Ottawa Business Coach - Internet Marketing Consulting

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?

2011-12-22T03:54:00.000-08:00

Dr. Seuss was a favorite at our house and as my family gets a little bit older, we find we all need a break from the commercialism of the holiday season.

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first.

You are all probably familiar with the Christmas time story of Dr. Seuss', The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

In moving some boxes recently I came across a copy of the now famous Dr Seuss tale and in reading the book it brought back great memories of watching the original show on TV with my daughters.

There is a part near the end that has always moved me and I trust this holiday season it will help you with what’s really important!!!

From Dr. Seuss:

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?

It came without ribbons. It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.

And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store?

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?

As the holiday season approaches, we at Floodlight would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.

It is business associates and customers like you who make our jobs a pleasure and keep our company successful.

We value our relationship with you and look forward to sharing our business thoughts with you in the year to come.

From all of us at Floodlight we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and prosperity.

Donald Robichaud - President
FloodLight - Build Your Business
1-888-768-9415

http://www.floodlight.ca

2011-11-01T05:23:00.001-07:00

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Steve Jobs

1955-2011, Co-Founder of Apple Computer http://amplify.com/u/a1g82n

2011-10-24T04:54:00.001-07:00

"And so it has come to this. I am one of the lucky people in the world. I found something that I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it."

Johnny Carson

1925-2005, Television Host and Comedian http://amplify.com/u/a1fk73

Donald Robichaud - It starts with a Great Elevator Pitch

2011-10-13T07:33:00.000-07:00

I recently attended an Ottawa Chamber of Commerce networking with 100-plus people and had the pleasure of meeting many new business owners.
When I meet someone for the first time at one of these events, I usually start with something like, “So, (use their name here), what do you do at (their company)?”

It helps to be a good listener, and ask open questions. I let the other person speak first.

While they speak, I’m able to assess if my services are the right fit to their needs.

I can take it one step further and deduce the specific area where I might be able to help, by breaking it down between Sales, Marketing or Branding. If my service is appropriate for their business, I use my tried and true Elevator Pitch to explain my services.

I spent time with all my friends and business acquaintances and as I left the event, I realized that I had made 10 new business acquaintances and found 5 new leads.

Another successful night of networking!

FloodLight - Tip of the month / You need an Elevator Pitch

Every day you meet people who could use your products or services, or people who know others who could benefit from what you do. But unless you tell them what you do in a clear, concise and compelling manner, these relationships go nowhere.

That’s why you need an Elevator Pitch – a short description of your business that enables prospective buyers to know who you work with and what value you bring to the relationship. An elevator pitch conveys these marketing messages in a manner that literally attracts the right
customers to you.

In today’s fast-paced world, the average person is bombarded with thousands of marketing messages from multiple mediums every single day. Advertising is everywhere and most people don’t even notice them anymore.

To break through all this marketing clutter, it’s imperative to have an enticing elevator pitch that speaks directly to the needs of your customers. And it has to roll off your tongue easily, naturally and conversationally – and in about the time it takes, you guessed it, for an average elevator ride.

Click here for great examples of Elavator Pitchs from MSNBC Your Business

How do I write an elevator pitch?
If you need help creating your Elavator Pitch Click here!!
Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/
Sales Coach Sales Consulting Kelowna Canada

Great Quote from the late Steve Jobs

2011-10-07T04:54:00.001-07:00

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.

And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.

If you haven't found it yet, keep looking.

Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.

And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.

So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

Steve Jobs - 1955-2011 http://amplify.com/u/a1ean4

2011-10-06T08:57:00.001-07:00

It's the little things you do that can make a big difference.

What are you attempting to accomplish?

What little thing can you do today that will make you more effective?

You are probably only one step away from greatness.

Bob Proctor http://amplify.com/u/a1e8m7

Ottawa Business Coaching

2011-10-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

At Floodlight Ottawa our team of Canadian Business Coaches and Consultants work with business owners, executives, and senior managers to Assess their business needs, Assemble a comprehensive business strategy, and Apply tailor-made business solutions in a practical, day-to-day action plan.

Our goal is to help you maximize your results and achieve a greater work-life balance. The result is a higher level of personal fulfillment and achievement, and more effective management of your time, team and money.

What to do! How to do it! And When to do it!

What our clients like best is that we help to identify the inefficiencies or problems in their work flow, and set forth a plan that ultimately improves the success of the company.

Floodlight specializes in:

Business Coaching, Sales, Marketing, Branding, Business Development,
Web Content and SEO development,Debt Reduction and Profit Strategies in Ottawa, Canada.

Start to Build Your Business today:

Please contact us at 1.888.768.9415 or visit www.floodlight.ca for more information on how we can help you "Build Your Business"!

Donald Robichaud President FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415 http://www.floodlight.ca
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Ottawa Social Media Marketing

2011-09-28T04:43:00.000-07:00

Ottawa Internet Marketing Social Media Solutions and Ottawa Marketing Support

At Floodlight we can help you through the marketing maze!

We work closely with our clients to identify and action the marketing strategies and opportunities that will grow and improve your business.

■ Create a quarterly marketing plan -- Set the following year into four key quarters and then begin to target marketing dollars and resources to achieve your business goals

■Send out monthly Newsletter -- Create a strategy to inform, educate and support all products and services to your past present and future clients. This program keeps you top of mind which becomes the branding of your organization.

■Blog Marketing -- Re-purpose all relevant information to the blog so that you become the leaders in your field and utilize all the free internet tools made possible on Google to drive down traditional marketing costs.

■Search Engine Optimization (SEO) -- This includes, the Research of Key words, Develop search strategy, Optimize web content(tweaks), Link Building, Monitor and adjust

■Competitive Analysis- We then determine what your competitors are doing we look at how many links they have, where they are getting those links and the keywords they are optimizing for their websites. This gives us an edge as we can see what is working to get top results for your keywords. This analysis will allow us to implement strategies that should move your site above your competitors in the search engines.

■Localized Search Optimization -- Local search sites are primarily supported by SEO for businesses that wish to be prominently featured when users search for specific products and services in specific locations. Local search optimization can be highly effective because it allows your services to be targeted very precisely to the search terms and location provided by the user.

■Analytics -- Floodlight can help you track your efforts and analyze the visitors to your Blog and website, and assist you in making better internet marketing decisions for your business.

■Social Media Optimization -- Set up of accounts and tools to push out marketing message • Need a social media strategy that will incorporate Site-Specific Programs •Micro blogging (Twitter)
•Business Networking (LinkedIn)
•Social Networking (Facebook, MySpace)
•Photo & Video Sharing (Flickr, YouTube)
•Submissions to web based Articles Directories

■Link Building -- What is your back link Strategy? -- High rankings can ensure that your message is viewed first. One of the most important aspects of increasing your Google Page Rank The search engines still believe that back-links are an important factor in assessing your site, so until that changes, we still have to work at generating valuable back-links.

■YouTube Videos - Videos are a great way to promote your products and services. Signature Videos set the tone for your company; Testimonial Videos give you instant credibility with your consumers
Give us a call today to implement your Internet Marketing Plan.

Contact us today and start to Build Your Business!!
Floodlight -- Build Your Business
Kelowna -- Ottawa -- Kingston -- Toronto
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlight.ca/

Donald Robichaud
President FloodLight Consulting
Build Your Business

2011-09-26T06:01:00.001-07:00

"Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness."

Marianne Williamson

Author and Speaker http://amplify.com/u/a1dnnu

Floodlight Expands Across Canada

2011-09-13T02:34:00.000-07:00

Floodlight Business Solutions Group of Kelowna, BC, is growing. With the addition of more experts in a variety of business disciplines, Floodlight offers a wider range of products and services for its clients in the Okanagan Valley and now across Canada.

Floodlight was founded by local entrepreneur Donald Robichaud in the summer of 2005. His vision was to
offer cost effective business coaching, sales training, marketing advice and branding solutions to small and medium sized businesses in Kelowna and surrounding areas.

Robichaud‘s ultimate goal has been to develop the same services for business owners across Canada. That dream is becoming reality
as Floodlight opens for business in Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto.

Robichaud says, “With changes in the global economy there is tremendous pressure on businesses to operate effectively in all facets of their business. They are looking for expert guidance through cost effective coaching and mentoring.”

Floodlight advocate’s a 3-stage process they call Assess, Assemble, and Apply.

“What our clients like best is that we help to identify their key priorities with our free assessment focused on ten key areas of business”, says Robichaud. “This helps us set forth a plan that ultimately improves bottom line results. At the core of our solutions based coaching programs is our ability to help Build Your Business.”

Being a business owner presents a variety of challenges. FloodLight Business Solutions Group offers one-on-one programs to provide the coaching and mentoring necessary for success in today’s ever-increasing competitive market place.

“We found that our clients were using Floodlight as the sounding board to guide them through their many decisions”, says Robichaud. “As a result, we surrounded ourselves with experts in the areas of Sales, Communication, Marketing, Debt Reduction and Profit Strategies, IT and Software Solutions in order to improve our services.”

Among the new products to be launched this fall are Floodlight Corporate Video Production, Corporate Identity Packages, Mobile Web Pages and Digital Signage.

Clients now have the ability to introduce and promote the virtues and benefits of their brand to current and prospective customers by using powerful corporate videos on their websites and in other marketing venues like mobile devices.

On September 20^th 2011, Floodlight is holding a launch party at the Avenue Bar in the Prestige Hotel on Abbott Street. Please
join us from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, to meet the Kelowna based Floodlight team, including Ted Farr, Andrew Gregson, David Anderson, Jerry Mason, Rudy Jaspers and John Gibson.

RSVP at 250-768-9415

Floodlight Business Solutions Group services clients across Canada with consultants in Kelowna, Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto.

Within the next year, Floodlight plans to expand further with more consultants in other key Canadian markets.

For more information please contact Donald Robichaud at 250-768-9415 and you can visit us on line at www.floodlight.ca.

Social Media Marketing ..Is it for You? Lets get Social!!

2011-09-13T02:30:00.001-07:00

Social media marketing is the process of promoting your site or business through social media channels such as:

Social media marketing is the process of promoting your site or business through social media channels in Kelowna, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto and throughout Canada.

Micro blogging (Twitter)
Business Networking (LinkedIn)
Social Networking (Facebook, MySpace)
Photo & Video Sharing (Flickr, YouTube)

This is a powerful strategy that will get you backlinks, attention and a great amounts of traffic.

There is no other low-cost promotional method out there that will easily give you large numbers of visitors, some of whom may come back to your website again and again.

Tradtional marketing like TV, Radio and the Newspaper are having their market share reduced.

If you are selling products/services or just publishing content social media marketing is a potential method that will make your site profitable over time with the appropriate strategy.

Those who ignore the benefits of social media usually fall into three categories;

1. the ones who don’t know much or anything about social media
2. the ones who are interested but don’t know how to use it
3. those who don’t believe in the value that a social media strategy can bring to any site or business.

Which one are you? Let's Get Social!

For more information contact:

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight – Build Your Business
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlight.ca/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

2011-09-01T07:46:00.001-07:00

"You must constantly ask yourself these questions:

Who am I around?

What are they doing to me?

What have they got me reading?

What have they got me saying?

Where do they have me going?

What do they have me thinking?

And most important, what do they have me becoming?

Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay?

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change."

Jim Rohn - 1930-2009, Author and Speaker http://amplify.com/u/a1c9v5

2011-08-23T04:40:00.001-07:00

"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimisim is better than despair."

Jack Layton - 1950 - 2011 Canadain http://amplify.com/u/a1bqq7

Build Your Business in Ottawa by Listening more!!

2011-08-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Listening is the key to selling

In today’s business world, unless you go into the sales arena with a strategy in mind, you will fail more times than you win with prospective clients, as they are busy with their own businesses.

When selling in these times, you must learn to ask the proper questions in order to gain the appropriate information that then leads to increased knowledge.

What are your best questions?
Knowledge is power, and as you ask great questions, listen to your client’s answers, you will discover a tremendous amount of information that will be pivotal in the sales process.

What are the top 10 questions that you will ask every client?
Once you fully understand the client’s situation, you will be able to make effective presentations which will enhance your personal credibility.

This will give you the confidence to express your own ideas clearly, specific to the situation, and visually when necessary.

All of these factors will significantly increase the probability of making the sale.

Please contact us for more information on how we can help you "Build Your Business"!

Floodlight – Build Your Business
Kelowna – Ottawa – Kingston – Toronto
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlight.ca/

2011-08-09T06:07:00.001-07:00

"Deal first with whatever is causing you the greatest emotional distress. Often this will break the logjam in your work and free you up mentally to complete other tasks."

Brian Tracy

Speaker and Author http://amplify.com/u/a1aeyf

When was the last time you did a Google search on you or your company?

