Coastal Dreams Business Solutions

Here's a disturbing trend I have noticed over the past couple of weeks.   I am really focusing on looking at different aspects of my business and the different people we talk to each week as I work on the first draft of my first book.

I receive about 2,000 hits a day on various websites and people sign up for more information on our Free E-Lessons, Info on incentives, info on starting a business, info on helping them establish  a stronger business.

What I have noticed is that people are very linear in their thinking and this is detrimental to their own business efforts. 

There was a woman this week who requested info on our Premier Home Business opportunity with Coastal Vacations.  She received an email requesting she confirm her appointment.   She replied saying she was not accepting  a call for an consultation with no explanation. 

Because I have been in this industry for a very long time, I noted her Pampered Chef website and a flimsy solicitation in her sig file to "book a party". 

This is someone who will more than likely fail and wash out as soon as all of her familiy/friends are exhausted.  Why?   Home party programs are great in and of themselves, however, most of the companies do not train people on how to develop a client base outside their family/friends/co-workers.  With consumable products, such as AVon and Mary Kay people tend to last a little longer until someone joins themselves to buy their products for a discount.  How much Tupperware or Pampered Chef can one person own? 

You have to tap into new blood all the time.  With today's technology, a rep could easily set up a FREE teleconference party and give a web presentation using their personal website.  Orders taken on-line.  So you want to do a blog, how do you drive traffic? 

Now my problem with this instance, the woman is somehow in her own head and not thinking about her business.  Every email solicitation I receive or telemarketing call, I am converting a portion of those solicitations to CDBS sales and service revenue. 

Another example popped in my box this morning.  Another person refusing to consult because he decided to start managing a Broadway Playhouse in the Burbs just outside of NYC.  Instead of telling me a little more about his business and networking off-line and just having a conversation, he elected to close his center of influence.  As many of you klnow I work with the Folks on the Island summer festval in NYC and write for a entertainment magazine (freelance) based out of NYC that targets playhouses and productions.  This guy refuses to have a conversation and maybe he would have been a good feature for me to hook him up with the editors. 

On the same token, I give leads to the editors for cover stories, and I exchange it for FREE ADVERTISING.  So as a professional you work together and use the BARTER System to grow your own enterprise.

Another positive example, I was at a training seminar in April 2007 where I met this guy who was soliciting his business opportunity to me.  I was focused on developing CDBS and kept in touch with the guy.  The guy is into fitness, health training, and public speaking on health issues. 

One of my best friends was "in from the city" yesterday and we had a day out eating way too much food that we know better than to eat.  But we got a chance to catch up and she is opening her own gym and fitness facility.  WOW!  I am able to connect her not only with this local guy with a state of the art prducts and exercise systems, but I am also able to connect her with other gym owners around the US I have met to help he get the ball rolling.  She is buying an existing facility with a client base because the owner is retiring and the deal in her lap. Their client base is mostly senior level management in corporations. 

I will be volunteering my time for the grand opening, marketing my business services to her professional clients.  In the meantime, I everyone can see how even though today might not be a day you can do business with someone, to know who they are, what their doing, and by keeping in touch (even with a monthly e-mail) your able to connect people together, give your reputation a boost and grow your business at the same time.

Here's the real kicker, I am a big fan of weight watchers I have lost 147 pounds with them, but the last 20-30 pounds will not come off.  I have been at a 2 year plateau and now that I am in a good financial place I was looking for time to hire a professional trainer.  I started looking around about 3 weeks ago, but just felt like I wanted to wait for the right time.  Now I can work with these folks, on their business development, train with them, and be in a positive networking environment while working towards my weight goals.

The worst thing someone can do is refuse to connect.  It doesn't hurt me and for those in the home business industry, you need to realize it doesn't hurt YOU.  In fact I thank people for refusing the initial consult because saves me time.  I have a database of powerhitters accross the board in the home business industry and many other industries as well because I have a true desire to know what other people are doing and how to network.

So again, all the referrals I am dishing out, are bringing referrals to me and my business.  This is the way you have to think.  How can I help YOU?  Become less focused on what people can do for you, get out there and talk to people, and see what you can do for them.