. Use the tools that you have to create your breakthrough results.

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Next Week:

Next week – I am working really hard to launch a GREAT new program called Accelerated Marketing Mentorship. It is going to fun, easy, affordable and will help you accelerate your business results!! You see I haven’t been just sitting here eating bon, bons! I’ve been working.... I can’t wait to tell you more about it. I am excited about it and think you will be too. It will launch early next week, so watch you in box. The initial launch is a BETA launch and is limited to 100 people. Then it will go into a full phase launch and 200 additional people will admitted BUT the price will increase for the full phase launch. The BETA folks will lock in their charter price and will have opportunities to help in refining the program. That’s it – I can’t say more. Watch your email.


Opportunity # 2: I am so excited about the small business group that is coming together for March. This group is a combination "in-person" and telephone conference call group. We are starting March 15th. There is room for 3 additional businesses. The folks that have signed up right now are ready to take their businesses to new levels. They are motivated, excited and want to be part of a group that will help them succeed. IF, you feel that you are ready to jump into this incredible group then just let me know! I have 3 spaces left. The energy around this group is contagious AND these 3 spots will also fill quickly. Will there be another group if you hesitate? Well...I wouldn't wait to see. The energy in this group is energy you want to be a part of.

http://www.launchingyourdreams.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=15&c=2371

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What have I been doing?

I have been working on two new books – one a very personal story and the other – business building of course. I am also in the process of revising my book Launching Your Dream. You know, it is based on my story of taking an idea – biking across the country – and living the dream. The book tells bits of the biking story but whenever I present to groups about it, they always have questions about the bike trip. So, I am adding more stories from the bike trip. It is quite fun remembering and writing about it again. I can’t wait to get out and ride!

As you can see I have been busy. I look forward to hearing from you.

Have an incredible day, building your success for 2008.

All the best,

Donna

P.S. I hope you have an incredible day, please let me know if there is an area of your business building that I can help with....


Donna Price
Compass Rose Consulting, LLC
PO Box 615
Branchville, NJ 07826

973-948-7673


Everyday is a good day to live the vision and dream.....

Full Moon on Blue Monday

According to the evening news, today, January 22nd, is Blue Monday. I had never heard of Blue Monday before. What is it? What does it mean? It is a day that experts say is the "unhappiest" day of the year. This is based on a mathematical calculation taking into account the time since Christmas and incoming shopping bills, winter weather, and failed New Year's resolutions. Add these factors altogether and you end up with Blue Monday. As I drove to pick up our car from the mechanic tonight (adding to our piling bills and blueness I guess), our daughter watched the full moon, asking: "why is the moon following us?" She continued, "I've been watching it and first it was on that side and now it is over there. It's following us, how does it do that?" What a wonderful perspective.

How does a following full moon affect us on Blue Monday? I love full moons. For me they represent hope, wonder and potential. Perhaps the Blue Monday is all perspective too. The weather can get you down. I love the snow and am disappointed at each snow storm that doesn't materialize. I dream of snow pack, shovelling, cross country skiing and sledding. If anything it's the weather that's too nice that doesn't fit the season that is depressing, at least for me, in January. Come March, I'm with the rest of you, dreaming of beaches.

Mounting bills, well, that is cause for blueness, or for better planning. Taking control of money, planning can alleviate this blueness. What a great time of year to start planning for next year's holidays. Of course, pay the current bills, and then set up a savings plan. I'm doing this too. We need to be saving each month for next year. This year we set up a budget and a plan. It's part of the coaching program.

New Year's Resolutions are a favorite. We each have such good intentions at the New Year of making this year different. There are some real keys to creating success and follow through with New Year's resolutions and goals. My favorites are:

• Write your goals down
• Post them where you can see them, keep track of your actions.
• Tell people about your goals and vision -- it deepens your commitment AND can build alliances with other resources that will help you.
• Hire a coach to help you stay focused on your plan
• Find a friend or buddy that you can talk to each week about what you are doing.
• Write down your action plan and your accomplishments (big and small).
• Develop a story of vision of the end of the year having accomplished all of your goals. Include as many details as you can. Read it at least weekly.

Blue Monday, with a Full Moon doesn't have to be the most unhappy day of the year. Each of us has the ability to take charge of our lives, our actions and even our perspectives. I say our perspectives because we can't change the weather but we can create our perspective to one of positive optimism.

Create your own healthy Monday.

All the best,

Donna

Optimizing Your Website

Optimizing your website is one of the keys to your success online. I build my own sites and a few others, and I am working on optimizing my site as well. I found a great tool that's free. It's so good I'm looking at the paid versions now to see what other bells and whistles it has. My site jumped in it's ranking from 0 to 3 from using WebCEO. I plan to jump even higher. I hope you consider it!!





Check it out!! It is easy to use and it works.

Donna

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to begin reflecting on the year and being grateful that all has been accomplished. Each year, at this time, I begin looking at what I accomplished. What went well. Its a time to celebrate all that has happened and learn from what isn't quite right. It always amazes me what has been accomplished. Often as a small business owner, it can feel like nothing is happening, that the wheels are just spinning with no results. When I look at my list, I realize that much has happened and there is a great deal to be thankful for.

