It is a very special time of year. This Thanxgiving Season is a time for us to be thankful for what we have. Yes, some would say that 2008 hasn’t provided much for which we can be thankful.

I would say we have a LOT to be thankful for…. and in this audio I said it. You want to hear what is said on this short (5:24) audio message. I share with you some of the reasons to be thankful. I also get a chance to share about some of the history of Thanxgiving and how it came about with the Pilgrims and William Bradford. You’ll love this!

So, sit back and enjoy. You’re gonna’ love this audio and I look forward to hearing from you.

In fact, please leave your comments and ideas that you’d like to share with others in the Comments section (below). This will be a great way to thank others and to let others know what you are thankful for this year. What a great way for a lot of people to help each other —- all at no cost!

I look forward to hearing from you. Listen to the audio. I put it together in two ways to give you a choice in listening. You can download it as a single file to your MP3 player of choice or listen to it streaming. Either way, I want you to enjoy.

Thank YOU for being part of this Blog. I look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Thanxgiving!

Terry

Terry Brock, CEO
Achievement Systems, Inc.
November 2008

You can also download the MP3 file here by right-clicking and selecting “Save Target As..” (or other similar command from your browser.)

Terry’s Special Thanxgiving 2008 Message

It is a different world today. If you keep doing things the way there were years ago, you’ll only fall further and further behind. Visionary, successful leaders today embrace the new world with new ideas.

Recently I had the chance to interview one of my friends and a great management and sales guru from Dublin, Ireland, Sean Weafer. Sean has decades of experience leading sales teams and showing international audiences how to be successful today.

In this insightful video, you get a chance to see Sean as he shares new ideas on what works for leaders today. This short video illustrates principles for success for business today.

Share this video with your team and enjoy Sean Weafer’s sage advice.

You can reach Sean at Sean.weafer@firstcoach.com via phone at +353 (1210) 1934 or via regular post at:
7 Woodlands Ave.
Stillorgan
Co. Dublin
Ireland

 

By Terry L. Brock

Changing times call for changing tactics.  You have to adjust and change to remain lightning-fast in your approach.  One of the tried and true sayings of the American Old West was, “There are two kinds of people: The quick and the dead.”  You had to move fast back then to out maneuver the competition or you could literally die.

Fortunately today we don’t have to resort to gun slinging or a lot of target practice to remain alive.  Yet, the principle of being fast applies to you and me in our businesses today.  We have to relinquish the old ways that might have worked before but need to be altered for today’s new challenges.

There’s another old saying, “If you keep on doing what you’ve already done, you’ll keep on getting what you already got.”  That was used over and over in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s by motivational speakers.  Their point was that you have to do something different or you’ll stay the same.

Today that has changed.

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Special “Get Your Economy Going” Offer

After a lot of requests, I’m going to make a special offer to you.  At this time a lot of people are scratching their heads and wondering how to get by and make it through this economy. Things are changing.  Things are different than they were even just a short time ago.

Right now, if you are a member of my Online Coaching Program you will get a massive 50% discount on my hourly coaching fees.  You have to be a member of the Online Coaching Program, but instead of the regular US$400 charge, you get me for only US$200 per hour.  This way you can get a lot accomplished.

And rather than just one hour, here’s what you’re going to get:

• An Analysis of what you’re doing now
• Candid, objective opinions on what you should consider for future growth
• New revenue-generating options that you might have not even considered
• An audio of the interview we do (if you choose) to review.

In addition to that, you’ll also get my special  2-hour+ multi-media report on Brock’s Business Building Ideas. This report is packed with audio, video and reference material that you can use and share with your entire staff to generate more revenue and increase productivity.

So, for 1/2 price, you’re getting 3+ hours of specific assistance to build your business.  I’ve never offered this before and now is the time to grab it.  You need to take advantage of this now to build your business. Join the exciting Online Coaching Program for only $24.97/month and you’re qualified for this special offer!

Of course, if you’re a current member of the Online Coaching Program already, the Bonus on Brock’s Business Building ideas is yours for the asking!  Also, you can get your own personalized coaching for the same special offer.  Contact me (phone, email or Skype) and I’ll get it to you for no extra charge — just a way to say thank you for being part of the Online Coaching Program.

