To wrap up this series on “Productivity,” I just love this video because it struck a cord with me.

I can’t tell you how many times I start to work on something and then realize I “forgot” to call someone or need to do a social media activity or have to tell a friend about a networking event. So I put one thing aside to do something “more important.” Ah, the joy of multi-tasking…actually the pain…

Take a look at this short video and if you find this is reminiscent of your day, then let is serve as a “hidden camera” reminder to take it one step at a time…

We’ve reached #5! I hope you’ve enjoyed this series as much as I have! When I initially read the article, I enjoyed his suggestions, however in sharing my own 2 cents, I’ve truly “learned” how to increase my productivity because I had to “think” about how it would work for me (and you!).

Use this example for sharing information or teaching your leads, prospects and clients. When you can make it meaningful by example, they truly “learn” something valuable from…you.

If you missed the productivity tools 1 – 4, use the links below to reflect back and catch up! (I think it’s a Back to the Future reference…lol)

Tool #1 – Zero-Tolerance List

Tool #2 – The Rule Of Thirds

Tool #3 – 5 People To Thank

Tool #4 – 30 Minutes Of Media

By the Numbers with Chris Brogan

5. 10 Replies A Day

President Obama responds to 10 written letters every workday. It’s one of his rituals – and it’s just plain smart. Put the practice to work and commit to replying to at least that many e-mails blog comments or tweets each day. This simple gesture improves loyalty.

Chris Brogan is President of Human Business Works – www.humanbusinessworks.com, a media and education company that helps businesses acquire customers and build community through content creation and presence management.

My 2 Cents!

Is that cool? And he’s right, it is smart. When is the last time you’ve received a handwritten note? And if you got one from the President wouldn’t you frame that puppy? Believe it or not, you likely have clients who feel that way about you. And if you were to take a minute and send them a handwritten note or letter, how that would knock their socks off! Your competitors don’t do that. And where we’re faced with so many “clones” in the market, small things can deliver a huge impact!

So next time you head out for a latte, a road trip, a plane ride, take some notecards with you and sit down and pen a couple of lines of thanks, appreciation, how ya doin’ and just wanted to say hi notes to your clients or prospects you’ve connected with. And watch what happens… (and share it here to inspire others!)

I hope you’ve enjoyed the series as much as I have and would LOVE to hear what you got out of it and hopefully what  you’ve shared with your prospects, clients and colleagues that has helped you to be more productive in your business!

I’ve broken them up and include added “inspiration” with time to “try them” before the next! I’m happy you’re here and have hung in with me for the series!

Links to the first 3 tools are below!

Tool #1 – Zero Tolerance List

Tool #2 – The Rule Of Thirds

Tool #3 – 5 People To Thank

By the Numbers with Chris Brogan

4. 30 Minutes Of Media

Take 30 minutes twice a week to shoot and post a personal video message to your community (or your prospects or employees). It can help drive customer perception of you company and potentially create new leads. The video should be shorter than five minutes. Write a brief dialogue before you start to clarify your thoughts, then look into a camera – even the webcam built into your laptop – and speak your mind. Also, consider interviewing staff members or customers about your company; ask them about their success, not about your products.

Chris Brogan is President of Human Business Works – www.humanbusinessworks.com, a media and education company that helps businesses acquire customers and build community through content creation and presence management.

My 2 Cents!

This is an area that I’m determined to make progress in! And I love the short timeframe and focus Chris offers here. Just 30 minutes, twice a week… And having an idea of what to share by creating a brief dialogue helps you to center your thoughts.

You can talk about a question, a quote or something you came across during your social media time (which is now limited, right?) or how you struggle with limiting the time and what that’s done to your concentration. That’s a great tool to show your leads, prospects and clients that you’re like them and that you’re taking steps that you can help them take to get better results.

You can also use survey results from clients or your list and respond to their input. How many people ask you to complete their survey and never give you the results? That’s a great way of thanking the participants and responding to their input — personally. Truly a nice touch.

So how can you use 30 minutes of media to support your business growth?

I’m breaking them down and giving you some added “inspiration” with time to “try them” before the next! We’re halfway through! If you’ve missed the first two, just click the links and you’ll catch up with us!

Tool #1 – Zero Tolerance List

Tool #2 – The Rule of Thirds

By the Numbers with Chris Brogan

3. 5 People To Thank

Who are your top five customer right now? Start sending each one a regular personal note to check in and find out how you can help them. It’s just five people; it won’t zap too much of your time. If you keep them top of mind, they’ll return the favor. (However, if you feel one beginning to shy away, back off. You don’t want to hound your customers, either.)

Chris Brogan is President of Human Business Works – www.humanbusinessworks.com, a media and education company that helps businesses acquire customers and build community through content creation and presence management.

My 2 Cents!

Now this is something I DID do! And it’s absolutely worth it!

Go through your past clients and identify those who you loved working with and who got the best results from engaging with you. Connect with them and check in to see how they’re doing.