2011-08-05T03:56:00.001-07:00

Who are you? Who, who! Who, who!

Amplify’d from www.floodlight.ca

When was the last time you did a Google search on you or your company?

Everybody does a search for information, and especially for relevant information about you and your services.

I publish volumes on the web, and I check to see if my name comes up readily in a Google search and it does. I also want to see if my information is relevant and if it’s been re-purposed (copied), on someone else’s site.

As business owners we should always be checking to see what people are saying about us or our business.

The web is a great place for businesses to expand their presence, but it a can also be a dark area for people to rant, rave and target businesses and individuals without any retribution. No different than the bully in school, the unsuspecting can be torn apart in forums with no way to add their own comments or defend themselves.

I have worked with a few clients who have been attacked on blogs and forums by people who hide behind the anonymity of bogus names. It’s been upsetting to my clients and the negativity can affect their business.

I recommend to my clients that they raise their profile on the web by being an active user of blogs and social media with a targeted message about their business or themselves. Positive information on the web can be a real bonus. If someone does take an unkindly swipe at you or your business, at least you’ll have information on the web that speaks and reflects well of your business and what you do.

This is where testimonials on a web site can pay major dividends. When you have lots of people stating how much they love your products and service, and one person on a forum putting you down, who are people most likely to believe?

I believe that in our instant access world, you really need to think out your internet marketing strategy and decide how to build up a wealth of positive information about you and your business.

Used effectively and skilfully, the web is a great marketing tool and a great way to ‘Build Your Business’.

Donald Robichaud is the President of FloodLight Consulting and can be reached at 250-768-9415
Read more at www.floodlight.ca

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a1aaeo

2011-08-04T04:40:00.001-07:00

"As for worrying about what other people might think - forget it. They aren't concerned about you. They're too busy worrying about what you and other people think of them."

Michael le Boeuf - Speaker and Author http://amplify.com/u/a1a94v

2011-07-26T02:57:00.001-07:00

"When I thought I couldn't go on, I forced myself to keep going. My success is based on persistence, not luck."

Estee Lauder - 1906-2004, Entrepreneur http://amplify.com/u/a19mlm

2011-07-25T05:16:00.001-07:00

"Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself.

And that's a lot.

Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect."

Rob Reiner - Director http://amplify.com/u/a19lna

2011-07-12T02:42:00.001-07:00

"Every individual has the power to change his or her material or financial status by first changing the nature of his or her beliefs."

Napoleon Hill http://amplify.com/u/a17nce

Summer, a great time to plan your Fall Business Strategies

2011-07-07T10:31:00.001-07:00

When the long days of summer begin and your business starts to be affected by clients’ holidays, it’s a great opportunity to develop your fall marketing plan.

Amplify’d from www.floodlightconsulting.com

There are two great times of the year to do planning and the one that is most often overlooked is summer.

In July and August, conduct a review of the first part of the year and set forth a plan for the fall to finish the year with a bang. Develop a top 10 list of things to accomplish in July and August that will help you through the summer doldrums and accelerate your business through the fall. If you wait till September to start you won’t be ready until Thanksgiving.

Start now with 10 summer business development ideas

Deepen your relationships

Build your sales team.

Time-line for your fall marketing strategy.

New product launch.

Clean up your database

Work on your video strategy.

Update your website.

Create your blog.

Develop your Social Media strategy

Plan some Rest and Relaxation

Summer means renewing old friendships, meeting with long time business associates, taking care of you and preparing to Build Your Business in the fall.

Have a great summer, from the team at Floodlight Business Solutions Group.

Donald Robichaud

FloodLight – Build Your Business

Kelowna / Ottawa / Toronto

Email

1-888-768-9415

http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/

http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/
Read more at www.floodlightconsulting.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a16xzi

2011-06-27T08:06:00.001-07:00

"The moment you commit and quit holding back, all sorts of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, will rise up to help you. The simple act of commitment is a powerful magnet for help."

Napoleon Hill

1883-1970, Author http://amplify.com/u/a1652j

2011-06-22T06:19:00.001-07:00

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

Christopher Reeve

1952-2004, Actor, Director and Producer

www.floodlight.ca http://amplify.com/u/a15plg

New Media - Interent Marketing Canada

2011-06-18T03:29:00.000-07:00

Bryson Gilbert is a web developer and designer, specializing in WordPress-based solutions and Internet Social Networking with New Media interaction.

Having learned to code shortly after learning to write, Bryson brings years of experience to any web-based project.

His in-depth knowledge of both sides of the web world – design and development – is the key to building effective solutions for the web.

Bryson has worked with FloodLight since its inception assisting FloodLight Clients in Kelowna, Ottawa and Toronto with guidance and council for Internet based New Media Solutions.

The New Media areas of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube expands the possibility of on-demand access to content any time, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community formation around the media and marketing content.

To Build You Business with New Media Strategies contact:

Bryson Gilbert – New Media Specialist

Floodlight – Build Your Business
Kelowna – Ottawa – Kingston – Toronto
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlight.ca/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Increase your Productivity – Time management

2011-06-15T06:14:00.001-07:00

In the last couple of weeks I have been reading many books and one in particular has struck a key note with me. “The 4-Hour Work Week” . The first 100 pages are gold !!!!! Excellent read....now put it into action!!!

Amplify’d from www.floodlightconsulting.com

In the last couple of weeks I have been reading many books and one in particular has struck a key note with me.

Daily I deal with clients and friends who are slaves to technology, specifically emails, cell phones and their own struggles with time management.

The book “The 4-Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferriss is about how to radically change your lifestyle or go from ‘living to work’ to working (as little, but effectively as possible) and making life as big as possible.

‘living to work’ to working (as little, but effectively as possible) and making life as big as possible.

Here is a summary from chapter seven (Interrupting Interruption and the Art of Refusal) that is focused on step-changing one’s personal efficiency. With these tips you can get 15 times as much done in a normal workweek”.

The key is to do things quicker, faster better and to enjoy the things that are really important in life. Interested?

Donald Robichaud- FloodLight Consulting

Eliminate time wasters:

Severely limit e-mail consumption and production
Read more at www.floodlightconsulting.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a157g0

2011-06-15T05:32:00.001-07:00

"What will your children remember? Moments spent listening, talking, playing and sharing together may be the most important times of all."

Gloria Gaither

Songwriter, Author and Speaker http://amplify.com/u/a15799

2011-06-13T06:50:00.001-07:00

"The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from more than what you tell them. They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are."

Jim Henson

1936-1990, Creator of The Muppets http://amplify.com/u/a150ao

Air Canada and Social Media... Who Knew!

2011-06-04T04:31:00.000-07:00

When we think about a company’s brand, we often tend to think first of its visual identity: logo, colours, maybe the look and feel of their online presence.

Those are all key components of a brand, but something that is overlooked all too often is the experience of the brand.

Marketers like to say that your brand is actually the relationship with the customer; that is, the brand is the sum total of your customers’ experiences and interactions with your brand. With that in mind, you’ll want to make sure that when a customer interacts with your company in any context, from browsing your website to seeking customer service, they come away from the experience with a good impression.

Recently, I had just such an experience with one of the most well-known Canadian brands: Air Canada. This is a brand with more than its fair share of scars from poor customer service in the past. But with a carefully-planned social media strategy, they are going a long way towards healing those scars in the eyes of their most valuable customers: frequent fliers.

On a quiet Sunday afternoon, I received an automated email from Air Canada letting me know that the schedule for one of my bookings had been changed. This is fairly common, as they adjust their flight schedules frequently to match fluctuations in demand. Unfortunately for me, the new arrival time meant that I would be late for an important commitment. I suspected that they had a policy in place to deal with this sort of thing, but seeing as it was a Sunday and I didn’t want to spend my time on the phone, I decided to send a tweet to Air Canada’s official customer service Twitter account, asking for some general information about my situation. I was not expecting an immediate reply, and I did not necessarily need one since this booking was for a trip several weeks in the future.

Later that same evening, while having a sandwich in between flights at the Vancouver airport, my phone rang. To my surprise, it was a friendly Air Canada rep calling to let me know that she had seen my tweet, and wanted to take care of the situation for me quickly, rather than having me call the customer service line myself and wait on hold for an hour. She had taken the liberty of looking up my file to find my phone number, and she had all my booking information on hand so that we could quickly and painlessly choose a new flight schedule that suited me. No charge. And as an added personal touch, she had read enough of my recent tweets to know that I was in transit at the Vancouver airport at the time, and asked me how my trip was going.

After the call, I picked my jaw up from the floor and went back to my sandwich. Thirty seconds later, my updated flight itinerary landed in my inbox.

This is a great example of a company employee going way beyond the call of duty to quickly take care of a customer in need. It’s also an example of a company recognizing that they can use an effective social media strategy to save customers a great deal of time and effort, to make loyal customers feel valued – and to score some serious brand brownie points.

The whole experience left me feeling very confident that I had made the right choice flying with Air Canada, and it’s a feeling I will certainly remember next time I’m shopping around for a flight.

This is a great example of how a well-executed Internet Marketing and Social Media strategy will help you Build Your Business.

Floodlight Consultant - Bryson Gilbert - New Media Specialist
Donald Robichaud
FloodLight – Build Your Business
Kelowna / Ottawa / Toronto
Email
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

How debt crushes a business in Ottawa!!!

2011-05-27T04:36:00.000-07:00

Borrowing money to acquire real assets or buy new equipment can lead to genuine improvements in a business’s opportunity to make better profits. Borrowing money in this situation is a reasonable bet, but it needs to be supported by a genuine plan and clear sightedness by management.

But borrowing money to solve business problems like cash flow shortfalls or finance receivables is a double-edged sword. Debt incurred for these purposes typically makes matters worse by crushing profits into the dirt. As debt increases, more and more of the daily, weekly and monthly revenues are assigned to service debt. Less and less goes to keeping the business healthy. Debt then forces businesses to borrow indirectly by slowing supplier payments, getting behind with payroll taxes, and cutting owner pay.

Then more borrowing takes place and the debt spiral takes a sickening lurch and the end is near.

Here is the mechanism.

People and businesses borrow money. Essentially this is a long term bet that the enterprise will generate the cash to repay the loan. But debt service charges are a fixed cost, like rent, payroll and lease payments, that do not rise and fall with revenues. You can cut purchases in response to a fall in revenues. You can cut hours; you can switch off power; you can lay off staff. But you cannot stop making debt payments without repercussions.

Moreover, the debt servicing amounts are taken directly from profits and if profits are not there or are slow to arrive, then the business can collapse.

This is why lenders want to see a concrete plan for recovery.

How to solve debt problems:

Borrowing more money to solve the immediate problem may be a great move, provided there is a credible strategy to return to manageable levels of debt. Quite often, however, there is no plan beyond wishful thinking.

So, having a written plan is step one. This plan must have good research and solid numbers backed up by that research. Quite often this will mean a better pricing strategy that builds in a pre-determined profitability on each transaction. Need a better pricing strategy? Then read my book Pricing Strategies for Small Business.

Step two, would be to devise written management targets to retire the new debt within a 2 to 4 year period. This should take the form of a cash management programme.

Step 3 would be to work that strategy to retire the debt and get into the habit of retiring debt.

But what happens if the problem is truly intractable?

When this position is reached, it is possible to park the debt while rebuilding the business. Sometimes the solutions are harsh and sometimes lengthy. If it took a few years to get to that unhappy position, then it will not be a five minute fix. But it can be done.

This typically involves convincing the creditors to stand by for a limited period. But assets pledged against the debt are in danger of being seized. That pledge could have been for the receivables, equipment, vehicles and even personal homes.

When the plan starts to work?

When the plan is underway and the cash comes in it is perfectly normal to think that all problems are solved. But you are wrong. Why?

Even the re-payment of debt has to be managed. Some debts are more dangerous than others even if they have lower costs attached. Debts for payroll taxes can lead to seizure of bank accounts. Debts to workman’s compensation can lead to the premises being locked down. Debts against assets can lead to the assets being seized.

What to do? Refer to the cash flow plan. It is unwise to pay “soft” debt before the dangerous ones. If your plan was accepted by the creditors, then work the plan. Pay early or at least on time. Rebuild your credibility and please stop whining.

Next, pay the high interest rate debt first. And when you can utilize some credit availability to move high interest to lower interest, then do so.

Finally, when the worry of debt is gone and cash is not totally dedicated to servicing that debt, you can Build Your Business.

Remember that the people who worry least about money or a temporary downturn in business are debt free and have low fixed costs. You want to be there.

To discuss your debt challenges call:

Floodlight Business Consultant:

Andrew D. Gregson B.A., M.A. M.Sc.(Econ)
Kelowna, BC, Canada V1Y 8A6
toll free: (888) 959-0752
Andrew@pricingstrategies.ca

2011-05-23T05:15:00.001-07:00

"One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you'll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do."

