CATCHJSBUFORD

Believing Faster, Overcoming Negativity, & Understanding Bitcoin - Join Us on NEXTOPPSOCIAL w/ Inglish Reed-Jones - Civic Leader & Entrepreneur

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Join us this week at NextOppSocial! A place where you can listen, learn, and consume actionable content to launch, build, grow, and scale your businesses. We explore new topics each week and interview entrepreneurs throughout the Detroit Metropolitan Area, sharing insights regarding various subjects, important business strategies, success mindsets, and tools you can use to level up in your business endeavors. 

We bring you content for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs sharing their invaluable experiences and wisdom. We feature fledgling and established entrepreneurs alike; everyone from multi-millionaires, subject matter experts, CEOs, best selling authors, and some of the brightest minds in business.

This week we are excited to introduce Inglish Reed-Jones, a proud millennial on the move, determined to unite fellow like-minded peers to be change agents in our communities and world. She is the CEO and Founder of Millennials VS. Everybody, sites on the Advisory Board for Brilliant Detroit, and spends a large portion of her time as a Vanguard Fellow and Crypto Trader. 

Click the image below to view this episode!

 

If you're smart, industrious, committed to personal development, and building financial independence hit the subscribe button. We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and we look forward to you achieve a life of satisfaction and success. 

Take a moment to view past episodes here or click the pic below.

Never Miss An Episode by Visiting NextOppSocial here > https://www.nextoppsocial.com/ & Click the Subscribe Button

Stay Connected with the Next Opportunity Social Facebook Community here:
https://www.facebook.com/nextoppsocial/

Stay Connected with the Next Opportunity Social LinkedIn Community here:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextoppsocial

JOIN US LIVE ON WEDNESDAYS @ 10:00AM EST AT > https://bit.ly/NextOppSoconyoutube

LEARN MORE @ NEXTOPPSOCIAL WEBSITE > https://www.nextoppsocial.com/

 

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


_____________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Learn More & Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

 

Anxiety & Depression in Entrepreneurship

Anxiety & Depression in Entrepreneurship   Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD In this live chat Rachele Wilson, Digital Marketing Strategy & JuJuan Buford discuss Entrepreneurship & Depression. Not exactly the subject matters we like to talk about in tandem. It makes many of us uncomfortable. It's not considered positive or progressive to air out in public or even among friends. In fact, in some social media circles, exhibiting what many would refer to as emotional fragility is a sign of weakness or simply being spoiled. The bottom line is it's real. Part of the entrepreneurship experience for the majority of us involves navigating bouts of depression. It's normal. It doesn't really matter if you are new in business, been in a business a long time, are doing financially well, or aren't doing financially well - depression can sneak up at any time. And while this year has certainly heightened our awareness and willingness to be more vocal about talking about topics such as anxiety and depression, it's not talked about enough. Join us for this live discussion and please share with anyone you would feel could benefit from it! CLICK THE IMAGE TO TUNE INTO THIS IMPORTANT EPISODE About NextOppSocial NextOppSocial is a weekly show that highlights the achievements of entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the Detroit Metropolitan; providing an avenue for entrepreneurs to promote their businesses, and providing viewers with an opportunity to learn and draw wisdom from others who are achieving in entrepreneurship. A variety of topics are discussed on a weekly basis for the purposes of providing insights and actionable content to help entrepreneurs and small business owners level up in their respective endeavors. Join us as we celebrate entrepreneurship; inventory life's lessons, #businessstrategies, #tactics, and #mindsets; and bring you sustenance for the entrepreneurial soul. Tune into future episodes & join our mission! Learn more. Do more. Teach more. Collaborate more. Build more. Create success stories and help others build thriving businesses. Join us LIVE WEDNESDAYS @ 10:00am EST. at NEXTOPPSOCIAL ON YOUTUBE

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

 

Winning on LinkedIn (Social Media) as an Entrepreneur: Engagement, Branding, Scheduling Appointments

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

What follows is a redacted training from Sunday, May 24th at 3:00pm, Business on LinkedIn: Engagement, Branding, Scheduling Appointments, sharing effective strategies for establishing presence, garnering credibility, and onboarding clients on LinkedIn.

 

Know Who Your Target Market is or Buyer Avatar

Take time to understand what your end user or ideal client is interested in; what they're searching for; and reflect on the type of content that would attract their attention. Understanding that people's favorite station is WIIFM (What In It For Me) is a reoccurring theme throughout this training. Inevitably sharing what you want your audience to know about you will waste a lot of time, energy, and currency, if you don't understand what they want to learn. 

If you own a hair distribution company, and your products are high end. Ask yourself, where are my high end clients? What type of occupations do they have? Where are they spending their time online, whether it be for the purposes of networking or sifting for opportunities to level up? What are their habits?

For example. Womenpreneurs and women who are higher achievers in corporate america have both the disposable income, and are motivated to brand themselves as successful, well off, sophisticated, etc., etc., They are more inclined to invest in the veneer. I'd find a way to curate content that directly takes aim at this desire. Rather than posting a million hair product pics on Instagram competing with everyone else doing the same thing, especially if you don't have the capital to spend or access to influencers in the beginning stages of your business. 

I posted an article that is a good precursor to the remainder of the content that follows regarding how to show up for prospective clients. It is a brief recap of advice shared with a creative entrepreneur looking to gain traction on LinkedIn. 

 

Who is Your LinkedIn Title or Profile Description Serving? Jettison the Idea that LinkedIn is Your Resume. LinkedIn is a Landing Page.

Is your LinkedIn title a vanity project to show off how credentialed you are, or is it worded to let the world know how you may be of service to them. Remember to view your content through the eyes of your ideal customer. Jettison the idea that LinkedIn is your resume. LinkedIn is one of your landing pages. 

Remember, you're not interviewing for a job. You're not a W-2. You're looking to attract a buying client, who is motivated to secure your services or products. 

Ask yourself, which set of profile descriptions are going to attract the attention of a person who is primed to acquire a service or product from you?

OR

Which Set of LinkedIn Summaries Informs Your Audience About How You Can Be of Service to Them?

OR 

What is Your Body of Work? Third Party Credibility Wins on LinkedIn

 

Content is King. Be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on LinkedIn.

Start With a Salutation As Opposed to a Presentation

Be a human being that is interested in the people you are marketing to. Be more than an instant sales bot. I've read some really good first approaches, and no doubt some of them work on a macro-level, especially if you have the budget to pay for mass advertising techniques.

It's like paying for 10,000 pieces of mail, knowing only 100 people will lay their eye balls on the contents, to land 1-5 good clients. If you have it in the budget to pay $10,000 to $20,000 to to execute this technique, and your average client results in compensation of approximately $10,000 it can work. 

Remember, people ultimately conduct business with those they like, know, and trust. People don't like being spammed. People, don't know you yet, so you better get them to like you right out the gate. And depending if you've curated your title and summary correctly, and outfitted your LinkedIn page with plenty of third party credibility, they may not trust in your ability. 

Don't show up like this during an initial connection request.

Try showing up like this instead.

How Do You Lean In, & Ask People to Do Business with You on LinkedIn

Well, first off don't be weird or behave like a bull in a china shop. What do I mean by weird or obnoxious behavior? Read the following article, and peruse the section titled, "A MORE EFFECTIVE PROSPECTING METHOD." 

 

 

Are you interested in additional insight regarding..........

What verbiage to use when showing up in people's inbox to lean in and ask for the business?

What is the thought process or philosophical mechanization behind these tactics?

Still trying to figure out what success looks like on LinkedIn for you? 

Have questions about how many posts, how many connection requests... basically how much time and activity is required?

You want my sales scripts, language, or samples of my wording to set appointments that stick?

What does it look like & how does it sound like when onboarding new clients? 

Want more direct assistance or coaching on how to build on LinkedIn absent time consuming, money gulping strategies?

VIEW THIS BONUS POWERPOINT > JSB BUS SOLUTIONS GROUP - LINKEDIN POWERPOINT

AND OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT & REMEMBER.......

 

 

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

Starting a Business With Family. No One Wins When the Family Feuds.

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If you have specific questions about any legal matter, you should consult with an attorney or other professional services provider.  

 

You’ve started a business with a dynastic vision serving as your inspiration. You scheduled the family gathering, corralled all the interested parties, inventoried everyone’s commitments, and stepped boldly into the incredible future that awaits you. Very soon the capital starts pouring in, and smiling faces and good feelings abound. You’ve won. 

However, just as there was a beginning to the honeymoon, there will be an end. The open house was a hit, and the winds of support and enthusiasm are very much still at your back. However, there’s been some attrition. A key employee has recently become engaged, and is planning to move to another state. Another found a better job, allowing for more time with the children. A couple family members have begun to behave nonchalantly, arriving late and leaving early. 

You’ve exhausted your warm market collectively, and entrepreneurship is skilled trade. Unfortunately, you’re discovering that much of your staff doesn’t  have the skills to pay the bills. This new phase of your business requires that you upgrade your current roster of employees, and invest in marketing your business more effectively. Additionally, after a couple months of managing your accounts payables and receivables, you’ve realized you need to tighten up your operating expenditures. In other words, you turn off the spigot on unnecessary spending and immediately put a halt to family members using cash deposits, and the business account like their personal piggy bank. 

In business - especially in the beginning - you often have to do things you’re not being compensated for, so later on down the line you can be compensated for things you longer have to do. Your people are still investing time and energy, but some are feeling entitled to receive more income because of the increased profitability, ignoring the fact that reinvestments need to be made. 

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you know what is about to happen next. 

Very soon people’s feelings begin to creep into discussions and impact expectations; accountability begins to fade; and smoldering animosities begin to surface. Finally, one of the siblings, aunts, or cousins decide they’ve had enough and want their initial investment back. Another, decides to start up a competing venture, and siphon your business resources to launch it without telling you. And depending on how much time you can dedicate to bandaging egos and wounds, accusations of theft and betrayal begin to inundate relationships, and the rest becomes bad history.  

Unfortunately, some version of this narrative transpires everyday in business, and often with devastating consequences. The owner or owners believe these people are my friends, my family, and lacking the business acumen and professionals who have the life experience to help owners prepare and anticipate these challenges there misguided beliefs often become their own undoing. Call it willful ignorance, pomposity, or a combination thereof. The bottom line is these types of conflicts can be more easily managed and avoided by taking a couple simple steps. 

 

Implement An Operating Agreement / Partnership Agreement

Plainly speaking an operating agreement is an arrangement between members or shareholders of a business entity regarding how they conduct business affairs. It spells out the rights of members or shareholders, obligations, and procedures regarding how the business is to be managed. It provides clarity, and helps parties stay in their lane, and play nice. 

As a business owner/s your value proposition can be phenomenal and you can be surrounded by all the talent in the world, but if individuals aren’t clear about what is expected of each other, things can go south very quickly. People don’t rehearse accidents resulting in disabilities, untimely deaths, divorces, or simply losing personal interest in a business. And regardless of how fine of character you believe someone to be, we all have been surprised at one time in our lives by wolves hiding in sheep's clothing. Operating agreements resolve these issues and more. 

• Voting rights,
• Issues related to parties leaving and possibly becoming competition,
• How a buyout may need to be handled,
• How & When profits are distributed,
• Expectations regarding how monies invested will be handled, 
• Buyout provisions,
• Clarification regarding roles and responsibilities,
• What happens in the event of disability or death,
• How the business will manage its tax obligations and debts,
• And how personal infusions of cash will be handled. 

As an aside, having an operating agreement also helps to demarcate the lines between personal affairs and business affairs, offering greater protection from legal challenges arising from tax issues as well. 

 

Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Non-Circumvents

These documents place restrictions upon employees, contract workers, shareholders, and even passive investors from directly or indirectly competing against your business. Depending on how these documents are drawn up, they can address issues relating to an employee or contractor joining another competitor while employed by you, after the end of working relationship, or a period following termination. They can also be effective at preventing parties from investing in or lending monetary assistance to a competitor. 

