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How a
business consultant – on
the point of giving up - transformed his business from failing to
success in just 6 weeks
After years on the corporate ladder, John had the opportunity to
'go-it-alone'. For years the idea of being his own boss had tempted
him, and he relished the opportunity to launch his own consulting
practice, finally pursuing a long-held dream of making it on his
own.
He had built up some good contacts during his years as an employee,
and also joined a business networking-group to expand his contacts.
But he didn't stop there. He organized a mail-shot to local businesses
to introduce himself and his services. He was disappointed with the
response.
He followed up the mail-shot with phone calls. He felt awkward making
the calls, and he hated the rejection he got, but had just enough
positive interest to make it worthwhile.
Soon it seemed like his hard
work was paying off.
He was hired for a couple of small projects.
He was invited to write an article for a trade magazine, and also
arranged to give a talk
to a trade association.
Whilst he wasn't achieving the success
he had hoped for, he felt there were just enough encouraging signs
to keep him going.
Six months after launching his business, John
was beginning to get 'that sinking feeling'.
He had performed admirably
for a couple of clients, but they were few and far between. The
problem was he simply did not
have enough
clients to cover his expenditure.
Sensing a wolf approaching his door, John was starting
to panic. His dream of being his own boss and having freedom
was starting
to turn to dust.
Whilst his wife had initially been supportive, the financial
situation was starting to put pressure on their relationship.
John was at a loss to see what else he could do to increase business.
He had followed all the advice he had been given,
he was working
hard, and yet the results he expected from all his hard
work still eluded him.
This when I met John. By this time,
both his confidence and his finances had taken a battering.
What
made John's story so painful to hear was that he had done 'all
the right things'. He had worked hard, been
proactive, and followed
conventional marketing and selling advice, yet his
efforts weren't paying off. The saddest thing I remember about
our first conversation
was the look of disillusionment in his eyes. He was
very close
to giving up completely.
Having heard his story, I started
to explain to John why his efforts weren't paying off.
Whilst he had received some good advice, lots of the
things he was doing tend to pay off over the long
term, yet what
John most
needed
was paying clients NOW.
In just a few minutes I
showed John a totally new way of thinking about marketing that
would transform
his
business.
I helped
John distinguish between the activities which
would build business long term, and those which would
in paying clients
immediately
(which
is what he most needed to focus upon).
With my
help, John created a 3 step marketing plan that focused on delivering
paying clients
in the
shortest possible time
frame.
Six weeks later, I had a follow up meeting
with John. For the first time since he had
started
his business
his monthly
income
was greater
than his expenditure.
After our meeting, he
had actually spent LESS time on marketing and selling than in the
previous
months,
yet
because he
was now focusing
only on those things which would bring in
immediate paying business, he was having more success.
As delighted
as I was to hear of his business success, I have to say that the
most rewarding
part of that
meeting was seeing
the difference
in him.
John was a different man.
He'd won his confidence back.
In less than six weeks, and focusing
on a few critical activities, John turned
his
business
around. Yes,
that's all it took!
And it can work
for you too…
I know, because it has worked for
several people just like you. However,
I don't
expect you
to believe me
until you
see even
more proof.
Don't just take my word for it
- check out these real-life examples
here.
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About The Author:
Bernadette Doyle publishes her weekly Client Magnets newsletter for trainers, coaches, consultants, complementary therapists and solo professionals. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you calling them, then get your free tips now at
http://www.clientmagnets.com.
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