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 ...

  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...

 This is a visual that I captured at the Entrepreneurs Circle. "Know the difference between your task and your purpose." Just think about that for a moment........ Your task is doing the things you need to do to get the job done... that is your TASK, whereas your purpose is to create a successful business with "loyal" customers that use you time and time again, refer you to friends and talk to others about you. However, creating "Loyal" customers is not that easy and in the majority of cases requires way more than just getting the job done.  Customers expect you to do the job they have employed you to do, so that alone is unlikely to create Loyal customers. Let's be clear, doing the job alone with not hurt your business but is less likely to drive it forward. It normally requires you to create a memorable moment (or TNT is you ever listened to Adrian Webster at our previous conferences).... a "wow" moment. From experience it is the little ...

 Running your own business is about making the money you need to have the life you want...    But running your own business and making money IS NOT easy….   No one should tell you otherwise.    And then when you make money you have to learn what to do next….   I have included the picture as I thought it was quite thought provoking….. 🤷 ‍ ♂ ️ 🤔   Personally, I don’t like the reference to “Rich” and “Poor” but I like the concept they are trying to show. I have been involved in the Forces Group for 9 years. (I know, for me it feels like only yesterday when we first got involved.)   And over the years I have always aimed to pay myself a salary so I can pay the bills and live my life without too many frills and spills, but after that I am constantly looking at investing back into the business, which makes the business stronger which in turn protects the life I have.   So are you thinking the right way…. what could you be d...

  When it comes to understanding why certain businesses are thriving and their counterparts are not, there is a very common theme. There’s ONE thing that’s common to them all... This one thing makes selling their product or service easier, makes charging a higher price easier, makes getting their brand out there more accessible, makes finding better staff easier, and keeps customers buying easier. That one thing is... To differentiate what they do from their competition. Sounds obvious, right? But can you honestly answer this: “Why should someone buy my product or service from me, rather than from my competitor?" If you look at any business and compare them to their competitors, 95% of them are the same — just a different logo. They’re selling the same stuff at the same price to the same audience while claiming they care more and that their service is better, or that they are more trustworthy. This mindset means these businesses will struggle. So how do you d...

 I was listening to a podcast while relaxing in the bath (probably a sight you don’t want to imagine) the other day. Phil M Jones was the speaker - he has a great book called Exactly What To Say. I recommend it for your reading list.  The podcast covered lots of thing but 1 thing resonated with me HUGELY.  I n our training we talk about the only way to succeed is to fail. (Fall down might be a better thing to say). Failing is a key attribute to success. The problem is that many people don’t want to go through the pain of failure to discover success. Or they try something once and give up too early. This was emphasised on the podcast but he added another element… mistakes!!   Phil Jones made the point that there is a difference between failure and mistakes.   His interpretation was that..   a mistake is knowing how to do something and simply not doing it properly or consistently. while,   a failure is trying something new and not getti...

 I attended an online conference today to extend and enhance my skills and knowledge. It was all about Sales and one of the first things that was mentioned was First Impressions. Here at the Forces Group we talk about the fact that 1st Impressions Count and last....  ---> and never forget you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression!! But there was one statistic mentioned today that really stood out to me.... First Impressions are made in the first 4 seconds.... just 4 seconds.... really? I was so intrigued that I looked into this further and there is another statistic that says it is 7 seconds and another study that says it is actually fractions of a second. There is a lot of psychology involved here and I don't intend to spend hours researching BUT I am taking the premise very seriously and I would suggest that you do too.... Why...? Because if it is true then it could change your business, and there is no way it will hurt your business. So here is someth...

 Has the penny dropped…?  “Send me your invoice and I’ll transfer the money!”…. Says the lovely customer. You wait and wait and no payment arrives. Just one non-payment is the thin edge of the wedge but Non or late payment for work can spread like virus and have a huge impact on you and your business.  If you are walking away from new customers without collecting payment then guess what…? …. you are no longer in control of your business!!  You have just handed your customer complete control and while you may think that may sound a bit extreme, I am seeing it play havoc on many business owners.  I can see it causing anxiety, frustration and anger to the extent that it is impacting you personally and as a result it impacts other parts of your business.   Eg. You have to start spending your precious time and your money to collect that money that should already be in your bank. This leads to resentment that starts to impact on how you feel and how ...

