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Archive for the 'Relationships' Category
Apr
7
2013
Relationships can turn into Loyal Customers, says Annette Walden Mason
 Relationships – 68% of clients leave because of perceived indifference. Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. ~ Robert Collier In order to build relationships it’s important to stay in touch. This applies in our personal lives as well as business. Just like we nurture relationships with new friends, we want to nurture our relationship with prospects so they will become our new client. In order to nurture that relationship, contact is necessary.
Not everyone we meet wants or needs our products or service….now. But, if we stay in touch and offer value in our communication, perhaps that will change and/or the prospect will refer us when asked, ‘who do you know who sells…..’
Sometimes people just don’t respond to our time table. People are busy. Life happens. People forget. Our priorities are not their priorities. Building relationships with people and trying to establish a helpful giving attitude will come back tenfold.
We can expand the ways we keep in touch, which might include: phone calls, one on ones, post cards, letters, greeting cards, emails, audios, videos, etc. Then mix up the forms of contact creating interest and anticipation and offering value. Although we may have a lot of information of interest about our business, it is important in building relationships that we take into consideration the interest of our prospect. By notating their interests and following up with them with information shows that we do truly care about building the relationship.
Every business and sales person can benefit from relationship marketing. By building the relationship and keeping in touch with clients is a great referral source. I refer to these clients as a “Golden Referral Source.” If the sales person builds a solid relationship with their client, found them the perfect, home, car, etc., AND stays in touch with them over the years, they will receive referrals and more business from that client for years to come.
Some companies are cutting their prices to keep clients in today’s economy. If a company has a quality product, outstanding service, is dependable, and has built a solid relationship by staying in touch, then that customer is not going to stray just because they might save a few dollars. They realize that the relationship and service they have received is a better value.
Here are some ways to stay in front of your clients.
- Follow up with a phone call, offer industry information on a periodic basis
- Mailing them something personal not bulk or junk mail.
- Personal visit to their place of business and not necessarily to make a sale
- Be their business partner. Take a personal interest in their success.
- Willingness to help even if there is no monetary gain now
Zig Ziglar says that if you help enough people to get what they want, you’ll get what you want.
Remember that it is more costly to find a new customer than it is to maintain and keep the ones we currently have. If we maintain 5% of our current clientele we can double our business. Because they will come back to us time and time again and will refer others to us.
68% of clients leave because of perceived indifference. Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. ~ Robert Collier
From the blog of PaintedLadyMusings.com. I write mostly about Relationship Marketing, Networking, and Business related topics, but from time to time I muse about something else. Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.
Apr
1
2013
Come out and Support Bonnie Ross-Parker’s Team on May 31st, 2013
The Relay for Life event www.RelayForLife.org/ViningsSmyrnaGA is on May 31st and Bonnie Ross-Parker is one of the top participants. Bonnie invites you to join her team for fighting cancer and finding a cure.
Bonnie Ross-Parker is also looking for supporters (pledges) and walkers. If this sounds like something you would like to do for your community, please do not hesitate to register HERE.
 Bonnie Ross-Parker is looking for walkers and supporters for her “Relay for Life” team. Come on out on May 31st. We’ll have so much fun together while supporting a great cause. Who I’m Participating For
My reason for participating in my Relay For Life event is personal. We all participate in Relay events because we’ve been affected by cancer in some way and because a Relay For Life event gives us the power to make a difference and fight back. This is my opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember people we have lost, and help raise funds for groundbreaking research, information and services for people fighting cancer.
Dr. Gordy Klatt founded Relay For Life in 1985 to raise funds for the American Cancer Society by doing something he liked – running. Dr. Klatt is currently undergoing treatment for stomach cancer. We are very excited to announce that; pending his recovery, Dr Gordy Klatt will be making a VERY RARE East Coast appearance at Relay For Life of Vinings-Smyrna, GA on Friday, May 31, 2013!!!
