Brand You - be a winner

When you go to the supermarket do you always buy the same items or do you vary your selection?  Are there brands that you trust and you never stray to another?  Ketchup, baked beans, tea, coffee you know the ones you like and you always choose them.  Or maybe shampoo or cosmetics perhaps you’ve got your favourites there too.

So how would you feel if one day your favourite brand of tea changed their packaging to a rather tatty, unclear, badly presented design?  Would you still feel the same about it?  Would you still buy it?

What about a brand of car, would you still stick with the same brand if it didn’t keep up with the times or used the most up to date technology?  Would you still stay valiantly with the same brand of clothes if they didn’t change with the times and with fashion? I don’t think you would.

Whether you’re looking for new clients, for a new job or a promotion.  You are a brand.  How you appear to others, the quality of work you deliver, your appearance, your behaviour, they all count to make up Brand You.  Back in 1997, Tom Peters wrote a lengthy and insightful article entitled ‘The Brand Called You’.  I read it long ago and having reread it now I am pleased to see that it still stands the test of time.  In fact in today’s economy it’s even more vital to follow the Tom’s principles.

Start looking for ways to set yourself above your competition.  Accept new challenges, attend trainings, read more, develop your interpersonal skills, dress the part.  Ask yourself why do you do what you do, is it useful doing what you do?  Does it serve your long term goals and aspirations.  You may have to work hard at it, but by being the best you can be, you will put yourself ahead of your competition.  And in the long term this will pay off and you will put yourself in the path of success.

A word of warning.  One thing that has changed since 1997 is social media, we can all be tracked more easily. So next time you think to put that cavalier comment on Facebook, or fire off that inflammatory tweet.  Ask yourself, does this serve brand you?

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

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Today’s challenge is to write a weekly round-up and so here it is:

How Changing Your View Can Reinvent Your Life
Inspired by my friends who have moved from London to Dartmouth and have changed their lives in the process, I also wanted to showcase their amazing photos taken from their office window and garden.  If you’ve already read this, take time to revisit and read Carole’s equally inspiring new comments. 

A Sure Fire Tip To Stop Procrastinating
I have to confess the idea for this blog was bourne out of my own procrastination.  Part of the 30 Day Blog Challenge is to become familiar with your key phrases.  I started to do this and the perfectionist in me got stuck by wondering if I was doing it correctly.  In the end I just got on with it!  And wow, did it get a good reaction, I found many like-minded souls who were eager to try out my ‘sure fire tip’

A Day In The Life
All about me and my typical working day.  Not something I would have written before ‘getting into’ this blogging lark.

Sarah Martin – Aiming High and Far
My top story! Thanks for all the mentions on Facebook and Twitter.  I am truly inspired by what Sarah is doing and I know many of you are too.  Don’t forget to watch out for her on telly on Sunday as she takes part in the London Marathon, her third of three marathons in three weeks charity challenge.  I wonder what she will be doing next weekend?

How do I identify my target market?
A touch of marketing. I work with many of my clients on improving marketing strategy,  this blog highlighted a step by step process to follow.

That was my week, it’s been busy.  Thanks to everyone who has commented and given words of encouragement, it’s much appreciated.

Coming up next week, a guest blogger, a song and, fingers crossed, my first guest blogging gig!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sue

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

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Sue Bown

It’s day seven of my 30 Day Blog Challenge, today’s assignment is to write a ‘day in the life’ – hence the title.  It’s been a beautiful spring day today and that’s good because it’s Saturday and to me that means golf.  Whilst I could bore you witless with a blow by blow account of my round of golf, I think I’ll desist. 

Therefore, I’ll tell you about my day on Thursday.  It was another beautiful April day, a cloudless blue sky.  Inspired by this, I started bright and early.  I was a little bit bleary-eyed as I‘d had a late but enjoyable Wednesday night acting as a judge at the Toastmasters Area level of International Speech Evaluation Contest.

