If you are in business with another person (spouse, friend, etc.) it’s wise to define each person’s role and responsibilities within the business. This gives each person confidence in one another and your shared goals for the business.

Manage Growth

Implementing business systems allows for managed and strategic growth to occur. Some business owners say that they need to systemize themselves and their own thinking first before they can expect staff to understand and adopt the same principles. In the beginning, the business systems that will make the most difference are the deceptively simple and small ones. Business systems help eliminate many of the daily frustrations and obstacles that prevent things running smoothly. Gradually, you should incorporate all the Businesses business systems, policies and procedures into a handbook which will become your Operations Manual, so everyone knows what to do, who does it and when it should be done. The problem with most small business owners is not simply that they are doing too much work, but that they are doing the wrong kind of work. They should be looking at where their input adds the most strategic value to the business. Put a value on your time. What is it worth to the business?

Business systems to Systemise your Business

Introducing and developing business systems will help you to organise and systemise your business. Here are some tips to create great business systems that will help your business to grow. Systemise your selling approach, your sales management and the marketing of your products and services. Develop individual businesses within your business and collect the combined efficiencies of many businesses working within one operation. Implement systems to let your specialists do what they do best. To learn the step by step process of “How to Systemise Your Business” click here

Eliminate Problem Areas

Creating systems to eliminate problem areas is a simple process of critically analysing the procedures of how you do them now.  Look at what is working and what is not, then you write down how to do things in an orderly way to achieve the results you are requiring, and voila, you have an operating system. Doing this will save time because you don’t have to repeat each task to anyone who’s new to your workplace it’s all written down for them in the company business systems section of your operations manual. But be sure to keep the systems updated each time your revisit them to test and measure their efficiency. Produce a policy and procedures manual. This includes your own mission statement as well as policies on sexual harassment, discrimination, workplace safety, etc. To discover how to make this whole process easier we have put together an ebook which leads you through each step of the way.

“How to Systemise Your Business”

To get your copy click here

My advise is “You always see or get what you are looking for” or to put it another way you create ‘your world’ with the way you think.

Consider it is all about the way you and your thoughts are ‘being’. At Creative Business Builders we insist on ‘being’ creative.

Problems are things we make up to avoid something, maybe our success?

The following post is based on an article I came across some time ago, I cannot recall where or who the author is, however I would like to acknowledge the author for their creative work.

Japanese grocery stores had a problem.

They are much smaller than shops and therefore don’t have room to waste. Watermelons,big and round, wasted a lot of space. Most people would simply tell the grocery stores that watermelons grow round and there is nothing that can be done about it.

That is how majority of people would respond. But some Japanese farmers took a different approach.
If the supermarkets wanted a square watermelon, they asked themselves, “How can we provide one?”

With some creative thinking it wasn’t long before they invented the square watermelon.

The solution to the problem of round watermelons was not to solve as the farmers did not assume it was impossible – and simply asked how it could be done.

They found out that if you put the watermelon in a square box when they are growing, the watermelon will take on the shape of the box – and grow into a square fruit!

This made the grocery stores happy and had the added benefit that it was much easier and cost effective to ship the watermelons. Consumers also loved them because they took less space in their refrigerators
which are much smaller than those in the West meaning that the growers could charge a premium price for them.

What does this have do with anything in life or at your job or business Systems? Here are a few lessons that can you can take away from this story which I know will help you :

1. Don’t Assume:

The major problem was that most people had always seen round watermelons so they automatically assumed that square watermelons were impossible before even thinking about the question.

Things that you have been doing a certain way your entire life have taken on the aura of the round watermelon and you likely don’t even take the time to consider if there is another way to do it. Breaking yourself from assuming this way can greatly improve your overall life as you are constantly looking for new and better ways to do things.

This was one of the most difficult things for me to do because most of the assumptions I make, I don’t even realize that I’m making them.

They seem perfectly logical at the time and on the surface, so I have to constantly make an effort to question them.

Remember the saying: To Assume makes an Ass out of You and Me

2. Question your habits:

The best way to tackle these assumptions is to question your habits. If you can make an effort to question the way you do

things on a consistent basis, you will find that you can continually improve the way that you work.

