A sale is perhaps the most crucial element of any firm. Without sales, nothing happens. The lights do not illuminate, phones do not chime, and computers do not buzz. An owner must concentrate all outbound efforts on creating the necessary communication to produce the necessary revenue to operate a profitable firm. Hanging a shingle and visiting network events produces nothing. Attorneys, accountants, and retailers all need to change their mindset; they must sell constantly for business! My UPS Store owner always sells me on new service offerings.
2. Marketing
There tends to be confusion between sales and marketing. With sales, owners are aligning products and services with the wants and needs of the prospective buyer. Marketing is communicating your message into a value statement heard by the buyer. Marketing promotes your services to the outer world. All business owners are marketers and selling professionals. Owners must develop a value proposition and develop a brand that equates a product/service with the value the client receives. Marketing must be easy to comprehend and easy to maintain.
3. Financial
Give anyone money, and they can easily spend it. Business owners can either be too frugal or spendthrift. Successful people understand the importance of balance. Great business owners understand that money must be invested in sales and in marketing so that the public is aware of your offerings. Business owners must spend money on advertising and promotions or on lunches and presentations so that potential clients understand how your product or service meets the need. Yet while money is invested in these vital elements, money coming in must be saved for future use. Business, like much in life, is cyclical, and business owners understand the importance of riding the volatility curves of business cycles, economic turbulence, and buying trends.
4. Corporeal
The personal process is about you. The personal element means creating balance in your life. You have time for family, time for your creator, time for education and civic duties, or however you want to spend time. The hardest part of ownership is breaking away from the conundrum of business and providing necessary "downtime" for you to rejuvenate and recharge. Doing so enables you to remain passionate, persistent and powerful in staying the course for success. Achievement is not only about how much money you bring to your wallet but the passion and commitment you make to you.
Balance, commitment and consistency are the keys to business success. Committing to equilibrium in sales, marketing, and financial and personal gain enable you to sleep at night. Balance provides bank deposits and returning customers. Balance is the exemplar of a successful, stable and consistent business!
About the Author
Drew Stevens Ph.D. is known as the Sales Strategist. Dr. Drew creates more revenues in less time. He is the author of seven books, including Split Second Selling, Split Second Customer Service, and Little Book of Hope. He is frequently called upon by the media for his expertise. Sign up for Dr. Drew's newsletter The Sales Strategist at drew3-143901@autocontactor.com and review his new book Split Second Selling at www.gettingtothefinishline.com/products.asp. Also visit Dr. Drew's Blog located at drewjstevens.blogspot.com.
