Ladies – why is it important to be Unconsciously Competent and what exactly does this term mean?  Most of us are accustomed to taking competency tests of some kind.  We do some course work, take a test or exam and are graded to see if we are competent and comprehend the information.

When a woman decides to own and operate a business of her own, she must develop skill and competence in many areas.  Our goal must be to become Unconsciously Competent, or to be so competent in our field that we perform at a high level without giving it a second thought. 

Think back when we learned our name and how to spell and write it.  It seemed like a lot of work at first, but once you got it, it became second nature.   Someone asks your name and you rattle it off without a second thought. 

We must reach the same level of competence in business.  So, what skills are important?  Here’s my list  based on what I, personally expect when I do business with someone.

Communication

Good communication involves more and better listening skills than it involves talking.  Communication is an art and a learn-able skill that starts with asking good questions, strategically placed during a conversation with a potential client.   A Consciously Competent business woman asks the right questions and then really listens to the client.

Connecting

If you don’t make a connection with a potential client or business partner, you’re swimming upstream and growing your business will be harder than it needs to be.  Connections are made through networking. 

While some networking events have turned into frenzied competitions seeing who can pass out the most business cards, a consciously competent business woman networks to build bridges and collect contact information from other women on what their needs are to grow their business.   When you connect from the other person’s perspective, you have started the path towards building trust.

Marketing

A mentor of mine, James Malinchak has a brilliant concept called ABM, or Always Be Marketing.  A simple concept, but one that many of us overlook.  No matter how great your product is, if nobody knows about it, no sales will be made and you’ll be out of business before you know it.  A Consciously Competent business woman is constantly promoting her business or service.  If you don’t know James Malinchak, google him and check him out on Secret Millionaire, airing Sunday night on ABC.

Branding

Branding is a critical component of a successful business.  What do you want to be known for?  If people need a product or service, do they immediately think of you?  They should if you do a good job of branding.  It’s a good idea to be a product of your business.  If you don’t use your product or service, why should anyone else invest their hard earned money with you?   Branding doesn’t have to be difficult, but it should set you apart and represent you well.   EXAMPLE:  If you market hair or skin care products, your hair and skin should always look awesome.  When people ask what you use, it’s a natural transition to share information about your offering.

Becoming Unconsciously Competent is worth the investment of time and money you put into it.   The return on your investment will pay off through increased revenues and a large, satisfied customer base.  Until next time

Inez Aldridge

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After a long absence from blogging, I’m back with what I think is a simple but powerful suggestion to all women who want to make money in Network Marketing, their own business or Internet Marketing.

How do You Make Money Without Selling?  By giving people what they are already buying, delivering a service that will benefit them and showing them REAL savings.  Let’s talk about all three of these areas.

Give Them What They Are Already Buying

Why is this important?  Because all people like to buy, but NOT to be sold.  Selling has gotten a bad name and as a result, people don’t want to be coerced, coaxed, tricked or bamboozled into spending money on something they don’t want or need.  If people want something, they will find the money to buy it.   So, be observant and identify what people are spending money on.  Then make it easy and convenient to buy that product or service from YOU.

WIIFM – WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

People buy what will benefit them.  And no matter how much someone likes you, they aren’t going to buy over-priced or useless products just to help you out.  Does your product or service answer the WIIFM question?  If it doesn’t, you’re in for constant struggle and no business lasts very long when you and your commission are at the center of the universe or when people see $$$ in your eyes every time they meet you.   Answer the WIIFM question and if you add value to the person’s life, they will be calling you to BUY, not waiting for you to sell them.

People Want REAL Savings

To get people to buy from you, you must show them REAL savings.   While people always want to save money, other resources are just as important.   More important than money?  Like what?   For starters, if you encounter a working mom, a caretaker, a professional woman or a student who is starved for TIME, if you can provide a product or service to save them time they will be all over it.  Why?  Because for many people, time is money.   With gas prices hovering at or above $4.00,  if you can deliver a product or service where they don’t have to spend precious gas money, you may just have an eager buyer.

Notice I have’nt mentioned selling, because a shrewd biz owner will provide a service that is a valuable benefit to their potential customers while solving a problem.

Tomorrow, I’ll share a service business that is almost the perfect storm if you’re in the right market.  Stay tuned~

Inez Aldridge~

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It’s time to get in position to start the New Year off right.  By right, I mean in a way that will make 2011 better than 2010 was.  It could mean a better relationship, better financial position, better job or maybe no job.  Whatever it is, this post is about 5 Success Tips to set you up for a Fantastical 2011.

If 2010 was a good year, great…but I’m sure you’ll agree 2011 is set to be better, more prosperous and bringing more abundance to your life and environment.

Just the sound of 2011 makes me want to celebrate and what better reason to celebrate than YOU becoming the passionate, fierce, fabulous woman you’ve always dreamed about.  Here are my 5 Success Tips for 2011~

1.  Be Authentically YOU

This is so important because when you’re doing YOU, it is much easier to get in your zone for success.

