Global Marketing: December 2015

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

5 Ways to Boost Your Business in 2016

With 2016 fast approaching, many entrepreneurs are spending at least part of their holiday break finalizing their plan of attack for the new year. While many business owners are busy trying to get 2015 wrapped up, it is just as important that you take the time to focus on what 2016 will hold. Here are six ideas to consider when planning the next mountain your business will climb in 2016.

1. Set five top goals for 2016.

Before the new year even starts, make a list of five things that need to happen in 2016 for it to be your best year yet. These five things need to be clear, specific and tangible goals. After you list all five of these goals, detail how you can achieve those goals. Be specific and take the time to figure out what you will need to do to improve. Write down as many steps as possible so you have a clear roadmap for what needs to be done in 2016 for your five biggest goals to become a reality.

2. Evaluate your systems.

The start of a new year is a great time to start evaluating and re-evaluating the system that you have. Look at all of the systems that your company has as well as the roles that your team has in implementing these systems. As you look into the details of how these systems are currently operating, make sure to focus on searching for areas that can be streamlined to save you time. You should also be looking for components of your systems that are no longer necessary, and ones that free up more time and energy so that your team can focus on the most important goals at hand and not waste any more time on outdated systems.

3. Delegate some daily responsibilities.

As a business owner, chances are a lot of your day is consumed by little day-to-day responsibilities that could be done by someone else. While it can be hard to let go and start giving tasks to someone else, there comes a time when you need to realize people can be trusted with some tasks. Look at the list of daily responsibilities you currently have and start delegating some of these tasks to other team members. It will help you free up more of your time so you can work on bigger, more important, higher priority tasks. Delegate one or two little tasks, see how that goes, then move to bigger tasks. It will make giving up some of the control easier and show you that there are responsibilities that other people can take off your plate.

4. Start automating parts of your business.

A new year is a good time to start an improved approach to your business model. Start automating some of the menial day-to-day parts of your business with new apps and new technology. There is no better time than a new year to make a clean change. There are countless programs and apps available for automating your project management systems, accounting and even marketing and social media. Spending less time on the day to day tasks in these areas frees up more of your time to focus on the big picture and grow your company.

5. Look for new ways to wow your customers in 2016.

Every year, you should be taking the time to think of new ways that you can wow your customers that year. Take the time to have a real, sit-down discussion with your entire team. Think about the different ways that you can really thrill, surprise and delight your customers this year. Many times, business owners get so caught up in the day-to-day demands of running their business that they do not take the time to sit down and really think about what they can do to impress their customers in the coming year.

Above all things, one of the most important ways that you can prepare your business for 2016, is to really take advantage of the new year. This is a brand new year, which means that you are starting with a new slate for 2016. Stay focused, stay on task and take advantage of this opportunity to make exciting new things happen in 2016.

Ben Simkin

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

The 5 Non-Negotiables for Thriving in Business and Life

Starting a business is easy. Millions of new businesses are started each year. However, you must do more than create an LLC to become a thriving entrepreneur. Unfortunately, simply starting a new business is all the farther that most get. Inevitably reality creeps in and the cold hard truth emerges. Creating a business that enables you to generate enough money to truly thrive at life and achieve your wildest dreams is not so easy. Entrepreneurs with the ability to thrive at this highest level are a rare breed.

What makes these elite entrepreneurs different from those still struggling? Here are the top 5 non-negotiables that every new entrepreneur must take action on promptly.

1. Stay fearless.

Fear can paralyze and absolutely destroy an entrepreneur's ambition and confidence, but only if they let it. When I quit my job and created my own business, I experienced the same fears all entrepreneurs face starting out -- the fear of failure, the fear of what others might say, the fear I wasn’t good enough. As I increased my certainty, and became aware of what limitations were holding me back I started to face my fears head on. When you face your fears, they disappear.

You cannot let your fears control you and you must be willing to take risks despite them. All great leaders and visionaries have realized that being fearless is part of the recipe for success. In my experience, most of the people who gave in to their fears and quit are eventually employed by those who conquered their fears and never gave up. Your only fear should be having the exact same life you currently have a year from now. Remember that your dreams will always eclipse your biggest fears. Stay limitless mentally.

