Coaching – SiMar

Attract, Convert, Engage and Close

Allison Todd — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 03:15:32 +0000

Attract, Convert, Engage and Close.

Isn’t it every business owner’s dream to convert their online audience into paying customers? Most entrepreneurs understand the value of a good sales funnel. And if you don’t, no worries, just know that it will increase lead conversions. The value of lead conversions is more than just a purchase.

It’s those long term followers who want to align with the brand and believe in it.
It’s the social media follower who thought your timeline was great and then realized they actually needed your services.
It’s the passer-by who heard your coffee chat and searched for your on the internet.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s also the prospect that you close and have been doing business for 10 years. In short, it’s everyone who supports your brand in varying ways. Because there are a ton of people who do what you, the beginning of your sales funnel is understanding just how valuable the connection is.

The sales funnel technique is known to help make the connection. Our techniques and templates walk you through how to create your sales funnel and measure the outcomes. Every brand has friends in the digital space. And it all begins with hello. Where can your prospects find you on the internet? (Feel free to share your social media and/or website in the comments below.) You never know who’s looking for you!

Attract, Convert, Engage and Close.

Need help kick starting your connections in business? Schedule a consultation with SiMar and discover more about solutions. In the meantime, we’d love your LIKE . (Thanks!)

Know the Signs: 7 Ways To Drown Your Success with Insecurity

Allison Todd — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 23:14:28 +0000

Insecurity leads to more insecurity. As long as you have a choice, there are options. Choose to make the best decisions for your business with confidence. Stay focused and move forward. In the meantime, here’s 7 Ways To Drown Your Success with Insecurity. And I hope you tackle each and every way.

One of the silent killers in business and life is insecurity. It’s an emotional aspect that molds self-image and influences human behavior. Some people, indeed, feel insecure in their own skin. As entrepreneurs or employees, insecurity can easily be hidden behind huge smiles and large cloaks of anonymity. However, such underlying hurtful and self-critical thoughts will continue to create more thoughts and emotion. Even if you know it’s coming, you want to do all you can to manage it. Don’t let insecurity drown your success.

Here are some common signs of insecurity:

You change your mind a lot. If you find yourself unable to figure out what you really want thus, your goals and objectives continually fluctuate like the market interest rate, you change your mind a lot. One moment, you are all for re-branding and the next moment, you want to stick to current strategies. It’s a dilemma that breeds disaster.
Decision-making is a constant struggle. Is everything a challenge from deciding what to eat to major business decisions? Do you find it hard to take a stand? Better yet, if you consult friends and colleagues over and over again but still don’t trust their opinions and can’t make a decision on your own, then decision making is a constant struggle.
Validation from others comes highly regarded. You want every action, every decision, or even the way you dress, move, or speak to be acceptable to others. You scream for approval in everything you do.
You have the tendency to be over-controlling and demanding. Do you know someone who takes offense when others do not share their ideas or methods–and they take it as a personal attack? If constructive criticism is not in their vocabulary, controlling may be a part of their personality.

More signs of insecurity:

People who are insecure constantly talk about themselves. They sing praises not to impress others but more to appease their own insatiable desire for approval. This is also part of the reason why they have a hard time recognizing the efforts or worth of others–because they are too busy talking and thinking about themselves.
Being defensive is like a reflex. You easily take offense, even on things that do not matter. As previously mentioned, criticism is not your cup of tea.
An insecure person finds it easy to pick on another person’s faults. This is either to hide an inner affliction or a way to feel a superficial superiority. Often, these acts are done by either starting or spreading gossip.

This is serious business. Read more on this topic: How Self Esteem Shape Up Life and Business Decisions

Next Steps & Solutions

It is important to know where your insecurities stem from and the influence it has on your life. A business coach is an optimum choice when one’s insecurities become so intense that it prevents progress. One way to divorce your insecurities is to start by accepting that you have strengths and you have weaknesses, we all do.

The process is not going to be easy because it is really a struggle within your own self. The moment you start poking on those critical inner voices, expect screams of retaliation in return. Push your hardest and do not back down! If you want to be successful in your business or personal goals, do not listen to the taunts that entice you to hold back on your greatness!

Want to break the walls of insecurity and create bridges of confidence? A coach or mentor is your solution. SiMar Inc. founder Allison Todd is a professional coach who develops high performance capabilities in people. Schedule a consultation now!

Top 5 Business Ideas for 2017

Allison Todd — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:38:05 +0000

Do you have big plans for 2017? With the elections, brinkmanship, Fed’s interest rate, and other issues rocking the economy fizzling in the first quarter of 2017, many entrepreneurial wannabes are giddy with relentless anticipation on what business startups to pursue. This excitement is somehow supported by technological innovations as well as growing robustness of the Internet.

