Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
What's wrong with this picture?
I don't think this one needs explanation. What do you see? I think this store owner needed to use one of our circle check sheets!
Are you open?
Happy Mothers Day to me! Today, while I was having a nice hot bath while the family went to get me my coffee, a Trucker Management moment presented itself. Not to me, but to my hubby. He went to a different Starbucks then usual (that's where the problem started) and pulled into the drive thru, waited for about 10 minutes and no one came. So he pulled around front and finally found the hours on the door, which if he squinted just right it looked like they open at 7, but it was only 6:55am so he went to get gas first then would get coffee. He came back at 7:10 but still no one around. So he thought maybe they were just getting a late start and waited for another 10 minutes and still nothing. Finally he got out of the car to go read the 14 point font on the door for the hours and it didn't open until 7:30! So, he left and went to our usual store. The funny thing is, is that we use this exact example in Trucker Management. Most people need to know your hours when they're in the car. So test your hour sign, can be seen from the road, parking lot or car? Is it posted at your drive thru? Not to mention, that today it's the mothers who had to be up before 730 that really needed a coffee!
Do as I say
Well, over the holidays I had two of our own recommendations for small business owners bite me in the butt. Matt and I talk about have systems in place that don't allow you to miss important steps in business; and we encourage to have a contingency plan in place too. Two times this past fall I got sloppy and now I'm paying for it! So I thought maybe we could all (and mainly me) learn from my mistakes:
1. I accepted a credit card payment from someone I didn't know. I took an imprint of their card which includes the credit card number and their name. But that's all. The card got declined, but the customer walked away with the product. Those of you that have read the book, what should've I have done? I should have wrote down their address, email address and phone number to follow up in case that happened, not to mention to follow up from a customer service point of view. And even better - I should've called in the number right there on the spot instead of waiting until after the event.
2. Throughout Kingston I often get asked by clients to buy my book, and if I have a copy on me I give it to them right there and then (don't want to loose the sale, right?). However, sometimes the customer doesn't have exact change on them or we don't have a pen to write down a credit card number, etc. Since I usually know these people I'm not worried as I can follow up with them about payment... if I remember that is. In 2008 we have probably given out 5 books to people and forgot to write down who. It's hard to follow up when you can't remember with who. Trucker readers what should we have done? Write it down right there, or leave ourselves a voicemail if we don't have a pen; have one master record of accounts outstanding; follow up with 48 hours of delivery, and the list goes on.
So, in looking back, what did you miss in 2008 that you'll be sure to fix for 2009?
PS - if you one of the 5, consider this your follow up and please pay up! Thanks.
1. I accepted a credit card payment from someone I didn't know. I took an imprint of their card which includes the credit card number and their name. But that's all. The card got declined, but the customer walked away with the product. Those of you that have read the book, what should've I have done? I should have wrote down their address, email address and phone number to follow up in case that happened, not to mention to follow up from a customer service point of view. And even better - I should've called in the number right there on the spot instead of waiting until after the event.
2. Throughout Kingston I often get asked by clients to buy my book, and if I have a copy on me I give it to them right there and then (don't want to loose the sale, right?). However, sometimes the customer doesn't have exact change on them or we don't have a pen to write down a credit card number, etc. Since I usually know these people I'm not worried as I can follow up with them about payment... if I remember that is. In 2008 we have probably given out 5 books to people and forgot to write down who. It's hard to follow up when you can't remember with who. Trucker readers what should we have done? Write it down right there, or leave ourselves a voicemail if we don't have a pen; have one master record of accounts outstanding; follow up with 48 hours of delivery, and the list goes on.
So, in looking back, what did you miss in 2008 that you'll be sure to fix for 2009?
PS - if you one of the 5, consider this your follow up and please pay up! Thanks.
Be a good driver!
Yesterday I presented a workshop in Barrie Ontario on networking. Driving there and back (and getting lost in the middle) I was on the road for 8 hours. Not a lot of excitement along the way, but one road sign did stick out and made me think about our book. I didn't have my camera and even in today's world of technology I can't seem to track down an image of it to share, but it said "Be a good driver, check your truck daily."
That fits so perfectly with the analogy we use in the book. "Be a good business owner, check your business (inside and out) daily." When was the last time you did a circle check or looked down at your dashboard?
That fits so perfectly with the analogy we use in the book. "Be a good business owner, check your business (inside and out) daily." When was the last time you did a circle check or looked down at your dashboard?
Not just a book anymore!
Ok, so we never were just a book, but now our website shows that. IGNITE Consulting now has a website with just a page about the book (Trucker Management for those that don't have a copy yet). It provides information on our training, speaking engagements and who we are. So have a peek - let us know what you think - www.igniteyoursmallbiz.com.