Act now.  This offer won’t last forever.  Get your personal and business economy going now.  Contact me at Terry@TerryBrock.com and let’s set up a time.  We’ll take your credit card and set up a time for your personalized consultation.  Now is the time to act.  Don’t wait as things are getting tight in the economy and now is the time to adapt, be flexible and take advantage of new opportunities for growth.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Terry

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If you keep doing those activities and deploying the same tactics that got you to where you were for yesterday’s success, you will NOT “keep getting what you’ve already got.”  You will fall further and further behind.  You will no longer be part of the “quick” but find yourself in the “dead business” category.

Just ask Detroit.

So, what’s a sincere, success-desiring entrepreneur of 2009 (yes, it is time to think ahead) going to do?

Three key principles can help you take what you’ve got and move it to the next level.  Speed, Flexibility and Adaptability.

Speed

This means having the ability to respond rapidly and effectively to market changes.  Your customers want what they want fast.  That sometimes means yesterday.  To achieve that, you have to have the right systems in place.  You have to put systems in place to achieve your goals.  This takes hard work and lots of careful thinking, planning and relentless testing.  However, this speed gives you a decisive competitive advantage.

Make it your goal for you and your team to put systems in place so you can respond quickly — even instantly — to common requests and procedures.  Automation can help here.  Think Cloud Computing vs. desktop software.  Think newer technology. This can help you process customer and prospect requests rapidly and effectively to the satisfaction of prospects and customers.

Flexibility

This means you have to be open to change.  Flexible means you avoid rigidity — both physically and mentally.  Find ways to accomplish essential tasks in a variety of ways.  A good metaphor is physical flexibility.  Any good health care practitioner will vouch for the importance of physical flexibility for health.  Sometimes you have to go through pain to increase flexibility (try deep leg stretches on for size to feel that one!).  Flexibility means life and the ability to handle more tasks and requirements as they come to you.

Flexibility in business means doing the things internally which help you respond to customers’ requests in a variety of practical ways.  Always look for ways to be more open to new ideas, new technologies and options.

Adaptability

Where flexibility relates to the inward preparation for your company, adaptability relates to your outward focus.  How do you adapt to changes — especially painful changes — in the marketplace?  Oh sure, you can do just fine with the market in 1998.  But it is not 1998 anymore!  Things have changed — a lot.  Today we’re heading for uncharted territory.

But this is not new.  Our ancestors had to adapt to new conditions.  They faced perils from nature, disease, constant threats of attacks and more.  Yet, they survived due to their ability to embrace speed, flexibility and adaptability.  We can too, if we embrace these principles and provide increased value to customers.

As I type this, the news continues to be dismal on Wall Street and in business.  Many are singing the “Woe is me” chorus.  Successful people acknowledge what is happening (no ostriches, please!) with measured resolve (no Polyanas either, please!).  But they go the next step to prepare for opportunities with speed, flexibility and adaptability.  They take effective, smart action to achieve measured, bottom-line results.

That is the essence of true success both in business and in your personal life.

Don’t forget to get your personal economy going.  As a member of the Online Coaching Program you get access to me for only US$24.97/month with unlimited email messages.  And now, for a limited time only, you get my individual hourly coaching rates at only US$200/hr. and the special “Brock’s Business Building Ideas” packed with lots of information on how you can build your business and turn it around.  Don’t cheat yourself.  Take advantage of this now!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology.  He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools.  He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

This is an oldie but goodie. If you want to listen to a good, fun hour-long discussion listen to this morning show on Kansas City radio with Brian Sullivan and Gail Worth on KCTE, HotTalk 1510. I did this not long after the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas earlier this year. The principles and the technologies are still valid today and you can benefit from them.

Listen to this audio when you have some time. Better yet, download it as an MP3 file and listen on your iPod, your MP3 player or your computer. Get ready to learn and have some fun!

Listen to the complete audio here streaming….

Better yet, you can right-click on the listing below and select “Save Target As…” (or “Save Link As…” depending on your browser) and listen to it later on your MP3 player of choice.

Down load the file as MP3 here

I look forward to hearing your comments. Enjoy!

Terry

If you want to grow you business, you’ve got a real treat in these two videos. I was able to recently get two powerhouses in the field of marketing to each grant me an interview.  These two have generated millions of dollars (literally!) for their clients and themselves.

