Three Business Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Earlier In Business and Life

 

For years I had this hanging on the wall next to me.

I “Thought” i had the perfect answers but I realized I had been missing the “11th Question”.

Below is the story of how I came to realize this.

Here Are The Questions:

**Original Inspiration for these cam from Dean Jackson

1. Can I wake up everyday and ask; “What would I like to do today?”

2. Does my passive Income meet my Lifestyle needs?

3. Can I live anywhere in the world I choose?

4. Am I working on projects that excite me and allow me to do my best work?

5. Can I dissapear for Month’s with little to no affect on my income?

6. Do I have any Whiny passive people in my life?

7. Do I wear my watch because I “HAVE TO” or out of curiosity only?

8. Do I have time, commitment, or deadline obligations enforced my others or are they all my choice?

9. Can I wear whatever I want, anytime I want?

10. Can i quit anytime and life will still be o.k.?

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If you would have asked me the answer to these questions just 6 – 12 month’s ago I would have said I had a resounding YES to each and everyone.

Guess what?

I was in a state of denial. I was doing exactly what I tell my clients, friends, and family members not to do.
I was living in Delusion.

That gap between what I wanted to believe and that of reality.

What Brought Me To This Incredible Conclusion?

I’ll spare you the details. Let’s just say life dealt me some unfortunate circumstances in which I was required to make quick and decisive decisions and raise big sums of money quickly.

In doing so I emotionally made some decsions that has caused me temporary uncomfort.

BUT…

…that isn’t what I want to share with you today nor is it why I’m writing this.

The most important thing is what I’ve learned and I hopy it can save you time, money, and the discomfort I’ve experienced.

Let’s get back to those questions above.

My life was built on a very shaky foundation.

Meaning, I was producing much in terms of money, content, results…etc…

However, It was dependent on me.

Virtually everything I was doing was “One Off” processes that produced great results but required ME to repeat again to product the same result.

Example: I “consult” and I make lots of money.

But what happens when “I” can’t be there?

What happens when “I” can’t write the email?

What happens when my voice isn’t available to connect with the customer?

I think you know that answer.

Less results, less money, declining business.

I’m doing myself an injustice and being a bit dramatic for YOUR benefit here.

Frankly, i did have good systems, great people, great relationships, etc…

However I wasn’t focused enough on the “11th Question”.

“If My Business Had NO Access To Me Or I Could NO Longer Work How Valuable Would My Company Be and How Scalable Were The Processes and Procedures We Had In Place”

This is very important.

So for me going forward I’ve made some very certain decisions as to how I want to do business.

NO MORE one off business ventures.

If I’m going to spend any amount of time helping someone or business grow then I will have an ownership/vested interest.

NOTHING will be done inside of my business that isn’t scalable.

Recognizing my weaknesses I will partner with someone who has the strength’s I lack. (I’ve already done this)

Anything the company or I do must be recognized as a procedure, process, strategy, tactic, etc.. that can be implemented and “done’ by the company and not the individual.

All activities must be done in a way that can be leveraged as an evergreen system long term.

     Example: “Live” Webinar becomes evergreen webinar.

Time must be scripted both in company and life.

     All of my successes in life and business have been centered around the concept of scripting the process of time.

     Time will be controlled by company or myself.

     Example: We do not fit opportunity into time. The opportunity must fit into our already “scripted” next 90 days.

This way I am always proactive and never reactive whether it be challenges or opportunity.

In closing for this segment I want to say this;

In the future I want my answer of YES to the 11 Questions to be 100% dependent on systems, processes, proceedures, and other people. All independent of me.

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Next I want to share with you something in relation to a conversation I recently had with a friend and business partner.

It has direct implications on my thoughts above.

In todays business world more then ever before our customers are begging to be a part of something.

They want someone or something to hang their hat on.

A place they look to for authority.

This puts (IMO) a new factor or step in the way we do business.

My friend was curious as to why a recent offer he did was so successful.

I’m talking about an almost 4 times result above normal.

And his business isn’t exactly small. (quite the contrary)

I asked him some piercing questions.

Who did it go to? What it the same list? Anything significant or unique about the product? Did you hire a new copywriter? etc. etc.

We found ONE stand out difference.

He was sending a JV Product to his list from a publisher he partners with.

He did this all the time.

BUT in this particular offer he sent a bonus from him and most importantly by him that directly complimented the product he was selling.

So let’s dissect this from the customers side.

“O.K. MR. X is selling me a product again”

Big deal…

“Wait…he’s going to give me access to a personal product of his that strengthens, the offer and product he’s selling?”

“I can essentially get 2 for 1 here?”

This is new and exciting to our prospect and customer.

So here is what we learn from this.

Our customers are on our list because they like us.

They have an interest in what we do and our product.

They want a relationship with us.

We are an authority figure to them no matter how big or small.

So in my friend/business partners case I’d do the following;

1. I would add a complimentary product to each offer I sent out.

2. I would vary the delivery and process for what this “bonus” is.

• One my be an interview series with other experts around the subject of the book.
• One might be a personal feedback analysis by “Me”
• One might be a live training call.
• One might be a video presenting my “secret” way of doing “XYZ”
• One might be my personal cheat sheat template for implementing or “doing” what the main product teaches.
• Etc. Etc.

The key is to not become stagnant in the mind of your prospect or customer.

If every bonus or addition you offer is the same, if even in context, then the excitement factor and value becomes less and less.

What will this take in terms of my partner to implement.

Truth?

Not much.

Each and every offer I mentioned above can be done in under 5 hours per month.

These can become independent products in and of themselves.

They can become bundled products as well.

The lesson here is that you must be in tune with your market.

Listen to them.

Do not make assumptions.

What they want is rarely what you perceive they may want.

In my friends case I’d suggest the perceived value of the bonus was probably higher then that of the main offer.

TEST, TEST, TEST…

Listen, Listen, Listen….

Then when the market tell you what they want…scale it.

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Finally today I want to talk about something that is of utmost importance.

As I progress forward in the directions of my NEW LIFE.

I’m contanstantly reminded of how important it is to be QUICK.

I personally believe this to be the number one factor in being ultra successful.

General Patton once said;

“An Good Plan Violently Acted On Today, Is Better Then An Excellent Plan Acted On Tomorrow”

I was recently listening to something that reminded me of this.

A very successful Internet Marketer was asked by one of his friends why he thought he was so much more successful then him (the friend).

His answer was brilliant.

He said;

“Today when you think of something you have to do, you will ponder in your home about what you need to do before you go meet with the appropriate people”

“You will make sure you have the perfect suit on for the occasion”

“You will slowly meander out to your car”

“You will then take your time adjusting your seat”

“Then make sure the air conditioner is on and ready”

“You will take one last feel for if the seat is o.k.”

“Finally you will take a look in the mirror to make sure your hair is just correct”…

…”And then you will put the car in gear and head off to the potential meeting”.

Me on the otherhand will do the following;

“The idea will enter my head”

“I will immediately know it’s potential and my ability to make it happen”

“I will then run to the bathroom and brush my teeth”

“I will throw on something quick and sprint out the door”

“As soon as I hit the car seat I will put it in gear and head down the street”

“At the first light I will adjust the seat”

“At the second light I will make sure the air conditioner is good to go”

“At the third light or while driving down the street I’ll look in the mirror and make sure I’m presentable”

“I’m ready to Kick Ass, I’m ready to get this deal, I’m ready to make this happen”…

…Meanwhile your just walking out the door and haven’t even left your house”

This is a metaphor that is relevant to YOU and I.

It’s more important today then ever before.

You simply have to be ahead of your competitors.

Thanks for reading along with my rant today.