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What Motivates You?

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NewRichStrategies: Motivation

What Motivates Me?

Whether you go into an office on a daily basis, work from your home or travel the country and maybe even the world to do business, what motivates you?

It is a question that should be relatively easy to answer, yet many people probably scratch their heads when it comes to answering it. Really, folks, it should not be that hard to answer.

Although I am certainly not a motivational speaker by trade, I know what motivates me when I get up in the morning. Among the things:

  • Wanting to be productive;
  • Wanting to do more than I did the previous day;
  • Wanting to further my career opportunities;
  • Wanting to contribute in some means no matter how small to society;
  • Wanting to make sure that I take advantage of each and every day.

Now that I mentioned what motivates me, do any of those sentiments resonate with you?

What Motivates You?

In all honesty, all of us have days where we feel like we have to trudge through the day just to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some days our motivation level is about as small as it can be. In those cases, how do you make it a productive day?

While this may sound a little corny to some folks, I always remind myself of how life could be so different, albeit not in a good way.

As I watch the fires on TV this week in Colorado, my heart goes out to those residents. I survived a pair of fires in the last decade here in Southern California, so I know very well what they are going through.

One woman being interviewed on TV was asked how she and her family are getting through this, wondering if they will have a home to go back to. Her simple response was that they had each other and their animals, so
they could rebuild their personal lives and their business if necessary. As she put, you have to keep going and appreciate each and every moment you have.

As you sit at work today or are traveling for a business meeting, keep in mind what this woman and tons of other people go through on a daily basis.

Everyone is tested in life, sometimes on what seems like an almost regular basis.

The key to succeeding is finding the motivation to overcome adversity, be it in your professional or personal life.

I’ll ask again…. what motivates you?

Author’s Bio:
Dave Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, covering marketing, SEO, press releases, social media and more. You’ll find Dave at BeeMoreSocial

Do You Like the People You Work With?

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For most full-time employees, they spend 40 hours or more a week with their co-workers.

Given there are 168 hours in a week, that means that employees in that scenario are with those they work with approximately one-fourth of the week. When you sit back and think about it for a moment that is a fair amount of time.

In the event you find yourself in that situation, what do you think of your co-workers? Do you enjoy your time with them? Do you tolerate time spent together? Do you wish they would give their two weeks’ notice tomorrow?

Having worked in a handful of jobs over a 23-year career to date, I can honestly say that I could count on two hands the people I really did not enjoy working with.

The reasoning in most of those cases was that I felt they did not like me and had a beef with me for one reason or another. One or two even went as far as to try and make life difficult for me inside the office. As it turns out, one of them got fired for their efforts, something that I did not exactly lose much sleep over.

Meantime, there have been many co-workers that I had absolutely nothing in common with, the same folks that I would never have anything to do with outside of the workplace. That isn’t because I did not like them, simply it has been that we had no similar interests and it would be rather moot to hang out.

So that brings me to the original question…. Do you like the people you work with?

If your answer is no, don’t feel like you are to blame or that your employer doesn’t think highly of you.

Does Your Employer Sidestep Results for Company Culture?

I have always been a big proponent of results in the workplace. You can be the least friendly individual in the office, but if your results speak for themselves and you are surpassing what was expected of you in terms of goals, you are okay in my book. Having said that, that does not mean you should walk around the office with looks that could kill.

I once worked with an individual that would come in and spend half of her day on the phone with her pre-teen daughter. Making matters worse, the woman sat right next to me.

Although I did not stay with the company for years, I was there long enough to acquire a sizable headache a couple times a week from listening to her tell her daughter to clean up her room, walk the dog, and do her homework and more. While being subjected to the trivial banter while trying to focus and get my writing done, I would at times want to grab the phone out of her hand and….

I also have had the non-pleasure of working with someone that treated everyone around her like they were in junior high and she was the teacher.