On another note, Matt and I are off to Kelowna tomorrow to do another training session for JCI called Assembling Success. Next week we'll post some pictures. In the meantime, we're still looking for training opportunities, so if you know of any let us know!
On another note, Matt and I are off to Kelowna tomorrow to do another training session for JCI called Assembling Success. Next week we'll post some pictures. In the meantime, we're still looking for training opportunities, so if you know of any let us know!
Always look close to home
During our world tour this past year, Matt and I have traveled all over North America and even some in Europe. At these events our average book sales ratio is 1:6. Lately we have been doing more training and speaking events closer to home (one because our family have said so and two because people have started asking for it) and suddenly our sales ratio is 1:4 and sometimes even better.
So even though the travelling is fun and exciting and sometimes can be easier (I know strange but true), it's important for every business to look close to home. What opportunities lie right in your backyard that you haven't seen yet?
So with that said... here's some information on our upcoming Kingston workshop.
Thu, Mar 27, 2008
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
$60 (includes snacks, 2 training sessions, autographed copy of Trucker Management)
A Day in the Life Contingency Planning for your Small Business
In this interactive seminar, participants roleplay a full day of operations in a small business, brainstorming actions and reactions as everything that can go wrong does. By the end of the seminar, participants will be well equipped to transfer the lessons learned back to their own businesses, ensuring they have all of the necessary contingency plans in place to avoid costly disruptions. Useful tools that participants can immediately implement in their businesses will be provided as take-away resources.
Assembling Success
Do you have what it takes to lead your team to victory? Successful organizations depend on quick-thinking leaders, an ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses of team members, and plans that allocate resources for maximum efficiency. This fun and fast-paced session has teams competing to design and execute an assembly line, and get quality products to market more quickly than the others while facing unique challenges associated with the abilities of each team member. The lessons illustrated by this exercise can easily be transferred to any type of business or organization. Team leaders will have their decision-making and communication abilities tested in a hectic environment how will you measure up?
To register contact us at:
613-546-0222, info@truckermanagement.com
So even though the travelling is fun and exciting and sometimes can be easier (I know strange but true), it's important for every business to look close to home. What opportunities lie right in your backyard that you haven't seen yet?
So with that said... here's some information on our upcoming Kingston workshop.
Thu, Mar 27, 2008
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
$60 (includes snacks, 2 training sessions, autographed copy of Trucker Management)
A Day in the Life Contingency Planning for your Small Business
In this interactive seminar, participants roleplay a full day of operations in a small business, brainstorming actions and reactions as everything that can go wrong does. By the end of the seminar, participants will be well equipped to transfer the lessons learned back to their own businesses, ensuring they have all of the necessary contingency plans in place to avoid costly disruptions. Useful tools that participants can immediately implement in their businesses will be provided as take-away resources.
Assembling Success
Do you have what it takes to lead your team to victory? Successful organizations depend on quick-thinking leaders, an ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses of team members, and plans that allocate resources for maximum efficiency. This fun and fast-paced session has teams competing to design and execute an assembly line, and get quality products to market more quickly than the others while facing unique challenges associated with the abilities of each team member. The lessons illustrated by this exercise can easily be transferred to any type of business or organization. Team leaders will have their decision-making and communication abilities tested in a hectic environment how will you measure up?
To register contact us at:
613-546-0222, info@truckermanagement.com
Continuing the World Tour in 2008
For those of you keeping up with the World Tour we've been on this past year, we're not done yet! Some of the places we are trying to secure training and keynote opportunities for 2008 are:
- Iceland
- Malta
- Washington, DC
- Florida
- North Carolina
- Quebec City
- Ottawa
- London, ON
- Winnipeg
- Northwest Territories or Nunuvat
If you have any connections or would like to help us plan something in any of these places (or anywhere else on the globe for that matter) please let us know.
Book Signing Event
Where: Indigo Books, Princess St at Sydenham St, Kingston ON
When: Wednesday, December 5, 5pm - 630pm
What: Book Signing for Trucker Management, free goodies
Who: Lindsey Fair and Matt Hutcheon
When: Wednesday, December 5, 5pm - 630pm
What: Book Signing for Trucker Management, free goodies
Who: Lindsey Fair and Matt Hutcheon
Shameless Act of Promotion
We try not to do this often, but don't want to miss the chance for the holiday season. For all you supporters, friends, contributors and people that just plain like our book - it's coming down to the wire to get a copy of the book to put under the tree this holiday season. To purchase the book simply go to: http://www.truckermanagement.com/. We'll even send you a signed copy! Happy Holidays everyone!
Aye! We're in Scotland!