They are especially effective at preventing or limiting activities such as disclosing confidential information, information regarding clients, sharing information for the purposes of disparagement, or usurping activities involving suppliers or providers of technical assistance.

 

Address Intellectual Property Concerns Upfront - Trademarks & Copyrights Specifically

Trademark protections can be used for business names, logos and symbols, and some creative artifacts, assuming they are being used to distinguish, or identify goods and services being offered by a specific person or entity. In other words you trademark content that is being used to brand or draw a distinction between you and your competition. 

You can register for trademarks on the state level or employ ghetto copyright tactics however taking these steps only offer limited protection, and if your intellectual property rights are abridged, there is a strong likelihood that you will not be able to pursue punitive damages. And complications can occur resulting in your rights being denied altogether. 

In other words, don’t do it. Your intellectual property rights are evergreen. They have long term value, because they are assets. Invest in your assets casually, and your business will become a casualty. Go through the proper channels, and don’t cut corners when it comes to your IP rights. While filing a trademark registration yourself may be the least expensive method, you may encounter name conflicts or other registration issues that require legal or other trademark professional input.

Employ copyrights to protect written works, artistic expression, songs, paintings, and drawings, designs, symbols or logos even if the work is purely for decorative purposes. If you desire for your business to grow away from you, meaning become an income producing asset that generates revenue independently of your sweat equity, copyrighting your content is essential. While some protection exists without registration, such as a copyright, you need to register for protection of other intellectual properties and generally to defend your property rights in court, including copyrights. 

To help assess whether you want to file trademark or copyright registrations yourself review the following sites for additional information::

United States Patent and Trademark Office > https://www.uspto.gov/trademark

United States Copyrights Office > https://www.copyright.gov/

As with anything, it is best to be proactive. Take the time to determine ownership rights of all intellectual property before launching and be sure to determine how intellectual property will be handled in the event that a business is dissolved. 

 

While there are no foolproof methods to prevent conflicts from occurring when conducting business with family, especially if there isn’t an established culture (hierarchy) of business ownership and collaboration among relatives. These aforementioned considerations can both dissuade and provide incentives for desired outcomes. And in the event that things do go south, there is an established blueprint and road map to resolve conflicts, rather than decisions being made in the heat of the moment or while passions are high. 

Lastly, understand the moment you believe you know it all, your obituary is being written. No different than an athlete believing they no longer have to review film or prepare any more. Seek professional guidance and expertise regarding these matters. And remember nobody wins when the family feuds.

 

__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

CHANGE YOUR MIND, TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!! JOIN US @ NEXTOPPSOCIAL WEDNESDAYS @ 10:00 EST!

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

We at NextOppSocial believe #entrepreneurship is #empowerment, #freedom, #financialindependence, #rewarding, and #fun.

 

Join us as we celebrate entrepreneurship; inventory life's lessons, #businessstrategies, #tactics, and #mindsets; and bring you sustenance for the entrepreneurial soul.

 

This past week, we focused on BOOKs that can make difference in your life. We know reading is the least expensive, and one of the most invaluable investments you can make in life. In order to change your life, read to change your mind. 

 

 

BUILD YOUR AUDIO / BOOK LIBRARY WITH SOME OF THE INCREDIBLE, STIMULATING GEMS DROPPED DURING THIS EPISODE..... (click the image below)

 

 

Tune into future episodes & join our mission! Learn more. Do more. Teach more. Collaborate more. Build more. Create success stories and help others build thriving businesses. Join us WEDNESDAYS @ 10:00am EST. at NEXTOPPSOCIAL ON YOUTUBE

 

 

 

Learn More @ https://www.nextoppsocial.com/

 

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

Interview with Mari G. Byrd, Founder of Facebook Broadcast "Becoming the Best Version of You"

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

In this interview with Mari G. Byrd - Founder of Facebook broadcast "Becoming the Best Version of You" and Detroit civic leader - we cover some of the biggest mistakes and potholes that sideline entrepreneurs frequently, and stops entrepreneurs can take to thrive during the pandemic. 

We know that there are two, starkly differing tales to the pandemic induced recession that we are all experiencing, however while some are suffering, there are others that are growing, prospering, and significantly improving their circumstances in the marketplace. 

Tune into this interview to learn how you can as well.  

 

 

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/  

 

Why Entrepreneurs Quit

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

I was recently asked by a fellow entrepreneur, why I thought entrepreneurs fail. Admittedly, I was reluctant to address the topic initially, because it’s not the sexiest or fun conversation to have regarding entrepreneurship for obvious reasons. When most start a business for the first time (especially), they are at their highest level of enthusiasm, but also lowest level of competency at the same time. You don't want bruise them, or diminish this much needed excitement before things get underway.

Also, it's easier for so-called leaders simply to chalk it up to people being lazy, not willing or able to learn, or being beset with character defects when they come up short. Sometimes it's easy to forget the ugly duckling stage we mature out of as entrepreneurs and leaders. And if the quitting or failure rate continues to grow, this thinking is usually a sign that those charged with the responsibility of creating fertile ground for success, haven’t taken the time for introspection.  

Once again, it’s always easier to blame than to take the time to contemplate, and as the tough questions like…..am I as a leader effectively creating environments of opportunity that truly empowers and brings out the best in people?

As in most cases when making generalizations, it's always important to take into account context. However, when taking inventory of yourself, as an aspiring entrepreneur, as a leader, or the owner of a business, there are a couple icebergs we all need to be aware of when starting or scaling a business. 

 

ARE YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS BIG ENOUGH?

One of the first questions I encourage every entrepreneur to seriously think about is what inspired you to start your endeavor, or why did you choose entrepreneurship? The answer to this question is the most important determinant of whether or not someone is going to succeed in business. Please believe.

Not having a solid answer to this question is a sure sign that someone is either headed straight down mediocrity road or is about to experience an imminent, and fatal failure. Whenever, I hear some combination of the following words, you might as well start writing the eulogy:

I started this little thing. My little business. Can you participate in this little conference call? I got this little presentation I want to invite you to. 

Starting a new business from scratch, especially if the goal is to immediately draw a significant income or one is required, takes a huge expenditure of energy and effort physically and psychologically. One of the biggest challenges for most is overcoming the sneers or negative perspectives others attempt to project upon you if your success isn't perceived as imminent, especially from those closest to you. For many the fear of judgment is crippling, and unfortunately many will allow other people's opinions to torpedo their endeavors before they even get started. 

Also, there is going to be turbulence. One of my favorite quotes often attributed to Albert Einstein is, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Nor can you overcome your current circumstances with the same habits and itinerary that created them. The circle of people you spend the most time talking to will most likely need to change, if they're not coming along for the journey. Don't misunderstand this. This is not an invitation to diss your current circle, but you may have to distance yourself from many of them, to make space for people who can help you achieve your goals.

Your reading, sleeping, and eating habits will most likely need to change. You may be surprised to find the music, audio content, videos, or even your taste in movies and other cinematic tastes may change. As you begin to change the inputs being deposited into your mind and body, you're growing into a new you. No different than if a person switches from eating a couple 1 pound fast food burgers everyday to a vegan diet. You can rest assured some significant changes in energy, appearance, and mindset will accompany the switch. 

Or just like elite swimmers, boxers, sprinters, and cyclists tend to have different muscular attributes and physiques that can be strikingly apparent, due to their workout routines and habits, so will entrepreneurship alter you as well. And it will require a level of humility and will power to embrace it all.   

There is going to be stress any time you're forced to move outside your comfort zone, but remember those who exhibit courage aren't lacking in fear. They are simply willing to do what must be done anyway. Remember, you’ve already earned and already accomplished all you’re going to in your comfort zone.

If you're going to transform your life, then your goals must be big enough to incite, compel, and force you to make the necessary changes. They have to be ever present to prevent you from drifting, and be so LARGE that they literally dwarf the trials and tribulations that inevitably await you. So much so, that your family, friends, neighbors, or those who are close to you, look at you in sincere disbelief, but stick around anyway, not wanting to miss it if you achieve it.  

Remember your goals act like filters, and also create resonance. They are the beats and notes that characterize your music. The words that flow from your mouth, and the way you respond to others, especially when under duress are tell tale signs of how deep of a dive you’ve taken regarding your objectives. And your music will either attract the right people and repel those who may be wrong for you, or the opposite. 

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR ITINERARY

People spend days, weeks, months planning for a vacation. A gratifying pursuit no doubt, but the super-majority of the time, that one vacation is not going to change the fabric of your family tree. Neither are birthday parties, prepping for the Super Bowl, or the New Years eve party. 

However, if you were to challenge most people regarding how much time they spend planning, thinking critically about their habits, preparing, and learning about how to be an elite business owner, all of a sudden they don’t have time. When in reality you don't have time not too. 

Just as athletes spend countless hours practicing the same shots repeatedly, musicians and dancers endure backbreaking rehearsals, and hours of prep occur before a surgeon performs his skilled trade, so must you be willing to craft an itinerary and prepare meticulously for your success as an entrepreneur. There are no overnight success stories.We just find out about them overnight.

Not taking the time to create a success itinerary doesn't prove fatal overnight. It shows up the same way knocking back three 2 liter sodas and a fast food burger on a daily basis shows up. It's like a slow moving train gathering momentum and before you know it you're headed to severe heart attack. If you don’t take the time to make success deposits into your business, the alternative reality is waiting and begging for your participation.  

A question we should all ask ourselves on a regular basis, is what is your entrepreneurial workout routine? Or another way of thinking about it is, ask yourself what are the three to five things that you're going to commit to on a daily basis, whereas if applied daily over time would make the biggest difference in your life. Choose a work out routine that will slowly chisel you into the entrepreneur you desire to be. Perhaps it's committing to:

#1. Introducing your service to 20 new prospects a day. 

#2. Reading 10 pages of a good book a day. That’s a book a month.  

#3. Running 12 miles a week. 

#4. Meditating and reviewing your affirmations when you awake and before you go to sleep. 

#5. Working out for 30 minutes a day. 

#6. Getting in an hour of practice or working on a skill. 

#7. Writing 20 pages or for 30 minutes a day. 

Ask yourself, how much clarity would you have regarding your day? How much more confident would you feel when an unexpected, yet important task is assigned to you (that’s called opportunity). How much more energy would you have? How much more informed, and valuable would your thoughts become to others if you adopted some of these practices? 

It's these monotonous activities and habits that ultimately shape you, and win you the day. One day at a time, then two, three, seven, two weeks, two months, the year. In other words show me your itinerary and I'll show you your future. 

 

WHAT DOES YOUR DIET CONSIST OF? BAD STUFF IN. BAD STUFF OUT. 

According to the National Science Foundation, an average person has approximately 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive thoughts.

What are you consuming on a daily basis to offset the 80%? How often are you taking inventory of the 95% to ensure your thoughts are serving you? Gravity is waiting to greet you from the moment you open your eyes. The BS.com is coming for you 24/7. The 1000s of negative words, images, and moments have to be offset somehow. How often are you viewing your affirmations? Are you really being purposeful, and intentional about the conversations you're having? What of the things you read, and the ideas you allow to occupy space between your ears?

I encourage entrepreneurs to adopt a policy of being able to put their hands and lay their eyeballs on their affirmations, goals, positive meditations just as frequently as they pick up their phones. The screensaver and the home screen are pictures of my affirmations and goals.

Be careful of the counsel you keep. Small people talk about other people all day. Remember, critics don't win championships, performers do. Good, well intentioned minds talk about problems. And great minds are achievers who solve them, overcome them, and dust them off their shoulders.

Is your diet of conversations, readings, training audios, and everything else in between serving you? Is it strengthening you? Improving your endurance? Sharpening you? Or is it making you flabby. Turning you into an excuse making machine, and weakening your immunity to negativity?

Entrepreneurship is not Hollywood. people don't rise to the occasion, but rather their level of training, preparation, and commitment to curating a better self.

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/  
Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/

NextOppSocial - How Important is Business Credit? How Do You Acquire a Dun & Bradstreet Number?

