Floodlight Consulting

The Seed A successful business man was growing old andKnew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children,He decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO.I have decided to choose one of you. “The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you.

I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives beganTo talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.

Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however.

He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot.

But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — In all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him! When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,” said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room withHis empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!”

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!

His name is Jim!” Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.

“How could he be the new CEO?” the others said.

Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants andFlowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, youSubstituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!”

1. If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

2. If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

3. If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

4. If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

5. If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

6. If you plant hard work, you will reap success

7. If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

8. If you plant faith, you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now; It will determine what you will reap later. “Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back”

Donald Robichaud
President FloodLight Consulting
250-768-9415
 http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/ :

Last week we discussed how to define a great Vision Statement. This week we will focus on the Mission Statement.

Mission Statement: Your Mission Statement is the route to the destination of your company a particular expression of the mission that is specific to this business given its history, context and circumstances. It is a more practical focus on what the business does, and will do, than the vision statement.

So if the vision is your “Big Picture”, the mission is the “how we do it here”.

FloodLight Tip of the Month – “Five steps to follow when defining your Mission Statement”

Once you have clarified your vision you need to define your mission statement, which is a statement of purpose and function.

•Your mission statement draws on your values.

•Your mission statement must be future oriented and portray your organization as it will be, as if it already exists.

•Your mission statement must focus on one common purpose.

•Your mission statement must be specific to the organization, not generic.

•Your mission statement must be a short statement, not more than one or two sentences.

Here is an example mission statement for a company selling energy saving products:

“By providing quality products, we empower our clients to become caring, competent, and environmentally responsible citizens who care about the air they breathe today and the legacy they leave behind for their children.”

The Benefits of defining your Mission

•It focuses your energy and clarifies your purpose. When you try to write your mission statement, you will find that you have to really define what you are going to do. Many questions will come up that must be resolved. For instance, who will you serve? And, who will you not? Are you concerned about just your local area, or the whole country?

•A well-defined mission can attract people and resources. A mission statement is not just for internal use. It is a beacon that will attract people and resources to your cause – a common goal. Make your mission statement compelling as well as clear. It will be your best public relations tool.

•It also enables a focused allocation of organizational resources because it compels a business to address some tough questions: “What is our business? Why do we exist? What are we trying to accomplish?”

Effective mission statements can be a great asset to an organization. When everyone is working together in a defined manner greater organizational purpose is achieved.

A mission statement is a stepping stone in the strategic planning process. It is important that when an organization implements a mission statement they apply it to their functional strategies.

With a great mission statement you are well on your way to “Grow Your Business”.

Next Time – Defining your company values!!

Donald Robichaud President FloodLight Consulting 250-768-9415 http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/ http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/ As posted on Castanet:

 
This post  I’d like to discuss the Vision Statement for your business.

So you need to ask yourself a few key questions:

In the latest Microsoft TV commercial Sean Durfy, President and CEO of WestJet, is asked “how do you keep your vision alive?” He says with 7500 employees all over the US and Canada, “we can’t look at everybody’s eyes anymore. We now look at technology as a strategic driver of the company. If you don’t have that, you’re screwed brother”. Wise words!!!!

Spending money on technology is an investment, not a cost for business.

In today’s business climate, the business owner must understand technology and use it to their advantage to improve efficiencies and even expand operations. However, the use of technology should be balanced with your specific business needs. Technology allows your business to reach a worldwide audience, yet many business owners take a very short-sighted look at their daily operations and how it affects their business model. Let’s take a look at some of the basic technology tools to enhance your business activities, and that with a little planning, will take your business to the next level.

Your Computers: I recently purchased a Lenovo laptop and I am very pleased with its performance and it uses less energy than a desktop computer. Today’s laptops are right on the heels of desktops when it comes to power and performance, and remember, you can’t beat the convenience. Being stuck in an airport for three hours in Vancouver can become a real pain, but with a laptop you are still connected and productive.

Backup Solutions: It always amazes me how business owners will spend thousands of dollars entertaining their clients but they won’t spend the money to back up their client’s data. Costs of hard drives and backup solutions are at an all time low, so protect your business. The losses of your core data will cripple your business for weeks and possibly end your relationship with your client.

Software: The most cost-effective time to buy software is at the time of your computer purchase. Microsoft and many other software providers offer great incentives and lower cost solutions at time of purchase, which in the long run will save you hundreds of dollars. The appropriate software will enhance your total operation.

Printing Solutions: Today there are many colour laser solutions that truly can enhance all your printed presentations. Company’s like Xerox and others offer an array of solutions for your business needs. I moved to a colour laser two years ago and recouped my investment in less than 4 months with better looking proposals and less time driving to the print shop.

Connectivity: I love the wireless age. It allows me to be mobile and stay in touch with my clients. I enjoy the convenience of sitting on my deck at home and being connected with my clients. I meet my clients at restaurants and coffee shops that offer a wireless service. For a few extra dollars a month your service provider will offer great bundle packages that will enhance your business, office, your home and your mobile experience which will take your business to the next level.

