Powerful Portable Tech Tools Reviewed

Achievement Update
From the Notebook Computer of Terry L. Brock
12 SEP 2008 - Portable Tech Tools for Profit Building


This week you are in for a treat! I get lots of requests for technology tools which can help in building business and increasing sales. Well, you're in luck this week as I've got some eye-popping tech tools for you!

I have four tools (in 2 posts) along with accompanying videos that can help you see them in application. Go over to www.TerryBrock.com and click on the posts regarding the latest technology tools (first two most recent posts you'll see). You can read the articles and watch the (really short) videos to learn about some tools which can help you.

Check out the Mophie Juice Pack to keep your iPhone going and going. Check out the H2 recorder from Zoom for high-quality audio recording on a tiny little recorder.

Then check out the viewable goggles from Vuzix which create a portable, personal home theater. Finally, if you travel and need to weigh your bags from your hotel room or before you leave, check out the Balanzza hand-held scale.

I have tested these tools and found them to be quite valuable. You are gonna' love 'em!! Even techie nerds can say "Whoo Hoo!" Wait till you see the videos!

So, get your mouse over to www.TerryBrock.com and check it out. You'll be glad you did!

Remember, to read all the posts, go to www.TerryBrock.com and click on the story title.

I really look forward to hearing from you.

Terry


www.TerryBrock.com
Terry@TerryBrock.com

5 Steps to Building Profitable Business Relationships

Achievement Update
From the Notebook Computer of Terry L. Brock
28 AUG 2008 - 5 Steps to Building Profitable Business Relationships

One of the most important things you can do in business is to build profitable business relationships. But how can that be done in a age when people are busy, have TMI (too much information) and frankly don't trust others readily with their money?

This issue of Achievement Update, shot live on location in Panama City, in the Republic of Panama, deals with that issue. You are going to discover some truths can can help you immediately in your business. Read the article. Watch the video (popcorn is on you). Sit back for less than 6 minutes and enjoy this video which shows you how to make it happen.

You owe it to yourself and your business success to watch this video. Also, I look forward to your comments and ideas. With the new format, you can leave comments so others get to know about you and your position as a thought leader.

To see this and read the accompanying article bounce over to www.TerryBrock.com and check it out. Then leave your comments. I read every comment and look forward to hearing from you. Of course, you can read what others are saying and they get to read your comments and learn about what you think.

Remember, to read all the posts, go to www.TerryBrock.com and click on the story title.

I really look forward to hearing from you.

Terry, in Panama City, Republic of Panama


www.TerryBrock.com
Terry@TerryBrock.com


P.S. You can go directly to the article at:

http://snipurl.com/buildbiz

Michael Phelps and the Power of Determination

Achievement Update
From the Notebook Computer of Terry L. Brock
21 AUG 2008 - Michael Phelps and the Power of Determination

Michael Phelps just amazed the world winning 8 gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. To achieve that goal he followed key principles of success.

In this article and video I share with you some key principles that you can use in your business and your personal life to have fun, achieve your goals and make a difference. You might not strive for a gold medal at the Olympics. But you have your own Olympics in business every day.

This video, shot on location in Panama, illustrates how you can take these principles and achieve your own goals. The accompanying article also will give you even more ideas.

To see this and read the accompanying article bounce over to www.TerryBrock.com and check it out. Then leave your comments. I read every comment and look forward to hearing from you. Of course, you can read what others are saying and they get to read your comments and learn about what you think.

Remember, to read all the posts, go to www.TerryBrock.com

I really look forward to hearing from you.

Terry, in Panama City, Panama


www.TerryBrock.com
Terry@TerryBrock.com

Focus On What Matters:Building Business Relationships

By Terry L. Brock

Dateline: Panama City, Panama I’m in this hot-bed of free trade and enterprise called Panama as I type this. What a glorious place to do business and to live. Panama is nestled in Central America and holds the undisputed titled as hub of business activity in the region. I’m certainly impressed with it. Let’s see it has 1) Very low taxes, 2) Very low government regulation, 3) Beautiful women (!), 4) Excellent quality medical and dental care, and 5) The national beers sell for about 50 cents a can!! I think this is called paradise! Whoo Hoo!

