Business Tips Corner: You can learn from Emulation, Coaching and Mentoring

For my business tip for the week, I will like to share a quote by Brian Tracy:

No one lives long enough to learn everything they need to learn starting from scratch. To be successful, we absolutely, positively have to find people who have already paid the price to learn the things that we need to learn to achieve our goals.

One way to build your skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship that will help you to grow your business is to learn from others. Emulation is a great way of learning. However, you should acknowledge that person’s role in your learning. Another way is having a coach or a mentor to guide your understanding in any facet of entrepreneurship. 

By Cheryl Cottle

Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner: E-mail and Social Media

I recently wrote about using e-mail as a marketing strategy and I noted that it is a great and cost effective way to target your customers. We are seeing a move by businesses to integrate both the traditional and cost effective marketing tools with the use of social media. While social media is not difficult to use, companies are still in the process of learning the new technology and the implementation strategies to integrate it into their marketing plan.

Here are a few suggestions on how to utilize both approaches: E-mailing and social media. 

• Integrate your email marketing with your social media campaigns - - Your social media campaign should include the use of FaceBook, Twitter, You Tube and Blogging
• Design your e-mail messages so that it can be captured on mobile devices that so many customers are now using to access their emails
• Make sure that the text are brief and avoid using large images as well as to many - - Be economical in your marketing language
• Engage your readers - - you can either ask them to participate in an activity. You can engage them in a contest or offer them something FREE
• Plan you marketing campaign around holidays or special days
• Your Design Marketing Plan should be a yearly plan. Your DMP should identify the messages to be sent out and the activities you want to promote
• Every design plan must be evaluated. Identify what worked and what didn’t. Determine whether you received a return in your investment in terms of Time and Cost?

Created by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserved.

Business Tips Corner: Sharing a Quote about Attitude!

For this month my Business Tips Corner primarily focused on "attitude" and how our "attitude" impact our feelings and actions. I also provided you with tips on how you can change your attitude by sharing recommendations made by John C. Maxwell. Today, I will share a quote with you about "attitude".

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you, we are in charge of our Attitudes.” ~ Charles R. Swindoll

I hope that you will ponder on these fine words and perhaps integrate its meaning into your life. According to John Maxwell, if you have a bad attitude, you can change it. The quote also suggests how you react to situations in your life, particularly negative circumstances it can have a positive or negative impact on you. The quote suggests that the onus is upon you: you can "choose" to make it affect you negatively or you can "choose" to have it affect you in a positive way. You can learn from it and see it as a learning experience. In business and life in general, attitude is very important for navigating our world and maintaining a positive well-being. 

By Cheryl Cottle

Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Business Tips Corner: E-mailing!

E-mail marketing is one of the oldest marketing online strategies used by companies for reaching and educating their clients about their products and or services. Both large corporations and small business owners have been using it since the emergence of online communication, with great success. In spite of its popularity, e-mail marketing is often met with opposition from the online population. Some people perceive it as unwanted solicitation or spamming and definitely do not want to be a part of what you are selling. One concern for recipients is, how did I get on their list? Another is, how do I get off their list? It is prudent and ethical to ensure that the people on your list want to receive your information and are indeed a part of your target audience.


I receive countless e-mail marketing materials in my inbox on a daily basis on products that I don't have any interest in. I certainly did not give permission to be a part of their lists. Yet, everyday I am bombarded with unwanted e-mails and it seems as if there isn't any way out, since many of them do not give you the option to opt-out from receiving them. There isn't an exit clause. It feels as if I am a part of an e-mail hijack. In order to manage the unwelcome e-mails, I make good use of the delete option in my e-mail system.


Here are some things to think about when using e-mail to reach your clients:

1. Make sure that everyone on your e-mail list agrees to be on it - - and are a part of your target audience
2. Give recipients on your e-mail list the opportunity to opt-out of your list
3. Make sure that you accurately identify your target population or niche
4. Make sure that the information that you provide is in keeping with their needs
5. Avoid spamming. While you may have the time and resources to e-mail on a regular basis, don't annoy your target population 
6. Don't give them the option to press delete. The objective is for them to open and read your offer and to respond favourably.  Remember your goals are to keep you clients and to get new ones

Created by Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Chief Executive Officer of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting. All rights reserve.