Some of the highlights of my year were:

• celebrated 4 years in business and had a great open house celebration. (I'm taking it virtual in December)
  
• added new clients
• developed an incredible Business and Marketing Mentorship program
• had the opportunity to facilitate leadership development and strategic planning sessions with non profit boards and leadership teams
• joined the Board of Directos of a non profit organization
• enjoyed our first camping trip and biking trip with our girls
• bought a new house and moved just before school started
• and many, many more!

This year at Thanksgiving we have a thanksgiving basket with slips of paper for each person throughout the day and the weekend to add the things they are grateful for.

Taking the time to remember, celebrate and be thankful is the essence of the holiday, but as a business coach I would say that it is also the essence of building a successful business.

Take a few minutes this holiday weekend to reflect on your year! I'm sure you will see great things that have happened.

Virtual Open House

Virtual Open House Scheduled

I am excited to let you know that my company, Compass Rose Consulting, LLC is celebrating 4 years in business as of August 30. I am a bit delayed in the actual celebration due to my recent move to a new house, on that very day!! But we are ready to celebrate now, and you are invited.

I am hosting a Virtual Open House Celebration throughout December.

Last month I held an Open House here in New Jersey. We had a great time. Twenty eight business owners and professionals joined me for a day of workshops, networking and great food. There was lots of learning, connecting and fun. The Virtual Open House offers 3 incredible workshops. Each with a valuable workbook. Register and receive the workbook for all three!! You will receive the call in details for each workshop and come to one or all -- it's your choice. You will also receive info to listen to the workshops later, if you can't make the call.

The Schedule

December 3rd, 2008 12-1:30 PM Eastern

The Marketing Puzzle: You get to put together your own marketing puzzle – learn strategies for filling your marketing funnel.

December 10th, 2008 12-1:30 PM Eastern

Envision: A powerful workshop focused on vision. Your personal vision, your company vision: creating success starts with your compelling vision. If you haven’t looked at your vision in a while this is a great time to revisit it, refine it and get yourself moving in an accelerated way towards it.

December 17th, 2008 12 - 1:30 PM Eastern

Internet Marketing Strategies—is your web presence working? This workshop will give you powerful tools for improving your web presence and using your internet marketing.

To register for the workshops via tele-class visit:Compass Rose Consulting

Hope to see you there!!
Donna

Open House Events

Dear Business Colleague,

I am excited to let you know that my company, Compass Rose Consulting, LLC is celebrating 4 years in business as of August 30th. I am a bit delayed in the actual celebration due to my recent move to a new house, on that very day!! But we are ready to celebrate now, and you are invited.

I am hosting an Open House Celebration throughout the day on November 1st, 2007, from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM, at Olde Lafayette Village, Town Hall Building (in the center of the mall) Lafayette, NJ. I’ve enclosed your special guest pass and three additional passes for your friends, family, and business colleagues. This is an opportunity for you to introduce them to coaching and the services we offer.

The Open House Celebration is going to be fun-filled and info-filled with 3 mini-workshops, networking, give-aways and of course some food and refreshments.

I’m giving away 20 copies of my book: “Launching Your Dream” and 10 copies of the book that I am a contributing author to, “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life” as well as chances to win the complete “Launching Your Dream” Multi-Media Kit, and a 3 month coaching package.

You and each of your guests will receive a complimentary coaching session that they can schedule at the event or following the event and you will all receive a program book with info for each mini-workshop!

Join me and many local business people for networking, learning and celebrating!

Please RSVP to: 973-948-7673. I need to have enough materials and food for each person coming!! Thanks.

All the best,

Donna
Donna Price

See the back for the full schedule of events.

Compass Rose Consulting, LLC Open House Celebration

Schedule of Events:

8:30 – 9:00 Registration, Coffee/Tea & Continental Breakfast, Networking

9:00 – 10:00 Mini Workshop: The Marketing Puzzle: You get to put together your own marketing puzzle – learn strategies for filling your marketing funnel.
9:45 – 10:15 Networking

10:00 – 11:00 Mini Workshop: Envision: A powerful workshop focused on vision. Your personal vision, your company vision: creating success starts with your compelling vision. If you haven’t looked at your vision in a while this is a great time to revisit it, refine it and get yourself moving in an accelerated way towards it.

11:00 -11:15 Networking / Refreshments

11:15 – 12:00 Mini-Workshop: Internet Marketing Strategies—is your web presence working? This workshop will give you powerful tools for improving your web presence and using your internet marketing.

12:00 – 12:45 Lunch – Join us for a light lunch of sandwiches, salad....

12:45 – 1:15 Mini-Workshop: Top strategies for Building High Performing Teams– This workshop was developed for leaders that are working with their leadership teams and work teams but aren’t producing the results they need. Learn how to get your team on board and producing.

1:15 – 2:00 Open forum: Questions, answers, networking – with a focus on developing business success – what’s working, what’s not. Join the conversation in this open forum discussion.

As you can see, the day is filled with opportunity for learning, networking and connecting. Join me and the many others that will be there. You will receive a comprehensive program book with note sheets for each workshop, coupons, and lots of great information and business networking.

