The Lost Intern Blog #3 - ProfitCLUB

6/3/09

Over the past few weeks, I have attended two sessions of ProfitCLUB with Coach Reggie. ProfitCLUB is made up of different small business owners, that meet together to go over their plans, goals, ideas, present situations, and any trouble they are having with their business. Coach Reggie and I set up lunch for the members, which allows them to come in, put something in their stomachs, and give them time to talk and catch up with other members, providing a more comfortable and relaxed environment.

Once everyone has caught up, Coach Reggie guides them through the session into developing new ideas and addressing any concerns they may have at the time. He sometimes focuses one major concept and the group discusses that particular subject. To begin, everyone goes around stating their name and business (in case someone is new, missed a class, or just to remind everyone) and what issues they would like to address during the meeting. Then each individual is given ideas and opinions by the other business owners, which helps improve their business.

Last Tuesday and Thursday, Coach Reggie addressed one particular subject, Marketing. The members discussed what marketing was to them and how to promote a positive awareness of their business. Some of the ideas they came up with was having a good TEAM. It is significant to have a positive environment for your employees. If you have a TEAM of employees that enjoy working for your business, share the same goals, and have a desire to improve, they are going to tell their friends and family how great it is to work for your business. Their opinion will rub off on others which can be a positive or negative chain reaction to potential customers.

Some other marketing ideas they came up with was community involvement, volunteering (credibility), donations, and establishing relationships. By giving back to the community, businesses are creating an affectionate, kind, generous, compassionate attribute for your business that will attract customers. Customers will perceive you and your business to be one that cares, which you can build a relationship that can lead to loyalty. By providing for your community, they will be able to provide you customers.

I learned that marketing is everywhere when it comes to businesses. It can be a friendly conversation at a party with someone you just met or a conversation with someone you are stuck next to in traffic. Picture yourself stuck next to someone in traffic due to an accident. You may have a logo on your car, in which they ask "What is that?" You talk with them for thirty minutes, about the logo, your business and you ask them about themselves, and the next week someone calls your business up and tells you they heard about you from the stranger you met in traffic and would like to acquire your service or product. Marketing can be anything and anywhere, so you need to remember that you represent your business wherever you are.

PJ Fox

ActionCOACH Intern