Contribution in Action - The Big Secret to Growing Your Business

I'm calling this year, "The Year of Contribution" for both my business and my life.  Another way to say contribution is "making a difference," "making a positive impact," or even "service." I've discovered, over the years, that this mindset is what makes it all work. It's what attracts clients and makes your business grow. Since it took me many, many years to grasp this concept, I'm not sure I can communicate it succinctly in one eZine. However, this theme will be running through More Clients for the whole year. Let me talk about this at a very fundamental level: It's the beginning of 2009. The economy is in the tank. The stock market is still very shaky. Half a million jobs were lost in December alone. Businesses, small and large, are struggling. And I'm telling you that the key is making a contribution?!&# Yes, I am! After all, look at the alternatives. You can be petrified with fear; worry about your business; get sucked into negative thinking; and give up all hope. Do you really want to go there? I didn't think so! Instead, if you're willing, I'd like to take you to a place of possibility, opportunity and adventure. If you take this journey, your business will do just fine this year. The path is simple: Make a commitment to make a contribution, a difference, an impact every single day of the workweek. (Yes, you can take the weekend off, but do something for a loved one on those days!) In your business, what would this look like? It would mean reaching out to one or more people in almost any way to offer some kind of value. Here are a few examples: • Call a past client and see how they're doing. Don't ask for anything; but offer an idea, a resource, or even encouragement. • Send something of value to those on your e-list. This could be anything from your regular eZine to a tip, idea or resource.  • Call someone you met through networking and invite them to coffee to learn about their business. • Do a favor for someone who you know would appreciate it. Don't worry about what you'll get back.  • Offer a teleclass or introductory program of some kind to those in your database or to another group.  • Write a thank-you note to someone who did you a favor or who took the time to speak or meet with you. If you are doing this kind of thing already, great! But up the stakes and do even a little more. Make it a daily practice. If you're not doing this kind of thing consistently, you probably are skeptical. "What difference will this make in my business? I need more clients, not waste my time helping people!" I promise you that it will make a difference and that it won't be a waste of time. It will force you to get out of your insular, fearful, scarce, self-centered, selfish mindset that's only interested in "What's in it for me?" That old mindset will do nothing to grow your business. Ultimately you'll discover that making a contribution (and the mindset of giving, not taking) will take your business to places you haven't even imagined. Now make your list and go into action. By the way, it doesn't matter how big or small the contribution is. And you'll know you're making a contribution by the response you get. People will thank you. They'll appreciate you. You'll feel good. The More Clients Bottom Line: If you want to grow your business, you need to master the art of making a contribution. You start small by focusing on little things that will add value. And you do something every single day. No exceptions.   2009-03-03T19:13:55Z

2009-03-03T19:37:39Z

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contribution-in-action-the-big-secret-to-growing-your-business

2009-03-03T19:37:27Z

The success secret that so many small businesses aren't aware of is that giving or contribution is your most powerful tool in growing your business in good economies and bad.

Contribution in Action - The Big Secret to Growing Your Business

2009-03-03T19:37:39Z