help your business

You may not know it, but you could be causing the demise of your business. Could it be that it’s time to get focused, take action, be accountable and produce much better results? Let’s look at the business killers that could be holding your business down and then actions to maintain the right focus:

1. Focusing on Fires
Most business owners are focused on whatever business fires or emergencies come at them in a given day.
Action: Focus on creating a marketing plan and then execute your action plan.

2. Focusing on Bling
In business, bling is the shiny new marketing toy that everyone else seems to be using.
Action: Focus on doing more of what works. Test and monitor all current or new marketing strategies.

3. Focusing on a Long “To Do” List
Honestly, you can only “do” so much. Being busy does not equate to being productive.
Action: Focus on 5-9 strategies that will grow your business this year.

4. Focusing on Your Weaknesses
When you focus on your weaknesses, you spend your time being a frustrated learner and learning should be fun!
Action: Focus on your strengths and pay someone “to do” the work where you are weak.

5. Focusing on Control
It is expensive to continually learn new tasks and then do them. You waste time, money and make more mistakes when you do it all by yourself.
Action: Focus on delegating and taking care of you by creating a team of employees and consultants for your business.

6. Focusing on the Mass Market
When you market to everyone, you make no one special, and everyone wants to feel special.
Action: Focus on creating an ideal client profile and market to prospects who value what you offer and will pay you the most money in the least amount of time.

7. Focusing on Today Alone
Usually owners make decisions based solely on today and don’t think about how their decision will affect the future.
Action: Focus on decisions based on today, forecast five years from now, and develop a plan on how you will exit your business.

8. Focusing on Features
No one will buy from you if you stress the features or services that your company provides.
Action: Focus on the benefits and results your prospects will receive when they work with you.

9. Focusing on Cheap Prices
Have you noticed that cheap prices bring you clients who nickel and dime you (and waste so much of your time)?
Action: Focus on pricing your services “just right” based on the highest dollar amount your ideal clients will pay for them.

10. Focusing on What You’ve Been Doing
If what you’ve been doing isn’t getting you the results you desire, then your business needs some tweaking or even a reinvention.
Action: Focus on taking a fresh look at what you are doing, and if it is not working, get rid of it!

With special thanks to all my clients who reminded me of the basic changes they have made to their businesses that have helped them substantially grow their businesses and increase their profits.

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©2009 Maria Marsala,