Diane Stafford On Focus

If You Overstretch Your Small Business Will It Snap?

Today's article has been inspired by my washing line....

The sun has been shining since early morning, a very light breeze developed, so all conditions seemed ideal for drying the washing.  There's rarely a shortage of washing to feed the machine.

It's a fairly new washing line, to replace a previous one, which I have fitted myself using steel vine pegs.  One hammered into a sturdy Beech tree (cruelty to trees) growing in a far corner of the back garden, another two hammered into the brickwork across the other side of the garden. 

The line was secured at one end, pulled across a fair distance, stretched, stretched and stretched again before wrapping through and around two peg points to gain a reasonable height, but not so high that I couldn't reach it!  :)

The first batch of freshly washed laundry was duly pegged on the line, then the second.  By the third load, the line prop had to be engaged as the weight of these three loads was showing in the strain that the line was under.   Duly supported, all was left to natures sunny charms.

Some time later I did a 'dry laundry check' and noticed that even with the prop in place, the laundry was hanging closer to the floor than before.  Removing the dry items brought a little spring back into the line.

However, on each subsequent check, and still, despite the prop, the laundry was hanging closer and ever closer to the ground, until eventually it was touching the floor.

As everything was dry, with prop no longer serving a useful purpose, the line was relieved of its burden, but it didn't spring back like it had earlier, it was hanging still lower than ever before.

The line underwent additional pulling, stretching and securing to keep it taught. 

More laundry was added and, yes, you guessed, the line began slowly sinking towards the ground!

How many more times can the line be pulled, stretched, re-burdened and propped up before it inevitably snaps?

"If you do what you've always done,
you'll get what you always got.”
Mark Twain.

Now, I know you're not interested in the smalls details (shame on you if you are), but I got to thinking how this little scenario might relate to small business.

So, what if your small business conditions seem ideal.

Clients and customers are feeding in through your marketing efforts.

You've set up what you believe to be robust and secure business systems.

... but at some point you reach overload, you or your systems can't cope and things start to dip a little.

With support, things spring back into place, yet with ever increasing demands on resources, if your support and systems can't cope with the additional load it may result in collapse or  become overstretched.

"If your line is overstretched,
don't wait until it snaps to change it."
Me (Diane Stafford).

Before my line snaps, I'm off to change it for the much stronger, less stretch prone, steel core type!

What will you change today?

_______________________

You may also enjoy this article
by Paul Lemberg - if you want to Be Unreasonable

_________________________________________________

Diane's... outside tap kit features in

Coaching Mums "Inspire" June 09

'Tapping into Life as a Single Mum'

Constraint Busting Theory in Practice

 The Theory of constraints (TOC) was originally written about by a chap called E Goldratt, who proposed that :

"any manageable system is limited in achieving more of its goal by a very small number of constraints, and that there is always at least one constraint"

... which can be rectified through the use of Five Focused Steps

We All Fall Down

Friend and Author Russ King tackled the TOC in his book "We All Fall Down" which relates to Beth's story and experience in the National Health Service (NHS)

"By using a business process called the (TOC) Beth manages to get her colleagues on her side and together they find not only the core problem of health systems worldwide, but they also discover how to free up 10 to 30% of the hospital beds without significant investment."

A really great book and a good example of how even the NHS can benefit from the Five Focused Steps.  View at - Russ King's Website

Your Constraints

Now, if you are like me,  a work from home mum and solo entrepreneur, you can bet your bottom dollar that you have a few constraints of your own that are holding you back from achieving even greater business success.

It's ok knowing that you have constraints, and its ok knowing that you need to do some constraint busting in order to overcome them.  But first you really need to ensure that you have clearly identified what your constraints actually are. 

...and this is where most of us come unstuck.

You can easily mis-identify your constraints and start constraint busting in the wrong places.

More time, more effort and still no breakthrough achievements!

hmmm... sound familiar?

Constraint Busting Partner

Constraint busting on your own is certainly doable, if a slower route to success, and if you can identify your constraints properly, and you have the patience to work through your constraints at your own pace, one step at a time.

However, If you really want to bust through your constraints more quickly so that you can achieve much more sooner than you can working alone, then you will want to grasp the rare opportunity to have Rich personally rework your business with you from the inside out.



