Discovering Your Inner Samurai Blog

Mission Statement Inspired by Jerry McQuire

For those of you working on your mission statement this month, take your inspiration from Jerry McGuire.

Business Made Easy - Marketing to Women

Ever wondered what the difference is between marketing to women and marketing to men?

Is there a difference. Oh yeah!

Here's the difference in a nutshell:

Women like to buy in before they buy. Men do too. Men, however, will more likely buy into the value of the product before they buy. Women are more likely to buy into the seller. This is a key difference between marketing to men and marketing to women. 

Here's my story:

The other day at Lowe’s, I was pricing out sliding glass doors for the four-season room on the back of my house. One of the door panels had become damaged during a recent hailstorm when a limb broke and crashed into the window. When I arrived in the door department, the sales person was helping a couple with some questions they had. This gave me plenty of time to observe different buying styles in action.

The sales associate was doing a great job answering their questions. Together, he and the husband were talking about the energy efficiency of high-performance glazing. Was it better to go with dual glazing or double-paned glass with low emissivity coating? The husband ran his hands over the vinyl cladding around the outside of the door and asked about the practicality of top-mounted insect screens. There was a lot of verbal interaction as the husband sized up the product and relative value of the product in relation to the price listed.

The wife stood quietly nearby. She was not disinterested, mind you. She was just sizing up the product in a different way. She was watching the sales associate. She was deciding whether to buy into him and what he was saying. So, she asked another type of question, “What do you think about the sliding glass doors that have the curable vinyl cladding on the outside and the warmth of wood on the inside?” Note that she asked, “What do you think?” Asking a specific question about the product was just the vehicle for her to find out more about the sales associate’s ideas, thoughts, and information. In short, about him.

When she spoke, she looked him straight in his eyes. While he referenced the sliding glass door by looking at it when he answered her, she barely gave the door a glance. She had already evaluated the product. Plus, she could tell from her husband’s questions and responses that he was already considering the purchase. She wanted to know if she could trust the sales associate. Her body language and type of question was indicative of someone who is considering buying into a person. Pam’s statement of people buy us, and then they buy what we have to offer rang true. This was so obvious in the buying styles of this husband and wife. The husband was considering the value of the product. The wife was considering the trustability of the salesperson.

They also did my work for me. When the salesperson asked if he could help me, I said, “No thanks. I just need a couple of prices so I can comparison shop.” Then I turned to the couple and said, “Thank you! You guys were great!” They looked at each other, puzzled. They had no way of knowing that they’d just given me the perfect example of the difference in marketing to men and women.

What do you think? What's been your experience? Do you think women buy in more then men?

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Business Made Easy Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Business Made Easy Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

How to Write a Great Mission Statement Video

Wanna know how to write a great mission statement for your business? Here's how.

Business made easy, quick - it's only 5-minutes, and informative - "how-to" Inner Samurai business video on mission statements.

Now, go get it done!

Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Free - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

Help with Taxes

Today . . . I am thinking about this question that came in from one of our readers. It's tax time, and she wanted to know what small business tax books I'd recommend for her to read.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: "I need help with my taxes. Do you have any books you'd recommend to help me figure out my home-office deductions?

A: This is a great question and very important consideration at tax time.

Here is a short list of books I've read and currently have on my bookshelf. They are very helpful to me, both in the daily operation of my business and for future planning. The last book is the one I take with me when I go visit my CPA:

1. For many small business entrepreneurial women, Eva Rosenberg is the go-to person for tax advice. Small Business Taxes Made Easy: How to Increase Your Deductions, Reduce What You Owe, and Boost Your Profits, is the ultimate tax book. 
   
2. Although this book isn't very long, Surprisingly Simple: Independent Contractor, Sole Proprietor, and LLC Taxes Explained in 100 Pages or Less, by Mike Piper is an excellent resource for women entrepreneurs.
   
3. Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes, by Stephen Fishman offers excellent tips on small business deductions.

Happy tax return!

Do you have any other suggestions? If so, leave a comment and let us know. And, if you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Which Business Entity is Best for You?

Today . . . I am thinking about this question that came in from one of our readers. She is just starting up her business and wants to know what the different business entities are and how to decide what business entity is best for her.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: "How do I decide which business entity is best for me?"

A: This is a great question and very important consideration for both small business owners just starting up and those wishing to expand.

