Debra Kasowski

Are You All Tied Up with Other People’s Agendas?

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The results you get in your business are a direct result of your productivity and your focus. Are you wishing you were not pulled so many directions? Do you wish you had more time doing what you love? Would you like to have more “me time” ? Would you like to make more money in your business? You can!

Take a look at your to- do list and what are “Other People’s Agenda” items, or OPA, (sorry – not the thrilling of excitement you may hear at a Greek restaurant).  These items can be very time consuming and even drain some of your energy because you are not working on what you really want to complete for you. Enough is enough – it is time to take charge of your time and energy in a whole new way by setting some boundaries by valuing your time.

I have implemented strategies in my business that I know can really help you too. You can become more productive and focused and start seeing better results in your business. Some of these tips may seem simple but when used consistently have great impact by increasing your productivity.

5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity Today:

  1. Email – Set aside specific times of day in which your check your email. If you check your email first thing in the morning, you are setting yourself up for a lengthy to do list of all the other things people need or want you to do. Remember you are in control – this is your business and your life. Do not check your email until you have had some physical activity, a good breakfast, and planned your day based on your priorities. For heaven’s sakes, turn off the email notifications, they are like bright shiny objects that distract you from what you are working on.
  2. Telephone Calls – Keep an eye on the time you spend talking on the phone, you can easily get off on a side track conversation. Save non-profit generating phone calls for after business hours or allot them into your calendar in advance. When you are working and focused on a certain project, let your phone go to voicemail and check it when you take a break.
  3. Meetings – Decide whether or not you need to meet someone in person for a meeting or is the meeting that you can discuss over the phone. A fifteen to twenty minute  phone call can save a lot of time in travel and meeting time.
  4. On the Drive University – Do you have trouble finding time to learn and grow to further develop your business strategies? Listen to audio program in your vehicle so that you can learn and develop new ideas to implement into your business. A stale mind will produce the same results. Innovation and creativity are required for sustainability and growth in your business.
  5. Track Your Time. Track your time for 30 minute increments for one week. You will be able to see where you are spending your time. Hopefully, it will be on revenue generating activities. A business without revenue is just a hobby.

BONUS TIP – Start your day with at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity. Not only is it good for your health, but you will get those creative juices flowing and pump up your energy for the day.

The time is now for you to focus and plan your day for you. At first you may even find this challenging as you will suddenly have much more time on your hands than you may know what to do with. Time you never thought you had. Use use your time wisely. Start thinking bigger about how much more you can accomplish and the results you can get when you have this extra time. Don’t get tied up with OPA!

Take charge of what is most pressing for you. Imagine yourself being more productive, enjoying greater happiness, and achieving bigger results. What are your priorities right now?

 

Lessons from a Mother: Isn’t Time to Shake What Your Momma Gave You?

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Not only do I want to dedicate this blog post to the mothers out there internet land but I especially want to acknowledge those mothers who are business owners, the mompreneurs for balancing the needs of their families and their prospering business. Our mothers have taught – oh so many lessons ( & had many sleepless nights)  throughout our lives that apply to our businesses today. I am sure you have some incredible stories about your mother or someone who has mothered you at some point in your life.

Time and time again, I have heard entrepreneurs say, “I am stuck in rut. I do not know what to do.” My first response is, “Stop doing what you are doing if you want things to change, otherwise you will continue to get what you are getting.” For heaven’s sake, “God does not make junk.” You need to shake off the dust and show off what your Momma gave you. Remember the lessons she taught you while bandaging your knee, refereeing sibling love, or encouraging you to get back up on your bike to try again. 

Running a home is very much like running a business and it needs care and attention just like you did. Your business is your baby and you will nurture and care for it just the same. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from my mother that  have helped me be the business owner I am today.  I decided to write this blog and share it with you. Perhaps some of the lessons are the same. Happy Mother’s Day!

Dear Mom,

Thank you for all the lessons you have taught me about being a business owner from a very young age. I bet you were not sure if some of the lessons would stick as you probably repeated some of them at least 13 times. I know there were times when I was probably a little bit headstrong but you told me that that quality would serve me well someday.

You also remind me that my true wealth would be determined by the number of lives I have touched – each day I arise wondering, “Whose life can I touch today?” Each person whose life you touch becomes part of your family.

You have always taught me to stay true to my faith and what I value. Do make assumptions because you do not know what is happening beyond closed doors. Always be of service and try to leave things better that you left them. I may not have all the answers to all the questions but if take a moment I may realize I know someone or someone who knows someone who knows the answer. See things through to completion and even though I see something as being hard I always get through. Perseverance will help me see the end result.

Please, thank you, and your welcome are words to live by. Listen to what is being said. Offer an encouraging word. Education is never a waste. Clean up your messes. Be the best you can be at whatever it is you attempt to do.

Remember where you came from but remember to keep looking  forward or you will miss an opportunity. Be grateful for what you have as there will always be someone with less than you. Give back to your community. Love & give to others unconditionally for you will be rewarded.

Your family is precious. Make your choices wisely. Life is short. Create memories whenever you get the chance.

