8/1/14 – She’s Desperate!

Share this blog with others and receive FREE promotion of your business or service (ask me how at): info@BeCrystalClear.net

 + + + + +

Instant on the spot price hiking, under bidding, low balling and over quoting, unnecessary items in a packaged deal and charging an exorbitant price, bait and switch… Sound familiar? These are all ploys to gouge customers and consumers. DON’T practice this unsettling habit. If you want long term clientele and long term dollars – do not operate out of desperation and practice any of these methods. It’s below your level of integrity and professionalism (or should be). Any one of these practices puts you on the same page as that slimy used car salesman and your name will become mud in your local community and network. Business will soon dry up.

Is the economy tough right now, yes? Do you have to work a little harder and give a few extra perks to encourage and promote new and ongoing business, yes. Is this the opportune time to take advantage of individuals desirous of your product or service? If you answer yes, FYI – Karma’s a real B*tch!

Now’s the time to woo and stroke your possible and current clients. A closed fist cannot receive an open blessing.  SOME, not all of your possible and current clients will remember when you went the extra mile, cut them a break or charged them reasonably when times were tough and they will be the ones that will return your generosity with referrals, praises, additional business, bonuses, barters and perks. Granted, there are some that are just like sponges and will suck the life force right out of you and NEVER EVER repay your kindness – but you’re not in this for them, right? It’s like never being kind and generous again because someone was once unkind and not generous to you – let it go and keep being giving. It comes back to you in droves – it’s called the law of attraction and the law of giving. Have you ever tried to help something "settle" in a container so you could get more in the container (i.e., take a moment to visualize the 3 items that are italicized – “…give and it will be given back to you – pressed down, shaken together and running over…”).  

You give to give…not to get!

The next time you want to set your integrity aside and operate out in desperation mode in business interactions – consider your true payout. You will not gain very vital referrals. There will not be a repeat of business from that customer. Your business may very well quickly decline or even fail.

+ + + + +

Discover a different networking activity that you didn’t know was possible.  Start at “Networking From The Waist Up!” with us each month. We will connect you to the people you should have in your circle of influence.

Finally, connect with me today to determine how BCC –Small Business Management Services can assist your Entrepreneurial and Small Business endeavors by allowing us to be your personal Business Concierge, Helping You to Upstart & Manage Your Endeavors.

written by: CL Reed (find me at):

FIVERR:     fiverr.com/clreed

Twitter:       twitter.com/aSuiteCollab

Facebook:   facebook.com/cl.reed.5

                    facebook.com/BCCSBMS

                    facebook.com/ASUITEC

A Suite Collaboration

Providing You With A Unique Networking & Vendor Opportunity Experience

a subsidiary of

BCC -Small Business Management Services

The Entrepreneur’s & Small Business' Concierge – Helping You Upstart & Grow Your Endeavors

www.BeCrystalClear.Net

7/24/14 – You Should Never Pay More Than This Amount To Be A Vendor

Share this blog with others and receive FREE promotion of your business or service (ask me how at): info@BeCrystalClear.net

How much have you been charged to set up a 6’ table and sell your goods and wares at any given event?  If I threw out the figures of $75 - $2,500 in “Vendor Fees” to participate, would that be an accurate estimate? How much are you willing to pay? What is the value to you? What is too much? Should you be permitted to request a refund if you are dissatisfied with your sales outcome or what you would consider to be a miniscule amount of foot traffic?

Before you layout one dime for the Vendor Fee, YOU need to do your homework. Has this particular Promoter or Host put on events before – if so where? What was the outcome of their prior events? Is this the inaugural event of many to come (then negotiate your fees if they are $75 and above, otherwise, don’t insult your Promoter/Host)? Are you in a network or in contact with other Vendors that have had interactions with this event or Promoter/Host that could provide general feedback to you to help you make an informed decision?  Is this event even ideal for your product or services? Do you have any product or service that is in theme with the event? Is there a refund policy and what are the stipulations?

Have you done the event participation investment math?

