The hardest phrase to utter …
Many entrepreneurs struggle with verbalizing their gratitude to others. SFS instructor Chuck Violand shares why saying “thank you” is so important and how you can do so …
cheerleader
Should I wear a bow tie when cleaning?
A Pennsylvania tech wants to add a bit of pizzazz to his “cleaning presentation”. His boss (being from the “old school” isn’t so sure. “New School Steve” shares his thoughts plus a couple of hints …
The question every customer is afraid to ask!
Way back in the 50’s Bo Diddley sang a song titled “Who Do You Love?” If Bo were around today he would change the lyrics to “Who Do You Trust?”
Steve’s latest Value Added Service “field trip”
Everywhere you go and every commercial transaction you make should be examined with your “Customer Eyeglasses”. For example, notice what Steve took out of a recent (and very sudden) sojourn to Brooklyn, New York …
Now the “courtship” is getting serious!
SFS Instructor Chuck Violand reflects on how to win your employee’s hearts in Part III of his “courtship” series …
Just getting into business …
We all have to get our feet wet and take that first plunge. However, getting started right can save you a lot of pain and aggravation. What pitfalls would Steve avoid if he was just gettin’ going? Take a look …
“So how long is it going to take?”
Steve waxes nostalgic when asked about his “success time-line” and then shares a few bone-headed mistakes he made over the years so you can avoid them!
Fear of the “Franchise Onslaught”!
It is so easy to get intimidated by the “big boys”. But Steve explains that there is a silver lining to this very scary cloud …
Starbucks: Where’s the focus?
Market leaders cannot be everything to everyone. Different customers put different value on different things. Did Starbucks miss that idea in business school? Do they know something different about their customers? Or are they just desperate?
Just one more way to “set yourself apart” …
Cleaning the customer’s ceiling fan blades can benefit you in multiple ways …
Weekly Financial Flash Report
In the “good ole days” (pre-recession) you could get by with casually checking the nice big number at the end of your monthly Profit and Loss statement and then pop a cold one! Not anymore. You now need to focus like a hawk on your WEEKLY financials. This Flash Report form will help …
Do the job right
This little nugget is a great reminder of how important the details are when Making the Cheerleader.
What should I give for referrals?
Help me out here, Steve. I want to show my gratitude to my customers who refer me. But money seems a bit tacky plus I don’t have any to spare right now! So how should I reward my Cheerleaders?
No longer a “Man’s World”
It is simple. Anyone over the age of five should realize that men and women are very different! Let me count the ways …