Brad Sugars, business advice expert and CEO of ActionCOACH, interviews author of Guerrilla Marketing, Jay Conrad Levinson. 

Brad Sugar, founder of ActionCOACH sits down with Jay Conrad Levinson to talk about marketing during tough economic times.  Responding to market conditions is a matter of finding the right answers and not necessarily luck. 

Jay gives several great ideas on how to build up your business in this recession. 

Find out how local businesses are getting 39 to 640% bottom line increases. 

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John Jantsch is the found of Duct Tape Marketing and he recently shared some great ideas on ways to make your business stand apart from the rest.  This article really focuses on capturing the local market.  Below is his article.  It contains some really great ideas that I recommend as your business coach. 

When people want to find a business, they go online and search. Whether you sell a product or a complex, high dollar service, that’s just how it’s done these days. 

For marketers, this means they must be very, very focused on winning searches that are done with the intent of finding something local – this includes showing up in mobile browsers and on maps. 

Below are fives areas that you should address to increase your chances of winning the local search game. 

Do it now, before your competitors do. 

If you work through each section and apply a few action steps each day, you’ll gradually accomplish the entire list and put your business on its way to building a strong local search presence. 

1. Make your web pages scream local 

There are many ways to make your website pages localized. This is one of the underlying elements that tell the search engines that yours is indeed a local business. 

Here are a few steps to consider: 

    * Add your physical address to every page

    * Add city names in navigation: i.e. Omaha Kitchen remodeling showcase

    * Add suburb and neighborhood names into your content in natural ways

    * Add a local event blog and list festivals and non-profit events

    * Find relevant local bloggers using a tool like placeblogger to exchange links with

    * Do keyword research with local terms to find the best phrases to add to your pages (Google Keyword Tool or Wordtracker are good resources)

2. Claim and enhance your local search profiles 

The local search directories at Google, Yahoo and Bing want you to claim and build rich information for local profiles. This makes their job easier when people search for local businesses. 

If you haven’t done it yet, go here now: 

    * Google Places (data drawn from Google Maps)
    * Yahoo Local Business Center
    * Bing Local Listing Center

Another local search directory to pay attention to is Google Mobile Search. This is a separate directory with a great deal of cross over, but is the tool that mobile users access when they type coffee into Google Maps on a smart phone – yet another reason to make sure your listing is complete and up-to-date in Google Maps. 

In each case, you will need to claim your profile by various means. After you complete this step you will be given the opportunity to enhance your profile with the appropriate business category, hours or operation, forms of payment, area served and brands carried.
 

Want more on search? Check these out:

    * 7 Deadly Assumptions of Online Marketing Success
    * 4 Ways to Use Social Media to Kick Up Your SEO
    * Search Marketing as Core Local Business Strategy

3. Participate in the ratings and review game 

Lots of local business directories exist with the added feature of user ratings and reviews. If you’re not paying attention to the major sites and monitoring what’s being said, you may be losing business because of one poor review. 

Your action step here is to claim and enhance your profiles in each of these directories and start engaging your customers in ways that actively stimulate reviews.

 Here are the primary review sites to check out, although many industries also feature rating and review sites: 

    * Yelp
    * Insiderpages
    * Citysearch
    * Local
    * MerchantCircle

4. Update your listings and citations 

Citations are mentions of your business and address that appear on other websites. These are a key component of the ranking algorithms because they help assure your business is truly local. 

The listings you completed in the previous steps help in this category, but now it’s time to go even deeper. 

The following companies pull data from print versions of white and yellow pages and provide a great deal of core data to local directories. While it is likely that your business is listed in these directories it is a good idea to check for accuracy and add details that may not be listed. 

    * infoUSA 
    * Localeze

Getting listed consistently across the following Internet Yellow Page providers will also help with your local listing. 

    * Internet Yellow Pages
    * SuperPagesS
    * SwitchBoard
    * Yellow Pages

Two good sources of information for this topic are GetListed.org and Universal Business Listing (this site offers a service that will get you listed in numerous online directories and portals that are used by many applications and tools). It might be the best $30 a year you spend. 

5. Own a social network topic group

One powerful local play, and perhaps a good strategy to get some extra local links, is to start a local niche group and build a community of users around the local theme on social media sites such as Flickr, Facebook, LinkedIn, MeetUp or Biznik.

