10 Simple Steps to New Business (more easily)

Posted by kathie on Monday, January 31, 2011

10 Simple Steps to New Business More Easily

I was thinking about you this morning as I drove to my Monday morning mastermind group.  I was wrestling with the the question “What makes getting new business so easy for some and not for others?”   This question and it’s answers could fill a book!  So here are some easy to execute activities that are simple (and can even be fun).  They are guaranteed to lead to results.  Just take the time to reach out.

#1  Focus

• Pick a niche or industry segment you know and focus on an issue you can solve right now.
• Plan to share the tips, trends, or insights in multiple forms. (i.e. newsletter, conversations, product guides, etc.)

#2  Pick up the phone

• Check in with your past clients.
• Follow up with strategic alliances and power partners.
• Follow up on leads that may be sitting in your inbox, loose on your desk or proposals you’ve already made.

#3  Ask good questions

• What trends do they notice?
• Ask about their biggest opportunities or obstacles in 2011.
• Learn more about the initiatives will they implement.

#4  Listen

• This seems obvious but when you ask the question, put your own agenda aside and be present.  Listen with both ears and your whole heart.

#5  Contribute

• Share one or two things you are noticing based on your expertise and experience.
• Make introduction to resources or power partners where appropriate.
• Ask if there is anything you can do to help at this current time.

#6  Reach Out

• Start the daily  practice of sending a handwritten note. Thank someone. Acknowledge someone.  Just do it.
• Share your social proof (a recommendation or feedback) 
  • Linked In recommendation
  • Amazon book review
  • Facebook tag and shout out
  • Twitter kudos
• Get out of your own backyard (or familiar place).  If you’ve been in the same groups for awhile, shake things up.  Change your routine.  Meet some new people.

#7  Get feedback

• Call your business coach.
• Ask your mastermind, leads group, etc. for any trends or insights they have regarding trends in your industry.

#8  STOP!

• Pry yourself away from people, events, and activities that do not give you a return on your time investment.
• Be brutal.  Not with them but with yourself and your time.  It’s a non-renewable resource.  You only have so many hours a day to take your business where you want to go.  If you want to spend time with those people and events on your “off” time, schedule it!

#9  Pray

• An attitude of gratitude attracts good things.
• Meditation is good for the soul.  We become what we think about.
• Prayer softens the heart.  Too often when we prepare to go into business building mode we steel ourselves for the perceived negativity we might experience in the “sales” process.  When we get hardened…our contacts sense it.
• Find your “faith” place.  Faith is believing in things that are not seen as if they are seen.  You don’t have the new business yet but because you believe in your heart and take the right actions, you will.

#10  Do something

• Pick one thing and do it…every day.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  One of my favorite quotes by Alex Mandossian is “Sloppy success is better than mediocre perfection.”
• You can’t steer a parked car.  Get moving and course correct as you go!

2011 started like gangbusters for many!  There is a rising tide of those who are ready to take action.   There is opportunity there for you.  All you have to do is act.

We believe this is your year!  Let us know if we can support you in any way.

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To your success!
Kathie Nelson
http://www.KathieNelson.com