Forming habits when they have been well thought out is usually a positive thing, but most of us have adopted our habits from various people and places without even thinking about them.

I have changed a large number of habits that I have had after taking the time to question them and continue to do so on an ongoing basis. Some of them I have know idea where they came from while others I can trace to certain people or instances in my life.

It’s a never ending story or process, but by doing this, you can consistently strive toward making all aspects of your life more enjoyable instead of defaulting to what you have now.

Remember doing things the same habitual way will give you the same results – Nothing will change!

3. Be Creative:

When faced with a problem, be creative in looking for a solution.

This often requires thinking outside the box. Most people who viewed this question likely thought they were being asked how they could genetically alter water melons to grow square which would be a much more difficult process to accomplish.

By looking at the question from an alternative and creative perspective, however, the solution was quite simple. Being creative and looking at things in different ways in all portions of your live will help you find solutions to many problems where others can’t see them. I am fortunately a creative person, so I’ve found that the more that you look at things from different perspectives, the more creative you will become. It’s a learned art and builds upon itself.

4. Look for a better way:
The square watermelon question was simply seeking a better and more convenient way to do something.

The stores had flagged a problem they were having and asked if a solution was possible. It’s impossible to find a better way if you are never asking the question in the first place. I try to ask if there is a better way of doing the things that I do and I constantly write down the things I wish I could do (but currently can’t) since these are usually hints about steps I need to change.

Get into the habit of asking yourself, “Is there a better way I could be doing this?” and you will find there often is.

Remember the Teacher (the solution) will appear when the student is ready (or asking)

5. Impossibilities often aren’t:

If you begin with the notion that something is impossible, then it obviously will be for you. Remember “You always see or get what you are looking for” or to put it another way you create ‘your world’ with the way you think.

If, on the other hand, you decide to see if something is possible or not, you will find out through trial and error. Take away the lessons from the square watermelons and apply them to all areas in your life (work, finances, relationships, etc) and you will find that by consistently applying them, you will constantly be improving all aspects of your life.

I am confident we can bring about change if we really want to.

Remember concentrate on what you want – the solution. Not what you don’t want – the problem

Let’s say you need to get from New York to Chicago. You can walk the 790 miles in a month, bike it in a week, drive it in a day, or fly it in a couple of hours. What’s the difference? It’s all about the vehicle you use.

It’s the same with business success. You can spend an enormous amount of time and effort getting to your business destination the hard way (think “walking”), or you can be whisked there in a fraction of the time.

Who can get you there the fastest? That would be my friend, Bill Bartmann. A few days ago I wrote you about Bill. He’s the guy who went from eating out of dumpsters to becoming a billionaire.

Bill has another distinction: Of all the firms EVER to be on Inc. Magazine’s “500 Fastest-Growing Companies” list, only Microsoft grew as fast for as long as Bill Bartmann’s company did.

As far as I know, Bill Gates is not spending any time explaining to businesspeople how to get ahead. But Bill Bartmann is doing just that: He’s unveiling a phenomenal, new tool he’s developed for slashing the time it takes to reach your business goals. It’s called his “Billionaire Business System.“

http://www.BillionaireU.com/go.aspx?AID=2058

What’s holding you back from the level of business success you want?

–Is it lack of money? Bill was bankrupt before he became a self-made billionaire.

–Is it lack of support from your family? Bill’s parents at one point told him they wished he was dead.

–Is it a lousy economy? Bill made his fortune in the midst of a recession.

My point is simple: This man knows failure and adversity as intimately as he knows legendary success. And you can discover what he knows by getting in on the ground floor of Bill’s Billionaire Business System.

In Bill’s online system, he will tell you his secrets in his very own words. No “guest presenters” and no fluff. Just straight talk about your business, straight from Bill.

Muhammad Ali said “Bill is the Greatest at helping people recognize and discover the champion hiding inside. He teaches people how to knock out the negatives in their lives.”

You can see what I mean and get your own impression of this amazing system by going here:

http://www.BillionaireU.com/go.aspx?AID=2058

See for yourself why the Smithsonian Institution has a permanent display about Bill’s achievements and why Harvard Business School studies Bill’s techniques. See for yourself how Bill is better qualified than anyone else to help you to start or grow your business. You can thank me later.

