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Tips for Building and Leading a Team

Have you ever listened to a vocal ensemble sing a piece of music? Usually, there are several different parts being sung such as bass, tenor, alto, and soprano. Each of these parts don’t sound quite right when isolated, but put together, they contribute something that is greater than any one part. The same can be said about teamwork in direct sales and small business. No one is ever a success or failure without the help of others; so building an effective team is important to the growth of your business. Here are some things to keep in mind for both building a team and leading it well.

Building

Identify your ideal team. Decide what characteristics are important for your potential team members to possess. With this as your focus, you will be better able to find like-minded people who will be compatible with you and each other.
Find quality people. You don’t want to hire just anyone to join your business, so put in place some measure to recruit smart and talented people. For example, create an entrance interview where potential employees write down how they work best, what they consider a good reward, and how they are effectively motivated. This creates an understanding among team members and you of how to best work together toward a common goal.
Provide training. Was Babe Ruth a record-setting hitter the first time he picked up a baseball bat? Even the most talented person doesn’t walk in on the first day knowing how to do everything right. Provide some initial training when someone is hired, and continue to offer professional development and mentor opportunities throughout your team’s time with you.
Implement a recruiting system. Recruiting can be done through traditional advertisements, the use of social media, word of mouth, etc. Find a system that works best for your business, and be open to recruits about what your business goals are.

Leading

Delegate. It may be difficult to give up some control, but empowering your employees by delegating important responsibilities demonstrates your trust in their decisions and creates a positive culture of teamwork.
Have an open-door policy. Your team should not hesitate to come to you for guidance, questions, and feedback. Making yourself as accessible as possible will prevent many employees from making mistakes.
Challenge your team. Encourage them to think outside the box, even if it’s a bit more than you think they can handle. Part of being a good leader is helping people recognize and utilize their own talent.
Acknowledge their talents. Although you want to create a culture of teamwork, it is also important to give credit to individuals when warranted. Doing so will keep them motivated to continue doing good work.

Remember the famous saying, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Building and leading a great team requires careful planning and continuous learning. Surround yourself with intelligent people who are willing to work hard, and the sky’s the limit.

How have you created a better team? Share your tips in the comments below!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

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DSEF & FTC: “Gameover” Scam Target Bank Accounts

February 1st, 2012 by USA.gov

The FBI identified a new phishing scam online that targets your bank accounts. The scam is called “Gameover.” Once the virus is on your computer, it can steal all of your user names and passwords before you realize what has happened.

How It Works

The Gameover scam will email you, pretending to be from the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), the Federal Reserve Bank, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The email will say that there has been a problem with your bank account or a recent transaction, and will include a link to help fix the problem. The link will send you to a phony site, where the Gameover malware is automatically installed on your computer and starts stealing your bank account information.

If you think you’ve been victimized by this type of scheme, contact your financial institution to report it, and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Learn more about the Gameover Scam.

For 13 years, the DSEF has been proud to partner with the FTC and other organizations to offer a wide array of education events and resources that encourage consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their rights and make better-informed decisions.

You’ll find a wealth of resources at www.ncpw.g ov that will help you protect your privacy, manage your money, learn more about credit and debt, decipher advertising messages, and steer clear of fraud and scams.

Please take a moment to share the resources on this Web site with others in your communities and companies and, together, we’ll help build a nation of better-informed and educated consumers.

Charles. L. Orr
Executive Director

Blog

Tips for Better Small Business Videos

Think about your favorite television show. What exactly do you like about it? Chances are, there is some connection made between you and a character, theme, or story; this connection is what makes you keep watching. The same holds true for online videos, which is why you should be creating them for your small business. You don’t have to be a professional videographer to shoot an effective video, but there are some tips to follow to make the most out of yours.