Here is a brief overview of the seven main business entities available in the U.S.:

1. Sole Proprietorships

These are the simplest and consist of one person who has total control, liability, and rights to sign contracts. No state registration or other formalities are needed.

2. Partnerships with General Partners

These consist of two or more persons equally co-owning a business for profit. Partnerships with general partners can be created without a written agreement. However, it is best to have a written agreement regarding what each partner is responsible for.

3. General Partnerships with Limited Partners

These are formed by two or more persons when the partnership has one or more general partners (someone active in the business and liable for it) and one or more limited partners (an investor who is not involved with the day-to-day management of the business and not liable for more than his or her investment in the partnership).

4. Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

These are formed by two or more persons who file a statement of registration with the state. LLPs provide liability protection for both the general and the limited partners. It is best for LLPs to have a partnership agreement.

5. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

These are formed by one or more persons filing articles of organization with the state. LLCs have few required legal formalities. LLCs should have an operating agreement.

6. C Corporations

These are formed by one or more persons and have articles of incorporation filed with the state. They also have bylaws and corporate minutes and may also have a shareholder's agreement.

7. S Corporations

These are formed by one or more persons who want to be organized like a C Corporation but taxed as an S Corporation, such as a partnership with a shareholder liable for entity income and losses and the corporation not liable for taxes.

When determining what's best for you and your business, consider the following:

• How easy or complicated do you want the set-up to be?
• Do you need liability protection?
• Do you to have outside equity investors?
• Do you want your business to be taxed on the individual or business level?
• Will you have stockholders?
• Are there numerous or just a few owners?

For example:

• Sole Proprietorships are easy to create and manage. They have no liability protection to their owners and cannot have outside equity investors, but they can take out loans. They are taxed at the individual level.
• Limited Partners and LLPs provide personal liability protection. They also allow equity investors. They are taxed at the individual level.
• C Corporations are best for entities with numerous owners and public investors. Taxes are paid at the entity level and on shareholder dividends.

That's it!

Do you have any other suggestions? If so, leave a comment and let us know. And, if you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

8 Essential Steps to Establishing Your Home-Based Business Identity

Whether you're a freelancer, small business owner, or budding entrepreneurial women, here are the essential steps you'll want to take when starting up your business. These eight business made easy steps will help you establish your identity as a business.

1. Chose your business name and create a tag line. One of the videos in our Turn Your Business Dream Into Reality Series, "Five Characteristics of Great Business Names" will show you how to pick a great name for your business.


2. Make sure you have a business address and phone number just for your business. Avoid using your home address and telephone number.


3. Get an employer ID number (EIN) with the IRS.


4. Open a business checking account. Keep your business expenses and income separate from your personal checking account.


5. Create a logo for your home-based business. Shop around on-line for low-cost design options. Low-cost. Not cheap. Unless you're a graphic designer, don't create your own logo.


6. Order your business cards. Again, shop around for low-coast options. Unless you have a laser printer that can handle heavier card stock, don't print them yourself.


7. Order your business stationery. Often you'll be able to get this done at the same place as your business cards. Ask about a business start-up package deal.


8. Put up your business website. It doesn't need to be flashy or costly. It does, however, need to look professional.
   

Easy. Breezy. Business made easy.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

How to Write a Vision Statement

This question came in from one of our readers wanting to know about what a vision statement is and how to write one for her business.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: I have lots of questions about vision statements:

• What is a vision statement?
  
• What's the difference between a vision statement and a mission statement?
  
• Which should I write first? 
• What does a vision statement look like? Is there a formula?

A: Here's my business made easy answer:

Vision and mission statements are two separate entities that answer two different, yet complementary, questions about your business.

Simply put, your vision statement answers the question: "Where do you see your business going?" Your mission statement answers, "Why do we exist?"

From the start, vision statements are future focused and written with the end result in mind. Mission statements are focused in the present and tell you the fundamental purpose of that business.

Which comes first, the vision or the mission?

If you are a new business just starting up, or if you are a larger company getting ready to add a new program, or an existing organization planning to overhaul your current services, then write your vision statement first.

If you are an established business with a mission statement already in place, then let your mission guide the writing of your vision statement.

Top Five Things to Keep in Mind When Writing Your Vision Statement

1.    Describe outcomes that are five to ten years out.
2.    Dream big and focus on success.
3.    Write your vision statement in the present tense.
4.    Infuse it with passion.
5.    Paint a graphic mental picture of the business you want.  

