Thursday 31st January 2008 - Newsletter No. 129 |
Contact us: info@michaelheppell.com |
Contribute: michaelsdesk@michaelheppell.com |
PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR CHAIR AND FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT |
We are currently being told to batten down the hatches and prepare for a bumpy ride in 2008. It may be that we are actually talking ourselves into recession. It may be America has sneezed so we’ll catch a cold. It may be because Robert Shiller, Professor of Economics at Yale University says so (I read about him in the Times and he’s dead bright!) |  |
‘Who cares? What does it mean for me’, I hear you cry. Well if it is going to happen you had better be prepared (and even if it doesn’t, everything I’m about to share with you can help you and your organisation to grow in 2008). So I decided to write my top six tips for recession proofing you and your business, not because ‘you asked for it’ or ‘we need to know’ but because I think you’ll enjoy them and sure as eggs are eggs I’m going to push them in my organisation. One more thing, I have made a big assumption. That is, you are doing all the right stuff financially first? Yes? Ok, so here are my special six… |
Innovate Innovation is rarely hit by recession; in fact innovative organisations thrive while boring business moans about the lack of opportunity. What will you do to innovate your ways of working this week? You had better be hiring brilliant talent, becoming brilliantly talented or preferably both. Have you noticed how the super talented seem to be immune to decline? Take a long hard look in the mirror first and ask if you would rate yourself as talented. Now take a look at those closest to you (especially the ones you rely on) and ask of them the same question. Did you get two ticks? Lucky you! One tick? Who needs some training then? None! Better make a commitment to 90 days of massive action to formulate some flair! Often investing in talent is the first area to be cut during a down turn – BIG MISTAKE. You must increase your investment in talent and talent development now. ‘I was so busy preparing my business for a potential slump I forgot to stay in touch with my customers’. Doh! So given the choice who will you continue to work with? Your best mate of five years, or the company who only ever call when they are chasing payment? Who would you choose? It’s never too late to improve the relationship you have with your customers. Give them a call, send them a card, call in to see them, thank them for being your customer! It’s never been more important to stay in touch with the second most important person in the world – your customer. Why not send ten of your customers (internal or external) one of our brilliant eCards. They’re free, fun and funky! If you don’t understand what I’m saying here, then just take five minutes to explore the rest of the michaelheppell.com website. Wake up! it’s no longer good enough to do a good a job. Customers are demanding more than ever and you have to step up and give it to them. My How to Be Brilliant message has been heard by over 600,000 people around the world and we’re just warming up! If you want to know more about How to Be Brilliant the course click here or for the book or CD click here. Outstanding Service So what’s going to differentiate you from your competition? Price? I hope not especially if we are heading for turbulent times. The best way to differentiate yourself is via your levels of service. You can wow your customers and keep them coming back for more if you remember this quote from my brilliant friend Jeffrey Gitomer, ‘Customer Satisfaction is Worthless. Customer Loyalty is Priceless’. If we do end up in a recession in 2008 what would you rather have; satisfied customers or loyal ones? Or BOTH! The point is you need to raise your game when it comes to your levels of service. Don’t wait until they stop spending or switch before you try to wow, do it now and your customers will stick with you.
Last, but by no means least, is the choice you have to create the right energy for yourself and everyone around you. Creating the right energy comes from a subtle mix of; an amazing attitude, brilliant belief, fantastic faith and huge dollop of enthusiasm! How could a downturn affect you if you have those four qualities in abundance? And here’s the best bit – you can develop all four - for free!
By the way, thank you for being my customer. Michael Heppell |
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 Michael has spent the last 10 years of his life working with over half a million people around the world.This is your chance to ask Michael a question that affects you, your business, or any other area of your life. |
| Send your questions to michaelsdesk@michaelheppell.com and type 'ask michael' in the subject. A selection will be answered in the next edition of the newsletter. |
| Dear Michael, How can I be brilliant when I keep on running out of time? There always seems to be too much to do and too little time! Help. John, Leeds Hi John, One of the main reasons people run out of time is they don't know how to say 'no' to the wrong things and 'yes' to the right ones. Then if you do invest in a time management course it's usually been designed by someone who is already good at managing time. You have to find the methods creative; disorganised procrastinators who can't say 'no', should use and apply those into life. Also change your language, tell yourself, 'I need to find some time' and you will. Be Brilliant! Michael |
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Send your success stories to |
Dear Michael, What a fantastic book. I have just finished Brilliant Life and completed all the exercises in it as I went through. I have tried to use the wheel of life before but not with masses of success but I have to tell you the way you have put it together and the step by step approach is brilliant. I have my values list written out and I have made myself 'Goal Boards' which I look at on a daily basis. The whole book is full of useful advice, great personal development tools and fantastic motivational nuggets to get everyone moving. At work I feel like I've really stepped up to being brilliant this term. I can feel the difference and my colleagues can see the difference. I have reccomended your book to a friend at school and she is loving it too! So well done on a brilliant job!! The goal setting section is so useful that we have adapted it to work with staff and pupils in our school and our Year 7 pupils are loving it. I look forward to continuing working on pursuing my briiliant life and I look forward to more help in your bonus materials. Very best wishes, Gillian, Wigan |
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