Tips For Managing Upset Customers

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

When you run a business, one of the keys to reaching success will be making sure that you know how to manage customers who are upset, or who have a complaint about the way they have been handled by you, your employees, or your company. When an upset customer has a legitimate complaint, they can ruin a lot of business for you if they share their complaints with others, but when you are able to fix a situation with an upset customer, they will often be so impressed with the way you handled things that they will end up sending more customers your way!

Regardless of whether you feel their complaint is legitimate or not, the first thing you need to do is to acknowledge the problem; when you acknowledge that their complaint and convey that you understand the complaint, you will be on the right path to making the situation better.

Secondly, you should start taking steps to resolve the problem - but the mistake that many people make when trying to resolve a problem with a customer is that they allow the customer to dictate the terms of the resolution. Remaining helpful while keeping the power in your hands is a delicate balance, but this is an importance balance to maintain - otherwise, you may end up with a customer who is not satisfied no matter what you do.

And lastly, recognize the fact that there actually will be customers who you will never be able to satisfy; these are the customers who tend to complain with every company they deal with, and the best way to deal with such customers is to do the best you can and then send them on their way!

Managing upset customers is not always easy, but it is one of the most important aspects of keeping your business in good shape - and when you can start to do this effectively, you will maximize the positive news that customers spread about your company.

Completing A Long-Term Project More Easily By Tracking Your Progress

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

Regardless of whether you are a high school student, a college student, or a full-time employee at a desk job, one of the most difficult things can be working on a long-term project that requires a lot of work, as it can make it difficult to complete a project when you are unable to see your progress. It can feel like a project is never going to end when you are working on it over an extended period; one way to counteract this feeling is by keeping track of your progress as you make your way through a project.

The first thing you need to do in order to track your progress throughout the duration of a project is to devise a step-by-step plan of how you will approach the project; this will give you a framework from which you can work, figuring out how much work you need to do at each point in time.

As you start moving through the project, you can fill in notes regarding your work on each section of the project; not only will these notes help you see how far along in the project you have come, but they will also give you a detailed breakdown of how much work you have done.

Once you finish each distinct section, you will be able to cross that section off your list, which will allow you see how many sections you started out with and how many you still have left to complete.

Discipline will, of course, be an important aspect of the project when it comes to a long-term project, as you can come up with all the "plans" and "charts" you want, but this will mean nothing if you are not maintaining discipline to work on the project as time passes. As long as you are able to focus on a long-term project from an early point - keeping track of your progress as you make your way through it - you should be able to avoid stress while completing any project in a timely manner!

How To Make Your Website Easy To Use

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

Regardless of whether you are running a website as a means to promote your business, or as a way in which you can try to make a bit of extra money, one important thing will be that you are making sure to pay attention to the principles of search engine optimization; at the same time, however, it is easy to become so wrapped up in your search engine optimization efforts that you forget about all the other things about running a website that are important - including making your website easy to use!

In making your website easy to use, the first thing you should focus on is making it easy for your readers to share your site with others; when you include links throughout your site that make it easy for people to share content through such areas as Twitter, Digg, Google Plus, and facebook, you will increase the backlinks you create, and will increase the traffic that comes your way as well!

As you attempt to make your website easy to use, the next thing that will be important for you to focus on is making it easy for people to navigate your site; on your site, you should include a search bar that enables people to search for specific content on your site, and categorize your posts in such a way that it will be easy for visitors to seek out something specific.

And in making your website "easy" for users, perhaps the most important thing of all you can do is make it easy for your visitors to get lost in your site; when you include plenty of links within the content of each post you write, readers will click on these links, and continue sinking deeper and deeper into your site! And it just about goes without saying that the deeper a reader goes into your site (and the more time they spend on your site), the more likely they are to return to your site again and again - and to bring others with them as well!

Carrying Someone Else's Business Cards With You

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

If you are in business, you understand all the reasons why it is wise to carry your business cards with you everywhere. When you are out, you never know who you will meet; furthermore, when you meet someone, you never really know who they are, and you never really know who they might know. With a stack of business cards at the ready, you are always prepared to pass one along to someone who might prove to be a future client or customer. But even though the prudence of carrying around your own business cards is well-known and widely-accepted, far fewer businessmen and businesswomen ever consider the prudence of carrying around business cards that belong to other people. The practice of carrying around business cards that belong to others can be extremely beneficial; here are a couple reasons why.

