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You’ve seen it before — Success in life is 80 percent Attitude and 20 percent Aptitude. We can learn anything we are willing to spend the time and energy to learn. It’s our attitude that will make the difference if we are open to change and able to use change to empower us and our future.

No matter what kind of business you’re in, there are going to be days that just make you crazy with problems. The news is negative, employees let you down, and competition is beating you up. Yet, the people who thrive and prosper are the ones who have a prescriptive attitude in life that they must take charge of the caliber of information that reaches their brain.

Robert Schuller said, “Success doesn’t come the way you think it does — it comes from the way you think.” Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Quite simply, you have more leverage for success when you expect to win.

You ask, what is a prescriptive approach? It’s simply arming you with information to deal with whatever changes come our way. We must arm ourselves daily with information like this newsletter program to prevent stress and panic. No one makes good decisions when trapped in an unresourceful state of mind. In fact, most of us can trace bad decisions to when we reacted to a situation instead of acting in a manner that served us.

You get in life what you focus on. If you dwell on limitations, you will reach them. You will have a better life in every way if you make the least of the worst while making the most of the best.

One attribute that elevates the outstanding from the average, is the willingness to look for the positive angle in all situations. Optimists know that quite often difficult situations or adversity bring out hidden resources and capabilities. As entrepreneurs, we must make the internal decision to excel, to rise to the occasion. Optimists choose to see opportunities where others choose to see problems. Thomas Edison said, “If we did all the things in life we were capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves.” Another quote I enjoy is: “Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.” Update your perceptions of what is really going on around you. How can you make these changes work for you? Real wealth is created by people who look for ways to solve other people’s problems. When you are dealing with reality from a point of power you are able to think clearly and make better decisions.

Enthusiastically,
Lee Milteer

Lee Milteer is an internationally known Performance & Productivity Coach, TV Personality, and Speaker who has counseled and trained over a million people throughout her career. Lee is the founder of the Millionaire Smarts® Coaching Program and is also a best-selling author of educational resources like Success is An Inside Job and Overcoming Unproductive Behaviors. Find out more and sign up for no-cost success resources at www.milteer.com.

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Comments or feedback on how you handle challenges are greatly appreciated.  Remember, it’s not the challenge it’s how we overcome it that we’ll be remembered by.

There were no websites to get instant information on taxes or neighborhoods. We didn’t have “Crack Berry’s”, smart phones or text messaging. We wrote letters, sent faxes and waited. Yet, closings took place day after day after day after day.

Now, I’m not suggesting that we go back to the dark ages, I love technology and can’t imagine life without the internet, what must do is regain control over our communication and minimize interruptions.

Here are a few thoughts on how to communicate on your terms:

 • Let your clients know that you reply to emails several set times a day to ensure they get the best answer to their question possible. Then they won’t be upset when they don’t get a reply in 30 seconds.

• Schedule weekly appointments to check in with them, but of course contact them immediately if an issue arises. Not only will this make you “the professional” in the eyes of your clients, it will be a better use of your time. Having a set appointment, like Tuesdays at 2:00 PM, will ensure that the communication happens and that the client is actually available when you call, because they’re expecting to hear from you at that time.

• Disable the interruptions caused by Facebook and Twitter or other sites emailing or texting you when so and so posted something on their wall, tweeted or sneezed. Try using an online program like HootSuite.com to manage them.

By minimizing the interruptions and increasing your focus, it’s pretty safe to bet your sales will go UP!!

Have you ever found yourself wondering “What is the matter with the world today?”  Well, one answer to that question is could be “Energy is the matter!” Modern science has already determined that everything in the universe is made up of energy.  So if all matter is energy, and all energy is matter, then the thoughts you think, the emotions you feel, and the actions you take are powerful forms of energy that you are adding to the world. That means that you matter!

That also means you have to take responsibility for the role you play in creating the energy of fear, stress and anger that exists in our society today. You can begin this process by examining the relationships in your life and ask yourself how do I treat people in the world around me? Are you kind, encouraging and show people that you care? Or, are you someone who is negative, complains and causes drama?

Despite all of the technology that we depend upon to “connect” us today, we have in actuality become very disconnected from one another. While there are many benefits to our social networking sites, we can get caught up in how many friends and followers we have, and be rather self absorbed by what we know, and how we present ourselves.

