Pat Alva-Green's Blog: Growing your business

If you were to sit down with your friends or favorite customers, what would they say about you? Have you ever you wondered? What you provide as a service or product is unique to you. No one else does it like you do. What is it that make you unique? I encourage to send an e-mail out to your friends and customers asking them for feedback on what makes you unique. Having this understanding enables you to market yourself in a way that highlights your uniqueness. Potential clients always want to know what makes you unique or different from your competition. It's important to be able to readily answer this question for them.

In the Olympics games, many of the competitions are graded on a scale from 1-10; 10 being the highest score or the best. Imagine seeing a "10" on top of your customers head any time you interacted with them; whether on the phone or in person. What would happen? Any time you look for the best in others, you get it. Your relationships with them will change for the better, Try this for a week and journal your positive evidences. Try it on yourself. When you look at yourself in the mirror, see the "10" on top of your head.

Think big!
Pat Alva-Green
Business and Wellness Coach
817-291-0717

What is your intent when you attend an networking event? Is it to give or to get? Is it to meet as many people as possible or just a handful? Networking is about giving. It's about learning as much as possible about the person you're talking to. Here are some suggestions next time you go attend a networking event:
1. Meet a few people. In order to really get to know a person, it takes an investment of your time. Take the time.
2. Set an intention. Decide that you will meet X number of people.
3. Find out as much as you can about them. Ask them about their business. Find out how you can help them.
4. Follow-up. Follow-up with a note within 24-48 hours.
5. Connect them with other people who might be interested in their product or service.

When you approach networking from a standpoint of helping others succeed in their business, you will, too.

Dress up and Step Up!

Pat Alva-Green
Business and Wellness Coach
817-291-0717

When it comes to business, it's all about relationships. In many of our relationships, negotiations are required. When you go into your negotiations play "win-win". If you play anything else, you're really playing "lose-lose". What you should strive for is the preservation of the relationship. If you get what you want, but the relationship is not preserved, you've just burned a bridge. Play "win-win" in all you do.

Pat
"The gal to call when you tired of thinking small"
www.patalvagreen.com

Spending time in your business to dream and write down ideas is very important. In your week, time should be set aside for creative thinking. Execution is just as important. Pick one idea and run with it until its complete. Create a plan with all the details. Communicate this plan to family, friends, employees and colleagues. You'll be surprised at how much your support group wants to help you succeed. The key is to be very clear about your vision and the kind of help you need. People execute successfully when they know what is expected of them and when. When you plan up front, stay focused and execute the plan, you will create a product or service you're proud of and others are excited to buy.

According to Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, "There are 10 permissions you need to give yourself if you want to succeed in life."

1. Give yourself permission to try.
2. Give yourself permission to fail.
3. Give yourself permission to ask for help or guidance.
4. Give yourself permission to make mistakes.
5. Give yourself permission to look foolish or silly.
6. Give yourself permission to want what you truly want.
7. Give yourself permission to have doubts and try anyway.
8. Give yourself permission to astound your critics.
9. Give yourself permission to stand out.
10. Give yourself permission to succeed!

What will you give yourself permission to do today?

Who are the extraordinary people in your life? In your business? Make a list of these people and make it a point to touch base with them on a regular basis. If you feel your list is too short, how can you create an alliance with four extraordinary people?

"Pay any price to stay in the presence of extraordinary people" – Mike Murdock

Twitter is a relatively new means of communicating. It's a great way to establish your expertise. The secret is to engage your followers. Keep in mind the following next time you tweet.

1. Be descriptive. Provide a level of detail that your followers can find value in.
2. Be interesting. Add a twist to your message. Your followers will remember it.
3. Be useful. Your goal is to be recognized as an expert. Give a tip that will help your followers.
4. Be interactive. Go beyond telling people what you're doing. Ask questions and answer questions.
5. Be Personal. Write as if your holding a face to face conversation.

Happy tweeting!