Goal Setting & Achievement Podcast: Business|productivity

[[:encoded, "Maintaining balance when the demands of work and life are pulling you in different directions can be a bit challenging at times. What’s at the heart of finding balance in your life? Peace, happiness, rest, health? The definition of balance is different for everyone: What may be balance to me may not be balance to you; which is why it’s important to get to the heart of what’s uniquely important in your life. \n\nLet’s talk about 14 tips for maintaining work/life balance.\n\n1. Identify Your Core Values (what is truly important to you in life)\nAbove all, honoring your core values is vital to maintaining a sense of balance because it directly affects your quality of life. Identify your core values and make the necessary life/work changes that honor them, so you can enjoy the kind of life you truly want and deserve. To help you identify your core values, you will find an effective exercise in the No Excuses Program (located in the Store at https://www.AccountabilityCoach.com). \n\n2. Know Your

[[:encoded, "The time to implement a strategy is now!\nThe Leaders role in strategy making: We all have a voice in strategy-making, as well as greater latitude to respond opportunistically to developing conditions. In the past, strategic thinking was generally reserved to closed-door meetings with upper management. This method employs feedback with lower-level management, who has direct contact with employees and clients.\n\nStrategy making: Sees strategy and change as inescapably linked and assumes that finding new strategic options and implementing them successfully is harder and more important than evaluating them. This rule puts ideas into action and places the importance of the application rather than extensive and time-consuming evaluation before action. Change is happening all the time, so the time to implement the strategy is now – not later – so you can capitalize on the benefits.\n\nApplying Strategic Thinking practices to your business will accelerate your success by allowing a crystal cle

[[:encoded, "The success of a business depends hugely on the employees. If they aren’t committed to the goals and don’t put in their best efforts, achieving success can be extremely difficult and maybe impossible. Even if you have achieved considerable success till now, sustaining it in the future and taking your business to the next level is a whole different ballgame. You need to be able to manage the people working for you in the best way possible to make sure they are working towards your business’ success. \n\nYou need to make sure each and every employee is motivated and working towards the end goal. This requires you to share your vision for the company with them. It is easier said than done though. There are many things you need to do to improve your management skills and manage your employees in a better way. \n\nLet’s explore 8 tips that can help you manage people better. \n\n1. Define Values\nEvery business, regardless of scale, needs to have a set of clearly defined values. The values for you

[[:encoded, "Getting your offline business online can be overwhelming and confusing. You find yourself asking questions such as: Do I really need to be on Facebook? What’s the craze over Twitter and how does it help my business? Do I really need a blog and how do I find the time to write blog posts when I’m trying to run my business?\n\nThese questions, along with many more, are common and important questions to ask when taking your offline business online. This episode is meant to help answer some of your questions and provide guidance for navigating the world of online marketing. \n\nTip 1: The Internet is a Community\nRealize that the internet is a community and this concept will help you grasp the most important piece of mastering online marketing. You are not here to sell. You are a part of a worldwide community who has valuable solutions to offer your ideal client and prospect community.\n\nTip 2: Keep it Real\nInternet users can smell “fake” a mile away. Sleazy sales tactics don’t work and no, peo

[[:encoded, "The important thing to remember when handling demanding clients is to take sole responsibility for establishing and managing their expectations. Manage them effectively - and everyone will remain on the same page and walk away satisfied. Fail to manage them effectively - and you’ll end up with some level of conflict (however minor or severe).\n\nClients will follow your lead; they will be however demanding or easy-going as your client boundaries dictates, and it’s best to establish those boundaries before the contract is signed.\n\n1. Establish Rules from the Get-Go\nEstablishing rules from the get-go is ideal and will help ensure a positive client relationship. Ideally, all projects should be secured with a firm contract (that protects and supports you and your client) before any money is exchanged or any work commences. This not only ensures everyone is on the same page from the very beginning of a new relationship, it helps reduce the chances of possible conflict at any time during the pr

