One of my first clients calls me periodically to ask questions, and get my advice for free, sometimes keeping me on the phone for hours. She recently purchased a new laptop computer, and was having problems with Outlook and getting her contact list restored to the new system from her backup copies. She made a series of appointments for me to come out and help her make the transition. I say “series” because she would make the appointment, and then the night before call to say that she thought she’d figured out the problem, or finally got some help from the company she purchased the new laptop from, one of my first suggestions.
I started asking about the software and hardware she had purchased, and in making comparisons to the old system we happened to create the problem. What we found was that she had some pirated software on the old system. Now she didn’t consider it pirated software, I mean, her husband had been working for the company she’d purchased the old laptop from, and the software came with her system.
She’s pretty sure she paid for it. If it came with the system, they should have provided her with the actual software CD’s, or the key code. If they failed to do so, she should go back to them to secure a “certified” copy and/or the key code. It took some time, but she did finally admit that perhaps she didn’t pay for it.
I proceeded to suggest a few of my favorite software “deal” sites so she could purchase the software she needed to be able to transfer her contacts back into the new laptop. When she started considering asking her husband to get her a copy of the software…I proceeded to tell her that I considered her to be a good ethical business owner, and hoped that she would reconsider doing anything that could jeopardize her credibility with her clients. How would she feel about the ethics of a company that “stole” someone’s product?
I must admit I don’t get through to everyone, but on this particular occasion, I had struck the right cord. She called me back the following week to tell me that she’d upgraded her entire Microsoft package to the latest version, and felt really good about it. She also told me that she felt really bad about having taken up so much of my time and canceling so many appointments.
Incredible! I felt like buying a new leather belt just so I could cut a notch in it. Not only did I reap the rewards of having helped someone move in a more ethical direction, but two days later I received a check from her for $100, with a wonderful thank you card. She said that she really felt good about herself and the direction of her business. Needless to say, I felt pretty good, too.
What we both were experiencing was the POWER of ethical business practices. When you take the time to consider the impact of what you do, you come away not only with the pride in knowing that you did the right thing, but you give your self-esteem a boost as well. Ethics can be a powerful elixir in attaining your business goals. Use it liberally and watch your business GROW!
Wishing you continued success and the wisdom to consider ethical options.
Jeannine Clontz, IVAA CVA, MVA, EthicsChecked™, provides marketing and social media support, training and consulting to busy entrepreneurs. For information about finding a VA, download her FREE 10-Step Guide to Finding the Right VA, or to learn why Social Media should be an important part of your marketing plan with her FREE Report, Social Media Marketing Benefits, visit: http://www.internetmarketingvirtualassistant.net, or contact her at info@internetmarketingvirtualassistant.net
Giving up sounds so negative. But can you make room for the possibility that you can release your goals without being a failure? Yes, you can! Sometimes the goals themselves are unreachable, for reasons outside your control. Don’t continue to try and achieve a goal that will only serve to create less than positive results and growth in your business. There are times to let your goal go – or at least set it aside for a while. Here are five of those times:
Getting referrals takes time and work. Just because you do a good job for your clients doesn’t mean they’re going to naturally send you referrals. Attending networking events and making connections with people who could potentially provide you with referrals isn’t automatic, either.
WordPress has become the most popular self-hosted blogging platform around, with over ten million different users utilizing the technology as their blog back-end of choice. Offering a huge range of features, customization options, widgets, plug-ins and controls, it is no wonder the platform has achieved such immense popularity amongst bloggers, web developers, and serious Internet professionals.
If you use email marketing as a part of your overall Internet marketing strategy, your opt-in page can be your most important asset. In fact, if properly created and marketed, your opt-in page can be your sole means to successfully generate viable leads. Here are five fast and easy ways you should consider to ensure your opt-in page is effective and successful in generating as many good leads as possible.
At a recent speaking engagement on business ethics, one of the 100 or so participants voiced a differing opinion to my discussion revolving around whether or not you would tell a client, or prospect, that you had heard something negative about a competitor of yours who was being asked to bid on the same project you were.
We all know it costs us a lot more to develop a new client than it does to maintain and grow with a current client. They already know the benefit of working with us. Adding services or products that will help them be more productive or efficient is a great way to grow your business, and go deeper into your relationship with your clients.
Many of you broke into a sweat after reading the title, didn’t you? Many small business owners don’t have a marketing plan because they believe it’s too hard, too time consuming, or they just don’t know where to start.
The 1980s are remembered for their developments in business and technology, particularly computing. The 1990s for their advances in technology, particularly the growth of the internet and online business opportunities. If the 2000s are to be remembered for anything (although it may still be too early to tell), it will be their developments in communications and online communities, particularly the incredible power of social media.
Looking through magazines for gift ideas recently, I stumbled upon something I hadn’t seen in years, a glass piggybank. I recall receiving one when I opened my first savings account as a child. It forced me to continue to save because I didn’t want to ‘break’ it until it was completely full, or until I had enough to purchase something I really wanted. My eyes were always on the prize.