Treat Your Elders with Respect

One of the quickest ways as a departmental manager to turn people under you off is to be condescending towards them. Whether you have 20 years in the workplace or are the newest intern at work, people need to be treated with respect, not talked down to. At the end of the day, a manager needs to bring people together for the common goal of the company being successful, not dividing the office into individuals that are not excited about team success.

Lastly, I always have a little disdain for the young worker that comes into a company and thinks they know everything. Trust me; I was that same individual some 25 years ago that did not look up to or at times respect authority. Over time, I saw how immature I must have looked to those more experienced employees. Many young people that come to a company bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and a feeling like nothing can’t be achieved. While those are all great traits to have, nothing replaces experience.

Given my present age and my financial needs, I see myself working at least another 20 years, maybe longer.

In those years to come, I would like to think that I will enjoy working with my still unknown co-workers.

Heck, it can’t be that hard to like those you work with, yes?

Whether you have been in the workforce for decades or just a handful of years, have you enjoyed the folks you’ve worked with?

Photo credit: glassdoor.com

Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as HR outsourcing companies and payroll services, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.

Should a Business Owner Seek a Prenuptial from Soon-to-be Spouse?

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Nothing says love like having your soon-to-be spouse sign off on a prenuptial agreement prior to walking down the aisle, yes?

While it may sound rather crude to ask for such a concession with the one you’re looking to share your life with, it does make business sense for many people that have worked for years to see their business plan template come to fruition.

Still, there is oftentimes apprehension on the part of the man or woman running a business to ask their loved one to essentially sign off on the fact that you are not 100 percent sure this is a union made for life.

The bottom line is a prenuptial deal protects the business owner from gold diggers, those individuals that see a walk down the aisle as the way to make some good cash, albeit while pretending to be in love with the person they said “I Do” to.

Precise numbers for the divorce rate in the U.S. differ, given that not all states gather marital data, and along with the fact the numbers can vary quite dramatically due to the methods and sources in place to gather them.

That being said, if a wedding is in your offing, there are some things to consider as you review the pros and cons of a prenuptial deal with your significant other:

  • A prenuptial is not hard to put together – The prenuptial arrangement can be written out by an attorney for a nominal fee. Keep in mind that a number of pre-nuptials will permit the spouse to get a portion of assets earning during the period of marriage, others will make it so that all of the business assets are strictly for the business owner and not regarded as community property;
  • A prenuptial can involve business partners – In the event you are partners with one or more people, a prenuptial is possible in order to provide your partner/s with control over decision making for the business in the event you become divorced or die;
  • Perhaps you prefer a post-nuptial deal – In the event you and/or your soon-to-be spouse are hesitating on a prenuptial, a post-nuptial deal is also an option. The post-nuptial is simply an agreement that two people enter into and sign after the marriage. Keep in mind, however, that a post-nuptial stands a better chance of being challenged in the courts than a prenuptial;
  • Spouses working for the business can lead to payments – If your new spouse begins working for your business and you two part company down the road, you could find them entitled to a substantial portion of the business when you divorce. There are ways to pay off the spouse if it comes to a divorce, including via shares of cash, stocks and retirement funds to name a few. There is also the option of a property settlement note, a long-term payout (including interest) that involves the figure you owe your former spouse for the value of their share of the company;
  • Sell the business and split the profits – Some couples end up going this route since they could not agree to a prenuptial deal. If your former spouse essentially had no involvement in forming and running your business during your time together, this can be a financially difficult way to say goodbye to them.

So, still interested in considering asking your future husband or bride to put their John Hancock on such paperwork?

Yes, it can be a very tense discussion to have prior to a wedding, but it could also be one that you will look back on and appreciate in the event Mr. or Mrs. Right turns out to be wrong.

Photo credit: novylaw.com

Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as business incorporation services, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.

Take Credit When Starting Up a Business the Right Way

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For the new small business person just starting out, putting necessary start-up costs on a credit card can be very tempting. It can also be financially damaging, leading the business owner to have to dig out for a long time to come.