2. Creating, not waiting.

I've been fortunate enough to interview dozens of the world's most successful entrepreneurs and one thing is always abundantly clear - they don’t wait for opportunities to come to them, they create them. A WANTrepreneur spends their first day designing a logo while the true entrepreneur closes their first 10 clients. If thriving is a goal, you must stop procrastinating, stop creating 100-page business plans, stop researching the perfect website font, and start executing on the things that matter.

Most people spend the first half of their lives saying they are too young, and the second half saying they're too old. The time is now, and there is no tomorrow for champions. I promise you that one year from now you will have wished you started today. Wake up early, go to bed late, disable distractions, be relentless, stay intentional, and never give up. It's simple - if you want it to happen, make it happen. Period. You will make time for things you really care about.

3. Focus on continual growth and development.

Are you showing up better than you were yesterday? Seriously, is your life better today than yesterday? If not, why not? Create tactical steps for tomorrow to ensure you grow and develop. Ask yourself these 3 questions before starting your day.

What am I grateful for today?
What am I committed to making happen today no matter what?
What am I excited about today?

Most people fail to ask themselves questions that spark their minds, and remind them to maximize each day. Every day you fail to grow is one less day you have to make your dreams become reality. Once small positive thought can change the outcome of your entire day.

All thriving entrepreneurs know that every year their business must become 365x better than the year before. This is accomplished by focusing on continual growth and development each day. Just like compound interest, mastering this simple strategy can put you on the fast track to financial freedom. Make growth a part of your daily agenda.

4. Making money matter.

There has never been a better time in the history of our economy to create businesses that matter. My friend Cole Hatter says,

"Don’t wait to get rich to make a difference, but rather make an impact as you get rich."

Visionary Tony Robbins has preached on this concept. but it has never been as important and powerful as it is today. Historically, money was a taboo subject few dared to debate. Culturally, the topic of money has recently gone from being the unspeakable subject to a global obsession, and rightfully so. Money is the great equalizer. Having money is a lot more enjoyable and fulfilling, but most importantly it gives you the power of choices.

One in three Americans believe their best chance of becoming wealthy is winning the lottery. Are you kidding me? This flawed mindset comes from the antiquated curriculum traditional education teaches. To truly understand the concept of mastering money, you must self-educate. "Traditional education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."

Those that want to thrive know that money is the one thing that has the instant ability to turn their dreams into reality.

5. Urgency.

I’m guessing you’d like to be financially free by the time you’re 65 years old? I’m sure everybody does. Let’s deal in reality here.

69 percent of Americans who start working at 25 will be dependent on relatives, friends, or charities at age 65.
Nearly 36 percent of people age 65 to 69, and 21 percent age 70 to 74, are still working.
Almost 75 percent of single Social Security recipients aged 65+depend on Social Security for all or most of their monthly income.

I will tell you becoming one of the few who are economically secure starts with urgency now. You MUST have a sense of urgency to thrive. Do you think those struggling in their 30s, 40s, and 50s told themselves they were going to struggle? Of course not. If you talked to them when they were younger, they were confident they would have their dream house, dream job, have lots of money, and be enjoying life to the fullest. What happened? They never told themselves NOW matters. They didn’t connect their daily actions with their future goals. Don’t fall into that trap.

Realize that now matters more than any other time, and the "someday isle" mentality is killing so many dreams. I know people who have been in the same company for years, but haven't advanced. You often hear people say “I have 20 years of experience, I should get paid more,” but in actuality, that person has one year of experience repeated 20 times. If they’re not sharpening their skills, learning better tools, or constantly trying to better themselves, they aren’t becoming more valuable. Why should they expect more money?

Age doesn’t guarantee a higher income, value does. Opportunities are only opportunities if you're taking full advantage of them. Young millionaires always do, and they are consistently reaching for new goals and ambitions. You MUST have a sense of urgency that most of society doesn't have if you're serious about success. There will NEVER be the right time.

Achieving your wildest dreams and thriving at the highest level is not for everyone. You must be relentless and 100 percent committed to the hustle and grind that is required. You must believe that not only is it possible for you to have your dream but it is necessary. If you are still reading, you have taken the first step to changing your life and making an impact on the world.