Conversations with strangers are golden opportunities; as a businessperson, you understand this. Each opportunity for conversation with a stranger might be the opportunity that will open brand new doors for you. But a stranger is likely to be turned off right away if they think you are striking up conversation with them just to sell them something. People are protective of their money, and they don't want you to squeeze some out of them just because they were friendly to you! But if you are equipped with others' business cards, you have a full arsenal of safe conversation starters. Say you overhear someone in a restaurant talking about how they need a plumber. If you have your favorite plumber's card ready in your stack of others' business cards, you can enter into their conversation. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help overhearing you say you need a plumber; I happen to know a great plumber - he's worked on our house, and we've been thrilled with him!" You have now entered their conversation without trying to sell them anything at all. Eventually, the conversation is sure to circle back around to you, and to what you do.

People are also inclined to remember someone who helped them out without receiving anything in return. You are sure to unload one of your own business cards once the conversation comes back around to you. This person is sure to remember you next time they need a product or service like yours, and you will have a new client or customer on your plate!

Carrying others' business cards might seem like nothing more than a small step, but it could just be the "small step" that turns into your next big thing.

A Look At Keys To Successful Search Engine Optimization

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

If you want to be successful online - either with your small business, or simply with your affiliate marketing efforts, one thing you are going to make sure you understand is search engine optimization, as this will be a big part of bringing the traffic to your site you will need in order to be successful. One problem with SEO, however, is that many people fail to grasp exactly what it means - and because of this, they fail to take the right approach!

The first thing you need to realize is that you should be creating content on a regular basis in order to get the most out of SEO. When you create content regularly, you will keep search engines coming back to your site, and will keep giving them pages to index and rank.

It will also be important that you know what your keywords are, in order for you to achieve success online. Too many people try to run a website without ever doing proper keyword research, or even knowing what their keywords are, and this is a big contributing factor to their ultimate failure!

When it comes to using keywords effectively, it will also be important that you hone in on the keywords within your content, as well as in your tags; lots of people think to focus on their meta tags and whatnot - when it comes to keywords - but forget that their content should focus on these keywords just as much as anything else!

And finally, you need to understand that backlinks are definitely key when it comes to SEO; if you have lots of quality sites linking to your site, you will be in great shape - and if you have no quality sites linking to your site, you will have a hard time succeeding!

As you keep working on your website, be sure to keep these things in mind, and you will find that you are moving closer and closer to those top search engine rankings you desire, and to the money that comes with them!

Tips For Coming Up With Creative Ways To Drive Your Business Forward

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

Within the world of business, one thing you will quickly realize is that you are always competing with others - whether this competition is direct or indirect, and whether this competition is visible or invisible - and if you are not constantly moving forward in your business, you are likely falling behind your competitors; because of this, it is important that every business owner knows the steps they can take in order to make sure they are always driving their business forward.

Setting goals for your business that seem outlandish is one of the best ways to drive your business forward; too many businesses set their sights too low - coming up with goals that they know they can achieve, and then striving to barely achieve them - but when you set goals at the beginning of each year that seem as though they are outlandish, you will put yourself in a position where you are searching for ways to accomplish these goals - as outlandish as they may have seemed to be!

In addition to always assessing where you feel your business stands, you should also get in the habit of regularly collecting input from those who work for you; after all, those who work for you will have the best understanding of how things are going out there in the field, and you can use this input and information to adjust your approach to each thing you are doing with your business.

And having others who are spreading the word about your business for you is one of the best ways to drive your business forward; the best way to accomplish this nowadays, of course is through the Internet - using your website, your blog, your facebook page, and your Twitter to recruit loyal customers who will help you to notify others of all the things you are doing as a business.

By taking these steps to always drive your business forward, you will ensure constant forward movement - which will put you in a place where you are staying ahead of your competitors, instead of falling behind!

