Fulfilment

Hi

The first problem in almost every new venture is not having enough clients. Solving the first problem usually leads to the second problem: having too many clients.

From 2000 to 2005, there were an average of 6 757 businesses liquidated every year in South Africa. That's only counting the registered businesses liquidated. I wonder how many liquidations were not recorded, like the sole proprietorships, partnerships and professionals in private practice, who likely lost more than just their businesses

I'm willing to bet that none of these businesses solved their first problem.

But from conversations with hundreds of entrepreneurs, executives and even coaches and independent professionals, I don't think any business ever completely solves the first problem. In fact, as an attitude and mind-set, if we think we've solved problem #1, then we've already taken our eyes off the ball.

I'm hence especially delighted that ProMentor celebrates its 5th year in business this month -- we're still around and not losing sight of the 1st problem. Happy birthday to us!

It's been an exciting journey so far, not without its bumps and shakes. There's also personal satisfaction in seeing this small business needing to shift attention to coping with the 2nd business problem and be building our team of associated coaches, mentors and specialised workshop facilitators and consultants.

Solving the first business problem asks our lead generation and sales to bring enough of the right clients into our business. The second business problem needs our client fulfilment systems to then deliver what we promised, and then some.

We'd love to share some of our lessons from our journey with you, so we have hot tips on how to start working on your first business problem: generating leads and filling your sales funnel with regular clients.

Roland gets us going in his article, No Marketing, Just Do, and asserts that if you want an assassin, don't look in the Yellow Pages. If your "sell" is in your "do", then every time you "do" well, you turn each client into your brand ambassador, who will proudly share your name with their network and help bring new clients to your business.

Then Rochelle offers 6 Tips for marketing your small business on-line While these tactics are equally applicable to big business, they are also extremely cost-effective, making them even more attractive to the typically cash-strapped small business in a tough economy.

This year we've focussed mostly on one of these 6 tactics and can vouch for it being highly effective for ProMentor. Since January, we've published our free email newsletter without fail every month. I think this is the main reason we now have the enormous increase of 3 times as many unsolicited leads every month than a year ago.

Enjoy the read.

Next month, we'll talk about language and how the worlds we use affect more than just our communication. Until then, all the best.

For coaches, consultants and small business entrepreneurs,
diarise these worskshop dates

May 6 - 8 2009

Launch Your Practice! is a comprehensive 3-day workshop that empowers you to grow a professional, successful and fulfilling practice.
Launch Your Practice! is endorsed by COMENSA and jointly facilitated by Brett Combrink and Michelle Clarke.

We've had such great interest from around South Africa in this workshop that we don't want you to miss out on our next running of Launch Your Practice! Spaces are limited and early-bird bookings are now open, with R700 off the listed price if you book early.

Launch Your Practice!
6 - 8 May, 2009, 08h30 to 16h30
at V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
(travel options available for Gauteng and Durban participants)

"I have seen a big increase in revenue; I have better time management and generally run a much more efficient practice."
- Elizabeth Masson, owner: The Light Centre

To book your place, call Clem at 021 671 8225, or to find out more visit
www.launchyourpractice.biz

No Marketing, Just Do

By Roland Cox

In a recent conversation with some of the trainee coaches I work with, the concept of marketing oneself as a coach came up. It seems there is not only a fear of this amongst some coaches, but some burning questions on how to do this. I tweaked Brent's interest when I asserted that finding a good coach is like finding an assassin - there's no "assassins" section in the Yellow Pages.

Read more...

Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

By Rochelle Harwin

As the 21st century unfolds, early adopters are taking advantage of the many channels available from advancing technology. And in times of hyper-communication, not standing out from the crowd will almost guarantee the death of your business. Here are 6 easy on-line marketing tactics to get your business noticed.

Read more...

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