The greatest lesson I have learned is to always BELIEVE. Miracles happen – you just need to look for them. I thank God everyday for your living donor Alice and your kidney transplant over 12 1/2 years ago.

Thank you for showing me what it takes to be a successful business owner so I could share it with others.

Your loving daughter,

Debra

Is the Value in Your Pocketbook or Your Customer’s?

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Are you a serious (or maybe serial is a better term) shopper? What I mean is, do you think about your purchases as a want or a need? Do you shop around for the best deal or value for your money? What are you expecting when you hand over your money for a product or service? I know some people may not even give it a second thought, they just hand over their cash or credit card because they are buying something they feel they need or want to have. Whereas, others will want to know what they get in exchange for this transaction. They are looking at getting more value for their money then the listed price. The sale itself is more about the value and the impact it will have in your customer’s business or life than the currency exchange. Are you creating more value for your customer or pocketing riches instead?

Let’s start off with – What does the term “value” mean to you? You may see value in content rich information, video tips, material items, and referrals. These suggestions all have value. Why? Because you and I give them value and importance. When a person has an emotional connection to what is important to them or provides value, money is secondary – it is the vehicle that gets the end to the means. The genuine value and experience your customer is looking for.

Do you want create more value for your customers? In order to do so, you must first value your gifts and talents and know that someone is waiting for your to share them. Secondly, discover what your customer values or deems as important. Thirdly, identify ways in which you can help support them in maintaining or achieving what is important to them. Fourthly, be a “Go-Giver” (Read Bob Burg and John David Mann’s Books – The Go-Giver and Go-Givers Sell More). Give to others freely because you want to serve others and help them achieve the results they desire. You do not have to break the bank to provide value to others. Give of your time, talents, and feedback. Finally, let your personality shine and just be you as you can not be authentic by trying to sell someone something.

People relate to the stories you share and the experience you create. Give them more than they paid for and show them you care. Value can be created many different ways: discussions and forums, tips and techniques, checklists, templates, referrals, and information just to name a few. The more people you create value for the more people you will have raving about you and the more people who will be interested in your products and services. People want value for their money. Are you ready to give it to them?

 How do create value for others and live rich from the inside out?

 

 

Great Sales Book Review: Are You Giving to Get or Getting to Give?

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Great books are not just made, they are born from knowledge and experience. Bob Burg and John David Mann, have done a fabulous job of creating value and closing the sale in their 2 amazing books:

The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Ideaand Go-Givers Sell More . According to Burg and Mann, there are Five Laws of Stratospheric Success: Value, Compensation, Influence,  Authenticity, and Receptivity. For those of you who are wondering what stratospheric means, “stratospheric” means extremely high! Success beyond your wildest dreams! Would you like to learn how? 

Many lessons and concepts are shared through parable and real life examples with great content and food for thought. Making a difference in today’s world is all about creating value and these authors definitely resonated with me. If you want to experience stratospheric success, these 2 books are must read!

My greatest takeaways and how they apply to you are:

1. Create Value. If you focus on creating value for your prospects and customers, they will be your raving fans and tell others about you. Your focus needs to be, “How can I best serve?” or “How can I help you?” and doing so in such a fashion that you are not expecting anything in return but know that someday and someone will do the same for you.

2.  Meet People Where They are AT. People may find your product or service expensive. Show empathy and compassion by meeting them where they are at. Everyone does not define value in the same way. Avoid listing of all the features, they are important to you and not necessarily important to your customer. Start thinking of how your product or service aligns with what your customer values and believes in. Paraphase what they just said or objected to, “So you think this ___________ product (or service) is too expensive? Gain an understanding of where they are at and what value they would expect from paying the price of a product or service similar to yours. People want to know what is in it for them and that they will get value from doing business with you.

3.  No Pressure Sales. Basically, if they want to buy your product or service they will. Let your customer and prospect decide. Learn what your customer is looking for and why. You may even refer them to a competitor who specializes in what they are looking for. Who is best to serve your customer? They will remember how you helped them and tell others about you. Give them the option to walk away from the sale. Pressure only makes you look desperate for the sale! Maybe your product or service is not what is best for them. That’s okay – there is someone who is waiting for you to share it with them. 

4. Say Less, Communicate More. You may have heard the saying, “God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason.”  Listen to your customer and hear what their needs are. Often, we can be waiting for the pause in conversation to share our story and what we think would be a benefit to them without truly listening and hearing what is being said. You will learn many of your customers dreams and desires if you only listen.

5. Allow Yourself to Give and Receive Freely. I had someone drop a line on my Facebook page to say that Bob describes a situation of breathing out continuously. Imagine – breathing out continuously – at some point you will need to take a breathe. There is a flow to giving and receiving just like there is to breathing in and out. When someone gives to you or you give to someone else, allow yourself to both give and receive, acknowledge and appreciate the other person for the gift. A gift can be a compliment, a smile, a suggestions, or a material item. Be open to receiving because you are also getting!

There are so many more valuable sales nuggets in these books. These nuggets of information are not only good for sales but apply to all relationships in general. If you follow the Laws of Stratospheric Success, not only will you skyrocket your business but you will live Rich from the Inside Out!!