Suggestion for the day!

The title of my blog being Tips from the Biz World, I decided to give you my tip for today----Do not over-commit yourself. I believe if you are able to do something and people are not aware, what better way for them to find out then to volunteer your services to complete a job needed done. Well, I have over committed myself and now am stressing over it.

I have volunteered to write a script for a video taping, a press release, and also take calls on a phone line that is taking donations. I do have a business and have some clients I am also working with so my days are very long due to my own fault. (Not to mention trying to keep my readers interested in my blog).

My recommendation is to think before you open your mouth and volunteer. If you over commit a worse case scenario can happen and I could fail to accomplish all. If anyone knows me, failure is not in my vocabulary so I will do the hours necessary to complete all on time. But if I build awareness that over committing is not beneficial, then I have done my job with todays blog.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Dreams Come True!

Today was a special day for one of my clients. The ladies had a dream of starting their own interior/exterior plant design and maintenance company. While envisioning this dream they donated time, energy, and supplies to several local victim advocate agencies in Clay County, FL. Today they did a launch of 50 butterflies in a garden they designed and created for Quigley House. Not only did they launch the butterflies successfully but they also bid and was awarded their first job with their new company, Look @ Your View.

It is a pleasure to work with these two ladies. They eagerly listen and initiate my advice as they set up and develop goals for their company. Their dedication and hard work are paying off as they also give willingly of their expertise to the community. Congratulations girls!

Your friend and business advisor, Carole

Possibilities are endless!

While sitting in my hotel room searching thru YouTube, I found this really cool video. What it speaks to me is that anything is possible when you think outside of the box. The normal person would see a latte; the person serving the drink saw art in progress.



Perhaps today is the day you should look at what you are doing in a different light? Is there a little bit of art in what you do? If not, is there a way you can think outside of the box to add creativity and interest to what you do?

I am off to my 30th class reunion this weekend. I will strive to think outside of the box and come up with a way to leave a lasting positive impression as I meet and greet people from my past.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Referring others is fun!

Over the past three days I have done my share of referring others that I have a trust in and believe in their work. These referrals are all in the name of goodwill (I am not compensated in anyway). It gives me great satisfaction to know I can connect one person with another and they both benefit. I believe it is better to give than to receive. But when you do give, it will be returned two-fold. But in writing that, I do not expect any return it just happens. People like to work with people who like to work with them.

If you have never given referrals, you should try it! Giving to others is enjoyable and isn't that what referring someone is? You are referring business to them. Another thing starts happening when you refer good people---others look at you as an expert. Word gets out and people think you know everyone or know someone who does. I do not mind that kind of recognition. :)

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

What has happened to Common Courtesy?

A friend of mine has a luncheon at least quarterly, if not monthly, and invites business women from various industries. She opens her home and makes a luncheon to feed everyone to give them an opportunity to make a connection and do business with each other. When she does an invitation she normally sends it out 3 weeks in advance asking for a RSVP. This past luncheon she invited 58 people. Do you know how many RSVP's she received? Sixteen! Some just told her about it when she ran into them in a public situation and she asked whether they were coming.

What has happened to courtesy in this world today? This lady opens her doors, feeds a group, trying to promote businesses within the group, and not even half responded. Why? In my opinion, it is very unprofessional to not respond and to take someone for granted. If you are the person who receives an invitation, you should be proud someone would want to include you in their circle of influence and respond. Even if you cannot accept, at least recognize their efforts. In the past, I have held social gatherings and if I get no response to my invitation I do not invite again. Doors close when you treat people with little respect and lack of appreciation.

If you are reading this, do not be the person who does not respond. It may be your last invitation and as I have written before, you never know who you may meet and what doors may open at each social or business event you attend.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.
Guiding you from Vision to Success!

More training: Selling is for everyone

I recently attended a sales seminar put on by our local Chamber of Commerce. I went because I try to support the efforts of our chamber. I expected the speaker to be mediocre and having been thru sales training in October of last year did not expect it to beneficial.

I was wrong. The speaker was Hal Becker. I was lucky enough to have dinner with him from the night before so had an opportunity to experience his personality, as well as his speaking skills. I would highly recommend him to any company considering sales training. His website is: halbecker.com. He offers tools on his website to help you get better at selling and closing. He is also a customer service speaker but if you are needing one of those give me an opportunity.

Here are three things I wrote down from Hal's presentation:

1. Learn your product
2. Know the competition
3. Work harder (work harder than your competition).

I recognize that these are the basics of selling but most sales people are not taught the basics. They are taught that anyone with a personality can sell and are thrown out on the streets to generate sales for a company. If this is your company, check out Hal's website. He has reading material to offer for free and also has written some books and it might be of interest to you.

There are others out there also that are good and you probably have heard of some but I personally have experienced his technics and recommend checking out his materials. Good luck in your sales processes!

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.

Responsibility and Procrastination, Not a good combo!

These past few weeks my son has been taught the hard way that ignoring things or procrastinating on tasks you are responsible for comes back to haunt you. To make a long story short, he had several tickets he left unpaid or ignored and his license got suspended. The last time he got pulled over was a little more serious than just procrastinating.

What if we chose to run our business or do our jobs in this fashion? If we successfully brought in new clients and then procrastinated or ignored the need to complete the job, the consequences are more than likely you will lose clients, be reprimanded, or as in my sons case, lose your job (he lost his license for a year)!

Stop putting off to tomorrow what you can accomplish today! Steps to proceed:

1. Baby Steps---(Ever seen the movie What About Bob?) Start on the project or task completing one step at a time and before long you are almost complete.
2. Thoroughly check and recheck your work. Do not leave out any of the steps. Make sure the tasks are correct and complete.
3. Completion to satisfaction. If the task is for someone else, make sure they are satisfied. If for you, you have to be satisfied just in the fact that you have the task out of the way!

If you have been procrastinating on tasks that fall under your responsibility, start today! Do not let your reputation be ruined by lack of motivation. As I watch my son grow up and hopefully into a responsible adult, I strive to be a role-model for him. Be a role model for those around you.

Carole DeJarnatt
Alliance Advisors, Inc.