Please light a luminaria to honor this incredible man’s lifesaving impact and to serve as a symbol of hope for a world without cancer. You may personalize your Luminaria to remember a loved one who lost the battle with cancer as I am doing in my moms memory. You can also choose to honor a loved one who is currently a Survivor and is fighting back against cancer.
Relay For Life of Vinings – Smyrna, GA Team Rally is Tuesday, APRIL 9th, 2013 & begins at 7:00 pm at
La Paz Vinings Restaurant & Cantina, Lower level
Visit http://facebook.com/RelayForLifeofViningsSmyrnaGA for more details!
Consider joining Bonnie Ross Parker’s Relay for Life team! We’ll have so much fun together while supporting a great cause. Help create a world with more birthdays & less cancer.
Feb
27
2013
Introductions; have you ever stopped to consider the power you have when you make introductions? I often remind others to introduce people they know to people they need to meet.
 Bonnie Ross-Parker facilitating relationships at the Pro-Networker Event. You simply never know where an introduction will lead! Have you ever stopped to consider the power you have when you make introductions? The reverse is also valuable. Introduce people you meet to people they need to know. You simply never know where an introduction will lead! You have no way of knowing who YOU’LL meet and the difference that individual will make in YOUR life. You never know who will meet YOU and the difference you can make in that person’s life.
A valuable part of one’s personal and professional growth is to recognize the power you have that can significantly affect individuals you meet along the way. Learn to share your resources, your knowledge and your connections. Not only will these efforts produce results for others – you’ll benefit from the reward that comes from being a person who cares about others.
Want to grow your network? Be a connector. Click here to see how to facilitate relationships and make introductions.
Feb
16
2013
 Powerhouse Self-Defense will significantly reduce the number of females that are sexually assualted each year in the USA, by empowering ladies, nationwide. About: Powerhouse Self-Defense is designed to teach ladies how to avoid sexual assault with basic techniques. Just one self-defense technique is enough to make a difference. We will come to your location.COME PREPARED-LEAVE EMPOWERED!
Mission
Powerhouse Self-Defense LLC’s mission is to significantly reduce the number of girls and women that are sexually abused each year in the USA, by teaching them how to defend themselves through its empowering Program. Powerhouse Self-Defense LLC’s vision is to bring the Program to different states in the USA, thereby expanding nationwide.
Feb
9
2013
Your Dreams: Speakers Phil and Bonnie Parker | Symposium | #JOC Blog
YOUR DREAMS: When looking for dynamic speakers you will find Phil Parker and Bonnie at the top of your list.
Here’s a picture of Phil and Bonnie speaking at the symposium”Put Your Dreams to the Test.” It’s the first time they have both spoken at the same event. Phil did the Keynote and Bonnie, CEO/Founder of The Joy of Connecting, did a breakout session.
Phil’s ability to effectively collect and present information garnered over 35 years of professional business experience leaves his audience with new ideas. His experience in Operations Management, Franchise Development, Sales and Sales Training brings a wealth of personal experiences, stories and expertise. Phil shares his techniques for putting risk in perspective, getting comfortable with the discomfort of change and discovering the possibilities before you and the potential within you.
 Here’s a picture of them speaking at the “Put Your Dreams to the Test Symposium,” this month. In 2002, Bonnie received The Athena Award ~ an honor designed to acknowledge women of leadership in cities throughout the United States. In September 2005, she was honored by the Women’s Leadership Exchange, a New York based organization, as an Influential Woman of Georgia and currently serves on their Atlanta Advisory Board. Bonnie is a featured speaker with the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance. Bonnie was honored by The International Toastmaster’s Organization of Georgia with their annual Communication & Leadership Award in May 2006. She’s the author of “Walk In My Boots” ~ The Joy of Connecting, Y.O.U. Set A High Standard for Being Human and 42 Rules for Effective Connections. (Read more about Bonnie)
Bonnie and Phil draw on their years of mentoring. They also draw on their years of networking experience to expertly guide you through the questions required of every successful business owner, entrepreneur, or dreamer. They help you to create the right answers, giving you principles and tips too so you can make good decisions and maximize every moment to achieve your dream.You can be a stay at home mom or a CEO looking for a change; they have the perfect plan for you. Contact Phil or Bonnie for your next event.