Here is what you have to remember. As a “human being,” you are also an “organic being,” and that means you are part of nature and the natural order. Nature consists of a series of networks that exist in relationship with one another, and everything in the natural world works together for the greater good, in an effort to maintain the cycles of life and sustain our very existence. The same should be true of us as human beings. We were designed to live in relationship with one another, and to create networks that sustain our own wellbeing and that of our planet.

Yet, if you look around at our society, most of our economic theories and business practices are based on the exact opposite of this. We are taught to create networks that value competition and evaluate success by our ability to dominate, regardless of the consequences in the world around us.  After all, we justify that  “It’s nothing personal, its just business…” Right?

Nothing could be more wrong than that expression, because every single thing you think, feel and do is personal. It matters and has a consequence in the

world around you! If you ever find yourself doubting this, remember the phenomenon called The Butterfly Effect. If something as gentle as the movement of a butterfly’s wings can affect weather conditions all over the world, can you imagine the effect the energy of your thoughts and emotions is having in the world today? That is worth paying attention to!

In fact, here’s an expression that may better serve you in your efforts to build relationships in the world around you….“ No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care…

Amy Hanavan, M.S.W, has her masters in clinical social work and has over 20 years of experience consulting with individuals, groups and businesses on how to create a healthy and positive environment that facilitates growth, expansion and success. Today she is a writer and speaker who facilitates seminars for women (of all ages), inspiring them to align with the feminine power inside of them to be a source of love, hope and inspiration in the world outside of them.

In 2006, she published her first book The Energy of Success: Discover the True Nature of Your Power, which was the result of her own experiences practicing these principles, as well as her years of experience consulting and assisting others. In 2007, she published her second book Say Yes to Your Majesty, which inspires women to align with the feminine power inside of them and use it to become the change they wish to see in the world today. Most recently, she has been writing a series of novels for teenage girls, which teaches them how to apply these spiritual principles to the specifics of their lives.

Ducks on Bayou St.John, New Orleans- April 2012

I love to go out into nature and walk.  The sun, the fresh air and the movement all seem to brighten my mood.  It’s spring so it is even more yummy to spend time out side, the jasmine and magnolias are in bloom making the walk extra fragrant.  There were even some adorable little ducks out today that I snapped this picture of.

Today as I walked I was listening to a HayHouseRadio.com, thankfully with the internet radio we can all choose what we allow into our lives.  The host, Denise Linn was sharing with us the reminder that we focus on expands.  Later as I was enjoying lunch I picked up a book I keep handy for short reads by Louis Hay “You Can Heal Your Life” and I opened to the same topic.  While some may call it a coincidence, I call it an important reminder.

Over the previous day I’d been in the dumps or as I like to call it a “funk”, I was not focusing on what I wanted only on what I didn’t have.  Not on all that I’d accomplished, only on all that was missing.  Thankfully I used some of the metaphysical training I’ve been learning to get myself out of that funk pretty quickly. I’m pleased to say that my funk was brief and only lasted about 24 hours.  In the past that could have gone on for days or longer.

I know that I received these messages at the right time for me, that they came to me like many others because I was open to receiving them. Had I picked up that book when I was in my funk I don’t think I could have seen that and resonated with message.  Likely I would have said to myself “Yea Right, sure I create what I focus on” or “Oh really, then where is my best selling book?”

As I look over my life, I realized that I am truly blessed.  That I have manifested many amazing things, people and best of all feelings.  I have health, love, freedom and best of all opportunities.

Focusing on the outstanding things I’ve manifested also gives me the faith that more is on the way.

Want to learn more about Denise Linn – check her out online at www.DeniseLinn.com you may also enjoy her book “Soul Coaching” which is a 28 day program.

Same thing happens when you create the content of each of the page of your website.  You need to know what your prospects are looking for so you can come up with answers and solutions of their problems and help them reach what they wanted to achieve.  Focus on what they need to know and what is in it for them and not just about what you or your company is about.  Think from the point of view of your customers so they will always get excited and move on with you because they can feel that they are part of it. You also need to think of something that makes ideal clients and customers curious and excited to move on with you.  This is called call to action. 

In order to gain this trust and long term relationship, you need to make sure that you do what you say you do and guide them until they achieve the result that you have promised them.  It feels great to be a part of somebody’s success because it will also make you successful.

