Marketing without Money – Lesson 1

Talk is cheap – but it pays!

Many years ago, when I was a young and hungry real estate agent, my broker sat us down after our weekly meeting and said, “now call 5 people you know and ask them if they know anyone who needs a realtor.” My first response was that she was crazy. I’d already sent out my little announcement letters. Everyone knew I was selling real estate. My next thought was “who the heck do I know?” My friends were young and not in the home-buying mode yet.  Everyone else seemed to have so many potential leads.  How could I possibly compete?

The boss was watching and the other agents were dialing like fiends, so I picked up the phone. I called my mom. (more…)

Make Your Small Business Look Bigger

Let’s be honest here.  At some point every small business owner has puffed up a bit and pretended their business is larger than it is.  A new client wants to meet at your office.  Your “office” is a corner of your dining room, so you say, “I have a meeting in your area that day, so I’ll just pop by your office and save you the trip.”  A prospect calls and gets your voicemail – again.  You call back and mention that you’re in the process of hiring a new assistant.  Sometimes you have to pretend to be at the next step in order to reach the next step.  Sometimes, your business just needs to look BIGGER.

It’s no surprise that having a place to actually do business is a huge priority – but that doesn’t have to mean a huge expense.  In this age of entrepreneurship, small business owners have new – and affordable – options.  (more…)

Fear and the New Economy

My neighbor lost half her job last week.  She’s worked for a hospital in Detroit for 10 years.  An evaluation team was called in to make cost-saving cuts.  Her department was told they had to cut exactly ½ of an employee – based solely on seniority.  So, as the last hired, she found herself in the frightening position of having her full-time job turn into a part-time job.  Without any warning or notice, half her income vanished overnight.

Welcome to the new economy. The hits just keep coming…

I’m old enough to remember the days of job security.  It seems a quaint notion now, the idea that you can get a job and keep it – as long as you don’t screw up too badly.  Now employment is more like a combination of the stock market and a carnival ride.  Up, down…round and round…try not to lose your lunch. (more…)

The Incredible Shrinking Work Week

You hear it every day,  “Time are tough.” “Everyone is working longer hours.”  But something sinister is happening in the workplace.  The work week is actually shrinking

What started as a subtle shift is gaining momentum – and attracting attention.  The Fourth of July is this Friday, but business will be slow all week and people will leave work – either mentally or physically - early on Thursday.  Same thing happened for Memorial Day.  Our cherished three-day holidays have somehow expanded.  These bloated holidays are turning entire work weeks into slow-motion quagmires.  What’s going on here? (more…)