VOIP- (Voice over IP) Small- and medium-sized businesses have perhaps the most to gain from the explosion of new VOIP services. In one move, businesses can outsource their communications, doing away with clunky, on-site PBX equipment and reduce their monthly phone bills. For home business, Skype allows you to reach your clients throughout the world at a very low cost….. It’s free.

Training: So you have all this technology. Now what do you do? People always ask me “How did you learn all this technology?” I educated myself. Over the last twenty years I upgraded my skills by taking training courses on various programs like Microsoft Outlook. The investment has increased my knowledge, skills and competencies and helped to increase productivity and performance, while giving me more control over my decision-making process for my business.

Value added resellers - I like to browse the latest technology at the retail stores and ask about the products, but that is as far as I go. When I am making technology business decisions I like to engage the services of a Value Added Reseller, like Voda Computer Systems locally, and others who will have firsthand knowledge of the best solution for my business needs. They also have knowledge of the best ways to keep my equipment running efficiently and they offer support plans to keep it operating for years to come.

You may be a small or mid-sized business but that doesn’t mean that you have to operate the business as if you are back in the Stone Age. Get with it. The key to a successful business is to do it faster and better – so use Technology to “Build Your Business”.

Donald Robichaud President FloodLight Consulting 250-768-9415 http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/ http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/ As posted on Castanet:

Networking at an event is a great way of getting your name or service out in front of potential customers. In fact, in the past few years my clients have forged a number of relationships that have led to more sales and sustained growth for their business by attending events with friends and business associates, and working different parts of the room with a plan to meet their target market.

While there are a number of ways to “work a room” that offer varying degrees of success, here are some good, fundamental strategies to keep in mind. By applying these techniques, you’ll give yourself the best chance of establishing sustained relationships that lead to more sales!

•Start with the end in mind – You want to create a positive first impression. Dress appropriately. Take plenty of business cards this makes it easier for others to contact you. Decide that you want to make the most of the event. Be open, upbeat and enthusiastic. Choose an event that is closely matched with your target market. Wear your own personalized name badge or wear a badge with your personal tag line.

•Arrive early and scout the room – Look over the room and pick three to four key areas where traffic will flow but also allow you to acknowledge people. At a recent event I chose two areas where people had to go by and get their refreshments. It allowed me to meet seven new business contacts and I renewed six old acquaintances in my target market. Out of this event three prospects have recently become clients.

•Set a goal for the number of new people (Prospects) you want to meet who are in your target market – Consider how many people you would like to talk to and how many cards you would like to take away. Ideally at a two hour event a minimum of 5 to 10 new people in your target market should be your goal. Make sure your goal is a stretch, yet achievable, and don’t leave until you’ve met your goal. This can give you the impetus to move on in the conversation.

•Act like a host, not a guest – If you adopt the mindset of a host you are more likely to be proactive in greeting people, introducing yourself and asking people if they would like to meet others. You can create as strong an impression by being a conduit for people. Be open in posture and do not square your shoulders to your prospect, boxing people in. Keep an open stance which will allow others to join in your conversation and give more opportunities to meet people.

•Breaking into groups – Avoid approaching two people who seem to be talking intensely. Instead approach groups of three or more. Stand close by and acknowledge what’s being said through your body language and facial expressions. Seize the right moment to make eye contact and say ‘hello’ or add something to the conversation. Even better, look for an acquaintance or business associate and stop by to speak with them when they are speaking with someone you do not know.

•Make your introduction interesting (Elevator Pitch) – An effective introduction is brief and memorable it needs to have sufficient impact to get the interest of the group. That’s why you need an Elevator Pitch – a short description of your business that enables prospective buyers to know who you work with and what value you bring to the relationship. An Elevator Pitch conveys your marketing message in a manner that literally attracts the right customer to you.

•Listen and aim to give value – Listening is crucial when networking and it’s only too evident when someone is not paying attention to you. Find out about the person/people in the group, uncover ways you can be a useful resource to them. Show a genuine interest in the person – you’re more likely to find common ground as they open up. People want to spend time with people they like and trust.

•Change your focus from ‘what’s in it for me?’ to ‘what can I offer you?’ – People quickly work out if someone is aiming to sell to them or is only interested in taking what they can get. Networking is about developing relationships with others, so meeting people at events is about starting the process, not ending it. If you give value by helping them in some way – by introducing them to a referral or offering some information – they’re more likely to spend time with you and respond to your follow-ups.

•Breaking away professionally – You may feel uncomfortable or rude breaking away from a conversation, even though such events or cocktail parties are designed for people to circulate. If you’re enjoying the company, suggest that you both join another group. If you want to get away completely, or the conversation has run its course, say something like ‘it’s been great to meet you, I hope you enjoy the rest of the event’ or ‘let’s keep in touch’. Don’t over-complicate your exit, just make your voice tone sound final, and then move away. As you leave mention that you will follow up with them later in the week.