Business Tips Corner: Benefits of Embracing Adversity!

I will like to share another piece of John Maxwell's lessons on attitude.


Can obstacles actually enhance an attitude? Quoting Dr. Joyce Brother, Maxwell says "The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy inevitable part of the process of getting to the top." He goes on to add that: "adversity and the failure that often results from it should not only be expected in the process of succeeding; they need to be viewed as an absolutely critical part of it."


The benefits of adversity are many, he adds. He suggests that we should embrace adversity and persevere through it. Here are some key reasons why we should:

1. Adversity creates resilience
2. Adversity develops maturity
3. It pushes the envelope of accepted performance
4. It provides greater opportunities
5. Adversity prompts innovation
6. Adversity brings unexpected benefits
7. Adversity motivates

To read more on how to resolve the benefits that embracing your adversity can help, I recommend that you get a copy of John C. Maxwell, Attitude 101: What every leader needs to know.

By Cheryl Cottle

Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Business Tips Corner: A bad attitude can be changed!

You can always change your attitude if you have a bad one. According to John Maxwell "it is a matter of personal choice." He also points out that "who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday." He further goes on to say "tomorrow we will become what we choose today. To change means to choose to change."

He therefore proposes eight ways that one can choose if he or she "genuinely desires to." They are as follows:

1. Evaluate your present attitude
2. Realize that faith is stronger than fear
3. Write a statement of purpose
4. Have the desire to change
5. Live one day at a time
6. Change your thought patterns
7. Develop good habits
8. Continually choose to have a right attitude

Changing one's attitude is a difficult and an ungoing process. You must be committed to change.

For more read John C. Maxwell. Attitude 101: What every leaders needs to know

By Cheryl Cottle
Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting

(c) Copyright 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle's Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner: Your attitude and you!

By Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Today, I will share with you some truths about your attititude. John C. Maxwell defines attitude as an inward feeling expressed by behaviour. Here are some ways that your attitude can affect you.

1. Your attitude determines your approach to life
2. It is often the difference between success and failure
3. Your attitude at the beginning of a task will affect it outcome more than anything else
4. Your attitude can turn your problems into blessings
5. It can give you an uncommonly positive perspective
6. Your attitude is not automatically good because you are a christian

Your attitude have a direct effect upon how you do business. A great attitude; one of respect for others, appreciation, and valuing of others will surely help you to build strong and long lasting relationships. On the other hand, poor attitude is easily discoved and it pushes people away.

To read more read John C. Maxwell. Attitude 101: What every leaders needs to know

Shared by Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting
Administrator of CPC Women in Business

Business Tips Corner: Creating a workspace!

My business tip for this week is about creating a workspace for your home-based business.

While most entrepreneurs will agree that creating a space dedicated to your home-based business is critical, some still continue to function in an informal way rather than create a formal environment with office equipment, furniture, and the overall feel and layout of a professional space. Separating your home life from your work life provides you with the mental separateness required to run and manage a home-based business.

Regardless of the type of business you are in, if you work from home you will need a space for your business operation. You can use a small nook or a room that you dedicate to your work. Some common spaces used by my clients include working from their kitchen table, converting a closet into an office, working from their attic, garage, basement, or converting a bedroom. One of my clients created a sewing studio that doubles as her DIY video production set. Another client is a yoga instructor and uses her living room area as a studio, while yet another client has converted his basement into a top-of-the-line recording studio.

Here are a few reminders why creating a dedicated space for your business is beneficial:

• A home office puts you in the right mindset for working and creating, by making you feel grounded and provides the right climate for you to focus
• It is easier to block out distractions, therefore increasing your productivity
• It is a place where you can organize and easily access your work material and resources
• It enables you to threat your entrepreneurial venture as a business instead of a hobby
• Enables your children and family members to see what you are doing as a serious undertaking, therefore creating greater respect and acknowledgement for your job

These reminders have worked for me and my clients, perhaps they can work for you. They just might make working from home a more rewarding and profitable experience.