In the event you’re about to open a small business, do things the right way when it comes to your business plans, avoiding placing yourself in a financial hole.

You will want to look at two facets of credit cards – potentially using one for some of your start-up costs, while also looking at accepting credit cards for purchases from your customers.

Among the things to focus on in getting a credit card:

  • Avoid running up credit – If needed; apply for a small business loan which normally will present smaller interest rates than a credit card would. This of course is provided that you do not have a bad credit history;
  • Pay off sizable credit card debt – In the event you have a lot of credit card debt, be sure to get it paid off. It should not come as a surprise that paying it off as quickly as possible is less expensive over the long haul since you’re not dealing with major interest rates. Among the ways to do this would be paying more than just the minimum each month, starting with paying down the card with the largest interest rate first;
  • Check your credit report – Make sure you periodically check in on your credit report to look for any mistakes that could negatively impact your credit along with your interest rate. In the event there are mistakes, be sure to report them to the credit-reporting agency;
  • Pay all bills on time – Nothing is worse for your credit record than being late with payments. In the event you are going to be late with a payment for whatever reason, contact the credit card company so they are alerted to the situation. In some cases, they may be willing to work with;
  • Shopping around – In the event you will be getting a new credit card, make sure you compare cash advance rates along with your balance transfer options. In some instances, banks will waive a transfer charge, meaning you can switch a present balance to a card with better rates;
  • Know the ramifications of failure – If your business does not take off and you are saddled with bills, there is a good chance you will still have to pay off your credit company credit cards. Check with the credit card issuer to see what their terms and rules are should this scenario present itself.

If you have your small business ready to roll and want to accept customer credit cards as a form of payment for purchases, here are some things to remember:

  • Credit card payments boost business – It is relatively well-known that those businesses accepting credit card purchases tend to finalize more sales from customers than those that do not. Along with aiding consumers when they are low on cash funds, credit cards can present them with rewards features and programs;
  • Determine pros and cons of merchant accounts versus third-party credit option – It is always a good idea to review the advantages and disadvantages of both. If you are an online business, utilizing a third party can lessen costs when it comes to setup charges for one. Saving on setup costs, however, typically means a large charge per transaction;
  • Know how to work the hardware – Lastly, make sure you and/or staff have proper training and support when it comes to terminal usage. The majority of merchant service providers will make available employee training workshops and manuals related to terminal usage. As for online third-party vendors, they generally are available on both e-mail and IM.

At the end of the day, credit card services for a small business start-up can be beneficial for both owner and customer.

But like with all things centered on money, know how to properly use the cards so that both owner and consumer are not left staring a massive debts.

Photo credit: ehow.com

Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as small business online marketing, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.

Is Your Company’s Email Marketing Campaign Nothing Short of Junk?

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Although some “experts” stand by their claim that email will one day go the way of Beanie Babies, New Coke and Pontiac, there are others that believe email will be with us for the foreseeable future.

No matter which side of the fence you find yourself on with such a debate, one thing we can all agree on is that our respective email folders do not take very long to get filled up. In fact, go away on vacation for a few days without computer access and see what your business or personal email folder looks like when you return home.

For those individuals that are in charge of email marketing campaigns for their respective companies, it takes a delicate touch of finding the right amount of emails to send out to current and prospective clients so that you do not come across as a spammer. Making matters worse than spamming, a bad email campaign can dampen your company’s reputation, leading consumers to go elsewhere for the products and/or services that you offer.

So, how can you put together winning email marketing solutions that not only keep you out of the doghouse with search engines, but allow your company to get its message across at the same time?