Earl Nightingale

1921-1989, Author and Speaker http://amplify.com/u/a13sk8

2011-05-10T11:08:00.001-07:00

"Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have."

Norman Vincent Peale

1898-1993, Author of The Power of Positive Thinking http://amplify.com/u/a127ru

Digital Oil Change a new marketing vehicle!!!

2011-05-05T04:47:00.000-07:00

As a marketing consultant and business coach I have been challenged by my clients in the last while to find new and innovative ways to market their products locally in Kelowna.

Many of my clients prefer not to use traditional mediums of radio, TV and newspaper. They tend to leverage the internet with websites, blogs and various social media sites including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and marketing tools like Twongo.

I did not think I’d find the next marketing opportunity when I was changing the oil in my car.

Last week I visited Mobil 1 Lube Express on Enterprise Way to do an oil change on my 1976 Pontiac Lemans classic car. I was in for a simple oil and filter. I like Mobil 1 Lube Express for their great service and pleasant staff.

Sitting in my car I noticed a large LCD screen and I thought this was pretty interesting as I could watch my sport updates.

Within a few minutes of starting the oil change Pat Chassie, the owner of Mobil 1 Lube Express, came over and explained that they had just added some new technology the ‘Pit Cam’ to enhance the service levels at his location.

Pat said “We wanted to have the ability to show clients the problems they have with their cars or just review what we have completed with the customer. Our insurance does not allow clients in the basement of the shop, so live video feed was a great option”.

The solution was a new product from Northern Computer; Digital Signage Solutions as it serves a dual purpose.

Number one: It allows Pat’s crew to visually show the issues under the car immediately through the camera to the clients.... Example.... In my case they were able to show me on the screen the oil pan for my car and that it had an oil film on the exterior, which means I needed to have the gasket changed before it became a bigger problem.

Number two: It allows Mobil 1 Lube Express to feature products and services on the screen to a captive audience.

That’s when the light bulb went on!!!!

I asked Pat if he was going to do some additional advertising.

At this point he smiled and said....”Yes, we have a few advertisers lined up, but we’d love your help.”

Not only do I have a few ideas ......I have a few clients looking for new avenues to market their business to a targeted audience.

In discussions with Pat I came to realize that this will be a great opportunity at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.

He also mentioned that Northern Computer will be doing some presentations in the next while to explain the technology and its many uses.

All in all the Pontiac Lemans is running great and I have found another way to help my clients.

Technology is moving so fast and allows you to Build Your Business with new and innovative ways.

To learn more contact Pat directly at Mobil 1 Lube Express or John Gibson at Northern Computer.

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight – Build Your Business
Kelowna / Ottawa / Toronto
Email
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

2011-04-28T05:49:00.001-07:00

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."

Willie Nelson

Singer-Songwriter http://amplify.com/u/b10pxf

2011-04-11T06:39:00.001-07:00

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

Harriet Tubman

1822-1913, Abolitionist http://amplify.com/u/byt3i

Reaching your business goals in 2011

2011-04-07T13:42:00.001-07:00

Are you on track?

Amplify’d from www.floodlightconsulting.com

The first quarter of 2011 is over and we are well into the spring. .

This is a great time to review your business goals for the year and your results for the first quarter of the year.

Are you on track?

I’ve had many discussions with business owners and entrepreneurs in small to medium sized companies and some are struggling to find new leads, close sales, and grow their business. In fact, some are losing market share or seeing sales decline, and aren’t sure what to do. When I ask if they’re experts in their field or whether they have a plan, I get all types of answers from, “I’m not sure what to do”, to, “I’m not smart enough”, or even worse, “It’s the market’s fault”.

If you’re not an expert in your field and fully confident of your products and services, then your customers and potential customers will sense your weakness and not be motivated to purchase from you.
Read more at www.floodlightconsulting.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/by957

2011-04-07T03:00:00.001-07:00

"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen."

Frank Lloyd Wright

1867-1959, Architect, Writer and Educator http://amplify.com/u/by5tm

Million Shoe Mission - Soles4Souls

2011-04-06T07:48:00.001-07:00

We need your help – Sponsorship Support – Soles4Souls

Amplify’d from www.floodlightconsulting.com

As the owner of Floodlight Consulting it’s important that every year my wife Donna and I connect with the community and the generosity of its people.

Last year I became a Sponsor of the Soles4Souls campaign and it was one of the most uplifting experiences of my life.

From this small Canadian city Kelowna, we were able to help the local charities and then also assist the people in Haiti with such a simple donation as a pair of shoes.

We were able to gently touch the lives of 40,000 souls.

This year we have expanded the Soles4Souls campaign and with the help of the Sunrise Rotary of Kelowna we are once again collecting shoes up and down the valley.

*The funds raised are for the operation of the campaign and 50% of the fund will be used to purchase shoes in your name. You will also be listed as a sponor on our website http://www.soles4soulscanada.com
Read more at www.floodlightconsulting.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bxz5l

2011-03-30T06:24:00.001-07:00

"What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity."

J. Sidlow Baxter

1903-1999, Author and Theologian http://amplify.com/u/bx487

2011-03-24T06:07:00.001-07:00

In the last few weeks we discussed how to define a great Mission Statement and we covered the importance of a great Vision Statement. This week we will focus on your Company Values.

Values:Strong values will be those which actually operate in practice. Your company values underpin the vision and the mission. No business is value-free and it is important to be explicit about those values that are essential to the business achieving its vision. If values are not made explicit, then the values of the most dominant people are likely to be those which actually operate in practice.

If you do not define your company values, the company will be adrift without proper direction.

Four key questions to define your Company Values:

What are the values that are important to you as the business owner?

What are the values that will be important to your team members?

What are the..........

http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/2011/03/24/how-to-define-your-company-values/ http://amplify.com/u/bwf41

PVR Means – Persistent Video Recollectio

2011-03-23T18:25:00.001-07:00

Interesting post by Ted Farr dealing with branding in the changing world of technology.. Don

Amplify’d from tedfarrmedia.wordpress.com

Stopped being an “early adopter” of new technology years ago. The speed of change is so fast that the big dollars for new and improved today will be affordable dollars in a matter of months, maybe a year. Paid $950 dollars for the first front loading Sony Betamax back in the day and that was wholesale. By the time it finally broke down, the latest VHS machine was around $200. Today the DVD player has become disposable. Under $100 dollars for better than decent. It breaks, throw it away and buy another.

TV commercials might be even more effective. In the pre PVR days, commercial breaks provided that 3-4 minutes to check another channel, hit the fridge, get another cookie, chat about the last segment, play with the dog, anything but pay attention to the commercials. But they got me. Dammit! Fast forward means I have to pay attention in order to hit the play button at just the right time. Fast forward is actually fast. 30 second commercials fly by, no sound, no advertising claims, no bad jingles, no stupid story lines. But hold on! I am remembering words on screen that are there just long enough to be an impression, a logo that is sharp and colourful and well defined. Got me to thinking. Not an original thought I hope. If I were to produce a 30 second tv commercial right now, I would want to make sure the message is strong in fast forward. How many more of these quick messages do you see because you are watching more episodes of more shows.
Read more at tedfarrmedia.wordpress.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bw7mz

Oil Prices rising

2011-03-22T04:33:00.001-07:00

Amplify’d from money.canoe.ca

Oil price tops $116 as Libya airstrikes continue

Oil prices rose by $2 a barrel on Monday as a wave of U.N.-mandated airstrikes on Libya and proliferating unrest in the Middle East fanned concerns about oil supply from the region.

"With the nature of the external military involvement becoming clearer, there is a further escalation of the situation, and the damage to infrastructure might be larger, keeping Libya out of the oil market for longer," said Amrita Sen, an analyst at Barclays Capital.

"The market is very headline driven and we don't know what the next headline from Libya or Japan will be," said Olivier Jakob, an oil analyst at Petromatrix.

"The main question for the oil markets is how long production outage could last ... We could end up by having two countries or a protracted civil war. We assume Libyan oil exports will be zero for the next six months," said Mike Wittner, Head of Commodities Research at Societe Generale.
Read more at money.canoe.ca

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bvw2r

On Line Coupons

2011-03-22T04:10:00.001-07:00

My clients are finding that this is a great marketing tool. Most are reducing their traditional marketing costs and spending the money with this new service.

Amplify’d from www.imediaconnection.com

Drive Consumers with Online Coupons

In order to tap into this demand for coupons you need to determine what consumer behavior you want to reward, and then figure out a suitable reward. Here are a few generic examples that achieve various business objectives:
Read more at www.imediaconnection.com

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bvw0w

2011-03-22T03:44:00.001-07:00

"It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class."

John Willard Marriott

1900-1985, Entrepreneur and Founder of Marriott Corporation http://amplify.com/u/bvvza

2011-03-17T05:55:00.001-07:00

The Malarkeys latest release just in time for St. Patrick’s Day - Right as Rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzzrTosVBFI http://amplify.com/u/buylk

2011-03-14T07:13:00.001-07:00

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude."

Cynthia Ozick

Writer http://amplify.com/u/buaux

2011-03-03T06:20:00.001-08:00

"We all have to start with ourselves. It is time to walk the talk. Take the journey of making very difficult decisions. Start removing things from your life that are not filling your cup and adding things that bring joy in to your life."Lisa HammondAuthor of Dream Big http://amplify.com/u/bsljb

2011-02-28T06:51:00.001-08:00

"Everybody is like a magnet. You attract to yourself reflections of that which you are. If you're friendly, then everybody else seems to be friendly too."Dr. David HawkinsPhysician and Lecturer http://amplify.com/u/bs03e

2011-02-24T12:33:00.001-08:00

The most important resource of a business today is it’s people. This is increasingly meaningful not merely as rhetoric but also in practice.If we depend more and more on fewer people and if the loyalty of these people, particularly managers, can no longer be assumed but rather must be earned and retained, then clearly we need to be concerned about how we utilize them, develop them and resource them.We also need to consider the opportunities for rewards, promotion and success which we provide. If changes depend upon the people who implement them one must be concerned to ensure that those people possess the necessary skills. If those same people are motivated by challenge and opportunity then we must provide that as well.If we are to bring people together effectively, then we must adopt managerial styles conducive to learning, to development, to creating and to ........ http://amplify.com/u/aqiav http://amplify.com/u/brnpd

2011-02-23T07:25:00.001-08:00

"The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication."Cecil B. DeMille1881-1959, Film Director and Producer http://amplify.com/u/brgz6

2011-02-22T07:38:00.001-08:00

"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it."Pearl Buck1892-1973, Winner of both the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize for her writing. http://amplify.com/u/brbb5

2011-02-17T21:21:00.001-08:00

TIPS TO SUCCESSFUL PRICING STRATEGIES Part 1 of 5 http://amplify.com/u/aqnip This is a great series of articles by Andrew Gregson of Pricing Strategies that I will be posting on my website over the next few weeks. DonAlways when I begin my speeches or my workshops, I tell the participants that I cannot instruct them to price their widget at $4.95. Rather, I plan to teach my audience advanced ways of thinking about pricing and several methodologies to help them make informed and intelligent pricing decisions.Don’t follow the crowd!For most small businesses, the everyday pricing regime starts with checking the competition’s rates and prices, and then following the crowd. This is even the recommended strategy in many popular guides for small business.During the days of prohibition, 25 of Chicago’s top bootleggers were rounded up in a surprise raid. During their arraignment, the judge asked the usual questions, including the occupation of each suspect. The first twenty-four were a http://amplify.com/u/bqniw

2011-02-17T04:50:00.001-08:00

"You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it! Develop an appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life and savor it. Value your present moments. Using them up in any self-defeating ways means you've lost them forever."Wayne DyerAuthor and Speaker http://amplify.com/u/bqji3

2011-02-16T15:54:00.001-08:00

The most important resource of a business today is it’s people. This is increasingly meaningful not merely as rhetoric but also in practice.If we depend more and more on fewer people and if the loyalty of these people, particularly managers, can no longer be assumed but rather must be earned and retained, then clearly we need to be concerned about how we utilize them, develop them and resource them.We also need to consider the opportunities for rewards, promotion and success which we provide. If changes depend upon the people who implement them one must be concerned to ensure that those people possess the necessary skills. If those same people are motivated by challenge and opportunity then we must provide that as well.If we are to bring people together effectively, then we must adopt managerial styles conducive to learning, to development, to creating and to articulating/communicating vision.............read more http://amplify.com/u/aqiav http://amplify.com/u/bqiaw

2011-02-16T06:06:00.001-08:00

"Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it."William Feather1889-1981, Writer http://amplify.com/u/bqh7z