There is no space limit when writing a vision statement. Vision statements are written in paragraph form, and often contain one or more paragraphs. Write as much as you need to create a dynamic mental picture of your business that will serve to energize and inspire you and your team. 

Two Vision Statement Formulae for Success

Here are two basic vision statement formulae. The first one is for businesses starting up without a mission statement, and the second is for those businesses that are already established or have a mission statement in place.

1. Five years from now, _______________________________ (name of your business)
will become a successful ___________________________ (type or description of business including whether it will be local, regional, national, or international in its scope)
by providing ____________________________(description of your products and/or services)
to _____________________________________________(your customers).

Example:  Five years from now, the Sierra Woman's Shelter will become a successfully run non-profit shelter serving the Greater Pittsburgh area providing education, life-skills training, and the necessary support to help women who have been previously battered or abused build self-sufficient, sustaining, prosperous lives. 

2. Within the next ________ (add a number) years,
grow ___________________________________ (name of your business)
into a successful _______________________________________ (type or description of business including whether it will be local, regional, national, or international in its scope),
increasing revenues to ____________________________ (amount) by _________________ (date)
providing _______________________________(description of your products and/or services)
to _____________________________________________(your customers).

Example: Within the next five years, grow Cultural Awareness Travel into the premier North American woman's tour company increasing revenues to $225,000 by 2012 by becoming known for helping women develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and discover a new respect for diversity through cross-cultural exposure.

So, that's it. Vision statement in a nutshell. 

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

The Zen of the One Page Business Plan

Having a business plan is a strategic and financial asset. Not only does a business plan strategically guide your business, it is also invaluable for obtaining financial support and backing.

The only problem is . . . the traditional business plans are a long, arduous, and sometimes costly process filled with hours of crunching numbers, lots of grinding teeth, and struggle.

Since using the One Page Business Plan books with my clients, I've had nothing but rave reviews. They love the ease, the simplicity, and how quickly they can get their business plan done -- usually in six weeks time. Hats off to forward thinker Jim Horan, for making business planning a breeze.

If you are a in your first year of business and are interested in creating a business plan, here's how you can get started. 

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

How to Set Goals That Stick

Want your small business to be successful this year? Then it's time to be fierce about your goals and guard them with your time.

Welcome to the Inner Samurai Business Leadership Video series. In this 3-minute video you'll learn how to set goals that stick.

Business Made Easy - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

5 Characteristics of Great Business Names

Have you ever thought about what goes into creating a great name for your business?

You want it to be everything. Sadly, many business names are nothing.

Deciding on a great business name takes time. It takes thought. Moreover, getting it wrong could spell disaster for your business. Getting it right, however, will give customers a reason to hire you, connect you to your niche market, and save you thousands of marketing dollars.

The Inner Samurai Priority System

My client Rebecca was always running out of time.

We’d have a productive coaching session together, make a lot of headway toward starting up her business, and then she would get nothing done between sessions. Or, she would scramble to get something finished minutes before our next meeting and send me an apologetic email saying, “Sorry to get this to you so late. I just ran out of time.”

Rebecca had all the best intentions. She also felt guilty about not getting things done and vowed she would get started—right after she baked cupcakes for her son, walked the dog, and picked up her husband's dry cleaning. Pretty soon, a week had gone by. And the very thing she was so excited about doing still sat, waiting.

After months had gone by, this thing that originally made her so energized had now become a “project.” Something that was hanging over her head. The joy of starting up her business, once so wonderful, had become a burden.

Does this sound like you? It used to sound like me, too. That was until I developed the Inner Samurai Priority System. This system acknowledges how important it is for business owners to be able to make decisions with complete confidence and get things done. The Inner Samurai Priority System is easy to use and highly effective.

It’s Never about Time

How much time is there in one day? There are 24 hours. That’s 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. We all have the same amount of time, so why is it that some people get a lot done in their day while others do not?

It's because those who get a lot done understand that it's not about time. They know that it's about priorities. Specifically, about making yourself a top priority.

Right now, stop reading and take a self-priority check. How's your commitment to yourself?

Is it pretty balanced or a bit lopsided? Favored in your direction or another's direction?

Rebecca's relationship with herself was lopsided. She made sure she had everything done for everyone else first, before she took any time at all to work on her new business. She put her children’s and husband's needs before her own. She put household tasks before business tasks. She even put taking the family dog to the groomer ahead of taking care of herself.