Economic experts have fearlessly forecasted 2017 to be swelling with new ideas and opportunities. Various sectors on the global landscape will be enjoying a more “mature” entrepreneurial environment partly due to the growing population leading to more demands for goods and services from housing to food, clothes, technology, support, research, and much more. Add to that the global clout of the Internet made even more available by smart gadgets—and voila!

So, what businesses are showing huge promise in the upcoming year? Noting positive market trends, the following businesses will definitely rock in 2017:

E-Commerce

From the Americas to the Far East, the shift in shopping behavior to online has become more prominent over the years. It is said to blow-up in 2017 as more and more countries open their firewalls for free trade. This will be the perfect time for your unique local goodies to be showcased to the world and get the standing ovation they so deserved.

Headhunting Services

With a robust market, businesses will be expanding at a steady pace in 2017—and this means a swell in employment. While having its own HR team to do just that, companies will be keener in finding the best candidates. What better way to do that than by tapping a third party headhunting firm. These specialized units will tap on the right candidates capable to handle the tasks enumerated by the hiring company. If you have human resource management skills, starting an online consultancy firm will definitely be promising next year.

BPO (Home-Based)

Correlating to the robustness of the economy and the aggressiveness of real-time reporting due to social media’s growing presence, companies will be padding its customer relations department, too. This will give rise to the number of home-based BPOs. While this may seem a boon to third world nations, local representatives will be at the helm of this outsourcing initiatives. Start by creating a team of experts and see how fast your venture will grow in a year’s time.

Logistics Services

With the e-commerce business in full swing, logistic services will also come handy. Both inbound and outbound services will be needed to keep up with the growing demand of an equally growing market. So, why not turn this into a good business opportunity for you?

Web Design and Development

With the rise of online shopping, mobile gadget development, and growing Internet dependency by consumers, most brick-and-mortar companies will be required to have an online presence to handle real-time management and marketing needs. This will drive them to look for reliable web design and development experts to handle such huge online requirements. Such will also open huge opportunities for you to make good use of your coding and programming skills. Build a team of experts to cohesively handle all the business needs for best results.

Indeed, 2017 is going to be a promising year for everyone. It is high time to rethink about your business portfolio and to come up with new strategies. One can never go wrong with such an exciting year ahead!

Correlating Ballet Dancing And Womenpreneurship

Allison Todd — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 22:54:05 +0000

What could one correlate between the artistry of ballet dancing and in running a business? While there are many talented ballerinas who have conquered the business and entertainment arena, what particular discipline and drive in this chosen few can be held essential to an entrepreneurial wannabe? Being tenacious, creative, unbending and disciplined are just some of the amazing characteristics that both ballerina and womenpreneurs possess. Beyond the glitz and glamour of being on stage, the real essence of ballet lies in its perfect blend of commitment and discipline brought about by years of training hardships and self-actualization emanating from the fierce consequence of being on the limelight.

Taking the High Ground

Ballerinas and womenpreneurs are like two outfits cut from the same cloth. Both have to go through certain life and work idiosyncrasies filled with motivations and doubts brought about by some of the usual challenges in society like gender bias, racism, and in some case, prejudice. Like lithe dancers challenging the wind with its gracefulness, womenpreneurs also challenge the usual environmental perspective in doing business.

Womenpreneurs has proven time and again that fierce work ethics, perseverance, and wise use of strength are key ingredients in bringing their prowess on the entrepreneurial centerstage. They challenge the expected, pursue their mission and vision, and carry their own weight amid any uproar or challenges in society. This is almost in the same league as ballerinas who had to contend with the usual stereotypical concept of ballet glamour. By breaking the mold and challenging the usual expectations, womenpreneurs particularly black womenpreneurs continue to shine in the business arena.

Strategic Mindset

SMXLL

So how does one maintain such relevance between ballet discipline and business success? For one, it is important to strike at the core of one’s self-confidence. The main driving factor in propelling one’s entrepreneurial prowess, getting one’s confidence level and staying in that level allow for more motivating factors to let the wheel of success moving forward, with seemingly no reason for stopping. The prevalent measurement of success changes over time but the confidence level in pursuing such remains unquestionable. There will be skeptics and negative forces but when one’s confidence level is up, no amount of criticism will pull a ballerina or a womanpreneur down.

Confidence complimented with persistence and fierce discipline also helps one build on the momentum. Womenpreneur must learn how to recognize and respond to successes (and failures, too!) to make a huge difference in their entrepreneurial venture. Capitalize on such winning moments while taking heed on the impact of your weakness. Ultimately, this helps to build on momentum and to create strategic actions leading to sustainable growth.