The other night I had dinner as a guest of the El Salvador Embassy and Lillian Diaz Sol at the Panama Canal. I had to marvel at what was built here over 100 years ago to facilitate commerce between the Atlantic and Pacific, (Visit my website at www.TerryBrock.com to see video of how this marvel works). Today ships are lined up to go through the Canal 24/7 and it is a never-ending hustle-bustle of business activity.

This flurry of peaceful, international commerce got me thinking about how you and I can build our own businesses using these principles. Peace. Trade. Openness to others. This is what worked over 100 years ago when Teddy Roosevelt worked to get the Panama Canal built. It has worked all the time that the canal has been open through two world wars and countless battles raging around the world. The principles of Relationship Marketing apply to this for you and me.

I think Benjamin Franklin had it right when he advocated that the foreign policy of the US should be, “Commerce with all, war with none.” I won’t begin to get into the discourse of where we are in today’s interconnected world, conflicts, etc. I’ll leave that up to those much more knowledgeable in that area than me. However, I do see principles for you and me in our business.

Here are some principles that seem to work through the centuries, which can help us as we build business relationships.

1. Focus on what matters long-term. Focus your energies on what matters and what lasts. The current news of the moment will pass. That “breaking news” story that grabs attention and has people glued to the TV this moment, will be disdained next week. Suppose they showed an hour-long recording of a hot news story from a year ago, would anyone be interested? What about last week? I’d dare say there would be little interest. Even yesterday’s news is considered “cold” by those of us in the news business.

Yet, the time-honored principles of growing a business by the fundamentals last. Yes, we have current social networking sites that are hot. Whether you’re on Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo, LinkedIn, Namyz or whatever new social network has emerged, there is a principle that matters more. Connect with people. Get to know them. Get to know what motivates them and moves them. Social networking is a logical extension of the human desire to be with people.

I remember the classic Star Trek episode called “Space Seed” with guest star Ricardo Montelbaum. This episode eventually led to the movie, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. In that classic episode the crew of the Enterprise had discovered a ship of 20th Century world conquerors who were in suspended animation. When brought back to life, they tried to take over the Enterprise. You’ll have to watch the episode to find out what happened, but I’ll give you a clue--- Captain Kirk was WAY cool in handling the situation!

In that episode the character of Khan remarked how technology changes, but human nature stays the same. This is profound. You can get detoured being the most “up on the news” in your area. Practically speaking, who cares that you know the most about the current conflict in Outter Slobovia and the conflict between the Ugamakers and the Doolywags? What matters more is how you can benefit the lives of customers --- buyers --- to help them achieve their own goals and wishes. This is real pragmatic living.

No we don’t stick our heads in the sand and ignore reality. Be aware, but don’t try to be the expert. Focus on how you can help people satisfy their own desires and you’ll be far better off than “being current” with the news of today.

2. Think Internationally. Don’t focus only on one locale. Think about the world and how forces interact and create opportunities. Learn at least one other language. Learn about customs and traditions in other areas. This has been a hallmark of successful people through the centuries.

3. Educate Yourself in the Classics. By “the classics” I don’t mean just the great works of literature. Yes, these are important, I would say vital, to have exposure to these for a well-educated person. You are I are business people. We need to saturate our minds with the classics of great marketing and business thought. Read the works of Peter Drucker, Claude Hopkins, Robert Collier, Joe Sugarman, Dan Kennedy and others. Find those who have made significant and lasting impressions in business and study what they say. No, they don’t all say great things every time. Sometimes you’ll disagree with them. However, that is good also. Think. Use your mind and get educated in what matters --- how to help customers achieve their goals and build quality, profitable business relationships.