2011-02-15T07:18:00.001-08:00

"One half of life is luck; the other half is discipline - and that's the important half, for without discipline you wouldn't know what to do with luck."Carl Zuckmeyer1896-1977, Writer and Playwright http://amplify.com/u/aqbnk

2011-02-14T07:35:00.001-08:00

"I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition."Martha Washington1732-1802, First American First Lady http://amplify.com/u/aq7ff

2011-02-11T06:13:00.001-08:00

Build Your Business – Defining a great Vision Statement http://amplify.com/u/aptbz So you need to ask yourself a few key questions:What is the purpose of your business? Does it represent your core values as a person? Does everyone who works with you know what your Vision is? A Vision statement is usually the first part of a three-part statement of purpose. The second part is the Mission statement, which is a concrete and localized statement of intent. Finally, the third part is the Values statement, describing the values that are important to the running of the business and that are implicit in the vision and mission of the business. (Mission and Values will be covered in the next few articles.)This week we will focus on the Vision statement.A lot of Entrepreneurs struggle with coming up with a vision and when they do write one, it usually sounds like their primary aim in life, the end goal.Here is a simple and easy guide to follow:Vision: the ideal destination. It is where the busi http://amplify.com/u/aptpx

2011-02-09T13:12:00.001-08:00

Another AHA Moment in the Life of a Boomer http://amplify.com/u/bpnee http://amplify.com/u/apnef

2011-02-09T13:11:00.001-08:00

Another AHA Moment in the Life of a Boomer http://amplify.com/u/apne5

2011-02-08T07:30:00.001-08:00

For the love of sales, not the love of money!!Do you love sales?Do you love what you do?Do you love your product?Do you love your company?Do you love your customers? These are not questions I pulled out of the air. These are questions that directly affect your productivity, your attitude, your income, your success, and your fulfillment—not to mention your longevity at your present job. Many salespeople are reluctant to come to grips with WHY they are in sales and WHY they are in their present job. Some salespeople will respond, “I’m in it for the money.” Some will respond, “I need the money.” Others will respond, “I have bills to pay and debt to overcome.” And even more will say, “I have a family.” What you won’t hear is: “I haven’t saved enough to do what I really want to do.” And, unfortunately, even less are willing to take the risk. http://amplify.com/u/apcxu http://amplify.com/u/apcy2

2011-02-04T05:52:00.001-08:00

Courtesy Is Kindness in Action http://amplify.com/u/bogpn http://amplify.com/u/aogpv

2011-02-03T07:00:00.001-08:00

"To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."Leonard BernsteinConductor and Composer http://amplify.com/u/aobnd

2011-02-02T07:02:00.001-08:00

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."John Quincy Adams1767-1848, Sixth President of the United States http://amplify.com/u/ao87x

2011-02-02T00:01:00.001-08:00

"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."Dolly Parton http://amplify.com/u/ao7r0

2011-02-01T19:18:00.001-08:00

"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it. I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning."Mahatma Gandhi1869-1948, Indian Nationalist Leader http://amplify.com/u/ao7ai

2011-02-01T19:17:00.001-08:00

When you boil it all down, there’s really only 2 strategies for getting more new clients.Perhaps you’re familiar with them.In marketing circles they’re known as “Push” and “Pull”.“Push” (as the name would imply) involves pushing yourself onto prospects in the hopes that you can convince them, before they hang up or walk away, that you have a service they desperately need. The classic example of the push strategy is cold calling.Does it work?Sure. But it’s got a lot downside to it.It’s labor intensive…not a whole lot of fun…you get lots (and lots) of rejections.But, the upside is that it doesn’t cost much of anything to implement, doesn’t take a lot of time or thought, so for people who tend to confuse activity with productive, and have a lot of time on their hands, it’s something to do.And, who knows, maybe it will lead to something.However, for most anyone who offers high value services, the “Push” marketing strategy leaves a lot to be desired. Whi http://amplify.com/u/ao7ah

2011-01-26T06:29:00.001-08:00

"The individual who wants to reach the top in business must appreciate the might of the force of habit and must understand that practices are what create habits. He must be quick to break those habits that can break him and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires."J. Paul Getty1892-1976, American Oil Tycoon http://amplify.com/u/anoo8

2011-01-25T07:07:00.001-08:00

"The day you catch an idea you fall in love with, even a small one, is a beautiful day."David LynchFilmmaker and Television Director http://amplify.com/u/anldr

2011-01-24T16:27:00.001-08:00

http://amplify.com/u/bnjcx New Internet Marketing Trends – Social MarketingInternet Marketing or Online Marketing is a new way to promote your product and services through the web.Your core marketing strategy stays the same as you raise your visibility in the target market while increasing sales and profits.Today, Internet Marketing is considered the fastest and most economical medium for promoting product and business growth.Internet marketing strategies cover various services such as search engine optimization (SEO), search newsletters, email marketing, copy writing, web development, blog posting, social media sites, pay per click and numerous others.And now the power of social media, team buying and twitter, have changed the landscape of how people are finding out about local merchants in Kelowna and throughout Canada.One internet marketing strategy that has caught on quickly is the Groupon and Twongo models, now in operation in Kelowna, Canada. This new marketing avenue harness http://amplify.com/u/anjd1

2011-01-24T16:24:00.001-08:00

http://amplify.com/u/bnjcr Always when I begin my speeches or my workshops, I tell the participants that I cannot instruct them to price their widget at $4.95. Rather, I plan to teach my audience advanced ways of thinking about pricing and several methodologies to help them make informed and intelligent pricing decisions. Don’t follow the crowd!For most small businesses, the everyday pricing regime starts with checking the competition’s rates and prices, and then following the crowd. This is even the recommended strategy in many popular guides for small business.During the days of prohibition, 25 of Chicago’s top bootleggers were rounded up in a surprise raid. During their arraignment, the judge asked the usual questions, including the occupation of each suspect. The first twenty-four were all engaged in the same activity. Each claimed to be a realtor. “And, who are you?” the judge asked the last prisoner. “Your honour, I’m a bootlegger,” he said. Surprised, the judge http://amplify.com/u/anjcs

2011-01-24T16:22:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZgn70FESn8 http://amplify.com/u/anjco

2011-01-24T16:20:00.001-08:00

Hi Amplify friends... I'm new here. Looking forward to sharing interesting things, learning something new and engaging in conversation with you! http://amplify.com/u/anjck

New Internet Marketing trends - Social Marketing

2011-01-21T07:09:00.000-08:00

Internet Marketing or Online Marketing is a new way to promote your product and services through the web.
Your core marketing strategy stays the same as you raise your visibility in the target market while increasing sales and profits.
Today, Internet Marketing is considered the fastest and most economical medium for promoting product and business growth.
Internet marketing strategies cover various services such as search engine optimization (SEO), search newsletters, email marketing, copy writing, web development, blog posting, social media sites, pay per click and numerous others.
And now the power of social media, team buying and twitter, have changed the landscape of how people are finding out about local merchants in Kelowna and throughout Canada.
One internet marketing strategy that has caught on quickly is the Groupon and Twongo models, now in operation in Kelowna, Canada. This new marketing avenue harnesses the power of team buying and can truly drive more new business to your door.
These new marketing avenues are essentially an online coupon service with an immediate call to action, providing a platform to coordinate and facilitate group buying by consumers of retail business products.

The consumers are members of the local community who have chosen to join a free subscriber list. The products are provided by local business vendors seeking to increase their sales and to expand their consumer/client base by accessing the larger subscriber list.

Example One:

In one promotion 250 new visitors went to the website of a local pizza retailer and 157 vouchers of $25.00 were purchased by the subscribers within a 24 hour period. In the last two months, 67 of the sold coupons have been redeemed and his business was exposed to people who were not previously aware of his pizza business. At the end of 30 days the he received a cheque from the online services for his portion of the coupons sold.

In a previous marketing tactic, a door knocker promotion was used and 15,000 homes were targeted. In this venture $900.00 dollars of advertising capital was spent and only 18 coupons were redeemed.

In the past three years this pizza merchant has used radio, TV and print. At no time did any of these traditional marketing mediums issue back a cheque to this merchant.

Example Two:

In another case a local shoe merchant used Twitter to tweet out that he was having a 50% off sale and did so at 1:00 pm. By 3:00 pm the same afternoon he had eight people visit his store and 10 pairs of shoes were sold. He is now a frequent user of Twitter to keep his customers in the loop.

The same merchant used Twongo and the power of team buying to sell 230 discounted coupons against the purchase of regular priced shoes.

All money raised by the merchant was donated to the local food bank at Christmas and his store was featured on radio and in print, while donating $2,300 dollars to a great cause.

The marketing power of the internet has grown very fast in a short period of time and there is a whole new generation of shoppers who are looking for great value and great service.

Your job as a retailer in this internet age is to decide how you will market yourself so you can “Build Your Business”.

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight – Build Your Business
Kelowna / Ottawa / Toronto
Email
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Web Ad Revenue Surges in 2010

2010-12-06T21:08:00.001-08:00

Web Ad Revenue Surges in 2010eMarketer forecast sees an uptick of 13.9% to $25.8 billion
Dec 6, 2010 - Mike Shields

The recession is starting to fade from memory, in the online ad world at least.

Online advertising revenue will surge by 13.9 percent to $25.8 billion in 2010 in the U.S., according to the latest forecast from industry researcher eMarketer. That’s at least the third time that eMarketer has revised its 2010 spending estimates upward. A year ago the company predicted 5.5 percent growth this year. By May of this year that estimate had swelled to 11 percent.

The next several years should be robust for the online ad space as well, according to eMarketer. Next year, spending will climb by 10.5 percent—and in fact the researcher foresees double-digit spending growth in every year through 2014 with revenue netting out at $40.5 billion.

It appears that the Web’s relatively low cost compared to other media, coupled with its reputation for trackability may be propelling more dollars to the medium during the prolonged downturn.

According to eMarketer analyst David Hallerman, “It may seem ironic, but marketers’ economic concerns are leading them to spend more for online advertising.”

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight – Build Your Business
Kelowna / Ottawa / Toronto
Email
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

EU launches Google investigation after complaints

2010-12-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

(Reuters) - EU regulators opened a formal investigation into Google on Tuesday, putting pressure on the world's top Internet search engine to offer concessions to settle antitrust complaints and avert a lengthy battle like Microsoft.

The move by the European Commission came more than nine months after British price comparison site Foundem and French legal search engine ejustice.fr alleged Google's search algorithm demoted their sites in Web search results because they were rivals.

Microsoft-owned Ciao, from Bing, also filed a complaint with the European Commission about Google's standard terms and conditions.

"The (European) Commission will investigate whether Google has abused a dominant market position in online search by allegedly lowering the ranking of unpaid search results of competing services," the EU executive said in a statement.

But Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said it was premature to say there was a problem with Google's business practices.

"I want to be very clear that this does not mean that there is definitely a problem -- it is far too early to say that," he told a European Parliamentary hearing.

Google said it would cooperate with the regulator.

"There is always going to be room for improvement, so we will be working with the Commission to address any concerns," a Google spokesman said.

The company defended its formula for ranking websites and said it had stopped using exclusive contracts almost two years ago.

"We built Google for users, not websites, and the nature of ranking is that some websites will be unhappy with where they rank," the spokesman said.

"Those sites have complained and even sued us over the years, but in all cases there were compelling reasons why their sites were ranked poorly by our algorithms."

The Commission said it would also look into allegations that Google sets exclusivity obligations on advertising partners, preventing them from placing certain types of competing ads on their websites, as well as on computer and software vendors, with the aim of shutting out competing search tools.

It would also investigate suspected restrictions on the portability of online advertising campaign data to competing online advertising platforms.
In January, Microsoft ended a decade-long battle with the Commission by agreeing to give European consumers better access to rival Internet browsers in its Windows operating system.
It has been fined a total 1.68 billion euros ($2.4 billion) for antitrust infringements in Europe.

The Commission can fine companies up to 10 percent of their global turnover for breaching EU rules. It has slapped a record 1.06 billion euros in fine on Intel in the past for abuse of market dominance.

(Editing by Rex Merrifield and David Hulmes)

Push or Pull Marketing Strategies which is right for you?

2010-12-03T03:19:00.000-08:00

With the acceleration of the internet as a major marketing tool many clients are looking at their marketing budgets and doing an evaluation of their marketing expenditures.

In a perfect world you may want push out to certain markets while pulling in others.

When you think of push and pull marketing, think of it in terms of a person either getting "pulled" in to see what the seller has to offer or the seller "pushes" out what he has to sell to the buyer.

Let’s review the concept of push and pull marketing:

What is pull marketing?

Pull marketing is where you develop advertising and promotional strategies that are meant to entice the prospect to buy your product or service.

Some classic examples are "half off!" or "bring in this coupon to save 25%" or "buy one get one free" or creating a blog with free information. Give away an eBook to access to an email address or speaking at an event. With pull marketing, you are creating urgency or creating a sense of increased time limited value so that the customer will come into your store to buy now.

