International Business

Are you someone your customers can always count on? I live in Los Angeles, and people love to make fun of us by calling us flakes. There is nothing worse in business than someone who is unreliable and unprofessional.

Operate Your Business by Observing The Golden Rule

Do unto others as they would do unto you.

Do you have a problem with showing up on time? Are you difficult to get a hold of? Do you have a professional voice mail message? Do you honor your agreements or disappear into the wind, if you cannot afford something?

Each time you make a flaky move, you lose potential customers. Get your systems in place, and do not hesitate to delegate or get help.

The Fortune is in the Follow-Up

You cannot just go out, network, and then expect business to automatically come to you. You must follow up numerous times to obtain results. This does not mean you have to be pushy and obnoxious. It takes 7-12 touches before a prospect will typically make a decision. Follow up 24-48 hours after your initial contact via email, the phone, a greeting card or at a get to know you appointment. If you wait any later, you may as well kiss your prospect goodbye because they will be essentially dead in the water.

Become a Master at Practicing Appreciation

Let the people you meet know you are truly interested in them, and always thank them immediately for making the effort to connect with you. Find a system to follow up that works with your personality, and is easy to implement. Again, if you are overwhelmed with follow up, you will save and make more money, by getting the help you need to succeed.

Forgive Yourself if You Mess Up

Even the most organized person will make a mistake, forget an appointment, or call someone by the wrong name. Don’t beat yourself up. A little humor goes a long way. If you make a faux pas, redeem yourself quickly. Send a note or a coffee card. We are all human after all.