If you can find an area of interest to others, you might be able to build a useful and vibrant local tool while greatly enhancing your own local presence. 

Here’s a good example: The Boston Networking Club on LinkedIn was founded by Jeff Popkin, owner of BostonEventGuide.com. With over 5,000 members, there’s a pretty good bet this group serves as a conduit for Popin’s main business locally. 

Every little bit counts in this very important and increasingly competitive world of local search.

Thoughout the day, I coach business owners, such as yourself, on ways to improve their business and the executive performance.  By applying these ideas, I think you can really set your business apart from the competition while still managing your goals as a business owner or executive. 

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It's time for "Year End List" and Twitter has jumped on their list-making early and compiled a Top 10 list.  In 2010, there were over 25 billion Tweets!  That's a lot of Tweets, so I'm glad they were able to put together some sort of list. 

They anaylzed the Tweets to come up with leading trends for the year in 8 catagories:  News Events, People, Movies, Television, Technology, World Cup, Sports and Hashtags.

Jodi Olson from Twitter says, "Each Trend in the Top 10 list includes multiple related terms, to give the most accurate view of the topics that people cared about most in 2010". 

Top 10 Twitter Trends of 2010
1. Gulf Oil Spill
2. FIFA World Cup
3. Inception
4. Haiti Earthquake
5. Vuvuzela
6. Apple iPad
7. Google Android
8. Justin Bieber
9. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows
10. Pulpo Paul

"These Trends indicate the things that are most meaningful in our lives. Each day on Twitter, people tweet about news, sports, entertainment and cool new technology--and everything else in between", says Olsen. 

It's nice to know that social media does seem to have a social conscience. 

What do you think, do you agree with these this top ten list? 

Even though this list does not relate to business coaching, I thought it was a fun list.  You can make your own "Top Ten List of 2010" for your small business or company.  If you sell products, put together a list of your top sellers.  This would be a great time to promote the list too!  If you offer a service, what are your top services?  The lists could also be used as gauges to see if you met company goals. 

If you set goals for 2010, which I highly recommend to do as as executive coach, compare it to your lists and see if they match up.  This can help you create a plan for 2011! 

To find out how your business can improve with the help of an executive business coach, contact ActionCOACH at www.actioncoachpinellas.com.  

Mark Carn is an ActionCOACH in Australia and he shares some insight into what he has been reading.  Below is his article, The Magic is You. 

"When he realizes that he is a creative power, and that he may command the hidden soil and seeds of his being out of which circumstances grow; he then becomes the rightful master of himself." —As a Man Thinketh

While reading an old classic, The Message of a Master by John McDonald, I was rocked by an incredibly insightful passage: “The cause of the confusion prevailing in your mind that weakens your thoughts is the false belief that there is a power or powers outside you greater than the power within you.”

Stop and think about that. What keeps us from attempting greater things—from reaching for the brass ring in our life? What makes us take that great idea that could make our family financially free and bury it underneath a lot of reasons why it’d never work?

What stops us from that career change that would result in working in a profession we could really enjoy, and could get passionate about?

There’s only one thing that EVER stops us from forward momentum and McDonald nailed it: “The false belief that there is a power or powers outside you greater than the power within you.”

As I once heard a speaker say, “The magic is in YOU!” As James Allen tells us, once we realize that we can create our circumstances, then, and only then, are we truly the master of our life and our destiny.

Regardless of your particular spiritual beliefs, you may find these words from the Gospel of John very enlightening, “He that believeth in me, the works that I do, shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.”

That would indicate to me that we are already “endowed” with the power to do amazing things—far more amazing than most of us will ever attempt—if we’d only understand and BELIEVE that the power is within, not without.

And that’s worth thinking about.

Thanks to Mark and his valuable insight.  These are all really great thoughts that could be useful when preforming an executive coach assessment. 

To find out how your business can improve with the help of an executive business coach, contact ActionCOACH at www.actioncoachpinellas.com. 

As an executive coach, I try to help the small business owner with their budget and find ways to cut costs but still maintain the services they need.  It is imperative that entrepreneurs have legal representation but finding one that won't break the bank can be a challenge.  Recently, The Wall Street Journal ran an article that may just help some small business owners and entrepreneurs.      

As a business coach, I'm very interested in how some law firms are now trying to win new business.  Below is an excerpt from The Wall Street Journal, written by Rob Johnson.    