A few Tips to consider in writing your copy and updating content:

1. Know your target market – be very clear when spending market time, energy and money.  Be specific with your target so they will quickly and easily identify with your message.  People are looking for solutions; offer them in your content.
2. Using words to get search engine traffic into your site – you can use key word finder in Google to learn what your prospects are searching for.  Words that best describe your business and offerings – brainstorming exercise and writing down every word that relates to your products and services and how you help people.
3. Call to action – include in your content what action people need to do and that it leads them to achieve their goal.  Having them achieve something will bring more sales and also gain customer loyalty.  Offer a way for your visitors to receive information about your services and communicate with them after their initial visit.
4. Testimonials – people want to know what others think, share a few success stories of clients and customers who used your products or services, either written or video.
5. Your photo – a picture is worth a thousand words, consider about how you and your company are represented your website.  Keep your photo current, that class picture from 20 years ago isn’t going to work no matter how wonderful you look I it.

Your website is a living thing that breathes out ideas and solutions of ideal clients and customers’ problems and that it will encourage them take an action.  The more your prospects can identify with the copy, the longer they will stay and the more likely they will be to take the next step.

Update your site frequently to make keep the information fresh.  As you grow, make adjustments or changes that will match your new directions or whatever is happening in your website.  Ideal clients and customers will never get tired visiting your website which leads to loyalty and into a long term relationship.

Remember, your website represents you and your company however it doesn’t mean that your copy and content is mostly all about you or your company.  Be specific and descriptive with what services and products you offer especially with what is in it for them.

“Success comes not just from listening and learning but by taking an action until the end.”

Book written by Mike Dooley 2009

As long time student of the Law of Attraction I was drawn to this book as I truly believe in Infinite Possibilities.  That as the author  Mike Dooley says’ Thoughts become things, choose them wisely”  I have taken this lesson to heart and made it a part of my everyday life for many years.  I share it with all that are curious and interested in creating the life of their dreams.

The book is loaded with easy to follow lessons for life. Practical, inspirational and many just out right funny.  Life stories are woven into the topics making them easy to grasp. Some of my favorite lessons that Mike shares are to think big, be yourself and follow the fun.  All things those are easy to do and only take a conscious effort to produce.

Thinking Big – to me this is a constant ongoing thing in my life.  Each dream for myself, my family and my business get bigger and bigger when I settle in and begin to explore it.  I don’t try to work out the how, simply the what.  A lesson I learned that helps me stay focused on the Big Thinking no the details were writing out a detailed description of what an ideal day would be like for me.   After 9 pages of information I was able to actually smell the ocean and taste the exquisite meal I was enjoying with my friends.  There were only minor details on the house, the job (business) and the location.  Most of the information was on feeling the experience of being in my ideal day.

Be Yourself – Once as a child I was told by my father it’s easier to remember the truth than a lie.  I feel the same holds true here, being me is just easier to be myself than to pretend to be someone else.  Once I began to love myself, who I am, what I believe it became so much easier to just be ME!   I’ve also found that genuine people are then attracted to me.

Follow the Fun – this is my FAVORITE!  Life was meant to be lived, to be enjoyed and for us to embrace all of it.  Fun is a choice, it’s a decision we make with each action we take. Even when we’re cleaning the house we can choose to have fun.  Our lives are busy, our schedules are often full of obligations, don’t forget to make time to follow the fun.

Living a life of faith isn’t the easiest thing to do if you were like me a self proclaimed control freak.  OK, perhaps freak is a strong word, but I was one of those that liked to know that I had a handle on things, that I was in control of what was happening and my surroundings.  Prior to beginning to live a life of faith I was stuck in a life I didn’t love, but at least knew what to expect.  I was in control of it, but didn’t enjoy it.  After liberating myself from the bonds of demanding to be in total control of everything I began to live a life of faith.  The first steps were challenging, how could I dream up a man that I’d never met?  How could I feel an ideal day if I’d never seen one?  How could I be happy if bad things were happening around me?  Those and many other questions came up, but as I worked through them, using many of the principals that you find in this book I soon felt the liberation of living a life in faith.  Faith that the Universe would provide for me the opportunities and resources to live the abundant life I knew I deserved.

You’ll find this book does an excellent job of weaving Spirituality and Law of Attraction into practical life lessons.  No one has a perfect life; each of us has challenges that come up along our journey, that’s part of the fun.    Enjoy life and remember it’s full of Infinite Possibilities.