And if anyone knows how to do it, he does!

He :



• Wrote a Manifesto that changed the way we do business...

• Followed that with a series of groundbreaking reports that were downloaded hundreds of thousands of times and shook the internet marketing world to
 the core...

• Coached dozens of high-profile gurus to success,

• Pulled off a record breaking teleseminar with more all-star marketers

And much more.. 

To find out more about how constraint busting works - read on...

Check out the case studies here

a TOC education in themselves!

Right, better dash, off to bust one of my own constraints right now!

Good luck with yours :-)

Morgan Does Have Such a Beautiful Body

Despite my love of smooth modern car body design, I think the Morgan does have such a beautiful body.

No, it's not mine. (My other car's a humble and kid practical Peugeot 5 door hatch)!

A friend steered onto my drive for a visit, knowing full well I'd want to give the Morgan a 'once over'.

It might be old, but it's still beautiful.

Anyway, the Morgan is my distraction away from the temptation to start writing yet another political article... there is so much you could say about politics right now!

Work at home mums do enjoy some distractions, yet for now, back to my web design...

What's your favourite car design?

How 7 Magic Words Can Increase Sales - Before Closing Time

Last call to discover:

 How 7 Magic Words Can Increase Sales 

Time to take a break from politics, it's exhausting!

... and let's get down to the business of you generating more income, by increasing your sales!

A fellow Mancunian, far more 'geeky' than most, together with his Aussie marketing guru partner, what a mix, run their monthly membership site to teach others how to market their businesses online.

They open up to new members briefly from time to time and right now you have a window of approximately 12 hours before closing time!

Whatever your business, if you are seriously wanting to sift through the myths of internet marketing, and learn how to market your business successfully via the internet, (and learn some pretty useful offline strategies too) then you will be delighted to discover that you can benefit from a:

trial membership for the teeny investment of $1. * see edit below

Not only will you be able to access everything, you benefit from their extensive analysis, tried and tested strategies and techniques which make things easy to apply to your own business, which will generate (or save) you that $1 time and time again!

Once you have joined, I understand that in a day or two
you will receive the answer to 'How 7 Magic Words Can Increase Sales'

As an existing member, I'll be watching my inbox closely for...

this...

"a test that earned us an additional $55,000 a month in pure profit, and cost us less than $100 to perform..."

What will you be watching for in your inbox this week?

Join Here Now

  10/6 

*Edit:
I originally posted a 14 day trial for $1 - my apologies, but that is NOT available..

... the membership is at it's normal monthly rate of only $97 and for what you will discover inside, it's well worth it if you are serious about starting or growing your business on the internet. I'm a member, so I know the value I get for my money.

Read the full page content to satisfy yourself that the information given to members is just what you need to get you moving forward with your business online...

Little Tip: Dan might slap my wrists for pointing this out to you ... but I'll risk it, here goes.  If in the unlikely event that you are still not convinced it's for you after reading, look out for the online help desk box (read & take action) should you happen to leave the site without having convinced yourself that you'd be missing out in future months!

nuff said :-)

ps: Dan, you are not reading this are you!

How Will Alan Sugar Sweeten Politics for Business

Having avoided the TV reports all day yesterday, I caught a little of this mornings report and I must say I'm feeling a little more optimistic, especially after writing yesterdays article about Poor Gordon Brown I'm Starting to Feel Sorry for Him

Why?

Well, because there was Alan Sugar, looking a little uncomfortable, in front of the news camera, as he outlined his new role.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, which is where I normally am when it comes to politics, you will know Sir Alan Sugar is the business brain behind The Apprentice  BBC Program and of course is an entrepreneur and guru in his own right.

He's also highly respected as a business and enterprise leader... and don't you just love the fact that he's a little rough around the edges :) (does that add to his street cred?)

The question is: How will Alan Sugar Sweeten Politics for Business?

As the Government's new business and enterprise champion, Sir Alan will, as part of his new role, be reviewing why banks are not lending to small and medium sized businesses; be reviewing the challenges SME's face and hopefully find a solution to build mutual confidence that will help sustain viable SME's in these difficult economic times... and no doubt he'll be doing much more.