What’s the difference between a dreamer and someone who achieves a dream? The answer lies in answering powerful, yet straightforward, questions. Whether you’ve lost sight of an old dream or you are searching for a new one within you, “Put Your Dream to the Test” with an action plan that you can start using today. You can see, own, and reach your dream.
The Joy of Connecting is quietly making some exciting changes. Look for hints along the way. If you’re a business woman and want to make a difference in the lives of others, become a #JOC Leader today http://bit.ly/JOCLeadership
Dec
31
2008
Did you procrastinate?
Didn’t send Holiday Cards? Need to send Thank You cards? Actually, sending cards now can get you noticed (and in a positive way). Instead of your card getting lost in the shuffle of the busy Holiday season, sending a heartfelt personal card for the New Year is surely to make your greeting ‘stand out from the rest.’
Are you making your resolutions for the New Year? Is getting organized and simplifying your life at the top of your list? It seems to make my Resolution list every year. What I find with organizing that has helped me the most over time, is putting systems and tools in place that not only remind me but help make the task easier and saves time and money. Here are to testimonials from two professional organizers who endorse as well as use SendOutCards:
Sending Christmas cards to all my clients was a breeze, using SOC with “custom shared” greeting cards. SOC saved me lots of time this holiday season: my client list is already loaded so I was able to hand-select who to send cards to, I had the cards “done” in November but had the campaign sent in December, and, of course, I didn’t have to address envelopes or slap on stamps – what a time-saving service!
Dawn McCloskey
Ultra Organized, LLC
770-844-1049
www.ultraorganized.com
Member: National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the NAPO Georgia Chapter
“From chaos comes order”
Send Out Cards is the perfect service to help any company or individual stay organized. I consider Send Out Cards essential when organizing a client’s home or office. I organize both residentially and commercially and Send Out Cards is perfect for families and businesses alike. With Send Out Cards you can easily upload all your contacts, set reminders, even make cards ahead of time and set them to send on a certain date. With a feature like this, even the busiest of clients can find the time to sit down once a month and send cards for all birthdays, anniversaries and other needs. Send Out Cards also allows you to create your own handwriting font so your cards even have your personal touch. Businesses can upload logos and other marketing pieces, making it the perfect tool to promote your business in a cost effective manner. Save time and money and become more organized in 2009 by using Send Out Cards.
Sharon L. Hess
Mommy Management, Inc.
2260 Rushmore Drive Suite P
Marietta, Ga. 30062
770-826-3864 – Cell and Office
770-993-4449 – Home
770-454-0143 – Fax
www.MommyManagementInc.com
So whether you want to send Happy New Year greetings or send Thank you cards or both, SendOutCards offers lots of great cards with New Year’s greetings and 1000s of great cards for every other occasion. Ring in 2009 with beautiful and thoughtful Happy New Year Cards for your family, friends, clients, and prospects. You can get very creative by customizing with colors, fonts, and images/photos to create wonderfully personalized cards that are unique and different. Wish your loved ones and clients joy and happiness in the coming year with an exceptional card from SendOutCards today!
Being one who has always been a card sender, SendOutCards provided that system for me and so much more. It provides the tools within the system that helps me to save time all year long. No more driving to the store, post office, stocking cards, (not to mention still not having just the right card when I needed it) and then trying to remember to mail it at the appropriate time. SendOutCards has solved all these issues for me.
I invite you to try the system yourself. Experience a demonstration and send a couple of cards with my compliments. Log onto www.CardsByPaintedLady.com or www.SendOutCards.com/12466.
I will be glad answer your questions and/or send you additional information. Get started today saving time and money. Find out how to set up your starter account for less than $15 with no monthly fees or contracts. Oh and ask me how you can also make money with SendOutCards.
Happy New Year and Happy Organizing!