I am sure you can relate

One of my office staff said to me, “Lee you could have 10 assistants and you would keep us all busy because you never stop thinking of things you want to do.” And he was absolutely right. I love to create and as an entrepreneur I always have to be creating. But I can also drive myself crazy if I don’t control my mind and stay in the present because like you, that is were all my power lies. You have to get a grip that the only power you have is right now. So ask yourself “What can I do right now?” If you take care of now the future will take care of itself. We can plan and do proactive things for the future but we will never be able to know exactly what is going to happen. We often totally stress ourselves out with trying to do everything. We only have 1,440 minutes per day. Please start to have the skill of awareness that your brain has to be in the present time to be really effective.

When you describe the future, you will most likely talk about events that may happen. What we like to call the future is really the use of our imagination. We base our future on the memories of the past, just rearranged to meet our expectations of what we think the future will be like.

When we spend our time regretting or longing for the past, or worrying about or longing for something in the future, we find we have created problems that have no solutions, because they are based on remembered or imagined situations. We have no way of doing anything about them. This behavior causes great frustration within you.

When you realize that the process of worrying about not being able to pay bills next month or losing your relationship or not getting something you regard as important (those things haven’t happened yet) is basically a waste of energy, then you are freed up to enjoy, do, and be whatever is here and necessary right now. You will find that you can actually live your life rather than just thinking or worrying about it. You only have 1,440 minutes a day! You want to use that time being as effective as possible with your talents and skills to become wealthy, healthy, and happy.

Your time and energy should be at the top of your list of most precious resources. It’s the steps you take in the present which will allow you to manifest whatever it is that you want in your future. Again, the bottom line is your point of power is always in the present. Train yourself to stay in the present as much as possible. Don’t try to figure out the solutions to everything. Have some faith in yourself and your abilities to deal with whatever cards you are dealt! The truth is you have always landed on your feet and you always will. Stop allowing stressful self-induced thoughts to zap your creativity and energy.

Be present, stop wishing away time, and stop wishing for things to be different. Do you really want to waste your life wishing? As an entrepreneur you must realize that your time is one of your most important resources. Don’t waste it feeling sorry for yourself or wishing things were different. Deal with reality.

Every day we are in situations that are stressful and beyond our control. Don’t let your creativity, positive attitude, and good common sense slip away during these stressful times. The only thing you have true power over is your response to all situations. Be an actor to life instead of a reactor. Try this for a short time and see how your life becomes more fun, productive, profitable, and less stressful. You will also find that the people around you will appreciate your new attitude! Life is short–ENJOY IT. Remember, it’s not the destination that counts but the journey. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!!!
Love & Light,
Lee Milteer

Lee Milteer is an internationally known Performance & Productivity Coach, TV Personality, and Speaker who has counseled and trained over a million people throughout her career. Lee is the founder of the Millionaire Smarts® Coaching Program and is also a best-selling author of educational resources like Success is An Inside Job and Overcoming Unproductive Behaviors. Find out more and sign up for no-cost success resources at www.milteer.com.

This is just a quick note to encourage you to check out

http://contestsimple.com/index.php/save/click/581295367/direct/?contest=dna

A simple contest that not only is loaded with excellent prizes, but also comes with a valuable lesson.

The buzz is on, there are people waiting anxiously for the next video, the reveal of the prize and yours truly is one of them.

Check out the link above and hey, if I win I’ll be sure to share all the info I gather from the seminar and Kindle. (of course my library already has all of his books, so I’ll be sharing those)

Wealthy wishes,

Michelle

As I reflect on some incidents of the recent week, which I’m not going to elaborate here,  I am questioning if many people who say they are in the real estate business are actually in the business of selling homes or just the business of complaining.

Stick with me, I think you’ll see that I have a valid point and one perhaps that you agree with.

A for profit business is about………making a profit, delivering the best product or service and keeping customers coming back and referring others to you.  Sure you may say, “that’s the simple version” it’s more complicated than that, but really as Hokey Pokey says,…..that’s what it’s all about.

Now let me set the record straight here on profit.  There is nothing shameful about making a profit.  Let me say that a different way, there is nothing wrong with making money or wanting to make money.  YES, I know there are people who are struggling financially, and YES, I have empathy for them, but is me complaining about the that or being poor helping them?  No, I know that I can do far more by having money, than by being poor and so can all of us.