We arrived in Glasgow this morning for our whirlwind tour. It was a pretty smooth trip but I almost felt inclined (or inspired maybe) to give a copy of Trucker Management to the parents sitting in front of us that had a screaming 2 year old with them. Some of you maybe wondering how parents could benefit from a small business book? Contingency Planning 101! I got the impression that they thought their little girl would sleep the whole way since it was the red-eye flight, so they didn't pack any toys, books or very many snacks (as far as I could tell anyway because I never saw any). My experience as a parent of a 3 1/2 year old has taught me, hope for the best but plan for the worst. Snacks, diapers, toys, music, movies, bribes, a grandma to help. Pack anything and everything you possible can fit in a carry-on for your sake and the sake of the other passengers! I'm not sure who is worse off, the parents that can now nap with their very tired 2 year old, or us embarking on a new leg of the world tour!
Over the next 4 days we will be doing 4 small business events. It should be a busy week so keep visiting our blog for stories and pictures. On the weekend we head to Ireland for more training. The world tour is in full motion now!
Over the next 4 days we will be doing 4 small business events. It should be a busy week so keep visiting our blog for stories and pictures. On the weekend we head to Ireland for more training. The world tour is in full motion now!
The Official Trucker Management Book Launch Event
Everyone's invited (but you do need to RSVP please) to our official book launch on October 23. There will be some free munchies, a game or two to showoff the book and of course signed copies of the book will be available for sale.
Launch Details:
Tuesday, October 23rd
5:00-7:00pm
Tango (331 King Street East)
Kingston, ON
Free munchies, Cash Bar
RSVP: info@truckermanagement.com
Colored Pics from the Book
In our book (Trucker Management) we showcase some photos and businesses but the photos are in black and white. To get a real sense what we're talking about, it's best to seem them in color, so here they are.
Well, another milestone down! We are so excited that our website is now officially launched - www.truckermanagement.com. It provides a detailed overview of the book, some of our training seminar and keynote descriptions and more information about us. Soon you will also be able to pre-order copies of the book through the site as well. Thanks to the team at Inter Kingston for their expertise in getting the site finished.
We also started our "world tour" last week in Brantford, Ontario. We have World Tour t-shirts highlighting the cities we'll be visiting during our international book launch and training tour that you can buy too! We're still looking for more cities to add to the tour, so any help you can provide, we'll gladly take you up on it.
The book is finally off to the publisher too - so it's been a crazy few months - but we've hit the road at full speed and are gearing up for the official launch in early September. The next stop on the World Tour is Atlanta at the end of July.
Lastly, remember that we frequently update our small business blog with short tips and tricks for small business - so visit it often http://igniteyoursmallbiz.blogspot.com. So we'll keep you posted as the time draws closer, but look for official book launch events in the fall!
Lindsey Fair and Matt Hutcheon
We also started our "world tour" last week in Brantford, Ontario. We have World Tour t-shirts highlighting the cities we'll be visiting during our international book launch and training tour that you can buy too! We're still looking for more cities to add to the tour, so any help you can provide, we'll gladly take you up on it.
The book is finally off to the publisher too - so it's been a crazy few months - but we've hit the road at full speed and are gearing up for the official launch in early September. The next stop on the World Tour is Atlanta at the end of July.
Lastly, remember that we frequently update our small business blog with short tips and tricks for small business - so visit it often http://igniteyoursmallbiz.blogspot.com. So we'll keep you posted as the time draws closer, but look for official book launch events in the fall!
Lindsey Fair and Matt Hutcheon
Ok, so the book is behind schedule...
Well this will probably come to less of a shock for most of you than it did for Matty and I - but our book is a little behind schedule. We are now looking at a June launch instead of May. So if you're one of city tour organizers, please consider some June dates instead.
Moments like this remind us that no matter how much you plan, no matter how many hours you put in, and no matter what business you're in - things change. A small business' business plan is always evolving from the moment it is written, and always make sure to have those contigency plans included!
We'll keep you posted.
Moments like this remind us that no matter how much you plan, no matter how many hours you put in, and no matter what business you're in - things change. A small business' business plan is always evolving from the moment it is written, and always make sure to have those contigency plans included!
We'll keep you posted.
Word of Caution: 'Definitely' Circle Check Your Blog!
Well - you caught us! We didn't spellcheck one of our posts and we heard about it! We now have 22 people offering us editing services for our book. (Don't worry we've hired a professional team to edit and proofread the book so there won't be glaring mistakes like on the blog!) We should have heeded our own advice, it's a good lesson learned - CIRCLE CHECK YOUR BLOG ENTRIES!
The good news is that we know you read it! (Maybe that was our intention really). Thanks for the feedback, we've made the correction, and will be more careful in the future, so please stay tuned.
The good news is that we know you read it! (Maybe that was our intention really). Thanks for the feedback, we've made the correction, and will be more careful in the future, so please stay tuned.
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