American Business Press analyzed 143 companies during the 1974/75 downturn in our economy and found that companies that advertised during the recession periods had the highest growth in sales and net income during the two study years and the two years following the recession. They also proved that companies that cut advertising had the lowest sales and net income increases during the same study periods. The first area to get squeezed in a recession is usually the advertising department.  This is a very common mistake most companies make.  Those that advertise in a bad economy and take the risk are more likely to come out ahead of the rest.  Change your viewpoint and see this as an opportunity to grow your business.

McGraw-Hill also found similar results when they studied companies’ advertising during the 1981/82 recession. They found that companies that cut advertising increased their sales only 19% following the recession while companies that continued to advertise during the recession experienced a whopping 275% increase in their sales.

This graph is a summary of the McGraw-Hill Research (http://www.mcgraw-hill.com) during the 1981-1982 recession.  Year one is 1980 and year 6 is 1985.  You can see from the graph that those that did not cut back on their advertising skyrocketed ahead of their competition.  Those companies experienced a growth of 265% in 1985.

Make the most of this opportunity.

Companies that are advertising to today’s buyers and business owners need to change their message to adapt to the economic climate.  Restaurants are offering discounts or “free coffee” to lure people in.  An advertising message must focus on a company’s core values and strengths…why a customer should go with them…what the pro’s are…the length that you are willing to go to provide quality work/products.  Your customers will be more confident in pursuing a long term relationship far after the “storm” is over if you stay consistent and help them through these hard times.

In closure, there’s money still on the table and those that work the hardest for it will bank the major share of it.

by Tiffany Patterson

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Let’s cut right to the chase folks … email marketing is as essential to your business as food is essential to living.  Period.

If you have a business and you are not reaching out to all your customers, potential customers and past customers every so often you are LOSING MONEY.  Yes.  You read that correctly … losing money.

Let’s look at how we humans function … Every one of our waking moments is filled with a deluge of information … the morning newspaper, TV or radio broadcast, the spouse, the kids, the employer, the employees, the clients … and the internet.  And throughout the day our brain is furiously working to sort through it all,  prioritize it and dump what it doesn’t need.

So, the scenario goes like this … someone visits your website because they did a search for shoe widgets and your site (it’s been optimized, right?) came … [Read More -->]

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Social networking. You’ve undoubtedly heard the term … in fact, you’ve likely heard it over and over and over again especially in the past year. Social networking really means ANY form of social interaction. For example, when you go to the local bar with friends that’s social networking. When you go to watch your child playing in the junior soccer league game you are networking socially. When you go to your LeTip or Chambers of Commerce meetings you are social networking.

However, when the term social networking bandied about it is in reference to certain web-based activities. I like to use the term “social internetworking”! Networking socially on the internet.

For example, MySpace is a social networking website. Once you login, you can connect with friends, friends of friends and more. There are blogs and bulletins, photos and videos. Other social networking sites you’ve likely heard of are LinkedIn, FaceBook, YouTube and the list goes on and on. Oh. Let’s not forget about the ever-popular Twitter.

So .. what exactly do these sites DO for you besides waste your time?

Well, let me tell you right now that social networking MUST be an integral part … [Read More -->]

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To captivate prospective clients, distill the most pertinent information about your business or product into a quick and compelling message

How you pitch the story behind your small-business’s services, products, or companies means the difference between making a sale and being shown the door. And if you have competitors who get their point across in a more clear, concise, and compelling way — even if they’re hawking inferior products — they could steal your prospects because you failed to capture attention right out of the gate.

So, how do you craft the perfect strategic pitch for your business and then guarantee prospective clients will sit still while you deliver it? Relax, we’ll show you how to compose the pitch, and it will take no more than 30 seconds to say. The secret: choosing your words carefully and getting right  Continue Reading»

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Welcome to my Tipping Strategies Series.

Today I’d like to focus on the source of all tipping … YOU!

Are you concerned that you are not getting tipped enough? Are you filled with anxiety every meeting as that stack of tips passes around, that none of them are for you? Do you feel you are giving all kinds of tips each week but not receiving? That its so unfair?

It’s OK to feel that way .. I’m certain we’ve all felt that way at one time or another. The question is … Whadd’ya gonna do ’bout it?

Below are a few questions for some self-evaluation whose answers will help you generate more tips.