This is powerful for two really good reasons…1.) It lets them know that you still think about and care about them OUTSIDE of their buying from you and 2.) You get to see how well they have used what you shared with them or where there were gaps to improve on what you deliver! It’s a win-win baby!

Oh, one added point. Past clients may not know how to come back and work with you, so checking in and thanking them for working with you could be the open door they were looking for…;)

I am breaking them up and give you some added “inspiration” with time to “try them” before the next! Welcome back for the series…. Oh in case you missed the first, you can find it at the link below!

Tool #1 – Zero Tolerance List

By the Numbers with Chris Brogan

2. The Rule of Thirds

Start tracking your time. The goal: Dedicate one-third of your day to prospecting for new buyers, one-third to executing business tasks and the remainder to supporting existing customers. Most people tend to focus on one or two of these areas and forget the other. I prospect and execute, but I don’t devote enough time to nurturing my community. Whis one is your weak spot?

Chris Brogan is President of Human Business Works – www.humanbusinessworks.com, a media and education company that helps businesses acquire customers and build community through content creation and presence management.

My 2 Cents!

One of my marketing mentors shared the strategy for balancing out your limited time during our mastermind meeting. And that is to use a timer. A simple timer can help you: 1:) focus your time because you know you’ve only allotted so much of it to an activity; 2:) challenge yourself to get things done more efficiently and 3:) clearly indicate what you should not be doing and can likely delegate so that you can focus where you’re core skills are best applied.

By the way, I’m with Chris — my weak spot is nurturing my community with an added focus on alumni clients, but I’m now focused it because they are “familiar” friends who know, like and trust me already…smile (that’s a marketing hint for you!)

Where is your weak spot and what are you going to do to use it to your business advantage?

I am always looking for and at productivity tools because with all of the good and bad distractions that pull at your attention, it’s helpful to have a tool to pull out the “kit” and use in a pinch!

In a recent Entrepreneur Magazine article, Chris Brogan shared 5 “simple set of goals” that you can use to keep you from getting bogged down in the day to day of your business.

I’ll break them up and give you some added “inspiration” with time to “try them” before the next! So stay with me for the series….

By the Numbers with Chris Brogan

1. Zero-Tolerance List

Make a list of things you need to stop doing so you can devote more time and focus to your business instead. My list includes: Refrain from checking Twitter and Google+ in between tasks, stop saying yes to writing book forewords when my own book’s foreword isn’t complete and put a halt to my Pavlovian response to e-mail alerts.

Chris Brogan is President of Human Business Works – www.humanbusinessworks.com, a media and education company that helps businesses acquire customers and build community through content creation and presence management.

My 2 Cents!

I appreciate Chris’ approach with the zero tolerance list. However, I know we can’t always go “cold turkey” and CUT things out immediately. So here are my suggestions.

I love to work in 3′s! Simple to remember, right? So start your list with 3 things you will tolerate no more.

And to help with the transition, if it’s something you do every day, do it only 3 days a week. Now for those who can’t go a day without checking Facebook or your other social media channels, then decide to begin with one social network and check it 3 days a week for the first week. You’ll begin to get a sense of whether it’s truly valuable to your business or if it’s become an addiction…

If you’re often asked to spend time chatting with friends, instead of focusing on your writing, product development, marketing, etc. Then select a day to designate as “friends and family” day. And schedule all of those stay-in-touch calls and connections on that day only.

Finally, whenever you decide you will end or stop something, be clear about why you’re doing it. Will you use the time to put your attention on those things that bring you greater satisfaction and fulfillment? If so, then you’ll be able to use a zero-tolerance approach for the long run — and for greater results in your business!

Look closely at your customer needs not your competition.

“Perspectives!”

This is my opportunity to showcase experts, big thinkers and valuable “ideas” in the area of business, marketing, solutions, client service and more. As I bring both “interesting” and “actionable” content to you, I will distinguish each contributor and provide you with a “personal” take away for you to achieve more, faster and in support of your profitable business and life.

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8 Ways to Lose in Business: #4: “Concentrate on your competitor instead of your customer”

by John C. Maxwell

I’ve read everything that has been written by the late John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach of the UCLA Bruins. Not only was he an incredible coach, but he was also an incredible teacher to his players and others who knew him.

In an interview he was asked how he prepared his team for the next game. It was widely known in the basketball coaching circles that Coach Wooden wasn’t one to send his staff out to scout teams that were coming up on their schedule. He said, “The way to build a team isn’t to worry about our competitor; the way to build a team is to play to your strengths. If we play our game right, they will be playing our game. We won’t play their game.”

Coach Wooden realized it’s much better to spend time making your team better than trying to anticipate what the other team was going to do.

Remember that the customer is king. The following customer service truths are the result of research conducted at the Tyler International Research Institute Inc. as well as that of the Technical Research Assistance Institute and other supporting research organizations.

