The results we receive are often a result of choices. bigstockphoto.com

I recently read an article that Eric Standlee of InHouston wrote on July 18, 2010 entitled Fear of Large Amounts of Money and Goals. I wanted to follow up on the same point with an article about how to develop a process for formulating written goals that will help you implement what Standlee wrote and have clear, written goals with deadlines.

How to write an effective Game Plan

If you write a plan in the next hour, you will be ahead of most people walking the earth. Many of us have read that a very small percentage of the overall population has determined their goals and even less have written them down. If you ask how many people consistently follow a clearly defined goal-setting process, we’re talking about far fewer people. Maybe 1 out of 100 or less follow a system.

1. Do you have specific goals that you plan to achieve over the next 5-10 years?

2. Are these goals in writing?

3. Are your written goals clearly defined with the desired result and steps to reach the goal, along with a specific deadline for each goal?

Having the mindset to make the needed adjustments to your thinking and to refine your process for achieving your chief definite aim is a very important part of the equation, however writing your game plan also does several things for you:

1. Gives you a visual affirmation of your chief definite aim. Reading your plan out loud is a very beneficial exercise to focus your mind on the task at hand.

2. There’s a price to pay for any worthwhile goal to be reached. Going through the process of formulating and writing out your goals helps you to discern the effort, resources, time, etc. that will be needed to complete your mission.

Jesus said at Luke 14:28: “who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense”?

3. Having an expiration or due date gives your mind the right perspective on the time remaining to attain your goal. This holds especially true when the goal(s) are less than one year away.

Bill Bartmann was a guest speaker at a Tom Hopkins boot camp I attended, and he made a point that had a tremendous impact on helping me attain my goals. He said to stop calling our most important objectives “goals” and call them “promises” instead. Why? Most people reach their goals about 70% of the time, while they keep their promises more than 90% of the time. In addition to calling them promises, he made sure to have an expiration date on each set of promises. If we just write down “in five years,” the five years becomes a perpetual date that just keeps getting pushed back another five years and becomes a goal that we never attain.

Using Bill’s philosophy, I wrote my most important “Promise Plan” items. I also attached an expiration date to every item on the list. This concept was a major contributing factor to my success as a salesperson, as well as a manager.

If you would like an exercise to help you formulate and write your goals, please visit my site to download this document, How to write an effective Game Plan. Let me know how it goes.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 16, 2010 – Rollis Fontenot III of Sales Coach Site.com lead its first sales and marketing CPE workshop for the Houston CPA Society. The class covered cost-effective ways of marketing and touched on how social media can be useful in building a CPA practice.

The outline of the class was 1) Developing a systematic sales process, 2) Leveraging Social Media in the sales process, and 3) Cost effective ways to market a practice. The class was well received by the participants and many of them felt like they received good, actionable information.

For more information on how to have Fontenot of Sales Coach Site.com present a class for your company, please visit http://www.salescoachsite.com or call 281-377-4473.

# # #

Sales Coach Site.com is a Sales and Sales Management consulting and training firm that helps businesses from 1-100 employees to increase their sales by evaluating and suggesting ways to improve with effective and actionable ideas.

Hope to see you there http://fb.me/Cyp2I9W1 #

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To help support small business and its business members, Sam’s Club announced today it is testing an online program with Superior Financial Group, the Nation’s leading Small Business Administration (SBA) lender, which would make $5,000 to $25,000 loans available to its members who qualify. In a November 2009 state of small business survey conducted by Sam’s Club, nearly 15 percent of its business members reported being denied a loan to run their operation, up from 12 percent in April 2009.

The Sam’s Club small business loan pilot program is a first-of-its-kind and will complement other offerings that cater to small business including low rate merchant credit card processing, convenient order-ahead programs and early shopping hours.

The Sam’s Club small business loan pilot will focus on serving Main Street minority, women and Veteran owned small business owners as well as micro-entrepreneurs under the SBA’s Premier Outreach Express products such as Community Express, Patriot Express and Export Express loans.

“Access to capital is a major pain point for our members and the small business Main Street community.  We believe this pilot program is a step in the right direction to help fuel small business growth and create jobs to stimulate our economy. It’s also simple to apply and costs less, which is consistent with our goal to help our members make smart choices and provide superior value,” said Catherine Corley, vice president, Membership at Sam’s Club.