First, watch this video with MaryEllen Tribby.  She is the Group Publisher for Early To Rise.  She took sales from $8 million when she came in to over $26 million in 15 months!  WOW!  When I went to Business School, we called that doing “rather well.”  Well, in this video interview, MaryEllen shows her business expertise and her uncompromising graciousness by sharing some specific techniques that can help you acheive the goals you want.

Yes, I know you’re busy.  Aren’t we all? However, the few moments (less than 6 minutes) you invest of your time to watch this video can pay rich dividends for you in your business and personal life.  Enjoy.  And thank you, MaryEllen!  You’re terrific!

Next, you get a real treat from that marketing genius and copywriter extraordinaire, Charlie Byrne.  Charlie is the Senior Editor for Early To Rise and continues to pump our powerful, compelling copy day after day.  The two points he shares in this video interview can change your business direction.  It can add lots of serious profits to your bottom line.

Check out www.EarlyToRise.com and see what all the excitement is about there.  This is the kind of investment you need to make in these times to keep your business strong and moving.  If you’re serious about growing and thriving in any market, these two marketing geniuses can help you.

One of my favorite websites is www.EarlyToRise.com because of the consistently high quality content in a variety of areas. Michael Masterson founded this resourceful website years ago and it continues to provide so much value that it attracts over 430,000 subscribers.

I was recently able to interview the Managing Editor of this gem of a resource, Suzanne Richardson. In this video interview, she shares some of the ways that ETR continues to attract more and more subscribers — and also stays very profitable. This is a good example of Relationship Marketing in action!

Enjoy this video interview with Suzanne as she shares some gems that will help you in your business. I look forward to your comments (below in the special comments section). Let the world know what you think of EarlyToRise.com and how it has helped you by leaving a comment. If you haven’t subscribed to their wonderful newsletter yet, go to www.EarlyToRise.com and do it. It is free and in a tough economy, you’re going to learn some valuable principles on building your business and your personal health.

Now, sit back and enjoy this interview with Suzanne Richardson, Managing Editor of Early To Rise.

Terry

Terry Brock, President & CEO
Achievement Systems, Inc.
www.TerryBrock.com
Terry@TerryBrock.com

By Terry L. Brock

Yikes! Is the sky falling? It sure sounds like it from the business news press. Everyday we get a new round of problems reported. And now we get more news of more industries lining up to get a piece of the federal bail-out money that is being passed around.

Since you and I run small businesses and don’t worry about those trillion dollar decisions in the real world (thank goodness!), let’s focus on making things better where we are. President Teddy Roosevelt had some good words of advice that apply today, “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, right where you are.”

I recently attended an info Marketing Bootcamp hosted by EarlyToRise.com and picked up several good marketing ideas. Here are three that can help us in today’s tumultuous environment:

Principle # 1 – Think WHO, Then WHAT

Focus on your customers before you focus on your product. Too many businesses focus on their own product. Salespeople go into a presentation thinking that if they can just talk more about their product, the customer will buy. The technical word for this is, “Hogwash!” Focus on the needs of your customer first. Do this before developing a product. At the beginning of each presentation focus on the pain the customer is experiencing and how you can help them. Then twist and mold your product or service to fit their needs.

Think of your prospect and what she will need before you think about your product. See the prospect’s pain and how she is dealing with today’s topsy-turvy world and what she would like to do to correct it. Then think (this is the hard part!) about how you can present your product or service in a way to help her deal with and overcome problems she is facing. Think about your customer before you think about your products. Your customer already does.

Principle # 2 – Focus On Direct Marketing, Not Image Building Advertising

Today dollars are tight. They are tight for you and your customers. You need to know what works. Just putting out a nice, smiling image advertisement won’t cut it anymore. You need to know what works and what doesn’t. One of the benefits of marketing over the Internet is that you can measure just about everything. Find what pages draw more attention. Find out what sites are visited and which are ignored. Today you’ve got to embrace different strategies to succeed in a different market. Forget bland, blather about image. Focus on getting a direct response via the Net or any media you use.