The impetus for these deals is simple: Lawyers need to drum up more business, but many entrepreneurs can't afford traditional payment plans these days. "The economy has melted down, and a lot of work we're doing is for people on a tight financial budget who can't commit to an hourly fee schedule," says Mr. Gross, managing partner at Thav, Gross, Steinway & Bennett PC in suburban Detroit.

Mr. Gross, whose firm started offering flat rates to small businesses in 2005, says his small-business clientele in the first half of 2010 was quadruple that in the same period of 2005. "You have situations where people got buyouts and had little nest eggs of money," he explains. "They're trying to replace income from the jobs they lost."

Sadly, he says, there's another reason demand is booming: Many small-business clients, like Mr. Case, need help with debt resolution and bankruptcy-related matters, rather than with starting up. 

This is a trend that hopefully will continue and will be able to help out many small businesses and entrepreneurs.  Since ActionCOACH specializes in small business coaching and business consulting, this is something that we will keep our eye on.  

To find out how your business can improve with the help of an executive business coach, contact ActionCOACH at www.actioncoachpinellas.com.  

Brad Sugars knows a thing or two about priorities, he built ActionCOACH up from nothing.  Below he shares some tips he uses when he coaches executives. 

There are two things that business people find very challenging: thinking ahead and doing things in order of importance.

Doing these two things makes the difference between success in business and just surviving. And the same is true for all areas of our lives.

Leadership trainer and author John Maxwell says, “thinking ahead and prioritizing responsibilities marks the major differences between a leader and a follower.”

Most people have heard of the Pareto Principle, more commonly known as the 80/20 Principle. Roughly stated this says that in most businesses 80% of your business comes from 20 % of your customers.

Other examples of the Pareto Principle are:

Reading: 20 percent of the book contains 80 percent of the content.

Job: 20 percent of our work gives us 80 percent of our satisfaction.

Products: 20 percent of the products bring in 80 percent of the profits.

Picnic: 20 percent of the people will eat 80 percent of the food!

So… when it comes to your priorities, 20 percent of your priorities will give you 80 percent of your production IF you spend your time, energy, money and personnel on the top 20 percent of your priorities.

When you do this you are getting a 400% or fourfold return in productivity. Think what this would mean in your business!

Every business person needs to understand the Pareto Principle as it applies to the areas of customers, team and leadership.

In the area of customers, it is vital to identify the 20 percent who account for 80 percent of your business. These are your “raving fans” and strategies must be put in place to care for them appropriately.

For your team, you must identify the top 20 percent producers. Spend 80 percent of your people time with these people to develop them to their full potential.

In leadership, take an honest look at the question “What do I have to do that no one else can do?” Remember a leader can give up everything except final responsibility. You can decide whether you will be reactive or proactive when it comes to the use of your time. The question is not, “Will I be busy?” but “How will I invest my time?” It’s not “Will my calendar be full?,” but “Who will fill my calendar?,” It’s not “Will I see people?,” but “Who will I see?”

Do this and watch your productivity and personal satisfaction rise to new heights!

As business coaches, ActionCOACH recommends this strategy when it comes to getting your priorities in order.  For more information on how an executive coach can help you succeed, visit us at www.actioncoachpinellas.com.  Brad Sugars started the world's number 1 business coaching firm, so he must be doing something right! 

Question: What Is IMPORTANT That Will Never Remind You By Text, Email, IM Chat, Or RING…

...Answer: EVERYTHING that will GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

THE TOP TIP OF Crucially IMPORTANT and Never URGENT…PLANNING!

When I say planning I do not mean the plan you write to get a loan from the bank, I am referring to the critical time that allows you to think about priorities & best strategic next moves. This includes budget, plans for marketing, operations, sales, time management and personal goals.

When you do not have to THINK and just take ACTION - you have a great PLAN.

Having a business coach on your side will not only help you plan but take action.  ActionCOACH can help you navigate through business plans and marketing goals.  If you want to succeed at your business, having an executive coach can only help you. 

Juliet Kyes is the Director of Sales and Marketing for ActionCOACH Pinellas.  She also serves as a management consultant.  She has several good tips that will help any executive or entrepreneur succeed at business. 

Find out how you can change the way you do business to achieve the results your deserve!  Contact ActionCOACH today. 

