Feel the Force - Become a Business Jedi

I am not going to apologise for sending this and I know you may be someone that thinks this is all nonsense. However, I know from personal experience, and from working within our fantastic community, that our brain can be our worst enemy....     Maybe yours is to? I see the impact of “negativity bias” play out every day with people looking for reasons why things are going well or to plan. They search out reasons to validate their negative thoughts… many of which are just things that fit the narrative rather than the truth. This is a natural fight or flight reaction of the brain, so this idea of “positive bias” could be hugely powerful to you and help push you and your business forward?   Check it out – it is only a couple of minutes.   https://www.facebook.com/share/v/173bNvPZdh/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Since I took on running my own business, I have opened my mind to listening and learning (almost on a daily basis).  Much of what I have learned ...

I was clearing through some files today (yes, I still print some things off 🙂) and I came across some notes that really resonated with me. Maybe it will resonate too......?? When it comes to business growth there are JUST 3 obvious and basic principles that you must focus on; Increase the number of customers Increase the average spend from each customer Increase the frequency of a customer purchasing again All of these things are in your control and you could increase your sales starting tomorrow if you implement simple changes in the way you operate. ##1 Increasing the number of customers  is largely down to the activity you put into your marketing - time and money in the usual currency. No or low investment = low sales..!!! ##2 Increasing the average spend from each customer  is probably the easiest one to crack; Put your prices up - it is rare that anyone has increased their price and then lowered it again. Provide more service to each customer - can a customer "go large"...

  I have had an interesting week and have spent a bit of time with a number of franchisees. I massively enjoy talking to you all and always come away with some new thinking, or something happens that acts as a reminder for me. I was chatting to a small group saying how pissed off I get when you put in a quote and then you never hear again. Well that had happened to me a few times over the last couple of weeks – a couple of nice quotes had been put forward after following my structured process and then radio silence. For some reason some prospects seem to have access to the “witness protection scheme”…… uncontactable. And the fact was I had followed up more than a few times on each…… and got nothing back. However, following my trip I was determined to get an answer and find out why they hadn’t purchased from us. I was determined to ensure that I either got a return for my time investment by getting a “yes” or I found out the reason they had not moved forward. Happily I can confirm t...

  Check this out.... I was in London the other weekend watching my daughter Tori doing the London 10K run. It was a great little run through the streets of the West End, along the Embankment, past Big Ben and then to Downing Street. At the end of the run we decided to go for lunch in Covent Garden.  You'll probably know that there are lots of restaurants around Covent Garden and there is a certain one called Flat Iron. It was recommended to us but you can't book. After a short walk we arrived to find a queue of people waiting to get in for meal. And I mean a queue - check out the photo. We were starving so we didn't bother waiting and moved on. However, this got me thinking... how can a little restaurant attract so much attention and yet other restaurants nearby were empty? What was this place doing that clearly had raving fans queuing to get in for food? I appreciate that we are in a very different market than a restaurant but doesn't it make you think?  What am I doin...

On the Lockforce monthly call on Tuesday there was mention that customers are using the Whats App facility to contact you via a text message as opposed to calling. This was reiterated again in another couple of conversations thereafter. So this has got me thinking? Is this a trend or just a bit of a blip...? From the stats I see there is clear use of the What App function on the webpages, but still relatively small compared to calls. So how do we deal with the dreaded Whats App / Facebook message, text or email..... "I need some new locks, how much will it be?" or something similar. Here is something that I use in the event that I see something similar on Facebook... Customer... "Hello, I would like a quote for xxx." Response... "I am sorry to hear that you have a problem.  So that I can understand the situation and give you the best advice , what is the best number to contact you on…?" This will get me one of 2 responses..... 1)  They text me the number t...

  I was chatting to Damien earlier this week who laughed to say he was in Birmingham last weekend and left his keys in his car.  First a call to the local Lockforce technician who couldn’t help. Car locks are a special type of work and some of the team can open car doors. Then a few calls to some other locksmiths who quoted £200-£300 to gain entry!!  Eventually he found someone who was offering a reasonable £75 but was on a job and couldn’t make it until 9pn {about a 2 hour wait).  Damien didn’t want to wait so ended up ringing his brother to arrange the spare keys to be driven to Birmingham.    However, just before 9pm the locksmith who was busy sent a follow up text to Damien to see if he had got the situation sorted.  And guess what, Damien told him that he was still waiting to get a solution and a short time later the locksmith has retrieved the keys and Damien was sorted. This local locksmith was a very wise man to send a follow up text to see if ...