•Follow up afterwards – Ask each person you meet for two cards – one to pass on and one to keep. It’s a powerful way of demonstrating you’d like to refer them to someone, or vice versa. Make a note on their business card of what you’ve promised to do for them, so you don’t forget. If they were open to your “Elevator Pitch” suggest that you will send them some further information. Once you have stepped away, note down a memorable feature of their image, or the conversation, to remind you of who they are. If you’re meeting lots of people, it’s easy to lose track. As soon as possible afterwards, drop them a line or give them a call and do what you said you would do. They’ll be delighted that you remembered them.

Agree how you’ll keep in touch going forward so that you can “Build Your Business”

Donald Robichaud is the President of FloodLight Consulting and can be reached at donald@floodlightconsulting.com or at 250-768

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A Guide to Choosing Colors for Your Brand
by Dmitry

One of the key elements of building a strong brand is color selection. Every color has a different feel and various associations. By choosing a color or a combination of colors for your brand identity, you will take on those associations. Colors will evoke certain emotions and feelings towards your brand so it is vital to choose a color that will represent your identity effectively.

Research reveals people make a subconscious judgment about a person, environment, or product within 90 seconds of initial viewing and that between 62% and 90% of that assessment is based on color alone.

Why Color Matters
If you own a color in your industry, this color will symbolize your product. This can act as a great identifier. For example, if you sell physical goods, your packaging will stand out from the competition. The color will also be recognizable on any promotional media and your logos.

Where to start?
There is a great new tool which can help out with color selection called Cymbolism. It’s an interactive survey of color and word associations. Every page loads a new word, for which you have to select a color you feel best represents it. The results are then aggregated and you can see most popular associations either by color or by word.

To help you select the right color for your brand I’ve aggregated the results from Cymbolism, and also provided examples of logos that use each color: (Click on chart for full view )

These aren’t the top ten words that represent each color, these are just the words that happened to have been entered and processed by Cymbolism and came out on top. Having said this, the sample size is quite large and the selection should give you a decent indication of what a color stands for.

I’ve also included some multi-colored examples at the end. Some brands choose not to associate themselves with one color. Instead of two or three colors, they choose four or more. This represents variety. This makes sense for brands that are platforms or marketplaces as they host vast amount of different applications or goods.

There are also two more colors that haven’t made it on the list: black and white. These are arguably not even colors, and they will go well with pretty much everything you choose. White you probably shouldn’t use because you won’t be able to print the logo on white paper unless the white is used on a darker background. Black is a good complementary color to use and a lot of brands choose to have the text set in black because it is neutral and serious.

How to select your color
Look through the table above for a quick overview of what each color stands for. Some questions to ask yourself:

What color do you like?
What color represents your brand’s personality?
What color suits the characteristics of your product/service?
Color’s aren’t tied to any particular industry — though some may be better suited for some services/products than others. You should aim to pick a color that will represent your brand’s personality best. One that will give your customers the right impression the first time they see it.

You aren’t limited to one color. Some brands like eBay choose to go with many colors to represent variety — but you can also choose a couple of colors that work well together.

Consider differences in cultural interpretations of your color. For example in the Western world, white is considered the color of purity and peace, however, in some parts of Asia white is the color of death. Make sure the color you select will give the right impressions in the markets you’re present in.

At the end of the day, the color you choose should be something you like, not just something you worked out through a formula. The brand colors tell others something about your company, but it is also something you should get behind and enjoy. If you don’t like the colors in your logo, then you won’t very happy seeing it every day on your stationery, your website and your product packaging. Select something that represents your company, but at the same time something that you like as well.

Click Here the rest of the article

When you’re selling, you’ll have to make a claim about your product or service to appeal to potential customers.

However, because research suggests that people are reluctant to believe hype, it’s essential that you’re able to validate your claims in some way.

Using testimonials provides a perfect way to do this because positive statements from happy customers are much more believable than the words of a company spokesperson.

By using a customer testimonial, research shows your business could increase by around 30%.

Do they work?

Testimonials may not seem like an incredibly powerful selling tool but when used correctly, they are extremely effective. By informing readers of the positive experiences your existing customers have had, testimonials lend credibility to your product or service.

Without using testimonials, any claims you make will remain unsubstantiated and customers will find it hard to trust you and ultimately, will be reluctant to buy your product or service.

It is very important to solicit testimonials from your target market. People want to hear from people in their industry. If you’re soliciting realtors to work with you then you need to have one or more testimonials from this market.

When you solicit a testimonial, you must remember to ask after a ‘moment of satisfaction’. This is the moment when the client has expressed satisfaction with your service or product. This is the moment in time when they are most enamoured with you and your service.

Example:Client says: “That’s the best service I have ever received.”

To Client: I am glad you’re satisfied with my service. Can you provide me with a testimonial that speaks to how you felt before you used our service, how you felt during our service and how you feel now about our service?

Testimonials do work!  Use a testimonial to ‘Build Your Business’

As posted on Castanet

Donald Robichaud is the President of FloodLight Consulting and can be reached at donald@floodlightconsulting.com or at 250-768-9415

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