Archive for the 'Branding & Tips' Category
July 2010 – already. I’ve waited so long for summer to kick in here in Vancouver, BC, that now that it is here, I find myself asking, “Where does the time go???”…Needless to say, I’ve been enjoying the sunshine tremendously and am happy to report that while summer was taking its sweet time, we were developing some very cool things at LeapZone.
The Spark™
May 2010 saw the launch of our first MasterMind-Style Group Coaching Program called The Spark™. For those of you who are not familiar with this program, The Spark™ is specifically designed for solopreneurs and small business owners that want to gain Clarity, Pivotal Shifts and Momentum by learning simple, proven strategies and methodologies in a group setting, to increase efficiency, brand awareness/popularity and profitability while loving life. The response has been outstanding so far, and we look forward to launching our second group in September 2010. Try it for yourself and be a part of it!
LeapTV™
September 2010 will also see the launch of our new FREE weekly online TV Show LeapTV™. It’s the show that shows solopreneurs and small business owners that small, intentional and consistent actions lead to massive results. In the meantime, see our feature in this month’s e-newsletter giving you the scoop on what to expect!
MyLeapTools™
MyLeapTools™ is a monthly membership site created to share kick-butt tools, ideas and methodologies that have greatly helped us, and our clients, get more done in less time. (Think of it as virtual coaching!). This site will be a useful companion to any small business owner who wants to raise the bar, increase efficiency and revolutionize the way they do business. Look for MyLeapTools™ late this Fall 2010 at www.myleaptools.com.
Other News…
On the publishing front, we have just submitted a chapter for the upcoming business and marketing book “The Next Big Thing”, published by CelebrityPress™. It is co-authored by several of America’s leading entrepreneurs and businesspeople, and we are proud to count LeapZone among them. If you are interested, feel free to read this press release for more info. The book is slated to be released in January 2011.
Starting at the beginning of August 2010, LeapZone welcomes Mavreen David to the team. Armed with tons of enthusiasm, experience, people skills, and resourceful to boot, she will provide the needed support internally, and to our clients. We are delighted to include her in our playground, and look forward to the positive synergy she will surely generate. Drop her a line at mavreen@leapzonestrategies.com to welcome her to the LeapZone Success Community!
So as you can see, we have taken great advantage of the extended rainy season this year and are very excited to continue this adventure with you. What is the one thing you can do this summer to begin your September with a bang?
Cheers!
Launching in September 2010, LeapTV™ is a short (5-12 minute), edgy, unconventional, practical, and FREE weekly online TV Show that helps solopreneurs and small business owners get clear, make small but powerful pivotal shifts, and gain momentum by taking action while keeping it simple. It’s the show that shows you that small, intentional and consistent actions lead to massive results.
LeapTV’s™ edge is about TELLING IT LIKE IT IS. This no BS show divulges simple and powerful principles that revolutionize the way you do business. It helps you and your business deliver like a well-engineered, well-oiled machine and makes you think, act and perform like never before. It is the spark plug that small business owners need to kick some serious ass by learning simple, unconventional tools, tips and tricks to win the game of business. LeapTV™ is also about building a great success community by leveraging viewers’ expertise and getting them involved by sharing their experiences, ideas, gems, concepts, insights and results.
By watching the show you can expect to:
1. Have fun learning simple and powerful principles.
2. Increase your level of clarity and efficiency.
3. Gain momentum by learning simple tools and strategies to allow you to grow more effortlessly.
4. Learn what branding truly is and what role it plays in becoming extraordinary to avoid elimination.
5. Increase your overall level of customer delight and loyalty.
6. Learn how to accomplish more in less time (and more effortlessly).
7. Learn methodologies to help you keep it simple and more profitable.
Want to leverage LeapTV’s exposure for your business?
Get involved!
LeapTV™ has amazing sponsorship and cross promotion opportunities for great companies like yours. Are you offering outstanding products and/or services that will not only improve our viewers’ performance and overall quality of life, but will also be in-line with LeapZone’s core brand foundation?. Contact Mavreen David at leaptv@leapzonestrategies.com to find out more.
P.S. Make sure to check out our new teaser video coming soon to www.leaptv.com in August 2010. In the meantime, you can view some of our beta-test podcasts…and try not to laugh!