Keep it brief. The most effective videos are under two minutes in length. Even if there is something in your video will draw the viewer in to watch for a longer period of time, the second a person sees that time length bar at the bottom of the screen, he or she is likely to click away for the simple reason that it is too long. When scouring the internet for information, people want to find that info easily and quickly. Choose only the important points to highlight your message. Tip: Be sure to include a call to action somewhere toward the end of your video which directs the viewer to visit your store or click the link to your website, for example. This keeps your video in the viewer’s mind before he or she moves on to the next one.
Get personal. Stock footage of products or locations and frames of still photos are generic. Viewers will make the same assumption about your business. Instead, record a video that features your real staff, location, and products. Consider featuring an introductory greeting from you, the owner, and if applicable, candid footage of your staff on the job. Also, don’t be afraid to use humor; keep it professional, but you definitely want to give your video some personality.
Choose a theme. Your video should have a point. Are you introducing your business to the world? Are you featuring an innovative product? Answering frequently asked questions? Whatever you choose to do, make sure everything in the video is centered on the theme so as not to lose focus or make your viewers click away. A great way to plan your video is to write a script before shooting any actual footage. This will give you a clear plan of action and allow you to see if anything is off-topic before you even begin.
Feature tutorials and product demonstrations. Which is easier: reading about how to cut up a pineapple or watching someone actually do it? Nowadays, when people want to learn how to do something, they find a video online that physically shows them what they want to learn. Most people are visual learners and prefer this type of medium anyway. Furthermore, you are giving the potential customer a glimpse into the user experience, which is extremely important. People want to know exactly how something works before they buy. Take advantage of this by using tutorials and demos that work for your business.
Use music. In doing so, you will be able to set the mood for your video and evoke a feeling from the viewer. Also, music is a perfect way to fill in any gaps of silence between narrations and transitions. There is a plethora of open content on the web as well as music that is public domain, so copyright infringement will not be an issue.
Share your video socially. Your video does no good if it is not being shared. Posting it on YouTube is the best place to start. Make sure you choose a title for your video that will optimize your search results. Tip: Search keywords for your video in the YouTube search box to see what comes up. If it’s something you’d rather not be associated with, then you’ll be able to choose more wisely. Having effective keywords is more important than ever, especially with people’s increasing reliance on Google Instant, which shows results as you type in your query. With more and more people using smartphones to search for and view content, Google Instant has become another must-have convenience for most.
Preview your video before posting it. Check to make sure that there are no items in the background that may offend, look messy, and that you don’t want others to see. Finally, make sure your video quality is good and reflects well on your business.

By following the suggestions above, your video will already be a cut above most of what is out there right now. What other tips can you offer for creating an effective video? Please share them with us below!

Blog

How to Build a Unique Business

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see a red bullseye? If you’re like most people, your answer is Target. What is it about Starbucks that makes it different from other coffee establishments? Perhaps it’s the taste of the coffee itself, the blended language of their drink sizes, or maybe even the first place to bring the culture of Italian espresso bars to the U.S. These are exceptional examples of a million dollar idea, but they are also standards that we can look up to. Sometimes it seems as if everything has been done before. Even so, your business can be a unique endeavor if you can apply and incorporate your own individuality.

Focus on your personal strengths. Even if your business is very similar to others, there is only one you. Do some serious personal reflection to pinpoint what makes you different. What can you bring to the table that no one else can? For instance, you may be one of many direct sellers in your area working for the same type of company. However, use your strengths to make yourself stand out from the rest. A consultant with a background in theatre might do very well using his/her knowledge and expertise to create an entertaining and polished sales presentation unlike any that customers have seen before. Your business is a reflection of who you are, so take advantage of that, and give it your personal flair.
Choose a micro-niche. Instead of casting a wide net and trying to cater to a large market, narrow down your business and your target market. The more narrow and specific you make it, the more recognized in your field you will become. For example, a hair salon might focus on children’s hairdressing. A micro-niche would be a salon that specializes in children’s hairstyles for the pageant circuit. Now, a very specific target market can be reached, and the business can become a well-known one among those in that circle.
Make customer service a top priority. Considering experiences you have had with other small businesses, what were their strong points? Where were they lacking? Use this knowledge to perfect your own customer relations. Is there something you can offer that goes above and beyond what your competitors are doing? Think about learning your customers’ names, something personal about them, and what they could get of your business that would somehow make their lives easier or more pleasant. Modern technology has stolen much of our culture’s person-to-person interaction, so the better your customer service is, the more memorable you will be.
Use unusual interests to your advantage. Whether you are starting a brand new business or looking to make an existing one more innovative, take a close look at your own interests. Is there something unique or unusual about them? For example, a forward-thinking individual named Jason Sadler developed an idea for wearing t-shirts to advertise companies wanting viral exposure. His website has become its own community of people viewing and sharing his team’s content.

The key to building a unique business is identifying your own personal distinction. What other ways do you bring originality to your business? Share with us in the comments section below!

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Socialize to Increase Business

Socializing is the art of meeting and engaging people. Mastering socialization skills will not only help you in developing better relationships, but will also increase your business. Incorporating these characteristics into your everyday interactions will help you find and reach your target market.