2. Listen To Your Inner Voice

I’m a big one for talking to myself and am reminded of a book I read a few years ago, titled “What Do You Say When You Talk To Yourself.”  There are times when our inner voice is telling us just the right move to make and when that happens we should listen…but if our inner voice is self-defeating – go to the next tip

3.  Know When To Ignore The Voices

If you’re plagued by the same negative messages over and over again, ignore them and stop listening.  After all, isn’t it kind of crazy to keep reinforcing negative things in your own life?  I believe it is.

4.  Use Your Imagination

Sometimes we grow up and are so focused on being serious, we forget how to use our imagination.  When you think about it, didn’t your imagination play a role in the career choices you made and how and where you live?  The imagination is a powerful tool – in 2011 use it.

5.  Take A Risk

We learn to eliminate or minimize risk at a young age, but there is something awesome about taking a risk.  We don’t want to be stupid or uninformed, but we must be willing to risk our comfort zone as we go for the life full of promise and experiences we only think about.

For more ways to think your way to success and prepare for 2011 Visit This Site Today

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7  Steps to Set You Up for 2011

1. Start healthy eating habits NOW – Check out my new site to GetYourBestBody
2. Pay off any outstanding credit card balances (nothing like starting fresh)
3. Resist the plastic temptation during the holidays & pay cash
4. Review your Credit Report – correct any mistakes
5. Connect with old girlfriends – Here’s a creative, fun way to Connect
6. Attend at least one networking event & collect cards – don’t give your cards out
7. Ask close friends to describe the perfect line of work for you

Do these 7 Steps and you’ll be set to launch the New Year with a clean slate and maybe a more lucrative, fulfilling career.   Remember, when you’re taking steps you’re in motion, taking action and on a path.  Get started and get a head start on another great year!

Stay tuned as I reveal my personal recommendations to create a side job that may just morph into a full time gig.  Till my next post~

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As 2010 comes to an end, many of us are thinking about celebrating New Year’s Eve and making resolutions for 2011.  While resolutions may be popular, many of us don’t follow through on them.   I don’t think this is because we don’t want to make a go of it, but sometimes we set ourselves up for failure by making too many resolutions, not thinking them all the way through or not really having the desire to accomplish whatever is involved.

I’m all about living in the Now, because I believe if we do the right things each and every day, the future takes care of itself.

Here are my 3 resolutions or ways to end 2010 with a bang:

1. Resolve to be grateful and thankful for the blessings you received in 2010
2. Resolve to randomly show kindness to someone before the clock strikes midnight
3. Resolve to forgive anyone you may have a problem with

None of these are rocket science, but they don’t have to be.   Sometimes, the simpler something is, or the easier it is to implement, the greater the chance of success.   Who says we must broadcast our resolutions to the world?  We don’t, and you can smile knowing you’ve accomplished 3 simple things towards what I believe is a better life and way of living.

Have a safe and Happy New Year & See you in 2011!

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The term Sweet Spot has become very popular in the on line business world, and for good reason. When you think of the word Sweet, you probably think of something that “attracts” or “draws to”. I think this is exactly what we all need in our businesses, something to attract people because it is so appealing and irresistible.

Have you found that Sweet Spot in your business yet?  If not, I’ve got some ideas to help you.

• Decide who you want to attract
• Survey your “target group”
• Find out what they want
• Identify where they shop or hang out
• See what your “target group” is already spending $$$ on
• Narrow down related services or products your “target group” is spending $$$ on
• Take a critical look at your product or service
• Ask: is my product/service irresistible?
• If not, make it SWEET or Create a Sweet Spot

In order to have a successful Sweet Spot in your business, you must make your product or service so appealing that it will be almost impossible for your potential client to say no.  More on that next time, but if you want people to spread the word about your business and service, use these tips to Make it Sweet.

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When we have information at our fingertips, it makes the world smaller because we get instant access to anything in seconds.  This instant access gives us thousands of choices with just a few clicks.  The problem with all this information is that it can be confusing, making it harder to find our direction.

I have 5 Tips to Help You Find Your Direction as we end the year 2010 and prepare to enter 2011.  As women we are used to juggling multiple priorities and going in lots of different directions, with families, work & community activities.  Problem is that this juggling act gets old really fast and we end up feeling like we’re running on a treadmill and getting nowhere fast.  These are tips and not rules, but things that I have put in place to keep me headed in the right direction.

5 Tips to Help You Find Your Direction

1. Decide on your destination & prepare
2. Keep your eyes on the prize (your destination)
3. Refuse to be distracted
4. Make minor adjustments
5. Get back on the path as quickly as possible

My children are adults, so I am past the life stage where I deal with getting kids ready, fed in the morning, lunches made, off to school, picked up, homework done, bathed and in bed by 8:30.  But I do relate to the women who are raising children, taking care of homes and working because I’ve been there.