SFG is one of only 13 approved Small Business Lending Corporations (SBLC) federally regulated by the SBA, and specializes in providing access to credit for Main Street and underserved borrowers. Additionally, SFG offers free online technical assistance and online training courses that specifically target the borrower’s weaknesses. The courses even include a “how to” on writing a business plan, complete with a business plan writing template.

“All Lenders are trying to make an impact on Main Street, which includes minorities, women and veterans to help create jobs. Main Street however remains the most difficult underserved market to reach, said Tim Jochner, CEO Superior Financial Group.“Sam’s Club together with SBA’s premier outreach express loan programs provides both a unique and powerful opportunity to reach and provide capital along with technical assistance and training to increase successful penetration into this underserved space.”

Sam’s Club members who apply for a small business loan online during the pilot will receive a $100 off the application fee, a 20 percent discount and a 7.5 APR, which is 25 basis point discount. The terms of the loans will remain at 10 years, which is common to help keep monthly payments low. There is no penalty for early repayment. Business memberships cost $35 annually at Sam’s Club.

While the majority of the Sam’s Club small business loan pilot program is to be delivered online, Sam’s Club will test some in club communication and other marketing efforts to reach business members and small business owners. For more information visit samsclub.com and click on the services tab.

About Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE:WMT). The first Sam’s Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam’s Club serves more than 47 million U.S. Members with locations nationwide, as well as in Brazil, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam’s Club saves its members on average 30.4 percent over grocery and specialty retailers by offering superior values on quality merchandise and services for home or work. Saving is made simple at Sam’s Club. Visit samsclub.com for more information.

About Superior Financial

Superior Financial Group was founded in 2005 to provide access to capital for Underserved Businesses utilizing SBA express products. One of only 13 federally licensed non bank lenders (SBLC) allows SFG to focus on innovation and technology to provide unmatched speed and efficiency in the Financial Industry. SFG is the #1 SBA lender in total number of loans and in six of the Minority owned business groups SBA tracks.

• African American
• Women Owned
• Hispanic Community
• Native American.
• Veteran Loans
• Export Loans

Ron and Dawn Rivera

Courtesy of Bella Door and Supply, Inc.

Trailblazer Business Profile: Ron and Dawn Rivera of Bella Door and Supply, Inc.

Ron Rivera, president, said that they have been able to thrive in recent years by diversifying. He said “we decided to introduce new product lines, such as when we started manufacturing our own doors, to our current customer base who previously purchased hardware from us. Since these customers were already familiar and enjoyed working with us, they loved it because it gives them less people to deal with.”

Rivera went on to say that, “this goes for both our commercial contractors as well as retail clients. It is also easier to offer a product that you as the vendor aren’t as familiar with since they already know you and will more easily forgive any mistakes you make since they know you do good work overall.”

“We do not do ‘good enough,’” Dawn Rivera added. “We have stayed late at the shop many times to make a door as close to perfect as possible before turning it over to our customer. Whatever it takes, we get it done, and we get it done right,”

“Whatever it takes, we get it done, and we get it done right,”

Commenting on recent economic times, Ron Rivera said that “we had to downsize and find areas that weren’t necessary in order to operate. We also diversified into residential business in addition to our commercial business. We didn’t have to make a capital investment, so this was an easy transition. Now we are able to benefit from either side when going through cycles.”
Rivera also expressed that in order to increase their business significantly over the next 6-12 months, they “need to focus more on marketing. We use a lead generator called Service Magic that helps to create leads and it also gives customers an opportunity to give feedback on the site. This helps us to continue our great reputation rating and allows potential customers to them.”

“Our tagline is ‘We provide solutions,’ we do this by offering what best suits their needs. Many times our clients have told us, ‘You weren’t the cheapest, but we felt the most comfortable with you.’ I have to believe in what I am selling, or I can’t sell it.”

“I have to believe in what I am selling, or I can’t sell it.”

One additional factor that has helped he and his wife to be successful as a married couple of 20 years running the business for the last 15 years is that they “have made a point not discuss business at home. This has worked very well for us. Dawn is in charge of the administrative operations of our firm, while I focus on production and business development.”