1. Am I presenting a clear, effective message?
A. Your commercial is our sales tool. Your commercial tells us exactly what we need to say to our contacts to promote your business.
B. Do you mumble the same commercial week after week?
C. Do you use props to help re-inforce your commercial?
D. Is your commercial clear and effective .. and memorable?

2. Am I confusing the membership with too many products/services?
I am guilty of this … I’m a web designer – SEO – SEM – hosting – graphic design – express sites – internet consultant – internet marketer. How the Hell can you sell ALL of that? Especially if I haven’t told you what they ARE? So, review your products / services and pick one to focus on for awhile. We’re all too busy to keep it all in our heads! Information overload.

This is a strategy I’ve developed for another LeTip member. For two months all she talks about is acupuncture for back pain. She repeats “back pain” until she’s blue in the face. Then for two months its “car accidents” and another twon months its something else. That way you cover all of your services but you are keeping the team focused on selling one.

3. Have I been meeting my sales team one-on-one?
Every time we get a new member we beat them over the head with needing to meet with at least ten members before 90 days are up. Why does that have to stop? Try to go visit a member a month .. maybe even two. Just for lunch or coffee, in their office or in yours. And make this a training meeting with half hour for you and half hour for them. Not just chit chat, but a planned meeting.

4. Have I been participating in my Power Group?
We have two Power Groups that (are supposed to) meet each month. Are you attending them? Bruce has a great new meeting agenda where each week we focus on one or two members for an extended commercial / presentation! How cool is that?

5. Am I an active or passive member of my chapter?
If you’re a passive member of the chapter that means you are accepting passive tipping. It means you are willing to let whatever comes your way be all the tips you receive.
If you’re an active member of the chapter (power groups, committees, leadership, using the benefits of being in the program Darrin works so hard to maintain,. etc) you are going to get active tipping! Tips will rush toward you because people are remembering you throughout their busy, information-laden lives.

6. Am I tipping others?
How many tips are you giving? When I get ruffled feathers about not getting tips I just look at the tips I’ve given out and can easily see that when I am lax in giving tips I don’t get any … and I’m standing in front of you every day!

If you still feel flustered about getting tips, then set up one-on-one meetings with each member of the team and ask us directly “Why aren’t you giving me tips?” Then ask us, “How can I help you give me tips?” I can assure you none of us will be insulted and all of us would love to tip you more!

In summation, getting tips is easy if you MAKE IT EASY FOR US TO TIP YOU!
Give us the tools / the words to sell you
Actively participate and interact
Give us a clear, effective message to convey to others.

I hope you’ve found this rather extensive email useful. I would love to hear your opinions and further advice – especially if I’ve missed something!

Thank You All!

Aaron C. Yeagle

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With business continuing to be challenging and the departure of Michele Baker I felt it was time to take a stand and set forth some guidelines regarding membership. All of which you already know (or should know) but which we seemed to forget.

1. You are REQUIRED to bring guests. IF you have not brought a guest yet, get on the horn and make a few calls and get those guests coming!

2. You are REQUIRED to acquire ONE NEW MEMBER to our chapter (or at least into LeTip) in your first year. Ifd you have not done so, see above.

3. If your guest becomes a member you receive $50.00 toward your next quarterly dues! Get 3 new members a quarter, you don’t pay dues. Get 25 members and you NEVER PAY LeTip International DUES AGAIN!

4. When guests arrive it is YOUR DUTY as a member of this chapter to INTERVIEW the guest and LEARN about their business during their first TWO VISITS! If you don’t know about their business or their ideology BEFORE you vote on them how do you know they’ll be good for our group? In fact, if all you’ve done is ask them their name and what they do how can you even say “yes” on the voting slip? Look what’s happened with our General Contractor … everyone said “Yes” and now he’s been terminated.

5. When a NEW MEMBER is voted in BECOME THEIR MENTOR! Invite them to lunch or coffee or to your office … DON’T WAIT FOR THEM! YOU know what we’re about … share that knowldedge and that experience. Don’t be lazy and wait for them to attend the National Training Seminar.

6. If you think “someone else” will bring guests or that “guests will develop on their own” you are MISTAKEN. Times are tough (if you believe the press) and people are NOT waling around wondering where they can spend $1,000! YOU have to grab them by the collar and tell them, show them what a great group of people we have and how they can make back their money.

7. IF WE DO NOT INCREASE OUR MEMBERSHIP THIS CHAPTER WILL FADE AWAY! You’ve spent a lot of time and money being a member of this chapter … do you want that to go to waste?

