You Never Get A Second Chance

I met a wonderful business professional a few weeks ago. In true networking fashion, we exchanged business cards at the conclusion of our conversation. The business card I received contained some very interesting graphic design work. The physical address, email address, and phone number were scratched out in ballpoint pen. Yes, scratched. This was not just a single line drawn through the information. It was scratched like a preschooler’s early attempts at coloring. I wanted to throw a yellow flag and call out, “Penalty, un-businesslike conduct…fifteen yards! We will repeat the first ‘impression’ down!”

We are all very busy doing the busy work of our businesses. However, there are a few things we must be sure to update on a regular basis to avoid compromising our first impressions:

1. Website – Each page on the website should reflect the most current information about your business. Remember to update information such as services offered, contact information, and testimonials. Regularly check your website to ensure all links are functional, and that the website is operational.
2. Blogs – If your website links to blogs, be sure to have current postings listed. Avoid huge gaps of time between postings.
3. Stationery – Letterhead, envelopes, and business cards should carry the same graphic images for consistency in branding and include current contact information.
4. Marketing Materials – Flyers, brochures, and mailers should have your most updated service offerings, event information, and dates. If you reuse the same template for a reoccurring event, be sure to change the date of the event, and/or any other new information.
5. Pricing Information – Pricing quoted verbally should always coincide with written pricing. New pricing should be reflected on all written materials before implementing.
6. List of Employees – Title changes should be communicated when it is important for customers to understand roles and responsibilities. Extended conversation about the reasons that staff have left either voluntarily or involuntarily should be avoided. Employee signage should be changed the first full day of an employee's vacancy or assignment to a new role.
7. Voice Mail Messages – Have you ever called someone on Thursday and heard, “Hello, today is Monday and I will not be in the office….” Be sure that both primary messages and busy messages contain your availability, current hours, and after hours contact information.
8. Signage – Everything that is hung, posted, or displayed should reflect your most updated information. Avoid having to tell patrons, “I’m sorry, that information is out of date.”
9. Reception Area Materials – Magazines that are dated outside the most recent quarter should be recycled.
10. Your Look – If everything about your business is updated, but you still look like your high school yearbook picture it may be time to make a change!

Right or wrong, people will draw conclusions about the quality of your services even before they utilize them based on their first impressions. What happens in the first five to ten seconds of encountering your business directly impacts future consumer decisions. Do not miss the opportunity to make the most professional first impression.

Your Pursuit is My Passion,


Tonya
www.tonyadorsey.com

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

I came home from a speaking engagement yesterday to find my neighbors outside enjoying some unseasonably warm weather. We exchanged greetings, and I headed inside to unwind from my late night and early morning activities. My daughter wandered over into their driveway, which opened the door to a lengthier exchange of dialogue. Truth be told, I wanted to go in and rest. However, my daughter’s visit led to an unavoidable segue into a neighborly conversation.

During that conversation, they noticed I looked a bit tired. “Would you like us to watch your children for a while so you can rest?” Wow, I could not believe my ears. I had traveled four hours round trip the evening prior, spoke that morning at 10 am, and was definitely feeling a bit run down. This felt like manna from heaven. I hesitated not wanting to impose, but later decided to accept the gracious offer, and went inside for a short nap.

I took a moment to reflect on their kind gift, and what it meant in light of my work. It is absolutely necessary to build an infrastructure that can support our process of pursuit. If we become solely focused on the coming and going of it all, we may miss the opportunity to nurture the relationships that could provide necessary assistance in reaching our goals. We concentrate on networking for business opportunities, filling our address books with a who’s who of contacts. How many people do you know that will facilitate an opportunity to rest? Recharging is a vital component of success. At that particular moment, their offer was worth just as much as an offer to speak to a group of 1000!

Do not involve yourself so extensively in the pursuit that you miss an opportunity to nurture relationships. You may find opportunities to pursue your goals or renew your spirit.

Your Pursuit Is My Passion,

Tonya
www.tonyadorsey.com

"Tremendous" Advice

Two years before starting my business, I had breakfast, lunch or dinner with a business professional at least once a month. I wanted to find out as much as I could about owning a small business. When I met with Laura Schanz, a consultant operating out of Lancaster, PA, she asked me two questions, “Who do you know?” and “What books are you reading?”

The questions were patterned after a phrase her uncle was known for: “You are the same today as you’ll be five years from now, except for two things…the people you meet and the books you read.”

Knowing people is about more than networking for business opportunities. Knowing people is about finding out what they know that you do not. Knowing people is about finding individuals who will celebrate your successes and help you through your challenges.

Reading is about more than enjoyment or escape. Reading is about expanding your pool of resources. Reading is about finding new ways to tackle old problems. Reading is about ensuring that your knowledge is not dated.

If you run your business solely on what you have learned up until today, you stand the chance of running out of relevant solutions, and risk losing pace with your competition. Carving out time to stay current in your skills is not an option, it is a mandate to ensure the vitality of your business.

Laura reminded me of this charge, and I am sure she will be thinking about this statement at her uncle’s memorial service on November 7th. On October 16, 2008 Laura’s uncle, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, passed away. I only crossed his path once, but his advice will stay with me for a lifetime.

This week’s questions: Are you the smartest, most experienced person in your circle? Do you give advice more often than you seek advice? If so, it may be time for you to make some new connections. Have you read a book recently in your area of service provision? When is the last time you read a book about leadership, management, or business development? Cannot remember? It may be time for you to give some business to a local bookstore.