[[:encoded, "You have what they need! So, how do you get them to realize that you are the solution to what they are looking for, so they can be even more successful? Here are 5 steps for inspiring clients to want to work with you. It’s a win-win for everyone.\n\nStep 1: Get Them Talking\nFirst and foremost, make the conversation about them. Take the focus off “getting the sale” and instead use this time together to evaluate if you are the best person to assist them. Remember, you don’t want to work with anyone; you want to work ideal clients.\n\nAlthough you will be using this initial time together to evaluate if you want to work with them, keep the conversation focused on the prospective client.\n\nWhat is their current biggest struggle or challenge?\nWhat is their most immediate or long-term goal?\nWhat kind of support or guidance are they looking for?\n\nStep 2: Connect Them to Their Current Pain\nThere must be a starting point where you help the prospective client see where they are right now. In oth

[[:encoded, "If you want to understand how to effectively brand your name, you first need to comprehend the basics of business branding. Business branding isn’t a complicated process, but the success of your business branding relies on the relevance, quality and consistency of its design. \n\nMost business owners fall short when branding their business because they try to overcomplicate the process. However, if you follow the basics of business branding and resist the temptation to lose the focus of the message, you should be well on your way towards creating an effective brand. \n\nThe most important basic factor in branding your business is conveying a message. You only have a few seconds to capture the attention of potential clients, and in those few seconds, your brand must clearly convey several points. Make those few precious seconds count by making it easy for your audience to comprehend your specialty with just a glance. \n\nStick to these 4 Basic Rules of Business Branding and watch your bus

[[:encoded, "Use the time log sample to help you know where you are actually spending your time during the day. Periodically use this time log to help you continue to be time efficient. This tool can be utilized by everyone on your team. After 2 weeks of tracking what you are doing against your calendar that has what you needed to do, what will you change to help put you in a higher probability position to achieve your goals in the time frame you desire?\n\nTo download my complimentary Time Log Sample and help you be even more time efficient so you are in a higher probability position to achieve your goals, go to: http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/time-log/.\n\nMy sample document can easily be modified to be of value to you and everyone on your team. \n\nIf you do get value from these Accountability Coach Podcasts, please take a minute to leave me a short review. It is very much appreciated.\n\nTo obtain high-content business success webinars, go to https://www.accountabilitycoach.com/free-articles/fre

[[:encoded, "When it comes to making decisions that positively affect your life, there is only one thing to do. First, ask yourself how you feel about the opportunity. Do you get butterflies because you’re excited or does your gut feel heavy or weighed down, as if you’ve got a feeling that something bad is about to happen?\n\nSometimes it’s hard to tell how you feel about something. Perhaps you feel great about it, but it’s far outside your comfort zone so you have a lot of fear attached to it. Maybe your heart is telling you to go for it, but that means you’ll be placing hardship on someone else – and that causes feelings of guilt.\n\nSo how do you make important decisions that positively affect your life?\n\nGrab a pen and paper and go to a quiet place where you are happy, comfortable and will not be disturbed. \n\nAt the top of the page, write the opportunity in question form. Start the question with, “Should I…..” or “Is it right for me to…” Read the question over a few times and then close yo

[[:encoded, "As a business owner, there are things you must do in order to accomplish your goals so you can have the kind of business and life you have dreamed of having. From managing a team to handling clients - and everything in between - it can be easy to lose complete control of your day. We all have the same 24 hours available each day; it’s how we chose to use those 24 hours that’s makes the difference.\n\nMeetings, client services, and a To-Do List a mile long are frequent daily tasks in the world of running a business. The key is find an effective way to handle our daily routine to stay focused and on track to achieve your goals in the shortest amount of time and the least amount of effort.\n\nTip #1: Break Goals Down in to Daily Action Steps - and Track Them\nSomewhere between running a business and having a personal life, it’s not uncommon for our goals to fall by the wayside. If you are not paying attention to your goals on a daily basis, you’re probably taking the long way around. Break goal