In gratitude,
Annette
Resolve to Simplify Your Card Sending this year. Log on and find out how to create, personalize, and mail your cards with just a few mouse clicks. Send them a REAL greeting card with my compliments @ www.CardsByPaintedLady.com or http://www.SendOutCards.com/12466
Gifts, Greeting Cards, and Promotional Products
www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”
Nov
24
2008
All one has to do is look around where you are to feel grateful for life’s many blessings! And, all you have to do is think of those who continue to bless our lives every day to realize that reasons for gratitude are everywhere. Just think of all the indivduals who make our lives easier – the mailman, the clerks who stock the grocery shelves, the tank trucks that supply us with gasoline, the bank teller, dry cleaner, street cleaners, garbage men and recyclers, retailers, civil servants, our dentist, doctors, financial planner, insurance agent and the list goes on and on. With the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, I’m reminded that my life is richer not because of what I’ve acquired but rather because of the people who make a difference in my life! So, to those who have chosen to connect with me and for those of you who are an essential part of my life, I want you to know that I appreciate you and wish you overflowing peace and happiness now and always. Express gratitude to the people in your life. Let them know how much they are valued. Until next time…………..Bonnie www.BonnieRossParker.com
Nov
23
2008
I hauled myself out of bed the other morning at 4AM in order to attend a Breakfast networking meeting that was entitled How Gratitude can bring an increase in your bottom line! When I first got the invitation to this meeting, I thought Oh Boy! This is right up my alley. But after a long week at getting up early going to meetings and then attending more late night meetings also, not to mention suffering from a head cold and sinus infection going on 4 weeks now, when the alarm went off, I thought, OMG what was I thinking. I got ready anyway because I had to pick up my team mate who had registered and paid for us to go.
It was very well worth the trip. It was not your typical business meeting. This is a new group focused on all the right aspects of business. The very first exercise we did was to talk with those at our table and to tell what we were grateful for not in our business, but in our life. That was different, but it is close to Thanksgiving, so I could understand. But as the presentation went on, I began to see the true theme of the meeting and the organization. It was very refreshing because it hit right on my core values and beliefs, that of building relationships with people and trying to establish a helpful giving attitude will come back to you ten fold.
I go to a lot of face to face networking meetings of all kinds and meet a lot of people. My primary purpose, of course, like everyone else, it to find new business. Along the way I meet a lot of people who are doing the same thing. Now we all know we can’t all do business with each other, however we can try and help each other. How you ask? Listen and ask questions. Find out about the person and their business, what makes them unique and different from others in their industry. One of the questions that you can ask, which was presented in this meeting, “Why should I do business with you?” Try that one sometimes and you’ll be surprised at the answers you get. Also think about what you would say if someone asked you that question. Now you still might not need their services at the moment, but you can use that information in a number of ways.
Here are five things you can do:
- ¨ Introduce that person to a good referral partner for them. Example: Introduce a Real Estate person to a mortgage broker.
- ¨ Suggest/invite them to other networking meetings, groups, organizations, etc. that they might attend. I have a ‘Networking Opportunities’ list posted on my website that I refer people to.
- ¨ If it’s someone you really want to establish a relationship with, make the effort to follow up with them. Send them a note or card. Call and set up a meeting for coffee with the intention of ‘How can we help each other’ or ‘I want to get to know you and understand your business better.’
- ¨ File their info, so you will have it when you hear someone needs that service. Establish yourself as a ‘Who do you know that does?”
- ¨ Refer that person whenever possible.
Here is an example of how gratitude helped my bottom line this week. I help co-host a women’s monthly networking meeting. We had a professional organizer who attended our meetings a few times. She impressed me because besides just introducing herself and telling about her business, she would offer helpful tips on organizing. We established some rapport and she started using my greeting card service for which I was grateful. When someone asks if I know an organizer, I refer them to her. One of the referrals was to my sister in law, who just raved the ideas and information she provided, and she would definitely be using her services. I also asked her to be a speaker at an upcoming business meeting in January. So even though I have not used her services personally, I know she’s very good and knowledgeable at what she does and she is very reliable.
