Companies that become clients come to me saying:
* We have trouble attracting new prospects.
* Sales are down and we’re not sure why.
* We don’t appear to be competitive.
* We're stuck and can't figure out a way to move forward
My best clients are smaller – typically sole-proprietors or partnerships (retail, on-line, professional services) – who have been in business for 2-3 years and want to
get to the next stage of their business, but don’t know how. To help them get there, I use several techniques and activities:
I refine the way they present themselves so they attract more business. To reach these new customers/clients, I make recommendations for specific marketing activities. To help them find the funds to carry out these activities, I examine their operations to find ways to be more efficient with the resources on hand. I create timelines to implement their new objectives with specific milestones so they can see their success. Once these objectives are finalized, I hold clients accountable for their goals so they are motivated to keep moving. When they don’t feel they are making progress, I support them by putting their situations in perspective so they feel encouraged to go on. After working with me, clients feel much more productive because they have a realistic road map to grow their business. What actually happens when you work with me? To make sure we’re “right” for each other, I will meet with you for a FREE 45-minute business review session. Here, you’ll tell me what is going on with your business right now. This means discussing what you are proud of; what is drawing customers to you; and what is making you money. Of course, I also want to hear what is not working; what customers you are not yet attracting, and what goals you have not yet met. I will carefully listen and tell you my perceptions of your situation and what experience if have in helping business owners like you. If, at this point, we both want to go forward, I will send you a proposal detailing what I can offer you, which will include the services I will complete , the amount of time needed to complete them and the fee.
2. If you accept my proposal, I will ask you to sign a mutual contract which specifies each of our responsibilities.
3. To get the work going and to ensure that I am fully familiar with your business, you will complete what I call a company “inventory” questionnaire. I need this for two reasons. I want to learn more the strengths and weaknesses of your business, of your competitors, and your SPECIFIC financial and management goals. More importantly, I want you to describe them, based on YOUR perceptions. Remember, if we are ultimately going to tell your business story better, it has to start with you.
4. At our first meeting we will review your responses and together come to an agreement as to which goals you want to attain and list them in priority order. I will identify the particular tasks or actions that each of us will be responsible for and a deadline to accomplish them. The point here is to create a working timeline so that achieve the results you seek in the time we have allotted.
5. From here on, we will be meeting (usually) weekly. At each session, we will go over he the assignment and review in the context of our goal. When needed, time will be given to discuss situations that have arisen in your business that need immediate attention.
“What’s it going to cost me?” I hear your thinking. OK, it’s a fair question, But before I answer, I’ve got a few questions for you. (1) Are you making all the money you can? (2) Are you getting new customers? (3) Is your marketing really working? (4) Do you waste a lot of time trying to figure this all out? Well, if you said yes to any of these, you KNOW it’s time for a change. And change takes commitment, by you and a person to lead you. I am that person. My fees reflect your improved position in your market, your newly acquired customers and your increased revenue. That said, my fees are reasonable, yet affordable and worth it. Let’s get together and talk about your business. I’ll make it work for you.
“I’m NOT here to to tell what to do. I AM here to tell you what your choices may mean.
