Use imagination, evolution and revolution to develop multiple synergistic approaches for your business.
A new year always means a fresh start. To make this an incredible year it is time to purge your mind of all the doomsday talk and to focus your thoughts in a new direction. I have heard all the negatives about the economy. How bad everything is and that you need to hoard all of your cash for fear you will not have any. Let us make a plan for this year to think in terms of abundance, of how you can increase revenues and build your business. It won’t happen if all you are focused on is the negative.
Here is a great quote that needs to be your mantra:
'In every adversity lie the seeds of equal or greater opportunity.' —Napoleon Hill, 20th century personal success guru
Say that every day for the first month of the year. Start your day by saying it, no matter what task lies ahead. If you want to know how you can make great progress this year, start by thinking of all the opportunity that is out there! How can you keep your thoughts about your own opportunities flexible, agile and outside the box? The most important key is exposure to a lot of ideas, information, business success stories and messages that inspire you. The fact that you are a member of Dance Teacher Web shows that you are eager for information and that is exactly what we will continue to give you. You need associations with people who are forward thinking, innovative and successful entrepreneurs themselves. They don’t have to be in the dance industry. As a matter of fact, I am a part of several groups, and only half are dance related business owners. You may find that an acquaintance is using an approach to improve a business not related to yours, but one that needs just a few adjustments to create another USP (Unique Selling Proposition) for your dance studio. I also encourage you to be in coaching groups. You can find coaching groups at your local chamber of commerce, local business associations and our VIP membership. You may even want to create one yourself with other business professionals you know. The key is to maximize the time by developing new ideas, not on venting or talking about everyone’s problems. You’re there to be inspired, motivated and encouraged!
'Most people speak in terms of lack, poverty, inadequacy, doubt and fear. I recommend that you are careful about the vocabulary you use because every word and thought, spoken or written, if inner directed, constitutes programming that will instruct your subconscious mind.' —Napoleon Hill
Whether you believe in the power of positive thinking or not I recommend that you heed the above statement. If you think in terms of lack it will hold you and your business back. If you are in a situation where you need more cash, try to think in terms of abundance and how you can increase what you already have. Let’s face it—most people have money for things they want, especially your clients! Yes, even the one asking you for a discount and driving away in a Lexus or taking a great family vacation. The key is to show your clients or prospective clients that they want and need what you have to offer. Keep working on your clients and list of prospects throughout the year. It may mean that you need to contact prospective clients several times before they will say, OK sign me up!
Here is a great approach that I recommend you try: selling more to the clients you already have. They know you, like what you have to offer and may buy more of the same. We do an up sell to our clients from December through January and it works every year. You don’t have to do a hard sell—just let them know it is not too late to add an additional class in the same or other discipline. Your students’ schedules change a lot from September, when they first may have signed up, to now.
As far as your bills are concerned, they will be there as long as you are in business. If your cash flow is taking a hit, it may mean you need to work out a different payment schedule. Big corporations do it every day. You do not have to feel like you are the only one or that this will have some kind of adverse effect on your credit. The fact that you have planned ahead and have taken a proactive approach will show that you know what is going on. It may mean that you need to work out different arrangements with your utilities company, tax collector, landlord, vendors or anything else outstanding. Don’t be ashamed or uneasy about contacting people and working out an arrangement that will help your cash flow. Just do it, keep to your promise and move on to how you can increase your revenues again. Focusing on your bills and how much you owe will not put you in the right frame of mind.
Set your thought process in an upward motion. Think about all the potential that is out there and what a terrific business you have created and all of the joy you have brought into many people’s lives with their newfound knowledge of dance and the improved life skills byproduct you have given them. This is going to be a great year with opportunity all around you. Success is all about what you do and how you think. It is not about any outside circumstance or obstacle you may face.
'The people who get on in this world are people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.' —George Bernard Shaw
Go Get Them!