Rebecca was always putting other people and their needs first. Her priority system was out of whack and heavily weighted in the direction of other people's needs. As a result, she wasn't getting much done for herself.

Rebecca was out of control of her time. Why? Because she had not made herself a top priority in her own life. In fact, Rebecca had made herself the last priority.

“Yeah … but,” I can still hear her saying, "You don’t understand. This thing and that thing happened this week."

Sure, life happens. But here's what Rebecca wasn't taking reasonability for: It wasn't about whatever came along and "took" her time; it was about what she'd been doing with the other 1,440 minutes of her day. “This and that” hadn't stolen her time. She had stolen time from herself because of whom and what she had set as her priorities. Because Rebecca had placed herself last on her own list, she was not in control of her time. Other people's wants and needs were.

This was hard for Rebecca to hear. Fortunately, hear me she did. Soon she was taking the steps that placed her higher up on her priority list. She put the Inner Samurai Priority System into action.

The Inner Samurai Priority System

What the heck is the Inner Samurai Priority System?

Inner Samurai is a term I coined to describe the “inner voice.” The Inner Samurai Priority System is one of the tools in the Inner Samurai Way of Business I've developed. These tools are designed to help the spiritually conscious businesswoman connect with her powerful inner voice and make it the central guidance system compelling her toward business success.

Everyone has an Inner Samurai. Inner because the voice resides deep within your being (to distinguish it from the voice inside your head). Samurai because of how powerfully it stands, fully knowing what's true for you, able to act on that knowing in every moment of every day.

If you are struggling with your business, getting in touch with your Inner Samurai will transform you into a powerful business owner able to operate in dynamic and powerful ways that are compatible with your deepest inner principals.

Step one: Identify your top two A-1 priorities each month.

Let’s return to my coaching client, Rebecca, to see the Inner Samurai Priority System at work. The first thing I did was ask Rebecca to decide what her top two A-1 priorities would be for the month. She was quick to respond, “Be a great mom to my kids and get my business plan done.”

“Okay, great! Let’s get more specific. How would you like to be a great mom to your children this month?”

Rebecca thought for a moment and then said, “I’d be present, fresh, and there for them when they came home from school. I’d take them to the park to play on the weekend. I’d take them to swim lessons and stay there watching, without answering my cell phone. I’d be involved with their homework assignments, instead of just asking them if they’d gotten them done. I’d be fully present when I read them their bedtime stories and not skip any pages.”

Rebecca had a great list of things she would do with her children this month, given they were one of her top two priorities. Best yet, when she talked about the things she would do and how she would be, there was an inner strength and confidence in her voice. I could tell she was connected with her Inner Samurai Priority System. Nothing on her list felt like a should, ought, or must. Rebecca was energized and motivated from within.

“Rebecca, does it seem realistic that you will complete your business plan?”

“Yes!”

“How can you say yes so emphatically?”

“Because I only have two priorities this month!”

Bingo! That’s the key. Two priorities; one-month commitment. That’s all. A one-month commitment to two priorities is achievable. With only three remaining parts of her business plan to go, Rebecca certainly could finish it in a month and still have plenty of time to spend with her other priority—her children.

Step two: Stay on track and know what to do by asking this question.

Once you've decided on your two A-1 priorities for the month, there's only one question you need to ask yourself in order to stay focused and on track: Does or doesn't this activity support my two A-1 priorities?

Let's return to Rebecca to see how she handled this step. She wondered, “What about the laundry?”

“Does getting the laundry done support or get in the way of either one of your priorities?” I asked Rebecca.

”Yes … No. I mean, I want my family to have clean clothes to wear. I can’t go all month without doing laundry!”

I chuckled, imagining a month’s worth of dirty t-shirts and socks waiting to be washed in stacks outside the laundry room. “Yes, of course, do the laundry. After—not before—you’ve attended to your top two priorities.” That's the key. Your two A-1 priorities come first, before anything else.

“Oh. So that would be the same for dishes, going shopping, and committees I’m serving on at school and church?”

“Yes. Being a great mom to your kids and getting your business plan done are your two A-1 priorities for this month. Let nothing and no one get in the way of them.”

At first, this was a difficult task for Rebecca. She was used to putting everyone else's priorities before her own. Therefore, changing to be in alignment with her Inner Samurai Priority System was a challenge. Yet, she persevered.