Created by Dr. Cheryl Cottle of Cottle's Professional Consulting.

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Business Tips Corner - - Blogging a strategy for small businesses!

One way to brand your company is through blogging. While many companies both large and small are using blogging as a way of marketing their products or services; a great many are still yet to do so. Many companies are still considering whether they need to make a change to recruit an employee specifically responsible for blogging or whether they should put out the cost necessary. In today’s economy where viral marketing is leading traditional marketing strategies, blogging has become a must. Businesses should decide to integrate blogging into their business strategy. The benefit to your business can be invaluable and have a great impact on your brand, client-base and profitability.

While there are many benefits, here are just some reasons that I hope will motivate you to introduce blogging to your business:

1. Brand your company and reach your target audience: A business blog helps you to brand your company and your expertise. You can get an opportunity to reach your target audience. It enables you to widen your client reach and allows you to reach your target audience at an affordable price.
2. Increase traffic to your website: The best way to introduce a blog into your business marketing strategy, is by integrating it into your website. The underlying objective of having a blog is to drive traffic to your website and encourage potential clients to see what you do and to learn about your services.
3. Establish yourself as an expert: Use your blog to establish yourself as an expert. Make sure that the information you provide is current. By posting relevant and useful information, people will come to know you as the person who they can rely upon for useful information.
4. Develop a great following: A blog is designed so you can have a very large following. Some blogs have thousands of followers — thus the potential of a blog is great. It can put your business and you in front of a large audience of similar interest. You can also learn a great deal from the feedback you receive via “COMMENTS.”  This feedback helps you to form valuable relationships.

I hope that this advice will help you to make your decision regarding starting a blog. Cottle’s Professional Consulting can help you to design a blog that will reflect your business and put your services and products before a larger audience. Contact us at: ccottle@drcottle.com

---

Author: Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an educator, instructional technologist, system analyst and business consultant. She is the founder and Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting; a firm that specializes in the areas of education, organizational development, professional development and small business development. Dr. Cottle also manages CPC Women in Business; an online forum for women entrepreneurs globally.

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Business Tips Corner - - Effective Social Media Strategies

By Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Although I have years of experience using online forums for teaching and learning, I have been using social media a little over two years, and during that time I have learnt a lot. One thing that I particularly learnt is that social media is not only for the “college kid” as so many of my friends would say when I asked if they were using social media for their business. A client of mine, who was seeking business development when asked if she was using any social media to market her product, says “No, I just can’t see how I can ask my friends to buy my product. I am on Facebook and LinkenIn, but I am just not able to connect with my friends, so I was thinking of disconnecting from them.” It was obvious that she does not understand the social and business effect of social media ― that while it is a space to meet and connect with your friends and family, it is also an environment to network, connect with like-minded people and build your business and personal portfolio to further the advancement of your career or business sales and profitability.


These are some strategies that I have used and tested for their effectiveness over the past two years, and which I give as advice to my clients.

Know your Network: Be cognizant of what is happening in your network. Read what others are saying. Identify the people who are a part of your network and get to know their needs. Like my client above, she might call it unethical to listen to what others are saying, but it is only by reading the “statuses” of others or the “comments” that they make, will you be able to know your “friends” better and therefore be better prepared to meet their needs and your goals.


Identify Your Niche Market: Like any business plan one important aspect to take your business from the drawing board to reality is to conduct a market research ― you must identify your niche market. Are your “friends” your niche market? If they are not, begin to thin out your list. Don’t collect friends just for the numbers.


Active Participation: Active participation and relevant content are two key components in establishing your self on social media. The information that you provide must be in keeping with what your audience appreciates. Ask any one who has been using social media for a while, they will say content and participation is the key to getting others to know you and your brand. It is also important to stay consistent with the information that you provide to build an authentic online reputation.