To Your Success,

[Name]

P.S. The TV show “Good Morning America” invited Bill to talk about this revolutionary new system for business success on August 18. If you missed it, to see for yourself how Bill can help you achieve you goals, just go to

http://www.BillionaireU.com/go.aspx?AID=2058

It’s pretty rare to get an Olympic Gold Medal, wouldn’t you say? Only 1,210 Americans have received one. It’s unusual to climb Mt. Everest, too: Just 2,300 people have done that. But there’s an even rarer category: The number of billionaires. No more than 1,125 people in the world can claim that distinction.

My friend, Bill Bartmann, did just that. Now keep in mind that this group of 1,125 people includes people who had major help along the way: Many were born with it, inherited it, or had every advantage while growing up.

In the history of billionaires, Bill Bartmann stands alone. He’s the ONLY former homeless person and gang member ever to have made a billion dollars. That’s right, Bill went from eating out of dumpsters and living under a bridge viaduct, to having after-tax, take-home pay in a single year of more than $100 million and being listed as the 25th richest person in America.

Here’s where it gets extremely interesting: Bill is willing to coach YOU on how to succeed in business.

After all, what can you learn from someone whose daddy died and left him a billion? But it’s totally different with Bill Bartmann: He worked in a slaughterhouse. He was an alcoholic at age 17. And at one point Bill was paralyzed from the waist down. Yet Bill discovered a DIFFERENT way of thinking and acting that enabled him to overcome all of that, and become a self-made billionaire.

After scaling the highest peaks in the business world and getting his fill of toys like $25 million aircraft, what’s Bill up to now? He has one current passion: Showing others his special techniques for overcoming any challenge and being as successful as they want to be.

Do you think Bill might know a few things YOU could use to overcome your own challenges? What if you could get his thoughts on dozens of business topics?

Now you can. Bill is launching a one-of-a-kind online service, called his “Billionaire Business System”. This is not some one-size-fits-all deal. Instead, Bill has built a mentoring tool that provides you with laser-targeted advice on many individual topics.

Are you already running a business but not sure what’s the best way to secure financing for your next stage of growth? Bill covers that topic. Not even sure if business is right for you? Bill has a video session just about that.

In fact, the Billionaire Business System currently has almost two dozen topics, and is constantly growing.

I strongly recommend that you take a look at Bill’s system and see for yourself how it can remove whatever roadblocks are in your way to greater business success. You can find it by going to:

http://budurl.com/dhem

Name me anywhere else on the planet that you can get specific, useful, and comprehensive business-building advice from a self-made billionaire? That’s OK, I can’t think of any, either.

The sooner you have Bill Bartmann in your corner, advising you on business success, the sooner you can sit back and bask in your own dreams coming true.

To Your Success,

Ian Howard

P.S. The chances are really good that whatever challenges you have, Bill’s been there, and found a way to overcome them. Let Bill show you how, by taking the easy step of going to

http://budurl.com/dhem

EFTPOS has quickly become the preferred method of payment for businesses and their customers alike. Creative Business Builders can assist you to find the EFTPOS solution that best suits the requirements of your business – whether it be a fixed line or the innovative Mobile EFTPOS.

By offering your customers cash free convenience, your EFTPOS facility can help to grow your sales… and your business.

Paying by plastic dominates our buying habits so it makes sense for our major banking institutions to offer small businesses EFTPOS terminals that accept credit and debit card payments. Here’s what you need to know about getting and using them.

What’s an EFTPOS/credit card facility?

The fixed Line EFTPOS facility is a counter-top unit of similar size to a modern fixed line telephone handset. It contains sophisticated software that facilitates the processing of Credit card or Eftpos plastic card transactions. The terminal requires a fixed telephone line to connect the terminal to the issuing bank for card authorisation. The latest and innovative Mobile EFTPOS does not require a telephone line to operate, as it works using a mobile telephone network and can be used anywhere there is a signal. This all happens in seconds, helping banks better protect vendors and consumers against card fraud. The terminal displaying whether or not the transaction is authorised or not.