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Take a moment to view last week's episode of NextOppSocial whereas Rachele Wilson & JuJuan Buford interviewed Tina Williams, CEO of QT Business Solutions, who shared invaluable tips regarding how to acquire, properly use, and build business credit. This was episode you don't want to miss! 

WHAT DID WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE? 

1. What is the difference between business and personal credit?

2. What can having business credit allow you to have access to?

3. How important is it that a business owner secure a Dun & Bradstreet?

4. Is it difficult, expensive, or time consuming to establish business credit?

5. Can a business owner benefit from good business credit, while having bad personal credit?

6. And so much more.......!

WATCH this episode here > 

 

Remember to calendar and catch NextOppSocial Wednesdays @ 10:00am EST.  

 

NextOppSocial is a weekly show that highlights the achievements of entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the Detroit Metropolitan; providing an avenue for entrepreneurs to promote their businesses, and providing viewers with an opportunity to learn and draw wisdom from others who are achieving in entrepreneurship. A variety of topics are discussed on a weekly basis for the purposes of providing insights and actionable content to help entrepreneurs and small business owners level up in their respective endeavors.

Stay Connected with the Next Opportunity Social Community here:
https://www.facebook.com/nexto...

► Subscribe to Next Opportunity Social Here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-AJTpK7Ye6tKjlYyxxPB8A

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/  
Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/

 

REFLECTIONS & LESSONS LEARNED FROM NEXTOPPSOCIAL INTERVIEW W/ SHARON MADISON

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

YouTube Interview with Sharon Madison

 

At NextOppSocial, we are proud to introduce to some and reintroduce to others, Sharon Madison, Owner of Madison Madison International, M2 International.

Sharon Madison is a third generation entrepreneur and leader, continuing a legacy of success in the architectural, real estate development, construction, and engineering industries across the United States and internationally. Madison’s business interests involve the management of a portfolio of projects in excess of billions of dollars.

Madison has made an indelible mark in the business community, specifically downtown Detroit, operating the Julian Madison Building - named for her father - providing an invaluable space for business commerce, development, and entrepreneurial growth.

Madison serves as chair of the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority, a representative on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, and contributes her wealth of leadership to several other industry and civic organizations.

 

LESSON #1: ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS NOT SECURITY, BUT IT’S WORTH IT

Madison was transparent about the difficulties often associated with starting a business and committing to entrepreneurship. Unlike the YouTube & Instagram extravaganzas speaking to the grandeur of business ownership, Madison recalled vividly the shared family sacrifice that was required: the moving around frequently, the never being off, and having to be on 24/7. Vacations never quite being vacations. The real pressures of constantly having to evolve, grow, and develop. The challenge of repeatedly having to prove yourself, and the awareness that you’re only as good as your value proposition every single day was ever present.  

Our exchange reminded me that entrepreneurs are problem solvers. There is a direct correlation between the value we bring to others, and the quality of the lives we live. There’s something pure about that. And while the accouterments of success in business can be spectacular, the cost of admission doesn't come at a discount.  The Madison family was not born high on the hog. Someone had to stand in the gap, and pay the price.

 

LESSON #2: THEY SAY NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL INVENTION & ENTREPRENEURS ARE BORN AND FORGED BY IT. BUT DEFINE LET'S NECESSITY. 

Madison spoke proudly and solemnly about her grandfather’s struggle to find work. Robert James Madison was a brilliant, industrious man, and in today’s environment would have easily elevated himself and gained recognition as a renown engineer, architect, or mathematician. She believed he died of a broken heart, as he was never able to find anything above what was considered menial work (despite his advanced training and education), absent the opportunity to display or showcase his full potential. 

(click photo to learn more)

As I've watched up close and from afar the brave, young African American men and women protesting in the streets, I recognize the anger and frustration they must feel. Some view them as aimless dissidents, and will inevitably attempt to brand them as brazen, volatile, irresponsible children; simply destroying property and spreading COVID19 recklessly.

Yet, nothing could be further from the truth.

They have taken up arms against a system and environment that is denying them the most basic of desires. I see young ebony men and women crying out, inflamed by a system that is denying them the opportunity to become their full selves. They are raging against a society that historically, and systemically denies African Americans the opportunity to achieve to the extent that their latent talents may take them; unfettered by white cupidity and racist savagery.

These same struggles led Madison’s grandfather, her parents, and Madison today to build successful business enterprises. To become more than pawns on the chessboard, but rather captains of their own destinies, and provide the subsistence, the means, the space, and the inspiration for ebony brothers and sisters to benefit from and aspire to. As has been historically and contemporarily the case, entrepreneurship for African Americans has never been about simply filling a niche or necessity in the marketplace, but an extension of the struggle to be human beings, rather than human happenings, and a labor of love to empower the community. 

 

HOW THE ACQUISITION OF THE JULIAN MADISON BUILDING CAME TO BE. A WHOLE LOT OF NO’S. PLENTY OF STUBBORN FORTITUDE AND BELIEF. 

Madison drew strength from her family. Watching her parents succeed, despite being denied loans. Being shut out of business opportunities they were overqualified for. Being denied jobs. Repeatedly being denied the capital to expand into highly appraised neighborhoods and hold commercial properties. And yet, succeed anyway, informed her of what was and is possible. 

Madison shared a story about how one day, her father requested that she seek out a commercial property for the family to expand operations into. There were a number of buildings on the grocery list that were much nicer, more luxurious, with much higher price tags. However, she settled on what would become the Julian Madison building, believing that it would be more attainable, despite it needing significant renovations.

She began the process of seeking capital for the acquisition and was declined over and over again. Until one day she received a call, and was asked by a bank officer how much she wanted. Madison responded by asking for what was needed, bracing for the declination and fully prepared to let the person know she didn’t give a rip. Madison secured the needed financing. 

There are no silver bullets. There are no guarantees or one magical approach to do anything. But the universe has a funny way of conspiring in favor of those who exercise an unbreakable will, work ethic, and tenacity. You have to believe you deserve and belong. And while many of us are not fortunate to be born into a household with such powerful examples, we can find them in books, audios, and various recorded artifacts of  those who have achieved, lived on the fringes, and found success. 

 

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH EXPERTISE & WISDOM. DON’T BE TOO PRIDEFUL TO ASK FOR HELP.

Entrepreneurship is not a game for chumps, and too much pride will certainly result in you getting your teeth knocked out. In fairness, the super-majority of us have been trained to adopt the mantra, “If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.” And due to much of the miseducation most of us receive, we buy into the adage that in order to succeed we have to know everything; be the expert; be more capable in every way, and in everything in.

You can't build a sprawling brand or enterprise by yourself. Or in other words, you can't manage 28,000+ Starbucks locations by yourself.  

These commonly passed on beliefs will not serve you well if you’re goal is to scale a large business. You must get over yourself, and concerns about what other people think about you, and get the BIG questions answered. Seek answers from other entrepreneurs who have transversed the ground you’re negotiating. Seek the expertise of others who have demonstrated their value: meaning they earn money from actually building things; they have the receipts, the battle scars, and verifiable success stories. Seek tour guides, and avoid the travel agents out there. 

The bottom line is you can’t pay your vendors, your service providers, your employees, feed your children, and keep a roof over your head with prideful ignorance. This is about results. Suck it up, know that you’re not perfect, nor anyone else. Lean in as ask for help. 

 

KNOW YOUR BUSINESS & LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE

One of Warren Buffet’s many axioms for life and investing, is to invest in what you know. Past performance does not equal future results. At the end of the day, successful entrepreneurs are highly compensated problem solvers. And just as society, people’s appetites, the challenges facing households are constantly evolving; you must be constantly evolving, refining and redefining your knowledge base, and your craft as well. Whether you're a grizzled veteran in a specific industry, or you’re starting a new venture, inculcate a thirst for learning as if you know nothing. 

To quote André 3000:

“I met a gypsy and she hipped me to some life game

To stimulate then activate the left and right brain

Said baby boy you only funky as your last cut

You focus on the past your ass'll be a has what

that's one to live by or either that one to die to." 

One of the most significant statements I recall from the interview with Sharon Madison was the words she uttered, “Let people know who you are.” Madison shared this advice she received from Ms. Irma Henderson at a time when she didn’t feel confident in herself. It was a timely reminder, that we all start out crying, crawling, helpless and hapless when we come into the world.  No man nor woman is above you. Stand on your talent. Stand behind your work. Stand on the shoulders of those who have poured into you. And make them know your name.

 

HARD WORK, COMMITMENT, SACRIFICE, DEDICATION

 

You don’t like him. Good. It will make this most important takeaway more stark and hopefully more biting. 

Floyd Mayweather is undefeated, and one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. Despite much of the rightfully deserved criticism thrown at him, he will inevitably be recognized as one of the most decorated and successful athletes of his era. And if you were to ask Mayweather, and more importantly his opponents what has been the key ingredient to his success, they will all attribute it to one trait above all else. 

Hard work. 

Mayweather willingly admits that he is not the fastest, the most athletic, or gifted boxers or athletes in the world. He simply works harder at perfecting his craft more than anyone else. 

 

 

Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, infomercials, most media outlets, and the super-majority of influencers aren’t being 100% with you. Especially, if you are African American. 

Yep, I said it, because it would be irresponsible not to. The rules are still different for ebony people. 

Untimely deaths and heartaches don’t disappear because you choose entrepreneurship. Car accidents happen. Basic accounting principles and the consequences of not reinvesting in yourself, in assets, and in learning don’t disappear. Tiny slights and little affronts, are not going to stop, but rather grow cumulatively and can have deleterious psychological effects if not addressed.

The police pulling you over for no other reason than your ebony complexion isn’t going to stop. Amy Cooper situations will continue to dog you in the boardroom, at the park and grocery store, in the courtroom, and perhaps even your living room depending on your circumstances. Marriage disputes aren’t going to stop. Financial strains aren’t going to stop. Family conflicts aren’t going to stop. Your skinfolk will not behave like kinfolk. The questioning of your expertise or the veracity of your receipts doesn’t stop. You still will not be given the benefit of the doubt. When the bank tells you NO, you’ll have to learn how to eat rejection with the glee of a child popping skittles into their mouth. And proceed to the next without a loss of enthusiasm and belief. 

And summon the will to go collect soda cans if you have to, until you cross paths with someone who recognizes your value. All of us who were not born on 3rd base have to do this. There are no overnight success stories, just stories we learn about overnight. 

 

As entrepreneurs, we are ultimately compensated for what we are able to endure, ignore, and transcend; simply plowing ahead without loss of enthusiasm for the work.  

"Work like there is someone working 24-hours a day to take it away from you." - Mark Cuban

 

PARTING THOUGHTS AND TOUGH LOVE.

THIS IS ABOUT RESULTS, NOT EXCUSES. NOT A DISCUSSION OF RIGHT OR WRONG, BUT CONSEQUENCES.

• You have no choice but to invest (you get what you pay for) in an online social presence (with time or currency) or your business will die.
• Get your documents in order. If you don’t have an operating agreement, contracting agreement, non-circumvent, and confidentiality agreement in your tool box, along with a host of business resources, stick a fork in your business….it’s over.  What are these documents and why are they important? Read this article. And re-introduce yourself to your personal banker TODAY!
• Excuses and complaining won’t save you. No one is coming to save you. You either make it your business to show up unannounced, learn what you need to learn, invest where you need to invest, or simply fail. This is entrepreneurship, not flag football. The market doesn't care about your tale of woe. 
• You are an entrepreneur building in a capitalist economy. Capitalism is competition. And it doesn’t care about your hunger pains, or cries for equity. What if Jesse Owens simply resigned because the cards were stacked against him? 
• The pandemic exposed the fact that ebony business owners have a fragility problem: fragile savings habits; fragile adherence to basic business principles; fragile employment accounting tools, CRMs, marketing tools, HR tools…..
• Too many are too busy trying to siphon money out the cash register without employing basic accounting and tax principles. The result being when opportunities present themselves (Paycheck Protection Program - Small Business Administration), too many are ill equipped to seize the opportunity. 
• If ebony men and women do not make the decision to invest in African American businesses, nothing is going to change. Remember, Malcolm & Martin, were gunned down when their commentary began to focus on economics. 
• And lastly........