Sir Alan may 'just' be an advisor but he gets my vote, and jolly good luck to him.  Goodness knows small and medium sized businesses in this country need some support and action by someone who does at least know what they are doing.

It didn't take long before shadow MP's suggested that Sir Alan has a conflict of interest because he presents a television show and that he can't possibly do and be paid by both! 

I imagine that Shadow Ministers will resign their paid advisory roles for large Commercial organisations then!  For reasons of transparency of course.

All this political mudslinging could bore us to death, but hopefully not before we see some positive results from the guidance and advice of Sir Alan. 

We'll have to watch this space....

If Sir Alan gets stuck sorting the banks out he could always try the suggestion laid out in the letter to Dear Mr Darling - hope he sends me mine first though?

How Would YOU Sweeten Politics for Business?

Poor Gordon Brown I'm Starting to Feel Sorry For Him

Poor Gordon Brown!

Well, you really can't escape politics at the moment can you!  I've been trying to and have even avoided the TV today.

Yet despite my urge to avoid the political  mayhem that is playing out around us right now, from the reports I have watched, read or heard, I'm finding myself feeling really sorry for Gordon Brown.

I normally try very hard to not have any form of political opinion, I do my best to avoid voting (shame on me)! I've yet to find a political party that puts the people of the country before the lining of their own pockets!

Yet as the credit crunch started to bite at the man and woman in the street, somewhat surprisingly I thought, Gordon Brown took the insightful initiative to tackle the expenses problem head on, some time before the uproar started. 

And who were the ones resisting and complaining about his proposed reforms? 

Ok it's not a scientific or statistical review of the situation but, there we were looking at a list as long as your arm of financial claims having been made against the public purse. Shock horror it looked to me like the Conservative party members tally outweighed the Labour party claims by thousands!  They were very much more extravagant claims from what I saw!

Oh my goodness Gordon what have you done!

I think he opened the school gates to let everyone run amok in the playground.  After all there were plenty of the little tykes, on all sides, desperate to divert public attention away from their individual and collective responsibility and accountability, for what had been accepted practice for years. 

And let's face it, why the heck would they want him to change what had been a comfortably profitable practice ... since the year dot! No previous PM had dared try this one.

Those with the most to pay back and those who might miss out in the future appeared to be the noisiest kids in the playground. 

It seemed to me that they were determined to deflect public scrutiny from themselves by whatever means they could think up.  When repayment cheque waving and the slapping of extravagant legs didn't reduce public outrage, who better to blame than the chap who started all this off.

After all 'how could he' be the best PM or leader if he was going to stop MP's from flipping their second homes a few times, having their trees trimmed, country manor gardens tended and ducks housed, in favour of preserving public funds to keep the man and woman in the street in jobs, in their only home or at least with food on their tables!

I guess it's understandable then that some felt the need to throw their designer handbags and other female 'window dressing' items at him. 

I guess it's understandable that those who hadn't had the chance to flip and claim anything and everything yet would want to get in (and him out) quickly whilst the going looked good.

I know I feel sorry for Gordon Brown - as if he hasn't got enough to contend with, without having to deal with these little tyke deflection tantrums.

I have to admire his tenacity to stand by his committment to continue his term in office, make reform and serve the public - and I really do wish him every success as it's in all our interests that he does succeed, isn't it?

I still hate the childish self preservation antics that pervade the political playground.

I'm highly unlikely to change my ways by voting for any of them any time soon...

... unless!

Do you feel sorry for Gordon Brown?

Your Shortcut to Traffic and Money On Demand

Your Shortcut to Traffic and Money on Demand!

This is for you if you are currently or about to use wordpress for your blog or website.

I've just installed this free wordpress SEO plugin into a new wordpress blog website and I will be testing it over the coming weeks...

What I like so far about this search engine optimization plugin:-

It's the latest version of the free SEO software that you can use to grab more free traffic from the search engines.