As kids many of us did things to earn money, we were entrepreneurial even in our youth.  We had lemonade stands, we babysat for screaming brats, we mowed lawns for neighbors, etc.  For us this was plain and simple about earning some money to do whatever our little hearts desired like buying a new record, the latest Tiger Beat magazine or a pair of cool new shoes.

We were doing what we did for money. Tell me that mowing grass was because you liked it, or felt like being of service to the neighborhood.  At 13 or 14, it was all about making some dough to get the things we couldn’t talk our parents into buying us.

Sadly I’ve spent too much time recently in the presence of the business complainers club.  This club is growing, fast and furious.  Incase you’re not sure if you’ve got a chapter in your area; let me tell you more about this club.  They spend their time and energy discussing with fellow club members the challenges they are facing, not in looking for a solution, but company as misery loves company.  They can quote statistics on the number of foreclosures, and the number of people who are unemployed, but can’t tell you anything about the schools in the neighborhood or what they are doing to market their services.  Caution, they are heavily recruiting and they can be found soliciting new members at the coffee pot, the sales meeting, the water cooler and even on Facebook.   They haven’t made a profit yet this year and truth be told, they probably won’t as the business of complainers is purely NON PROFIT.

If you’re a member of this club, I highly suggest you resign now.  Your business depends on you focusing on the positive aspects of it and spending more time doing the activities that make a profit.  If you’re not a member, WAHOO!!!  However, be careful, it’s really easy to get sucked into their club when you’re trying to lend a hand or some compassion to someone having a bad time.  Stay strong, you can be positive and profitable.

Should you be approached by someone wishing to recruit you into the complainers club politely thank them for their concern, and let them know that you’re business is about profit, and that you plan to keep it that way.  Let them know that your time is precious and you realize that the more you focus on the things you want and NOT the things you don’t want, the better your life is.  Also mention that you’re more about looking at solutions, not problems.

Then pat yourself on the back, you’ve successfully avoided being sucked into the business of complaining.

Enjoy your business, make as much money as your heart desires and remember the best way to be of help to those in the club to be a shining example of what you wish to see in the world.

Recently when I was walking this thought popped into my mind, it started when I was crossing the road and a car nearly took me out while he was making a U turn.  The car was a pretty, new shiny black Mercedes.  Don’t ask me which one, I wasn’t paying that much attention; let’s just say it was a very nice one that would have hurt had it hit me.  As the car narrowly missed me I had two thoughts that came up at once, first one was, hey you pay attention, the other was, wow, I’d sure love to drive one of those.

As I continued my walk, safely on the sidewalk, I reflected on the thought of wanting a pretty Mercedes.  Rather than looking at it with jealously, I thought about what it would take if I really wanted one. I asked myself if I was I willing to dive head first into whatever it takes?  Would this mean I would have to do things I don’t want to? Or things that are outside of my comfort zone?  Would I have to do something or things that are not in alignment with the person I am and want to be?

I vowed as I was walking to look at things differently in my life.  First, I’ll make sure that I make eye contact with the cars in the area as I’m crossing the road.  Second, I will not look at the person with envy, but admiration for them doing what they needed in their lives to afford the pretty shiny Mercedes.

During the holidays it’s too easy for those of us who are self employed to get off track.  As the busyness of the season kicks in remember not lose site of your goals, keep moving toward them and stay focused.  Don’t get distracted by what I call the shiny objects, things that aren’t adding to our business, but taking time and energy.

Working “on” your business not just in it is possibly the best gift ever.  Here are a few simple ideas that can help you kick things up and make 2011 a great year.

• Evaluate the number of hours you worked in your business this year.  Identify ways to delegate, streamline or eliminate some of the busy work.   With only 24 hours in a day, it’s critical for us to make the most of them.

• Evaluate the sales you had and how they compare to your goals.  Determine the steps you’ll take to reach your 2011 goal and write those numbers so you’ll see them often.

• Surround yourself with people who are positive, producing and helpful.  Steer clear of those who are whiny and filled with the latest doom and gloom.  Join a mastermind group, seek coaching or simply make time to meet new people.

