I just read an interesting  article all about the debate to lower pricing in an economic downturn.

Before discounting, companies should consider several factors to determine if they can instead hold the line.

First, consider whether customers still need your specific products. Are substitutes readily available, and if so, how attractive are they? While demand may be down, the customers who are still buying might be brand loyal and willing to pay a premium for the smaller volumes they are purchasing.

What risks do your customers mitigate by buying your products instead your competitors?

Are you uniquely positioned because of your ability to provide timely deliver or servicing? read the rest of the story…

mastermind groups, networking groups, workshops; seminars…

what do all these have in common? A place to grow your business. And in Chilliwack, we have a new group just forming, called The Business Success Club. Headed up by Kevin Schroeder of Money Concepts, he wants a group to come together each month to learn how to grow their businesses. If you want to join us, please do! We are open to new businesses to create a vibrant community. This month we have as guest speaker, Reg Neufeld of Growing  into Success Training.

We meet at Decades Coffee Shop- for now- as we grow  we’ll need a larger meeting room. Wellington Rd at Mary Street, from 9:15 am to noon. Aprils meeting is Saturday April 25th

Email Kevin at kschroeder@moneyconcepts.ca  for a seat!

I have just been invited to be an exhibitor at an upcoming business trade show in the Valley!

I’ll be in booth  #109 at the Tradex building, April 16, from 3:30 to 10 pm.

This event is sponsored by Chamber of Commerce’s from  Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, and the Board of Trade of Surrey.

That’s over 250 businesses, and we expect well over 9oo people.

Stop by and say hi.  I am giving away my expertice …enter to win!

What if the size of your business didn’t matter?  It’s only you, or it’s you and 57 employees. Or it’s you and several hundred.  Now what if you and your business (insert size here) had something that was not working. Let’s say it’s in the area of customer service. No matter the size of your business, we all have that department, right? Ok, so you have noticed  there is a problem occurring. What to do?

You may be quick to suggest we do some problem solving. Well, you may be surprised when I say that problem solving is going to attract to you more of what you don’t want. Namely whatever the problem is because you are focused on it. Remember, go for what you do want. In this case, we want the best in customer service.

Here’s what many businesses use to get past the ’sticking point’. Appreciative Inquiry, or AI.

The definition in a nutshell:

The basic idea is to build organizations around what works, rather than trying to fix what doesn’t. It is the opposite of problem solving. Instead of focusing gaps and inadequacies to find blame and remediate skills or practices, AI focuses on how to create more of the occasional exceptional performance that is occurring because a core of strengths is aligned. The approach acknowledges the contribution of individuals, in order to increase trust and organizational alignment. It can be enjoyable and natural to many managers, who are often sociable people.

So, gather your social mangers around, and ask questions and envision a future that fosters positive relationships and builds on the basic goodness.

AI is being used not only by a wide variety of businesses, but with organizations,  medical systems and in the academic and local government  arenas as well.

Today, let’s talk about systems in your business. A life line for any business, be it service, or products. One of my former clients turned friend and of course business colleague in her own right, Beverlee Rasmussen, has written an article on systems for you I want you to read and take heed .

You did the job and now three months later you still have not been paid. Your new employee spends too much time taking personal calls.  You worked more than 100 hours last week but you still lost two potential customers because you were too busy to get back to them.  What do these three scenarios all have in common?  Each of these typical small business issues are a direct result of a missing “system”.

Being on my own with a busy 5 year old son and a “new born small business” taught me the valuable lessons of “systemization”.  Being the only parent meant that there were times when I simply had to leave the office and yet being the sole provider I could not chance that sales would drop or that costly errors would be made in my absence. I had to have firm control over my business environment. For me systems are defined as “a documented decision made on how everything in your business operates”.   Taking some time every day to evaluate and document how things are happening (or in many cases not happening) is a great first step to systemization.

Here are 7 simple steps to help you get started:
1. Schedule 30 -60 minutes every day to work on your business systems.
2. Start with a written inventory in point form of everything that happens in your business. (e.g. go to trade shows, meet with clients, deposit cheques in bank, buy supplies, quote jobs, train staff)

3. Choose one very specific action at a time that needs a system.  Draw a diagram of that action thinking carefully and strategically of the best possible way for it to happen. Involve your team (staff, vendors, clients, mentors).
4. Looking at your diagram write down step by step instructions with specific benchmarks. Be sure to note timing, staffing, materials, & standards.
5. File all your systems documents in an easily accessible centrally located binder or electronic folder.
6. Commit to using your newly created system.
7. Test and continuously improve your systems

Getting a handle on the day to day operations is critical to the long term success of your business. If you are experiencing a recurring frustration chances are you have a missing system.

Learn more by reading two of my favorite books on systems building:  “Instant Systems” by Bradley J. Sugars and “The E-Myth Revisited, Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber.
Need help building your systems?  PACE Strategic Business Systems Design offers hands on business consulting in the areas of systems design and implementation.

Contact Beverlee Rasmussen (604) 309 4242 for your complimentary one hour business systems evaluation.

This month, April, I am going to be talking a lot about what it takes to be in business for yourself- be the entrepreneur.

To begin this series, I want you to meet Carrie Thachuk. I first met Carrie, at a trade show in May of 2005.  She stopped by my booth and we had a wonderful conversation about her brand new business. Juggling family time, swamped in idea avalanche and the “how to’s”  of creating a business were really big questions for her at the time . From that meeting, I sensed Carrie’s drive and enthusiasm for being her own boss, and we embarked on coaching together. All along she has incorporated The Law of Attraction.  I asked her to write a short piece on what her journey to date has been like.

Starting a business is both fun and scary at the same time. My biggest success has been having faith in myself and living a balanced life between my family and my business.

The Passionate Home was born in the spring of 2003 and began as a business based out of my home. The first event I took part in was  an outdoor summer market in Sunny South Surrey and shortly after we moved into our first retail outlet in 2006.  Two years later we moved into a larger and more visible store front location in Historic McBurney Lane, Downtown Langley,BC.

I now have two staff members, that used to be customers and together we stay focused on the customer and their experience when dealing with The Passionate Home.  Remaining focused allows you to set goals, move forward and celebrate achievements.

Staying focused and positive is not always easy, however.  I would say the past few months have been most challenging.  I constantly refer to my time with Coach Cathy, my affirmations and the power of visualization.  These tools keep me on track and remind me of the constant energy of the Law of Attraction.  When focused, I am truly amazed of the power all around us.  The Law of Attraction sometimes works quickly and other times it slowly takes shape but by being aware of the strength available to us is a powerful tool for success.

Building a business means working hard, being creative, staying true to your vision and always thinking of ways to do better and to be better.  Your business is like life, it is what you create it to be!

My biggest mistake was not starting this journey sooner!

The Passionate Home is a retail boutique in Langley, BC, where we Reclaim and Restyle furnishings for Home and Garden.  Specializing in an eclectic mix of styles; Vintage, Shabby Chic, French Country and all things wonderful!

Carrie Thachuk
www.ThePassionateHome.com