There is nothing more glorifying in business than landing the dream client you have been after for longer than you can remember! There is also nothing worse than watching that new dream client walk away, because they realized that you can't deliver what you promised.
Reflecting on What I Sucked At In 2018 and How to Grow in 2019
A Savvy CEO
In today's blog post I am breaking down what I truly sucked at in 2018. This was something that was a bit hard for me to share but it is something that needed to be done. I also believe that it is something that all business owners and CEO's can relate to.
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EPISODE 1: How to Use Social Media to Increase Your Engagement and Attract More Possible Customers.
A Savvy CEO
Social media plays a huge role in marketing these days. It isn’t only just for selling your product or service but it is a great way for your clients to get to know you on a personal level. The key to social media is consistency, being real and engagement. If implemented correctly you are guaranteed to increase your social media presence and attract more possible customers. Don’t be afraid to go after it.
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When the going gets tough... the unprepared fail
A Savvy CEO
There is nothing more glorifying in business than landing the dream client you have been after for longer than you can remember! There is also nothing worse than watching that new dream client walk away, because they realized that you can't deliver what you promised. Why cant you deliver it? Well, because you were unprepared. This is something that has happened to me more than once but not more than twice and I am so embarrassed to even admit it. However, with every fail comes a learning opportunity. And with every learning opportunity, comes room to grow. I...
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Seize the moment: Carpe Omnia
A Savvy CEO
Have you ever heard of Carpe Diem? Otherwise known as Seize the Day! Well what about all the other times? Opportunity doesn't always come knocking during the day. *wink wink* There have been so many times in life where I missed the chance on something great, because I hesitated! I failed to seize the moment when it was right in front of me. Hesitation tends to happen when we feel uncertain or doubtful about something. Typically we are doubting our own abilities, not necessarily outside forces. Maybe I should wait, I don't want to seem pushy, I don't want to interrupt...
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Do What You Can Because You Can
A Savvy CEO
As I sat in my daughters middle school cafeteria chatting with her and her friends I couldn't help but stare at the cafeterias trash cans. YES! Trash cans. I know you are probably thinking ... girl, what in the world are you talking about? But I promise I am going somewhere so stay with me! Her school is a charter school and rely's heavily on parent donations and involvement. It is also only in its second year of being a open, fully operating school. They didn't get a fancy new building with all the bells and whistles. No, they took over a closed down elementary school that had been...
info_outlineWhy cant you deliver it? Well, because you were unprepared.
This is something that has happened to me more than once but not more than twice and I am so embarrassed to even admit it. However, with every fail comes a learning opportunity. And with every learning opportunity, comes room to grow.
I won't even put a dollar amount next to the revenue we lost with us over promising and under delivering. My company is built on reoccurring business. Which means loosing a client hurts again... and again and again.
So what went wrong?
EVERYTHING! haha! Just kidding!
We lacked the staff and the back up procedure on how to handle a sudden influx of work.
Ladies, it doesn't matter how well you know your stuff. It doesn't matter if you are the best in your industry! If you do not have the infrastructure to handle the work you will fail every time!
So how did we fix this and how can you learn from our mistake?
Correction #1
We had to learn our limits. The truth is if we knew how long it would have taken us to hire and train we could have given them realistic expectations.
Don't sell the milk before the cow is born. I have no idea where that statement just came from but I am going with it.
I fully believe in transparency. I also believe that people like to do business with people who will be straight up and honest with them. Sometimes the truth will set you free! In our case we didn't know our actual "truth". That was the problem!
Correction #2
Have backup. We learned that having people waiting in the wings that don't work for us on a regular basis is a positive! Ex-employees, family members, friends, stay at home moms are all great people to have in your back pocket.
To ensure the best outcome... train them BEFORE you actually need them. This way they are ready to go when you call!
Find a payment structure that works for the both of you and hire them as subcontractors. There is no commitment on the volume of work and they can make some extra money on the side when it's needed. It's really a WIN for both!
Correction #3
HUSTLE! Truth be told we should have seen the writing on the walls, made major adjustments and FAST. The staff we hired while doing a good job didn't catch on as quickly as we would have hoped. This is business. This is YOUR business!
If someone isn't cutting it, it is time to let them go. Take the heart out of it and run your business like a boss!
Hindsight.
You did it! You landed the client! You did something that you set out to do. And while it hurts to loose them... getting them in the first place means you are doing something right!
So believe in yourself and don't let the defeat get to you too much. Set yourself up (as much as you possibly can) for success before you go after those big fish!