Sincerity – Most people can see through a fake smile or greeting and are therefore turned off by it. Be genuine in your interactions. Your customers will know that you truly do care about satisfying their needs and giving them a positive experience.
Confidence – Project confidence not only in yourself, but also in the product/service you are offering and the manner in which you conduct your business. It reassures your customers that you are knowledgeable about your field and qualified to meet their needs.
Inquisitiveness – Getting people talking is all about asking the right questions. It is of utmost importance that your customers feel that you have a sincere desire to learn more about them, but they won’t divulge anything without being asked. Decide what you really should know about a customer to meet his or her needs and strike up conversations with people that relates to those topics. Tip: Create a “script” to get you started that includes a few pre-planned questions, topics, or anecdotes to break the ice or fill a pause in a conversation.
Listening – There is a great difference between hearing what is being said and listening to it. Listening requires you to process information; a person can easily tell if you are listening to him or her. Show that you are listening by responding when prompted, making eye contact, and reading the body language of those to whom you are speaking. Tip: Listening skills role-play makes a great activity for professional development. Plan a few topics ahead of time, and take turns speaking about and listening to them for five minutes at a time.
Positive – People are turned off by negative people. Make sure your conversations stay positive. Even if the conversation turns critical, always maintain a positive view. The impression you will leave after the conversation is an optimistic and can do person. And that’s the kind of person people want to do business with.
Promote others – Make sure most of your conversations are about others. This shows people that not only are you caring, but also gives you an opportunity to highlight your ethics and values. Customers are loyal to businesses that they like and trust.

Places to socialize with your target market:

Community events and hot spots (local fundraisers, playgroups, sports games, farmers markets, dog parks)
Informal and formal parties (summer barbeques, beach outings, holiday cookie bakes, New Year’s celebrations)
Online through blogging, social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), your business website
Self-sponsored open house or grand opening event

However you choose to do so, socializing with your target market requires you to know exactly who they are. Once you have identified them, put yourself in situations that allow for meaningful social interactions. You will not only promote your business, but also learn more about how to satisfy your customers’ needs in the process.

How do you interact socially with your prospects? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

Blog

What Do Your Customers Want?

In any given industry, customers have a plethora of businesses from which to choose. When they finally do make that choice, they are doing so because the business offers something they want. As a small business owner or direct seller, you have the advantage of catering to many different types of customers, so finding out what they want is essential to building your business. Read on for some suggestions.

1. High quality products/services – In these tough economic times, making the decision to spend any amount of hard-earned money is a serious one for lots of people. Nobody wants to put money out for something that is poorly made or not performed correctly. Make sure what you are offering your customer is something that you would feel good about purchasing yourself.

2. Friendliness – Odds are that you already enjoy interacting and socializing with your customers; this is a quality that it priceless in small business. Customers want to interact with others who are friendly, courteous, considerate, and generally pleasant to be around. Show them that you value them above any sale.

3. Convenience – It seems that people’s everyday lives are getting busier and busier. Implement convenience measures into your business model that work for both you and your customers. Can they find product information and complete orders on your website? If there is a problem with a purchase, can they easily contact someone who will resolve the issue? Make their shopping experience not only a positive one, but an easier one as well.

4. Knowledgeable staff – If you employ others who have regular customer contact, they should be thoroughly trained in all products/services offered and any purchasing policies that may be in place. Many potential customers do their own research before they buy, but often the tipping point is in the answers that can be acquired from a real live person in the business. For example, before purchasing a new camcorder to capture videos of the new baby, first-time parents might spend a good amount of time online researching the different features, prices, and reviews of various products. However, they will usually decide exactly which one to buy and where to buy it based on how well the staff can answer their questions and help guide them in the right direction to suit their needs.

5. The right to change their minds – For whatever reason, sometimes a purchase just wasn’t the right one for that person. When that happens, how do you react as a business owner? Make it a core value of your business that customers should leave happy with how any problems have been handled. Sometimes this even means going above and beyond the norm. If a customer needs to return or exchange an item, find out what the concern is and help them select something that might be better suited to meeting a need. Furthermore, the process of resolving any issues should be as painless as possible; when a customer sees you doing everything in your power to give them a good shopping experience, they will appreciate it, remember it, and continue to come back.

It’s never possible to please everyone all the time, but by incorporating some basic elements of customer satisfaction into your business, you will be able to attract and retain customers. What have you found to be the wants of your customers? Please share with us in the comments below!

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DSEF & FTC: Zappos Customer? Take These Steps to Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft.

Today’s highlighted blog post from FTC/NCPW:

Zappos Customer? Take These Steps to Redue the Risk of Identity Theft.

January 18th, 2012 by Nicole via OnGuard Online.gov

In light of Zappos’ recent announcement that its database was hacked, OnGuardOnline.gov offers the following tips to help you reduce your risk of identity theft:

If you used your Zappos login ID or password for other accounts, change them. Identity thieves have been known to try IDs and passwords on many different websites to gain control of other accounts. When creating your new password, keep these tips in mind.

