Internet Marketing | Lead Generation

As an entrepreneur and marketer you are always on the look out of new ideas, suggestions or angles that can be transferred from one market to another.

For me, this includes when travelling, reading local newspapers, listening to other business owners and observing traders and their customers and the interaction that occurs.

Notice the word LISTEN here.

I mention this because I had one of those remarkable AHA! Moments this week when listening to a Market Trader and his customer on a Open Air Market Stall in London.

I say AHA not because I learned something new, but because it reminded me of something I already know very well and should never forget - and that is THE POWER OF QUESTIONS

It was early morning and the stall holder had not quite got all his goods out on display (a range of very interesting ROCK STAR photographs that had been digitally altered and enhanced) but he was already having some interest in his display.

One young man of around 18 or 19 was particularly interested in one photograph and enquired the price to which the stall holder replied:

“£35 to include frame” and that this was his “Special Early Morning Just Getting Started Price”

“Normal price £43″ or so he said.

Almost with out stopping to even think the young man responded:

“Thank you very much, but can I have your late on a rainy day when you have taken almost No Money Price instead?

The Stall Holders face looked a bit surprised and taken back to start with but his face quickly changed to a smile when he said:

“To you young man £22″

A remarkable £13 discount or 37% Discount just for asking the right question!!

Sometimes in negotiations, and in particular when negotiating with fellow, self made business people - you can get the most remarkable results for just having the CHEEK to ask!

In this case, I’m sure the Stall Holder was so impressed with the young man that he felt compelled to reward his INITIATIVE.

Well Done that young man - and remember in Selling and Negotiation, the POWER OF ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Recommended: Confessions Of A Salesman

Once in a while you come across a business book that really has some substance - one that inspires, entertains, motivates and educates.

Such a book is Anyone Can Do it - The Autobiography of Duncan Bannatyne - From Ice Cream Van to Dragons’ Den

Not sure how many of my Non UK readers know who Duncan is - but he is one of the UKs leading entrepreneurs - a self made man that can from very humble (poor) beginnings to become very rich.

Duncan has made something like £100 Million and the recurring theme of this book is that is someone like him can make £100 million, then anyone can!

I have to say as something of a “self-made man” myself (but not currently in the style of Duncan) there was tons of really good advice and inspiration in this book.

Right from the first paragraph, Duncan proclaims: “that if you had a childhood like mine, you’ll never get bored of using private jets, owning luxury villas or staying in the best hotels”.

Well Duncan, I don’t have the private jets, but I can relate to that

Indeed, the reason why so many successful entrepreneurs are as motivated as they are is simply that they decided early on in their lives that they HATED being POOR and once more, they appreciated and understood that being financially poor is as much a choice as deciding to be financially RICH. (I’m just waiting for all those emails disagreeing with me now!)

There is much much more to the book than MOTIVATION, there is also lots of good old fashioned practical business advice - such as for example, lowering your accountancy fees with regards to Government Policy / Taxation etc - by simply approaching each Government Department direct and obtaining all the guides and advice on how to for example: Take on Employees or Register For VAT

So often, business people are too scared of “Government” and have their accountants do even the simplest of tasks for them, when they would be far better of doing it themselves (and learning and understanding the process) rather than wasting money that on many occasions they cannot really afford, especially it those early start up days.

I dare say you could also say that Duncan Bannatyne is a Frugal Entrepreneur - who despite his great success has never lost touch with the Value of things. Indeed FRUGAL is a trait I often find some of the most successful entrepreneurs share.

Anyone Can Do it - Very inspirational - especially if you are seeking the motivation to start your own business or to take the business you have to a greater level.

Buy Anyone Can Do It At Amazon

Not sure how many of my UK readers watch Badger or Bust on SKY ONE - but if you don’t already, then I highly recommend it.

If you are a fan of The Apprentice, Dragons Den etc (and I admit I am) then I’m pretty sure you will find Badger or Bust very entertaining and also I hope somewhat educational and inspiring.

Ruth Badger, the Star of the Show was Alan Sugars Runner-up in the 2006 UK Version of the Apprentice and in my opinion, the real star of that show.