As this year comes to a close remember to make time for YOU and for your business planning

I have a big sign in my office that I see every day: PUT YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES ON AND DEAL WITH IT. This sign reminds me that yes, I know we are clearly in an economic storm but I refuse to be BESTED!! How about YOU? Are you going to let the change in reality best you? Are you a victim or a victor? Are you having a pity party for yourself? These are choices you must make daily to think clearly. Most people are going through life scared and worried. You have to understand that no matter what is going on you must not join the afflicted or paralyzed masses.

One of the most important rules of success is that you must not be reactive to life but have a proactive approach. It’s your job to understand that life doesn’t just happen to you. Your choices make your life good or bad. Your thoughts create your mood.

James Allen, in his famous book, As A Man Thinketh says, “Circumstance does not make the man, it reveals him to himself.” The next time you meet with adversity, temporary defeat, or failure, remember that you may have no control over the revolutionary changes or unpleasant circumstances, but you do have control over your reaction to these circumstances. Exercise this privilege by searching for the seed of opportunity, which is carried in every experience of adversity and sorrow.

We must choose to be proactive in life and not let life happen to us. We must be driven by our values and goals, not by outside circumstances. Your greatness comes from within, so start today to capitalize on your own talents and potential. The emphasis in our life should be on developing the vision; to see beyond the current situation, develop mental control over our emotions, feel our own power and assume responsibility for our future. If you don’t take care of yourself–who will?

To deal effectively with change, we must question our perceptions. When we resist new ideas, we reject new ways of thinking before we’ve even given them a chance. We think the past will be the same as the future. Our vision is narrowed by the old way of looking at life and we tend to hang on to traditions, ignoring new ways of thinking because we’re not used to looking at our problems from a broader perspective.

It is important to understand that our mental and emotional attitudes are shaped by our habits and our thoughts. If we welcome change, we look forward to experimentation and challenges of new ways to do business. However if we’re in a rut and don’t like to experiment with anything new, we shut down any real opportunities for growth and new solutions. A fixed identity is not going to help you deal with the new reality we live in today. The more we honor our own power to deal with life, the less we will feel cheated or stressed out by change. When you stubbornly hold on to old ideas of the way things should be you shut yourself off from new solutions.

Think and Act Smart
Lee Milteer

P.S. Do you need new solutions in your life in business? Are you having a difficult time dealing with the massive change going on in your life and business? Try Lee’s Untamed Success Coaching Program, which will give you a New Lease on Life so you can Increase Your Sales, regardless of your industry or the economy! You’ll get monthly success coaching that will keep you in a resourceful state of mind.

Right now, Lee is offering hugely discounted introductory prices for her Untamed Success Coaching Program. There are only 37 slots left at this Very Affordable introductory price so Click Here for more information and to join Today! Plus, when you sign up, you’ll also receive some Great Bonus Materials worth $265.80*.

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Lee Milteer is an internationally known Performance & Productivity Coach, TV Personality, and Speaker who has counseled and trained over a million people throughout her career. Lee is the founder of the Millionaire Smarts® Coaching Program and is also a best-selling author of educational resources like Success is An Inside Job and Overcoming Unproductive Behaviors. Find out more and sign up for no-cost success resources at www.milteer.com.

His USP was: “Fresh, hot pizza delivered in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Ten words that brilliantly incorporate two product benefits with the meaningful specific of delivery within thirty minutes-not quick, fast, or soon, but precisely in thirty minutes-and a guarantee.

This USP has passed into advertising history, but it fueled the growth of an empire, and thoroughly frustrated competitors large and small. In fact, in its heyday, I played word association with people and asked them to say whatever first popped into their minds when I said “pizza”; 85 out of 100 said “Domino’s.”

Question: If we went out into your marketplace and asked 100 or 1,000 people to play the game, gave them the generic name for your type of business, and 85 percent of them responded by naming you, how well would you be doing?

I had the privilege of interviewing Tom Monaghan (founder of Domino’s Pizza) for a magazine article some years ago, and there’s no doubt that his success and that of his company have been linked to a complex list of factors, notably including his personal success philosophy and his ability to instill it in his franchisees. But there’s also no doubt that his USP was largely responsible for the rapid rise and dominance of his company in the pizza industry. It generated enough wealth to let Tom indulge in his lifelong fantasy of buying the Detroit Tigers (with a $53-million-dollar price tag), collect classic cars, give most generously to his church and favorite charities, and be financially independent and secure at a relatively young age.