Establish Authenticity: This is a real issue ― although the human-social interaction taking place is viral and you can easily hide behind your computer screen and keyboard, people are able to pick up on who you are and what you represent. It is important that the information that you present is in keeping with your audience’s needs. And it is also important to think about the way in which you deliver it ― don’t make it all business. Be sensitive to their needs also. Establish a friendly tone. Make it easy for your audience to feel comfortable to communicate with you. By establishing authenticity what results is trustworthiness ― the people with whom you have built a network with, would begin to respect and value what you are saying.


Be Socially Responsive: It is important to be socially responsive. It is very important to acknowledge others. When an individual makes a comment to something that you posted, make sure that you respond to them in a timely manner. Remember at all times be courteous. It is important to reciprocate by responding also to the information that they share. It is also great to connect with people on their birthdays and anniversaries. People love to receive a greeting on their special day. Some people also share when they have a loved one in the hospital or when he or she dies. Some also share information about their children, while some share about their pets. Be alert to the people’s needs around you.


I hope that these tips will enable you to make better use of social media to promote your business or your career.

---

Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an Educator, Instructional Technologist and System Analyst. She is the founder and Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting that specializes in the areas of education, organizational development, professional development and small business development. Dr. Cottle also manages CPC Women in Business; an online forum for women entrepreneurs globally.


Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

Season's Greetings!

Dear Readers,

Thanks for dropping by and reading my blog posts from time-to-time. I hope that they were interesting and informative. I will like to extend a heartfelt greetings to you, as we come to the end of the year to celebrate Christmas. Happy Holidays and as you welcome the New Years, may your life be filled with Love, Health and Prosperity.

Hoping to see you in the New Year. Yes, I will be taking a break to spend some quality time with my family.

Enjoy the holidays and stay save.

God's Blessings to you!

Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Take a pause and listen to the beautiful voice of Whitney Houston as she sings The First Noel!

An Overview of the Article: 5 Advanced Social Media Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

 

As a small business owner, you are often faced with the question of should I integrate a social media marketing strategy into my business plan? Well the answer is yes. Wait no longer. This article provides some useful tips on how you can introduce a cost effective marketing strategy that will not only enable you to build your community of customers, but also increase your sales.

The author recommends that as a beginner to social media marketing, companies’ particularly smaller ones should adopt these practices.

• Introduce multimedia, both videos and photographs to represent your products, social events, and instructional videos. A picture tells a great deal and your customers stand a greater chance to know you better.
• Integrate your offline and your on-line advertising. It helps your conversion process and builds your community of potential customers.
• Adapt your message for each site you have. Don’t repeat the same message across the board. Customization of messages is critical to catching customers’ attention and retaining interest.
• Make sure that you are searchable and visible to your customers. Include your sites in local business directory and also add you online presence to “Google map”.
• Introduce contest and provide discount to meet your customers’ needs and interest. 

To read more visit the source of the article.

---

Author:

Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an Educator, Instructional Technologist and System Analyst. She is the founder and Chief Consultant of  Cottle's Professional Consulting that specializes in the areas of education, organizational development, professioanl developmen and small business development.  She also manages CPC Women in Business; and online forum for women entrepreneurs globally.

 Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting.

An Overview of the Article: How to Use Social Media to Retain Customers

This article provides some useful tips on how to turn your new and existing customers into active customers.

The author states that: there are many times or reasons that a small business will receive an influx of new customers — such as around the holidays for retail stores, during a new product or service launch or after a local advertising campaign. While new customers are great, returning customers are even better. Social media offers a number of opportunities to turn your new and existing customers into repeat customers and fans.

The author also suggests that you can turn new customers into return customers who will in turn attract more new customers for you. To achieve this, the article suggests that you should:

1. Direct new customers to your social media sites by inviting them to become your friend, become a fan of your fan page or join your group or follow you on your blog or on Twitter.
2. Offer opportunities and incentives to keep them interested — engage them with new content, great information and resources and exclusive offerings.
3. Promote your business — your services or products. Offer exclusive deals.
4. Build a community around what you do.