Of course, goals must evolve as one goes through the journey of ballet dancing or in building a business empire. Being laser-focused on a single goal will not only make you stagnate, it also degrades your sense of growth. Opportunities about out there and it is up to you to set new targets and seize them. Yes, do not be mistaken. The end-goal—business (or dancing) success—is and will always be important. Let it not blind you though, but rather find ways to adapt to any situation.

Collaborative Success

SMXLL

Another important correlation in business and ballet lies in the organizational structure of a company. Frankly, one cannot do it alone. Ballet production must have both lead roles and supporting casts to deliver an astounding show. In the same way, businesses have team managers and members working cohesively to deliver targets. The key in delivering sound results lies in building a team that shares the same passion, work ethics, and focus. Train and retrain them. Let them not run obsolete on their crafts. Like ballerinas, they need their skills to be honed—all the time.

Indeed, there are glaring similarities and correlation between ballet dancing and doing business. From wise use of skills to dedication, passion, confidence, and the collaborative efforts to deliver positive results, the language and culture of entrepreneurship does not fall far from that of ballet dancing after all.

A Balanced Approach To A Customer-Centered Business

Allison Todd — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 04:46:06 +0000

Customers are every business’ vital asset. Without them, businesses can eject itself to oblivion. Customer service, therefore, is an integral part in running a company. This is even more so today when real-time approach is heavily alive in social media. Customers can easily post negative feedback then, make it go viral to the chagrin of your crisis management department.

If you wish to go the customer-centric route in doing business, it is important to know certain tactics on how to keep them engaged. Here are ways on how to keep your customer satisfaction rating high:

Be an active listener. Listen to what the customer is actually saying by asking questions. Get a grip of their thoughts, the words and tone of how these are being spoken or written, and the emotion they evoke. Do not assume or second-guess what they feel. Focus your attention to the message they wish to impart and clarify what you don’t understand.

Be proactive in identifying and anticipating customer needs. Customers do not just buy products or avail of services. They look for solutions to their woes. Their choices are often a crisscross of both logical and emotional thinking. To do so, always be on the lookout on what they need and their perceived needs at a later time.

When done in person, make sure to show positive body language. What words cannot say may be easily perceived through your actions. When online, write with the gusto of a child. Your words must always be in congruence with your thoughts and actions– and they must always be focused on evoking positive feelings.

Always take time to inform customers on how the system work. Often, problems and complaints happen due to failure in communicating how the system works. Be clear how transactions must be done and how concerns are addressed. Doing so well shape-up your customers expectations and avoid problems later on.

To truly be a customer-centric business, it is crucial to leave “no” at the incinerator. Always strive to address customer concerns, no matter how trivial they may be. While saying “yes” to requests may be a good solution, do make sure to always do what has been promised.

Always begin with an apology when something goes wrong. Even if the fault is in the customer, it is important to make them feel your sincerity and concern. A customer may not seem right but in the realm of customer-centricism, he or she must always win.

Encourage customers to give regular feedback and make sure to address concerns in a timely manner. In an era when real-time mechanisms are in place, it is crucial to provide round-the-clock attention to customer service. When giving solutions, it is also imperative to check back and ask for suggestions on improvements.

Bottom line is: It cannot be denied that customers is still the boss. With a highly competitive market upon each and every business organization, it is imperative to strive to out-think the competition when it comes to customer service. Accept criticisms and complaints, and see them as room for improvements. Most importantly, treat your employees like you do to customers. In doing so, they will automatically become brand ambassadors in keeping your customer service objectives in place.

Sales Funnel: Does Your Business Have It?

Allison Todd — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 17:09:24 +0000

Isn’t it every business owner’s dream to convert online audience into paying customers? Everyone who has been in business know precisely why creating a “sales funnel” will help greatly in converting potential customers to be long-term loyal consumers of their brand. The sales funnel technique is known to help move potential and target customers from discovery stage to loyal brand worshippers in the long run. But while it may seem a pretty straightforward approach, subsequent tactics and strategies must be formulated every step of the way to achieve results.

Visualizing your conversion strategies is best done via a “sales funnel.” A funnel per se has a wide top and a narrow bottom. This design owes to the various stages of your online marketing concept. The wide top represents the many online audiences that came across your product, service or brand. The wider the top means the bigger your chances of attracting people to know about your business and its products or services.

