How to Lose Business With a Coulda, Shoulda Attitude

We can learn a lot from professional and college sports. In both cases the objective is to develop a winning team that will achieve the ultimate goal of a national or world championship. When I have a favorite team, it makes the games more fun to watch. I love it when the stronger team loses and the more spirited team takes advantage of opportunities that develop. There could be a bad call, a fumbled opportunity or a lucky break that shifts momentum in the game.

In most cases the development of a championship team takes years and sometimes decades for the team to reach peak performance. In team sports it starts with the recruitment of players who will fill strategic positions. Building a winning team requires years of planning, coaching and time to nurture and develop. The successful teams start with a dream to reach the goal and take the first step.

Where to Start

I want you think about where you are today in business. Are you building your future - strategically, dynamically with a long term plan? If you can't look at a single piece of paper that has your business, sales or marketing plan, it isn't too late. You can start today. The Chinese have a proverb for this:

"The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today."

The To Do List

The best time to set your daily goals was yesterday. If you don't have a plan, start a daily to do list of the things you need to accomplish today. Having a daily list of goals is where winners start their day.

The Business Plan

Three months ago was the best time to write your business plan. The second best time is today. If you want to be a winner, you need a business plan with sales and marketing strategies and tactics outlined. Just like in sports, there will be times when you must adjust your game plan, make the adjustments.

Blogging Plan

The best time for starting a blog was in 2005, the second best time is today. Blogging could be the business building tool you need that gives you two way communication with your customers and prospects. Having two way communications with clients is changing the way business is done. What are you waiting for if you don't engage in social networking?

Sales Pipeline Plan

The best time to start a sales pipeline was last year. The second best time is today. It takes time for prospects to develop and you must plant the seeds and nurture the relationships. When you have a plan of action that performs these activities, you will convert more prospects into clients.

Referral Process Plan

The best time to start a referral process was 3 months ago. The second best time is today. Getting referrals is one of the best ways to retain and maintain clients and develop new ones. It takes more time and expense to create new accounts than if you have a referral process in your business. If you don't have a plan, what are you waiting for?

If you find yourself at a point where you wish you coulda, shoulda but didn't. Now is the time to take action. It is the winning teams that take action and the losing teams that wish they coulda, shouda. What do you want to be? Take the first steps to become a winner.

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How to Lose Business With a Coulda, Shoulda Attitude