“Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles, and kindnesses, and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort” Humphrey Davy

Morale in a business can often mean the difference between a thriving company and one that is struggling. How do you build morale and Corp de esprit?

Let me ask you this. When is the last time you received recognition for the work you did? Did it make you want to work harder? People will often do more for the simple recognition of a job well done from the boss than anything else. Yet it is one of the most over looked aspects in human relations. When was the last time you told an employee, co-worker or your husband or wife you appreciated them?

To most people someone noticing positively something they did and giving sincere appreciation means more than money. Yet most bosses neglect it or don’t do it at all. They are quick to offer criticism and tell them when they screw up.

Are you feeling like you are spinning your wheels a lot? You are working longer and seem to be getting less done. Sometimes the fault lies in extra created traffic through your office. Traffic that needs attention, seems urgent and is necessary. Let me ask you to take a little test. Do you find people calling you or stopping by your office to follow up on an email or other communication they sent you? Do you get several people a day doing this? Do you find it difficult to finish what you are working on because of interuptions? Do you have so much unfinished work you feel you are going a little crazy?

There is a simple solution you can do that will cut down on 90% of this unnecessary traffic giving you time and momentum in your day. What is it you ask?

With more than 200 million houses in the United States connected to the Internet, many business owners have shifted their marketing budgets toward digital channels. You may be one of them.

So with this shift in marketing strategy, how is it working? For some businesses it is working fine for others not so much. While businesses may be able to reach a broader audience over the web, they are finding that they are not getting the same quality of leads from the Internet. By quality I mean interested prospects not tire kickers or price shoppers.

In todays market which is a better way to generate leads for your business? Should you buy internet ads? Or, would it be better to buy post cards or some other form of direct mail?

To successfully bring a new product idea or service to market can be tricky. Here are a few tips on how to spread the word and generate sales:

Remember it is easier to fill a need than create one. But before you contact a graphic designer, decide to buy postcards, have a brochure made or print up thousands of full color flyers there is an important step should not be left out. At this stage the operating agenda is to survey before you act.  A survey will save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in wasted time and advertising money.

There are three basic areas you should survey.

Are you tired of burning up money buying advertising that does not work? What is the fastest, simplest and cheapest way to effectively promote your business? What can you do to save money on postcards, brochures and other printing?

There are several ways you can promote your business. You can buy radio, TV, Newspapers, Post Cards, Brochures and other forms of Direct Mail advertising. All of these forms of advertising work to a greater or lesser degree.

If this is true, why then are your ads not working? And more importantly, how can your put the bang back in your advertising?

When your advertising fails to generate a response whose fault is it? Is it the medai rep. who sold you the ad? Is the fault of the consumer who was too dumb to recognize a good deal when he saw it? Is it the governments fault for screwing the economy up? Is it your fault?