From the top, these prospects are then drawn into the middle of the funnel to learn more about the brand and its products or services being offered. This is where the real battle begins. Here, you will need to exert all efforts available to convince your online audiences to believe in your message, join in your battlecry, and convince them to standby your brand leading them to the most important aspect of the concept– to buy. Inevitably, this is where potential audiences can turn to you or to your competitor.

At the lowest portion is the narrow area that represents your conversion success. Online visitors who reach this far will not only be interested to buy in your product, they will most likely stand by your brand for a long time– if you know to play your cards right.

Building Your Own

Without a doubt, the use of sales funnel is a great opportunity for businesses to sift out their real customers, the ones who will buy and do so repeatedly. But to reach that stage adequate tactics must be done from top to bottom and beyond. At the topmost portion rests a huge need for awareness campaign and marketing tactics. You need to attract as many interested audience as you can and exert maximum efforts to turn them into qualified or targeted leads. Keep in mind that the more leads you have will increase your chances of success at the bottom.

Moving down to the bottom, these targeted leads can now be turned into prospects. Casual online visitors will become an interested customer at this stage. Here, the need to exert all-out awareness and information is essential in keeping your leads interest. This is where trust and reputation takes a huge leap– an area where small sacrifices can turn into bigger successes. From here, you will move to the ultimate goal–conversion. Your main goal is to send as many prospects as possible to this area at the bottom to finally take action or to buy whatever product or service your brand is offering.

Overall, a sales funnel works in a well-structured continuum. The best ones are those which generates the most returns to your bottom line. The key, however, to achieving such is to carefully design strategies from top to middle to bottom, and to continue doing so when the goal of conversion is reached.

Promoted! And Tips To Rock Your New Role

Allison Todd — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 07:58:48 +0000

No career-oriented individual would pass on a promotion. In fact, much of their whole career life is focused and working hard on attaining a certain position. But while you have finally raised your fist up in triumph, the nagging feeling of not being able to meet expectations will gnaw at the back of your mind. Combining anxiety and excitement can be quite a lot to take. So, what should you do to rock your new role?

Being promoted can be both a rewarding and daunting experience. People will expect so much from you. Competition in the company will become even more watchful with your every move. Instead of focusing on your nerves, however, there are certain ways which you can demonstrate the reason why you’ve been chosen in the first place. Here’s how to own up your promotion and clearly show what an asset you are:

Work hard. There is nothing sweeter than to show your best performance in every twist and turn. Identify skills, experience and expertise that allow you to rise up to the role being given to you. Demonstrate your capabilities and prowess by facing every challenge with confidence and firm convictions. In a way, channel your “best-est self” by showing a positive mindset and a can-do attitude whichever way you turn.

Do not let anything distract or detract your goals. Criticisms are but normal in the workplace particularly in a highly competitive business. Do not let negativity affect your speed and consistency. Instead, focus on your responsibilities. Be committed to your new job by delivering relentless performance.

Being important is alright, but to be indispensable should be your mantra. To be such, one has to strive to become a key competitive advantage in the business. Be proactive in your approach by initiating new concepts and ideas. Also, always strive to do what needs to be done– and do it ahead of time. Doing the extra mile also helps to show your sincerity and commitment to the new position at hand.

Create the right impression. Being driven, enthusiastic and brilliant in your job as well as being nice to everyone you work with will eventually earn everyone’s trust and respect. When this happens, collaboration with various department in the company will be much easier, faster and more effective. Keep in mind that by channeling these positive feelings, you are also transferring the same sense of passion and commitment to everyone.

Remember to have fun every now and then. All work and no play makes Maria a dull gal. Connect with your work colleagues. Even when you are already at a level of hobnobbing with big bosses, always remember to reach out to those who’ve made your journey worthwhile. Being successful does not only mean being focused to the job but also, in being able to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Without a doubt, one can become a ball of nerves when promoted to a new role. No matter how ready you are, easing your way into bigger responsibilities while maintaining topnotch performance can be an uphill climb. In all these, preparation is the key. Keep both your mind and body at the top of their game to truly make waves in your new role.

Tips To Managing A Bad Boss At Work

Allison Todd — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:55:01 +0000

There is always that one “Miranda Priestly” who wreck havoc to your mundane existence at work. This boss simply makes an employee’s daily work schedule tedious, stressful and unwelcoming. Horrible bosses definitely makes many dread Mondays and can make many watering holes filled up to the brim on Fridays. For someone who has to go through such an ordeal, giving up a job you love doing can be a tough call. Before you cut-off those shackles, there are some strategies which may help you deal with a horrible boss and possibly create a greener pasture in the same fence you’re in right now.