 To read more:

---

Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is an Educator, Instructional Technologist and System Analyst. She is the Founder of Cottle’s Professional Consulting. Dr. Cottle is also the creator of two online forums — Women in Business on Facebook and CPC Women in Business.

Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle ● Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner - - 4 Simple Tools To Brand Your Company

By Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Be sure to drop in every week on a Thursday to share my useful tips that would help you in your journey to successful entrepreneurship!

My business tip for this week is about branding. While large companies use branding to market and promote what they do, small business owners can do the same. How you establish yourself in the marketplace is very important to your success? A professional branding image is sure to help you attract your potential customers and eventually translating them into customers. Here are some simple tools that you can integrate into your company to ensure that you get the respect that your deserve.

1.  Design a business card that provides information about your business. It is also recommended that you include a contact telephone number, an e-mail address and your website
2.  Design and create stationery for your business. Your writing paper and your envelope should include your company’s logo, name, and address
3. You should also have a dedicated telephone number for all your business contact
4.  Make sure that if you are not available to receive your calls that you have a message that is warm and friendly inviting them to leave a message. Your objective is to retain all prospective customers.  Develop a great message: thanking them for their interest and promise to respond in a timely manner
5. Get an e-mail address that is professional. Get one that reflects your business

These are some very cost effective ways that you can begin integrating into your branding strategy to ensure that you develop the level of professionalism and confidence so needed in today’s marketplace for any business.

---

Author:

Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Cottle's Professional Consulting provides service in education, organizational development, professional development, and business development. Dr. Cottle is also a coach and mentor in areas of professional and business development. Interested in a service, please contact her at: ccottle@drcottle.com

Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner - - For People now Starting out into Entrepreneurship

Business Tips Corner!

by: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Be sure to drop in every week on a Thursday to share my useful tips that would help you in your journey to successful entrepreneurship!

This week's tips are specifically designed for people who are now starting out into entrepreneurship.

Love what you do and the wealth will follow: Marsha Sinetar the author of Do What you love: The Money will Follow- - Discovering Your Right Livelihood suggests that you should work at what you love and you will find the satisfaction that you have been looking for. Oprah Winfrey's also says, " . . . if you do work that you love, and the work fulfills you, the rest will come." Many successful people believe in this philosophy. Some business owners have also vouched that having a passion for what you do, makes it much easier to go through the challenges you face as an entrepreneur. It is what helps to sustain your business.

• Get the support of others: Many entrepreneurs, particularly women tend to start a business alone because it often comes out of a great need. It can either be as a result of being divorced or the death of our spouse and we have to find alternative ways to support ourselves and children. It is wise that you get the support of someone to assist you in the event that difficult situations arise. If you are unable to get a friend or a family to support you, then it is wise to get a mentor. Join groups where you can also get the support. With the technology that are available, you can join online forums and others social media forum to network and share common experiences.
• Create a Business Plan: A business plan will provide you with the road map that you need when thinking of getting into a business venture. It will provide you with valuable information regarding how much money you will need to start up your business, identify who are your target audience, the best place to purchase your equipments, furniture and other inventories, who are your competitors, and how best to market and promote you product or services, and such business logistics.
• Education: It is important also that you increase you knowledge in the area of business that you want to get into. You must develop your expert knowledge of the industry you are in, as well as the product and or services that are the focus of your company. Engage in research, read books and attend workshops and seminars to stay current in your market. You would also want to know all about taxes as it applies to your business as well as business registration, and other operational logistics.
• Access Professional Support: Professional support is always touted as being to expensive as a result many business owner delay this process. Remember that you do not have all the skills needed to successfully run your business. You most likely would have the entrepreneurial skills, but not necessarily have all the managerial skills needed to manage your business. A business requires both entrepreneurial and management skills to be sustainable. It is a holistic approach to successful entrepreneurship. Therefore if you need an accountant to manage your books, or a website designer to build your website or blog, outsource their help.
• Professionalism: One of my advices that I gives to clients now starting out into the area of entrepreneurship is that they should always strive to be professional, and it does not only mean dressing great. Establishing a professional image from the beginning goes a long way in achieving business success. As a new business owner you should establish a business telephone number so that customers can easily contact you. A website is another feature that one should also consider having. In addition to online presence, an e-mail is equally important. These together with business cards, stationary and great customers’ service are a great start to establishing professionalism.