So what are the pull marketing tactics you can employ to achieve this?

Blogging – blogging is one of the best marketing avenues at your disposal. Not only does it provide you with a way of increasing your brand exposure and trust but it also allows you to connect more deeply with your audience.

Social Media Marketing – social media allows you to engage with others online. It is the sharing of content, opinion and insight with the folks within your online following and friends. Twitter is an example of a social media service that relies on pull marketing extensively. People follow the conversations that interest them.

Build Community – build a sense of community around your business and people will return. Give people the opportunity to communicate with other like minded individuals and they will return to your business to do so – and indeed identify you as a leader in your industry.

Email Newsletters – offering additional information by way of an email newsletter is another great way to provide value to customers. It is a great way to educate your clients on the services that you offer and helps you stand out from the crowd.

Public Speaking – being seen is a great way to increase your authority. This is where you want to be, as having knowledge initiates questions from the less knowledgeable – and this leads to business.

What is push marketing?

Push marketing is the practice of ‘pushing’ your product towards an audience that may or may not know about it. Traditional advertising leaflets that drop through your letterbox or sales letters, advertising on TV, Radio and newspapers or cold calls.

All of these are examples of push marketing. Think about the last time you received a leaflet in the post. Was it relevant to you? Did you keep it or throw it out? Push marketing only gets results if the timing is right, and if the product or service caters to recipients needs.

Examples of some push marketing tactics you could use to generate awareness of your product:

Paid Advertising - There are many types of paid advertising available and their goal is largely the same: to obtain traffic that will hopefully convert into customers or leads

Create and Maintain an Email List. You should always aim to build an email list for both potential buyers and existing customers. This allows you to push information out to your customers in a very cost-effective way to generate sales.

Joint Venture with other Businesses - This is a variation of paid advertising. Offer to pay partners a referral fee if they refer prospects to your business. Non-profit communities or online associations are a good place to set up referral networks.

When deciding whether to pull or push you should consider that "pull" marketing lets a company focus on the development of the brand. "Pull" marketing wants to create loyal supporters by setting a certain standard for their brand. While "push" marketing is more concerned with short-term results

Both push and pull marketing strategies work well to achieve specific goals. An experienced marketing professional can help you integrate both strategies in a long term marketing plan which will be an effective way to promote any business or website and Build Your Business.

Fore more information contact:

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight Consulting
Build Your Business
Email
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

OBRG Networking Event Thursday November 25th – Work Life Balance … Is it possible?

2010-11-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

We have all heard it before is there such a thing as work life balance?

What simple things can you do to grow your business without leave a negative impact on your health?

Join us from The Okanagan Business Referral Group on Thursday November 25th to find out how to bring more balance in your life.

Hear from five speakers,

Dan Walker-Delisle Chiropractor from Creative Healing on how to make positive changes to improve your energy at work.
Roy Collins/Carmen Sprag from Total Office designing an office the has builds creativity and great work environment.

Ron Finch from Paradigm Health Clinic the benefits of good nutrition on your effectiveness in your life and business.

Chris Rowe of Kelowna Martial Arts on how to physical activity can minimize your stress and maximize performance in all areas your life.

Lyle Isenor from Russell & Associates: Health creating wellness through your employee benefits program.

Tickets are only 29 dollars each and include print material and appetizers, and time to network with other like minded business owners.

Our last event was sold out so please RSVP me back.

Location: Sandman Hotel and Conference Ctr. 2130 Harvey Avenue
Date: Thursday November 25th
Event Time: 2 to 4 pm
Networking: 4 to 5 pm

Complimentary Appetizers and Cash bar provided after the event

To purchase tickets contact:

Cathy Carolei
250-861-4222

carolei@shawcable.com

Partial proceeds from the event will be going to The Access to Employment Program. Check their website for more information here http://www.pimbc.ca/employ.html

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

The Purple Pinkie Polio Campaign

2010-10-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

Floodlight is a proud sponsor of Roy’s Shoes Purple Pinkie campaign.

KELOWNA, BC – October 21th 2010 ROY’S SHOES KELOWNA, a leader in quality and comfort family footwear, is proud to announce a partnership with Sunrise Rotary and the Rotoract Club of Kelowna to purple the pinkies of 3000 people in Kelowna. With a donation of $1 we hope to raise $3000 which will allow 5000 children to be vaccinated. When teams of volunteers are vaccinating the children of a village the tips of their little fingers are dipped in purple dye so that the team knows that they have been done.

Roy’s Shoes will also be exhibiting an iron lung used to help individuals with polio to breath.

A patient with polio may need to use an iron lung which when sealed provides an effectively oscillating atmospheric pressure so they can breathe.

After 20 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners like Roy’s Shoes are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease, but a strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all. It is a window of opportunity of historic proportions.

Your contribution will help Roy’s Shoes and Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The resulting $555 million will directly support immunization campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families.

As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high. This is important because there is no cure for Polio, only prevention. And when just one case of polio still exists, the whole world is in danger of being infected. It is an issue that affects us here in North America as the disease is only a short plane ride away and it could again become a huge problem like it was in the 1950's.

Time Line:

* Iron Lung and the Purple Pinkie Project will be at Roy’s Shoes October 25th to October 30th 2010

* Watch for Purple Pinkie Projects at UBCO, Okanagan College, London Drugs, Farmers Markets, and other locations across the Okanagan

* October 30, 2010 - Ramesh Ferris – Guess Speaker - A Canadian polio survivor and long distance cyclist Ramesh Ferris will speak at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna. 7:00PM

* October 30, 2010 - Book Signing - Ramesh Ferris will be at Roy’s Shoes for book signing 11 to 2 pm

About ROY’S SHOES - For 37 years Roy’s Shoes Boot and Repair has offered great service, quality comfort shoes and shoe repair in Kelowna’s downtown core. Jim Belshaw bought Roy’s Shoes three years ago and is committed to his community and is a proud Rotarian.

Jim Belshaw is a huge supporter of Downtown Kelowna becoming a viable mixed use community that supports live, work and play opportunities for both residents and visitors. Jim donates through Roy’s Shoes a $1.00 of every shoe repair to his local and international community. To date last year his donations topped $7000.00.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Jim Belshaw -Roy’s Shoes Boots and Repair
250-763-5696
roysshoes@shaw.ca
http://www.roysshoes.com/

Social Media Marketing – Are you connected?

2010-10-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Whether your company is just starting out, starting to grow or already established, you need to continually evaluate the tools which will help build your business to the next stage. Social Media has shifted the way we talk to friends, family and our clients.

When evaluating your marketing dollars for 2011 you’ll want to ensure that 25 % of your marketing budget is directed to marketing yourself on the internet. If your target market is under 30 years old it may be as high as 50%.

If you follow this thought process you will definitely want to arm yourself with social media tools, that will play an important role in the development of your company’s marketing strategy and business development.

Getting the word out in today’s internet world is imperative and the marketing of you and your business will be given a big boost by social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Below is a quick overview for the big four of Social Media:

Facebook:
As of July 2010 Facebook has more than 500 million active users, which is about one person for every fourteen in the world. Users may create a personal profile, add other users as friends and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile. Additionally, users may join common interest user groups, organized by workplace, school, or college, or other characteristics.

The benefits of Facebook - Facebook is an excellent social networking source. You can have a business profile page, and different groups. It also has a great event tool which allows you to invite people to your next party or business social event.

Twitter:

Twitter is a website which offers a social networking and micro blogging service, enabling its users to send and read other users' messages called tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the user's profile page.

The benefits of Twitter - Twitter has many uses for both personal and business use. It's a great way to keep in touch with your friends and quickly broadcast information about where you are and what you're up to. For example, "I'm downtown and aching for some sushi, anyone like to join me?" For business, Twitter can be used to broadcast your company's latest news and blog posts, interact with your customers, or to enable easy internal collaboration and group communication.

YouTube:

YouTube is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. YouTube uses video technology to display a wide variety of user-generated video content, including movie clips, TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos. Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media corporations including CBS, BBC, and others are using this medium as a marketing tool. YouTube is the second biggest search engine tool after Google.

The benefits of YouTube - With YouTube you can create your own customized channel or customer base. Whenever a video is added to a YouTube account, it leads to the creation of one profile channel by itself. Keen viewers usually form a part of this channel and may also take its subscription. One may also promote their websites further by sending newsletters through e-mails to these subscribers. In other words, it can aid in building your customer list.

LinkedIn:

LinkedIn is mainly used for professional networking. As of August 2010, LinkedIn had more than 75 million registered users, spanning more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The site is available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. The purpose of the site is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in business. The people in the list are called Connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection.

The benefits of LinkedIn:

For many professionals LinkedIn has become the social tool for professional networking on line. It’s a convenient way to stay connected to current colleagues and people who you’ve worked with in the past. It’s a great way to be connected with the owner’s and decision makers of the business world.

Social Media is a great way to share expertise with a target market of prospects and clients and to become a leader in your field. Build Your Business with Social Media and increase your market share with loyal followers.

Fore more information contact:

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight – Build Your Business
Kelowna / Ottawa / Toronto
Email
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

To blog or not to blog that is the question?

2010-09-18T23:39:00.001-07:00

To blog or not to blog that is the question. In recent years Blogs have become an effective way of creating a dialog with your target market allowing businesses to market products and services to their clients.

Blogs allow your business to re purpose all relevant information that is subject oriented to your market and this sharing of information allows you to become the leaders in your field and utilize all the free internet tools made possible on Google to drive down traditional marketing costs.

Blogs allow you to:

•Humanize your company with corporate blogs. One or more employees, the CEO included, may blog. Corporate blogs require a level of transparency. As a result, corporate bloggers must have access to, and support from, senior management, PR, and legal depending on the business. A bike shop has greater freedom than a corporate banker.

•Build business or brand by connecting with consumers. Both small businesses and major corporations can use blogs to build closer relationships with their customers by posting relevant information that speaks to the needs of their clients

•Gather market intelligence. Blogs allow you to monitor the public buzz to determine how your brand and close competitors are faring. Knowing where, why, and how you’re being trashed (or praised) in a public forum allows you to respond appropriately.

•Engage bloggers by commenting on key business topics. Reading blogs related to your product or company to understand the blogger’s perspective and audience trends will allow you to strategically respond to postings to initiate dialogue. More genuine that a PR pitch, this approach can also help correct misinformation

A blog allows you to educate, support all your products, speak to your past, present and future clients and stay top of mind for your services while helping you to Build Your Business.

Please contact us at 250.768.9415 or email us ( Click Here ) for more information on how we can help you "Build Your Business"!

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight – Build Your Business
Kelowna / Ottawa / Toronto
Email
1-888-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Soles for Souls - That's a Wrap!!!

2010-07-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Soles 4 Souls Canada from Jerry Mason on Vimeo.

Donald Robichaud President FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415 http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Are you and Expert?

2010-05-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

The first half of 2010 is almost over and we are approaching the summer months.

This is a great time to access the first half of the year and review your business goals for the year. Are you on track? If not, Why? What do you need to do to ensure success for the balance of 2010 and the start of 2011?

I’ve had many discussions with Start Ups, Entrepreneurs and mid size businesses just like you who are struggling to find new leads, close sales and market their business.

When I ask if they’re experts in their field, I get all types of odd answers from, No!!!!!! To, well I don't have a university degree or even worse I don’t know.

If you’re not an expert in your field and fully confident of your products and service your potential customers will sense your weakness and not be moved to desire your services.

Many businesses are held back because key people in the organization lack the proper skill set to either manage their business effectively or they lack the skills to utilize new technologies like the internet to leverage their business.

To be a successful business today you need to continue the learning process and learn new skills. You are the key to your success. You need to have an open mind and become and expert in your field and the only way to do this is to continue learning.

To do this you must take stock of your business:

1. Write down the top ten must improve areas of your business for 2010

2. Now divide the top ten in to the following areas of Sales, Marketing and Business Operation.

3. You will notice that one area will become painfully obvious

4. Now go buy a couple of books to read in that obvious area. (Possibly Marketing)

5. Monday to Friday get up early every morning or shut off the TV early at night and read every day for one hour.

Five days a week for one hour. Take notes of the things you like and implement as soon as possible.

5 hours x 26 weeks = 180 hours dedicated to learning.

To really achieve any goal or to learn a new skill that is worthwhile, we need to discipline ourselves to keep it on track until it’s accomplished. There are several ways to effectively track your goals.