Space is limited, so make your reservation today. You can come for the whole day or just stop in for a mini-workshop and coffee. Just let me know your plan. I want to have enough materials for you and your guests.


Please RSVP to: 973-948-7673. I need to have plenty for everyone!

Not in New Jersey -- Well I'm offering two of these workshops via teleclass!!! So, don't feel left out. You can be part of the fun. Visit my site for the details: Open House


Sign up today!!

Why Coaching?

As a business and life coach I say of course coaching. But just like you, not that long ago I was new to the idea of coaching. I thought -- why coaching? What I have discovered in my own coaching work with clients and with my coaches is this: coaching works. Clients gain different things from coaching. To distill it down to a few areas they would be: focus, clarity, accelerated accomplishment and follow-through.

I always thought of coaches as baseball coaches or football coaches. Since I don't play sports, what could I possibly work on with a coach and would it really make a difference? The goals that clients work on with coaches run the gamut:

• starting a new business
• business development
• marketing strategies
• achieving life/work balance
• career transition
• achieving something extraordinary

Focus: Coaching assists in gaining focus. We each gain that for ourselves especially around New Year's. A time of year that we take the time to reflect and plan. Having focus involves those two elements, reflection and planning. But with New Year's resolutions they often fall aside as the year goes along. The coach assists to maintain the focus over time. In initial coaching sessions that is much of what is discussed.

Clarity: Clarity actually comes first I think. It comes back to the vision and what that compelling vision is for your life or business or both. I find that vision is at the core of my work all the time. Organizations and individuals need a clear and compelling vision. Creating that vision is at the core of clarity -- where are you trying to go? Vision gives you the map, the destination. Visions can be enhanced and modified along the way, they aren't written in stone. It's yours.

Accelerated Accomplishment: Coaching keeps the you, the client, on track so that projects are accomplished, faster and more efficiently than before. Many call this accountability. Having someone to check in with helps to maintain that focus and follow-through that you need in order to accomplish what you set out to.
Continuous action planning with your coach provides you a framework for moving goals forward quickly.

The results of the coaching relationship are many. Achievement, success, better productivity, and usually feeling good about yourself, which is a great bonus! Lives change with coaching.
Coaches offer coaching in so many different ways. How do you figure out the right path for you? Listen to your inner wisdom and pick the approach that will work best for you.

Individual Coaching -- many coaches offer individual coaching via telephone or in person. Coaching by phone is easy and convenient as it saves time for both the client and the coach. Relationships are built effectively via the phone. Tools such as email also enhance the coaching experience allowing the coach to easily send the client tools they can use for things such as goal planning.

Group Coaching -- some coaches offer group coaching. Groups also meet either in person or via phone using a conference call line. Groups are typically small: 6-8 people.

Individual vs. group -- I love both. I am in a group and have an individual coach. I also love working with groups and individuals. Groups offer the benefit of the members of the group: shared experience; shared learning. You receive input and feedback from the group. Individual coaching provides you with more focused attention and coaching.

Meeting Regularly via phone or in person -- 3 meetings a month is ideal. The progress is accelerated and results happen more quickly.

Monthly meetings-- if they are very targeted and focused will also produce results.

Coaching Gym -- this is a really unique approach. With the coaching gym you get a member's pass and have access to your coach during specified hours one day per week. Calls are typically 15 minutes or less.

Why coaching? Coaching is about action, taking intentional action. A good coach helps you to tap into your own inner coach and produce the results that you want. As the client, you do the work and are in charge of creating your own results.

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Compass Rose Consulting can provide each of these coaching approaches. In addition, we offer a proven coaching curriculum that provides an extraordinary framework for working together.

For more information about CRC's coaching services schedule your complimentary conditional consult today. Seriously, the complimentary session is great. You will receive real coaching for a full half hour. Complete our self coaching form to get started. Because our time is valuable we only schedule 4 complimentary sessions each week. Schedule yours today.

Moving

As the seasons change once again there is change in life as well. Here in New Jersey we have just moved to a new house. A goal we started working on last November. It is quite an accomplishment. We had been trying to buy our new house (actually very old, built in 1800's), since November and we finally pulled the deal together. As we packed and moved last weekend it has given me time to reflect on life. One thing that came jumping out was living simply. We know that our life is not simple, yet compared to many it is quite simple. Yet, in packing there was and is too much stuff. Piles upon piles of things. Overwhelming really. As we loaded the truck again and again I really connected with how much we had accumulated. Amazing really. I biked cross country 12 years ago and all of my things fit in one small room. Not anymore. If you think you are living simply I suggest moving just to check it out.

But as we moved we work to simplify, reduce and make sure that we need all that we have.

Did you make mistakes starting your business??

A friend and colleague emailed me that she's starting her own business and asked for my advice. It made me think about what I did right and what mistakes I made in starting my own business. I came up with my sage advice for her:


Some of the things that I wish I had done better -- were:

Number 1 and the biggest is the books. Right from the start set your bookkeeping up right. use a program like Quickbooks. I think I have every program except Quickbooks and there are many other good ones. I hear most people using Quickbooks. I use Microsoft Small Business Accounting. One of my greatest weaknesses in tracking money. This has been a challenge for me. I have studied the concepts and understand the bookkeeping. I have a couple of great books that I recommend, BUT they are packed for our move! I will add them to my blog once we unpack.

