Family Priority

Continued (Do you really have a busines- Part 1)

Lets switch it up and use this example for better clarification:

Think of a Retail Store in a mall (any one will do), and lets say they do a minimum of $5k a day, $35k a week, roughly $140k a month, and over $1.8 million a year in sales. (Got it?... Read again if need be.)

These are the basic stats and the company is pleased (to say the least) because they are meeting all the sales goals, making plan, and completely destroying LY figures. The store is on the roll this year!

Now, you are on your way to this store to check up on the staff, congratulate them on a job well done, and of course monitor their activity in order to report to the"higher ups" what may be implemented at other locations etc. etc. (Lets say you are spending one week at this location.)

Ok, now here we go...You are in the store day after day for an entire week and although you are very pleased by the outcome of the stores statistic performance, you are a bit confused and slightly outraged by what is taking place within the store.

You have witnessed several loss sales (too many to count), no one on the staff ever greets the customer upon entering the store, not one person implemented any of the sales techniques described in the company manual, no one ever followed up, customers had to go to the counter for help, employees were always grouped together (mostly behind the register), no add on sales (up-sales) were ever attempted, and pretty much no sale was ever made unless a customer specifically asked for a particular item.

Now, statistically this store is amazing, but the most important part of any business (customer service) is not just lacking, it is non-existent!

You have a store doing over 1.8 million in sales this year (which is great) but you cant contribute any of those earnings to actual customer service sales conversion because the store basically only makes money when the customer approaches the salesperson.

So, with that being said (written) what do you think the first thing that comes to your mind will be or should be?

IF THIS STORE IS DOING $1.8 MILLION A YEAR WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CUSTOMER SERVICE......

1. WE ARE LOSING MONEY!

2. WE COULD BE MAKING MORE!

3. THIS STORE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DO WAY BETTER!

4. THIS STORE SHOULD BE A $3 MILLION DOLLAR STORE!

Everything that sounds good, looks good, and that may even be doing extremely well does not mean that it is at its BEST!

So, are you at your BEST?

Is your "business" at its best?

Look at the big picture- Don't ever let your statistics accomplished out weigh your basic principles expected!

Thanks for reading,

Family Priority

Here we are again; short, sweet, and directly to the point.

Do you practice what you preach?

Do you follow your own rules and regulations?

Do you have a "do what I say, not what I do" mentality?

If so, you really need to check yourself!

No matter what happens around you or even to you, you are ultimately the only one that has the choice to make or break each individual situation at hand.

People are always watching; employees, co-workers, peers, children, friends, etc. and you make a statement everyday whether you intend to or not.

So what are you teaching those who are around you?

What is your input and representation of valuable work ethic?

Each and everyday, what is it that others gain from your existence?

Think about it! What you do (or what people see you do rather) is what defines you.

So, with that being said (written), what is your definition look like?

Thanks for reading,

Family Priority

Short, sweet, and directly to the point; are you a good follower?

Well, are you? - Think about it! (Am I a good follower?)

You must first master the art of being an excellent follower of direction before you can ever attempt to be an excellent leader that gives the direction!

Real leadership is earned by experience, and it is very hard to gain the respect of others if you are attempting to lead in an area you have never once followed in prior.

Think about it.... let it marinate!

Thanks for reading,

Family Priority

This is one of the first questions you need to ask yourself in order to substantiate some actual ground rules for not only your "business", but also for yourself.

Do You Really Have A Business?

Most people dont want to admit that they have absolutely no clue if they even have a business or not, and the majority of those who are so "confident" that they do- Usually Dont!

Please note, I didn't ask if you are self-employed or on 1099 status, because quite frankly (bluntly) that does not have an ounce of bearing on whether or not you have an actual Business.

It takes more than a fancy name or idea to be considered a legitimate business. Even if you work for a reputable company, with a reputable and well recognized name, your 1099 from them does not justify your personal business.

Sadly, most 1099....ers dont even consider becoming business owners, but would rather settle for the feel of employee, which is a huge mistake. There are too many benefits that come with a business to settle for anything less, especially when your set up in the perfect situation to maximize its potential.

Hold on.... Im all in left field, back to the message at hand.

Do you really have a business?

How is your "business" structured and what organizations and functions are put into place to justify its legitimacy and continued success?

Again, I'm not talking about the general information such as Sole Proprietor, LLC, C-Corp, and S-Corp. which only is the basic identity of the entity, I want you to ask yourself, why is your "business" a business and what is it that you have put in place to succeed?

No matter what entity you have chosen or may have, there are several key factors that play a part as to whether or not your entity is even considered a Business.

You can own 5 houses, 10 cars, and bring in over a million dollars a year gross, with a substantial amount of profit and personal net and still have a clueless entity that has not established the key factors that the key industries look for.

Using the illustration above, one would think "well so what, who cares what the industry thinks if Im making over a million, have 5 houses, 10 cars, etc.", but here is the problem with this frame of thought - If your "business" was set up with all these key factors in place, (think about it) how much more could you be making, how much are you missing out on, and how much more opportunity is there for improvement?

Continued - Do you really have a business? (Part 2)

Thanks for reading,

Family Priority

Why is there always at least one thing that we know we need to do, but we just dont or wont do it?

Knowldedge is power, and yes the lack of it destroys, but how do we define or characterize a person who knows and just refuses to do?

A person who smokes, who knows it causes cancer, and sincerely wants to quit, but just wont.

Someone who may be dealing with weight, who knows it is unhealthy, and sincerely wants to lose weight, but just wont.

A student with an exam, who knows its challenging, and sincerely wants to pass, but wont study for it.

The loose handle on the door that opens at will-

The faucet that has been leaking so long it would be abnormal if the tune was missing in the house-

The runny toilet with the continuous flush-

The death trap that most people call a garage that looks like someone is just moving in or on there way out-

The pile of leaves in the back yard raked up into a small hill like decoration that was suppose to be bagged up over a year ago-

The Christmas lights that seen every holiday of the year......Twice!

I know you know exactly what Im talking about!

The first two examples I used were for illustration purposes only (no judging or means of disrespect intended), but the severity or the seriousness that surrounds it was my focus.

Business is no exception to these (what seem to be) small things, because procrastination and putting things off evolves into a habit.

Organization and structure starts with you! How can you actually expect your business to out perform you and your regular characteristics, personality, and work ethic? You cant because it wont!

What you do and how you are at home, is a clear representation that will determine your outcome away from home. What am I trying to say? If you procrastinate with your personal obligations, you will most definitely procrastinate with your business obligations, whether you see it, feel it, believe it or not.

Now this does not apply (well it does but to avoid unnecessary arguements) to those of you who know how to put on a great "Front" on the outside (business world, etc) and pretend to have it all together when deep down you know your really a mess on the inside (at home, etc,).

I challenge you to pick just one (and we both know there is at least one) thing that you have been putting off or procrastinating about and simply go get it done. No ifs, ands, or buts- factor it into your schedule as a main objective and a goal, and go make it happen.

You will be surprised how something so small or what seems to be so irrelevant, can make such a huge impact on both your personal and business character and work ethic. No matter how small, you will be excited to see that your "to do list" finally has some check marks on the side of items and/or some lines etched across some of the words on the page which stands for Completion.

Procrastination is evil and the majority of the time its you that is the most hindered by its very existence. We have to learn how to control the controlables, and that starts with and definitely includes YOU!

Test it and see for yourself, just pick one thing that you know without a doubt that you have repeatedly procrastinated about over and over, and make note of how good you feel once you have finally completed the task.

Remember, procrastination is habitual, however, whatever you "Make" you have the choice to "Break."

Thanks for reading,

Family Priority