My work is much more enjoyable these days since I left my corporate career four years ago.  At that time I was in a cosseted corporate role, by cosseted I mean that I didn’t fully appreciate the regular monthly paycheck I received and I didn’t appreciate the benefits working for a large corporate company.   It took a huge brave leap to leave, to be honest I surprised myself.  It has proven to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.  In the relatively short time since leaving  I have learnt new skills, enhanced old skills, made new friends and contacts, got to know myself better and it feels like I’ve transformed myself into a completely new person.

Back to Thursday, I got started with my first client of the day, a telephone coaching session.  This lady has  recently started working with me she is working on her work/life balance and managing her stress levels.  She has a session weekly, she is doing very well and feels much calmer.

My next client was another telephone session, this time a Business Breakthrough client who is working to grow his small business.  We speak monthly, each session is focused on creating an Action Plan to move him towards his targets.  He too is making good progress and is much more focused and motivated.

Then I took some time to update my own Action Plan following a meeting with my coach and mentor on Wednesday.  I intend to continue to grow my business, so it’s important to plan and have my own targets and goals.  In my opinion everyone needs a coach, even coaches need a coach.  It’s vital to maintain the focus and forward momentum.

After lunch it was time to visit another Business Breakthrough client, we meet in a coffee shop in a local hotel.  We have worked together for eight months, in that time she has increased her sales by an amazing 300%/

Following this meeting I drive back to my office, it’s time to catch up on some emails and phone calls.  That’s about it.

My evening, well, once I have received my 30 Day Blog Challenge email it’s time to start blogging again and of course to watch The Masters golf on TV.

The great thing about what I do now is the variety, every day is different.

I have found myself a freedom that I didn’t know existed.  I am happy.

___

About the Author: Sue Bown: Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Twitter @thecoachingzone
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheCoachingZone

Other blog posts:

Would you buy more time?
Sarah Martin – aiming high and far
How do I indentify my target market?

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Are those toes a bit too cosy?

At the Ladies at 11 2011 conference I suggested that everyone in the room should set a goal that ‘made their toes curl’.  Since that fabulous September day it’s been remarkable how many people have referred to that statement.  It clearly struck a chord with many.   The more I think about it I guess it’s quite visual.  Also, if you concentrate for a moment you can probably create the feeling easily.

Regardless of your favoured goal setting theory, smart goals, realistic goals, action goals. How about getting started by identifying one thing you need to do but just thinking about it makes those little digits on the ends of your feet scrunch up in fear or avoidance?

• Is it making a phone call, maybe to a potential new client or prospect?
• Is it dealing with a fear about technology?
• Is it talking to a partner about a communication issue that is bothering you?
• Is it speaking to your bank or a financial advisor about a money worry?
• Is it addressing a work issue that’s got out of hand?
• Is it facing your time management issues?

Whatever it is, give it a go, by getting started and taking action you’ll create momentum, you’ll feel better about it.  Test those toes!

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Is perfectionism holding you back?

You’re a perfectionist, you like to make sure everything gets done properly and you won’t stop until you get there.

How to tell if you are a perfectionist?

1. You spend ages making sure everything is done properly.

2. You notice fine detail and are very critical of mistakes.

3. You are your own worst enemy when it comes to self criticism.

4. Your standards are high and there is no grey area.

5. You want to be best at everything you try.  And will probably give up on things that you can’t be good at.

6. You beat yourself up over mistakes that you make.

7. You run things through in your mind wondering ‘what if’ you’d done it another way.

8. You waste time on getting things perfect.

9. You won’t set a goal in case you don’t achieve it and let yourself down.

10. Procrastination is your best friend and worst enemy.

Recognise yourself in some or all of these traits?  If so, I congratulate you on getting here.  The good news is that identification is part of the battle.  You may notice that you’re more of a perfectionist in some areas than others.  For example you may spend ages getting en email worded correctly, yet you’re not such a perfectionist when it comes to taking the vacuum cleaner out of the cupboard!