Here’s where the story gets interesting. I recently acquired a new client for my greeting card business and when I talked with her and asked how she found out about me and my service, she said she had been a speaker at a recent meeting of which my friend the organizer had sent her a thank you card. Do you turn cards over to see what brand it is? My website was printed on the back of the card. She liked the card so much, she set up her own account, tried it, liked it, and then upgraded. Was I grateful? You better believe it. I not only sent a Thank You card, but a gift as well.
So, I believe, the point of all this is showing gratitude and appreciation and helping others can help to build your business because they in turn will do the same for us.
I leave you with these quotes:
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward
Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern
“Send Out to Give” Kody Bateman
“What goes around, comes around” – Proverb quote
Happy Thanksgiving
In gratitude,
Annette S. Walden
Are your Holiday Cards done yet? Log on and find out how to create, personalize, and mail your cards with just a few mouse clicks. Send them a REAL greeting card with my compliments @ www.CardsByPaintedLady.com or www.SendOutCards.com/12466
Gifts, Greeting Cards, and Promotional Products
http://www.paintedladyenterprises.com/
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”
Nov
23
2008
It’s the holiday season I can already tell. It seems that this time of the year people’s nerves seem to be on edge. Or is the economy or a combination of both? Or is it that some individuals who are in business just don’t understand that being gracious in business dealings will help to build a lasting relationship with a client or potential client. And hopefully that lasting relationship will lead to future business and/or referrals.
Here are some of my recent musings that have prompted me to write this blog.
Sometimes people may not need your product or service when you initially talk with them. If you’re gracious during your interaction, they might remember you the next time someone says, “Do you know someone who sells XYZ?” Or they may even come back to you months later and say OK now the time is right and I want to buy your product or service.
Sometimes you may order something and when you received it, it just wasn’t what you expected. And if the person is gracious about letting you return it, you might be more apt to try and do business with them the next time you were looking for other products that they sell.
Sometimes people just don’t respond to your time table. People are busy. Life happens. People forget. Your priorities are not their priorities. I’ve always heard that sugar works better than vinegar or if life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Sometimes a gentle nudge as a reminder works a whole lot better than sending a nasty gram/email. You never know what problems or issues they may be dealing with.
Sometimes having a cheerful, positive, and helpful attitude will promote you and your business far more than you know. I recently helped to put together a Holiday and Gift Bazaar. We did a lot of work promoting it, but we did not have the turn out that we had wanted. Most everyone was gracious and understanding and blamed it on the economy, etc. I was very impressed with one individual whose attitude and actions went far beyond my expectations. She even sent us a thank you note telling us how much she appreciated how professional everything was done and that she appreciated all our efforts. Now, she sells a product that I typically purchase from someone else, but because of her graciousness, the next time I am in need of this product, I will be ordering from her, referring her, and finding ways I can help her with her business.
And Sometimes I have been know to lose my cool as a consumer and pull out the ‘B’ card. I regret it when I do. Recently I had been trying to get an issue resolved. The person I was dealing with had done a wonderful job except for one little thing and she was a friend. She had to work through her company for a solution. I have to give her credit; she handled herself and me very graciously. She found and provided me with an acceptable resolution. I had been giving her glowing testimonials, but after that I am even more ingratiated to her. I recommend her every chance I get and I will do business with her again.
Here are some quotes to consider for doing business. I offer them for us to ponder this holiday season and throughout the year.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>If you help enough people get want they want, you’ll get what you want. Zig Zilar
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Givers Gain – Ivan Misner
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. ~Henry Clay
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors. ~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. ~Author Unknown
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you – not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain
<!–[if !supportLists]–>¨ <!–[endif]–>The fragrance always lingers in the hand that gives the flower
I hope the saying that ‘Nice guys (gals) finish last’ isn’t true. And even if it is, I would rather be remembered as being gracious in my business dealings.
In gratitude,
Annette S. Walden
Marketing Solutions Consultant
www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com
“Helping you and your business look good!”
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