One week later, she reported that she had been successful at reorienting her day. She worked on her business plan while her children were at school and was present for them when they came home. She completed the one-year objectives section of the plan and reported feeling energized and optimistic.

When I asked her how she managed to stay focused, she said, “I kept asking myself that one question: Does or doesn’t this activity support my priority? The answer was immediately clear. Then all I had to do was take action in that direction.”

At the end of one month, Rebecca completed her business plan. She was ecstatic! She also had done every one of the things she said she wanted to do with and for her children. She felt good about herself, her priorities, and all that she had accomplished.

Moreover, Rebecca learned, not through reading a book but by direct application, that she was in control of her time—time was not in control of her. Best yet, she was able to take back control very simply yet powerfully. By assigning two A-1 priorities each month, she made herself a priority and became more aligned with her Inner Samurai Priority System.

Rebecca was no longer out of time.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Freebie - Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Toolkit

Attention: Spiritually Conscious Women Business Owners

"If you're finally ready for that Aha! moment that will transform your business from simply doing what other people expect to a life of success and happiness, this 3-step toolkit is what you've been looking for!"

This Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit delivers a powerful one-two punch of both energetic and practical answers that make owning the business you really dream of not just possible, but inevitable.

First - The "Doing What You Love: Multiple Streams of Passion" report helps to energetically ground you in a business perfectly aligned with your dreams.


Second - The "Turn Your Business Dreams Into Reality Video Toolkit" walks you through the practical steps of:

• Creating the perfect name for your business.
• Crafting a compelling and exciting business statement.
• Building your mission statement with a plan and purpose.
• Clearly define and target your niche market.

Best yet? It's absolutely fr*ee!

Our Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit combines both the energetic alignment and practical know-how:

• in language that is easy to comprehend and understand,

• with videos that are fun and entertaining, and

• worksheet templates that are a joy to complete.

All together, you'll have an end result that will leave you energized and excited about the direction of your business.

Get your Turn Your Business Dreams in Reality Toolkit now!

Enjoy!

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

 

12 Days of Christmas for Smart Small Business Owners

Everyone knows The Twelve Days of Christmas, the English Christmas carol that tells of increasing gifts that are given on each of the twelve days leading up to Christmas.

But not everyone knows how this traditional song applies to small business owners.

That is… until now.

As a small business owner, have you given any thought to what the tradition of gift giving can do for your business? With the countdown to Christmas underway, do you have a plan to utilize this festive holiday season to promote your business and maximize your success?

Well, here's an effective, easy-to-implement twelve-day plan that will guarantee you have something special to offer all month long.

12 Things You Can Do to Make Your Business Merry

1.    On the first day of December - Get your story, idea, product, or service announcement out into the marketplace seven different ways, all at once.

Choose from these options to make a powerful impact:

• Press release
• Blog post
• Facebook
• E-zine blast
• E-mail announcement
• Videocast
• Downloadable audio snatch
• Free e-book
• Podcast
• Teleseminar

2.    On the second day of December - Use free classified ads to promote your business.

If you have a knack for writing short ads, you will be able to increase your site traffic by using free (or pretty darn cheap) classified ads. Place ads where you know your target audience will see them.

3.    On the third day of December – Write down your personal affirmation for the month.

The goal here is to help you step back from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and stay focused on what's important to you.

4.    On the fourth day of December - Introduce yourself to three potential referral sources.

A nurturing referral relationship can be quite profitable. So think of professionals who would be good referral sources for you. Then make contact with them today.

5.    On the fifth day of December - Add three success stories to your website.

You already may have testimonials from your clients on your website. Now create a space for their before-and-after success stories. Remember to include a link back to their sites so everyone gets some love during the holiday season.

6.    On the sixth day of December - Add a tantalizing promotional "special" to your email signature space.

Put a brief promotional line about the special product or service that you are giving away (or offering at a reduced rate) this December.

7.    On the seventh day of December - Write each of your clients and customers a personal, hand-written "thank you" card.

Thank them for sticking with you through the 2009 recession. Be sure to include a coupon they can use between now and the end of the year for a special product or service.

8.    On the eighth day of December - Offer a deal, such as “buy-one-get-one-free.” This will increase your sales!

9.    On the ninth day of December - Follow up with all your 2009 leads who showed an interest in your product or service but didn't buy.

Call (don't email) them and see if they now have a need for anything you offer.