Principle # 3 Get In Front Of Trends

We are at a critical time of change in our world. We have a new administration coming into Washington. What worked before is not working today. We are facing one of the greatest financial challenges ever in history. This creates massive opportunities to solve problems. Yes, you’ll have to be creative. Yes, you’ll probably have to embrace some new tactics.

Study and capitalize on trends. Michael Masterson said, “”Make the trend your friend.” Know what is happening and position yourself to take advantage of it. If you are in the food business, get in front of a hungry bunch of people who are ready, willing and able to buy from you.

The principles of success remain the same, even if the tactics have to change. Relationship Marketing principles work today as before. Customers want to deal with companies who care for them and try to help solve problems.

You know, when you think about it, this is a wonderful time for business. It gives the good businesses an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. This has always been the case. Today things are accentuated.

The best will get better. The bad will go away (unless they receive a large government bail-out, which only delays the inevitable pain). There has been a lot of chaff among the wheat in business. Far too many people have based their lives, their spending patterns and ways of treating others on philosophies that don’t work and are hurtful. Now is a great opportunity to shed practices that have been holding you and your business back. Embrace what works yes, in technology but more importantly in philosophy. Discard philosophies and practices that harm others and don’t contribute to your success or other’s success.

Finally here’s another bonus to improve your business today….Use social proof extensively and rely on the ease of video today to communicate that. Here’s an idea – go out and visit (yes, this goes beyond email for desk-bound key-typers! and visit real, live customers! For those who have been pleased with your products or services in the past, ask for a quick video endorsement. This video testimonial can quickly be placed on your website’s homepage. Don’t worry about making it “super professional.” In fact, make it more “man on the street – real world” type of interviews and it will communicate that they are real, not paid actors. You’ll bond more with customers and you’ll be able to build the base for new customers.

The opportunities are enormous for companies who embrace time-honored principles of success. Applying these principles can help you succeed today and no matter what comes tomorrow.

Somehow I think Teddy Roosevelt would be proud.

Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

By Terry L. Brock

The election of Barack Obama is a change. Hey, my auto-dictionary on my copy of Word is still putting the red squiggly lines for unknown words under both his first and last name (that is going to change fast!). We have entered a new era in politics and the way business is done is also changing.

Or is it really change? Does the election indicate change or just a realization of what has existed already? I think it is a combination. As a marriage just formalizes the love that two people have for each other and a divorce formalizes the termination of a relationship that ended earlier, the event validates what has already occurred. Yet, we mark it as significant since we humans beings like a reference point — a date — to mark significance in our lives.

Many pundits are pontificating about the election. Some are useful, some mere blather. Quck sidenote: Try recording some of these “predictions” and then play them back for yourself in one year. See who was on the mark and who was way off. That will be good education.

But, what are the ramifications of this for your business? How will you conduct successful business under an Obama Administration in the States? If you’re out of the US, what are the ramifications of that for you? Now is the time to plan and adjust.

First, regardless of your political position, the vast majority of thinking Americans are saying it is about time that we have a black president. This is a turning point in our nation’s history. Some might have preferred another political perspective, but this is what has happened. We rejoice in that and this journalist adds his congratulations to the new President and new Administration wishing them the best for the next four years.

Having said that it is time to get down to business — our business. Another President of the US, Calvin Coolidge once said, ” The business of America is business.” Stop looking for political answers to solve your problems. Do you honestly think that by going into a voting booth and pulling a lever you will change your future? You have to make the change happen yourself. You have to shore up your business and make it work.

So, what can we do in a practical way now? Here are some steps that can help as you put your own business, your own career and your own life in order:

1. Deal With The Recession. Many are saying we are in one economically and psychologically. Now is the time to use this to your advantage. The best athletes strike hardest when conditions are brutal. When everyone else is taking a break, you can improve your skills, better your marketing and take the long-term approach. Changing circumstances require changing plans.

2. Get Back To Basics. Now is not the time for frivolity. Focus on what matters. Build strong, lasting business relationships. Improve your technology and skill in using it. As you leverage technology —- much of it already sitting on your desk! — you can send more valuable marketing pieces, contact hot prospects and be ready for the business that is taking place. Be sure to check out PC Fixer as I mention below!