How do you do it?

Most new terminals are “plug and play” units. This means you simply connect them to telephone and power lines. If a spare telephone line (eg: A fax line) isn’t available it is advisable to have your phone company install a dedicated line. Vendors will then either swipe a customer’s credit, debit or EFTPOS card or take the card details over the phone and punch them into the machine. Security-conscious customers will be pleased to note the terminals don’t store their card details or other data. The merchant’s transaction print-out, which the terminals will print, do not include the customer’s name or card number. What it does record is the name and card number of the merchant, the terminal ID, an authorisation number and the transaction amount, for the customer’s and merchants records.

Why do it?

An EFTPOS terminal is not only a convenient, efficient and relatively safe cash management system, it can help build customer traffic and profits. These machines are very popular with all sorts of businesses who want to improve the way customers to pay them. Such as convenience stores, retail, manufacturers, Internet Marketers, Network markers, Tradesmen, Man in a Van businesses, Service stations, hotels and clubs and entertainment venues, the list goes on.

The benefits to your customers

• the ability to pay electronically using the card of choice reduces the need for your customers to carry cash, making it a safer alternative

• is a safe and secure way for your customers to pay – the transaction is confirmed by a receipt and on bank account statements

• the payment can be authorised quickly via the EFTPOS network saving time for your customer

The benefits to your business

• potential to increase sales by offering your customers a more convenient and secure way to pay

• Promotes impulse buying because there is less need for your customers to carry cash

• Improves cash flow by eliminating the need to provide lay-by, store credit or accept personal cheques

• Reduces the need to keep cash on the premises thereby reducing security risks, particularly beneficial to businesses operating late at night or on the weekend.

• Saves time, money and effort by reducing paperwork and the manual processing of payments

• Gives you more time to concentrate on running your business

The machines can also help those business models with next to no customer contact. Russell and Verena Cunningham, owners of the Australian Institute of Self-Development, based in Australia. Russell’s business supplies high-quality Training, Coaching, Emotional Freedom Technique and NLP services to assist their Client to achieve your personal and business, success goals.

Russell says “Our business is conducted primarily with Personal Consultations face to face or by telephone (Adults, Teens & Children) dealing with, Relationships, Stress & Anxiety Release, Weight Management, Success Coaching for Study & Work, Sales & Communication Training & Coaching, Goal Setting for Success, Trouble Shooting Consultations & Conflict Resolution.”

“I decided to get advice from Ian regarding an Eftpos terminal because we were using a ‘click-clack’ machine at the time, I thought we were on a good rate. I was amazed at the rates he was able to offer us! We are a progressive business, and could see the value of allowing people to pay by credit card, as it allows us to up-sell our products and other services giving our clients extra time to finance a purchase.”

Russell added fast payment is another plus. “With cheques, you wait for it to arrive by mail, time to go to the bank and wait in line and there’s the clearance period. With Visa or MasterCard transactions are processed overnight, plus we know that the purchase or payment has been approved.”

“The systems and services that Creative Business Builders provided has saved us time, effort and lots of money. In fact, the credit card facilities he organised for us have saved us over $3000 over the past two years. If you are in Business and you haven’t contacted Ian yet, then it’s costing you money.”

“Now we recommend all our graduates, trainers and coaches to give Ian a call when they have finished their training, so they too can have their businesses running at peak performance.”

Russell Cunningham
Australian Institute of Self-Development
www.selfdevelopment.com.au

The pitfalls

Running out of paper in the middle of a busy period, or power blackouts can throw a spanner into the processing works. There are manual paper vouchers businesses can use as well as 24/7 card authorisation lines, which merchants can ring to seek approval to process a transaction over their floor limit.

Russell says the merchant service fee (MSF) for processing and administration can be a nuisance, however it is like your mobile phone contract, you get your first $20.00 of transactions for free. “However, I only lose less than one percent of sales in fees to the credit card company, I can live with that.”