---

Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Cottle's Professional Consulting has a multidisciplinary portfolio including education, organizational development, professional development, and business development. Dr. Cottle is also a coach and mentor in areas of professional and business development. Interested in a service, please contact her at: ccottle@drcottle.com

©Copyright 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner - - How to Make Your Home Office Child-Friendly

Business Tips Corner!

By: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Be sure to drop in every week on a Thursday to view tips that would help you in your journey to successful entrepreneurship.

This week's tips are about how to make your home-based office child-friendly! 

With my own grand-son at the stage where he wants to get into everything, my daughter was realizing how important it is to go-child-friendly when you work from home to secure your child’s safety. These are some of the things that we felt are needed in the office.

• Ensure that your file and computer information is safe. Your toddler is at the stage where he or she is curious about everything. He or she can accidently touch your keyboard and make your files disappear. This would take some time to fix and may also cost you if you are unable to fix the problem yourself.
• Keep all your office supplies securely stored away from the reach of your child or children. Your toddler is at the stage where they put everything in their mouth.
• Make sure that all cupboards or storage systems are sturdy to prevent them from falling. Make sure that your cupboards doors are closed at all times.
• Last but not least, make sure all electrical outlets are secured. Stoppers can be used to plug electrical outlets, also make sure that computer and printer cords are secured and not left hanging.
• If possible you can have your child outside your work space, it would certainly prevent any mishaps.

---

Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Cottle's Professional Consulting has a multidisciplinary portfolio including education, organizational development, professional development, and business development. Dr. Cottle is also a coach and mentor in areas of professional and business development. Interested in a service, please contact her at: ccottle@drcottle.com

© Copyright 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Business Tips Corner - - Things to consider when you are choosing a location for your business.

Business Tips Corner!

By: Dr. Cheryl Cottle

Be sure to drop in every week on a Thursday to view tips that would help you in your journey to successful entrepreneurship.

This week's tips are: 

1. First find out whether your type of business is permitted in the area according to zoning laws.
2. Make sure that your business location is accessible to allow your customers and employees easy access.
3. Consider the surrounding community. Can the community support your business? Does it attract your niche market?
4. Carefully choose whether you would have a ground floor location for your business or a second floor. Customers generally find it easiest to just walk in off the street. If you choose a second floor, make sure that you advertise to attract customers to your store.
5. Similarly if you choose to have a location in a Mall, make sure that the Mall also has great access and secure parking facilities.
6. Decide whether you want to be in an area where you don’t have any direct competitors, or decide whether they will provide a great business climate.

---

Author:

Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Cottle's Professional Consulting has a multidisciplinary portfolio including education, organizational development, professional development, and business development. Dr. Cottle is also a coach and mentor in areas of professional and business development. Interested in a service, please contact her at: ccottle@drcottle.com

© Copyright 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Should Small Businesses with an exclusive product go E-commerce?

By Dr. Cheryl Cottle
Many small businesses that deal exclusively with unique, one-of-a-kind, limited editions are now thinking about whether they should expand their exclusive business by going online. Many wonder if this approach to selling will reduce the value of their product in the eyes of their clients. The answer is no. What going online means is that you are now taking your business to a wider target audience. It means that you are now opening up what you do to others who will get a chance to see what you do, appreciate what you do and buy what you produce. It will also mean that you now have the opportunity to leverage the value of what you do. You now have a larger market; your would-be customers are no longer local but also international.

Going e-commerce does not mean that you are closing your “brick and mortar” store or your home-based store. It means that it is an extension of your business or an enlargement of your marketing plan. E-commerce simply means using a website with a shopping cart to enable your customers the ability to buy online.

