Top 5 Tools for 2011
Check out the top 5 tools that I use to efficiently run my business.
1. Teleseminar conference line:
Why talk to customers one at a time when you can reach dozens, hundreds, even thousands in one shot?
Telseminars can (and should) be integrated into every company’s sales flows. I’ve used teleseminars for years to help build my business, and I’ve seen lots of tools come and go.
So which conference line do I recommend? This one:
Why? They’ve designed their tool to fit into the way your prospects think. They’ve figured out how to help you get your prospects to take the next logical step, from the pre-event salesflow all the way through to the action you’re trying to get them to take…
…whether that’s opting into your list, buying their first product from you, or buying that big-ticket item.
2. CRM, Email Marketing, Shopping cart system and Automation in one:
I’ve been using Infusionsoft for years and it has everything I need to track, market and process orders online. With all the capability to automate many of my tasks, its like having another assistant.
3. Create Videos
Create a stunning video with your photos, video clips and music to share with everyone. Its fast, free and shockingly easy.
To learn more, watch a sample video and/or start creating your videos click here.
4. Share files with your team
Always have your stuff when you need it using Dropbox.
The all-new Box for Office, a free add-on for Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010.
* Easily open, edit, save and share using Box within Word, Excel and PowerPoint
* Connect your Microsoft Office content to the cloud
* Share documents and collaborate with colleagues
To learn more about Dropbox click here.
5. Credit Card reader on the go (no application needed)
I love this free tool to process payments on the go using your iphone. No applications or approvals needed to get started.
To learn more and get your free reader go to www.squareup.com
I’ve been using all of these tools and they have really helped to make things easier for me and have worked well for my needs so I had to share.
Bring on 2012!
The Top 5 reasons Entrepreneurs get Stuck in planning their year AND How to Avoid them
It is so powerful to plan your year in advance and be able to hit the ground running in January. I’ve experienced some of the following reasons myself so now I want to support you with recognizing if any of these areas sound familiar to you and how to avoid them so you can move forward with a powerful year.
#1: Too Busy
This is probably the number one reason some entrepreneurs get stuck in their planning is because they are too busy running the business from the inside with the day to day projects. I can relate to this one until I recognized that if I didn’t spend time working on my business instead of just in it, that I would only make small progress instead of Quantum Leaps…which is what I wanted.
#2: Not Sure How
Many people get stuck in trying to figure all the details of how things will occur in their business that can lead to lack of action on the actual plan. I’ve seen this happen quite often and when you feel stuck, or confused it makes it very difficult in the moment to take any action at all.
#3: Lack of Awareness
This is when you don’t know, what you don’t know. So maybe you have never experienced what it’s like to map out your year and just conduct business as usual. Maybe you’ve wanted to make more progress and to do that you just work even harder, more hours etc. I used to believe this as well, until I learned that there was an easier way to accomplish more, yet work less…If you haven’t been exposed to structuring your marketing and business development this way then you wouldn’t know, right? Just like I look to a CPA to help me figure out my tax advantages, many times I don’t know what I don’t know without that support.
#4: Set them and then forgot about them
This is also another common area that keeps entrepreneurs stuck is not taking action on the plan. For example, many people set new goals in January…or new year’s resolutions, and if there isn’t any structure to support these goals, they are quickly forgotten and then it’s back to business as usual. Out of sight, out of mind…this really applies not only to goals but even your whole business in general.
#5: Really Big Unrealistic Goals
Now I like big goals myself but if it is so big that I don’t even believe it, I am likely to not take action on it and it they just come and go…it creates frustration and people often feel stuck here, setting the same goals over and over again. I believe that if you set big goals, then it requires massive action and support….you don’t have to know how it will all happen but You DO have to believe it will.
Okay so how you avoid these five areas where you can get stuck in your planning?
Let’s take them one at a time…
#1: Too Busy
The entrepreneur who is too busy has to make it a priority to get support and schedule time to work on the business. I know for me, whatever gets on my calendar is what gets done…so I would encourage you to take time each week, to work on your plan and ensure that you are taking action on the highest priority projects that will move you forward.
#2: Not Sure How
The good news is that there are mentors out there that can support you here. Don’t waste time trying to figure it all out yourself unless of course it is part of an area that you want to grow in, that will support your business.
For example, I am not interested in becoming a CPA so I don’t spend much time researching tax advantages. I just go straight to the source, create a plan for my business and implement. On the other hand, in my business I help entrepreneurs with marketing, business development, systems, time management and I spend quite a bit of time investing in mentors and training to be able to best support myself and my clients in those areas…plus it is fun for me to learn those things so I know I’m in the right place.
#3: Lack of Awareness
This is when you don’t know, what you don’t know. So now you know, there is a better way to be able to map out your whole year now, create the structure that you need and have clarity on where to best spend your time and efforts to act on the plan. I do this process with my clients and I call it, “Creating Your Prosperity Plan”. It is amazing to see what happens and the doors that fly open when you have clarity, focus and momentum all focused on your big juicy goals.
#4: Set them and then forgot about them
I am glad that you set your goals, now it’s time to set a plan to actually implement them and see them come to fruition. This is the fun part! When you set up a plan around your goals, use tools to keep them top of mind, and keep taking action, you build momentum that moves you forward in a big way…and now your goals become REAL.
#5: Really Big Unrealistic Goals
I want to stress here that I do believe in setting big goals but the key is if you believe in them and actually take the actions to move you forward. You don’t have to know how it will all happen but You DO have to believe it will and just be willing to take the next step, be willing to commit to your goals and create the structure to support them including the people or partners.
So now, think for a minute how it would feel if YOU had your step-by-step plan ready for action right now to be a step ahead in 2012? If you had all the areas that are important to you incorporated into that plan so you not only moved forward on your big vision, but also enjoyed the process along the way; you had the tools to support you in staying on track; and a simple plan supported all of your big juicy goals so attained or exceeded them…
Well, I want to say it’s possible right now! I invite you to get the support you need to make this happen for you in 2012, and do it now before the holidays.
If you are ready, then I invite you to join me for, “Create Your Prosperity Plan for 2012” right now…and I’m even offering a special birthday discount…but hurry before it expires on my birthday, November 14th at midnight.
I’ve used this plan to double, and then triple my income this past 12 months, and now I want to share it with you for a very prosperous 2012!
I wish you well and I invite you to take ACTION! You can learn more about it here: www.TheCreativeSolutions.com/ProsperityPlan
End the Superwoman Syndrome