• Keep a list and review your goals regularly, preferably daily

• Break down a goal into actionable steps

• Break down a goal into quantifiable results

• Track a goal by the amount of time you spend on it

The investment in learning will pay multiple dividends for the balance of 2010 leading into 2011 and help you to “Build your Business”

Donald Robichaud is the President of FloodLight Consulting and can be reached at 250-768-9415

Donald Robichaud President
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

The Learning Process

2010-05-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

In the last few weeks I have been involved with the Training of many employees throughout the Kelowna region.

In one session we were doing sales training with the emphasis on accessing the customers’ needs and in the other session employees were improving their Microsoft excel skills.

In both classes the feedback was very positive and many expressed how confident they felt once the session was over and they had started to utilise their new skills.

In one situation the salesman was able to re-engage a national account, once thought lost and due to the sales training they have put this 250 thousand dollar project back on the rails to success.

In business we sometimes look at training as a cost to the employer rather than the benefits of the training and how it will enhance our performance as a company and return on Investment. (ROI)

In fact many businesses have no problem dropping $1000.00 to $5000.00 dollars a month or more on advertising with little results when all they really had to do was pare down their advertising by 20% and funnel the dollars into the betterment of their employees and improving company efficiency.

The results are ever lasting and generally the employee will be very thankful for the opportunity to enhance their skill set.

Fifteen years ago I was that employee looking for an opportunity to improve my lot in life. My employer invested in training for myself and others. At the age of 39 I embarked on a learning curve that has lead me to the present position as president of Floodlight.

It was not easy, but as I learned more I was able to move myself up the corporate ladder until such time I decided to begin my own company.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity that was given me to improve my skill set which allowed me to take better care of my family and my clients.

Learning new skills and enhancing old ones is the best way to improve your employees self esteem with the quickest rate of return.

Take a look at your present advertising and marketing budgets then funnel some dollars in to your greatest area of return, your employees.

Who knows, that salesman in cubicle number three may just be your next vice president and help you Build Your Business.

Donald Robichaud is the President of FloodLight Consulting

and can be reached at 1-888-768-9415 or at 250-768-9415

Donald Robichaud
President FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415 http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Selling Breakthroughs - August 19th 2010 - Kelowna Sales Training

2010-04-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

Selling Breakthroughs - August 19th 2010 - Kelowna Sales Training
20 spots available / 13 left
Call today -250-768-9415 to book your spot!!!

Total cost - Selling Breakthroughs - $495.00

Sign up before August 1st 2010 and receive!!
One hour Sales Training on: How do people buy? (Value $150.00)

Keep your customers satisfied to create lasting relationships.

The secret to making a successful sale is knowing what, why, how and when your audience wants to buy. Learn the processes and stages of both buyer and seller simultaneously to understand how to apply sales skills and behaviors that accurately match the buyer's state and motivations. Understand how to use your expertise confidently to positively influence outcomes and meet both the buyer's and your own requirements. A sale isn't over until your client knows that the solution to their business problem is you and your product or service.

This course will help you:

Accurately assess customer needs and establish needs awareness
Present solutions based upon priority and big picture needs, not products or services
Use the buyer's motivations for increased focus and creating opportunities
Communicate as a problem-solver and a trusted partner
Develop professional, long-lasting business-to-business relationships

Who should Attend:

Anyone involved in the selling process.

Format:

A highly-interactive 1-day workshop.

Tools Provided:

A Comprehensive Learning Guide
A pre- and post-workshop skills assessment
Half hour with our sales professional one month after training

Detailed Synopsis: Selling Breakthroughs

The Selling Breakthroughs workshop. will give you the skills needed to transform selling products, services or ideas into selling “business solutions” are essential for salespeople at all levels.

The program will broaden your understanding and develop your selling skills to uncover the underlying business need, create a desire to act on solving the business problem or to take advantage of a business opportunity, make clientcentered sales presentations, gain commitment, and enhance the relationship by ensuring client satisfaction.

The program provides practical planning tools and processes, with case studies and practice sessions to learn and enhance your selling skills.

Unit 1 An Overview of the Selling – Buying Process:
In this overview unit we examine the process and stages that a buyer moves through in any buying situation. This enables us to appreciate the skills and behaviors required by the salesperson to support the buyer throughout the process.

Unit 2 Need: Establishing buyers’ needs and need awareness:
The foundation of any sale and worthwhile relationship requires a clear understanding of the buyer’s real needs – their situation, problems and opportunities. In this unit you will learn the importance of first impressions, and how to use appropriate selling and interpersonal behaviors to achieve strong and positive relationships. You will enhance your questioning skills to obtain appropriate facts and information, and to get confirmation, agreement and commitment.

Unit 3 Priority: Activating needs to priority:
This stage is the vital link between establishing needs and presenting a solution. We explore general and specific buying motives, and identify and establish the individual motivations and drives of our buyers. You will learn specific questioning skills that focus the buyer on their real situation, and help them clarify those needs that are priorities for them. You will become comfortable challenging the status quo.

Unit 4 Solution: Presenting a business case solution:
This Unit is designed to move you towards mastery of presenting a business case that meets the buyer’s specific product and service needs, demonstrates value, and is based on positive relationships. You will further enhance your questioning and listening skills. You will learn how to prepare generic and client specific product and service analyses, based on a complete understanding of features, advantages, benefits and end results. You will prepare a value-based solution, with a documented valueadded package, that effectively differentiates your solution. You will learn how to deal with various forms of resistance, including “price” issues, and positively sell on value and
relationship factors.

Unit 5 Implement: Closing and implementing:
Through an understanding of buying signals, stress and risk assessment, and closing techniques, you will learn how to support the buyer to implement their solution choice. Preparation of a checklist and plan will ensure both parties commit to and complete full implementation.

Unit 6 Relationship: Cementing the relationship and managing expectations:
This unit looks at our customers in terms of importance and worth to help us better allocate our time. Development of an expectation feedback system helps us monitor and evaluate results against expectations. Proactive follow-up will ensure an ongoing relationship based on trust and credibility.

Total cost - Selling Breakthroughs - $495.00

For more information and to see how Priority Management can help you work smarter, call:

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Soles4Souls Canada - 25,000 Shoes 25 Days

2010-02-22T05:05:00.000-08:00

I’m proud to announce that FloodLight Consulting will be supporting Roy’s Shoes as they raise 25,000 shoes in 25 days. This is a worthy cause and I recommend all clients and friends to clean out your closets and help Roy’s , changing the world, one pair at a time.

February 24th to Saturday March 20th

Our goal is to collect 25,000 pairs of shoes in 25 days.

Local Okanagan social agencies as example; The Food Bank Store, Kelowna Gospel Mission, Now Canada, Kelowna’s Women’s Shelter etc. will all be offered footwear for their clients.

The remaining shoes will be shipped to the Soles4Souls distribution Center in Nevada where they will be sorted and shipped to where needed. Presently they have committed over 1 million pairs to Haiti.

Drop off locations

All Capri Insurance Locations: Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna, Pentiction
Roy’s Shoes
Ramada Hotel Kelowna
Capital News
Astral Media - Sun Fm - 1150 Radio - Silk FM
Best Western Vernon Lodge
Penticton Lake Side Resort
OK Pizza
Wickerland Patio and Home
Spy vs Spy - The Spy Store

A $5.00 donation buys 2 pairs of NEW SANDALS

WE NEED YOU TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS
Estimates are that every person has 3 or 4 pairs at least in their closet that are not worn any more but still in good shape. We ask that you clean out your closets but convince your friends, neighbors and relatives to do the same. We ask that the shoes have no holes in the soles and in decent shape. All footwear including sandals and boots are accepted and needed.

It is also the GREEN thing to do. There are tons of discarded footwear in the landfills that when break down the toxic glue that holds our shoes together can leak into our water supply and atmosphere.

For more information call Jim Belshaw Roy’s Shoes
1627 Ellis St. Kelowna PBC 250-763-5696 cell 250-870-1191

Jim Belshaw
Roy’s Shoes Boots and Repair
1627 Ellis Street, Kelowna, V1Y2A8
250-763-5696
roysshoes@shaw.ca
http://www.roysshoes.com/
http://www.soles4soulscanada.com/

or

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Up sell to greater sales!!

2010-02-17T20:43:00.000-08:00

Would you like fries with your Order?

In this economy it’s important to add additional sales to your order without coming across as pushy. Every day sales teams are leaving out sales that customers would have willingly purchased with you.
In most organizations the salesman is so happy to make the initial sale that they actually forget or refuse to offer accessories items that will compliment the original purchase.

I learned a long time ago never assume that the person I was selling to was in the same monetary position as me. Sometimes we assume that because we are tight for money others are too, or we read about a recession and expect that everyone has tightened their purse strings. Not so!!

Every Product sold has an accessory item that will enhance the purchase. When buying a suit I am always offered or shown the appropriate shirt, ties, belts and socks that match the original sale. In the shoe business it’s the purse that matches the shoes or the polish that will help with the upkeep. In selling websites the up sell is the hosting package or the yearly SEO package that comes with the site or the newsletter attachment to market the products on the site.

When was the last time you bought just a hamburger? ” Would you like fries with your order? “, has become the staple of the fast-food industry.

Why up selling is so profitable?
The best part of up selling is that it’s practically effortless. Since it’s done after the customer has decided to go ahead with a major purchase, the hard part of the sales conversation has already been done. You’ve already established rapport, identified the customer’s needs, summarized, presented benefits, asked for the order and handled objections. Up selling is just presenting the information in a “by-the-way” fashion.

One of the most effective up selling techniques is getting the customer to use the product in your location. A hairdresser for example, might put hair gel in the customer’s hand and show them how to apply it themselves. By showing the client how to get the salon look at home, they create a value-added up sell.

At the retail level, it’s a good idea to group related and similar products then offer the add on at a package price. If someone is getting a haircut and you talk to them about shampoo and conditioners, it only makes sense to show them a package deal that groups hair products at a package price.

What to Offer?

Think about your business. What else can you offer customers or clients while they're making their first transaction with you?

Can you offer:
• A discount on a related product or service?
• A volume discount if they buy more now?
• A special priced combination package including the initial product or service?
• Extended warranties or support packages
• Additional cables, batteries, cleaning products, etc……..
Your offer should include preferential special pricing. Most customers will accept the up selling offer when it's a good value and the customer feels they are saving money.

The profit from the up selling portion often exceeds the profit on the initial product or service, because there are no additional expenses involved. The customer is already in the store and you have a captured audience.

Offer an incentive program to your sales team for up selling a specific line of accessories.

The Challenge

This week choose an accessory item in your business and offer it to every customer for the next month. You will add additional sales to your bottom line and increase your profit. Not everyone will buy, but if you don’t ask you’ll never make the sale.

If every day you service 10 clients and 3 buy a $25.00 dollar up sell accessory item, you will have an additional $75 dollars in the till. Now multiply $75 x 30 days in the month and you have now increased your totals sales for the month by $2250.00

Would you like fries with that order?

If you're not making up selling offers to every new customer or client, start doing it now. It's an easy way to boost your profits and Build Your Business.

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Important Stimulus Funding Announcement for Kelowna Small Businesses

2010-02-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

Important Funding Announcement for Kelowna Small Businesses:

FloodLight Consulting is an eligible trainer for the Workplace Training for Innovation Program and offers courses priced from $400 to $1500 per employee depending upon the program and material costs.

Workplace Training for Innovation Pilot Program

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development has established a new program initiative, Workplace Training for Innovation Program, through the Strategic Training and Transition Fund. The program is designed to provide eligible employers with funding for employee training in order to:

Improve productivity
Support the introduction of new technology, machinery/equipment or work processes
Enhance international competitiveness
Introduce innovative training and workplace strategies to increase the long term competitiveness of the organization and its workforce.

Both businesses and not-for-profit employers may be eligible to receive funding. Eligible employers must be:

Small organizations (less than 50 employees)
In good standing with the BC Corporate Registry
In existence for one year or more

How will this benefit my small business?

This limited time program can provide your business or organization with full $$ funding for employee training in order to improve productivity; introduce new technologies or work processes, enhance your competitiveness and/or increase the long term competitiveness of your organization and its workforce.

To pay for training, you can receive:

up to $1500 per employee to a maximum of $5000
Funding for Sales Training, Marketing, Branding and Business Development Training Programs in Kelowna

In addition, organizations must certify that they would not undertake the training without financial assistance from the Province. Complete eligibility criteria are contained in the application form and program guidelines. Organizations may apply for funding by submitting a completed application for funding form to Chemistry Consulting Group Inc. at the address listed on the form. Faxed and emailed applications will not be accepted. An application is not a guarantee of funding. Applications will be processed on a first-come/first-serve basis, subject to availability of funding. Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2011, subject to availability of funding.

Related Documents

FloodLight Consulting has eligible training programs for this funding and offers course ranging from $400 to $1500 per employee depending upon the program and material costs.

If you need to discuss your funding Training Requirements give us a call for a free one hour consultation.