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

 

_____________________________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Blog: https://www.catchjsbuford.com/
Website: https://thebufordco.com/

Winning on LinkedIn as an Entrepreneur: Engagement, Branding, Scheduling Appointments

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

What follows is a redacted training from Sunday, May 24th at 3:00pm, Business on LinkedIn: Engagement, Branding, Scheduling Appointments, sharing effective strategies for establishing presence, garnering credibility, and onboarding clients on LinkedIn.

 

Know Who Your Target Market is or Buyer Avatar

Take time to understand what your end user or ideal client is interested in; what they're searching for; and reflect on the type of content that would attract their attention. Understanding that people's favorite station is WIIFM (What In It For Me) is a reoccurring theme throughout this training. Inevitably sharing what you want your audience to know about you will waste a lot of time, energy, and currency, if you don't understand what they want to learn. 

If you own a hair distribution company, and your products are high end. Ask yourself, where are my high end clients? What type of occupations do they have? Where are they spending their time online, whether it be for the purposes of networking or sifting for opportunities to level up? What are their habits?

For example. Womenpreneurs and women who are higher achievers in corporate america have both the disposable income, and are motivated to brand themselves as successful, well off, sophisticated, etc., etc., They are more inclined to invest in the veneer. I'd find a way to curate content that directly takes aim at this desire. Rather than posting a million hair product pics on Instagram competing with everyone else doing the same thing, especially if you don't have the capital to spend or access to influencers in the beginning stages of your business. 

I posted an article that is a good precursor to the remainder of the content that follows regarding how to show up for prospective clients. It is a brief recap of advice shared with a creative entrepreneur looking to gain traction on LinkedIn. 

 

Who is Your LinkedIn Title or Profile Description Serving? Jettison the Idea that LinkedIn is Your Resume. LinkedIn is a Landing Page.

Is your LinkedIn title a vanity project to show off how credentialed you are, or is it worded to let the world know how you may be of service to them. Remember to view your content through the eyes of your ideal customer. Jettison the idea that LinkedIn is your resume. LinkedIn is one of your landing pages. 

Remember, you're not interviewing for a job. You're not a W-2. You're looking to attract a buying client, who is motivated to secure your services or products. 

Ask yourself, which set of profile descriptions are going to attract the attention of a person who is primed to acquire a service or product from you?

OR

Which Set of LinkedIn Summaries Informs Your Audience About How You Can Be of Service to Them?

OR 

What is Your Body of Work? Third Party Credibility Wins on LinkedIn

 

Content is King. Be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on LinkedIn.

Start With a Salutation As Opposed to a Presentation

Be a human being that is interested in the people you are marketing to. Be more than an instant sales bot. I've read some really good first approaches, and no doubt some of them work on a macro-level, especially if you have the budget to pay for mass advertising techniques.

It's like paying for 10,000 pieces of mail, knowing only 100 people will lay their eye balls on the contents, to land 1-5 good clients. If you have it in the budget to pay $10,000 to $20,000 to to execute this technique, and your average client results in compensation of approximately $10,000 it can work. 

Remember, people ultimately conduct business with those they like, know, and trust. People don't like being spammed. People, don't know you yet, so you better get them to like you right out the gate. And depending if you've curated your title and summary correctly, and outfitted your LinkedIn page with plenty of third party credibility, they may not trust in your ability. 

Don't show up like this during an initial connection request.

Try showing up like this instead.

How Do You Lean In, & Ask People to Do Business with You on LinkedIn

Well, first off don't be weird or behave like a bull in a china shop. What do I mean by weird or obnoxious behavior? Read the following article, and peruse the section titled, "A MORE EFFECTIVE PROSPECTING METHOD." 

 

 

Are you interested in additional insight regarding..........

What verbiage to use when showing up in people's inbox to lean in and ask for the business?

What is the thought process or philosophical mechanization behind these tactics?

Still trying to figure out what success looks like on LinkedIn for you? 

Have questions about how many posts, how many connection requests... basically how much time and activity is required?

You want my sales scripts, language, or samples of my wording to set appointments that stick?

What does it look like & how does it sound like when onboarding new clients? 

Want more direct assistance or coaching on how to build on LinkedIn absent time consuming, money gulping strategies?

VIEW THIS BONUS POWERPOINT > JSB BUS SOLUTIONS GROUP - LINKEDIN POWERPOINT

AND OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT & REMEMBER.......

 

 

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

Building an Event Planning Business. Pivoting During the Pandemic. Moving Forward w/ Nina Payne of Foundation Management, LLC

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

We are excited to introduce you to Nina Payne of Foundation Management, LLC. Nina made the decision to liberate herself from the 60-70 hour work week in corporate america, and chose to climb a different ladder, strategically laying the building blocks from building a business part time, to transitioning to full time entrepreneurship in the highly competitive artist and international event management industry.

Nina shares tips, insights, and wisdom regarding how to build a successful event planning business, and how she's meeting the challenges of pivoting during the pandemic.

 

In this week's episode of Next Opportunity Social we invite Nina to share the triumphs and challenges, successes and failures, and the passionate commitments that have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. We’ll be uncovering what inspired her and where did she find the courage to launch her business. And given the circumstances associated with the pandemic, how she has pivoted to meet the challenge of entrepreneurship during this period, managing family life, and what advice she shares with fellow entrepreneurs to overcome the pandemic.

Next Opportunity Social is an online webcast that highlights the achievements of entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the Detroit Metropolitan; providing an avenue for entrepreneurs to promote their businesses; while providing our audience with an opportunity to learn from others who are leveling up.

Top income earning DOers. > Check!
Entrepreneurs who EARN A LIVING being entrepreneurs. > Check!
Problem Solvers & Top Thinkers, Leveling Up. > Check!
Who are Committed to Help Others Do the Same. > Check!
Committed to Bringing You ACTIONABLE CONTENT. > Double Check!!!

 

YOU ARE THE BEST THING ABOUT WHAT WE DO!! 

Do you know of other entrepreneurs or business owners you'd like us to interview?
Would you like to learn how we can help you promote your business?
Interested in resources to help you grow, scale, and protect your venture?

CONTACT US!

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Desire a free initial consultation? Schedule Your Initial Consultation Here

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Blog: https://www.catchjsbuford.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextoppsocial/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catchjsbuford/
Website: https://thebufordco.com/testimonials/

The 2008 Recession. The 2020 Pandemic. Thriving in Crisis.

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

YouTube Version of Article: https://youtu.be/lOOEg0ol0Yw

As COVID-19 continues to sweep across the United States, claiming lives and the financial solvency of households across the country, the growing comparisons to 2008 are more than appropriate. The combination of soaring unemployment, stock market volatility, the inevitable descent of the GDP, coupled with increasing sense of helplessness is enough to smother even the most ardent optimist. 

Some would argue what makes 2020 fundamentally different is that the collapse of the U.S. economy is due to an external factor, as opposed to structural frailties; leading some to posit that when the virus recedes the economy should recover quickly. It's quite a whimsical narrative...if not for the disheartening state of affairs.  

In many corners, this overlying narrative is being met with great cynicism. If you were to take a cursory look at those fomenting this thinking, they tend to be the same individuals waxing poetic about flipping the pandemic on its head as an opportunity for self care or a kind of pseudo-vacation allowing for some much needed pampering. 

The reality is the pandemic may be more psychologically debilitating than the recession of 2008, because of the inability of those who had scant time or resources to even conceive of a vacation before COVID-19, aren’t able to hustle, acquire side gigs, or pivot as easily due to the physical distancing and the general quarantine being required of citizens. These conditions have served to shine a bright light on the extent that a supposedly robust economy wasn’t serving everyday citizens, but I digress. 

Given the aforementioned, should entrepreneurs simply give up, put their heads in the sand, and ride the pandemic out? Reads insane as a type this… Staying put is not what entrepreneurs do, and during these trying times, the nation needs the vigor, restlessness, and fanatical problem solving idiosyncrasies of entrepreneurs more than ever. So what is the most appropriate response?

DOUBLE UP on promoting and marketing your business. The typical response of most small business owners is to pull back, cut all expenses, and hoard as much as their resources in their man and woman caves as possible. And that is what creates the opportunity. At the end of the day we are all competing for the attention and disposable incomes of the public. Turn up the volume while the competition is sleeping. So, how can you ramp up your marketing and business development efforts without coming off as offensive or exploitative? Begin with the end in mind (serving others) by taking the following steps. 

1. Find ways to ask or survey your clients and prospects to uncover and understand what their most pressing needs are. And ask yourself, how can I either meet the need directly, or connect them with the resources they desire? 

2. Cut your prices and find areas whereas you can add value for free or very, very inexpensively. In other words if you typically charge $200 an hour for your consulting services, you may need to dial it down to $100 an hour. 

If you’re in the business of delivering cakes or chocolate covered, berry flowers and decorations, take orders at a steep discount with the promise to deliver once the virus containment measures are relaxed. Send people a picture of their anticipated delivery, or a short 30 second video recorded on your phone thanking them for continuing to patronize you. 

Here’s the thing. You’re going to have to start cold calling again. Sending thoughtful, well timed email campaigns again, including individual emails. You’re going to have to spend late nights responding to every social media like, share, and comment again. In other words you’re going to have to take on a greater volume of clients to offset the losses of charging less. 

Is it going to hurt? Yes, it’s going to hurt. Do it anyway. Now is the time to sprint! 

3. Spend more time sifting for mutually beneficial relationships, specifically with those who are in your industry. This may not be an option for some, but lets take the real estate industry for example. There are some real estate professionals who are much more effective at bird dogging and prospecting than others. They just have a knack for engaging people and uncovering opportunities better than others. 

There are some professionals who are better at qualifying, being empathetic and uncovering the needs, wants, and dreams of others. They are able to quickly and thoroughly tickle others’ heart strings, gain trust, and communicate in such a way whereas even the most difficult decisions and solutions feel right as rain. 

And then there’s the bean counters. They can quantify the value prop in seconds, and quickly deduce whether a buying or selling decision is profitable or punitive. Oftentimes, these same individuals may be particularly adept at identifying creative or unconventional terms that serve the needs of buyers and sellers. 

Very rarely do you find professionals with all three traits. In other words, be aware of where your peers are weak or disadvantaged, and find ways to serve them. Depressed economies tend to depress egos. In other words don't be surprised by the willingness of individuals to entertain affiliate relationships or partnerships, who may have previously blown you off. Remember the goal is to win.  

4. Cut expenses, but remember you can’t cut yourself out of a financial hole. At some point you have to find, create, and manufacture new opportunities. You must continue to take on new clients. Or at the very least finds ways to engage and service your already existing clients. And yes again, continue to take on new clients. 

Think about your dollars metaphorically like soldiers. Ideally, you want to send your soldiers into the field to secure resources, tools, skills, and return back to base after having captured additional soldiers. 

You still have to make smart legal, financial, and marketing decisions. You still have to find ways to market your business even more so. Make cuts and reduce your overhead, but don’t be so draconian about it that you cripple yourself. In other words be willing to embrace the ugly duckling stage of your business (before you could afford the secretary, one thousand dollar suits, twenty dollar lattes, and the $2,000 to $5,000 per month office space), and be creative about finding services that still allow you to function intelligently. 

I’m a huge fan and an affiliate of cost effective services like SmallBiz; which helps small business owners to conduct research, acquire clients, become loan ready, protect their intellectual property rights, navigate their estate planning needs, reduce operating expenses, and make better tax, financial, and legal decisions. Click the link to learn more. 

5. Take this time to reflect on the things you need to learn or skills you need to acquire. I’m not a social media guru, and I don’t enjoy the best vanity statistics across any platform. However, I regularly take on clients and establish new business relationships on a weekly basis due to my social media presence. And I decided today to learn Pinterest. I'm sure my partner in grow giving and digital marketing strategist, Rachele Wilson, will be happy to hear this news.  