Operationalize! Creating effective and efficient operational procedures from the beginning is a key to success. Once you have them, you can tweak them as you need to. Operational procedures will aid you as you grow. They lay the foundation of how you do business and give your staff a framework to work in. Write down the procedures and keep them all in a centrally located binder. But also important is to follow them!! Many people create systems and then don't follow them, and then they create a new system and don't follow it. Give your systems a chance to work and don't waste all your time creating and recreating.

Build a website. I prefer building my own because I can update it easily. There are some great tools now for building your own site with little knowledge of the HTML code. It's important to have a professional looking site and one that offers great content. Adding content regularly also helps the site to remain interesting for people to revisit and also have a better page rank. the site builder tool that I am using right now is: Site Sell. Part of what I like about it is the extensive training they provide via video tutorials. If you have never built a site this program can really teach you more than the basics. The other feature is the tools for researching and optimizing your site.

Be ready to wear many hats and figure out how to love them all. As a business owner of a small business owner you often are wearing the hats of service provider, marketing director, business development, finance director, janitor, bookkeeper, webmaster, networker, sales manager and more.... So many of the business owners I work with say they hate marketing or sales. You have to find a way to love each part of your business if you don't have the resources to outsource those things. If you do have the resources then by all means outsource!

Work on your marketing plan. How will you get clients? Why you instead of all the other service providers on the corner will people pick you? What's your unique selling proposition? If you are new to business and new to marketing, this could be the most important piece of your planning. Marketing, becasue without clients/customers, you don't have a business!! Develop a complete plan including a comprehensive follow-up plan.

Network everywhere and have a postcard or memorable business card to hand out. My business card is orange and often when I hand it to someone they recognize it and say, oh I have your card and I get your newsletter! Make your materials memorable.

Over deliver to your clients and take care of them when they make referrals to you. We call this "wowing your clients". Go above and beyond what they expect. This will keep them happy and keep them talking about you and your business. When people are "wowed" they will tell their friends and you will increase your business! This fits in with a good customer service approach. And, when they do refer people to you, say "thank you". Don't forget to say thank you. You can also give them a gift, a free service, a significant service discount or other reward for their efforts to help you build your business!

What lessons have you learned? Let me know by emailing me at: info@compassroseconsulting.com

To learn more about each of these lessons join the Business and Marketing Mentorship where I will guide you through developing an effective strategy and marketing approach.

To your business success!
Donna

Are you laughing at work?

I was at a networking meeting last night with a group of women in business. It's a fun, high energy networking group called Are You a B-Girl?. Well, last night the theme was how serious we each are in our work. Children laugh throughout their day, maybe 100 or 200 times each day. As a parent of a three year old and five year old I find that is really true. They laugh alot and we laugh alot together. But adults on average laugh 10 or less times each day. Wow, what a difference.

I know as a coach I talk with clients about life balance. And, I talk about play. It's something that I have had to consiously work at myself lately. It definitely is challenging parenting, running a business, being a significant other, a family member and all of the different roles we each have in our lives. One of my intentions is to create a life that includes play and laughter and is balanced. The question at the the networking meeting about serious we each are was another opportunity to look at how I am doing. Am I living my passion? Am I creating the lifestyle that I intend?

My evaluation of myself is that I have to continue to focus on being intentional. I am creating the business of my dreams, doing great work and constantly learning and expanding. I am playing and laughing alot this summer. Swimming and beaching and taking time off. BUT, I am not laughing enough at "work". That will be my new focus -- being sure that I'm not too serious at "work".

What about you? Do you laugh at work? Are you passionate about the work that you are doing? Do you love going to work or are you dreading it?

Be intentional in how you create your work and figure out how to include play and laughter.

All the best,
Donna

We're Moving!

Wow, what a summer. We have been working to buy a different house since November. We found a great house that we fell in love with. We made an offer and quickly put our house on the market. Well, the market isn't great. People looked but offers didn't come. Well the short version is that we had a contract on our dream house, lost the contract, almost had a second contract, lost that one, and NOW, we have a contract. Still hurdles to jump! Inspections have to happen and a new septic needs to be installed. Meanwhile we are packing.

Packing and moving has been an interesting conversation at our house. We have a three year old and five year old. I find it amazing to watch how children put things together. The questions have revolved around what stays and what goes. It's been hard for them to figure out what is ours to move and what is part of the house that we leave for new owners. Some examples for you:

• "Mom, do we pack the windows?" No, the windows stay. "And the doors?" Yes, the doors stay too"
• "Will we take the cats" Yes, the cats go.
• Panicked: "What about my animals?" (stuffed animals) They all go. We are bringing all of your things.

After getting clearer on moving we have new packing helpers.

We're still trying to sell our house! A beautiful Victorian, that we love and will miss. Check it out: http://www.nj-country-home-for-sale.com/.

As we get closer to the move it becomes more real, more exciting and there is still way too much to pack!!