If you are a member of LeTip and a member of Lake Oswego LeTip you are here because YOU BELIEVE that this group will BENEFIT YOU and YOUR BUSINESS. If this is true … then TAKE ACTION! PARTICIPATE! There are two POWER GROUPS … ATTEND THEM! Their are committees that need members. We have committees needing LEADERSHIP. If you don’t think you have time … please be aware that, as President, I spend as much as 6 HOURS EACH WEEK on LeTip items (that’s NOT including the actually meetings!).

If this message has gotten your dander up, riled you up, angered you or shamed you … GOOD! Shout back. Speak up. PARTICIPATE! GROW! CREATE BUSINESS. BUILD OUR CHAPTER! BUILD YOUR CHAPTER!

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Welcome to my Tipping Strategies Series.

Today I’d like to focus on the source of all tipping … YOU!

Are you concerned that you are not getting tipped enough? Are you filled with anxiety every meeting as that stack of tips passes around, that none of them are for you? Do you feel you are giving all kinds of tips each week but not receiving? That its so unfair?

It’s OK to feel that way .. I’m certain we’ve all felt that way at one time or another. The question is … Whadd’ya gonna do ’bout it?

Below are a few questions for some self-evaluation whose answers will help you generate more tips.

1. Am I presenting a clear, effective message?
A. Your commercial is our sales tool. Your commercial tells us exactly what we need to say to our contacts to promote your business.
B. Do you mumble the same commercial week after week?
C. Do you use props to help re-inforce your commercial?
D. Is your commercial clear and effective .. and memorable?

2. Am I confusing the membership with too many products/services?
I am guilty of this … I’m a web designer – SEO – SEM – hosting – graphic design – express sites – internet consultant – internet marketer. How the Hell can you sell ALL of that? Especially if I haven’t told you what they ARE? So, review your products / services and pick one to focus on for awhile. We’re all too busy to keep it all in our heads! Information overload.

This is a strategy I’ve developed for another LeTip member. For two months all she talks about is acupuncture for back pain. She repeats “back pain” until she’s blue in the face. Then for two months its “car accidents” and another twon months its something else. That way you cover all of your services but you are keeping the team focused on selling one.

3. Have I been meeting my sales team one-on-one?
Every time we get a new member we beat them over the head with needing to meet with at least ten members before 90 days are up. Why does that have to stop? Try to go visit a member a month .. maybe even two. Just for lunch or coffee, in their office or in yours. And make this a training meeting with half hour for you and half hour for them. Not just chit chat, but a planned meeting.

4. Have I been participating in my Power Group?
We have two Power Groups that (are supposed to) meet each month. Are you attending them? Bruce has a great new meeting agenda where each week we focus on one or two members for an extended commercial / presentation! How cool is that?

5. Am I an active or passive member of my chapter?
If you’re a passive member of the chapter that means you are accepting passive tipping. It means you are willing to let whatever comes your way be all the tips you receive.
If you’re an active member of the chapter (power groups, committees, leadership, using the benefits of being in the program Darrin works so hard to maintain,. etc) you are going to get active tipping! Tips will rush toward you because people are remembering you throughout their busy, information-laden lives.

6. Am I tipping others?
How many tips are you giving? When I get ruffled feathers about not getting tips I just look at the tips I’ve given out and can easily see that when I am lax in giving tips I don’t get any … and I’m standing in front of you every day!

If you still feel flustered about getting tips, then set up one-on-one meetings with each member of the team and ask us directly “Why aren’t you giving me tips?” Then ask us, “How can I help you give me tips?” I can assure you none of us will be insulted and all of us would love to tip you more!

In summation, getting tips is easy if you MAKE IT EASY FOR US TO TIP YOU!
Give us the tools / the words to sell you
Actively participate and interact
Give us a clear, effective message to convey to others.

I hope you’ve found this rather extensive email useful. I would love to hear your opinions and further advice – especially if I’ve missed something!

No Testimonials »

Next Network Training Seminar Date: Sep. 22, 2008

For: All Chapters Around The Portland Area

6:45 AM – 7:00 AM
Registration & Networking
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Seminar Breakfast served
Location: Club Sport
Address: 18120 S.W. Lower Boones Ferry Rd
Tigard, OR 97224
Tel (503) 968-4500 for directions

LeTip Network Training Seminars provide new members with the skills and techniques necessary to become a successful LeTip networker. All new members are required to attend an NTS within their first 60 days of joining LeTip.