Identify what motivates your boss. Does he/she want immediate action or solution to certain situation? Is he/she engrossed with even the minutest details? Is she a thinker or a feeler? Understanding what a boss treasures or hates will allow you to align your own work goals, core values and priorities to that of his/her own.

Don’t fight fire with fire. Instead, take the high road and work around his/her weakness. Complement his/her every move. Negative retaliation will not only make building a trusting and respectful relationship harder, it can also wreak havoc to your work and career goals. So, place your eye on the target and do things objectively.

Surround yourself with an invisible emotional barrier. Here, objectivity matters a lot. Deal with office issues on a professional level. Some bosses can get their insecurities and other personal issues on the way. You do not have to be like them. In fact, learn to think before you react. Some things are just not worth your time and energy. Channel your frustrations to the job at hand, instead. The best way to put a lid on a horrible boss’ frothing mouth is to deliver topnotch work.

Learn to adapt to a horrible boss’ leadership style. Each person has a unique personality and the same can also be said about a boss. One may be fast-paced while another is prone to a slower and more detailed approach. Others may practice collaboration when making decisions while your current one may be more authoritative. By adapting to a boss’ leadership style, you can tread effortlessly in your role and help provide win-win solution to issues at work.

Always strive to give sound feedback when a boss asks for one. Some people create a toxic work environment due to their relentless efforts in realizing company success goals. Be honest yet, do so in a respectable manner. Make your criticism constructive by offering solution to pertinent issues.

Always strive to show your best intentions at work. Give your best shot on each and every task given to you. Meet deadlines ahead of time. Be proactive in giving solution and ideas for the company’s future. Sometimes, a bad boss may actually not be that. Your boss may actually be doing it as a test so you can optimize your potential.

They say that when the going gets tough, the tough usually are the ones who get going. Accept the challenge of having a bad boss at work. Learn the ropes of dealing with different types of personalities. Focus on your work and career goals. When the pressure is too much that it borders on being abusive then, pack your stuff and leave without turning back. Sometimes, having a horrible boss can be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps, a more promising job awaits you on the other side. The next time around, do your research before accepting any job. Who knows you may only be jumping from the frying pan into an open fire pit.

Tips To Handling A Stressful Managerial Job

Allison Todd — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 07:49:29 +0000

Does your current managerial position suck you into a vacuum leaving you with little or no room for personal development? It is quite common for some managers to be overwhelmed. Aside from dealing with the demands of the job, these professionals also have to keep a hawk-eye on their staff or subordinates to ensure that goals or targets are reached. But while some stressful situations wane after a busy season, there are some situations that simply gnaws at them or worst, have no chance of abating in the long term perspective. When this happens, it is important to make necessary win-win solutions so the situation won’t wreak havoc in the workplace and in your personal life.

To get you started, here are some tried-and-tested tips to handle a stressful managerial job.

Effective Delegation

Learn the subtle yet firm art of delegation. It is deemed a must for managers to know the proper way of sharing work responsibilities particularly on certain aspects that require expertise or experience. Sales prospecting, for instance, can be given to company sales reps while business development representatives can focus on product or competition research. Administrative assistants can go around organizing reports and files as well as in answering emails, phone calls, and customer complaints.

In short, you cannot do it all. As a manager, it is essential that you work not just as a leader but also as a member of the team. Learn the core competencies of each of your team members and assign appropriate tasks to fit their skills and expertise. The first few weeks or months can be an uphill battle, but with time and consistent relationship-building, you can learn to trust the people who works with you.

Set Work Limits

Achieving work-life balance is a rare commodity among managers. These professionals are often observed to work extended number of hours, with some bringing their work load at home– to the detriment of their personal relationships. Before you come to a breaking point, it is essential to set certain limits or parameters at work.

Try to enforce strict work limits. Discourage work overtime as this will not only wreak havoc to the proverbial work-life balance but also fosters inefficiency. Instill appropriate duty hours for your subordinates and yourself without sacrificing productivity. Lunch breaks must be observed to ensure that everyone has proper nourishment to last them the whole time. Brainstorm or consult with your team in the morning then, do personal work matters in the afternoon. Discourage phone call consultation, but rather make sure everyone goes home with a clean work slate. Always take time to attend to your family to strengthen personal relationship. Taking some R&R every now and then is also highly recommended.

Timely Feedback

Always take time to gather and give feedback from and to your subordinates, respectively. As a manager, you have the responsibility to inform all employees under your watch. Give and receive constructive criticisms to allow room for growth leading to a more productive workplace. Ask for suggestions on certain matters that challenge the harmonious relationship in a workplace. Foster a collaborative leadership style and positive camaraderie at work. Doing so will help build a workplace environment that’s built on mutual respect and trust.