SuccessCo

Turning Lemons into lemonade

A very old lady looked in the mirror one morning. She had three remaining hairs on her head, and being a positive soul, she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So she braided her three hairs, and she had a great day.

Some days later, looking in the mirror one morning, preparing for her day, she saw that she had only two hairs remaining. "Hmm, two hairs... I fancy a centre parting today." She duly parted her two hairs, and as ever, she had a great day.

A week or so later, she saw that she had just one hair left on her head. "One hair huh...," she mused, "I know a pony-tail will be perfect." And again she had a great day.
The next morning she looked in the mirror. She was completely bald.
"Finally bald huh," she said to herself, "How wonderful! I won't have to waste time doing my hair any more.”

Share this post

Amazing true stories of perseverance and determination

Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him "hopeless as a composer." And, of course, you know that he wrote five of his greatest symphonies while completely deaf.

Decca Records turned down a recording contract with the Beatles with the evaluation, "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on their way out." After Decca rejected the Beatles, Columbia records followed suit.

In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modeling Agency, told modeling hopeful Norma Jean Baker, "You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married." I'm sure you know that Norma Jean was Marilyn Monroe. Now . . . who was Emmeline Snively?

Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, and Jimmy Johnson accounted for 11 of the 19 Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1993. They also share the distinction of having the worst records of first-season head coaches in NFL history - they didn't win a single game.

Mental calisthenics

If you are one of the many who has had a few days off of work, here are a few mental calisthenics to get the blood flowing and start the new week off with a bang.

1) What five letter word does every Harvard graduate pronounce wrong?

2) Forward I'm heavy, backward I'm not. What am I?

3) A completely black horse jumped over a tower and landed on a small man, who then disappeared. In what situation could this be possible?

4) Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on earth?

5) What five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

Click here for the answers

-Jim

Share this post

To be Positive - Think Positively

Do you talk about problems or opportunities, cant’s and won’t or can’s and will’s? Do you ask why or why not? Language shapes your reality. Keep yours positive.

-Jim

© 2008 SuccessCo.com

Share this post

Never Give In. . . Never Never Never. . .

History is filled with stories of successful individuals with less than promising beginnings. Here are just a few. . .

Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He was subsequently defeated in every election for public office until he became Prime Minister at the age of 62. He later wrote, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never.

Sigmund Freud was booed from the podium when he first presented his ideas to the scientific community of Europe. He returned to his office and kept on writing.

Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15th out of 22 students in chemistry.

Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.

F. W. Woolworth was not allowed to wait on customers when he worked in a dry goods store because his boss said, "He didn't have enough sense."

When Bell telephone was struggling to get started, its owners offered all their rights to Western Union for $100,000. The offer was disdainfully rejected with the pronouncement, "What use could this company make of an electrical toy."

And one of my personal favorites. . .

Daniel Boone was once asked by a reporter if he had ever been lost in the wilderness. Boone thought for a moment and replied, "No, but I was once bewildered for about three days."

Have a great day,
-Jim

Share this post

Fable of the Turtle and the Scorpion

The fable of the turtle and the scorpion is frequently referenced in today’s popular culture to illustrate the insuppressible nature of one's self at its basic level.
From a business perspective, the truth revealed is that a person will “usually” remain consistent in their deeds, words and actions based on their past history. (Their nature)

A scorpion, being a very bad swimmer, asked a turtle to carry him on its back across a river. "Are you mad?" exclaimed the turtle. "You'll sting me while I'm swimming and I'll drown." "My dear turtle," exalted the scorpion, "If I was to sting you, you would drown and I'd go down with you. Now where is the logic in that?" "You're right," said the turtle. "Hop on." The scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across the river gave the turtle a mighty sting. As they both sank to the bottom, the turtle asked, "Before I die, I must ask you something? You said there is no logic in your stinging me. Why did you do it?" "It has nothing to do with logic," the drowning scorpion replied. "It's just my nature."

* The turtle in this fable is often replaced by a fox or frog

-Jim

More business fables
Pablo Picasso and the Cafe Sketch
The Hot Dog Vendor

Share this post

Fantastic Ways to Maximize your Small Business Earnings and Profits

Now more than ever, it’s important for small businesses (all business) to maximize their earnings, spend wisely and increase their competitiveness. Listed below are some simple things you can do to boost earning and maximize profits.

Combined advertising - Include coupons and promotional offers in all of your customer correspondence and billing.

Joint marketing and advertising - Join up with a business neighbor or complementary business to split the costs on print advertising, or share your mailing lists. Find these businesses by joining with your local Chamber of Commerce.

Ask for referrals - You should be asking everyone you know - customers, friends and associates.

Discounted advertising – With advertising down, the local newspapers and cable TV are offering some great advertising specials. Should you advertise in a down economy? Read this.

Teach a class – Check with the local community colleges about presenting a class on your area of expertise, establishing yourself as an expert.

Buy recycled – Buy recycled printer cartridges, saving both the environment and your money.

Buy used office equipment – One of the best bargains out there right now, is the ability to pick up office equipment and furnishings for a steal.

Save on insurance – Savings by association can be found through a trade group or local Chamber, often times saving you money well after the initial cost of joining.

Back it up! – Plan for an emergency or natural disaster in advance. Not only could this save you money, it might even save your business.

Raise your deductible – Typically a higher deductible will lower your premiums – check with your agent.

Audit your utility bills – There are usually several rate structures available to corporate users. Don't rely on the utility company to assign you the most cost-effective rate. For fast-growing companies especially, it pays to compare various options once a year.
Additionally, ask your electric/gas company for a free energy audit, identifying waste and possible cost saving improvements.

Lease an employee or use a contractor – Not only can the costs be lower, buy with frivolous employee lawsuits on the rise, it could save you a fortune in the long run.

Clean your mailing list – Did you know the US Postal Service will help you clean up your mailing list for free? And by adding the Zip plus 4, you may be eligible for bar code discounts.

Bulk mailing discounts – Many Chambers offer their members discount on bulk mail run through their mail centers. Find your Chamber here

Checks by mail – Often, ordering checks through the mail will save considerably more than going to your bank direct.

Join a buying alliance – Link up with similar businesses to secure discounts on larger orders on everything from paper towels to motor oil.

Do your own press releases – There are several online services that will walk you though the process rather than having someone do it for you.

Barter your products or service - The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) is a clearinghouse for member exchanges across the country, allowing business owners to swap just about anything with anyone.

Turn e-mail into profits – Everyone within your company should have a promotional signature block that automatically posts at the end of all email sent from the business. More. . .

Donate a Prize, Giveaway or Auction Item – A tremendous way to generate some low cost exposure and publicity for your company is to offer a sample of your product or service to organizations such as a local Chamber of Commerce. More. . .

Free e-mail - Google hosted email offers free use or $50.00 to upgrade and receive enhanced space and benefits. Many small businesses now use this service. Your customers and clients will never know the difference as your email address will stay the same.

Vendor re-negotiation - Go to each of your vendors every 6-9 months and ask for 10-30% off. If half of them say yes you'll save 5-15% on fixed costs. Many vendors will give you a discount if they think they might lose the business.

Reduce or eliminate costs on employment advertising – While print media won’t be a fan, try craigslist as the quality of applicants has increased with the sites credibility.
(My two most recent employees were located from this source – and they are fantastic)

Have a successful day,
-Jim

Related post
Small Business Marketing Ideas
Join your Chamber of Commerce

Share this post

© 2008 SuccessCo.com

SuccessCo Turns One Year Old

It’s has been an exciting year watching my little blog grow up. What originally began as a “place” to archive some of my company newsletter articles written over the years, has turned into an Internet destination for many thousands of visitors and several hundred subscribes from all over the world, and growing.

So to those of you who frequent these pages, thank you!

What does the future hold for SuccessCo?
As a staunch practitioner of change and innovation, I am excited about some of the changes and improvements on the drawing board. While I am not quite ready to reveal them today, I know you will ultimately agree that year two will be even more successful than year one!

-Jim

More about me

Value of Local Business – It makes Dollars and Sense

While it IS a global marketplace, there is value in spending money locally too.

“A dollar spent at a locally owned store is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community. From $1, you create $5 to $14 in value within that community

Spend $1 at a national chain store, and 80% leaves town immediately.”
*Source – National Trust for Historic Preservation

So before you spend your dollars, give some thought to spreading a few locally. It may cost a few cents more, but in the long run, it helps support the place you call home.

-Jim

© 2008 SuccessCo.com

Share this post

Even More Classic Marketing Blunders

Clairol introduced the "Mist Stick", a curling iron, into German only to find out that "mist" is slang for manure. Not too many people had use for the "manure stick."

When Puffs tissue started marketing their tissues in Germany it didn’t do so well. The reason - Puff means “brothel” in Germany.

When Italian mineral water company promoted their mineral water Traficante it was a failure because the word “Traficante” means “drug dealer” in Spanish.

When Mitsubishi launched its Pajero 4WD in Spain they had the shock of a lifetime. As they were promoting Pajero they forgot to take into account the word “Pajero” means “jerk” in Spanish.

For more on the subject
Famous Marketing Blunders
More Famous Marketing Blunders

-Jim

Share this post