[Archive] Classic Business Notes pt 1

I love conferences. I try to attend them as often as I can or at the very least, watch the recordings.

I prefer the 60 minute versions that are packed with info and then end. "Leave 'em wanting more!"
is what I always told my boys. It's the first rule in show business or at least it should be.

I also love taking notes at conferences. Not long drawn out dictation, but quick punches of gold that move you and almost scream at you, "This is what you need to do!"

Since my passion is business and marketing, I thought it might be fun to dig up a few of my old journals and sprinkle some of this gold around. It might move you like it did me and it might not. Context is everything at a conference which is why being there, in person is so much more powerful that watching a replay.

So with that ringing endorsement, here are some service-based business tips that made into my notes along with some brief commentary as to why it was important to me.

​Target YOUR market and focus on IDEAL clients - Ask yourself, "What kind of clients do you want?" Life is short and business is hard enough. Go where the ground is fertile and plant in a place that wants and needs what you're growing.

It's not your work, it's HOW you market it and how you treat your customers - Don't kid yourself, you're not the only one doing what you do. But you are a complete original in how you present yourself and how you take care of your clients. Make them love YOU more that your work...then they'll love your work too.

It's not about price, it's about VALUE - There will always be someone cheaper. Create a business that is offers UFB service, Un-Freakin' Believable service - Make this your style, your signature. What can you do to make your customers so impressed that that they MUST tell someone about it. Be creative, be bold, be UFB!

That should be enough to chew on for now. I have notebooks full of quick tip like this that have evolved into some of the best business decisions of my career (along with some fantastic "dadvice" for my boys). I do feel compelled to tell you the number one secret when gathering notes whether from a conference, TED Talk or or even reading a book on marketing or business...

Take action on ONE thing - You don't have to change the world with all the information you heard or read. Just take one thing and put it to use NOW. Even if it's clever technique or snappy line you heard someone say. Try it out on your next customer. See how they react. I've found some of my best sales techniques just listening to others and then trying them in my own way. The trick is to do something.

"You don't have to be great to start, but you do have start to be great." - Zig Ziglar