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight – Build Your Business - Kelowna
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Do you have a sales process ?

2010-02-04T19:15:00.000-08:00

I was recently approached by a company to assist them with their sales process. In the interview I uncovered that they were struggling with sales because they did not have a sales process defined.

This company had one of the three owners dedicated to sales. The owner had sales experience, but was way over his head with this specific product and service.

Every company needs to have a developed sales process and apply the sales process to every sale. In thirty years of sales and marketing I have only run into a handful of people who are natural sales people. These gods of sales have a sales system in place.

Even the Sham Wow guy on TV has a system and recently he used the same system to sell the Slap Chop!!!

Sales people are more productive when following a specific sales process that details the steps along the way. This will allow them to process the prospect into a lead and then a sale.

As a company you should define your company's sales process based on best practices within your team, your industry and your target market. Below you will find a sales process that can be applied to most products and services.

The Sales Process - The process for converting prospects into leads and leads into customers is much like playing a hockey game. You need a plan and set plays to move the puck up the ice. Not practicing and staying within a game plan can result in a waste of time and effort.

Engage. - This is the first milestone in the sales process and usually happens when a potential client makes an inquiry into your product, or service and this will allow you to introduce yourselves, your company, your offering and uncover their general need. This is your lead.

Qualify. - Once you've engaged the potential client and determined they fit your overall target profile, you need to qualify the lead further to make sure it's a "fit" with your company and what you offer.

Assess. - Once you have qualified the lead you must assess the opportunity before expending the resources to develop a quote or proposal. Ask yourself: What are the specifics of their needs? What is the main decision-making factor? What is their budget? Do they understand your value proposition? Are they looking at the competition?

Proposal. - You've assessed the opportunity to the level required during the assess stage, and now it's time to move into the proposal stage. Make sure your proposal process is appropriate for the buying cycle. Include validation of your services, testimonials, all terms, as well as credit, inside the proposal to avoid slowing down the sales process.

Close. - At this phase of the sales process, you must close and overcome any possible objections, negotiate terms, and close the deal.

SALE! - Hopefully at this point, you've done such a good job of managing your sales process that you have moved your lead to a sale. If at any time the sale fails you must analyze and refine for the next time.

This is an overview of the typical sales process and it is imperative that no short cuts are taken. Failure to follow your sales plan will lead to lost sales.

Having a company sales process will allow you to process sales more effectively and help you to ‘Build Your Business’.

Donald Robichaud is the President of the FloodLight Consulting team and can be reached at:

FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Are you eligible for Government funded training?

2010-01-21T00:07:00.000-08:00

Important Announcement to Kelowna Small Businesses:

Improve productivity
Support the introduction of new technology, machinery/equipment or work processes
Enhance international competitiveness
Introduce innovative training and workplace strategies to increase the long term competiveness of the organization and its workforce.

Both businesses and not-for-profit employers may be eligible to receive funding. Eligible employers must be:

Small organizations (less than 50 employees)
In good standing with the BC Corporate Registry
In existence for one year or more

up to $1500 per employee to a maximum of $5000
Sales, Marketing, Branding and Business Development Training Programs in Kelowna

FloodLight Consulting is an eligible training program for this funding and offers course pricing ranging from $400 to $1500 per employee depending upon the program and material costs.

If you need to discuss your Training Requirments give us a call for a free one hour consultation.

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight – Build Your Business
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

8 FREE ways to Build your Business

2010-01-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

There are a number of methods that you can use to build your business. Many of these methods may already be in use but they are rarely used as part of a total marketing system so they are not used consistently.

When you begin using any marketing strategy as part of a system, then it becomes a positive source for the growth of your business.

Most businesses have methods of marketing; however, most do not pay close attention to the results and frequency of implementation. The key to remember is that when something is part of a system, then it is repetitive therefore multiplying the effectiveness and guaranteeing significantly better results.

The best way to implement your marketing strategy is to use this guide and make sure that you answer the questions that are part of each concept.

The goal of you answering the questions is simple. If you take the time to answer the question, even if it is just in your head, you will take yourself to a higher level of awareness of how you are working in your business.

MARKETING WEAPONS

1. Business Cards – Your business card should have key contact information and must be distributed to everyone you meet. The goal of giving your card to everyone is placing you in the subconscious mind of everyone you meet.
Q: Do you give your card to everyone you meet or just people that ask you about your business?

2. Ask For Referrals – Everyone you develop rapport with both inside and outside your business should know what you do and be able to refer someone to you. The best way to get a referral is to give one first. It will pay major dividends for you.
Q: How many people you know who are in business that would appreciate a referral? What goes around comes around!!!

3. Have a Clearly Defined Message – Make sure that everything you do has a message about who you are and/or what you do. Hone your Elevator Pitch!!
Q: What is your message? What do you specialise in? Who is your target market and what are your services? What problems do you solve?

4. Voice Mail Marketing – Make sure your voice mail has special marketing statements. It is very important to place some type of reminder for the listener to ask you about something specific about you or your products. An example of a voice mail marketing system is at the end of your greeting, you add the statement “Don’t forget to ask me about….!”
Q: How do I get people to ask me about my competitive advantage?

5. E-mail Marketing – This is very similar to voice mail marketing. Every e-mail you send must have as part of your signature, a special offer or a marketing message!
Q: What does your e-mail signature look like?

6. Testimonials – It is a must for you to get testimonials from your clients and referral sources. Your website and marketing material should contain a customer quote. These quotes give customers sub-conscious references to your services and the quality of them.
Q: How many testimonials do you have and are they from different types of sources so you can attach them to the appropriate marketing piece?

7) Community Involvement – Get involved with your community and increase your exposure. Individuals that participate in community activities tend to be compelled to want to help other members of the activity because of the common bond that is shared.
Q: What organization could you join that would surround you with the type of people that either could use your services or refer you to people that could benefit from your services while simultaneously giving something valuable back to your community?

8). Accessibility – Make sure you are easily reachable. Make clear to your clients the best way to reach you along with the best times to reach you. Add on your voice mail message specific times that you will be returning phone calls so clients know when to expect to hear back from you. When you return clients messages when you say you will, your credibility grows and so do the quality of your referrals.
Q: How much time do you need to answer your messages and when would be the best time of the day to answer your messages and return client calls? Do this daily.

Implement each one of these simple marketing weapons and “Build Your Business” in 2010.

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Well 2009 is over. Did you reach your goals?

2009-12-30T17:03:00.000-08:00

Well 2009 is over. Did you reach your goals?

Each year, people make New Year’s Resolutions, only to find that they didn't achieve their goals, and then they make the same resolutions again the following year.

Regardless of the goal, one of the major reasons that people fail to achieve their goals is that they do not have a goal-setting process, or a formula for success.

So what makes a good goal? Goal setting provides a target to aim for so that you can make better decisions about how to utilize your time and effort for both business and personal achievement.

A good goal is one that is worthy of individual pursuit and is of course, highly subjective. So, far be it for anyone to define for you what your worthy pursuit ought to be! All goals, no matter what they are, start with a plan!

So what is your Goal-Plan? A good Goal-Plan is one that when followed, offers a reasonably high probability of success, given sufficient time.

Here are a few tips to get you started for 2010
• Identify areas of strength and weakness
• Create a vision statement for the year (What is your Purpose?)
• Determine which areas to focus on in order to receive the biggest payoff
• Set goals to achieve business and personal results
• All goals must be written (and reviewed weekly, monthly and quarterly)
• All goals must be believable
• All goals must be challenging (moving you forward in your life)
• All goals must be measurable and specific
• All goals must have a deadline
• You must hold yourself accountable for all your goals

Find other people to support and encourage you. It’s easier to make progress towards your goals if you have some support from a friend, coach, mentor, or a family member. Share your goals with them and the kind of support you desire so that they can help and encourage you to reach your goals.

This is a great way to begin the New Year!

With solid goals and a primary purpose you will be in a great position to “Build Your Business”.

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Reflection and Gratitude

2009-12-20T04:13:00.000-08:00

This past year Canadians had to deal with an economy that was in a recessionary mode and we had to also watch many young Canadian soldiers passing away in Afghanistan.

In the Okanagan we had to deal with the summer fires and the downturn in the construction and tourism industry. Many families had to find a way to cope with layoffs and personal tragedies.

In the center of all this turmoil is the business owner who has to weather every day’s business upswings and downturns.

In our lives we get so caught up with the daily news and the negative side of life, that sometimes it’s hard to find the daily gems.

The little things that kept me focused this past year were the things that are most dear to me my family.

My father was declared cancer free after a battle with prostate cancer, my mother had successful hip surgery and is now moving around like a young school girl, my wife is in good health, and my sister just underwent successful surgery. (A family in the US would have been financially crippled.)

This past year I walked my youngest daughter down the aisle in San Diego with the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing below the Sunset cliffs. I was able to travel throughout the US visiting many spots that I had only previously read about. The visit to the Grand Canyon was the highlight of our tour of the US. My oldest daughter finished her education with her masters and landed a great job with National Resources Canada.

This past year I volunteered my time with the Chamber of Commerce and the Okanagan Mustangs and Fords club which allowed me to meet so many great people of the Okanagan. I hiked and biked many mornings around West Kelowna and I enjoyed many summer afternoons at various beach locations with family and friends.

It was a great year for many personal experiences and when it is all said and done I am thankful for the warm hand shake of a new acquaintance, the hug of an old friend and the love of my family.

It has not been an easy year, but when I reflect back it is those moments of time spent with the people that I care about that mean the most. I have been blessed with a healthy family, truly great friends and I look forward to 2010 with great enthusiasm.

This is an important time of year for reflection and gratitude and a great time to count our blessings.

I wish you all the best this holiday season and I trust you will reflect on those things that will allow you to build your business and personal growth

Build your website with an Internet Marketing Strategy

2009-11-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

How many Business Cards will you be handing out in the hopes of building your Business?

At FloodLight Consulting, we know that if you build your website with a marketing strategy in mind as a first step, this will lead to a better strategically designed website, leading to better website construction, design and Internet Implementation.

A website, built with a positive marketing strategy and message, will speak to your clients, generate a response, and greatly assist with its appeal to search engines and visitors alike.

A website that speaks to your clients’ challenges, with content that offers solutions to their issues, including testimonials about your services, will engage them to contact or purchase your product and/or services.

The importance of your website cannot be overstated, as 80% of buyers visit a website before contacting a business; this is due in part to the web’s influence in buying patterns since2005.

Your potential clients make decisions quickly as to whether they call you or ultimately buy from you.

Think of your website as the hub for your Marketing and Branding activities. No matter what marketing style you are using—direct mail, email, referral generation, PR, cold calling, etc.—this style is driving buyers to your website. Your website is the portal by which clients and prospects are using to learn more about you and your services.

They are searching for information to validate you as a professional in your field.

Your potential clients have a need for your service and your website must offer a solution to their problems. You must be able to speak to the challenges that your clients are facing.

If they find what they are looking for, they will take action. They go to your website to form an impression of you and interact with your brand.

Donald Robichaud

President

FloodLight Consulting - Build Your Business - 250-768-9415

http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/

http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

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Raise your Celebrity Status!!!!

2009-11-21T07:43:00.000-08:00

In this tough economic climate it is very important to continue to market your products and services, and to raise your so-called 'celebrity' status for yourself and your business.

As a business owner it's important to understand what we can do to become 'celebrities' in our own right.

Why?

Because as consumers; we view some people as “worthier” or “more expert” than others, just because they’re better known.

In fact, these people may not be any more talented than anyone else, but we assume that they are more skilled or talented just because they are more famous.

And because they’re famous, their names become currency in themselves. For example, think of how many movie stars make commercials for hair products, when they don’t even do their own hair!

It's important for us to do what we can to add some sparkle of celebrity to our own names. Simply put; the better known we become, the more customers and clients we’ll be able to draw in, and the higher the fees we’ll be able to command.

One of the easiest ways to raise your celebrity status is to create your own 'Special Event' - one that will draw attention to your company and its core products and services. The benefit of raising your celebrity status with an event is that the event speaks directly to your target market and establishes credibility for you as a leader in your industry and makes you and your business better known.

Becoming better known is a stepping stone to achieving other goals like attracting new clients, participating in speaking gigs (especially paid speaking gigs), making connections with marketing partners, attracting talented employees, and other activities that generate more business.

I recently worked with a client and helped him create a 'Special Event' designed to draw attention and create awareness for a custom service he provided to his clients. It was a fun event, capped by a contest that allowed him to tap into radio, TV, and newspapers with traditional marketing strategies, and incorporate Internet Marketing Strategies, utilizing newsletters, a Blog, Twitter, and Face book. The event and contest were both successful and the client was subsequently featured on both Global and CHBC news.

Events like this take a little time to assess the opportunities, assemble the right marketing information, and apply the right marketing strategies.

