Monday, November 30, 2015

December 2015 guest post


For this month's newsletter I borrowed from a good friend of mine, Kathlyn Jaramillo of Defining Women who wrote this wonderful food for thought a few years ago.



“Wal-Mart is CLOSING!”
Have you heard that Wal-Mart will be closing up from December 10th to January 7th? Unbelievable, right?  Why would they do such a thing?  They believe that no one will buy anything just before the big day and they think everyone will wait until the New Year to make more purchases. Also, they really need a break and feel like this is the best time to rest and to be with the family?

Can you image the financial and business impact this is going to produce; millions of dollars in lost revenue, people everywhere spending their money elsewhere, employees having to find other jobs, marketing coming to a screeching halt?

Of course Wal-Mart is not closing so why would YOU?  Year after year we see small business owners making the decision to close up shop just when people are giving themselves big reasons to spend money!  So exactly how can you leverage this unique opportunity to stay way ahead of your ‘holidaying’ competition?

Look, Listen and Learn!  Watch carefully how the ‘big boys’ are doing it!  How are the major chains marketing themselves during this season?  Watch shows like QVC and HSN and learn how to put a spin on your products, the way you promote them and the way you ask for the sale.  Innovative marketing is absolutely crucial to getting noticed and remembered during this time of year and mixing it up will make it fun for you and have you working in and on your business model!

Know the Value of Your ‘Life time’ Customer!  As small business owners we are forever focusing on the next sale instead of creating value to retain ‘life time’ customers.  Who on you past client list may be interested in giving you another opportunity with the right message?  If you look back on past clients, who have you let simply fade away and never offered an opportunity to take the next step with you, whatever that may look like?  You could be sitting on a gold mine of customers, who already know, like and trust you!

Balance your business and your life! As small business owners, sales professionals or entrepreneurs, holiday shopping, expenses, and logistics can bring major social and business stress. Schedule time for family and business; carefully creating boundaries that you honor for all involved, especially for yourself.  Look for solutions and steer clear of overwhelm.  Spend time being proactive so that you are being your best in business and are able to enjoy family and friends.  You are not alone.  Remember that we are all in this together! Share your feelings with other and create a support system outside your family to vent, create and innovate!

In closing, this is season of twinkling lights and stars all a glow.  It is magical if we make it so!  Listening to the music, the warm conversations, gathering with friends and family are just a few ways to remind ourselves that life is filled with possibility!  It’s not a time to close, but a time to open, create and innovate and to prepare for all that is available in both business and life!  So ‘hitch you wagon’ to a star and let’s all sparkle!   

Posted by Kathlyn Jaramillo, COO defining:WOMEN Networks
©Kathlyn Jaramillo 12.2011

Chris Arnold
Avon Gold Leader
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Monday, October 5, 2015

Creating Value

Creating Value in Your Avon Business

One topic that keeps coming up a lot lately in my network is the idea of creating value for our customers and prospects.  In the book The Go Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann one of the Laws of Stratospheric Success is the Law of Value. It states, "Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment."

Now of course there is an inherent value in our products but there are also a lot of ways that we can add to that value by our interactions with our customers.  For many customers, it's not about the product , it's the experience.  When you focus on the experience your customers have when buying from you it is possible to add far more value than the products themselves. 

Some ways you can add value for your customers are:
1. Remember and recognize special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and kids birthdays.  Whenever possible, sending a card by mail will really stand out.  For my last birthday I got 3 physical cards in the mail but nearly 100 friends who wished me a birthday on social media...which do you think were more memorable?   
If you do send birthday wishes on social media or even by email send a picture instead of a simple text message.  There are plenty of places on line that you can find pictures to use and even some that will help you create your own. For an extra touch choose a picture that relates to your customer, like a flower in her favorite color or something featuring a favorite cartoon/tv/movie character. 

2. Get to know your customers interested and hobbies.  Then when you see an article you think they might find interesting you can forward it to them. If they love to cook, or maybe have been trying a particular type of diet you could share a recipe they might like to try. If they do crafts you might come across a pattern or project idea you can share.   

3. Keep your ears open for chances to connect customers with other service providers or resources when they need them. For example, maybe you can connect your customer with your handyman when she needs work done around her home. Or let her know about a bowling team with an opening if she's looking for a league to join. The more you get to know your customers and other people in your personal network the more you'll be able to make meaningful connections for them.

For more ideas, think about your favorite experiences.  Where do you most like to shop or dine out?  What do those businesses do that keep you coming back? Is it the grocery clerk that knows your family and asks how they are doing? Is it the automotive repair shop that checks in with you a few days after you pick up your car to make sure everything is working right? Is it the pharmacy that reminds you when you may be running low on a crucial medication? Chances are at least some of your customers would enjoy the same little extras that you do. Create the customer experience that you would like to have and watch your customer list grow. 

What ways have you created value for your customers?  Come on over to the Avon Meeting on Facebook group and share your ideas for making your customers feel special. 

Chris Arnold
Avon Gold Leader
Join the conversation on the team Facebook Group
Missed an Issue of Meeting in Your Inbox? View the archives here Check out the Featured Training of the Week here Get Back to Basics with the New Representative Tips Series 
Not an Avon Representative yet? Join our team today and earn $1000 in your first 90 Days.  Contact me for more details or sign up today here.