[[:encoded, "Have you found yourself in a revenue crunch with your business? Generating revenue - fast - is your first priority, but how can you do that when your marketing budget is small or nonexistent.\n\nAt one time or another, every business owner has stumbled across this same challenge. The challenge being, how do you boost revenue when you have none to spend? \n\nMaking money doesn’t always take money. These 4 Bootstrapping Marketing Ideas will help you to boost revenue, fast.\n\nBootstrap Marketing Tip #1: Reach Out To Past Clients\nWe’ve all heard the business adage: attaining the business of new clients far outweighs the cost (expenses, time, and effort) of attaining repeat business of existing clients. Reaching out to past clients via phone or email is one of the fastest ways to boost revenue easily. \n\nAction: Pick up the phone. Call your past clients and remind them you are here to help them in whatever way you can. You don’t need to hard-sell…just extend a genuine offer of service that yo

[[:encoded, "You set goals, yet you don’t achieve them. Time and time again you find yourself stopping midway between the start and finish lines. You start off running out of the gate, enthused and driven to make a difference this time, but each time, something derails you from sticking to the game plan.\n\nIt’s the classic paradox of Dreamer vs. Doer.\n\nAs you know, my Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule (https://www.accountabilitycoach.com/excuses-dont-count-results-rule-book/) philosophy is the basis for my coaching business because excuses are never the real reason you stop short of your goals. No, the real reason is something entirely different.\n\nSo, what’s the real reason behind all those excuses you make?\n\nYou are simply not willing to do what it takes to achieve your goals. You just don’t want what you say you want badly enough to actually do what it takes.\n\nThis is the real reason, and the only thing, stopping you from achieving your goals. Plain and simple.\n\nCommitment is what separates

[[:encoded, "Great marketing goes beyond traditional marketing strategies. We’re entering a whole new era of online and offline marketing that allow you to market one-to-many for the best results. You don’t need expensive marketing resources to produce great results - here’s where you can get creative and have fun! Here are 10 No-Cost and Low-Cost Ways to Market Your Businesses.\n\nTip #1: Reach Out To Strategic Partners\nStrategic Partners are a complement (not competition) to your business (as your business is to theirs). Provide an Ideal Client Description and ask if they know someone who is an ideal fit. If they do know someone who would benefit from working with you, ask them to pass along your contact information to the prospect. (Asking for the prospect’s contact information - and contacting them directly - may not always be appropriate. Follow the Strategic Partner’s client privacy policy before contacting the prospect.) Last but not least - return the favor.\n\nTip #2: Develop Joint-Venture Proj

[[:encoded, "The Prioritized Action List (PAL) Sample – Free Download Page\nToday we are going to talk about The Prioritized Action List (PAL) Sample – Free Download Page\n\nTo help you and your team be even more time efficient, use a Prioritized Action List (PAL). This is a list of everything you have to do so you don’t have sticky notes, pieces of scrap paper laying around, or things in your head that you are trying to remember or afraid you will forget. Everything on the list in a priority order – hence the name – so you are more focused and on target to getting the most important tasks/activities done very single day. \n\nTo download a Free Sample Prioritized Action List (PAL) that everyone in your office can use, go to http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/pal-sample/.\n\nThis excel spreadsheet can easily be modified to be of value to you and everyone on your team. \n\nGo to http://www.accountabilitycoach.com/Achieve.Your.Goals.Free.Gifts.Now// and get 3 FREE gifts including a special report on 10 Powe

[[:encoded, "Most entrepreneurs experience a critical stage in their business where they need to consistently build their client base, yet they don’t have the time or resources to devote to serving more clients. So how do you get more clients without working harder? Learn how with these 6 tips. \n\nTip #1: Create Information Resources\nRegardless of your industry, your business has a powerful point of leverage that can be used to find and keep more clients: information. Create free and low-cost channels through which you can introduce yourself and your business - without significant time or effort investment on the backend. This is the “Create-It-And-Leave-It” method that creates not only more avenues for prospects to learn about you, but also expands your market reach and/or revenue.\n\nTip #2: Stand Out\nTo get the attention of ideal prospects, you must stand out from the crowd. Everyday information isn’t unique information. You have to show ideal prospects what makes you different from others in you