If you’re a writer, perhaps it’s time for you to invest in the Well Fed Writer, the Writer's Market, or a grant writing book. Here’s a huge, huge clue. The moment this pandemic subsides there's going to be a significant outpouring of monies in the private and non profit sectors of the economy geared towards entrepreneurship and small business development. There will be no shortage of work for those who can write winning grants, business plans, and proposals. 

Money doesn’t disappear. It just changes hands. Get on the right side of the fence, meaning you may have to make a hard, dramatic pivot. If you're business is reliant upon new home purchases, now is the time to focus your attention on residential and commercial refurbishment and cleaning services instead. Mortgages will need to be refinanced. The Cannabis industry. Grief and psychological clinics will thrive. Keep in mind, there are some industries and investment opportunities that are recession proof.

6. Focus squarely on the things you can control, mainly your attitude. The pandemic is going to end, and the goal should not be simply to simply survive, but find ways to thrive during this unfortunate period. And depressed, strained, and stressed minds don’t make good decisions. 

Turn off the television and constant social media feeds clamoring about the end of the world. Find a podcast, a book, or social circle that is focusing on the things that can be done to emerge stronger or more fortified than before. 

 

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Desire a free initial consultation to explore how we may help you start, grow, and or scale your business? Schedule Your Initial Consultation Here

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextoppsocial/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube
Website: https://thebufordco.com/testimonials/

SBA Covid 19 Economic Disaster Loan Application - Small Business Owners

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

SBA Covid 19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application   The government has just approved the largest economic stimulus package in the history of the United States in an effort to mitigate the economic damage of the Coronavirus for small businesses.  This is an opportunity for many small businesses that are struggling. The Small Business Administration is issuing these loans directly.  You DO NOT apply for these loans at your local bank...you apply for them directly with the SBA.     The application has been downloaded here for your convenience. Download the SBA Covid 19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Here.   These loans are meant for you to PAY YOUR BILLS and stay open.  You can pay other loans, payroll, credit cards...everything you need to keep your doors open.  We believe that every existing business that has been affected by the Coronavirus should apply.  Access to the application has been provided via the link in the previous paragraph above and it is FREE to apply so please, just apply.  The only answers that you can get are "YES or NO".  If you do not apply you can be sure that you wont receive anything.    A quick video tutorial to show you what the paperwork looks like.  Watch the video here   If you are in need of assistance with applying for these loans we can assist you for a fee.  Click here to book an appointment to Complete & Submit your application.    Also, we can refer you to our accountants if you need to have your taxes filed to complete this application as well.    Guys, there is no excuse not to apply.  We put all of the documents together for you for free in the the link above.  If you need us to help you...we can.  Anyone that knows QT knows that we get results.   Check out some of our success stories here.   .   QT Business Solutions  24901 Northwestern Hwy STE 305 Southfield, Michigan 48075 United States (248) 416-1755     JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction. IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow Desire a free initial consultation? Schedule Your Initial Consultation Here Follow him online here: LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford Twitter: @JSBUFORD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/ YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube Website: https://thebufordco.com/

Overcoming the Fear of Selling. Want to Improve Your Closing Ratio? Improve Your FORM.

 

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

One of the most frequent challenges I encounter when working with new and established entrepreneurs alike involves overcoming insipid feelings of or a fear of sales. And it’s easy to be dismissive of this necessary but often misunderstood element of business ownership. Because at the end of the day, you’re dead in the water if you’re unwilling to communicate with temerity and unabashed belief about why you believe your services and products are worthy of people parting with their hard earned currency to patronize you. 

And you might as well pack your bags if you haven’t developed the alligator skin required to overcome rejection, fears, and anxieties regarding whether your value proposition is superior to the competition. Or any consternation you may be experiencing articulating how you can meet the needs of another party. 

The simple, curt response is get over it. And it's true, you must get over it quickly. However, also know that these feelings are natural, and there is a solution. 

On the other hand you may be enthusiastically shouting to the rooftops about how great your products and services are, but you’re simply unable to gain traction or people are sprinting the other direction when you introduce yourself. 

What I'd submit to you is if you're dealing with any of these obstacles, it may be simply a matter of improving your FORM. 

 

Why is Improving Your Form Necessary 

First, we all have to understand that people ultimately won’t conduct business with you unless they like, know, and trust you. Gone are the days when sales professionals took a shotgun approach whereas you overwhelm people with a laundry list of features and benefits, and expect them to succumb to glossy power points, esoteric overviews, or Machiavellian sales pitches. 

Because of the advent of the internet primarily, people can mid presentation pull out their phones, and immediately price, feature shop, and literally retrieve hundreds of alternatives to whatever you’re selling. Never mind, you may actually have the most unique, cost effective, and beneficial offering available. In today's world, people win frequently not because of their actual deliverables, but because of their veneer and marketing. And what they’re willing to promise may be more attractive than whatever you’ve cooked up. 

People don’t want to be sold, they want to buy. And despite the growing dominance of online marketing and purchasing options, people still desire to spend or invest their monies places where they have developed a relationship of trust. The operative word being, trust. 

 

What is Good Form

I submit that the best way to adapt to this current dynamic is to adopt good FORM. And what does good FORM look like?  FORM is an acronym for Family, Occupation, Recreation, & Motivation. Here's the thing. If you can extract information about a person's family, their occupational interests, recreational habits, and the things that motivate and keep them awake at night within the first 5 minutes of your interactions with them, they’re going to start developing warm fuzzy feelings for you.

Now, here’s the thing, people aren’t stupid. Intention matters. You need to be nosy, genuinely interested in them, and how you can help them to gain maximum results. In other words, rather than being focused on being interesting, turn your attention to being interested. If you want to know what good form sounds like, watch the video.

What are some of the benefits of this approach? FORM allows you to qualify individuals, ascertain whether they are your idea client or target market, or whether they have challenges you're best suited to solve. And because you are being genuinely inquisitive and helpful, the party on the receiving end is developing feelings of I like you; I trust you; I know you're here to help me. Taking this approach also allows you to learn about any emotional dissonance, potential objections, or negative exposure to your industry someone may have had experienced allowing you to them in advance. 

Remember when people are speaking with you, they are unconsciously processing in their minds: am I enjoying this encounter; am I comfortable with this person; and OK with this person being introduced to other people I know. The quickest route to a destination is a straight line, and it doesn't get anymore straighter and profitable than having a business model that produces large numbers of referrals.  To be purposely redundant, people refer others to people that they like, know, and trust. 

 

Know Your Reason Why

One last area where most entrepreneurs drop the ball time and time again, is not having a WHY pitch. Why? Look, money is a means to get things done. It is the life blood of your business, however, it cannot be the sole purpose of your business. The uber majority of people are uncomfortable with unabashed greed. No one’s waking up and saying to themselves, who can I find to extract money from me today. 

I lead with my WHY, end with my WHY, lightly sprinkling it in throughout my interaction and presentation with people. At the end of day, I want to attract, build relationships with, and conduct business with my tribe. Or another way of thinking about it is, I want to build a business network of 3000 fans. Ala Tim Ferris slash Kevin Kelly. I'm laser focused on resonating with and attracting people who are looking for what I’m doing, appreciate and value my services, and gladly compensate me for my deliverables. If you want to know what a good WHY pitch sounds like, watch the video.

For example: 

I believe ardently that entrepreneurship is empowerment. If you’re tired of being last hired or first fired; become the employer.

If you don’t want to be stuck in a position whereas your ability to level up is predicated upon the next time someone dies or self sabotages themselves, or retires; constantly looking up at someone else's arse for a breadth of oxygen, politicking to be liked constantly..... Entrepreneurship is an answer.

There are two ways to vote. At the ballot box which is very important. Or with your wallet. If you desire to put yourself in a situation whereas you can afford the politicians you feel like you and your community deserves, entrepreneurship is an answer.

Entrepreneurs see things first. We live on the fringes, and seek solutions to pressing problems. Introducing solutions (value) into the ecosystem. And while everyone is not ready for entrepreneurship, we don’t need everyone to be one, just more. And we call can benefit from a more entrepreneurial mindset. 

WHAT IS YOUR WHY?

If you want assistance with your FORM, curating a good WHY pitch, or if this small plate resonated with you, and you want more! Like, comment, give me a shout out. Join the email group to receive notifications about my best stuff! Or you want to go a step further, and desire an initial free initial consultation? Check for me in the following links below. 

 

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Desire a free initial consultation? Schedule Your Initial Consultation Here

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube

3 Easy to Do Commitments for Entrepreneurs in 2020

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

I stopped being a huge proponent of New Year’s resolutions, and ritualistic goal setting exercises at the top of the year some time ago. At least not in the way people have traditionally approached them. But I’m all about systematically identifying the things, or better yet priorities, that matter most and making small, steady incremental improvements to achieve them. Why would I recommend entrepreneurs adopt a more incremental approach?

Goal setting is a skilled trade. And in part, that is why there is so much mystique and apprehension around setting goals today. It’s not like we’re teaching this important life skill in our elementary or secondary schools. And very few of us have taken a class on how to learn and practice goal setting, or have read books like the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey or “Today Matters” by John C. Maxwell. 

There is an often quoted 1979 Harvard MBA study on goal that inventories the life outcomes (financially speaking) of the graduating class to determine how many had set goals and written plans to attain them. In the study on goal setting, the graduating class was asked about their goals in life. The question was, have you set written goals and created a plan for their attainment? 

It was discovered that 84% of the entire class had set no goals at all; 13% of the class had set written goals but had no concrete plans; 3% of the class had both written goals and concrete plans. So, what were the results? According to the study, it was found that 10 years later, the 13% of graduates that had written goals without definite plans were enjoying twice the incomes of the 84% that didn’t set goals. And the 3% that had both written goals and a plan, had incomes exceeding ten times as much as 97% of their graduating class.  

Despite the obvious implications of this goal setting story, most of us still won’t take the time to study, learn, and practice this skilled trade. And therefore, it’s a false expectation to believe most are going to make herculean changes absent some herculean pain. Unfortunately, the majority of human beings won’t take proper action when the ground starts to tremble below our feet, but rather we have to see the train’s bright headlights before we're ready to jump off the tracks. 

Still, there are a couple simple choices or commitments we can all make to ourselves to enjoy a more fulfilling and prosperous 2020. 

 

STARVE YOUR DISTRACTIONS

It all starts out simply enough. You’ve begun securing clients with some regularity, and you tell yourself you’ve earned the right to pamper yourself a little. You upgrade your vehicle. An extra $250 per month is worth it, to enjoy the comfort of more reliable transportation, feel better about your commute, and no longer have to park at the back of the lot. 

After a couple more months of consistent revenues, the itch to acquire a nicer, more respectable residence needs scratching. After all, having a much more spacious environment to live in will help you work better, and will serve as a nice milestone, serving notice to your family, friends, and acquaintances that you’ve arrived. You’d never think of spending $250 on a shirt or $700 on a new dress or suit before, but everyone should have at least one in their closet. Then two. OK you need at least seven of them, because you don’t want people to see you wearing the same threads repeatedly. 

When you started you were lean and didn’t give a rats ass what people thought of you, investing every extra cent into your business. Your baby business grew, and you grew in competency and the income started to flow. However, now you have to work harder, and more frequently to keep up the lifestyle you deserve. Or to be more honest, the one you’re renting. 

When you stopped feeding your baby slash business, it stopped growing and maturing. The organs (systems) didn’t fully develop, whereas things could begin to operate absent your constant involvement and supervision. Rather than divest, it was time to reinvest more into the vehicle that was carrying you to your best life. You would have been better served to starve yourself of the accouterments of success a bit longer. Remember Amazon’s Steve Bezos, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, etc., etc., went a full decade before taking days off or a vacation. 