And in the midst of it all, business goes on. I am excited about the launch of a new mentoring program this fall. It is really a culmination of training, experience and coaching all into one great program of business marketing, business strategies and coaching throughout.

www.compassroseconsulting.com/business-marketing-mentorship.html

Summer is also filled with time at the beach, swimming in the pool, biking, hiking and boating. In the midst of moving, business and daily life there has to be fun. Are you taking time out for play time. Are you creating a work environment that is filled with fun too!

Watch for my next post -- all about laughing.

To your summer success,
Donna

Is your website working?

Is your website working for you? I am a student of the Internet and getting my website to work is one of the things that I work at each day. For me developing and maintaining my sites has been a key. I use a wide array of tools. Some of them I want to share with you but they are not quite ready!!

My main site is Compass Rose Consulting. It's my branding site. It has tons of information and is always getting more!! This site was designed by a great web designer in such a way that I could maintain it. I use FrontPage as my HTML editor. I love FrontPage because it is basically easy to use and I can create what I need to with it. I've used it to develop numerous squeeze pages as well: www.launchingyourdreams.com and www.buildyourbusinesssuccessnow.com. Each of these are set up to connect people to my newsletter.

The other tool that I have used recently is Sales Letter Generator. It has helped me to develop sales letters. Part of what I like about this tool is that as the writer you fill in boxes and then the software formats the sales page and it looks similar to many others out there. I usually do a bit of editing and formatting of the sales letter page with FrontPage. Here are the two you can check out.
www.coachingstaffforsuccess.com
and www.mentoringwinners.com

The new tools that I'm using are site builder tools built into the hosting package. I like the program that Ken Evoy has set up because it offers many tools within the tool, especially for optimizing the site. I'm helping other people set up their sites with this tool too. My new site is:
www.leadership-success-strategies.com. It's in its infancy. It needs more content, but it too is a growing site with more and more visitors. And now, you're heading there too! The Site Builder tool here is so comprehensive, it includes optimization tools, research tools, auto-responders, blog and easily connects you with pay per click vendors, all in one package, all on one control panel. Check them out: Site Builder.

But making each of them work, that's the real challenge. I have lots of sites now, but which ones work. Well, to be honest, some of them didn't work. My evaluation, focus and get one working and once you have the formula you can work on the others. The formula I'm using right now:

1. articles -- my goal is to write several articles each week and submit them
2. blog- update the blog regularly
3. press releases - when ever their is an opportunity send out a press release
4. links -- use my directory submitter to get as many links out there as possible. I use Directory Submitter it's easy to use and effective. They've also just added tons of new directories.

And, I continue to evaluate my strategy and execution.

So, is your website working? Are you working to make it work? Are you in control or are you counting on someone else to get it to work? With the strategies I've listed above, you can make your site work yourself, with a web designer creating your website and you getting the traffic to it. Let's face it, a site that works, is a site that has traffic.

My new program, starting soon -- The Business and Marketing Mentorship is going to give you many strategies and tools to get your site working for you.

All the best,
Donna

Are you using the Internet to it's greatest capacity for your business? To be successful, every business needs a website. At least one page, but really much more than that. Customers and clients look for your website and they make some of their decisions based on what they see on your site. It is your on-line information brochure! BUT, it has the ability to be so much more than that. With your website you can begin the process of building a relationship and building rapport. Good content, good information that is valuable to your customers is essential. When people see that you offer value, then they come back for more AND, they are willing to give you their contact info. If they see that you can help them in some way solve an issue or problem -- then you have successfully answered the "What's in it for me?" question.



Capturing their information gives you the ability to be in touch with them after they leave your site and to invite them back to your site when there is new valuable information.



Evaluate your business and determine -- am I using my website and my Internet presence to the greatest potential?



Can I sell products or services on line?

Do I have clients that would shop on line when they can't get to me directly?

Do I have clients, prospects that I could build rapport with over time via my site or via email?

Do I have information of value for prospects, or clients?



These are just a few of the questions you can begin asking to evaluate your use of the Internet.

Check back here again for valuable tips on putting your website together!!



All the best,

Donna

Two New Success Opportunities!!

I am so excited to have two new programs starting in July!! The first is one I have been pondering for months. It came up after reading several really good books on leadership and business. I just wanted to share them with everyone. I decided to do just that! You can join my new Leader's Book Club. It's starting in mid July and the first book is "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni. The club will meet twice per month and the goal is to put the ideas in the books, which are great, into action. How many books do you read where you think -- this would be great, and then life takes over and you don't ever get a chance to take action. Well, this club is about action. Learning and action. The tele-class calls will give everyone a chance to talk about the actions they have taken or their ideas for taking action.

And the cost -- well, it's minimal -- $15.00 per month for two club meetings. Yes, only $15 per month. Join me -- we are going to have fun!

http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/leaders-book-club.html

Join the Leader's Book Club Today!!

Ok, the other opportunity -- is my new Business and Marketing Mentorship. This program is incredible because it combines goal setting, strategic planning with marketing training and implementation. So, those are all the features --- what are the benefits-- well you will increase your business, work more efficiently, and balance your time between work, play and family better. This 4 month mentorship program combines training and mentoring/coaching. You will learn new ideas and new skills, have time to implement them and get feedback from the program leader as well as the other participants. We are offering this program to associations here in New Jersey for their members. People in similar businesses can teach and collaborate with each other on so many things. And, I am offering it via tele-class and discussion forum. Both are starting in July. Right now we have two groups forming here in New Jersey -- one for holistic health practitioners and one for artists. The tele-class will be open to all business owners.