Rivera advises entrepreneur just starting out to “Have patience, because it does take a little time. Be willing to do tasks that you don’t like to do.”

“Have patience, because it does take a little time. Be willing to do tasks that you don’t like to do.”

About Rivera & Bella Door and Supply: Ron Rivera is president of Bella Door and Supply, Inc. just northwest of Houston, TX. Bella Door and Supply is a door and hardware company that manufactures and specializes in high quality door installations in both residential and commercial settings whether directly to consumers on a retail basis or on a wholesale basis working with builders and contractors. Rivera was born and raised in Tomball TX and started his business there in 1996 with his wife, Dawn Rivera. They have three children.

For more information about Bella Doors and Supply, Inc., you can visit their website or call 281-357-8554.

Damon Harris (Fellows Ink) at a WSO event

Damon Harris

Trailblazer Profiles in Business: Damon Harris

I had an opportunity to speak with Harris about what helped him to weather the financial storms over the past few years and he said, “Lot’s of prayer” and “I stick to my plan”. “You can’t give up due to financial storms that you may face, that is when you are tested. I stay focused and don’t give up. It’s not what you do when times are good, it is what you do when they are rough; I don’t leave my original blueprint.”

Harris recently embarked on a new project with Watering Seeds Organization (WSO) that will prove to be one of his largest at over 1 million square feet in Houston, TX. According to the WSO website, it is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation initially founded to create recreational and athletic opportunities for physically challenged individuals by supplying the necessary adaptive sports equipment. The Watering Seeds Organization has been recognized nationally for involvement with the disabled by donating the time for the design of the new facility, including a letter from Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California. WSO’s plan is to have this new center operational in 2013.

Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) and Damon Harris (Fellows Ink) at a WSO event

Damon Harris

Over the next 6-12 months, Harris said that it will be important to watch trends in business and how they are going to change. Being able to morph into the trend is what will help us to be successful.
Harris also says that one of the things that has been a key to his success has been keeping a positive outlook. “A lot of times we talk ourselves out of opportunities,” says Harris, but he encourages us to keep your eyes open to change and opportunity.

Harris said that keeping a positive outlook has also been essential to him overcoming personal difficulties including the losing both parents along with 3 other close relatives and friends to death within the past few years. Brady Mazzola, founder of WSO, commented on Harris’ resilience by saying, “10% of life is what happens to you, the other 90% is how you react. He has always kept a positive attitude, spirit of optimism, and loyalty, which makes us brothers.”

Brady Mazzola (WSO), Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels (RunDMC) & Damon Harris (Fellows Ink) at a WSO event

Damon Harris

When asked what advice he would give to a person who is just starting in business or in a sales position, Harris said to “write down anything you want to have in your business. When opportunities come along, don’t just grab anything. Follow your blueprint” He also said that it is important to read and repeat your plan out loud on a daily basis.

About Damon Harris and Fellows Ink: Damon Harris, the owner of the successful Dallas, TX based design and build firm Fellows Ink of Seth Preston Eric Marcus, is originally from Orange, TX. His father encouraged him to get into the business of architecture, so he started his training at Lamar University and completed his training in the Dallas Metroplex. After designing for an architecture firms, Harris decided to leave the firm and founded his own firm in 2004.

For more information on Fellows Ink, call Harris at (214) 769-7825. For more information on the Watering Seeds Organization, visit their website.

Rollis Fontenot III

Sales Coach Site.com has the systems in place to bring results. Whether you are looking to break $1 million in annual sales or $50 million, we can help you reach your next milestone.

We take a results and goal-oriented approach to increasing sales. We believe, as Mason Haire stated many years ago, ”That which gets measured gets done.” Therefore we ascertain our client’s objectives and where they are now in order to determine which key measurements need monitoring in order to improve sales.

We are able to help Small-Medium Sized Business to either create or improve upon an existing sales process and sales team. We also offer sales training and coaching services for salespeople as well as sales managers including formulating or revising sales training material.

Also serves as a consultant or project manager when working with clients on specific projects. Possesses over 20 years in sales including financial services, recruitment & staffing, and retail.