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 3 Steps to Writing an Effective Business Plan that Inspires Action.\n\nThe idea of starting your own business can be exciting and inspiring, but for most small business owners, writing an effective business plan is not considered an exciting part of starting the process; therefore, many choose not to create one. Traditional business plans can be very dry and uninteresting, so you are about to learn how to create an effective business plan that not only gets you excited, it will inspire you, and others, to take action.\n\nThe length and details of an effective business plan will be determined by the type of business you’re creating. The key is to create not just another business plan, but an effective business plan that inspires you, and others, to take action. \n\nFirst, let’s get clear on the essentials components of an effective business plan:\n\n-Executive Summary \n-Market Analysis \n-Company Description \n-Organization & Management \n-Marketing &a

[[:encoded, "Today you have the opportunity to listen to my interview with Hot Chicks Write Hot books. \n\nEver wanted to write your own book and be a best-selling author? Check this out… \n\nHot Chicks Write Hot Books is a company helping people who want to become an expert, authority and star in your niche by writing a book. They have systematized a very quick and easy book writing process for you that will help you save a lot of time, money, and effort. Watch and listen in to their podcast that interviews authors to help you in the book writing process. They answer your questions about how to quickly become a best-selling author and how to make money and more.\n\nI was honored to be interviewed for their podcast so you can Watch the interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/TZq2fsK60ko\n\nListen to the interview on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-chicks-write-hot-books/id979359764?mt=2\n\nEnjoy the Hot Chicks Write Hot Books Podcast Episode #18 with me as their guest. If you have ever w

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 3 Reasons Why Beck-and-Call is Not Better Business and working my appointment only is better client service.\n\nThere is a huge misconception that the best business is a business that is at the beck-and-call of its clients. The truth is that the best business is a business that effectively sets boundaries, and manages and exceeds client expectations in order to maintain a productive and effective flow.\n\nIf you are constantly juggling clients, answering the phone at all hours of the day, interrupting your personal time to fit in business, and feeling stressed, here are 3 Reasons Why Beck-and-Call is Not Better Business.\n\n1. It’s Impossible to Manage Client Expectations\nWithout structure and a solid foundation of rules and regulations, managing client expectations is impossible. They will expect the world, and will be sorely disappointed, when you do not deliver it. In other words, without boundaries, it’s quite possible they will expect everything.\n\nYou

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about the Business Opportunity Planner Worksheet – SAMPLE – Free Download. \n\nWhen working with business owners, I find that they sometimes need to have a good idea of where they are at against their goals so they know if they are on track or off track. If they are off track, they have to figure out ways to fill the gap so they achieve their goals. In an effort to help them stay focused on what they need to do to ensure they are in the highest probability position to achieve their goals – or even exceed them – I created the Business Opportunity Planner Worksheet. This spreadsheet can easily be modified to fit your industry and how you track opportunities.\n\nTo download my complimentary business opportunity planner worksheet to help you focus on increasing your revenue, go to \nhttp://www.accountabilitycoach.com/business-opportunity-planner-worksheet/\n\nThis excel spreadsheet can easily be modified to be of value to you. \n\nIf you do get value from these Podcas

[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 4 Steps to Conquer Fears and Start Living Life On Your Terms.\n\nWe’ve all been afraid to try something new at one time or another. Why is that? And it seems as we age, our fear controls more and more of our willingness to try something new. We prefer to forego a new experience because we want to avoid whatever bad thing we think could happen. Or maybe the anxiety is just too stressful for us to even contemplate facing our fears. Whatever the reason, we justify that trying something new is not worth the risk.\n\nMost of us learn to live within our comfort zone by default because we base our daily decisions on whether or not they cause feelings of anxiety. Every action we decide to take is based on whether it lands inside or outside our comfort zone. \n\nAs humans, most of us have the tendency to remain within the boundaries of our comfort zone, to avoid situations that cause feelings of anxiety and fear. And although it may feel like we are in control