10.    On the tenth day of December - Let your clients know about something big you'll either be doing or offering in 2010.

Here are some big ways to make an impact and get their attention:

• Book launch
• DVD training program
• Keynote speaking engagement
• Public seminar
• Corporate training program
• Boot camp
• Mentoring and apprenticeship program
• Weekend retreat
• Television show
• Membership website program
• Special teleseminar series

11.    On the eleventh day of December - Take 10% of your profits and make a donation to a charity of your choice. This one thing alone is sure to make your business merry.

12.    On the twelfth day of December - Do something nice for you. 

The countdown to Christmas is underway, and many people are shopping online this holiday season. As a smart small business owner, you need to offer special buying opportunities all month long. The list of "12 Things You Can Do to Make Your Business Merry" will help you do just that. Implement one idea each day.

You'll not only be promoting your business during this holiday season, you'll also be making certain it will be a success in the coming New Year.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Is it Time to Expand?

Today . . . I am thinking about this question that came in from one of our readers about how to grow from a small at home business, to a larger at home business.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: "How do you make the jump from a boutique business to a larger business?"

A. If you've been in business for 5 years are more, you're company is doing well, are getting more orders than you can handle, and can check off everything on this list, then yes!

Pre-expansion Checklist for the Home-Based Business Owner

• Determine if this is a growth spurt or sustained growth. If you have been in business less than three years, what you may be experiencing is a growth spurt. Growth spurts are surges of activity indicating an interest for your product. Don't make the mistake of thinking a spurt is an indicator for future growth. Make sure you are showing steady, increased growth over the past two years.

• Check your bottom-line profit numbers for the past three years. Has your business shown a consistent, steady growth?

• Look at the trends, both economic and consumer. Are there strong indications that your product has staying power? Especially in our current economic market.

• Do you already have in place the necessary administrative and management systems to support your expansion? The last thing you want to do is expand at the same time you're putting them in place. Instead, put them in place beforehand to keep your business running smoothly during the expansion.

• Do a new business plan. Not just an update. You're new business plan will help you determine when it's time to expand, what you need to have in place to make it happen, and how you'll accomplish it.

• Obtain financing. You'll need financing for an expansion. Don't depend on there being an increase in sales during your expansion. More likely, the opposite will be true. Just like when you started up, it will take more time and money than you think to grow, and sales will take time to match your expansion.

• Make sure your website is ready to handle the expansion. Besides having all the necessities for handling increased sales, make sure your product landing pages, home page, and navigation links are all optimized for the search engines and your clients. Your website has to be ready to play with the big boys and girls and must have a professional look and feel to it. Consider hiring a SEO expert to review your site and a copywriter to write great copy for key pages.

• Rev-up your sales to existing customers. Before you expand, boost you revenue by selling more to the customers you already have. You can do this through volume discounts, buy-two-get-one-free offers, and expanding your product line to include complimentary products. This will not only build in excitement and generate income; it will also get you used to handling more.

That's my answer and I'm sticking to it!

Do you have any other suggestions? If so, leave a comment and let us know. And, if you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
Inner Samurai Business Expert

Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Grow Your Business from Solo to Enterprising Entrepreneur

Are you a small business owner, party-of-one, thinking about taking your business to the next level? The next step is easier than you think.

Here's our latest 4-minute "how-to" video to show you how!

Grow Your Business from Solo to Enterprising Entrepreneur

Are you a small business owner, party-of-one, thinking about taking your business to the next level? The next step is easier than you think.

Here's our latest 4-minute "how-to" video to show you how!

Grow Your Business from Solo to Enterprising Entrepreneur

Are you a small business owner, party-of-one, thinking about taking your business to the next level? The next step is easier than you think.

Here's our latest 4-minute "how-to" video to show you how!

From Party-of-One to CEO

Are you a small business owner, party-of-one, thinking about taking your business to the next level? Have you been wondering what it would take to make that happen? Wondering whom to add next, to do what?

The next step is easier than you think.

Here's how!

The Enterprising Entrepreneur Team

Enterprising women entrepreneurs think in terms of building teams. That's because women are natural collaborators, easily gravitating toward the richness of relationships that result from working as a team toward a common goal.

If you are solo entrepreneur wanting to take your business to the next level, start thinking in terms of building a team to manage the day-to-day activities of your business and also building partnerships with professional advisers to help make the most of your business potential.