 This article is for anyone who is keen to start THINKING more about how to position themselves and their business better in 2023.   Best grab a few quiet minutes and a tea / coffee and either listen to the video and / or read the text. They are largely the same thing. During the Lockforce part of the conference in 2022 we discussed the difference between 3 types of service providers in the sector.  The Rogues The Amateurs The Professionals   As you can imagine we discussed this as a group and unequivocally agreed we fit into the Professional category. And then we listed out all the reasons why… Our know how, our uniform, our tools, our ID badges, our liveried vans, insurance, DBS, communication, punctuality etc…..   There is no doubt that we are a professional outfit and everyone who pulls on a Forces Group uniform should strives for the best and to do their best. If you are not tuned into all the things list above then you h...

If you want to improve your sales you must perfect the Sales Success Formula.... this is part 1 In this video we talk about the most important part of running a business - lead generation. I am not sure I know any business please cannot operate, grow and make money without getting new customers from leads. We are all good at our job and I am forever hearing the words "I get all my work through word of mouth". Now, to be fair that is not an issue as long as it brings you enough work so you earn what you want, and it brings in the type of work you want to do. But if you want consistent leads then you need to figure out how to do the right things, the right way so that leads flow into your business on a consistent basis.  If you master this part of business then you are in control of your destiny.

If you are feeling a bit dejected or lack motivation then ask yourself if you are actually looking after yourself properly or are you losing the fight with your health and fitness. I have spoken to many franchisees in recent weeks who have chosen to take action and get more physically active to improve their health, weight and general fitness. They have all said how taking walks, running, going to the gym, watching what they eat etc.... is contributing to their mental wellbeing which is having a positive impact on their business. Wow.... common sense but few talk about how being in good health can really help you when in comes to business. When the shit happens or things are going wrong some people queue up to be a volunteer (they claim they are a victim which is rarely the case) and some people take positive steps. Today I am raising my hat to those that are taking the necessary action to ensure that they are looking after themselves - by getting fitter and healthier - and seeing impr...

  The transcript of the video.... Many of you will know that I actively seek out new learnings and experience and i get a lot of ideas and inspiration from a place called the EC run by a serial entrepreneur called Nigel Botterill.  He is very good at what he does and his only failing is that he follows Leeds United. To be fair I get loads of inspiration and ideas from you guys. Anyway he shot a little video the other day talking about the words that should never be said by a business owner.....  I watched it and it really resonated with me. So what are the words you ask...? I'll tell you in just a minute because they are important but the point of the video is 2 fold, share the words of advice from Nige and also make it clear that following advice ain't simple. We all share the same challenges so none of us are different. So I was chatting to Phil Shaw the other day about a strategic idea I was thinking about.... and at the end I nearly said the words that I shouldn't eve...

Further to my last post on getting your attitude right, here is part 2. So in the last post the suggestion was that negative things (and people) are not going to help you get to a positive Attitude (or a YES Attitude as the author calls it). And it is fair to say that negative thoughts and feelings are caused by real things that happen every day. The author says "shit happens, people happen and shit people happen". "Your reaction to the negative crap, or negative people who enter your life (or in your life), is the FATE of your ATTITUDE." This re-enforces the mantra of who you hang around matters. To break through the negative things the author provides a list of positive things that will help your attitude..... Anything funny - always aim to have fun Personal Meditation - your mind and body are interconnected Taking a walk - a great way to start the day or clear your mind (and get some sunlight) Positive self talk - praise yourself Helping others without expectatio...

  I am reading a little book called The Little Gold Book of Yes Attitude.... it is by Jeff Gitomer. Yes a boy from Croydon CAN actually read, albeit a little slow 😃. I am not a lover of reading but I do appreciate learning and sharing things that resonate with me and that I know could help others. Maybe even you...? I tend to listen to audio books instead. But right now I'm reading, appreciating and sharing!! In our business we talk about having the right ATTITUDE if you want to be more successful. I often talk about the "Top 20" as being the place you should be if you want to be successful. Without doubt your ATTITUDE can make or break YOUR success in business and life. This book is all about attitude and while we all have a good appreciation of what "attitude" means, but do you actually think, reflect and take action to improve your attitude? You have the choice to learn, change, adapt and improve. But, it is up to you. And if you find yourself saying "I...