Happy New Year! 2004 brings many changes to the small business growth scene. Technology is expanding our world, while email is becoming regulated to stop abusive practices. Business networking, sales and marketing are all taking on a High Tech ? Human Touch face as we move into the New Year. In looking at business growth for the year ahead ? small business needs to consider 3 distinct areas. 1. Marketing Utilizing High Tech ? Human Touch Methods 2. Sales Process 3. High Tech ? Human Touch Business Networking 1. MARKETING Beyond having a focused yet simple (written) and organic marketing plan, establishing a tightly defined, "target" market and "loving" your Brand, a few emerging marketing ideas are listed below. * Small Business Growth comes from new ideas and differentiation. Creativity and consistent idea/concept generation is one key to small business growth. * Create a consistent "narrative" that presents your selling message in a concise, compelling and credible way. Elevator speeches are out, narratives are in. * Use at least 20 or more of the 100 marketing tools available to everyone (I'm happy to send you this list if it is helpful to you). The internet, business cards and brochures are just three of the 100 "tools" to consider. * Consistently educating and informing your prospects and clients of topics of interest to them. Newsletters are out, blogs are in. * The most important marketing development of all is to express your marketing message in dollars and cents. Hype is out, money is in. 2. SALES PROCESS Having a well thought out and consistent method for turning a lead into a client is essential for business growth success. * Analyze how your leads become customers. What is the process you use to identify leads, gain interest (marketing), discover problems or wants that your business solves, create agreement and turn your prospect into a customer? * Next, how does your customer become a repeat customer, who happily provides referrals? * Sales training is a key. If your training was done years ago, you need to update and review your skills and methods. * Utilize technology with personal outreach more effectively. New technology will extend your center of influence and increase selling relationships. Personal outreach solidifies the relationships. 3. HIGH TECH ? HUMAN TOUCH BUSINESS NETWORKING Technology combined with Human Touch has entered the business networking arena. Online business networking, combined with personal interaction is taking center stage. * The new networking paradigm basically states ? "We learn from our direct network and gain revenues from their network." * As we connect, we develop an understanding of like-minded people. We take notes, continue to develop an understanding and build meaningful relationships. * We then act as a "link", as often as possible; to connect those in our network with others we meet. By doing this we turn human capital into revenue. * 1,000 people in a network equal $100,000.00 in revenues. No one has more or less importance than another in our network. By connecting, sharing and helping we uncover that 2% and profit considerably from it. * Make it a goal to add 5 new contacts per business day to your network in 2004. At this time next year you'll be 1,200 people richer. Remember, clients and prospects count. I hope this helps and provides thinking points. To assist further, I have developed a 2004 Business Growth analysis tool. If interested call or email me. I'll be happy to share it with you. I would like to wish everyone a prosperous and extremely happy New Year. Bill ================================================================== Bill Gluth Founder Develop Your Vision http://www.developyourvision.com =================================================================Action Turns Ideas Into Profit ========= Visit http://TEGBookmarks.FreeURL.com to learn of business events and to add your own. Search Events Links 1. Select Search link 2. Select "Event Announcement" or "Events Calendar" Category 3. Click Submit button Add Events Links 1. Select New link 2. Select "Event Announcement" or "Events Calendar" Category 3. Enter Name field entry 4. Enter Description field entry including date, time and location 5. Enter URL (including http://) field entry 6. 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