Yes, it’s hard to forego the bowling nights, steak & egg my life is a vacation Instagram pics, unnecessary FB disputes (sadly, I get sucked in on rare occasions), the afternoon glass of beer or wine, and the hamburger and garlic fries excursions ...birthday and anniversary parties, and all manner of obligatory commercialized holidays. 

But what’s harder? Denying yourself 2-5 years of missed vacations, or knowing you short circuited the growth of an enterprise that would have employed people; matured into a recognizable brand and culture that would have attracted the clients, partners, and the associations you desire... for the rest of your life?

 

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” - Jim Rohn

 

Attention is like the sun. What you focus on grows and what you choose to ignore withers. When you feel your resolve weakening, place pictures, notes, and all manner of reminders to keep you focused on what you’re here for, and starve the distractions. 

 

TAKE IMPERFECT ACTION

Here’s the thing. The majority of the people whose opinions you’re allowing to hold you back from the life that is waiting for you, won’t be around when you level up. And the people who were there when you level up, won't be there when you reach even greater heights. The higher the climb the thinner the air gets; the greater the scrutiny and expectations; commitments and excuses can't co-exist; the pursuit of excellence takes a special kind of drive. 

Also, consider for a moment, these same people wouldn’t attend your funeral if the weather was bad. And if they aren’t willing to support your business, what makes you think they would be there to care for you if you fell ill; no longer able to care for yourself. Don’t take it personal. 

Some just aren't ready to make the climb. It's not lonely at the top, you just have to make new friends. It doesn't mean you have to diss people, but you may have to distance yourself sometimes. I’ll never diss the brothers and sisters whom I grew up with in southwest Detroit and Highland Park, Michigan, but I had to distance myself from some of them to make the impact I wanted to make in the world. 

Is this message harsh? Perhaps. 

Let’s address what’s really harsh. Living a life of regret, knowing what you could have achieved. Living day to day with your music dying inside of you. Reflecting on the experiences you could have memorialized, and the people you could have loved on: family members that needed you; coupled with the impact you wanted to make in the community. Embarrassment and most uncomfortable moments only last for a handful of minutes out of 80 years, 960 months, 4,160 weeks, and 29,200 days. But regrets can nag you endlessly. 

Now take your hands and dig them deep into the depths of your goals, and start plowing. Learn as you grow; give yourself time to level up; improve and pay the price; and surround yourself with people who will support you in spite of your ugly duckling stage (real friends, not social media fictions). Identify people who share your priorities and goals, and allow those who are attracted to your mission to make the climb with you. Take the bricks that will inevitably be thrown at you and build a stronger foundation. Remember, people barely remember this gal. 

However, we all recognize Ms. Oprah Winfrey.  

And remember, the refusal to let people define who you are, show up uninvited, and curate our own lives is evidence that  entrepreneurial DNA, flows through your veins.

 

PAST PERFORMANCE, DOESN’T EQUAL FUTURE RESULTS

If you desire new or better results, or a different future, accept that the old you is going to have to die. The skills required to launch a micro-business are different from those required to build a self-employed practice. The skills and wisdom required to grow into a small business of 10, 20, or 50 employees are different than those required to build a micro-business.The future you that you are curating requires will inevitably require more of you. 

Arrogance is the kiss of death in business. You must grow more, learn more, and be more, to build more. You’ll have to learn new skills, read new books, and allow new people with new insights to sharpen you. It’s not what you know that kills you in business, but what you don’t know. The moment progress stops, starts with the moment you believe your success is owed to you, or that you actually earned the accolades being bestowed upon you.

Old leaders are not as wise as their trophies and hanger-ons would like you to believe, nor youth as misdirected as people would have you believe. If you want to know what entitlement looks like; watch a person work harder to hold people back, hold people down, discredit and speak ill of others, rather expending that same energy to simply build taller buildings.  

Growth is found in learning and creativity. Embrace the process of self-curating a better you. Identify a skill or subject that you’d be both inspired and made better by learning. Be the person that continues to build taller buildings. 

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube

 

How to Grow from 0 Prospects to Over 3000 Referrals - Part 2

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Audio Prospecting Training > CATCHJSBUFORD - Episode 52

 

Thank You for taking the time to visit CATCHJSBUFORD!

I believe entrepreneurship empowerment. The impact of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem is apparent at every level in our communities, nationally, regionally, locally, and in our households. And while everyone may not be ready to make the leap, everyone can benefit from a more entrepreneurial mindset.... and we simply need more.

I started this site out of belief that change can occur when people are equipped with the tools to exercise agency in their lives. And what better way to curate a life of satisfaction and fulfillment, than to build an enterprise/s that allow you to spend more time doing things that edify you, give you energy, and provides the means to live a purpose driven life.

As usual we’ll be sharing some actionable content to help fellow entrepreneurs and listeners to level up. The topic I’m going to be covering today involves a prospecting strategy I learned approximately 20 years ago, and have applied periodically throughout my entrepreneurial journey; when I’ve needed to quickly build up my prospecting funnel, break into new markets, or when I’ve felt kinda of stale or dead in the water. 

• No network. No problem. 
• No previous sales training. Not a problem, really.
• Need to break into a new market. Listen intently. 
• Feeling stuck, stale, and bored with your current prospects. Listen intently, and act immediately. 
• Not sure what direction or market you should focus on. Challenge solved. 
• You were inconveniently dropped off in a city, with no family, friends, or acquaintances. We gotcha.

Whether you’re a new to prospecting and sales or an experienced professional or entrepreneurial this is a strategy has served me well, and others who’ve adopted this approach. 

Read the full article @ https://www.catchjsbuford.com/2019/12/lessons-learned-from-the-how-to-grow-from-0-prospects-to-over-3000-referrals-in-3-months-workshop.html

 

 

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordatyoutube

How a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) Can Help You Build Your Customer Base

 

 Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

You have a proven product or service, your fine tuning your elevator pitch, and  as a result of your prospecting strategies you’ve reached a point whereas the stress of balancing making dials, staying relevant via social media, and meeting the right prospects (I’ll elaborate) is starting to feel overwhelming. At the end of the day, there are so many hours available to spend between making 20, 50, or 100 dials, giving presentations and servicing your customers, and managing all the other stuff that is required to keep revenues coming in. 

What you really want is to meet more idea prospects, make them happy clients, and acquire more leads. The aforementioned will allow you upgrade your capacity (hire better people) to offer more or upgraded services, increasing your value proposition, allowing you to increase your prices, ultimately allowing you to enjoy increased cash flow. In other words, create a more system approach to finding and engaging ideal clients. 

How can a good customer relationship manager (CRM) help you achieve all of the aforementioned?

 

A CRM CAN HELP YOU BETTER MINE YOUR BUSINESS

 One of the greatest benefits of a CRM is it helps you identify who and where your focus should go. At some point, we have to begin to identify who our ideal customer is, and thus curate our marketing and prospecting strategies to attract our ideal prospect. What do I mean by this? 

(A) Prospects = Prospects that are already very much motivated to buy what you're offering; have enough disposable income to easily afford the 5 Star treatment; and appreciate your professional approach.

(B) Prospects = Prospects that require some education regarding how conducting business with you can improve their lives; have disposable income; and arrive on time for the appointment.

(C) Prospects = Prospects that need or require your assistance, but choose to wait until the the brake pads are whittled down to nothing, the engine light is blinking, the car is spewing steam into the atmosphere before they make a decision. Working with them might cost you more than you're going to earn (it's a non-profit endeavor, almost every time), and their arriving on time would be a good start.

In an ideal world, you want to spend the majority of your efforts and resources contacting and engaging your (A) prospects or what many refer to as your buyer persona. If you’re still waking up in the morning and calling from a legal pad, prospecting worksheets, or an email list, after you get beyond 100 contacts it is imperative that you switch to a more systematic approach. Making this transition will also better help you track where people are in the sales process: how many times has this person been exposed to what you're offering; how many times you've I asked for their business; when did they ask you to follow up; and when did you set the appointment to on-board them as a customer. 

 

A CRM HELPS YOU TRANSITION FROM A TRANSACTION TO A RELATIONSHIP BASED BUSINESS

 Let’s use an example of two salon owners. Salon Owner #1 sends text messages and periodic emails highlighting special discounts, appointment reminders, and general advertisements to their list of customers. Here’s the thing. If most business owners just took the time to do this alone, it would result in a dramatic increase in sales activity. Ultimately, you want to be top of mind as much as possible, so when someone is ready to make a buying decision, they think about you first. 

Salon Owner #2 does all the aforementioned, and actually takes the time to leave a personalized voicemail or message wishing their clients happy birthday. And yes, Facebook does track birthdays, but everyone is not actively engaged on FB. They also track the wedding anniversaries of their clients, and or the anniversaries of their client’s businesses. How about the spouse? How impactful would it be if you sent a small gift certificate to your client’s favorite restaurant, book store, or hobby store every now and again. 

In other words, the customer isn’t just receiving a phone call only when you need to drum up business, or as a reminder to spend their hard earned currency with you again. When you add this seemingly insignificant practice, your clients begin to welcome your call, because they know it may be about something other than buying your wares. I still remember the first and last time a business owner sent my daughter a birthday card after I patronized him. It was followed shortly thereafter by a gift card to my favorite bookstore at the time, and thereafter a birthday card for me. Despite the annoying commute, and his prices being higher than some of his competition, almost twenty years later I still patronize his establishment. 

 

A CRM HELPS TO REMOVE CALL BIAS FROM THE EQUATION

 You’ve religiously committed to making 50 to 100 dials a day. You’ve spent nights responding to every Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn inbox, share, and comment. You respond to email inquiries and requests religiously. Any yet, you’re setting less appointments, giving less presentations, your closing or conversion ratio is dipping, and your growing mentally fatigued of rescheduling appointments and hearing “please call me later.” 

This is a sure sign that you’re falling victim to an internal bias,....you’re calling the same people. More than likely, you’ve stopped filling your prospecting funnel with new contacts, and you’re falling victim to hearing the sweet sound of familiar voices. Employing a CRM keeps you honest, because it allows you to track the number of times you've reached out to someone, and provides clarity regarding who is an A, B, or C prospect. 

Yes, have a Top 10 hot prospect list. But also remember depending on the service or product you’re marketing, there is a pool of 300 million people in the U.S. market alone, and everyone knows someone. As a general rule, you should ask for the sale 7 times, and attempt to make contact 7 times. After the first attempt to reach them verbally, I may call back the following day. Then I may follow up via voicemail or text 2 business days later; then 3 business days later with an email, then weekly for a couple weeks with a combination thereof; then monthly for a quarter; then the prospect ends up in some type of automated funnel whereas they begin to receive related content. 

To this day, the majority of my clients have come from the 6th or 7th attempt to contact them. Absent a contact manager to keep me honest, I’d either stop at the 4th, or depending on the nature of the relationship continue calling indefinitely. Think about it like this. Calling and expending mental energy attempting to reach the same people is like staying in an unfulfilling relationship because it's familiar. That person is taking up valuable space (time) that you’d be better served spending (investing) with someone else. We have all fallen victim to this behavior at one time or another. Cut it out. 

 

INFORMATION IS KING

 Let’s return to the example of the two salon owners, except let’s keep their behaviors consistent, but make them barbers instead. Both barbers are engaging their customers, but barbershop owner #2 is doing so with more frequency and in a much more personalized way. There is a qualifying process that barber #2 is engaged in on a much deeper level, and the more information you have about your customers, the more you will be able to identify who your buyer persona or ideal customer is. Neither owner is going to turn away paying customers, however some are simply more profitable than others. 

There is the customer that arrives 30 minutes late consistently, wants to engage in endless banter with non patrons waltzing into the shop selling their wares, and then haggles over the price or wants a discount on everything. Regardless of industry you're in we all know how to identify this person when they walk in through the door, or after the initial appointment. 

Then there is the customer that arrives 10 minutes early like clockwork, on the same day of the week, in between time commitments. They're easy to converse with but not overly boisterous or distracting. They leave very generous tips, and depart promptly to make their next time commitment. And has been responsible for at least 5 referrals who exhibit the same behaviors. We all know who this person is as well when we spot them. 