 E-commerce provides you with the opportunity to increase your market and take it before an international audience. It creates the opportunity to move from your mini local market to a macro market. However with this type of marketing, there are additional changes that will incur on your production, manufacturing, marketing, customer service, machinery and equipments, computer technology, shipping and handling and other key operational processes within your company. In some cases it will require an additional workforce to manage each operation as you expand.

 Things that you will need in going e-commerce: 

• An e-commerce website will have to be designed and constructed. You can self-design and construct your own website if you have the skills to do so
• Access an outside web designer to translate what you have in mind with sound design techniques to come up with an e-commerce site that meets your needs.
• Register a domain name
• Decide which web hosting company to host your website
• Think about the design features for your website
• Determine which products you will display
• Generate your product description
• Product Photography
• Select a shopping cart
• Establish a merchant account
• Establish policies (including, purchasing, customer services, shipping and handling, etc.)
• Shipping and handling - - which shipping provider will you use to facilitate your customer’s order
• Establish a customer service unit to deal with customer-related issues.

If you require an ecommerce website we can build it for you. For more information on how we can help contact us at: ccottle@drcottle

---

Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Cottle's Professional Consulting has a multidisciplinary portfolio including education, organizational development, professional development, and business development. Dr. Cottle is also a coach and mentor in areas of professional and business development. Interested in a service, please contact her at: ccottle@drcottle.com


©Copyright 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Résumé Writing and the Job Search Process!

By Dr. Cheryl Cottle
With the recessionary period, applying for a new job is none the easier. There are a lot of people also vying for that job that you have been looking for, so the competition is great. How to stand out above the competition and get the job is what you need to know. You can know how to, if you access an expert in job search, résumé and cover letter preparation, and job interviewing skills. You might have the educational background, skills and knowledge sets, work related experience, and wondering why I am not getting the job? Well, it just could be the approach that you are using.

Here are a few tips that will help you to move above the rest and get that perfect job.

Identify your skills and experiences:
You must identify the skills and experiences that you have as they relate to the job that you are applying. The question that you have to ask, is do I have these skills? Do I have the knowledge to perform the job? Having identified the skills and knowledge that you have within the context of the job, include them when responding to the job in your résumé and cover letter. What skills should I take into consideration? Identify your skills and experiences within the context of your past work experience and the position that you held, education and training, volunteering, and simply life’s skills.

Formatting your résumé:
This is critical to the organization and development of your résumé. You want your document to look professional and as if you have spent some time to details. You also want to show that you are detailed-oriented and organized. These are attributes that your employers are also looking for and they reflect in the way that you organize your résumé and write your cover letter.

Adhere to proper spelling and grammatical practices:
Once you have written your résumé and included all the necessary details, make sure that you review it for spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. Employees also evaluate your writing and form judgments about what type of worker you will be, by looking at the way that you pay attention to details, and it is often a critical attribute that they stress on their job postings. Get someone else to review your résumé and cover letter. Sometimes a second opinion helps. Note that a well written résumé gets notice for the very least. It is the same ones that gets called on the interview and the one to get the job.

Personalized your cover letter:
Personalizing your cover letter for each job that you are applying for is sometimes difficult to do. You have spent several hours coming up with the perfect résumé to meet the job requirements, and now you just have to complete the cover letter; but you are tired, and you simply just want to the application process to be over and done with. Similar to your résumé, you also have to pay great attention to details. A well written cover letter reflects your level of professionalism also. Always address your cover letter to the correct person within the company or corporation. The job position that you are applying for should also be indicated on your cover letter. It is also important to indicate where you saw the job advertised, and how your skills, educational background, and experience fits the job that they advertised. Always include a telephone number or an e-mail address so that they will be able to contact you should your letter of application is short listed.

