Picking yourself up when you fail?

May 16, 2012 by fiona • Blog • 0 Comment

Self made billionaire Sarah Blakey talks about how she picked herself up when she failed or was faced with a challenging situation. Click Here to listen to her interview with Diane Sawyer

This got me thininking how have I learnt from my business mistakes and how do I pick myself up?

Business mistakes…

So here are some of the business mistakes I have learnt from and what I now do differently

1. Feeling uncomfortable asking for the sale – ASK for the sale and set up referral networks & learn to market my business so it is easy
2. Not getting paid for a large job – getting deposits up front
3. Feeling all alone making business decisions from my home office – attending regular networking events & asking for help & getting a coach to make me accountable
4. Thinking marketing was going to cost me a lot – learning how to use social media
5. Not following my own sales systems – stop and check out what my gut instinct is telling me

When I fail I…

• Ask myself what can I do differently next time?
• Ask for feedback from trusted advisors
• Blog about what I learnt
• Build it into my systems and teach my clients about it

Love to hear what your strategies are

Cheat sheet of the basics you need to have ready for using temporary or contract staff

May 9, 2012 by fiona • Blog • 0 Comment

As a business grows or when staff take holidays you may find the need to use a temp in your business.

I have been into many businesses where a temp has been sitting behind a desk answering calls and running over to interrupt staff to answer questions or greeting guests and not knowing where to put them or how to find the person they are due to be meeting.

So if you are looking to…

• Sell your business and would like a better price
• Take on new staff
• Use temporary staff
• Plan on taking on contractors
• Outsource administration work
• Plan to use a virtual assistant

having some basics about your business written down will mean that the first impression your clients /customers receive will be consistent and professional.

This week I am giving away a whole page of information from the Adminstration Manual for you to use to record some of the core things that help your business run smoothly.

Use the table and record your company’s information and leave a copy on the reception desk computer or print it out.

I suggest you record details about how to print documents and where the stationery is kept.

We have created a product which captures all this really useful information and packaged it at a great price.

Visit this page to get started Adminstration Manual

Do you have a bucket list for your business?

April 24, 2012 by fiona • Blog • 0 Comment

I recently started my own personal bucket list not because I have recieved any life threatening news. The intention is to stretch myself, aquire new skills, experiences, have a goal just for me ( not the mum, wife & business owner )look for ways to learn & stretch myself and connect with like minded people whom I can learn from.

The BUCKET LIST contains 3 columns

1. the thing I want to do
2. date I achieved it
3. what I learned

At the end of  March I ticked off the 1st item on the list which was to walk the 19.4k  Tongariro crossing. I learnt so much about my mindset & persistence & the kindness of other human beings that it got me thinking what if I applied this to my business?

How would my business learn and grow from my stretching myself?

What do think would change in your business if you created a bucket list ? ( I am counting on injecting some more fun )

I wonder how we would all approach our businesses with this mindset in place?

Would we give more to our clients, be kinder to our team & suppliers?Create more exciting products and services? Work with other people in afflilations?

Would that list of things you know would benefit the business suddenly get done?

If you would like a copy of my Bucket List template  email fiona.hall@kiffin.co.nzwith Bucket List in the subject line.

Persistence and Resilience

April 2, 2012 by fiona • Blog • 0 Comment

In business & life we are often faced with obstables to overcome. Sometimes they seem insurmountable and you wonder “am I on the right path“.

 Persistence & Resilience   Here is a link to remind us all that the great people we might admire from history did not fall into success they worked hard and often in the face of those who told them they would not succeed.

The common theme appears to be persistence & resilence in the face of nayer sayers and critics.

Great reminder for anyone and I would add find yourself some honest cheerleaders who will help you celebrate your well deserved successes.

Life = Risk

What have you worked hard to achieve?