Yes, Panama has a lot of good to show us how to conduct business in the 21st Century based on the principles of 20th Century commerce. As we grow and learn, conducting peaceful business with many internationally, we become better ourselves. Relationship Marketing is about connecting with people and bringing value to them. These principles will help you in your business.


Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and columnist who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

Self Reliance – Secret To Success

Self Reliance – Secret To Success

By Terry L. Brock

“If you always lean on your master, you will never be able to proceed without him. It is part of the American character to consider nothing as desperate; to surmount every difficulty by resolution and contrivance [planning].” Thomas Jefferson to his daughter Martha, March 28, 1787

You can’t depend on another to create your success. You can’t depend on someone else to do your marketing for you. This has been true through the centuries but even more so today. You have to be not only pro-active (positive and forthright) but pre-active (seeing what is coming and positioning yourself for it). This is most important in a hotly contested political year. We can’t depend on any candidate to solve our problems.

Many feel that if they only elect “the right one” that our problems will be solved and the world will be a better place. History has shown over and over the fallacy of that approach. If people fear that the “wrong one” will be elected, they embrace frenzy and arguments that erupt in place of civil discourse. However, the truth is that your life success is 99.99% up to the one you look at in the mirror.

In marketing, you can’t depend on someone else or the economy. You have to generate leads, prepare diligently, implement decisively and make your own path. You have to work hard to make sure business gets positive results. When (not if) others let you down, you learn to anticipate it and have plans in place to deal with the issue and get results --- on your own. Teddy Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, right where you are.” This “make it work regardless” attitude is what propels all successful people forward. Losers spend time blaming others for their problems and always looking for a savior (read political candidate) who will magically do all the work necessary.

This doesn’t mean you operate alone. Successful people today bring in lots of others around them to work in a value-for-value way achieving goals. However, you don’t depend on the others for your success. You accept 100% responsibility and help others as they blend their lives around you.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote his famous “Essay on Self-Reliance” which I consider a must-read in this wonderful, adventurous journey called life. In that essay he admonishes us to rely not on the whims and passing fancies of the day, but to rely on our own skill and fortitude to face the incertitudes of life. This is true in business. We don’t know the future. Mistakes are often made believing that the past equals the future. Life is constantly presenting us with new ventures, new opportunities and new challenges. What worked in the past will not necessarily work in the future. Therefore, the wise regularly adapt, change and morph continually into what will pragmatically be effective today. This is real success.

Take control of your own destiny for your business success. If you’re in sales (and aren’t we all?), don’t rely on someone else to generate leads for you. Make it happen. If you’re in management delegate tasks, (Peter Drucker helped us enormously with this important admonition) but don’t stop with delegation. You have to take responsibility for follow-up and confirmation that the task is completed. Ultimately it is up to you.

Educate yourself continually. Thomas Jefferson believed that education was not preparation for life but a way of life. This is the creed of the successful businessperson today. Learn relevant, profit-building and productivity-enhancing technologies and principles on a regular basis. Change and adapt as times change and new technologies emerge. Regularly budget your time, money and effort (TME) for skill and knowledge acquisition in those areas that will benefit you and your company.

This realization makes life exciting. Your success is not dependent on the person elected! You are not dependent on the representatives who happen to win an election. Frankly, you have as much control over that as a mosquito burping in a stadium. Instead, you have full control over your own reaction and what you are going to do about your own business and your sales. Take matters into your own hands. Rely on what will work for you practically and in a tangible way. Focus on helping others and making their lives better and good will inevitably come back to help you.

So why not make it your goal today to do something on your own, to help others and build your own sales and business? Make the extra sales call. Learn that extra worthwhile business-building skill. Go the extra mile.

Somehow I think this level of resolution and commitment to achieving success would make Thomas Jefferson proud.



Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and columnist who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

Taking The “R” Out Of Free For Your Products and Services

By Terry L. Brock

Marketing is about providing value and quality for paying customers at a price they find acceptable. “Free” is usually acceptable (at least initially) if you’re in the buying position. However, what about if you’re in the selling position? What should you give away for free in order to get business? How much free do you give before you can lose the “R” and make it for fee? Remember that taking the “R” out of free makes your bank account look a lot better.

A good model is to offer free initially then dazzle them with enough value that they upgrade from free to fee. Your job, as a marketer, is to take the R out of free. You have to develop a marketing funnel strategy to move them along.

How can you do this? You have to provide so much value and earn trust with free that customers want to know you more. They want the better stuff. They want the best you have to offer.

My belief and that of many successful business people, is that the marketplace will ask for FEE vs. Free. Yes, people will want to pay for something to get better quality. Why is that? And does that apply when the economy is going through increased challenges?

This might sound counter-intuitive but we need assistance. If we don’t pay for something, it is hard to complain about it. Something about gift horses and looking in their mouths! However, if you are paying for a product or service, you have a built-in God-given, Free Market, Adam Smith and Milton Friedman-sanctioned right to complain about the quality you’re getting. You can always take your business elsewhere. You can complain to others. However, if something is free, the old saying that “it is worth what it costs” comes into play.

Smart business leaders know you can increase the value when you pay for something. By putting your money on the line, you have a much stronger vested interest in the outcome.

I was talking about this a while back with Australia’s Guru of all things Marketing, Winston Marsh. He was instructing me --- as he often does --- on the benefits of charging for products and services. You can’t keep giving things away for free and expect to stay in business. Once again, Winston Marsh is right.

Yet, things are a bit different today.

Rich Schefren, another marketing maven, has made some strong points that the line for free has shifted. More and more stuff (quality, usable material) needs to be offered for free to gain the confidence and trust of potential customers.

So what is the approach that you, as a successful marketer and businessperson can take? Many have found a multi-tiered approach works best. Have one level of services and products that are your “loss leaders.” This is a classic way to approach the challenge. You see it all the time at grocery stores. They often have wonderful people serving delicious samples of some new product. Store shoppers can get a free sample and if they like it, they can purchase the full product. Sales tend to increase when there is a special reason (discount, extra packages included, etc.) for buying today. You’ve provided a sample, those who like it are inclined to purchase and they enter your “marketing funnel” being happily involved with you.

This is what we all want anyway. Think about it; you want to do business with companies who provide good quality products and you don’t have to keep shopping around for something that works, tastes good, minimizes hassles, etc. If you like a particular beer, for instance, you tend to order that again and again. If you like a particular store, you tend to go back and do business with them often.

Free is good. You have to provide that because we expect it. Not just today but this has been true for generations. However, the trick is to find a logical path for customers to enter and remain happy in your “marketing funnel.” This requires thinking and planning. Buyers start with free (potential buyers at that stage), then move to small purchases. From there, as they get happier with what you have, they purchase more. Your goal is to have customers who are devoted and loyal to you no matter what product you bring to the marketplace. Let potential buyers know the value they will get when they move from free to fee.

That means you have to provide solid quality. If you ever break that confidence, you can lose them. Then it is very difficult to bring them back. Market heavily to happy customers. Keep them happy. Provide lots of products that are valuable to them and cost you little or nothing. Be creative and continually come up with new value-enhancing ideas.

Your job as a marketer, is to be a value creator. Constantly create fresh, new hot-off-the-griddle value which your customers love. Winston Marsh loves to tell us we have to make our customers say, “WOW!” Your job, dear marketer, is in the “WOW creation” department.

Create enough “WOW” experiences in the marketplace and your customers will love paying a fee for your products and services and you will have effectively removed that “R” from free!

And your bank account will look a lot better!

To learn more about how you can boost your marketing and sales, visit www.TerryBrock.com for some free videos, audios and information that can help you now. Sign up for my FREE (yes, it is free) newsletter that is packed full of business-building ideas. You're gonna' love this stuff!


Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and columnist who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

Relationship Marketing And Your Bucket List

By Terry L. Brock

Relationship Marketing is about helping others achieve their goals. One of the best ways to build your own business is to focus on the needs of others. The most important way you can help others is to help them achieve their goals and their own bucket list. What do I mean by a bucket list? Read on.

I was impressed recently with the video of Steve Jobs at his famous Commencement Address to Stanford University in 2005. You can see it on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA. In that profound speech he encouraged the graduates to “find what you love.”



This makes all the sense in the world and it particularly relates to business and Relationship Marketing. You have to find the thing that you love in life and in business. If you don’t love what you’re doing, if it doesn’t make you excited to face a new day when you get up for several days in a row, change it. Move forward. Sure, we can’t all just stop what we’re doing immediately and quit. That would be irresponsible in most cases.

However, if you really don’t like what you’re doing, figure out a way to do what you really want to do where you can make a living. This is vital to live life fully.

As I speak for companies around the world, I see far too many people who are working at jobs they don’t like. Henry David Thoreau told us that most people live lives of quiet desperation. This is so sad. However, it doesn’t have to be that way for you. But, it will take decisive action on your part. You don’t achieve the life of your dreams by merely dreaming. You’ve got to put action into making dreams reality.

Hard economic times are wonderful for facilitating this. Hey, you’ve got a really good excuse in that the old job just wasn’t giving you what you wanted! Now you can begin again. You’ll have the freshness of a new beginning. You don’t have the heavy feeling of previous commitments and all the “shoulds” that are clouding your life. Instead, you embrace the lightness of new possibilities, new opportunities and adventure. Yes, be responsible and fulfill your commitments to others. But never stop focusing on how you can creatively live your life to the fullest, make the most of what is best for you and live your life to the fullest.

All the money-making, working for a living, doing a job and all that “stuff” pales in comparison to you living your life in your way by your own terms. This is what true freedom and liberty is all about. Check out Tim Ferriss’ ground-breaking book, The 4-Hour Workweek for brilliant insights into making this reality for you.

What is it that you really want to do with your life? What is on your “bucket list” of things to do in life? I recently saw the movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson called “Bucket List.” It is the story about two terminally ill patients who decide to live life and fulfill the things in life they want to before they kick the bucket – hence the bucket list. Get this movie sometime and have a most enjoyable and insightful evening.

Why wait till you are about to die or physically can’t do what you want? Make it happen now. Remember, you have to be responsible, particularly when other people are depending on you. So, carefully make your plans. Think. Here’s an idea – turn off that infernal TV for an evening and spend some time with pen and paper looking out at a lovely scene. Feverishly and even foolishly take notes on everything that comes to mind (have a lot of paper handy for this delicious exercise!).

Once you’ve got your own bucket list, put plans in place to fulfill them. What are the things you can do right now? What will take time? Which items are going to take more financial resources? Plan it. Hey, what could be more important in your life than doing the things that you want to do in your life???

And here’s an even bigger thrill: Help others achieve their own bucket list goals. I find that the older I get the more juice I get from helping significant people be ecstatically jubilant about attaining their goals. Help someone achieve their own goals and you’ll be amazed at the juice you get from that.

This is not only Relationship Marketing. It is Relationship Living. It is one of the strange ironies of life that we get more for ourselves as we help others get what they need. That is the beauty of a free market system. Voluntary exchange, which benefits both parties, is at the core of Relationship Marketing.

So, what’s holding you back? Blast through those barriers and make it happen. This is your life. Time’s a wastin’ as they say. Get on with it and start now.

I look forward to hearing from you and learning about your progress. Drop me an email at Terry@TerryBrock.com and let me know how you’re helping others to fulfill their own bucket list items. How has that helped you in your own Relationship Marketing? How has it helped you in business and in life?

What are you waiting for? Begin your adventure now.


Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and columnist who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.