My commitment through this blog is to inspire, educate and empower women to find their “direction” and create an income from home that will replace the job you may currently have.  Subscribe to this blog and join a community of women set to change their lives and financial status.  Stay tuned for some exciting information.

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This blog is about the simple Art of Negotiation, or put another way, how to make a deal.   Americans have a history of being glued to the television while someone on a game show makes a deal to win a prize or money behind a curtain or door.  Being a baby boomer, I grew up with a family that tried to make the “best deal” in hopes of winning a prize.  It was fun, but pretty non-productive.  However, the ability to deal and negotiate for what you want is critical to having success in our trying economic times.

Making Deals is a Learnable Skill

If you don’t believe me, take a look at the lobbyists and attorneys in Washington, D.C. and our state legislatures.  It is all deal making and who is best at negotiating.  Looks like the pharmaceutical companies have some A-Players when it comes to making deals.   When we look at some of the bills that pass in our States and Cities, it is easy to see that the ones that pass, have campaigns run by the best deal makers.  Yes, they are the ones most skilled at using words, writing with pull and reaching the emotions of readers and viewers. We must learn from great speakers & great writers.  If you are really serious about becoming a deal maker, tape or video yourself and then critique yourself until you are presenting the best YOU.

Women as Natural Communicators

As a woman in business, or a woman considering starting a business of your own, your “gift of gab” can really be an asset.  When you choose your words well, speak from the heart and project authenticity, you are setting yourself apart from much of the “monkey chatter” that goes for communication.

People are tired of hearing words without anything being said.  I think intelligent people are tired of being talked down to and lied to.  Ladies, I call this opportunity.   If you think of life as a game, know the rules and how to play it and you can give new meaning to Howie Mandel’s show, “Deal or No Deal.”  Understand that everything is about getting agreement on issues or concerns and communicating so that you hear others and they hear you.

Call to Action:  Master the Deal & the Art of Negotiation & set yourself & your business apart.

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Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, in the 1950s and 60s, we played a Game called Uncle.  When you don’t have a lot of money to spend on toys and store bought games, you make things up to occupy yourself.   Actually, when I think about it, it was more like a game of torture. 

Anyway, here’s how the game went…someone, usually a friend or brother or sister would get you in a position where you were restrained and couldn’t move.  Then they would do a variety of things designed to bug you, until you yelled “UNCLE” and begged them to stop.  Tickling usually worked after a short time.  Weird, I know, but that was the game.  The point being that things got so bad, you’d say the magic word to stop the torture.

So, in your world, what will make you cry UNCLE?  Maybe it’s the rising gas prices, or the adjustable rate mortgage payment that is getting ready to kick your butt, or the fact that you can go to some of the big box stores, spend $100 and only get 10 items.  I don’t know what it is, but at some, in the adult world, I think we Cry Uncle – and the game changes.

How Will Your Game Change?

In the classic book, “The Game of Life and How to Play It”, the author makes it clear that there are rules to this thing we call life.  If you are a sports fan, no matter what the sport, there are rules to the game.  Knowing the rules makes all the difference between winning and losing.  If you are an enthusiastic player, and know how to score, but don’t know how to avoid getting penalties or foul calls, you won’t be successful or part of a winning team.

If you get in the game of building a business, growing a team, or changing your life, you must know the rules.  If you’ve been forced to Cry UNCLE, learn from the experience, learn the rules, avoid the penalties and prepare and expect to win.

Next:  Let’s Make a Deal -

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“There must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me, dreaming of becoming a movie star, but I’m not going to worry about them.  I’m dreaming the hardest.” Marilyn Monroe

This quote is the perfect follow up on my posts about designing your own grief/stress-free dream and I think Marilyn Monroe was a beautiful example of how a dream can become reality.  I don’t know what her dreams involved, but she found herself in Hollywood and even though her life ended tragically, she went down in history as one of the all time beauties in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

I found 3 main points in this quote…

Know Your Specific Dream

Marilyn’s dream was to “…become a movie star“.  You must know your dream, not generally, but specifically, no question and no doubt.

Don’t Worry About Others

Your dream is uniquely yours.  Worrying about others, what they are dreaming, what they think of your dreams, if they laugh or ridicule you, or if you stand out like an escaped convict, shouldn’t get you off course.  Sometimes, it works to just tell yourself – “I don’t care what the rest of the world or my friends are doing, I won’t be denied.”

Dream the Hardest

This is where some hard work comes in.  At times, we are tricked into thinking everything must come easy to us.  Sometimes it does, but usually it doesn’t.  If your dream is important, you must make it a priority and dream hard.  If this means focusing on your dream every day, several a times a day, when you get up and when you go to sleep, do it.

I don’t know if Marilyn Monroe dreamed as far as getting to Hollywood and then stopped dreaming, or if she got distracted by all the junk going on around her.  What I do know is that if you dare to dream what seems like an impossible dream, dream it to the end for as many years as you are blessed with in this life time.  Don’t stop – why not dream to a beautiful conclusion at a ripe old age? You have nothing to lose.

Next:  The Impossible Dream

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