- Poor service is the No. 1 reason American companies lose business

- The average dissatisfied customer tells nine others of their dissatisfaction.

- Conversely, the average satisfied customer tells only five people.

- It costs between five and 10 times more to attract a new customer than it does to keep an old one.

- Customers pay more for better service.

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An excerpt from the article: 8 Ways to Lose in Business – Success Magazine – October 2011

John C. Maxwell is a leadership expert, speaker, author and founder of a EQUIP and the John Maxwell Companies. His blog is at JohnMaxwellOnLeadership.com

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Your “take away”

Highlight your business ideas!

Let’s begin by leveling the playing field and all agree that not all business ideas are as valuable as the “idealist” may think.

I recall the invention of the “Segway™,” you know the 2 wheeled scooter that you can stand on to drive you around easily? It was touted as the greatest idea and invention of our generation. It was going to replace bicycles and scooters and so many more methods of transportation. It would revolutionize our world in an incredible way. Remember? No? Just now, perhaps?

Well, I haven’t seen many of these “ideas” on the streets or even in movies! You may occasionally see them being used in shopping malls…come to think of it, in one of the previews for the Kevin James moving, Paul Blart, Mall Cop, I think he used one!

My point being, that while all business ideas are valuable to the “idealist” you have to be clear about who would value and “pay” for them. Because without being paid, the idea is simply a hobby for the creative idealist.

That’s your first checkpoint for your value-based business ideas. Is it designed for the market you have in mind? Perhaps the “Segway™” was best for Malls and that’s how it could have been marketed more widely. With your business idea, is the value-based case clean and clear as to who it’s meant for and how it will change, transform or revolutionize someone’s life or business.

Is your business idea, your own? Listen, it’s great to model and mirror, but it’s not ok to steal.

Adaptation is an awesome way to take what others have done and adapt it to your clients, market or business. Here’s an example…

I was talking with an aspiring entrepreneur whose business idea is to provide a high end “framing” service for priceless art. Without getting too far into the details, I said that this service exists today so if you want to be successful you want to learn:

-  What is it they are doing and where could the process be improved?

- Consider, it could be that they don’t meet delivery dates or they require the customer to ship their art vs. going to the client, etc. and how can you do it differently.

- Perhaps there are new or unique materials that you could offer to frame the art that require a unique process no one else is offering.

Adaptation.

Taking an existing business idea and adding tremendous value creates incredible opportunity, energy to your passion and clear market distinction which brings you more clients, greater income and even more business ideas!

How have you adapted a business idea and made a value-based case for your business success?

Share your experience below and get greater visibility for your ideas!

It’s understandable since our craving for freedom and autonomy are at the core of who we are. Burnout, unfortunately, can also be at the core, because we’re notorious for burning the candle at both ends, right?

When I came across the article “Control Issues” by Christopher Hann in the April issue of Entrepreneur magazine, it “simply” pointed up another “core” attribute that we must embrace in order to be successful…TRUST.

Here is an excerpt from the article  and I’d love to hear how trust plays a role in your business!

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Control Issues – As your company grows, how do you transition from startup entrepreneur to leader? by Christopher Hann

Entrepreneurs are, by nature, idea people. But not all of them are people people, which make this transition perhaps the trickiest part of an entrprenerur’s evolution.

“The entrepreneur personally has to continually evolve and grow as the busienss grows,” says Ed Hess, author of Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Entrepreneurial Business.

A professor at the Univeristy of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, Hess has studied high-growth businesses and the common traits that enable them to prosper (or not). His research has shown that as businesses grow, successful entrepreneurs go through stages: from owner to manager to leader to coach. In that process, Hess says they often need to adopt personal qualities that conflict with the very makeup of a do-it-my-way entrepreneur. That is, they must learn to delegate and trust.

“The entrepreneur has to go from a control freak to a trusting manager to an emotionally intelligent coach and mentor,” he contends. Yet it’s the rare one who is prepared to do so — especially that part about deegating. as one person told him: “Delegation is not a natural act.”

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Read the rest of this wonderful article in the April 2012 issue of Entrepreneur magazine in the Going Forward section.

Are you one of the “rare” breed of entrepreneurs?

Photo courtesy of Eastop

Can you feel it? Do you see it?

I do…

There’s something growing, emerging and happening around us.

It’s a low hum, but there are those of us who are seeing and feeling a “shift.”

There are terms that no longer have “meaning” when we hear them. Terms like “authenticity” and “secret.”

What am I talking about?

There are the small business owners / entrepreneurs who are still searching for the “silver bullet” in the same marketing “campaigns” that have been used over and over again.

There are those who are saying, “where’s the beef?” Where is the “evolution?”

It’s 2012, are we still doing that?

If you listen, there is dissatisfaction in the market and soon an outcry for something…better…not different…better.

Start connecting and listening to the still, small voices…that are joining others.

There is an opportunity in the chaos…

Do you feel it?