I have watched two Badger or Bust shows now - last weeks visit to a company selling Caravans and this weeks visit to a company selling Conservatories and Double Glazing.

Any of us who have ever been involved in the double glazing business would I’m sure have recognised all the “characters” in this show - from the very nice and sincere business owners (who frankly came across as being a bit naive about the Direct Sales end of the Double Glazing business) right through to the salespeople - who frankly seemed to have no interest in any one but themselves.

It is never entirely fair to comment on any business without knowing all the facts - but this business was in one very sorry state of affairs and as it turns out, Ruth got to this business just too late as infact this business did go BUST

If you can catch a repeat on Skyone - then do, even if you are not involved in home improvements or the double glazing industry, you will I believe find it interesting and yes even entertaining.

One Final Note - If you said to most people, I could see you as a Double Glazing salesperson, then frankly most people would be offended. I suspect however that Ruth Badger would be the exception to that - she is one tough lady and would make a Top Double Glazing salesperson - no doubt. (But then Ruth would I’m sure excel, no matter where she went)

BADGER OR BUST is a new six-part factual entertainment programme, following sales whiz Ruth Badger’s fearless attempts to turn some of Britain’s most struggling sales teams into winners. Visiting a different classic sales environment each week, such as a double glazing company and an estate agents, The Badger gets very swiftly to the heart of the problem and wastes no time telling the boss where they’ve gone wrong and how to fix it - if she fails, her reputation and their jobs are at stake.

“So, in at the deep end, any business that is struggling, I roll my sleeves up and ensure that they perform. Either way, kicking or screaming, I get results!”

Click Here For Badger or Bust

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For Quality Double Glazing at its best visit: Anglian Double Glazing

It seems that almost everywhere you look at present, someone is discussing “The Secret”, by Rhonda Byrne.

From the mighty OPRAH to the 1000’s of blogs, they all have a “take” on the secret.

In the main, the feedback is positive but a growing number of people are starting to point out what has been obvious to a number of people, for some time now - and that is that: THE SECRET - IS REALLY NO BIG SECRET.

This is simply the LAW OF ATTRACTION - and the amazing power of the LAW OF ATTRACTION (LOA)

My concern is that the Law Of Attraction as presented in The Secret is to some extent being presented as a “Cure all” for modern wows, a solution to all of our personal problems. Well indeed it might be, but only if it is also combined with a huge amount of APPLICATION and DOING.

And it is the fact that there appears to be less emphasis on the APPLICATION and DOING part that is bringing out the most criticism of “The Secret”

Many years ago I read The Law of Success and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and it was in these books that I first became fully aware of the power of my thoughts to dictate my actions and my results.

Now a title like Think and Grow Rich is a great title for a book - and I expect the Title in itself was one the reasons it became a best seller, but truthfully a better title for the book and the message in it may have been: Think, Take Action and Grow Rich. You see LAW OF ATTRACTION or not, Action is Required to achieve that Dream.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that “The Secret” and those who appear on it are Charlatans - indeed a good number of the people featured, I respect highly.

What I am saying is that Thinking Something in itself will not make something happen.

What you focus on is what you get - but really a more accurate definition is: What you Focus On and Diligently Apply Your time To Achieving - YOU GET.

In the interest of some balance I share some links below:

The law of attraction is real. The movie “The Secret” is fake.

Interestingly, I have started to notice that many of the Gurus featured in The Secret are starting to in their interviews give greater emphasis on the DOING and TAKING action part of The Law Of Attraction - In particular I notice that James Ray and Bob Proctor are keen to make this point.

I just hope that enough of the people who are turned on to The Secret get that point also, rather than just thinking that “happy positive thoughts” (as nice as they are) will cure all life’s problems.

In the video below, Bob Proctor and moneymaking and business-building expert, John Assaraf, discuss how you can become more successful in life with “The Secret.”

Note, how John Assaraf talks about The Law Of Action - You Have To Get Of Your Butt!

Also note how Bob Proctor points out that other important point - The Law Of Attaction works both ways - We attract everything, both Good and Bad.