For all of the details:
http://www.compassroseconsulting.com/business-marketing-mentorship.html

I am excited to be offering both programs and would love to have you join us!

Talk with you soon.
All the best,

Donna

Growing the Seeds of Your Business, Nurturing the Blossoms

Growing the Seeds of Your Business: Nurturing the Blossoms
Donna L. Price
Compass Rose Consulting, LLC
Copyright © 2007, Donna Price

Growing a business takes time and commitment and for most it means new clients/customers. New clients or customers, means obtaining new contacts or new leads. There are many ways to develop new business leads. As you obtain a lead or prospect they need to be nurtured. Leads or prospects can come from your own networking, referrals from current clients/customers, advertising, workshops and presentations; Business Expo’s or trade shows, to name just a few sources.

One of the biggest mistakes that business owners make is to get leads and then drop them. Business cards are collected and then nothing is done with them. They go into a drawer or even worse -- the garbage. Valuable time is spent networking or doing a presentation or standing at your booth at a business expo and then if there is no follow-up it was almost a total waste. I have done this myself, but not anymore. It is not worth my time or money if I am not going to follow up. I have also witnessed and experienced the lack of follow up over and over again with other business owners. I have attended many networking meetings and Business Expo’s/trade shows and given my business card to each business there. I typically only receive one or two follow up notes or calls, tops! I remember making follow up calls to people after an event and receiving great feedback from them that I had called. One person said she was going to refer to me just because I had followed up with her and that I was the only person that had called from the event. Certainly there is still benefit to you in building relationships and getting exposure for your business but if you want to accelerate the response you want to do good follow-up.

There are many ways you can nurture the relationships that are just being formed. Like a seed planted, you need to water the seed, fertilize the seed. Send a personal note following your first meeting. A handwritten note with no sales pitch, just “nice to meet you” is memorable and will gain you recognition. Share an article, a tip sheet as a second follow-up. No matter what your business you can develop a tip sheet. The top ten tips for…. This can become invaluable to you as a tool for sharing with your prospects. It helps to build the relationship and build you as an expert in your field. For people to trust your service they need to see that you know your business. Articles, special reports, tip sheets can all help you to do this. Continue to follow up with additional articles and information sheets. Even a relevant article that you see in a magazine or newspaper is thoughtful and demonstrates your interest and knowledge of the prospect.

Follow up is a relationship building step it is not a sales call. You aren’t there yet with this new prospect. First you need to find out more about them and offer them value through your resources, articles, and reports.

Anther excellent tool for staying in touch with a potential client is through a newsletter. My preference is an E-Zine or email newsletter. The cost is minimal the work to get the newsletter out is also relatively easy. The choice of course is yours and could depend upon your
clientele. If your clients are a group that is not on the internet, using email, then an email newsletter is certainly not going to work. Print newsletters are more typically fee based and not free due to the high costs. A newsletter gives you a regular way of staying “in front” of your prospect. The newsletter continues to build your expertise, both essential keys in building your relationship.

Keeping in touch is like watering the garden. The relationship starts to grow. But how do you get to the bloom? Or how do you convert the prospect into a client? First, you want to have many seeds in your garden, but the right kinds of seeds. Having a prospect list of people that don’t need or use your service is like planting the wrong seeds. They aren’t going to grow because they needed a different type of soil. Having many of the right seeds means that you can have different plants blooming at different times. Just like any garden some plants are ready to harvest in the late summer, some in the late fall.

Getting to the bloom is by continuing to offer them good service and good information that is relevant to their needs and their business. You are able to do this because as you have gotten to know them you have focused on learning about their business, their needs and challenges. This gives you the ability to provide them with resources that fulfill that need or challenge. As you build the relationship you can then offer a special discount, a new client discount, some enticing offer to bring the prospect in your door. You know that once you are serving a client that your service is good and they will continue to be clients.

The other gardening you need to do is to nurture your current client relationships. One very effective strategy is using a discount card similar to the cards that many other businesses use. Discount cards give the customer a discount or free service after they buy a certain number of times or items. I have a couple for coffee houses, buy 10 cups of coffee and receive one free and one for a book store. They work for big companies like Starbucks and Borders Books and they also work for small companies. The reason we see these programs all over the place is that they work.

A second important nurturing approach for current clients is to offer a referral program. This type of program asks clients for referrals and rewards them when they give a referral. You can design the program however you like. One colleague that I know creates referral maps so that she knows where each of her clients came from, who referred them, who they referred, etc. One client could result in many clients. That’s why customer service is so important. The referral program concept is a thank you for clients sharing your service with friends and colleagues. One strategy is a thank you card and gift certificate for dinner. The “thank you” depends upon the amount of profit. For some businesses a referral could result in large amounts of income, thousands of dollars. In this case, the “thank you” is bigger. For other businesses the profit is smaller and the “thank you” is smaller: perhaps a gift certificate for a café or coffee house. It can also be a discount on your services. Refer a friend and receive $10 off your next visit. Refer 10 friends and receive a free service. Be creative, but remember to say thank you.