3. Acquire Resources. Now is the time to buy. You can purchase homes and cars now with much better terms than when things were booming. You can also acquire new talent cheaper. Think about consultants you’d like to use for their expertise, but couldn’t afford them before. Now could be a good time to negotiate a deal and get the valuable knowledge you need at much lower price. While the competition is cutting back on everything, you will acquire the resources to help you now and in the future. Do some serious smart spending.

4. Listen To What Your Customers Are NOT Telling You. You have to read between the lines. Yes, ask them questions but listen on two levels: the one they say and the other they don’t say. Sometimes they want to do business with you but just can’t because of their own problems. Find ways to help those who are interested in working with you to do business with you. Make it easier for them. This will bring in some business now and engender good will for the future.

5. Re-Evaluate Relationships. Some people were friends when the money (yours) was flowing (to them!). Now is a good time to find out who is real and who was just blowing smoke about being with you. Cultivate those relationships that are real and will last. Jettison those relationships where others don’t embrace a value-for-value premise. This house-cleaning of relationships will help you to find better quality people for your business and personal life.

It is a time for change. This is true for the nation and for your business. Seize the moment and have fun! Make changes for the better.

And don’t forget to check out a great tool for detecting problems on your Windows PC. It is free and works very well. I did a video on this at www.TerryBrock.com under the title “Fix PC Problem with PC Fixer” (dated Nov 05). Watch the video interview I did with the CEO of the company, Digital Support Technologies. This is the type of technology you need during tough times. It is free. It is powerful. It can save you a lot of aggravation. You’ll be glad you saw it.

Happy Change to you!

Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses market more effectively, leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their days using time-honored rules and practical technology tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

If you use a Windows computer, you know about problems that can occur. In the past you had to bring in technicians and run a lot of elaborate software. Today there is a tool you can download and fix those repairs.

Recently I was able to talk with Haiying Wang, the CEO of Digital Support Technologies who has a solution for that. I tested it myself and it worked very wel on an old, dilapidated computer I hadn’t adjusted in years. It was amazing.

Watch this video and you’ll hear Haiying talk about what it can do for you in real-world situations. PC Fixer is their downloadable software and it is worth investigating.

I look forward to your comments.

Terry
www.TerryBrock.com

P.S. You’ve got to try this out. Here are the links you’ll need to try it for yourself:

Digital Support Technology: www.digitalsupporttech.com
PC Fixer: www.digitalsupporttech.com/en-us/download.htm

Ok, Ok, Ok! We hear the new about how the economy is rough, etc. Regardless of who is elected to President we have some challenges ahead. And it is going to take more than just wishful thinking and “being positive.”

Yes, being positive is a huge part of it. I think you have to be “realistic optimism” to face today’s challenges. Be real and understand what is going on. That “ostrich approach” won’t cut it. However, being continually dismal and negative is not the answer.

Recently I had two radio interviews with some friends of mine about this subject. Willie Jolley is a professional speaker, professional singer and author up in the Washington, D.C. area. I’ve known Willie for many years and served with him on the Board of Directors of the National Speakers Association. He has a regular radio show on XM Satellite Radio and asked me to join him a while back. This hour-long program is one that you’ll want to hear and listen to. You’ll get some specific, real-world answers on what you can do now to face these challenges and overcome them.

Also, my good buddy, T. “Bubba” Bechtol had me on his radio show up on Pensacola, Florida. Bubba is a past President of the Jaycees, has done a lot of shows at the Grand Ole’ Opry in Nashville, Tennessee and is one of the smartest and best all around guys I know! You’ll love his style as a free-market advocate that he his.

Now, you can listen to both of these and benefit from them. I’ve put them together as both streaming audio and downloadable so you can listen on your own music player (iPod, MP3 Player, etc.). So, get ready to download, learn and enjoy! You need this information in today’s world and with the new President and Administration ahead.

Below: Listen to Terry Brock being interviewed by T. “Bubba” Bechtol on Pensacola Radio. Learn about what is going on and how you can overcome the challenges.

http://www.terrysstuff.com/Audio/Radio_Bubba.MP3

Below: Listen to Terry Brock being interviewed by Willie Jolley on XM Satellite Radio Power 169 about attitude and more in today’s economy.

http://www.terrysstuff.com/Audio/XMRadio_OCT0408.mp3

Please let us know your reactions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Terry