That is the power of a truly great USP. It is worth working on the invention of a strong USP for your product, service, or business. And it’s not necessarily easy. I know clients who’ve taken months, even years, to finally hit on a USP that they liked and that really worked. For each, the months of frustrating brain strain have paid off handsomely.

A Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is a way of explaining your position against your competition. When a supermarket chain or big-box retailer like Wal-Mart labels itself as “THE Low Price Leader;” it’s made a positioning promise.

A USP is also a way of summarizing and telegraphing one of the chief benefits, often the chief benefit of the business, product, or service being marketed.

In the early 1990s, Chrysler was making much out of being the only American car maker to include driver’s-side air bags as standard equipment. That briefly worked for them as a USP, but competition quickly caught up.

A few years back, the Subway chain enjoyed great success repositioning itself as a weight-loss business, first with the story of Jared, one of its customers, and currently by comparing the number of fat grams in its sandwiches to those from McDonald’s. How long the company could sustain this was open to question at the time.

Your USP may express the “theme” of your business, product, or service. Think: Which coffee is “mountain grown”? Which beer is made with “the cold, clear water of the Rockies”?

These examples show that a USP can be based on just about anything: price, product, ingredient, positioning. There are USPs based on color, size, scent, celebrity endorsement, location, hours of operation, and on and on.

As you concentrate on developing a new USP for your enterprise, you’ll be newly aware of the-USPs of other businesses, and you can learn from their examples. To hone your marketing mind, you need to become USP-sensitive and ask these questions about every business, product, and service you encounter in your daily activities:

• Does this business have a USP?
• If not, can I think of one for it?
• If so, is there a way I can think of to improve it?
• Is there any idea here I can “steal” for my use?

A good source of ideas is the public library. There, free of charge, you can wander through Yellow Pages directories and newspapers from cities all across the country, as well as hundreds of consumer, business, trade, and specialty magazines. Another source of ideas is the Internet: As you roam cyberspace, visit Web sites within and outside of your business category in search of inspiring USP ideas. Then you can boldly go where few others go, into the marketplace with a really exciting USP of your own!

Dan Kennedy

Dan S. Kennedy is the provocative, truth-telling author of thirteen business books; a serial, multi-millionaire entrepreneur; trusted marketing advisor, consultant and coach to hundreds of private clients running businesses from $1-million to $1-billion in size; and he influences well over 1-million independent business owners annually through his newsletters, tele-coaching programs, local Chapters and Kennedy Study Groups meeting in over 100 cities.

Glazer-Kenndey Insiders Circle, owned and operated by internationally known marketing personalities Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer, is THE place’ where truly smart, progressive, aggressive entrepreneurs with a love for marketing, a sincere desire to get rich and richer (with no apologies for doing so), and an optimistic, forward-looking attitude, gather’ to exchange and share timely information and “what’s working today” strategies and examples. Get Bill Glazer’s #1 Bestselling Book, “Outrageous Advertising” for FREE. Click here.

I’m new a relatively new real estate agent. I am anxious to learn all I can, get my business going fast and also start making some money.  What is the best advice you have on starting out strong?

Signed Brand New & Ready to Rock

Virtual Fairy Godmother

Dear Ready to Rock:

Thank you for your question, my reply is not only for you, the new agent who wants to “Rock it” in this business, but for anyone who has reach a plateau or even a slump.

Stop Doing Things That Don’t Make You Money!

It’s really that simple and I could and should stop here, however I won’t.  If I did, I’m sure I’d get letters and emails from others asking for more or telling me it’s not that easy, they have to do X Y and Z, etc.  So I’ll go ahead and give you as much as I can  right now for the benefit of everyone.

In sales, which is exactly the business you’re in, you must spend most of your time on sales related activities.  This means, you have to spend the vast majority of your day prospecting, working on your leads, moving leads to appointments, making connecting with your sphere of influence, connecting with your past clients, meeting with leads and converting all of those activities into contracts.

Of course as your Virtual Fairy Godmother, I understand that there are still many activities that will need to happen in your business, but your job is sales, so you’ll need to delegate all or as much as possible of the rest of the items.

Surround yourself with a team that can help you, enlist the help of others, and hire someone, perhaps even a virtual assistant, and my personal favorite, who can take on some of the admin activities.  A virtual transaction coordinator is an excellent place to start.  Go to www.OnlineClosingTeam.com to learn about those services and be sure to tell them I sent you.

Love and Success,

Virtual Fairy Godmother