The Best Investment Books, For Every Investor

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

Each year, there are hundreds of new investment books published. Some of these books tell you that you can use them to get rich quick by investing a certain way. Other books claim to be full of "tried and true" principles. Some books try to help you make money in the long run, and others know exactly how to play the market right now. Some of these books are written by those who have had great success in the stock market, and other books have been written by those whose portfolio you would not like to have yourself. With so many options out there each year, it begs the question: Which books are the right books? The answer to this question is actually quite simple: forget about all these books published in the last couple years, and go back to the ones that have stood the test of time. While there are certainly books published recently that could help you a great deal, it is important to first lay a foundation with books that have been proven to be invaluable. Whether you are a new investor or have been building your portfolio for ages, these three books are full of wisdom and advice that can help you moving forward.

1) The Intelligent Investor: This book is considered a must-read, even though Ben Graham originally published it way back in 1934. In fact, Warren Buffett has called this book "the best investing book ever written."

2) The Essays Of Warren Buffett: Speaking of Warren Buffett, this is a collection of his essays, arranged by topic and relevance. While you certainly cannot go wrong reading Buffett's thoughts on investing, this book is a great starting point, as it will help you in every area of investing.

3) Common Stocks And Uncommon Profits & Other Writings: In this book, Philip Fisher examines the fifteen qualities of an excellent business. These thoughts from one of the greatest financial minds in history will certainly aid you in expanding your own portfolio.

Many people consider to the stock market to be something a lot like gambling, and they think anyone who makes money at it is just plain lucky, but by following the tips of these men who knew how to make the market work for them, you can start to do the same yourself.

Copywriting: The Face Of Your Business

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

Within a large business, there is usually one or more persons who are in charge of all of the copywriting needs of the business. But many who run a small business - or who have considered running a small business - tend to believe that they can take care of all of their own copywriting work. While this might actually be the case for you, of course, there are many people who would be better off hiring someone else to write their copy.

Copywriting covers all writing that is intended to promote a business or product, and would include everything from print ads to billboards to websites. And even though many people think the only thing they really need in order to write successful copy is an understanding of the message they wish to convey, this is often incorrect. In fact, this can be absolutely wrong, as those who copywrite for a living also understand the exact words to use in order to grab the attention of readers!

If you decide to hire a copywriter full time, you should make sure that they have experience, and that they can prove their abilities. In order for them to prove their abilities, you should have them write a couple sample bits of copy, and you should give these sample bits to test readers so you can gauge their reaction.

You may want to hire a freelance copywriter instead of a full-time writer if your needs are less extensive, as this is less of a commitment. If you hire a freelance copywriter, you can gauge their success as they work - continuing to work with them it their work is successful, and finding someone new if it is not.

If you decide that it will be okay for you to continue writing your own copy, make sure you study and understand the principles of successful copywriting. After all, it might seem like writing something that is both competent and error-free puts you in fine shape. But if you can write something that will grab the attention of anyone who reads it, you will be in much better shape.

Remember that the face of your business most people will see before they see any other is your copywriting; because of this, you need to make sure you are giving copywriting for your company the attention it deserves.

Improving Your Business Through Social Marketing

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

Retaining a competitive edge is the main objective of almost every business. Direct competition usually has the resources to duplicate anything you do. Competitors can open more locations, duplicate the products that you offer, and use the same marketing techniques as you. If you want to stay ahead of them in your line of business the only true way to do so is by social marketing.

In order to develop a consistent marketing method, social marketing involves the combination of a few aspects. Most people hear social marketing and think that it directly correlates with marketing done through social media. This is a common mistake. That would be referred to as social media marketing and social marketing is different. Social marketing is done both on and off of computers.

The main concept of social marketing revolves around the relationship you and your business has with customers. This relationship needs to be nurtured in every way possible. It could be done through face to face visits and meetings. It can also be done online through e-mails and social media sites. Determine which of these methods is best to use after getting to know each customer.

Nurture this relationship with customers at every opportunity and you will see that the rest will work itself out. It will lead into the latter half of this marketing method; the customers telling others about you and your company. Happiness with your business and the service you provide will lead to them talking with others. A direct result of this dialogue will be sales through referrals. Your job will then be to make sure each referral becomes a sale.

The greatest benefit of social marketing is that it doesn't involve using capital. This type of marketing was done in ancient greece and other ancient cultures throughout history. Up until recently it never had a name for everyone to refer to. Social marketing should be at the center of your business marketing plan since the only cost involved is some extra effort on your part.