Set-up costs

Most terminals can be rented for $10 to less than $40 a month. Some banks charge an establishment fee, covering delivery of the machine plus some training, set-up servicing and maintenance. The banks might waive this fee to attract your business or encourage you to switch from their competition. Check with Ian at justaskian.com for the best deals. All banks have an ongoing monthly service fee. However, this is re-imbursed by offsetting it against your transaction fees as explained earlier. Again similar to mobile telephone contracts, you pay a set fee and get same amount back in free transactions.

To enjoy more income, more time and more life to do the things they are passionate about

We are living in a time where there are opportunities everywhere we choose to look. The ‘stuff’ that sells newspapers is doom and gloom, and with the current financial down turn the journalists are having a field day.

As Business Owners we have to recognize that in times like these the prepared ones will see the opportunities that are everywhere and flourish.

What do I mean? Well, we need to take a look at what I call the ‘Old’ model of business and start to consider a ‘New’ model of doing business. First let’s take a look at the reasons why businesses may struggle and fail in the current climate and compare it to the New Model:

1. Most business owners don’t have a business! They are self-employed which often is another term for a Job – The new model is about building a system to run the business without you being there.

2. Most Business Owners don’t understand what their business does! They are in to make money (or simply to survive) focusing on profit. The New Model focuses on the dignity of a customer service centered business and giving value. Believe me do this and the profit will take care of itself.

3. Old Model businesses have no Vision & Mission statement that is instilled n everything they do. No vision or mission and your business will have no purpose – simply making money is not a vision! The New Model business takes time to clarify it’s Vision and Mission, everybody connected with the business takes ownership of this.

4.The New business model statement becomes the culture of the business. Clarify your mission or purpose in your business
Articulate your mission statement – who are you going to serve (your ideal client) & who you are not (the 80%). What problems and frustrations are you solving for your (ideal) customer?
What frustrations does your customer have?
What can your customers expect EVERY time they deal with you.

5. Old model businesses are constantly looking for the next customer after the sale is completed. New model businesses have defined their Ideal Customer, the 20% that will give them 80% of their revenue. They build relationships and their customers become advocates for their business.

6. Old model businesses are the same as their competitors. They often compete on price or offer the service that their customers expect from everyone. New model businesses Identify their competitive advantage, their USP, Unique Selling Proposition – Not price or service, something that the customer wants but doesn’t expect.
Does your marketing tell them & does it align with your Mission. Can you deliver it in the world of the customer.

7. Old model businesses treat customers like a commodity – New model nurture & love them .. they go “Beyond the Cash register”
Systemize your customer experience. Turn them from a suspect to an evangelist for your business.
Ask them and listen to them “What are your frustrations about {Your} Industry” Most dissatisfied people just walk out without saying why they are not happy with your service – New
Tell them about your guarantee, New model businesses will call their customers and let them know that they have two weeks of the guarantee left to return their goods if they are not completely satisfied!

8. Old model businesses are all about themselves, self promotion and looking good. New Model businesses concentrate on treating others how they would like to be treated. They get interested in others, they love their people and customers. They are interested in no.1 their Staff & no.2 their customers.
They have a system to build relationships with people not things (products and services, etc) They know people want to be understood, heard, recognized, acknowledged & loved. Yes, you read it correctly, we want to be loved! So do you people and customers.
Ever had a letter from your bank signed Customer Relationship Manager – Try talking or calling the relationship manager and see if you can get through to them?

New model businesses will make sure someone answers the phone and their communication is in the callers world and aligned with the USP, Vision and Mission statements and always reminds the caller about the guarantee. Communicate rather than speak to them, for example:
How are you? – Listen to the answer
Any frustrations? – Listen to the answer
Don’t forget your guarantee
Is there anything else we can do for you- Listen to the answer and make notes
Did you know…. (New products that are aligned to this customers profile)

9. The old business model is in its death throws. The new model is to manage themselves better, they know daily how the business is performing/serving/delivering/what the customers feedback is. They Know & manage their KPI’s and Metrics – love their customers but do not extend credit to them, beyond the agreed terms.
They always have a minimum of 3 months worth of creditor funds in hand

Conclusion: This blog is all about the New Model of doing business now, today.

In years to come these will be the good old days. Prepare now, start to let go of the old model and implement the ideas we will be sharing with you & your opportunities will appear.

We Guarantee It!