The feedback we receive about our NTS has been overwhelmingly positive. It is important to encourage all members to attend.

Materials covered include:

• Learning to give a 10 Min Presentation
• Networking Business to Business
• Passing Qualified Tips
• Preparing Creative 30-sec Commercials
• Earning your Blue Badge
• Identifying your Power Partners
• Marketing your business
• Making Visitations more profitable

$30.00 per person if prepaid by September 18, 2008
$40.00 per person at the door

RSVP Garry Weiner
Regional Director – (503) 648 – 1612

Regional NTS schedules can also be found under the Featured Events section at www.letip.com

For imformation regarding this and other LeTip questions contact Aaron C. Yeagle, President of Lake Oswego LeTip at 971-207-4492

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What, tarot for the workplace? Yes, but not “prediction fiction.” Tarot, particularly with the progressive 21st century deck called Voyager, can be used as an insightful, brainstorming, strategic and innovative thinking tool that is motivating and empowering.

In fact, just using the cards is an intuitive practice that develops the sixth sense. In today’s world of change, complexity and uncertainty, left brain logic is antiquated and slow while our inner feeling enables us to quantum leap obsolete tradition to get the competitive edge. You are, at the very least, acting in your own truth and center, which gives you the best chance of succeeding.

Because the tarot is mythic by giving you a heroic self-identity (for example, a person is not just intuitive, but the tarot’s Priestess, while the risk-taking entrepreneur is the Fortune Maker), it’s a way for tapping your inner resources that enable you to live large, energetically and wisely. These archetypal qualities of your inner Magician or Empress are the ultimate experts and powers that guide you to the full use of your business potentials.

As a proactive planning process, Voyager Tarot takes you on the classic “Hero’s Journey.” This is a Reading whereby you pick cards for your heroic strengths and allies as well as obstacles and sacrifices to game-plan your way to victory. Before selecting your outcome card, this exercise demands that you determine a “doable” set of actions to take. This revolutionary form of tarot is not “fortune telling,” but “fortune creation” – a way of having your own inner coach.

Even a one-card Reading can give you an enormous creative aha! Outside-the-box use of picture symbols from a “randomly” picked card breaks you free from old, habitual thinking and enables you to see differently – so imperative in the contemporary workplace. It has been well documented that metaphoric thinking like this is the basis for most inventive breakthroughs. Once, in a consultation with me, a company president picked the “Love” card and was moved to forming an “employee-first” enterprise. Wow!

As for communication, which is the sine qua non of effective business partnering and teaming, have you and your partners pick a card for what you each “bring to the table.” This is one of my favorite tarot practices. You will get to know your team-mates and yourself in a way not recognized before and this can open up a dialogue that eventuates into deeper inter-connectivity. I’ll never forget the day a CEO cried in front of his company as a result of picking the “Compassion” Voyager card. The result was a new-found respect and relationship between this somewhat cold leader and his cowering staff.

The next time you are perplexed with the question of “what to do, what to do?” Pick a card. It’s guaranteed that you will receive worthwhile information that either wows you with a confirmation of what your intuitive sense knew but you didn’t trust, or with a totally new and different perception.

For more ways of playing with the cards for questions of money and work, see my One Spirit Book-of-the-Month Club selection, Strategic Intuition for the 21st Century.

————————————————————————
James Wanless is a pioneer of new thinking recognized for weaving ageless wisdom into modern life with intuitive tools and symbolic systems.  James Wanless has been called Mr. Tarot and Captain Pick a card.

A Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University, Dr. Wanless was a distinguished university professor in the Middle East when he experienced a life-threatening disease which led to a spiritual transformation. He relinquished his academic career and began to share his new found wisdom and inspiration by teaching groups and creating his best-selling,”modern classic” Voyager Tarot Intuition Cards for the 21st Century. (250,000 sold to date – Fair Winds Press).  Go to his website: www.voyagertarot.com

Dr. Wanless’ latest book is entitled, Intuition@Work (RedWheel/Weiser), a how-to-use intuition handbook. Check out his intuition blog site… www.intuition-blog.com

You can get a phone consultation with him. Call 1-800-676-1256.

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“People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don’t know when to quit. Most people succeed because they are determined to.”
George E. Allen 1832-1907, Publisher and Author

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