When you read your email, consider whether any of the messages could be a phishing scam. Having your stolen information could make it easier for crooks to send emails that appear to be from Zappos or another shopping site. If you get an email asking you to provide your credit card number or Social Security number – don’t.

Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements often. If you see charges you don’t recognize, get in touch with the fraud department of your bank or credit card company right away.

Be sure the information on your credit report is accurate. The law requires the three nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months if you ask for it. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to order your free copies. To find out how to correct errors, visit ftc.gov/freereports.

Please take a moment to share the resources on this Web site with others in your communities and companies and, together, we’ll help build a nation of better-informed and educated consumers.

Charles. L. Orr
Executive Director

Blog / Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Overcoming Underearning

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

Overcoming Underearning

Barbara Stanny will help us understand the characteristics of underearners. She will discuss the process of Overcoming Underearning in five steps. You won’t want to miss this thought provoking and life changing teleseminar.

Barbara Stanny, author of Prince Charming Isn’t Coming; Secrets of Six-Figure Women and Overcoming Underearning

Barbara Stanny is a woman on a mission. That mission is to motivate women to become financially empowered. Barbara grew up relying on her father (the ‘R’ of H&R Block), then her husband, to manage her money. But a devastating financial crisis became a personal wake-up call. Barbara’s journey to financial independence is inspiring. She is an author, popular keynote speaker and hosts Overcoming Underearning workshops.www.barbarastanny.com

DSEF proudly sponsors the free Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series hosted by Marcia Brixey, Founder and President of Money Wise Women Educational Services and author ofThe Money Therapist: A Woman’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life. The series covers topics related to business and finances and provides women the opportunity to learn from professional experts in a safe, comfortable environment.

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

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DSEF & CBBB: No Sale Prices? Will JC Penney Make it Work?

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

No Sale Prices? Will JC Penney Make it Work?

NO! NO! NO! I’m sure you’ve all seen the new JC Penney commercials where consumers are screaming NO! I don’t know about you, but I wanted to mute the TV immediately, but I wanted to also find out why they had all these people screaming no.

JC Penney has now released the concept behind the advertisements – here are two articles which explain, one from Business Week and one from the Wall Street Journal.

It will be interesting to see if this works – if consumers can give up their addiction to 50, 60 and 70% off sales and believe that prices could be lower without a sale. It sure would be nice, as a consumer, to shop on price points versus whether an item is 50% off.

BBB’s regularly review advertisements and comparison prices are so prevalent in today’s market.

Do you think it will work?

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

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Event Ideas for Your Business

Events can be a powerful marketing tool. They provide something new, timely, and interesting you’re your customers and prospects to talk about. By building some excitement around your event, you build excitement about your business. Because of this, it is important for your small business to plan events that help with both marketing and customer service. The following are some ideas to do so both in the real world and online.

Monthly clinics or seminars about a product or service you offer – These can give you a chance to highlight chosen products/services, bring in new clientele, and network with others in your community. If done successfully, these types of regular events will also create buzz about your business and expose it to potential customers.

Host an after-hours gathering for your employees and friends/families. If you have a brick and mortar location, after-hours events can be effective marketing tools, but even if you are home-based, you can tweak this idea to work for your business. Provide refreshments, music, and put together some special displays on which to focus the event. Be sure to provide business cards, brochures, a free sample or giveaway, and other promotional materials to your guests.

Host an Open House for your community. Consider holding an open house with city officials (mayor, congressmen/women) and local press in attendance. Center the event around a theme or cause that is of interest to your community.

Sponsor a holiday window design contest for art students at a local school. Involving the young people in a community is a surefire way to spread word about your business. You can even modify this idea to include technology students competing to design your next online ad or website graphic. The announcement and celebration of the winner could be incorporated into the unveiling of the finished product.

Host an open-mike night for local business owners. Most comedy clubs reserve their slowest nights of the week for amateur open-mike nights. You can use this idea by hosting a forum for other local small business owners to exchange ideas for marketing and customer service. Each participant could take a turn at the mike to offer input and take questions from the audience.

Do a Twitter Q&A about your industry or products. This obviously requires you to have a moderate following on Twitter, but with the right promotion among your customers and preparation by you, it can be done fairly easily. You can even offer a reward or incentive at the end for participants that can be tweeted about intermittently throughout the session.

Host an online suggestion box via video chat headed by a panel of related industry experts. Choose like-minded people in your field and/or fellow small business owners in your community with which you have no competition for your video chat using a program like Skype or iVideo. Invite customers to “call in” with suggestions for what they think would improve their own shopping experience.

What events you have sponsored or attended which you have found to be informational and fun? Tell us about them in the comments section below!