These are two strategies for growing your business: nurturing your relationships both the existing relationships and the new ones. Build your business with your excellence in service through referrals and incentives. Establish a database or tracking system, to know where your clients are coming from and what is working and what is not. Spend time and energy in places where it is working. Focus on it and build upon it. Try new strategies, evaluate them and keep the ones that work and that are fun. Even if you dislike marketing and business building make it a game

Donna Price, M.S.; M.Ed. President of Compass Rose Consulting, LLC, provides business coaching to business owners/leaders, including holistic health practitioners, using her experience as a senior level manager for 18+ years and extensive background working with people to achieve their goals, training in business and marketing. Donna offers individual and group coaching and business development programs. Donna’s new program the Business and Marketing Mentorship is comprehensive business building program. Sign up today for a complimentary initial strategy session: dprice@compassroseconsulting.com or call 973-948-7673. http://www.compassroseconsulting.com; Sign up for Donna’s periodic e-zine “Build Your Business Success, NOW! At: www.BuildYourBusinessSuccessNow.com

Exciting things are happening....

Can you believe that summer is just about here! We are having beautiful days here in New Jersey. Gardens are blooming and flowers are fragrant.

I am moving into new ventures! My last newsletter announced my new "Leader's Book Club" and it is starting up soon, but I have decided to make it a part of a bigger project that I will be launching over the next month. I want to tell you about it, BUT, I want to make sure all the pieces are in place before I send you to the new site! I am starting to build it today. Yes, I build websites, mostly my own, but occasionally for other colleagues. My favorite way to build a site for someone is to set it up and get all of their initial content there and then teach them how to update and maintain it themselves. Did you know you could build your own site? Well you can. Right now, my favorite site host with a site building tool is Site Sell: http://www.sitesell.com/Compassrose.html

It has great tutorials, optimizing tools, blog, autoresponder, newsletter feature and more. Check them out.

Anyway, a bit off topic-- my new project---it's going to have something for everyone. Marketing, leadership, strategy, business building...and more.

I will keep you in the "loop" as I prepare for the launch. Be sure to look for preview teleseminars and webcasts, info in my newsletters, and lots of goodies.....

I have a great article this month for you on Cold Calling. If you are like me then you hesitate or procrastinate to make cold calls, maybe even warm calls.... so read on for some great tips.

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Cold Calling: The Most Unpopular Sales Subject
By
Leslie Buterin
www.ColdCallingExecutives.com

A recent Wall Street Journal article, lead with, “The cold call won't die.” Couldn’t help but wonder, why anyone would want the cold call to die in the first place.

Sellers of professional services look for 20-25 new clients a year. What faster way to reach them than by telephone? With the right attitude and delivery on the part of the seller, those …

90-seconds of phone time you have with prospects are pure gold.

We’re not talking about the “burn and churn tactics” of call centers that count on 300% + turnover of telemarketers each year; pay low wages, give the new hire a “script to read from” and call it “training.” We’re talking about sales professionals who cold call people they haven’t met yet to let prospects know about the value gleaned by those who take advantage of the sellers’ products and services.

Here’s a radical action step for you.

For one week do a minimum of 5 calls a week or a maximum of 5 calls a day. No, that’s not heresy, it’s educational, and your short cut to success.

Ask yourself, how human do you feel after non-stop dialing-for-dollars all morning? If you feel wrung out, spent, and down on cold calling how do you think the people on the other end of the line feel listening to you?

Remember when broker’s used to call with hot stock tips and sell financial products for quick commissions?
Savvy financial services professionals don’t and never did operate that way.

They work toward building relationships with clients for lifelong financial planning and service. They “connect” with the prospects as people with real needs that these professionals are in a unique position to serve.

“Burn and churn” tactics have contributed to giving “cold calling” a bad name. If you are want to leverage cold calls for great profit and benefit for all, you’re better off making fewer calls and positioning yourself as the expert in your field that you are; who has important, valuable services to offer prospects.
Forward this article to friends—they’ll thank you for it!

For your mini-course “Jealously Guarded Secrets to Cold Calling Company Presidents” visit www.ColdCallingExecutives.com ! Or call Cold Calling Expert, Lead New Business Development Coach, Leslie Buterin (like butterin’ bread) at (816) 554-3674 9-3 CST (that’s Kansas City/Chicago Time)

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Do you read magazines? Well if you do, you can help a stellar program that serves homeless individuals and families, here in the community I live in. They have a great deal for you to save money on your magazine subscriptions AND at the same time give to a great organization. Visit: http://samaritaninn.org
Right in the center of the page! Click on the fundraiser and save money on your magazines. You can even use it to extend your current subscription!!
Thanks for helping.

Have a great day!
Thanks for being a part of my growing community -- over 5800! And growing each day......

All the best,
Donna

Donna Price
Compass Rose Consulting, LLC
PO Box 615
Branchville, NJ 07826
973-948-7673


Everyday is a great day to move your vision forward with clarity, action and commitment.....