Many solutions to stop being a perfectionist is to set realistic goals or expectations.  Which is great, but when you’re a perfectionist how do you know what realistic is?  That’s part of the problem (or even the whole problem)

My advice/tips to overcome perfectionism are:

Accept that you’re not going to change this pattern overnight.  It’s going to be a gradual shift, so the fact that you are aware is a step in itself.  Next step is to get used to understanding what realistic expectations are. How could you do that? Well observe how others do things, you will notice that everyone’s measure of a job finished or perfect is different – hugely different.

Being a perfectionist will serve you in some areas, but not in others. Recognise the difference in these areas, being aware of when will be part of the growing process. So keep aware and you’ll begin to know when is appropriate.

Repeat the mantra ‘good is good enough’ because it is!

Sometimes you just have to trust and let go!

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

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Does networking come naturally to you, if not, this workshop is for you.

It is a well-known fact that 80% of business is passed through referrals. Networking, be it offline or online is a hot topic these days and the opportunity to network is everywhere.

Networking is a low-cost option to get out there, connect, find new business and grow your business. However it has to be done properly.  We’ve all been in the uncomfortable situation listening to someone droning on about how good they are, what they can do for you and the benefits of using their product.  This is not the way to go.

Even though it’s low-cost, networking can be a big investment in time.  So it’s important to do it correctly and efficiently ensuring you get the most of each networking opportunity you encounter.  Having the correct networking skills is of utmost importance.

On Thursday 13th October 2011, Laura Hart, Voice Coach and are taking part in an event in conjunction with the Surrey Chambers of Commerce.  Starting at 1700, this two hour information filled practical event entitled ‘The Art Of Natural Networking’ will help you to network in the most efficient and productive way.

Book your place now

Who should attend?

It is aimed is aimed at business people who have a need or requirement to network within their business sector, to build business relationships or who are keen to raise their corporate profile more broadly.  Also, small business owners who wish to get out into the networking scene and make the best of every networking opportunity for their business.

Book your place now

Why should you attend?

• 80% of business is passed through referrals
• Networking if not done properly can be a big draw on time.
• You will learn practical tips and gain information of making the best of every networking opportunity.

What you will learn

• What is networking and what it is not.
• Establish meaningful business relationships that lead to the acquisition of new clients and more business.
• Understand why it is crucial to network in today’s marketplace.
• Gain knowledge of how to prepare for networking events including devising and refining the business message for any networking audience

About Us

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Misty morning - pic courtesy of www.tvftdo.com

It’s week three of my 30 Day Blog Challenge, I have to say it’s turned into a bit more of a challenge than I expected.  Problem is the daily inspirational emails to prod my blogging mind and help me create this electronic tome, have stopped arriving.  Nikki Pilkington, who has been supplying the emails has been having some technical problems with her website and I suspect the problem lies there.  At first it was good because it gave me chance to catch up with a backlog, but now I’m missing them.

So time to go solo, no safety net, here I am!

My blog this week, saw huge amounts of traffic, all created by the interest in my blog.  It’s great but I did have a bit of a shock when I recieved an email to say I’d reached my bandwidth on my website.  So a quick email to my hosting company Anagio soon got that rectified.  Good learning though if you are considering doing something to raise online interest, make sure you can support it!

Weekly Round Up

Keep on running – The Martin sisters complete their challenge
After visiting the London Marathon last Sunday I couldn’t help but blog about the intrepid Martin sisters on the last ‘leg’ of their 3 marathons in 3 weekends challenge.  I spent a very enjoyable day in London inspired by the determination of all the participants and inspired by our beautiful capital city and its people.

Is it possible to make goals too scary?
Inspired by client’s experience this was my first guest blogging gig!  Wow, it felt good to have a blog published on www.BirdsOnTheBlog.com I even got some comments too, have a look and add some comments of your own.  This applies to all blogs by the way, bloggers love to receive comments.

A day in the life – Zoe Brown, B Websites 
Time for my first ever guest blog.  Zoe Brown, business woman and Mum of five children gave an exhausting account of her daily life.  I hope this is the first of many guests to write about how they balance work and life.  If you’d like to write ‘A day in the life’ please contact me.