All you have to do it plug it into your blog and the software does all the rest. It's

• Proven Traffic-Getting Technology - user feedback is very positive on this point

• Easy To Install - yes, it really was very easy to install

• Free Targeted Traffic - watch for updates

• Works In Any Market - watch for updates

• Absolutely Free - Everyone loves free

Get Your Free SEO Plugin - shortcut to traffic

Plus SEO  training tutorials - how to use it to grab tons of free targeted traffic from the search engines to build your list and make more sales.

Shortcut to Traffic and Money on Demand - Coaching Club

 This is for you if you want a proven step-by-step Traffic-Getting strategy for getting more traffic to your blogs, your videos, social profile pages, individual blog posts, as well as static pages and websites.

Jeff is one of the most successful coaches I've known online - he's been running his online coaching club 'continuously' for over 3 years.

His UTL2 coaching club program gives you a shortcut to more traffic, more leads and shows you how to convert those leads into more sales.

Being upfront about it, I haven't enrolled on the UTL2 program - yet! So I can't give you a review based on actual experience or results achieved.  Now, it's not because I don't want to, it's more a case of how many hours I have in a day right now.  Needless to say it's on my 'to do list', perhaps for when the kids get back to school.

Anyway, I recommend that you read through the UTL2 Coaching Club Program training modules and coaching club options, as there is sure to be one option that suits you if you have a couple more hours in the day than I do.

Whatever you decide to do, don't forget to get your free seo plugin!

Parents of Preemies enjoy Families Blossoming

There are some people in this world that you just click with instantly, and Gigi, founder of Families Blossoming is, for me, one of those people. Gigi is not only a gorgeous person on the outside, she is a warm, caring and amazing person on the inside.

Gigi is a fully qualified and accredited coach but she is no ordinary coach. She has drawn on her personal experience of being the mother of Alejandro – an incredible 2 ½ year old little boy who entered this world at 24 weeks gestation weighing a whopping 645 grams (1 lb 4 oz)! He is the inspiration for her creating Families Blossoming, a coaching service for parents of preemies, or premature babies.

"Parents of preemies enter parenthood through the non-traditional route with either their baby arriving several weeks early or born full-term but very sick. In both cases, the babies require intensive medical intervention & the parents usually leave the hospital - WITHOUT their baby."

They know that they have become parents but really don’t feel like they are!

 That's where Gigi comes in.

She supports parents through this difficult time, and beyond. 

Gigi truly understands exactly what these parents are going through, as she and her husband deal with the same issues every day.

If you are parents of preemies and need the support of someone who really does understand the challenges you are facing now and in the future, then I wholeheartedly recommend you give Gigi a call.

More Information Parents of Preemies enjoy Families Blossoming

As a mother of prematurely born twins myself, I know only too well what it is like to have to go home without your babies as they stay in NICU for a few weeks.  I still remember how strange it felt to be going home without them, and only being able to 'visit' my own babies every day, until they were strong enough and well enough to come home. 

I wish I'd had someone like Gigi to talk to and help me through those weeks!

Gigi is also the Author of the forthcoming book "From Surviving2Thriving: Hope & Practical Insights for Life After the NICU for Parents of Premature and/or Sick Babies"

How To become A Money Magnet

Client, Marie Claire Carlyle, launches her new book about attracting money easily by sharing her insights into How to become a Money Magnet.

Based on her original 'How to become a Money Magnet' workshop, Marie Claire shares with you the seven basic steps to becoming a money magnet.

The book is filled with case studies of real people who have taken the seven steps, and includes various exercises to help you find the Money Magnet within you!

"This book helped me to unblock my misguided thoughts and actions about money so that I have finally been able to access my own financial potential" Sue Dingwell, Sydney, Australia.

Are you ready to take responsibility for the amount of money in your life and resolve to become a Money Magnet?

For further information from Marie Claire, click here - Money Magnet

Google Wave Open Source API

Google Wave open source API for developers will be available this year.

The video above demonstrates what is becoming available for release over time, and how developers can test and contribute to the Wave.

This will be an interesting one to watch as it progresses, not just for developers, but you too.

You should be able to bring in a wide range of conversations and collaborations online, blogging and mobile into a 'wave'.

Well, I could get all excited and go on and on about the potential of wave, so I'll shut up and let you watch the video above for you to get it straight from the horses mouth as 'they' say.