See you online!
A few weeks back, we published a post about “wowing” your customers by giving them more than they expect. Well, I thought I would build on that post by giving you additional suggestions for creating an incredible experience for your customers and prospects (whether they purchase right away or not.)
Not every marketing message should be a targeted sales pitch. Not every conversation has to revolve around their decision to buy or not buy. When building your relationship with your prospects, give them something of immeasurable worth; knowledge.
Here are some suggestions of ways to include valuable content (and start leading your contacts to an eventual sale):
- Newsletters
- Tips and tricks of your industry (audio, video, written)
- Upcoming industry-related events
- Links to news articles about your industry
- Free reports and white papers
- Celebrity stories related to your products/services
Nobody knows your business better than you do. Taking the time to share your knowledge with your contacts will build that relationship of trust and appreciation. The best part? These ideas cost you nothing but a little love and time and could be worth a fortune in sales, not to mention, building a strong following community.
Remember, your prospects and customers should mean more to you than an occasional sale. Give them value and watch your customer ROI soar!
Leap of the Week: What’s one simple thing you can start doing this week that will not only add value, but could also put you at the top of the leader board?
Got a story to share?
Leave a comment! Asking questions as well as sharing wins and challenges is not only necessary to growth, it’s also a great way to learn from your success community.
Did you know that the vast majority of small businesses are one-man shows? And, it’s no wonder. Managing employees can be a challenge. You’ve undoubtedly heard many horror stories about late, rude, or lazy employees. But, just because those are the stories that get circulated, doesn’t mean all (or even most) employees are inadequate.
Good leadership & management can sometimes mean the difference between having poor, satisfactory, and phenomenal employees. Here are some ideas for encouraging employee excellence:
1- Build a culture of productivity. From the moment you first interview a candidate, they should understand your expectations. Whether your culture is a high-stress, strict regime, or a laid back, go with the flow atmosphere, be sure your employees truly comprehend that you value and expect productivity.
2- Offer performance incentives. Even the most dedicated and self-motivated worker needs an external incentive on occasion. Think of an incentive (such as Employee of the Month, or additional bonuses) that you can consistently offer based on performance.
3- Have employees learn your Brand Foundation (values, mission, brand promise, non-negotiables). Make sure your staff is aware of the company’s purpose. When the entire company is united in a common purpose, more work and better work gets done.
4- Give your employees a chance to grow. Too many business owners are tempted to do it all themselves. Relinquish your tight hold on the company and give your employees a chance to solve problems, try new ideas, and put their own thoughts and ideas to the test.
5- Practice “lavish praise and quick corrections.” One of my favorite books is The One-Minute Manager. You should read it. The essence of it is to catch people doing well and point it out to them. But you also have to quickly correct and reprimand when you see something outside of what you expect.
Whether you have 1 employee or 50, these suggestions will ensure a productive workplace and employee satisfaction while allowing to sleep better at night!
Have you ever put on a pair of pants and found a five-dollar bill in your pocket? Can you recall a time when someone bought you lunch simply to be nice? Do you remember what it feels like to receive a present “just because?” Well, that’s the type of feeling you provide your customers when you give them more than they are expecting.
Imagine how your customer will feel about you, when they purchase a product or service and receive an added bonus. Imagine how your prospects will respond to your marketing when they receive a free gift (without even making a purchase!)
Giving “more” is a simple, inexpensive way to instantly improve your relationship with both customers and prospects.
Ideas for gifts… that cost you nothing!
Free Whitepapers
Free Reports
Newsletters
Admittance to webinars
Industry specific bonuses (i.e. recipes, sporting tips, coupons)
Trial offers
Ideas for gifts… that cost you a small amount
Company logo items (hats, water bottles, mouse pads, etc.)
Non-related materials (stuffed animals, candy, paperweights, etc)
One of your products or services at no cost to them
Calendars
Food
The return on your “gift” investment could be worth thousands of dollars in sales. Make that extra effort and give your customers more than they are looking for.
Leap of the Week: Think of one value added gesture that you can start implementing this week that will add an element of surprise for your clients….and remember to keep it simple and sustainable…’cause, consistency is key.