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The neglected blog

WOW, has this blog been neglected!! I know I have thought of many things to write to put here over the past few weeks but just haven't done it. One was a story I heard on the news about desk rage. Have you heard of it? Yes, desk rage, similar to road rage. I guess people are just losing it at their desks. It made me think about how that happens. What is going on in the environment that results in "desk rage". Is it all the person's responsibility, well yes it is, but--- are other people contributing factors to the rage. My guess is that many parties are involved and that at the root of the rage is communication. Miscommunication, lack of communication, poor communication.

Is your workplace one in which the communication works well? Where people can have real, and honest conversations? Where ideas are heard and valued? Where staff are coached and encouraged? All of these factors result in work places that work. Good communication is essential in creating a highly productive work environment, and one that people WANT to be a part of.

Desk Rage, a totally new concept for me. I'm going to continue pondering it. But I do know that leaders that work to faciliatate work environments that have good communication are on the right path to preventing desk rage.

Welcome back to the blog! I have some exciting new things in the work and I will being posting info here!!

Donna

What a week!

I'm sure you've had those weeks where your plans just didn't go as you had thought. Well, that's how my week was last week. Sunday, my five year old had a fever. Tylenol helped but by 8:45 PM we realized we needed ibuprofen as well. A quick search of friends and we found a store still open late on Sunday and we got her fever down from 104.5 to 102. That started the week of illness. Earlier on Sunday we decided that our kitchen needed a facelift. You see, our house is on the market and just hasn't sold. We loved the teal blue cabinets, but the flooring has always been horrid. The new floor we picked out didn't match the teal, so we (I) decided we should paint the cupboards. My partner and husband hasn't been feeling welll either. So, Sunday night I took all the doors off the cupboards. As we spread them all over the basement I remembered what a big job this really was. But I was commited to doing it quickly. Our three year old thought the new look was great. From childproof to totally open and available. She went from cupboard to cupboard taking things out. It's all getting messier!

By late Monday afternoon I had the first coat of Antique White on the kitchen cupboards and my partner Ken had the doors done. Three more coats to go.

We still had a sick little girl and both kids home

At the same time, I'm trying to run my business. Looking back over the week I realized that in the midst of painting and playing with sick kids I got a lot done. Here's my list:

1. Finished a new e-book called "Getting Noticed on the Web" You can pick up your copy here! I think it came out to 30 pages and is filled with info.
2. It became the foundation of a presentation I had to do on Tuesday night at a networking meeting. I printed out the first 6 pages for folks and talked with my co-presenter Monday night to figure out our plan.
3. I did a presentation at a networking meeting. I really didn't have time to plan out my talk, so using the report I winged it! I couldn't tell if everyone there was in awe of what I was saying or didn't understand a word of what I was talking about. BUT, after the meeting, two people came up and said I need to work with you!! Ok, so even though the week isn't going as planned I've nailed my weekly goal of two new clients!
4. I had two business meetings, one via phone with a new client and one at my house with kids on the couch.
5. I got my newsletter out, which has been behind! I'll post the article here too!
6. I scheduled my next tele-seminar -- complimentary one that is for this Thursday at noon, it's based on my new e-book. So, everyone will get the e-book, and today I'm working on the workbook or notesheet. Do you want to come? You can email me as my registration form isn't working and I will personally send you the call in info.
7. I read hundreds of emails.
8. I deleted hundreds of emails.
9. I attended a conference for non profit leaders and made some great new contacts.
10. And, now I am finally getting to my blog!

The week came to a close today, when everyone went back to school and to work. The kitchen is painted. the cupboards sparkle. The new floor, well, it's not totally done yet. Ken cut his finger cutting tiles and had to go Saturday night for stitches. We should have it done by Thursday or Friday. And, we even showed the house on Sunday, disaster that it was.

Looking back, it wasn't a bad week after all. Much got accomplished and business did get done.

Staying positive, staying focused and family being the priority, all contributed to the success of the week.

What lessons does your life teach you? I learn the most from myself, and reflection on what happened.

Spring is here! And we are loving that.

All the best,

Donna

Snowy March

Here in New Jersey we have had a roller coaster of weather. Jumping from 50+ degrees last week to 5 with a windchill below zero this week, and light snow. The buds on the pussy willow tree are peeking out, but now the tree must be confused. The neighborhood skunk, is out and about and leaving his smelly trail, another confused by the mixed up weather. And, we long for real snow, real winter, not just cold, but weather for playing!

At the same time it is time for planting seeds, and nurturing the new plants. In business, this is also true. We have planted the seeds with our new year's strategic plan and now it is time to grow those seeds. The seeds of new contacts, new services, new products. What have you planted this year? What seeds are you growing? Does your business have a solid plan for growth and expansion? Have you developed the contacts that you need to? As you move into spring, it is time to revisit your plan, refine it and focus on it. The plan doesn't just happen. You make it happen. Just like growing a garden, you have to nurture it, water it, fertilize, and spend time with it. This is the gold time of business. Planning, strategizing and implementing -- following through.

Take time today to revisit your plan, and begin moving it forward into spring.

If you need help developing a plan or realizing your plan then give me a call and we will help you make it happen.

Happy Gardening!

All the best,

Donna