Give Your Customers Rewards!

The concept of having an Rewards Program is a growing trend for Big Corporations. Now, Small Business Owners can now offer this unique program an incentive to their customers, in the same manner as Large Corporations.

Until now, many small stores try to use a punch card reward system, where for each purchase at the store they make a punch in the card and when the customer gets up to 10 to 15 punches, they get something free, usually amounting to about 5 or 10% of the total previous purchases.

However, the customer has to remember to bring in the card, and many do not. Also this does not give the customer incentive to refer friends to the store.

This is how "Retail Bucks" works for Small Business Owners: Businesses need more customers and word of mouth is the best way for them to get them.

When a store is part of this rewards program, their customers can participate and get a percentage of all their purchases in Retail Bucks that they can spend on future visits.

When customers refer their friends to the store they also earn a percentage of the purchases their friends make in Retail Bucks.

With retail bucks the store owner or clerk simply puts in the email address of their customer when they make a purchase into the Retail Bucks website; and the sale is automatically tracked for both the customer and the store owner. No need for the customer to remember to bring a punch card with them to the store.

The customer at their leisure at home can log into the Retail Bucks website to see how many Retail Bucks they have earned for each of the stores they shop at. Convenient, right?

A trial of this rewards system, "Retail Bucks" is available. Sign up here to try it!

We offer Retail Bucks to our customers so it's great for any type of business or service.


www.abizresource.com

Defining Your Own Success!

Last week was a time of great sadness across the country and even the world at the loss of such Hollywood stars as Ed McMahon, and Farah Fawcett. We had an overwhelming blow to learn that a favorite Legend and Icon for the whole world, who is Micheal Jackson; has also been laid to rest and is with us no more.

As sad as it feels, I know we'll all continue to keep with us wonderful memories that will never fade and as long as we, ourselves have breath - should also continue the march forward to reach what destiny life has for us to make our mark and impact in the world.

It helps to surround yourself with associates who are excited about life and the many opportunities it holds. It's a given that every time I listen to Dr. Fran Harris, I am even more elated and motivated to press toward my goals and vision. Dr. Fran, is a straight forward speaker, positive and helps others stay focused on their dreams. Ask yourself, "What is My True Meaning Of Success"? Define it and achieve what is your own definition, and enjoy the ride that will take you there!


If you cannot see video below, Click Here!!

8 Attributes Of A Leader!

There are many, many styles of persona a great Leader may have. I've met many Leaders of several types and in one way or the other their personality, character, and/or tenacity has always made an impression on me, more positively than not. And, I have certainly met or worked closely with the not so positive types at times, but as we are our own individuals, I still believe there are core attributes that EVERY Leader should hold to maintain the title of Leader. You may certainly agree and want to add a few more.


1. UNWAVERING COURAGE: Based upon knowledge of self, and of one's occupation. No follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader very long.

2. SELF-CONTROL:. The man who cannot control himself, can never control others. Self-control sets a mighty example for one's followers, which the more intelligent will emulate.

3. A KEEN SENSE OF JUSTICE: Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can command and retain the respect of his followers.

4. DEFINITENESS OF DECISION: The man who wavers in his decisions, shows that he is not sure of himself. He cannot lead others successfully.

5. DEFINITENESS OF PLANS: The successful leader must plan his work, and work his plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical, definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder. Sooner or later he will land on the rocks.

6. A PLEASING PERSONALITY: No slovenly, careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade high on all of the factors of a Pleasing Personality.

7. WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY: The successful leader must be willing to assume responsibility for the mistakes and the shortcomings of his followers. If he tries to shift this responsibility, he will not remain the leader. If one of his followers makes a mistake, and shows himself incompetent, the leader must consider that it is he who failed.

8. COOPERATION: The successful leader must understand, and apply the principle of cooperative effort and be able to induce his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for POWER, and power calls for COOPERATION.


I believe these are just a few attributes Business Owners, Independant Agents, and Entreprenuers should maintain on a consistent basis to influence our success as we provide service to our Customers and Clients in a positive manner to be a GREAT Leader!

10 Tips For Choosing A Logo (Branding, Part 2)

On the further subject of branding, here are some tips that I hope prove helpful in designing your logos.

1. Love it or lose it.You will be looking at this logo every day for the foreseeable future, so pick something you will like tomorrow, next year, and on the tenth anniversary of your business.

2. Make sure the dress fits the occasion.Your logo -- it gives people the first impression they will have of you and your business, so make sure it reflects your identity, tone, and service.