Let’s fill in the blanks. Let’s say that latter customer happens to be a business owner in the non-medical transportation industry, who frequents the same restaurants in the area with their fellow entrepreneurial friends, and is also part of a couple well known civic and professional organizations in the area. Well, if you’re barbershop owner #2, you know these things about your clients and some, because you're using a CRM to record this vital information and better understand your customers.

You take out ads in a local or regional paper that circulates in the areas that this customer frequents. You may jump online and identify the social networking groups that cater to civic and professional organizations this customer is a part of, and occasionally respond to posts in this group. You may ask this customer to visit your social media site and leave a compliment; meaning they're network will become aware of your business.  

WHY? 

Birds of a feather flock together, and you want more of those birds walking in through your doors. And the extent that you can create happy customers, and incentivize them to become brand advocates online and offline can pay huge dividends. Think about it. If the aforementioned approaches outlined in this article, results in an extra 3-5 more patrons per week or even per month, how would that impact your bottom line? Just for the sake of simplicity, the average salon owner may see an increase of $500 per week (5 x $100 average compensation)....but it doesn’t stop there, because as you attract more (A) prospects your compensation grows per patron as well. Now you're in a more informed position with more resources to cater more of your marketing toward attracting the clients you desire. 

Using a CRM to collect, analyze, and use the information you acquire from your prospects and clients makes all of this happen. The aforementioned concepts and strategies can be implemented, as a fledgling business owner fresh off your first customer, and is being employed on a much more comprehensive level by corporations across the globe. 

If you want your business to not only last, but grow in profitability and scale you will need to adopt tools and systems that allow you to be strategic about how you invest in your enterprise. Every bit of information you can acquire from your marketing, sales, client services, and online marketing efforts need to be collected and translated into more profitable uses of your time and talent. This in part, is how to graduate from being a self-employed venture (whereas your enterprise operates solely because of you) to building a business (an organism that begins to operate even when you’re sleep). 

Remember…..

There are an endless procession of customer relationship managers available to choose from. Some are nothing more than glamorized address books. Some will allow you to record everything from your clients email address to the color of their toe nail polish. Others are sales and marketing funnels dressed up as CRMs. There are some CRMs that require you to be a technical specialist, and some that are simple enough for a 5th grader to use it. And everything in between. I've employed several over the years and settled on a select few, given my affinity for information and aversion to spending minutes or hours trouble shooting IT issues. 

Desire a deeper dive, additional insights, or recommendations into what sales strategies and tools may work best for you, subscribe via email, or for a more immediate response complete the following survey: http://bit.ly/growscaleprotect.

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

Business Tips & Entrepreneurial Lessons from Being a Waiter

Posted by JuJuan Buford, Entrepreneur & Writer @JSBUFORD

 

Many an article has been written and an unflattering joke told at the expense of restaurant workers subjecting them to ridicule, with an occasional plug espousing the virtues of the profession. If you’ve ever worked in the profession, you are acutely aware that being a waiter is one of the most underappreciated jobs one can take on, especially given the import of the occupation. They are literally on the front lines, dealing with every manner of insult from condescending and rude customers, insensitive tippers, drunks, etc., while still having to memorize food and drink pairings, negotiate the tastes of picky eaters, and solve for food allergies. And do it all with a smile. 

Most people wouldn’t consider waiting tables to be a gateway for unbridled success as an entrepreneur, however upon close inspection many would be surprised.  At the end of the day, waiters are in the business of managing people in what is one of the most chaotic work environments you can imagine. Doesn’t it sound a lot like the organized noise that entrepreneurs grapple with everyday? However, the similarities don’t end there. 

 

Success is Determined by How You Show Up

U.S. citizens are more stressed out and angry than they’ve been at most periods in history during the last couple decades. If you were to ask most people “how are you doing today”, it would not be a stretch to expect a down pouring of complaints ranging from their mistreatment at work; feelings of malcontent with their home lives, and their partners in particular; to their angst regarding the current political atmosphere. 

Restaurant workers from management on down to the dishwashers understand that the majority of restaurant patrons walk in the door to escape it all. Being a waiter requires a surreal degree of empathy, and almost every decision made from the time the first glass of water hits the table until the last crumb is bussed is designed to make the disgruntled spouse, underpaid teacher, or stressed out intern remember that they matter. It all starts with a delightful smile, jovial yet calibrated banter, attention paid to the emotional state of their customers along with their palate preferences, and the repeated acquiesce to some of the most absurd requests one can imagine. 

All the while, that waiter's life may be headed to hell in a hand basket. And he or she still has to show up with all the positive vibes their sore feet can muster. 

It’s no different as an entrepreneur. When you wake up in the morning the world could care less about whether your rent is due, you endured a car accident yesterday, you were involved in a drag out screaming match with your significant other all night long, your child just spilled a milkshake on your favorite suit jacket, or your mulling bankruptcy. The world doesn’t wake up thinking, how can I help you build your business today. The market doesn’t care. 

People conduct business with people they like, know, and trust. And the fastest and most effective way to establish rapport is to exude a positive attitude and a genuine interest in the person standing in front of you. Showing up on time, 15 minutes early. Being prepared, having taken the time to research or ask qualifying questions initially, before you sit across the table from a potential client matters. People easily forget or misconstrue what others say regularly, but how they feel sticks to their bones. 

Yes, showing up is 80% of success, but how you show up is 90% of the 80%.

 

Getting Out of the Weeds

You quickly learn as a waiter, that certain things are just out of your control. The hostess sits three tables simultaneously in your section. You deliver a plate to the table, and the person who requested their steak medium rare insists that he desired, medium well, or running around the plate rare. You grab a bowl of macaroni with chicken off the expo line, and as you turn the corner you realize it was cooked with red pepper flakes, and the customer specifically requested no pepper flakes. 

The best waiters develop tactics and exercise a keen of understanding what is important versus what urgently needs to be addressed to prevent things from going from bad to worse. It may involve dropping off a free round of samples, accompanied with waters to guests; having a profanity laced, yet warm discussion with one of the kitchen staff to expedite a dish; and covering a lot of ground at a breathtaking pace, etc., etc., while smiling the entire time. 

You install a new contact manager, and realize you haven’t been receiving your emails until the evening. You awake to find growling emails and voicemails from three of your highest net worth clients, requesting that you immediately resolve their challenges, and your appointment book is full. One of your business partners or key employees steps away to address a family or health matter indefinitely, jeopardizing the solvency of your business. 

When circumstances like the aforementioned occur you learn very quickly that time management is an oxymoron. You can’t create or buy more time, or stop the clock. Instead, being able to resolve conflicts, and properly measure the difference between what is urgent, important, and inconsequential can mean the difference between enduring a lot of unnecessary pain and hardship versus a temporary inconvenience. It is not a question of whether the customer is right or wrong, it boils down to committing to what will always be most important.  

All of your branding, marketing, operations, and client services activities must work in concert to deliver more value, than is anticipated by the customer. 

 

Speed Kills & There Are No Traffic Jams Along the Extra Mile

As a waiter you may have three to six tables that you must commandeer, and every moment that guests are left waiting for a beverage, their appetizers, entrees, deserts, and for their tables to be bussed delays the next time that table can be sat again. It’s a balancing act between taking the time to develop rapport versus moving speedily to expedite the actual delivery of services. 

Every extra moment spent responding to a text, watching a social media post, or taking one too many ESPN bathroom breaks is a moment not being spent helping your guests forget about their trials and tribulations, bussing the table (hastening their departure), or developing enough rapport for them purchase a high ticket bottle of wine or dessert. All the aforementioned requires a greater degree of commitment, speed, and sweat equity, and make the difference between an average experience versus a memorable one equating to bigger tips and repeat customers. 

It can mean the difference between earning $100 versus $300 in a night.

We live in a society that monetizes speed and convenience above all else. Think Blockbuster versus Netflix. Borders vs. Amazon. Consider the growing trend - especially among Millennials - for people to order their food to go or via Uber Eats like services, rather than dine in for an hour or so at a time. Success in entrepreneurship often boils down to arbitrage and being willing to do what your competition will not. The ability to provide an employee handbook in three days as opposed to a week. Being able to respond to a request for information 24/7 around the clock as opposed to during regularly scheduled business owners. Taking the time to level up your learning and competency in anticipation of a significant verbal exchange or emerging shift in the market.

Be more present, more engaging, and less sale-sy..... In other words wish people happy birthday more frequently, ask how was your vacation experience, how did your recovery from surgery go, or how else can I help you more speedily reach your goals. All of the aforementioned can mean the difference between brokering a highly lucrative wholesale deal before the competition, or securing the corporate account that makes a difference in the operating budget. 

Here’s another related, but unrelated business tip if you’re wondering how to exercise this level of TLC with prospective clients. Invest in a good contact manager. 

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, public speaker, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jujuan-buford-25997a2a
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Blog/Website: https://www.catchjsbuford.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catchjsbuford/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/catchjsbufordonyoutube

Direct Selling Industry. Nick Loper. Entrepreneurship

Posted by JuJuan Buford  @JSBUFORD

DOWNLOAD THIS AUDIO EPISODE OF CATCHJSBUFORD

 

Direct Selling Industry. Nick Loper. Entrepreneurship.

 

I listened to a podcast recently by Side Hustle Nation’s Nick Loper regarding the legitimacy or to be more accurate the viability of the direct selling, or what many refer to as the multi-level marketing industry. As I listened to his monologue I found myself working through two sets of emotions. The first being the desire to eviscerate what have become all too familiar ill-informed refrains and generalizations regarding the industry.   The second, sheer excitement at the fodder this episode provided for training, clarification of purpose and goals, and how to properly distance ourselves from the real criticisms Loper was leveling. 

Some may argue why elevate Loper’s commentary, or illuminate the pitfalls and shortcomings of starting a direct selling business? Wouldn’t it be bad for business? And I humbly submit to them, that as entrepreneurs we are compensated for our ability to solve problems, overcome challenges, and be the answer to people's problems, not avoid them. You have to be able to eat criticism like Skittles. 

And yes, I do ardently believe the moment you begin to give mental recognition to failure in any business endeavor you’re involved in, you might as well stick a fork in your dreams. However, I also believe you should be aware of why others have failed, and what pitfalls you’d be better served sidestepping. 

The reason why I decided to share what would normally be an intra-organizational message publicly, is because I adamantly believe at the end of the day, regardless of the business model, there are some universal laws and understandings that entrepreneurial success is predicated upon. And that the content that follows could be useful to entrepreneurs in general. In other words, there is some marketing content associated with my direct selling venture of choice - SmallBiz - and I encourage you to eat the fruit, and spit out the seeds. 

 

A MORE EFFECTIVE PROSPECTING METHOD

You Receive a Call from a Friend Out the Blue, Trying to Sale You Oil, Pottery, Mascara, or Super Juice

I agree, this is a common mistake almost everyone has made in business at one point of time or another, not just in the direct selling industry. You’re on 10! about a business that you believe is going to liberate you from unfavorable circumstances that are coloring your life, help a lot of people, and ultimately change the world for the better.  And so you accost people at coffee shops and networking events with your business cards and various marketing artifacts. And you jump on the phone and literally empty your innards on everyone who will listen. 

Imagine sitting at a coffee shop, quietly reading a book, trying to de-escalate from a long day, and an acquaintance sits across the table from you, helps themselves to your muffin, sips some of your latte, spills a bunch of sales materials all over the table, and divulges everything they think they know about their product. Mind you, all this transpires without even bothering to ask whether the product actually meets a need that is top of mind. Not a good look, right? Can you imagine if a stranger did the same? 

What is the correct approach? If you’re going to invite people you know to learn about what you’re doing, be civilized about it. Be up front and inform them that you’ve just started a new business venture that you’re excited about, and it may or may not before them. And that’s ok. Politely, invite them to learn what you’re doing, and if they know of anyone that could benefit you’d appreciate their feedback. Follow up at the time set by the person. Ask for referrals. If they are interested in what you're cooking, most people will raise their hands, and communicate that they’d like another bite of the apple.