Where it all began
I’d been asked to write about how I left corporate life and got started. I didn’t think it would interest many but it was surprising the amount of attention this blog post received.  I wanted to highlight that if I can do it anyone can, so stop thinking too much about doing something and just do it.?

Coming up next week, a personal journey, another song, some marketing and hopefully another ‘Day in the life’ guest.

Have a happy week,

Sue Bown

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Our wedding - a good decision

Once upon a time there was a very frustrated, unhappy, unfulfilled person working in a very good job in sales and marketing for a large international airline.  My life was not as I’d have liked it to have been.  I had only been married for two years and during that time my Golf Pro husband, David took Mondays and Tuesdays off, I was off Saturdays and Sundays.  I was working long hours and it wasn’t working for me and my life.  Then the company I worked for offered voluntary redundancy packages and I applied.  Part of me wanted them to turn down my application and the other ‘brave’ part was desperate for them to say ‘yes’.  When they did say ‘yes’, the brave part of me suddenly turned into the ‘not so brave’ and it took a good number of  sleepless nights to begin to get used to the idea.

Did I have a plan of what I was going to do – No

Did I realise what it all entailed – No

Did I give much thought to what I was going to live on – No

A couple of months later, I left my cosseted corporate life.  Gulp!   I say cosseted, I didn’t realise that at the time.  I took my monthly paycheck, my company car, my company phone, my private health insurance for granted.  I didn’t realise what it was like to be out there on your own without the big company name behind you.

The day after I left I remember going to my golf club, texting all my friends, basically bragging about where I was and what I was doing.  This was the life!   I was going to play golf every day, spend time lunching with friends and have a good time.  Which to begin with I did.  As time passed I realised there was more to life than golfing and lunching, also I needed to start earning some money.

By chance, I met a lady who was training to be a life coach, she was looking for practice clients.  Her offer couldn’t have come at a better time.  Her advert said ‘Are you at a crossroads?’   I felt I was at a crossroads, the lights had broken and were stuck on STOP.  Working with her was one of the best decisions I have made, finding out about coaching and what it could do opened my eyes to me and to my life.  In fact, I enjoyed working with her so much that I decided to do the Life Coaching course too.  The decision was that unscientific.

I immersed myself into the course, I loved every minute of it.  I learnt so much about me, my personality, others personalities, communicating, achieving, having a choice, goal-setting and so much more.  I appreciate you shouldn’t look back with regret, but I should have done it years before.  However, on further reflection I probably wouldn’t have taken it seriously.  Being that bit older gave me the wisdom to see coaching for what it is – brilliant and life changing!

In the time since I trained, I have set up my own coaching business, The Coaching Zone.  I work with clients on work/life balance issues, on setting goals and targets in their businesses,  I work with corporate clients on improving communication, getting better jobs and lots more.

My clients have achieved improved business revenue by 300%, redundancy avoidance, redundancy survival, saved marriages, weight loss, promotion, the list goes on.

And me, well I’ve discovered talents I didn’t know I had, I’ve amazed myself with my achievements,  I have days off with my husband, I enjoy my golf and I’m happy!

So that’s how it all began, four years ago.  Leaving my job, studying to be a coach are some of the best decisions I have ever made in my life, oh and marrying my husband!  Funny how the best decisions I make are taken with not too much thought.

A Day in the Life – Zoe Brown
Keep on running – The Martin sisters complete their challenge
Would you buy more time?
Sarah Martin – aiming high and far
A Day in the Life
How do I indentify my target market?
How changing your view can reinvent your life

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

Sarah Martin, Ladies at 11

Sometimes you meet someone in life who you know has that special quality to make a difference.  For me that person is Sarah Martin.   I have known Sarah for three years now.  During that time not only has she blossomed as a business woman herself, she has helped countless other business women grow in the process.  Three years ago Sarah set up Ladies at 11, a women only networking group.    Ladies at 11 currently operates in the South of England and offers the opportunity for business women to attend monthly meetings to grow their businesses.  The number of groups have grown steadily and now stands at 14.  At first the meetings were held in Surrey, but now they extend to Kent, Sussex and London.  I am sure Ladies at 11 will soon be nationwide.

