Tabs for MS Office

Here's my computer tip for this week. Check out Microsoft Office Tabs. It's a free program. It's adds tabs to your Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications just like in FireFox or Internet Explorer. This makes switching between documents very easy. It's a great tool that I encourage you to try out. Tip: Unless you have Microsoft Office 2010, be sure and pick the 32-bit version even if you have a 64-bit computer system. Otherwise, it installs in just a couple minutes. 

Cracker Barrel Restaurant

I'll never forget what I learned at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Mt. Juliet about 3 years ago.

Amanda was our waitress that day and she had 4 stars on her apron. If you don't know, Cracker Barrel servers 'earn' stars on their apron by passing customer service tests and Amanda had the highest rating.

Always ready to learn something, I asked her about the stars and about what her personal philosophophy of customer care was. She said, "Even if you're difficult, I will still take care of you."

Wow! I thought about that for a second. No matter what business you're in, there are difficult people and easy people. Either, or both, are valuable customers or clients.

Amanda never hesitated with her answer. She didn't take any time to think about it. That fact was obviously how she performed her job.

After that, every time I went back to Cracker Barrel ---which was often---I wanted Amanda as my waitress....even though I always tried to be an 'easy' customer.

I think it's good to always try and take the customers side. See things through my clients eyes. I always try and go the extra mile no matter what they are like...to me. I want them to feel like they can always depend on me. Always.

iPads

I bought an iPad [original, not the newest iPad 2] a few months ago. I am a champion of owning one now, for sure. A number of you have the big 18x24 photo books that are marvelous sales tools. They are real attention-getters for trade shows.

But with the spectacular screen on the iPad, you can use that for a photo show too. Photos look even better than on a notebook PC, I believe. And, it is very fast and easy to do a show on.

The bonus is that it does have Wi-Fi [or some models are wireless.....which I don't think is necessary in most cases] so you have web and email access plus you can open and edit MS Office docs and do lots of other cool things....including watching movies on the airplane in style.

It is small and light weight and travels really well. You are not going to get the kind of work done on it that you would on your notebook or desktop, but it's a super tool. They cost between about $400 and $600. If you need more techy info, just let me.

Your Buiness Card Is Crap

I ran across this today. Check out this YouTube Video. It's a bit 'over the top,' I admit. But, there are some good points here.

1. You should --- you must --- have a good business card.
2. Your business card is not just transportation for your contact information. People look at the transportation too. Is it a jalopy? Is it a Cadillac? Is it clean and nice? Does it look like you built it yourself or does it look professional?
   
3. Do you want to do business with the person represented by that card? Does it convey success?

Some things I do not necessarily agree with:

1. Your card should be an odd size.
2. It should cost a lot of money.
   

Here's what I think you should do:

1. Get a nice logo and card design. Whether a friend does it who is competent or you hire someone to do it. Do it! It does not cost a lot.
   
2. Use both sides of your card to provide your prospect with more information so that your card is valuable enough to keep.
   
3. Make sure the card explains clearly what you do.
   
4. Make it easy to read. No tiny print. Do not have text going sideways or in different directions on your card. Good contrast is important to good readability, too.
   
5. If you print it on your home computer printer, be sure it's a good one. But better yet, go online to someplace like Vista Print and have it professionally printed on the best paper you can.
   

By the way, it did make me think about my card, too. I am going to make mine better. It's the cheapest thing you can do to make you and your business look like the quality company that you are.

So, what's wrong with the U.S. housing market?

This is a great report that explains what's going on. The bottom line is:

1. Job growth is very, very slow.
   
2. Wages are getting squeezed.
   
3. Home values are still sliding down in many areas.
   

There are indicators that we are generally on the upswing, however. But it will be slow. However, let's dig into the numbers a bit more. Last month there were a very low 384,000 single family residential housing starts in the U.S. How many of those were, or could have been, log or timber frame? I am not sure. But even a fraction of a percent means that some people are still deciding to build a log home.

No matter how bad you think it is, somebody in your area has decided to build a new log or timber frame home. You just have to be out front and be the company that gets the job.

Check this out if you're in the log home business...

July is National Log Cabin month and the log home magazines are making a big whoop-de-doo over it and you can tie your own event into their campaign for some free PR. Why not? Check it out here.

Then get a hold of me and I'll help you plan your own event. I can help with flyers, ideas, give-away stuff, agenda, presentation and other things. Also, if you have at least 25 pre-registrations, I will come to your event and help you.

So, start planning! Get going now!

How many times they have to see/hear our message

I just read again about how many times a prospect has to see or hear your message before they commit to a purchase or engagement. 8 is what I just saw a few days ago.

Some say 5 or 6. Some 10 or more. So, let's say 8. That means you need to craft 8 messages delivered over an appropriate length of time for your business.

By the way, the chances of success after 1, 2 or 3 contacts were just abysmal. In case you were thinking of 'giving it a try' for a couple times.

Whether it's coffee, automobile services, honey, printing, condos, decorative accessories, furniture, non-profits or log homes [all companies I have worked with], you need to develop a series of messages that keep your product or service in front of prospects on a regular basis.

I am in the process now of developing 8 messages for log home dealers to send to prospects. If that's your business, let me know if you would like to participate in this program.

Spend money on the important stuff

Saturday night Dawn and I and some friends went to one of our new favorite restaurants, Butlers. They've been open about 6 months and is owned by two enthusiastic --- but new to the restaurant business--- brothers. They both have extensive and solid customer service and retail experience.

Later in the evening Louie came over and sat down and we started chatting.
Bob - How's it going, Louie?
Louie - Really good for only being open 6 months.
Bob - OK, Louie, tell me what 'really good' means. Come on.
Louie - Well, I think in a couple more months we should be making a profit.
[I am thinking, yeah, that is probably about right].
Bob - So, Louie, are you taking home any salary yet?
Louie - No, we just can't yet.
[I wait a minute for Louie to say something/anything else].
Louie - But, I think we are going to buy a POS [Point of Sale] system now.
Bob - No! Louie, don't do it. I mean, I don't think you should.
Louie - [With a very puzzled look on his face] Why not?
Bob - My opinion is that at this point you have to focus every penny you can on only activities that bring new customers in the door and old customers returning. And, a POS system does not do that. Is building your customer base the most important thing?
Louie - Well, now that you say it, yes.

We chatted a bit more but you get the idea. I just think that all of your energy needs to be focused on one thing: new prospects and new customers. And, when profitability is consistent, then add those bells and whistles such as a POS system that we make ordering quicker and more accurate and efficient.

My goal

I have struggled with a way to let my friends and business associates know about techniques, tricks, methods and tools that I discover that will help their log home, construction, sales, coffee, automobile consulting, retail or other business make more sales.

I didn't say 'be more successful' or 'achieve goals' or anything of the other cliches. Today, it's bottom line. It's about what works now to find and win business.