Flying in the Fog – The Importance of Financial Mastery - Part 1

by Action Coach David Beam

Most of us have probably driven an automobile on a foggy night with low visibility.  There is really not much you can do but slow down.  But that is not an option when you are flying an airplane.  You are dependent on your instrument panel to tell you what is happening.  This is certainly no time to “fly by the seat of your pants”.  You need to know critical numbers like air speed and elevation.  Your system is telling you your position and helping guide you to a safe arrival at your destination.

Juggling Elephants - “Comments on a book by Jones Loflin and Todd Musig”

By Action Business Coach Dave Beam

I read a book this weekend that really helped me simplify the concept of goal setting and priorities.  The book is “Juggling Elephants” by Jones Loflin and Todd Musig. 

It was a refreshing follow up from another book I am listening to by David Allen, called “Making It All Work” (a sequel to his classic “Getting Things Done”).  Mr. Allen definitely has the most comprehensive system for organizing life and business that I have ever found.  I have been using several of his concepts for myself and also a few clients with some wonderful results.

Your Customer 4-H Club

by ActionCOACH David Beam

Here's a way to help you think about the Action concept of A,B,C,D customers.

Your customers are members of your 4-H Club; Hilarious, Happy, Hassle, Horrible

A (Awesome) customers are Hilarious

B (Basic) customers are Happy

C (Can’t Deal With) customers are a Hassle

And D (Dead) customers are Horrible

Think carefully about your customers. Typically about 10-15% are horrible and drain the money and energy from you and your business, and 10-20% are hilarious and are a sheer delight to work with and serve. The other 65-85 % are either basically happy or a hassle.

Why People Challenge Price

by ActionCOACH David Beam

Customers want several things from their suppliers. Surveys of consumers have shown that most want timely service first, quality products and services second, and low price third. When asked in sales seminars what they think is most important to consumers, sales people have offered consistent feedback. They believe the consumer wants low price first, quality second, and good service last. There is a clear difference between what customers really want and what salespeople think they want.

5 Ways to Increase Your Profit

By Action Coach David Beam

If you have been hanging around Action Coach for very long, you have heard of the “5-Ways”. It’s great to know about simple profound principles that can really boost your business success. However, the only way that the “5-Ways” is going to do that for your business is by taking ACTION. So here is a challenge for every reader of this newsletter. Today, create at least one strategy from each of the five ways to implement in your business over the next 30 days, and do it.

Your Biggest Competition

by Action Coach David Beam

A common question that I get asked as a business coach by business owners is “Who do you think is my biggest competitor?”

Many business owners are very focused on their competition. “How much are they charging?” “What are the new services or products that they are going to roll out?” “What do they say about us?” “How well do we compete in the market compared with them?”

Frankly, searching for answers to those questions really has minimal value. The reality is that your biggest competition is not the other guy or gal, but YOU! The single largest limiting factor to your success is not outside, but inside. Instead of focusing on what others are doing, the most leveraged way to improve your business and realize success is to look in the mirror.

Looking for Opportunity in a Challenged Economy

by Action Coach Dave Beam

Just like the seasons of the year, the economy cycles. It appears that we are headed for a heavy economic winter season. Winter is not bad. It just requires preparation and an appropriate response to make it good. In fact, if you are a child, you look forward to the fun that comes with the change of season. A fundamental principle for facing any challenge is to understand that circumstances are neither good nor bad. It is your response to circumstance that turns that circumstance into a fun adventure or a devastating disappointment. It is essential, especially in challenging times, to be ready to create, change, and innovate. People who are filled with fear, worry, and distress are not in a creative frame of mind. Remember that spring will eventually come, and how you respond in winter will prepare you to plant in the spring.

Using Your Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Using Your Reticular Activating System (RAS)
By ActionCOACH Dave Beam

Your brain is amazing; and setting and focusing on goals is a powerful way to harness its massive energy and power.

There is a network of nerves in the brain that control the state of awareness and attention. This system functions as a filter or doorway to accept and reject the overwhelming stimuli that we all encounter when we are awake.

Help To Recession-Proof Your Small Business

Help To Recession-Proof Your Small Business

by ActionCOACH David Beam

The ‘doom-and-gloom’ crowd is out in force these days. Whether you believe their warnings or prefer to embrace optimism, a prudent business owner should take steps to recession-proof the company in these uncertain times. The key is to take positive steps to acquire and retain market share.

Small-to-medium sized businesses can survive a recession, if they act early while customers have still not committed to other vendors. Securing revenue during a recession is no different than any other time. The company simply needs to increase its marketing effort and scope to reach more customers.

TakeACTION - The Back Issues

It was recently mentioned to me by a good friend that our ActionCOACH Franchise here in Southern Ohio should start a blog and at least post the back issues of our weekly newsletter, TakeACTION (from which this blog gets its name).

That being said, for those of you reading who don't know what this is all about please visit:

www.actioncoach.com/davidbeam

I (Nathan Beam) am the Business Development Manager for our business and I work for my Dad, David Beam. Several months ago we launched a weekly e-newsletter which has gained a small following. Ever since then I have gotten several requests for back issues.

That is what this blog is all about. A posting of our weekly articles and because of the wonderful technology of blogging, your all's questions and comments.

I hope that you enjoy what we have to offer as we strive to provide yet another avenue of value for the business community.