Make sure your enterprising entrepreneur team includes the following people:

1.    You

Your team starts with you at the top. You are the Chief Executive Officer of your business. Yes, the CEO. If you're thinking about taking your solo business to the next level, the first thing you'll need to do is start thinking like the CEO of your enterprise.

You don't have to be running a big business to think like a CEO. Just reframe the term CEO so that it works for the enterprising entrepreneur. When you do, then the CEO becomes the top-level woman responsible for the operations of her business. For the operations of her business. Not for operating her business. Instead of doing it all, you'll be putting a team together who will manage the operations of your business for you.

Are you clear on that difference?

2.    Virtual Assistants

Virtual assistants now become your management team. I recommend placing two of them on your team. One to manage the administrative aspects of your business and the other to manage the technical.

How many hours they work each month and what they manage is entirely up to you. Consider starting with 10 hours per week and increase it from there as you become more comfortable having them on your team. Soon, you will see how freeing and necessary it is to have them, not you, manage the thousands of details that come across your desk each month. That's what I did.

3.    Professional Strategists

You probably already have a working relationship with the three main people who will make up your professional advisory team: your tax adviser, insurance adviser, and legal adviser. Most women entrepreneurs have a CPA in place to do their personal and business taxes, an insurance agent in place for their car, home, life, and business insurance, and an attorney in place for their personal and business legalities.

The next step to becoming an enterprising entrepreneur is to turn these business advisers into your business strategists. Instead of meeting with them once a year to get your taxes done, to review your policies, or when questions come up, meet with them more often.

Begin this week. Make an appointment with each of them to talk about your business. Share your vision and plan for your business and inform them that they are now on your team. Let them know that you'll be meeting with them quarterly to discuss your business and strategize about its growing needs.

See . . . the next step was easier than you thought, wasn't it?

All it takes is a little re-positioning and gathering the right people around you to support your success.

Are you ready to get started? Good. Begin this week to transform your party-of-one into the powerful business owner you know you are. Keep us informed. Let us know how it's going.

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™

Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

Three-tier Leveraged Renenue Model for Coaching

This question came in from one of our readers. If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Q: "How do I go about creating product and service packages for my website?"

A: When you think about what products and services you are going to offer and how you're going to package them, consider this business model: 3-tier leveraged revenue.

Here's how it works:

1. Design your high-end product or service first. Then work backwards from there.

2. Have the rest of your products and services funnel into your high-end product or service.

3. Create three tiers:

•    Low: something in the $97 or below range.
•    Middle: something in the $197-497 range.
•    High: something in the $500-997 range.

First, outline your high-end product or service. This is the one that folks probably won't buy now, although they will be ready to purchase it later on, after they get to know you and have tried out your other products and services. Don't go into too much detail planning it all out. Just outline it. From an energetic standpoint, writing down and seeing what this product or service looks like will begin attracting it to you.

Then develop your first and second tier services to flow into your third tier service.

Coaching Product example:

1. Your first tier may be a home-study course that includes a CD, checklist, assessment, and book for $97.

2. Your second tier could be a group coaching program or online teleseminar. The key here is that it is structured, at a specific time, for a limited period, and geared toward getting a specific result. A three-month program that has regular group calls, downloadable stuff, and 20-pages of documentation per week could easily be priced at $297.

3. A high-end offering would be a platinum program focused on your signature offering, extended over a longer period of time. It could include one-on-one coaching with you each month, monthly group mastermind calls, monthly expert interview calls, and one or two live, in-person events, all for between $500-900 per month.

If you have a small business question that you'd like for me to answer, let me know.

Susan L. Reid
The original Accidental Pren-her™
Award-winning author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

How to Write a Great Mission Statement Video

Here's our latest 5-minute "how-to" instructional video on mission statements.

Every business needs a mission statement. To make sure you've written a great one, follow these guidelines and answer the three key questions in this article. When you do, you will have created a mission statement that definitively and succinctly states your purpose, what activities you'll do to accomplish that purpose, and what principals and beliefs will guide your work.

When you're done watching, let us know how helpful this was to you.

How to Write a Great Business Vision Statement Video

Here's our latest 5-minute "how-to" instructional video on vision statements. Follow these easy guidelines and use the vision statement formula at the end of the video to perfectly articulate your dream, your passion, and the direction you envision for your business.

When you're done watching, let us know how helpful this was to you.