The Tampa Association of Health Underwriters is meeting in November.  There will be a panel of prestigious hospital and physician leadership that will focus on Healthcare Reform.  Ford Kyes will be the moderator for the event.  Ford is the CEO of ActionCOACH Pinellas and former CEO of St. Anthony's Hospital.  

Below is the press release the details the event.   

TAMPA, Fla. – (Nov. 2010) – Several of the Tampa Bay region’s top hospital and physician leaders will take part in a panel discussion focused on the impact healthcare legislation will have on the local healthcare industry during the November meeting of the Tampa Bay Association of Health Underwriters (TBAHU).

“It is with continued support of the local healthcare industry that TBAHU has been able to again bring together a panel such prestigious industry leaders,” Kelly Davis, TBAHU president and senior benefits consultant for Lakeland, Fla.-based OMS Group. “The caliber of participants and the enthusiasm of attendees at past panels is testament to the focus both TBAHU and the medical community have placed on advancing improvements in the delivery of healthcare in these changing times.”

Moderating the Nov. 11 panel, sponsored by First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI) and Allstate Worksite Division, is Ford Kyes, CEO of ActionCOACH Pinellas and former CEO of St. Anthony’s Hospital. Panel participants are:
• Carl Tremonti, CFO, Morton Plant Mease Health Care
• Madelyn Butler, M.D., president, Florida Medical Association
• Brad Bjornstad, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer (CMO), University Community Hospital
• Braulio Vicente, Jr., senior vice president, Hospital and Physician Group Operations, Moffitt Cancer Center
• Revonda L. Cornell, RN, BSN, MS, Ed. D., FACHE, president, Executive & Clinical Consulting (former CEO/COO, Lakewood Hospital and St. Anthony’s Hospital)

“TBAHU is dedicated to bridging the information gap between providers and the insurance industry during these days of volatile healthcare legislation to promote a unified industry working toward a positive outcome,” said Kathleen Sullivan R.D., immediate past president of TBAHU and executive vice president of Lakeland, Fla.-based FSAI. “By facilitating open discussions of the impact of reform on physicians, hospitals and the Tampa Bay community as a whole, TBAHU fosters continued education of industry leaders and promotes unified industries working together to take proactive and positive steps towards the delivery of better healthcare.”

The panel takes place Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. Meeting registration and networking begins at 10:45 a.m. with the panel convening promptly at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served. The cost for the lunch meeting is $15 for members and $30 for non-members.

Immediately preceding the general meeting will be a one-hour Continued Education (CE) class on the importance of an employee assistance program, presented by Mary Liz Schwartz of The Holman Group. CE registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the course begins at 10 a.m. The CE course is free to TBAHU members and $10 for non-members.

Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. For more information or to register, email info@tampabayhealthunderwriters.org.

About TBAHU
Established in 1985 and chartered by the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), TBAHU (www.tampabayhealthunderwriters.org) is a professional association whose membership is comprised primarily of employee benefits professionals, including insurance agents and brokers, insurance company representatives and third party administrative representatives. Members are located throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. As a local chapter of NAHU (www.nahu.org), TBAHU members participate in local, state, and federal legislative and public policy development that is of mutual interest to clients, the consuming public, membership and industry. The association also offers programs conducive to the professional and educational development of its membership.

Find out how you can change the way you do business to achieve the results you deserve! Contact us now.

ActionCOACH, a business coaching firm serving clients throughout greater Tampa, Fla., continues to help companies attain record-setting results, even in the down markets of 2008, 2009 and into 2010.

Here are some of the results ActionCOACH clients are eagerly sharing:

Susan and Barbara McCarthy, Owners of Sun Country Dry Cleaners, said, "Our October 2009, revenue was up +7% over October 2008, while the dry cleaning industry was down 23% in Florida." These results indicated a 30% improvement over their competition.

Mike Haulsee, President of The Compounding Shop, said, "Once I learned how to build the important systems I needed for my first location, it became quickly evident that I could open more locations and even consider franchising my operation. WOW, did my dreams begin to change. It also helped significantly to have my 2008 net profit increase 319% over 2007."

Laurie Arth, CEO of The Arth Consulting Group LLC, said, "After my coach and I spent a significant amount of time working on my sales skills and improving my sales follow-up system, my second quarter profits increased 49.38% over 2008. My second quarter revenue jumped 214.42%."

Find out how you can change the way you do business to achieve the results you deserve! Contact us now.