  • Avoid having a spam reputation – The last thing you want your business to come across as with current and potential clients is that of a spammer. We all have junk folders in our email set ups that allow us to filter out all those sales pitches that we neither have time nor interest in. Make sure you are emailing individuals that have opted-in to receive messages from you in the first place. If you’re randomly emailing consumers about your business without their approval, you are breaking cardinal rule 101 of emailing, you are a spammer;
  • Avoid the same message to everyone – It should be obvious, but don’t send out a mass emailing to individuals regarding benefits for senior citizens if they are not 55 or older. Break down your list to make sure the people you are targeting are of that age and would actually find your message of value. Sending such an email to someone in their 30s is not only a waste of your time, but also their time. Yes, you could argue that their parents or someone they know in the 55 and older age range would find your message of value, but then it should have gone to those people in the first place;
  • Avoid a mixed message – Another faux pas is to have an email where the headline and the content do not match up. In the event you are trying to push information on auto insurance quotes, don’t have a headline that touts life insurance. You may think you are killing two birds with one stone by mentioning both forms of coverage, but it comes across as an error and could hurt your reputation;
  • Avoid not having solutions – Your email message should provide a solution for the party it is being sent to. Make sure your email shows how you can help the client, giving them a solution and not more questions. At the end of the day, you need to show the individual how you can assist them and why this email should be saved and not junked;
  • Avoid not providing a way out – All of your email messages should include an opt-out provision, even for clients that have been on your email list for some time now. It is as simple as providing clear details on how the individual can opt out of mailings down the road;
  • Avoid being too cheap – Just about everyone likes deals and promotions, so offer some up in your email marketing campaigns. The incentives you provide individuals are a great way to respond to your pitch, leading to added business or a new client down the road;
  • Avoid mistakes – Last but not certainly least, avoid having typos in both your headlines and the body of your message. If you think grammatical issues are not a big deal, think again. Would you consider doing business with a company whose email marketing message was sporting typos, run-on sentences, incorrect information and more?

Email marketing is still a prime player in a company’s efforts to attract and retain business these days.

If your email marketing campaigns seem a little junky these days, don’t automatically mail it in on failing.

Photo credit: websiteexpert.com

Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as direct mail advertising, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.

Are Your Customer Relationship Management Skills Up to Par?

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If you see your sales numbers and return on investment (ROI) taking a significant dip as we near the midway point of 2012, perhaps it is time to give a second look to your company’s customer relationship management (CRM) skills.

Sit down and simply ask yourself as a small business owner what tactics you are employing to make the experience every one of your customers has better each time.

Among the steps that you should be employing:

  • Properly branding your product – While other companies scale back their marketing efforts when dollars get tight, others see the chance to take advantage of the tough times and gain an edge on the competition. When it comes to branding, it is more important than ever to make your product stand out;
  • Determine value to your customers – At times when consumers are concerned about their financial security as many have been in the last few years, they are in need of reassurance. Consumers are not likely to make binge purchases; many want the sense of making sensible purchases, control, security and simplicity, leading them to be more frugal when it comes to their buying habits;
  • Social media presence – Whether it is Twitter, Facebook or another venue, social media offers a great means to engage the customer and find out what they like and what they don’t. You may or may not want to employ someone in your business on a full-time basis to oversee this area, but at the least it should be attended to on a part-time basis;
  • Customer experience – Another main area to focus in on is the customer experience. Customers have a lot of options with which to choose from, so how are you going to set yourself apart from your rivals? The key here is making the customer experience worthwhile enough where they want to keep coming back time and time again. Do your employees put your customers first or are they an after-thought? Do your employees who work the phones treat the customers like they’d want to be treated, or are they short and rude with them? Finally, do your employees provide the necessary answer/s when a customer has a question about a product? Know these things and don’t take them for granted;
  • Customer rewards – Lastly, what are you doing to reward your customers for their loyalty to your business? A customer will continue to come back over and over again if they like the service and feel the prices are reasonable. It is important as a business owner to treat returning customers properly and reward them for their continued patronage, be it through special rewards programs like discounts and the like. There is a reason this particular customer came back to you for purchases, so never forget that.

Make customer relation management skills a top priority at your small business in order to better position you and your employees to reap the rewards.

Dave Thomas, who discusses subjects such as business plans templates and customer service call centers, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.