Be the Client (WT510)

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by Shirley Dalton | 3 Apr, 2020 | Blog, Business

If you’re struggling in business right now, be the client you want to attract.

This was something I learned years ago from Lisa Sasevich.

What does it mean?

It means showing up how you want your clients to show up.

For example, paying your bills on time. If you want your clients to pay their bills on time, pay your bills on time.

If you want your clients to respect you, respect your suppliers.

If you want your clients to show up and invest, show up and invest.

Now more than ever, we are being tested to walk our talk.

Our integrity is on the line.

Here’s what I’d like you to do.

Make a list of all of the things that are important to you when it comes to attracting and working with your clients.

Next, read over all the characteristics or behaviours that you want to see in your clients and (hand on heart), place a tick next to the ones you know you fulfill or achieve or do.

Take a look at those you don’t and consider whether the way you show up is a reflection of the people you are attracting.

Let me know what’s on your list. I’d love to know.

Make Me Feel Welcome (WT500)

Make Me Feel Welcome (WT500)

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by Shirley Dalton | 24 Jan, 2020 | Blog, Business

WT500 Make Me Feel Welcome

Last week I joined Lee Woodward, Creative Director and CEO at Real Estate Academy, for an interview to discuss onboarding new employees.

I thought I would share the highlights with you because this is such a critical task for every organisation.

Here are the top 5 things you need to manage, according to me:

1,Make them feel welcome.

Most new employees don’t know anyone when they first start apart from the people who interviewed them. It’s a daunting thing to walk into a new workplace where the other employees have established friendships and ways of doing things. It’s critical to make them feel welcome and that you are happy for them to be there. 

2. Have their “stuff” organised.

This fits in with point number 1. It’s not a good look and doesn’t feel good for the employee if their email address isn’t organised; they don’t have a place to sit; they don’t have stationery, etc.  or uniforms, etc.   I’m astounded at how many organisations miss this point. Make it someone’s role to make sure everything is organised BEFORE they start. 

3. Tell them what they are there to do.

I remember receiving a list of about 70 items when I started in the franchise organisation and rather than feeling daunted, I was excited. I had to somewhere to start and I knew what I was meant to be doing. I felt important and needed.  Make sure you give them a job description and more importantly give them something to start with (and that doesn’t include sitting in the corner reading the company manuals). It could also require a little training, however the sooner you train them and get them started, the sooner they will be productive and confident and comfortable. 

4. Show them where they can find things.

Remember they don’t know where you keep the stationery or the cups and tea and coffee and what the rules are for the fridge and the washing up and garbage.  Give them a little tour and show them around; show them the things they will most likely need. 

5. Introduce them to their immediate and higher level supervisors and managers.

This is important because it shows the boss is interested and cares. It also helps them to know who to go to if they need any assistance.  It’s a security and comfort thing, relating back to step number 1 – Make them feel welcome. 

Here’s your task this week. Rate yourself on the above 5 points.  If it’s not 5/5, identify what you can improve and work on that.

The Power of Gratitude (WT497)

The Power of Gratitude (WT497)

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by Shirley Dalton | 3 Jan, 2020 | Blog, Business

WT497 The Power of Gratitude

As we start the new year, I am reminded of The Power of Gratitude. 

I am so grateful that we took a detour to complete a 6-week systems project in Mudgee, Central West New South Wales.

If we had stuck to our plan, we would have been amongst the thousands of tourists rushing to escape the fires on the south coast of New South Wales and Victoria. We’d already seen first-hand some of the fires on the north coast as we were evacuated a few months ago from Bonnie Hills.

In fact, some of my colleagues had even mentioned some of the “Must See” towns on the south coast, which sadly, are almost destroyed now.

Whilst we send our thoughts and prayers to the people and communities that have been ravished by these unrelenting fires, we must also pay attention to what we can be grateful for.

When we express our gratitude, it raises our vibration and gives us more energy to create the businesses, relationships and lifestyle that we want.

When we operate from a powerful energetic state, we tap into the creativity of the Infinite Intelligence which helps us find creative solutions to problems.

This year, I want to focus on the gratitude I have for the ability to connect to this higher power. I committed to writing in my journal every single day this year; not for any goal or outcome, purely for the joy of writing and helping myself to organise my thoughts and coach myself.

How about you?  What are you grateful for, right now? What will you commit to doing this year, just for the fun and sheer pleasure it gives you?

Wishing you a very happy 2020! May it be all that you want it to be and more.

Shirley

It’s for the Client to Decide (WT494)

It’s for the Client to Decide (WT494)

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by Shirley Dalton | 13 Dec, 2019 | Blog, Business

WT494 It's for the client to decide

I was participating in an online group discussion this week with my colleagues from all around the world. 