3. Colors are key.Choose colors (black and white counts) that reflect your corporate identity and appeal to your potential customers and clients.

4. Perfect big or small.Your logo may be reduced, enlarged, colorized, or printed in black and white over the course of your business, so make sure the logo you pick will look perfect in any size, shape or form.

5. Don't choose the wrong icon.This is a business decision. Don't fall in love with a logo that you know is not right for the services or products.

6. Get feedback.Show your logo to respected friends, family members, and acquaintances. If they don't respond positively, ask them why, then consider revision (s). If it's what you want people to say about your company, you could be on the right track.

7. Versatility is key.Your logo must look good on a variety of promotional materials, including letterhead, business cards, signs, stickers, magnets, or even a web site, so make sure it is versatile, and will show up when faxed or photocopied.

8. You might not need a logo.If you are opening a law practice or offering bookkeeping services on the weekend, then save money and just get a generic business card and letterhead with your contact information on it.

9. Use professionals.While the guy at the local copy store may seem really enthusiastic about creating a logo for you, invest in hiring a professional graphic designer, such as A+ Professional Resources, LLC. who has a track record.

10. Don't over spend your budget.Designing a great logo and identity package is worth the investment, but shop for your best option. If you have a limited printing budget, do things in stages and just get business cards and letterhead done right away.

Ms. Reverle Harris

www.abizresource.com

Does Your Brand Personality Sparkle?

As this is my first Blog post, I couldn't think of a better way to start than with a discussion on Branding so I'm sharing the suggestions of an Associate you will find in this blog. The six steps will help establish a unique style to any business. I began my consulting and service company, A+ Professional Resources, LLC with the suggestions in mind.

It helped me to design my business model and practices as I've learned how the business brand is at the forefront of everything a business can do when providing service to customers, whether in retail, marketing, technology, healthcare or for an online or offline based company. Developing a business brand is for any professional industry. I could go on but let's take a look at what Donna has to say for today.

Here's Six Ways to Make Sure Your Brand Shines Bright!

Who are you, really? Your brand, I mean.

What do you want other people to think when they think about your business, your service, or your product?

Do you want them to think your brand is the life of the party, or the designated driver? Is it a trusted friend, or a charismatic rock star? Are you a Volvo or a 'Vette?

So I repeat...who are you?

You may already know this, and if that's the case, I congratulate you! Many small businesses struggle with this. If, however, you need a little help in defining yourself, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. How am I currently perceived by my customers? If you don't know, do a quick focus group with a target segment of your market (10 - 20 people), customers and non-customers. Have a list of questions ready to ask.

2. How do I want to be perceived by my customers? Realize that your brand needs to reflect and resonate with your target market. If you want to be a sports car, but your customer wants you to be a sedan, you should probably reflect what your customer's value unless you're trying to attract a different set of customers.

3. How far apart is: how I'm currently being perceived; to how I want to be perceived? What will it take to bridge the gap? Do I really need to bridge the gap, or should I enhance my current image?

Once you have a general idea of perception, time to make your personality more definitive. So, ask yourself these questions:

4. What are my brand's human characteristics? As crazy as it may sound to you, many branding experts suggest you do this in order to put your brand on a level everyone in your organization can understand. Is your brand male, or female? Old, or young? Rich, poor, middle class? Where does it work? What does it do for entertainment? These are just starter questions...you can think of a lot more yourself!

5. If my brand was an actual person, what would be its name? Think about it, when you hear someone is named "Biff," an immediate picture comes to your mind. I bet you can think of a dozen such examples! Pick a name that personifies your brand. Paris, Tom, Jane, Inga, Ian, Jeff, Elsa...

6. What is my brand's "life story?" Biff needs to know where he came from, so create a brief, fictional biography of your humanized brand.

When you complete this process, consider building a Personality Board. This is very helpful in giving your brand a visual personification. Cut out pictures, stories, headlines, or any other visual reference you think would work to define your personality. You may even want to find a photograph of someone who is the image of your brand personality (your Biff) and place it in the middle. Display it proudly, and make sure your employees know what it is.

Now, when you create your advertising and marketing materials - from print ads to TV and radio spots, from websites to packaging, and beyond - you know what personality they need to reflect. And, you will be on your way to delivering a brand with which your customers can identify.

© Copyright 2008, Donna Williams


I hope this was helpful! Here's to your Success!

Ms. Reverle Harris

www.abizresource.com