Set Ground Rules In Order To Resolve Conflicts In Your Business

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

If you run a business, one of the things that can dismantale it more quickly than anything is internal conflicts. Even though you are unable to - and probably unwilling to - be involved in solving every conflict, you can have a hand in the way every conflict is solved by having ground rules in place. You want your employees to be able to settle their disputes calmly and with as little mess as possible, and you can do this by having these ground rules in place.

When setting the ground rules for resolving conflicts, one of the first things you want to make sure you do is detail and document the processes. When it comes to employee conflicts, your ultimate goal is for the employees to be able to police themselves and resolve the conflicts on their own. But if your ground rules are not detailed and documented, your employees will be trying to solve their conflicts without ever knowing if they are following protocol.

When it comes to communication in your business, it is important that the atmosphere is conducive to open communication, and you will need to take a personal hand in creating such an environment. Communication should start from the top and trickle down, which means that you should communicate with your employees, but it also means they should be able to communicate with you! Your employees will feel much more comfortable communicating with one another if you first establish an atmosphere that enables them to feel comfortable communicating with one another.

In the end, however, you also need to have a step in place that does enable you or a manager to step in and resolve conflict if the employees are unable to do so on their own. This will allow you to have a clear view of all the things that are going on with your employees, and will help you be able to keep things under control.

Few things can derail a small business as quickly as conflicts among the employees. But you will help your business run much more smoothly once you learn how to set ground rules that enable employees to take care of their conflicts on their own as much as possible!

The Eight Essential Steps To Conflict Resolution!

Tips For Making Your Way As An Entrepreneur

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

If you are an entrepreneur, and are similar to the majority of other entrepreneurs, one of your primary motivations for starting on this path was probably the thought that you could eventually make far more money than you could make at a conventional job, all while having a lot more flexibility and perhaps even working fewer hours down the road; what most people find, however, is that this is far from the reality they end up living in as they get their entrepreneurial efforts off the ground - and part of the reason for this is that they have never quite figured out the approach that will enable them to get the most out of their efforts.

The first thing you will want to focus on, in order to get the most out of your entrepreneurial efforts, is figuring out how to market yourself and your business better; succeeding in business is all about getting the word out there, and your means for doing this can range from paying for advertising to partnering with other businesses to using search engine optimization online!

In addition to making sure you are figuring out the creative things you can do to start getting the word out there to a greater extent, you should also start looking at the things you can potentially do to increase sales; realize that "sales" - in any area of entrepreneurial efforts - will largely come down to how well you are able to "sell" yourself or your product, and there are plenty of creative things you can do to increase your effectiveness in this area.

And finally, start looking at the way you spend your time, and figure out what you can do differently to get more out of your efforts in less time invested! Once you are able to combine a creative approach in this area with a fully-realized strategy for getting your name and your efforts out there and for "selling" yourself and your product, you will find that your level of success is rising higher than ever before.

Tips For Creating A Good Working Environment For Your Employees

Your 2016 years earning plan: STEP -BY-STEP

One of the biggest things for you to do if you want to get the most out of your employees is giving them a work environment that will be positive and will engender great behavior and hard work - but while just about every business owner is fully aware of this fact, actually making this a reality for your business (and for your employees) can be a bit more difficult; in your quest to create a positive work environment for your employees - and to experience success with your business as a result - here are a few things you can keep in mind to help you achieve this goal.

You do not want employees who are always frightened; you might think that this will 'keep them from making mistakes,' but actually, it is more likely to cause them to make mistakes; instead, one of the best ways to keep your employees from feeling frightened and nervous is to understand the value of positive reinforcement, as providing positive reinforcement to your employees will put them in a place where they can continue to do these same things for which you are praising them.

On top of understanding the value of positive reinforcement, it will also help you to understand the value of competition; some business owners have a tendency to view competition in a negative light, but when you allow your employees to compete with one another, this will give them a greater sense of investment in their job, and it will put them in a position where all of them are constantly striving to do their best.

And of course, you will need to understand the value of relaxation in order to create a great work environment for your employees; your employees can get burned out quite easily if you do not allow them to relax, so make sure they have enough time off from work, and make sure their work environment is not stressful!

As you keep these goals in focus, you will be able to continually to create a positive work environment for your employees - and they will continue to reward you with quality work!