For women in business Ladies at 11 offers a community of like-minded women who genuinely support each other.  Visitors to the groups frequently comment on the warmth, empathy and camaraderie that is apparent in the meetings.  Members can join a home group and then attend other meetings subject to availability.

The special ethos that is Ladies at 11, is soley down to Sarah, she is a very focused and determined business woman.  She is supportive, has a good business attitude and is firm but fair in dealing with the day to day issues of the groups.  As the number of groups has grown she has handed over the running of monthly meetings to Group Leaders.  That said, Sarah is firmly at the helm.  She is not scared to make changes to ensure the business operates effectively.   She is swift to innovate and to enhance meetings with new features.  I am certain this lady and this company will go far.

Sarah is a very inspirational lady and as if she hasn’t got enough going on is currently in the middle of an ambitious challenge to run three marathons in three weekends with her sister Rebecca.  They are raising funds for Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People.  Their fundraising page is http://www.justgiving.com/themartinsisters/

I am privileged to be the leader of the Cobham and Westminster groups.  Ladies at 11 has been a major catalyst for me in helping me to grow my business, I have been a member since the beginning so I have seen it grow.  This is a networking group that goes beyond the basic networking concept and I recommend it to any woman who is serious about growing her business.

Visitors are welcome to come to Ladies at 11 meetings, you will find details of locations and dates on the website.

About the Author: Sue Bown: Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Twitter @thecoachingzone
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheCoachingZone
Email: sue@thecoachingzone.co.uk

Other blog posts:

Would you buy more time?

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

You’re a small business owner, maybe you’re just starting up.  Knowing how to identify your target market is vital to help you be most efficient in selling and marketing your product.

I’m going to tell you a tale, a crusty old tale:

“Simple Simon
Met a pie man going to a fair
Simple Simon said to the pie man
Let me see your wares”

How often does that happen?  Potential clients walk up to you in the street and ask about your business and buy from you on the spot, maybe if you’re selling Mars Bars or Coca Cola or umbrellas on a rainy day.

Just imagine in a perfect world, in a perfect economy people would come to you and ask to buy from you, take moment to decide and then buy.  How great and easy does that sound?  As a small business owner, is that what you’d want and aspire to? 

It is possible that if everyone did come to you to buy, you would find it tricky to provide a service to all these people.  Could you work with everyone?  Do you have the time to work with everyone?   I imagine, the answer to the question is probably ‘no’?

Reality is that whilst there’s lots of people out there – you only need a few – a small group of people who really want your product.  So you must narrow down your focus, really pinpoint exactly who will buy from you. 

Our pie man in the story is selling apple pies, so he is looking for people who like apple pies, he doesn’t want people who like meat pies.  Simple Simon wants to buy an apple pie so that’s good, people who like Apple Pies are the perfect customers.  That’s his niche market.  What about customers who want to buy meat pies?
 
That’s why you need to find out who, and when I say who I mean ‘exactly’ who.  You must be very precise.

Steps to identify your target market
1. Ask yourself ‘Who’ are my target market?.  Write a list of who they are.

2. What are their needs.  How can I help them?

3 What are their concerns.  What can I improve for them?

4. What are their desires.  What can I give them?

5. What are their barriers. What’s stopping them buying from you?

6. What are their worries?  Why might they not buy from you?

The results of these questions will lead you to the beginnings of a marketing plan.

“Says the pie man to Simple Simon,
Show me first your penny;
Says Simple Simon to the pie man,
Indeed I have not any.”

That’s another link in the chain….sales……find out if they can afford you. 

About the Author: Sue Bown: Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Twitter @thecoachingzone
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheCoachingZone

Other blog posts:

Would you buy more time?

Sue Bown

Works with businesses and individuals to get better results, more efficiency, less stress AND more success. I play golf too, especially in the sun!

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts