Have You Had an “Ah-Ha!” Moment with Your Business Lately?

July 30, 2010 by Frank Goley, Business Consultant

I just did yesterday, and it came just in time too! Business slowed down a bit for us this month after we have steadily increased sales and profits over the last several months. We were gaining great momentum. And then, bam, it slowed down, and I knew in my gut I had to re-think things.

I Went Back to Business Basics

I went back to doing some market research, and seeing what other similar businesses were experiencing and what they were doing. I ended up tweaking my PPC campaigns; adjusting and reapplying my SEO; adjusting my website and blog design and flow; adjusting my sales process; adjusting how people “landed” in my business; adjusting my social network approach; and understanding more about what my best type of customer were experiencing in this recession and where they need help.

The “Ah-Ha!” Moment

What a makeover, huh? The good news, after three weeks of research and changing strategies, I implemented it last night and bam, quality business is already flowing today. Ah-Ha! I realized I need to do this more often to make sure things stay on track, and I adjust with the market. Practice what you preach, Frank, I hear my self saying!

Have You Had an “Ah-Ha!” Moment This Month?

If you haven’t you probably need to get back to basics like I did.

§ Reacquaint yourself with your customers and markets. Have their needs changed? What direction is your market moving?

§ Are there new markets arising you can tap into?

§ Look into your sales and marketing process. Is it still working for today’s business climate?

§ What’s the ROI for your current advertising campaigns?

§ Get in touch with your business mentors and fellow business owners. Ask them how business is going for them. You will be surprised by the quality of solutions you can find when conversing and brainstorming with a fellow business person (and it helps them too).

§ Go online and see how other competitors and related businesses are approaching the business climate and markets. You’ll pick up some great insights. Read their blogs and subscribe to their newsletters.

§ Do you need objective advice? Do you need an objective assessment of your business? You may want to consider hiring a Business Consultant to help.

§ Determine where your business is going. Do you like the direction? Do you need to make changes to your Strategic Plan?

To Be Successful You Need At Least One Big “Ah-Ha!” Moment a Month

Don’t get too busy working “in” your business. Remember to apply yourself and your team monthly toward working “on” your business. The distinction is huge. Stay connected with your customers, prospects and markets. They will tell you where you need to go Strategically. Then just figure out how to do it and adjust. Do it monthly!

Today’s Video is on Decision Making, Strategic Planning and Opportunities

Posted in Business Strategic Planning.

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- "I own a premiere event planning and marketing company based in New York City. I've had the pleasure to work with Frank Goley on many projects that I have for my many businesses. He is fast, reliable and very good at what he does. Because I own several companies and websites, I always need excellent content, articles, sales letters, etc. I’ve worked with a ton of writers over the years, but Frank is by far the best!!! I definitely recommend Frank to any business." -- Mario Stewart, President, EMRG Media [more testimonials]
- "I would like to thank you Mr. Goley for making the extra effort with my business plan. The world of business is cut throat and the slightest misstep by an inexperienced entrepreneur can lead to a good idea becoming a waste of time and energy. Mr. Goley has the expertise and knowledge that allows for your great idea to become a great business. He told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted, as well as, pointing me in the right direction for my future business endeavors." -- Foster Fox, Entrepreneur [more testimonials]
- "We really needed help with our business plan writing. We actually did not think Frank Goley was going to have time to respond to our request but he did. Although our business plan was in its initial draft version, Frank was honest to point out that the business plan needed a lot of work. At a high level, Frank suggested the following to be considered: Correct formatting Follow the SBA guidelines Strong marketing research and analysis We certainly appreciate Frank for contributing his time and effort to help us with the most important stage of our business formation – writing the business plan. Thanks again for all the help." -- BB [more testimonials]
- "Hello Frank, Thank you for reminding us of how essential credibility is and how an intelligent use of Testimonials can do wonders in promoting our business. The more visible we become through multiple marketing pipelines that we implement on an ongoing basis, the more business we will generate." -- To your continued success, Christiane Lavanoux, I Game Attitude LLC co-Founder and co-President / Certified Life Coach [more testimonials]
- “Frank Goley with ABC Business Consulting has done a fantastic job in creating a stunning website for my company, Simple Energy Works. Not only is the design inviting, but I am really excited about the sales process strategy and design integrated into the website, which with finesse calls website visitors to take action. This is something that my previous website failed to do well. Frank’s website designers also really did a bang up job in designing my social media properties and created a website within a Facebook Fanpage that is just incredible!” – Randy Velker, Owner, Simple Energy Works [more testimonials]
- “Frank Goley's presentation on strategic business planning was very informative and will be of great help to our firm as we work through a new business plan.” -- Ryan Martin, Director of Business Development, Accumark, Inc. [more testimonials]
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- "Hello Frank, It is always a pleasure to read your articles. Your expertise is obvious and makes the work seem so easy, yet I agree with you mastering all these techniques takes a lot of time and experience building. This is why your services are so valuable. Thank you for sharing such solid and helpful content. Today we also want to thank you for your awesome presence by our side. Today you are our featured person on our page. Happy New Year Frank, we wish you continued abundance in all its forms! To your continued fabulous success." -- Christiane Lavanoux and Mary Margaret White-Levilain, Life Coaches [more testimonials]
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- “I'm working on a thesis concerning strategies about Business Turnaround, and I find your E-Books to be very helpful, especially "Small Business Recession Tactics" and "Saving a Business in Trouble". I would appreciate if you gave me your permission to make a reference on these E-Books for my thesis work. Thank you very much for your help!” -- Margarita Economidou, Open University of Cyprus. [more testimonials]
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