At the end of the day, the goal is to educate people about your business and your service offerings; in a manner that is comfortable for them, and acquire referrals to parties who would be inclined to learn more. Here is a simple, somewhat dated example of what a proper invitation sounds like: http://bit.ly/8stepexposureprocess.

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS A VERB

Kelly, the Beach Body Rep, with an MBA & Former College Athlete Who Still Has to Work Exceptionally Hard At It. 

Do people drink the Kool Aid? Yep. It’s fair to say that most people nowadays would no doubt be enthralled with the idea of being their own boss, working from home, conducting transactions around the world from their IPAD, while the Secret is being broadcasted in the background, monies falling from the sky like manna. As a result of social media, it is much easier for people to get caught up with the images of entrepreneurial success and the accompanying accouterments: the cars, clothes, foodie picks, vacations, the life of leisure, and yes, more foodie picks of steak and eggs. 

The bottom line is most people fail to treat their businesses like businesses, especially in the direct selling industry, and yes it is primarily due to the low cost of entry. When you invest in a direct selling franchise like system, in many respects it’s no different than buying a McDonald’s, Subway, State Farm agency, Quiznos, Chem-Dry, Jani-King, etc., etc., You are buying a system, and you need to be willing to learn that system: become familiar with the tools at your disposal, attend training opportunities, and allow yourself to be mentored by those who are enjoying success in your industry. 

Sadly, newly minted entrepreneurs generally don’t adopt this approach. Most invest in their bucket of toys or watch a couple YouTube videos, and take off like a fighter jet, only to slam into a nearby tree. Most do not seek mentoring from those who may have already transversed the treacherous territory ahead of them; the worst offenders of this common sense rule actually seek advice from family and friends who have not enjoyed success as entrepreneurs. 

Most fail to continually educate themselves about their new trade, craft, and or, are so focused on working in their business (their next sale), they fail to grasp the import creating and implementing systemic approaches to promoting their business, scheduling presentations, onboarding clients, and acquiring repeat customers and referrals. Gasp! 

This has levels to it. 

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY & SERVICE 

If you are the CEO of a publicly traded corporation, your bosses are your shareholders. In a LLC the other members, your investors, and your clients are your boss. Anyone who’s financial welfare is tied to your success or who you’ve accepted responsibility for the care take of is your boss. In other words, get your head right. At its essence, entrepreneurship is about solving an unmet need. It’s about being of service: albeit at a profit.

There are still more levels to this topic.

Easy is relative. And that’s why I would recommend most should ease into any type of entrepreneurial endeavor. Most don’t understand the COR (cost of revenue) associated with their chosen business endeavor. If you’re working at a job most fail to understand that all of the infrastructure - the utilities, marketing artifacts, insurance and bonding requirements, the accounting department, human resource professionals, the comfortable seats, the water fountains, raw materials, etc.,etc., - they are enjoying has to be paid for. 

And it had to be paid for at great expense by someone who was very, very motivated. 

How much self-motivation is required to be successful in business? If you haven’t eaten in 4 days, and your stomach is touching your back, and your children’s stomach is touching their backs, you’ll be way more inclined to run down a grown adult buck - antlers (people’s opinions, rejection, learning the required skills, learning the system, reading) be damned. You’ll do what you have to do. As opposed to someone who is enjoying a relative degree of comfort, whatever that means to them. If you listen to most entrepreneurs’ origination stories, it’s no coincidence that most of us are born of pain and our tenacity tempered by a willingness to endure what others won’t. 

And this is why it’s so absolutely important that you define your WHY or your loco-motive. In other words your reasons for being successful have to be big enough or palpable enough to spur you on even when the inevitable pain starts, and your excuses start flowing freely. This, I’d argue is the #1 or #2 reason for most entrepreneurs’ failures regardless of industry. You need to be clear about the price you’re willing to pay, to step into the ring, and walk out with your hand raised high. If you are unable to assess the costs, seek the expertise of those who have paid the price and won at the game your playing. 

 

COLD CALLING. NOT HAVING ENOUGH PEOPLE TO TALK TO. IT’S YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR NOT ASKING FOR REFERRALS.

Unless you have a systematic way of keeping your network growing, once you’ve exhausted your warm friends and family, your dead in the water. If you aren’t a natural marketer or sales person. You quit.

My academic background was in English, Sociology, & African Studies. Like a lot of young men in Detroit, I worked at Foot Locker, Imperial Sports, Art Van Furniture, and waited on tables for spending money, and at times manage a subsistence lifestyle. I excelled, but didn’t break any records at that stage of my life. 

What was I best at? Being a community activist, and I’m talking about more than just holding a picket sign. We took over buildings, introduced monetary consequences into the equation, became very effective at making the kind of noise that couldn’t be smothered by a random media campaign. We specialized in causing problems and tearing sh&% up.... moral victories weren’t of much use to us.  

In other words, I was not a natural born entrepreneur or salesperson. I’m not a natural born leader. I’m not married to a particular product, service, or company. What I am devoted to is equipping myself with the tools to help people; more specifically helping entrepreneurs level up. I believe it’s one of the greatest forms of empowerment. It’s freedom. 

Here’s the thing, no matter how ripe the market may be for our services, not everyone is going to want a bite of the apple. And that is why we teach as an organization that our primary job responsibilities as SmallBiz & LegalShield entrepreneurs are to simply perform the following tasks on a daily basis, depending on your schedule. These are your KPIs (key performance indicators) or RGAs (revenue generating activities) that matter the most.

1. What are you doing on a daily basis to make sure the market is aware of your services. In other words, commit to the exposure process. USING TOOLS.

https://www.teamnewhorizonsblog.com/2017/07/nmpro-163-exposure-to-exposure.html

http://www.teamnewhorizonsblog.com/2017/08/8-step-process-for-invitations-exposures.html

https://www.teamnewhorizonsblog.com/2016/10/exposure-methods-by-theresa-aucoin-using-former-legalshield-name-.html

2. Introduce your services to potential clients. In other words invite guests to hear presentations dispensing 100% of the information. Study the presentations. Find your voice. USING TOOLS.

Understand our Value Proposition - http://bit.ly/4truthsaboutourcompany

Study the Best Presentations - http://bit.ly/bizmodelperfected

Our Cause is Noble - http://bit.ly/ourcauseisnoble

Career Overview by John Hoffman - http://bit.ly/embarkuponanewcareer

3. If you're not acquiring referrals, you're not doing it right. In other words if you’re cold calling frequently, or running out of people to talk to, it’s your punishment for not asking for referrals.  

Referrals Webinar -  http://bit.ly/doubleourincomebuildyourbusinessreferrals

THE R3 SYSTEM - https://www.shieldnation.com/r3system

4. Create Happy Members/Clients

• Make sure members download the app
• Make sure your members call the law firm for the primary reason why they enrolled. Follow up with them and make sure their needs are met. 
• Make sure members complete their estate planning questionnaire 
• Make sure members access Membership Perks

 

The majority of entrepreneurs are far from spectacular. 

They’re not particularly gifted. 

They're just better informed and trained better than everyone else. 

5. Visit the ShieldNation Onboarding Training Site - https://www.shieldnation.com/b2bonboarding - and explore the curriculum one training at a time. You will need to register; set up a username and password to access the training site in its entirety.

 

THERE ARE BAD ACTORS IN EVERY INDUSTRY

You’re only making a percentage of each sale, and the product has to be marked up, to share with the upline, the company, you. It’s tough to compete in an environment like that. It makes commodity types of products harder to sell. 

Loper is 100% correct in his assessment. However, the COR (cost of revenue) has to be accounted for in every product or service sold. There are no free lunches. In other words, this criticism is probably the least applicable to our business as SmallBiz & LegalShield entrepreneurs. 

However, what Loper is speaking to is the primary reason why I’ve avoided product, wholesale type business models in the direct selling industry. Let’s face it. The only way you can justify selling lotions, potions, mascara, pots and pans, or coffee at a higher price than can be found on the market is to attach some mysticism to it. The special ingredient, magic pill, super magic berry, elixir element to it. Sorry, I have to be able to look at myself in the mirror at night. 

Here are some truths about our company. There is nothing magical or sexy about our services. Our services are just very useful, and important. 

• Nearly 90% of U.S. & Canadian citizens do not have any form of legal protection.
• The American Bar Association has repeatedly issued reports stating that 50% of households are dealing with a legal situation that is negatively impacting people in the form of stress, time lost, or monies being spent as the very moment.
• 60% of households would be interested in purchasing affordable legal protection
• 30% will make an immediate buying decision
• Add in human resource, tax & accounting, marketing, intellectual property, and legal issues inherent to doing business, and it’s easy to see why our company continues to flourish.

Now, while our services may not be sexy so to speak, our compensation plan certainly is. We’re compensated up to 48% of premium & and an 18% trail on the back end. Our services are priced to move, our retention is 80%, and in the B2B division of LegalShield enrolling a 1,000 members is par for the course. What does this mean practically speaking to YOU…. you can expect for every 1000 members (average premium of $50.00), to earn approximately $60,000 in residual (annually recurring) income. 

 

IMPORTANT SIDE NOTES….. REAL COMPANIES DO REAL THINGS. AND LANDMINES TO AVOID 

Notice, I’ve not mentioned recruiting one time (I think) in this entire dissertation. My entire focus has been on the education of the market about our services, and creating happy customers. And I’ve done so on purpose. The bottom line is if we weren’t offering a viable product or service, meeting an actual need, we wouldn’t be in business. We’re not a fad. We’re addressing a real issue, and dominating a real market category. 

Recruiting talent allows us to create leverage, just as in any other business, but recruiting in and of itself does not put one red cent in our pockets. Matter of fact, taking on a bad recruit is a time and money suck of epic proportions. It’s akin to taking on a bad employee. In other words, this part of Loper’s critique should fall on deaf ears regarding our company. 

Refusal to Follow a System

I don’t want to be redundant here. But, understand, when you become a SmallBiz entrepreneur, you’ve made a decision to implement a proven system that has resulted in over 600+ families that have earned 6 & 7 figures from home. Meaning they are actually financially independent of a job. Who would you rather be. 

#1) Working your a$$ off to earn 100k or 1 million dollars, only to have to work just as hard tomorrow as you did yesterday. Or person 

#2) Who follows the system, the business model, respects it, and earns $60,000 or $500k whether they roll out of bed or not tomorrow? 

#3) Nope, the aforementioned income examples are not guaranteed. Neither is your job. If you still believe in job security, you might as well believe in the toothfairy. 

Not Continuing Personal & Professional Development & Participating in Peer Groups of Success

Entrepreneurship is not easy. And yes, the juice is worth the squeeze. But it’s not easy. You’re going to have to work, and I’m good with that. I don’t mind hard work, I just want something to show for it. Being an entrepreneur requires that you see what others call problems as opportunities to solve first. And being the first to offer a digestible, effective solution. Entrepreneurship requires that you be a constant learner. If you’re not committed to habitual growth and learning, how do you expect to be able to stay valuable in an environment that is constantly evolving and changing? 

You need to plug into the calls, be about reading recommended content, attending events with your business partners, and be social with those who are leveling up as entrepreneurs like you. Being an entrepreneur requires a willingness to swim upstream against the currents of what everybody else is doing. Buffet shares frequently, if you see everyone running to invest in something, do the opposite and you’ll be right most of the time. But fighting human nature is easier said than done. Get around people who are swimming swiftly against the current, borrow from their enthusiasm, faith, belief, skills, know how, experience, successes, learning opportunities, and tenacity, when you lack these things yourself. 

As always, I celebrate your success in advance! 

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

 

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, public speaker, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jujuan-buford-25997a2a
Follow JuJuan Buford on Twitter: @JSBUFORD 
Learn, Ask Questions, Review Actionable Content at: https://www.facebook.com/catchjsbuford/