The interviewing process:
If you are here in your job search process, you know that you are getting somewhere with finding a job. But this is also a very important stage that you must pay attention to. How you dress is very important in getting a job. This is your initial presentation. How you look or your image plays an important role in hiring. Make sure you wear clean and well coordinated colors, a beautiful pair of shoes, and a handbag, not to fashionable; if you are a female. Males, you too must pay special attention to how your look and yes smell. It is also important to pay attention to grooming; your hair must also be combed as well as your nails should be cut and cleaned. In addition, it is also important to be on time for your interview and you should also be prepared to answer any questions. In addition, it is great to have a number of questions that you can ask the panel especially when they ask you “Do you have any questions you will like to ask us?”

The Day of the Interview:
On the day of the interview, make sure that you are there on time. Some times it is best to go on a trial run if you are informed of the interview days before. This will allow you to identify road blocks that you may encounter and help you to circumvent them on the day of. Learn as much as you can about the company and particularly, how the position you are applying impacts the company’s functionality. Generally the interview questions are related to what you have written on your résumé. Remember you are talking about you, and the experiences that you have and how they apply to the position. Be confident when you respond. Remember always to have the names and contacts of your references. Another question that is commonly asked is, what you want from the job? And that generally translates into the question “Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Another generic question is; how will you be of benefit to the company? It is advisable that before going on an interview you must research the company. Learn about their company goals, mandate and culture. You also need to know if you will want to work with them. Just as they have to like you, you also have to like them. It is a two way relationship.

In summary: I hope that you find these tips useful to your job search, résumé preparation, and interview process. Good luck in your job search.

Interested in having us prepare a résumé and cover letter as well as prepare you for the job position that you are looking for. Call us! You can also have a telephone conferencing session with Dr. Cottle. For more information contact us at: ccottle@drcottle.com

---

Author:
Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Cottle's Professional Consulting has a multidisciplinary portfolio including education, organizational development, professional development, and business development. Dr. Cottle is also a coach and mentor in areas of professional and business development. Interested in a service, please contact her at: ccottle@drcottle.com

©Copyright 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle’s Professional Consulting

Do you need a website? How to best leverage technology to benefit in the marketplace?

By Dr. Cheryl Cottle
As an entrepreneur, both male or female, gone are the days when you only needed a hand shake to do business. In today’s global economies with the advent of computer technology and the internet, you must change, or you will be forever left behind; and this is not a cliché: It is a fact. Businesses regardless of size must get onto the bandwagon of technology. You no longer need a mobile phone and a fax machine; you also need a website, e-mail, access to the internet over all, and high speed internet connection. Technology is here and it is here to stay. With the advent of computer based technology business has become more competitive, but it has also provided people with greater opportunity to leverage what they can do ― their services and products. If you are also into selling your product and you will like to take your product and services to a wider market, then you will have to think about integrating e-commerce into your business strategy. This allows your customers, regardless of their geographical location, time, and currency exchange, to access your product and make a purchase.

What technology and the internet have done for the entrepreneur: 

• It has opened up connection and removed the barriers between individuals in different countries and continents who want to trade with each other.
• You can easily conduct a detailed search of a company so that you know with whom you are doing business.
• If you are looking for that special product or services, a search of the internet can put you in direct contact with the best in the market.
• The internet and computer based technologies enables you to do business twenty four hours a day from where ever you are in the world and with whom you want to.
• It also enables you to make contact with people with whom you might never have met.
• The internet also puts you in direct contact with your supplier, or buyer thus reducing cost and time as in traditional business transaction.
• Essentially the internet removes national boundaries thus opening a global gate way to commerce.

Interested in having a website for your business because you will like to extend your market globally, and will need visibility, Cottle’s Professional Consulting can do it for you. We will work with you to come up with the best design! Give us a shout out at: ccottle@drcottle.com

---

Author:

Dr. Cheryl Cottle is the Chief Consultant of Cottle's Professional Consulting. Cottle's Professional Consulting has a multidisciplinary portfolio including education, organizational development, professional development, and business development. Dr. Cottle is also a coach and mentor in areas of professional and business development. Interested in a service, please contact her at: ccottle@drcottle.com

©Copyright 2010 by Dr. Cheryl Cottle and Cottle’s Professional Consulting