Peter Voogd

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The 7 Things Great Listeners Do Differently

Listening is a bit like intelligence—most everyone thinks they’re above average, even though that’s impossible.

And listening is a skill you want to be great at. A recent study conducted at George Washington University showed that listening can influence up to 40% of a leader’s job performance.

“The word listen contains the same letters as the word silent.” –Alfred Brendel

There’s so much talking happening at work that opportunities to listen well abound. We talk to provide feedback, explain instructions, and communicate deadlines. Beyond the spoken words, there’s invaluable information to be deciphered through tone of voice, body language, and what isn’t said.

In other words, failing to keep your ears (and eyes) open could leave you out of the game.

Most people believe that their listening skills are where they need to be, even though they aren’t. A study at Wright State University surveyed more than 8,000 people from different verticals, and almost all rated themselves as listening as well as or better than their co-workers. We know intuitively that many of them are wrong.

Effective listening is something that can absolutely be learned and mastered. Even if you find attentive listening difficult and, in certain situations, boring or unpleasant, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You just have to know what to work on. The straightforward strategies that follow will get you there.

Focus

The biggest mistake most people make when it comes to listening is they’re so focused on what they’re going to say next or how what the other person is saying is going to affect them that they fail to hear what’s being said. The words come through loud and clear, but the meaning is lost. Focusing may seem like a simple suggestion, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Your thoughts can be incredibly distracting.

1. Put away your phone

It’s impossible to listen well and monitor your phone at the same time. Nothing turns people off like a mid-conversation text message or even a quick glance at your phone. When you commit to a conversation, focus all your energy on the conversation. You will find that conversations are more enjoyable and effective when you immerse yourself in them.

2. Ask good question

People like to know you’re listening, and something as simple as a clarification question shows not only that you are listening but that you also care about what they’re saying. You’ll be surprised how much respect and appreciation you gain just by asking good questions. In addition to verifying what you’ve heard, you should ask questions that seek more information. Examples of probing questions are “What happened next?” and “Why did he say that?” The key is to make certain that your questions really do add to your understanding of the speaker's words, rather than deflecting the conversation to a different topic.

3. Practice reflective listening

Psychologist Carl Rogers used the term “reflective listening” to describe the listening strategy of paraphrasing the meaning of what’s being said in order to make certain you’ve interpreted the speaker’s words correctly. By doing this, you give the speaker the opportunity to clarify what she meant to say. When you practice reflective listening, don’t simply repeat the speaker’s words to her. Use your own words to show that you’ve absorbed the informatio

4. Use positive body language

Becoming cognizant of your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice (and making certain they’re positive) will draw people to you like ants to a picnic. Using an enthusiastic tone, uncrossing your arms, maintaining eye contact, and leaning towards the speaker are all forms of positive body language employed by great listeners. Positive body language can make all the difference in a conversation.

5. Don’t pass judgment

If you want to be a good listener, you must be open-minded. Being open-minded makes you approachable and interesting to others. No one wants to have a conversation with someone who has already formed an opinion and is not willing to listen. Having an open mind is crucial in the workplace, where approachability means access to new ideas and help. To eliminate preconceived notions and judgment, you need to see the world through other people’s eyes. This doesn’t require that you believe what they believe or condone their behavior; it simply means that you quit passing judgment long enough to truly understand what they are saying.

6. Keep your mouth shut

If you’re not checking for understanding or asking a probing question, you shouldn’t be talking. Not only does thinking about what you’re going to say next take your attention away from the speaker, hijacking the conversation shows that you think you have something more important to say. This means that you shouldn’t jump in with solutions to the speaker’s problems. It’s human nature to want to help people, especially when it’s someone you care about, but what a lot of us don’t realize is that when we jump in with advice or a solution, we’re shutting the other person down. It’s essentially a more socially acceptable way of saying, “Okay, I’ve got it. You can stop now!” The effect is the same.

7. Bringing it all together

Life is busy, and it seems to whirl by faster every day. We all try to do a million things at once, and sometimes it works out. But active, effective listening isn’t something you can do on the fly. It requires a conscious effort.

Travis Bradberry