Fees + Gas + Inventory + Time + Making People Aware of Your Business – Unmade Sales = Net

There are many factors involved in hanging your shingle out at an event.  Most important of them all is that you are wearing your biggest grin and have done the following:

·       Event and Self Promotion! If you don’t tell anyone where you are going to be, why should anyone come (it’s not just the Promoter’s/Host’s responsibility to tell all of YOUR Facebook friends and followers (social media, personal circle of influence and cell phone contacts). This is unless of course you are ashamed of what you are offering and you don’t want anyone to purchase from you. Or are you just selfish and you don’t want anyone else to make sales either or heck, for that matter – come to the event? You can’t complain about the foot traffic you didn’t help create!

·       Did you plan for a Helper? The worse thing in the world is an unattended table or a cranky Vendor because they haven’t had a potty or food break. You should be a Tag Team. One person should remain with the table and the other person should be networking in the event’s open area, offering samples and encouraging individuals to come over to your table. Don’t wait for them…go get ‘em.

·       What does your display say about your product or service? You may need to seek the help of a professional Table Scape Designer (let me know, I personally know of two wonderful individuals).

·       Make it worth it to be there, regardless if you make a dime! This is your one and only time to be in front of these particular people and Vendors…network, network, network! Collect business cards and samples. Communicate and converse. Networking is your true payout – the dollars can always be made, making those long term connections can help you make long term dollars and grow the word about your business without paying extra for marketing and advertising.

Finally, the following may not necessarily be your direct concern but things to consider that your fees help cover (note paragraph #2 about insulting your Promoter/Host): Time/expertise, space/location deposit/rental, marketing, flyers, promotion, planning, coordinating, decorations, sound system, security/cleaning deposit, table/table cloth and chair rentals, workers, stagers, entertainment, food, beverage, cleaning and miscellaneous incidentals…just to name a few.

When all is said and done, believe it or not, even the Promoter/Host would like to make a profit just as much as you would. So what is a reasonable amount to pay in Vendor Fees to participate in an event? Based on doing your homework, what amount is it worth to you to participate in that particular event, that would not be insulting to the Promoter/Host? At the end of the day, everybody’s gotta eat and keep their lights turned on…

Discover a different networking activity that you didn’t know was possible.  Start at “Networking From The Waist – Up!” with us each month. We will connect you to the people you should have in your circle of influence.

Finally, connect with me today to determine how BCC –Small Business Management Services can assist your Entrepreneurial and Small Business endeavors by allowing us to be your personal Business Concierge, Helping You to Upstart & Manage Your Endeavors.

written by: CL Reed (find me at):

FIVERR:     fiverr.com/clreed

Twitter:      twitter.com/aSuiteCollab

Facebook:   facebook.com/cl.reed.5

                    facebook.com/BCCSBMS

                    facebook.com/ASUITEC

A Suite Collaboration

Providing You With A Unique Networking & Vendor Opportunity Experience

  

a subsidiary of

BCC - Small Business Management Services

The Entrepreneur’s & Small Business' Concierge – Helping You Upstart & Grow Your Endeavors

www.BeCrystalClear.Net

FREE eBook offer:

7/17/14 – What Do You Desire?

What do you desire…? Success or Obscurity? Either way, you have to decide to go big or go home! Run with the big dogs or stay up on the porch! Tinkle…or get off of the pot!

First, let me shake up your mindset… Stop going after small entities – they have no money!

Ask yourself this question – Did I become an entrepreneur to be the next Bill Gates or Oprah?  We stay up nights and work off of caffeine overload to make our mark on the world. Part of the indecisiveness between success and obscurity is that we are afraid of success AND we continue to seek support from small entities that cannot financially afford our excellence, we can’t depend on them to clear their invoices (monthly), they are unwilling to part with what meager means they have even though your services are over and above what you are charging them and what they could possibly currently (maybe ever) afford. So with that mouthful said, you have to make a decision – do you want to have success or continue ad infinitum into obscurity?

Success is personally defined. Do not use the Kardashians, JZ’s, Beyoncé’s or Oprah’s as your benchmark! Determine what you ultimately want to achieve at the end of YOUR day and establish that as your benchmark.  Obscurity is a choice it is not thrust upon you. If you are your own worst enemy, blocker and detractor – note the common denominator. Get out of your own head, get out of your own way, create a circle of influence surrounded by positivity, growth, encouragement, strength, learning and mentoring.