Some of the group members were moving into coaching and they wanted to know what other people charged for their services. 

It was interesting to see the differences in what people offered and what they charged and one of the newbies, (we’ll call her Valerie), laughed and said, “I’ll need coaching to charge that”.

What followed was a very interesting discussion around pricing and self worth and I thought it might be of interest for you, too. 

“I couldn’t possibly charge that”, Valerie responded to one of the coach’s models. 

“Why not?” asked the coach.

“I’m just starting out as a coach and I don’t know enough nor do I have enough experience”, she replied. 

“It’s not about you Valerie.” 

“What do you mean it’s not about me?” 

“It’s about the value you provide for the client. It’s what we call value based pricing.” 

“What do you mean by value based pricing?” 

“Your prices are determined by the value you provide for your clients. It’s based on the transformation they can have in their lives.” 

Valerie still wasn’t getting it. 

“Valerie, what is it worth to someone to help them save their marriage? What is it worth to someone to help them regain their health? What is it worth to someone to grow their business?” 

“It’s worth a lot,” she said and then continued with “But I don’t think I’m worth it, I couldn’t possibly charge that much.”  

“It’s for the client to decide that they are worth it”, another coach chimed in. 

Boom! 

I had never heard it expressed this way. I was so grateful to have witnessed the discussion. 

How often do we base our decisions in business on what we think of ourselves without considering the value that our products or services provide for our clients. 

This week, I’d like you to take a look at what you or your organisation offers in terms of the value you provide for your clients and ask yourself if you are charging enough.

Take Advantage of It (WT491)

Take Advantage of It (WT491)

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by Shirley Dalton | 22 Nov, 2019 | Blog, Business

WT491 Take Advantage of It

This week’s thought is a reminder to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented.

I host an online membership site, Leading Yourself and Leading Others, which focuses on Developing People, Processes and Possibilities.  (I will be opening the membership site up again in a few weeks for new members.) Every two weeks I host a LIVE Q&A call for members to receive coaching on any topic.

Last week, one lucky member took advantage of the opportunity. She was the only member on the call so she received dedicated one on one coaching for her particular topic.

It was a very interesting and engaging call as we looked at what makes her unique in what she does and how this benefits her customers. What else was interesting was that because she is unconsciously competent with all these skills and strategies, she didn’t understand that these were unique to her. In fact, I find this a lot, that people are totally unaware of their expertise or value and when that’s the case, they are unable to unpack it. It often takes someone objective to hear the value and then reflect that back. If you become a member, you’ll be able to access the recording and see how that could apply to you. 

And speaking of taking advantage, I attended a networking event recently where the host offered a new person the opportunity to introduce themselves and what they do. I immediately raised my hand with a strong and straight arm. What a golden opportunity to get known. As a result, I got to speak with some of the regular members at the end of the meeting who were interested to hear more about what I do and who I help.

What would you do? Do you take advantage of the opportunities presented to you or …

And if your answer is “or”, I encourage you to say “yes” and take advantage of the next opportunity as soon as you can.

Taking advantage of opportunities is a muscle you can develop.

Are You or Your Team Entitled (WT489)

Are You or Your Team Entitled (WT489)

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by Shirley Dalton | 8 Nov, 2019 | Blog, Business

WT489 Are You or Your Team Entitled

This week’s thought might be a bit provocative.

I was chatting with a colleague recently who had just returned from a trip to the Philippines. We’ll call her Leanne. 

She had been investigating outsourcing some work to a company over there and had visited some of the outsourcing companies.

As we chatted she remarked how surprised she was to hear how much the employees of the companies wanted their companies to do well. They really wanted them to become massively successful on a global scale. When she enquired about the reason, they said simply, “It means we have a job for life and can take care of our families.”

Leanne was taken aback. The workers were so grateful and had simple needs. They valued their families and they enjoyed music.

Leanne couldn’t help but notice the difference between the Filipino and Australian culture when it came to work.

“The only word I can think of to describe some of the Aussie workers is entitled,” she said.

“There is little accountability and I might get taken to a tribunal if I dare to ask someone what they’ve been doing for the day or the week, or worse, the more the success the company enjoys, the more the workers want a cut. It’s almost like they question helping you build the business. Contrary to what most people believe, the majority of business owners work very long hours and are not rich.”

Wow, I could see that this trip had really affected her and as much as I hate to admit it, I too have seen that entitled attitude appear from time to time.

How about you, are you or your team entitled?

How about we all make a conscious effort to be grateful for what we have. Being grateful for what we have, even if we don’t particularly like where we’re at, is the quickest way to move out of it onto something better.

My challenge to you this week is to notice and record all the things you can be grateful for right now.

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