Sydney Workshops Now Only $67 each, May 18.

Sales and Presentation Skills Mini-Workshops, Sydney May 18.

Due to changing circumstances I have scheduled the Sydney mini-workshops for Tuesday May 18. And the price is now even lower, at only $67 per workshop, or a low $125 for the full day experience of two workshops.

Click here to get all the details and register at Early Bird rates

Selling Skills - 9.00am to 12.00pm

Presentation Skills - 1.30pm to 4.30pm

Never Stop Marketing Your Business - Or You Will Get Eaten Alive

A stark reminder of what happens when you don't market your business. From this news story of today... the key part is this:

When the economy is genuinely humming, the growth rates of retail chains and small retailers tend to be roughly in sync.

However, during downturns it is common for their performances to diverge, with the chains using their greater pricing flexibility and marketing muscle to keep the top line ticking along.

For example, in financial year 2008, even as interest rates rose because of Reserve Bank fears about an overheating economy, the growth rate differential between the chains and the independents - excluding businesses in food away from home - was just half a percentage point. Since then the difference has blown out to almost 9 percentage points.

My work is mainly within the B-to-B sector, but the comparison to how larger franchise and company-owned groups (the chains) maintain their position in tough times by using their 'pricing' and 'marketing muscle' is a strong reminder of why you always need to market your business - no matter what industry you are in.

1. Define your niche (or specialty).
2. Identify the value you provide (in the eyes of your client).
3. Develop an effective marketing program.
4. Keep doing it - all the time.

The 24-7-30 follow-up approach

Here's a great tip on how to stay in touch with people you meet at networking events. From Andy Lopata in the UK...

I'm often asked about how to follow up contacts you meet at a networking event.

One of the most popular processes I share was outlined by a delegate on one of my workshops a few years ago. The 24-7-30 approach is based on the principle that interacting with someone three times in the month after meeting them cements your relationships.

The approach dictates that you follow up with someone 24 hours after an event, 7 days later and again after 30 days.

Although I don't practice this as a matter of course, if I look back at the people who have become an integral part of my network after meeting at events, this pattern definitely applies. It may be an email, phone call and meeting. Or email, meeting and follow up. But those three touches in a month are certainly present.