If done correctly, it’s a great way to raise your celebrity status and Build Your Business.

Donald Robichaud is the President of the FloodLight Consulting team and can be reached at http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/ or at 250-768-9415

An Obituary printed in the London Times - The Passing of Common Sense!!

2009-11-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly rather true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been
with us for many years.. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth
records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than
you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing
regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual
harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using
mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student,
only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that
they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It
declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to
administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents
when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion..

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and
criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a
beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and
the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize
that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and
was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by
his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter,
Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone
Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you
still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
-
Donald Robichaud

So What Time Will You Finish Work Tomorrow? Work Life Balance

2009-10-25T04:09:00.001-07:00

This is a great article from David Anderson of Priority - Okanagan Training Solutions

Donald Robichaud - FloodLight - Build Your Business

Just as few people are trained in information management, even fewer are trained in workload management. Yet every job in the world entails balancing a series of to-dos with the clock. Our research with over 1,000,000 of our customers worldwide in best-practice productivity processes, shows that very few people have a realistic plan for each day. Most plans that we see are long lists of non prioritized tasks-more of a wish list than a plan.

Here is a quick check as to how your workload management processes compare to best practice. Firstly, think about where you presently keep all the things you have to do . How many of the following tools do you use each day? Notepad, paper to-do list, scraps of paper, post-it notes, whiteboard, piles on the desk, Inbox, electronic to-do list, diary, electronic calendar and your memory. No wonder we so quickly lose the plot and find ourselves working late.
Best practice demands just one place to plan (yes, that’s ONE). When our work is in one place then we have something we can manage and control.
Now we have consolidated our tasks into one location we have a process that will get you home on time!

1. Write down all the things you need to do tomorrow in one place.
2. Estimate how long it is going to take to get each item done. Total the time - does it fit into
an 8 hour work day?
3. Are you likely to be interrupted tomorrow? If so, how will that impact your work? It will most likely double the time it takes to accomplish your work. Ask yourself if you can still get the work done after the interruption time is added?
4. Have you included time for lunch? What about travel time to and from your appointments? What about time to check your email? Remember that non-productive time for lunch, coffee breaks and checking email can easily add up to one-and-a-half hours.
5. Now total the realistic time and block out your calendar. What time are you going Home?
Is it time you want to go home?

Start today to develop the skills that will help you stay balanced and in control of your personal agenda. By developing essential skills such as personal organization, life/work balance and workload management you will improve every aspect of your life.

David Anderson
President
Okanagan Training Solutions / Priority Management Interior BC
250 762-5096 / 1-877-762-5096
prioritymanagment@telus.net
http://www.okanagantrainingsolutions.com/
http://okanagantrainingsolutions.blogspot.com/

Home Construction in Kelowna – what it takes today!

2009-10-15T03:20:00.000-07:00

The biggest financial market crash since the 1930’s has been followed by the deepest economic slump since that time. And yet, if we are to believe some of the recent economic reports put out by major Canadian banks and investment firms, there is an unprecedented amount of money sitting on the sidelines, which for the most part is earning little to no returns.

Between the years of 2003 and 2008 Kelowna residents witnessed a period of unprecedented construction activity and real estate sales. Single family construction was ignited by the fires of 2003 (no pun intended), followed by what many saw as condo-mania. Many bought homes and in particular, condos, that they never intended on occupying. The lure of a quick flip and easy money were in full swing! Rising prices and low interest rates forced many buyers to make quick decisions in a very heated market. Most housing prices more than doubled over this period of time. Many of the local old-timers just shook their heads in disbelief.

This activity all but came to a halt in mid to late 2008. As inventory accumulated, trades went elsewhere for jobs, and the ripple effect of a slumped local construction industry created massive lay-offs across the board, when coupled with a gloomy macro economic picture.

Yet, there is hope! Fundamentally, people need homes to live in and Kelowna is still one of the most desirable places to live in Canada. What appears to be selling in today’s climate are homes under say $500K. There’s an issue of affordability and comfort for this buying demographic. Land prices, labor rates, and in many cases, material costs are down. Combine this with the unprecedented money that is sitting on the sidelines, and there’s only one factor missing, and that’s providing consumers with a reason to feel comfortable about buying, which boils down to confidence and perceived value.

There are enough interior and exterior finishing options that builders can use today to ensure their costs are reduced without compromising on appearance and quality significantly. The key to a healthy local residential construction and housing market is the supply of smaller, lower cost, energy-efficient homes to meet the needs of first time home buyers, young families, empty nesters, and the downsizing baby boomers. When builders focus their efforts on meeting the needs of these groups we will all witness some of those unprecedented savings being pulled from low interest yielding financial instruments and find their way back into the housing market.

Richard Tremblay has spent the past 25 years working in various aspects of the construction of building products industries.

Business Coach or Business Consultant – What’s the difference?

2009-10-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

There is a “defined” difference between coach and consultant. At FloodLight we bring both sides into play as we work with our clients, through their Business Life Cycle. Over the past 5 years FloodLight has been called on as a Business Consultants in certain circumstances, and as a Business Coach in other situations.

Business Coach:
Generally a business coach operates with essentially a ‘hands off’ approach guiding and advising the client along the way. A good business coach is typically a generalist in his understanding of sound business management and leadership principles, as opposed to being an expert in any particular area. In most cases, coaching involves working with a client over a period of 6 to 12 months through a structured program where accountability rests squarely in the hands of the client.

In a typical coaching setting key objectives are identified, in many cases in the form of a 90-day plan, and a systematic approach towards achieving those objectives is designed by the coach. Regular weekly coaching sessions are held to monitor progress against those objectives and deal with any stumbling blocks along the way. The uniqueness of the relationship between the client and the coach often results in an on-going program as the client sees the value of having on-going coaching or guidance much in the same way that professional athletes have coaches throughout their careers. Coaching is a very affordable means of achieving greater business and personal success for most clients.

The Business Consultant:
Generally a business consultant operates with a ‘hands on’ approach with a client. In most cases consultant have a particular area of expertise and are brought in by clients to perform a certain task or accomplish a particular objective. While coaching can go on in perpetuity, consulting involves intensive involvement over a specified period of time. Once the task or project is complete, the consultant typically moves on to the next assignment.

And while a business coach can manage a number of clients at once (i.e. 6 to 12 on average), a consultant typically works exclusively for one client and possibly 2. The consultant will typically work full-time for the client until the task is completed, while a coach will usually spend an hour or two per week with each of his or her clients. For this reason, hiring a consultant is usually a more expensive proposition than hiring a coach.

FloodLight Business Solutions Group

At FloodLight we have 60 plus years of business experience and our team approach to business solutions allows us to work with owners, executives, managers, and employees in small to medium sized companies. Our primary focus is to help our clients grow their business and achieve a greater work-life balance!

The outcome is a more effective management of your time, team and money!

In a number of cases we at Floodlight have been called in to address a very specific issue such as Internet Marketing or Search Engine Optimization. This sort of situation lends itself well to a consulting role as circumstances dictate that we specifically focus on implementing a solution over a brief period of time.

In many other situations coaching is a better approach in dealing with operational, strategic, business management, and team leadership issues. At FloodLight we work with business owners to Assess their business needs, Assemble a comprehensive strategy, and Apply tailor-made solutions in a practical day-to-day action plan.

Being a business owner can often be a difficult and lonely job. And hiring a Sales Manager, Marketing Manger, or Operations Manager is not always an affordable option. Hiring a business coach often makes more sense and is certainly more affordable.

At FloodLight we provide you with a coaching team to guide, advise, and coach you towards your business and personal goals.

Please contact us at 250.768.9415 or email us ( Click Here ) for more information on how we can help you “Build Your Business”!

At FloodLight we provide:

Business coaching, personal business coach, business coach, professional business coach, small business coach, business coach,personal coach, Kelowna business coach, strategic business coach, executive coach, coach, coaching and executive coaching.

Why is signage so important? Speedpro Imaging Kelowna

2009-10-02T04:58:00.000-07:00

This is a great article from Janet Fichett and her team at Speedpro Imaging Kelowna,

Donald Robichaud - FloodLight - Build Your Business

Signage is usually the first thing that a customer will notice about your business. The goal of any marketing or advertising medium is to “get noticed”. Professionally designed graphics for your signs and printing will help you yield the greatest return on your advertising dollars.

Here are 10 tips on how to create high impact graphics:

1.Use an image. The use of a photo creates a 300% greater recall than ads without a photo. Logos and other graphical elements can also be used.

2.Use the right font. The text should be easy to read and no more than two font types should be used. Special effects such as shadows and outlines can be used to create a more visual impact.

3.Use the correct text size. The size of your sign will determine the text size. We recommend one inch for every 10 feet of viewing distance. A combination of upper and lower case letters is more legible from a distance.

4.Use good color combinations. The text and background colors should contrast for better visibility and readability. The sign should also contrast well within the environment that it is placed.

5.Use power words to add sales impact – Approved, Authentic, Bargain, Better, Discount, Easily, Guaranteed, Improved, Introducing, Powerful, Professional, Profitable, Reduced, Successful, You…

6.Target your audience. Who is your best customer? Is your sign appealing to the them. Cartoons aren’t for everyone. What do you provide that they are looking for? Are they current or potential customers?

7.Think about its purpose. What words do you want to linger in your customers mind about what you have to offer? Is the information you include for advertising, direction or for safety purposes?

8.Consistency. Apply a consistent look and feel to all marketing materials – design, color, font. Familiarity leads to trust.

9.White space – Less is more! Although the temptation might be to get the most bang for your buck, too much text will make your sign difficult to read from a distance. If you can get your message across in a word or two, do it. You may only have a second or two to convey your message. Text without adequate white space leaves us feeling crowded and cramped. A general rule of thumb is that around 30% to 40% of the sign's face area should be left as white space for optimal readability.

10.Use a border. This can focus the reader on the most important information that you want them to take away. Also if your sign needs to be noticed by automobiles in traffic, it will increase reading speed.

Your signage is a reflection of your business and if properly designed and situated can attract new business throughout your target market and assist in the advertising, marketing and branding of your business.

For further information or for great ideas on how to market and brand your business contact us SpeedPro Imaging at 250-763-8868

SpeedPro Imaging Kelowna
#135 – 1855 Kirschner Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4N7
Ph: (250)763-8868 Fax: (250)763-8768 speedproimaging@shawbiz.ca
http://www.speedprokelowna.com/ http://kelownasigns.blogspot.com/

Social Networking What is it? How can it help you?

2009-09-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

When you were in school did you hang out with the jocks, science club, chess club, or drama club? Well if you did you were a part of traditional social networking. If you go to a Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club or Classic Car event, then you are part of a social network

Social networks allow for the relationships that tie us together. When you meet someone for the first time you ask them “What do you do?” Or, “where do they work?” Or, “where they grew up?” Or, “where they went to school?” Through these questions you might discover people with common interests and develop new friendships. A social network begins to take shape.
When you go to someone’s house you get a feel for who the person is. You get to see family pictures, artifacts from where people have travelled, a guitar sitting in a corner, or a workshop for fine wood carvings. When you attend someone’s house party or meet people at a social event you become tied into a larger network of people.
Some of these people may never use your products or services, but guess what? If they like you and get to know you, they will eventually run into someone who can use your services and they will recommend you. Bingo! The power of social networking!
If you sat down to draw your social network in regards to which you are connected, you would have a difficult time establishing your complete sphere of influence. This is why internet social networking is so powerful. It allows you to hook up with old friends, make new ones, share photos, music, videos, and areas of common interest all in an interactive way. You can also join groups based on your interests such as politics, hobbies, favorite TV shows, job hunting, or seeking your soul mate! Again, the power of social networking!
Now apply internet social networking to your business and you can see how you might be able to raise your profile if you focus on the demographics of your target market. Different Social networking sites will achieve different networking results as they are focused on different target markets.
To implement your social media strategy you will need to decide which one of the social networking sites will best suit your specific goals. Below is a guideline to some of the most common.

Micro blogging (Twitter)
Business Networking (LinkedIn, Xing)
Social Networking (Facebook, MySpace, Blogger)
Photo & Video Sharing (Flickr, You tube, Picasa)

All Social networking sites should be used to share information freely and allow people to get to know you and your interests. Then you can subtlety redirect them to your main internet marketing tool - your website. This will take some planning and fore-thought but by following the above social marketing guidelines you will be able to use social networking to “Build Your Business”.

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Donald RobichaudFloodLight ConsultingBuild Your BusinessEmail250-768-9415http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

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Donald Robichaud President

FloodLight Consulting Build Your BuisinessEmail250-768-9415http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

Donald Robichaud
FloodLight Consulting
Build Your Business
Email
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

FloodLight Consulting Build Your Buisiness
Email
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/