Most importantly, keep in mind that you CAN NOT have success AND obscurity.  Everything you touch and do in preparation for launching and promoting your dream – must not be hindered once cast out into the atmosphere, not even by yourself.

Once a rocket is launched – there’s no suddenly stopping it.

Discover a different networking activity that you didn’t know was possible.  Start at “Networking From The Waist – Up!” with us each month. We will connect you to the people you should have in your circle of influence.

Finally, connect with me today to determine how BCC –Small Business Management Services can assist your Entrepreneurial and Small Business endeavors by allowing us to be your personal Business Concierge, Helping You to Upstart & Manage Your Endeavors.

written by:   CL Reed

Find me at:  info@becrystalclear.ne

FIVERR:     fiverr.com/clreed

Twitter:       twitter.com/aSuiteCollab

Facebook:   facebook.com/cl.reed.5

                    facebook.com/BCCSBMS

                    facebook.com/ASUITEC

A Suite Collaboration

Providing You With A Unique Networking & Vendor Opportunity Experience

a subsidiary of

 BCC - Small Business Management Services

The Entrepreneur’s & Small Business' Concierge – Helping You Upstart & Grow Your Endeavors

www.BeCrystalClear.Net

7/3/14 – The Only 3 Things You Need to Make It…

You are an Entrepreneur!

You have decided to carve out your own way and make your hopes, dreams, ideas and money, make a difference to you (and hopefully strike it rich, make an impact on SOMEBODY’S life or at the very least, be more than just a blip on the screen).  There are three things that you are going to need to make it:

1)     A Plan of Attack (Flexible Business Plan, A Plan Of Action)

2)     A Trench Mate (that Rocky Balboa Corner Man)

3)     The Fortitude to Keep Going When The Light is Dim (One More Sunrise)

Even if it’s just a one or two pager…develop an initial “this is what I want my company to do when it grows up” Business Plan. You MUST put it on paper and allow for it to be flexible and adjustable according to your personal needs for you and for your business. It doesn’t initially have to be a formal 200 page document with charts, graphs, fundraising plans and financials, but it does need to be a preliminary Plan of Attack. Consult with a professional if you need some guidance in this area at: www.BeCrystalClear.net

Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill is the type of corner man/woman you need… gruff, didn’t take any mess and didn’t accept excuses or whining! Rocky, at a later stage in the game then most fighters, was under the underdog and wanted to be a champ. “Mickey” was going to hold Rocky’s feet to the fire, train him, love him, push him, promote him, not coddle him and kick him in the butt when necessary. Yeah, we all need a Mickey Goldmill!

No rain…no rainbow and we all know that rain generally comes from dark clouds. There WILL be days (I repeat, there WILL be days) when you think, “What the heck was I thinking by taking on this endeavor?” You were thinking that something within you is screaming to get out…to be born…to grow and mature to success. That’s what you were thinking. Run with that thought! If you don’t share your “something” with the universe…then who will?  It was given and gifted to YOU! You need to bring it forth. You need to gift us with your greatness. You!

Even if you have to squint, look for the light , it’s there. And just know – the “light” may not be the pot of glowing gold at the end of the rainbow – the “light” may be you! SHINE.

Wake up tomorrow morning with a renewed sense of achievement and work toward that goal!

Discover a different networking activity that you didn’t know was possible.  Start at “Networking From The Waist – Up!” with us each month. We will connect you to the people you should have in your circle of influence.

Finally, connect with me today to determine how BCC –Small Business Management Services can assist your Entrepreneurial and Small Business endeavors by allowing us to be your personal Business Concierge, Helping You to Upstart & Manage Your Endeavors.

written by:   CL Reed (find me at):

FIVERR:     fiverr.com/clreed

Twitter:       twitter.com/aSuiteCollab

Facebook:   facebook.com/cl.reed.5

                    facebook.com/BCCSBMS

                    facebook.com/ASUITEC

A SuiteCollaboration

Providing You With A Unique Networking & Vendor Opportunity Experience

 a subsidiary of

BCC -Small Business Management Services

The Entrepreneur’s & Small Business' Concierge - Helping You Upstart & Grow Your Endeavors

www.BeCrystalClear.Net