Insights From the Trenches

Innovative yet practical tools, tips and resources derived from a voracious love of learning and over 20 years of working with clients around the world.

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4 steps for winning back former clients
You likely already know it takes less time, energy and money to keep a client than to get a new one. Nothing new. But what about bringing back, or reactivating,... Read More
Small Business Growth Strategies
We’ve talked about becoming more productive, increasing leverage without overhead and we’ve discussed your Everest Mission during a previous training call and, here, now… Some growth strategies if you’re looking... Read More
Re-engaging Your Email List
Open rates are declining. There are two primary reasons: Your email never makes it to their inboxes. This is a deliverability issue between your email service provider (ESP) – Aweber,... Read More
3 Questions to Ask Before Taking On a New Client/Project
Have you ever had a tough day in the office?  I had one recently and it reminded me of our process:  Before taking on a new project or client, there... Read More
Making Extreme Client Care™ Tangible
You’ve heard the saying “the devil is in the details” — so true, and the same is true of Extreme Client Care™.  It’s the little things that matter, the little... Read More
Quantifying Extreme Client Care™
It's easy to get caught up in the "I'm too busy" or "that's too much work" or "there just aren't enough hours in the day" mantra of business ownership where... Read More
$1.5 trillion predicted by 2025 — are you getting a share?
Subscription programs are predicted to generate $1.5 trillion by 2025 according to UBS (an investment and financial services firm). What many don’t share is that the average membership/subscription member/customer stays... Read More
Winning the Productivity Game
While on the phone with a colleague recently, she said, “I don’t get how you can be so freakishly productive.” “Freakishly?” That put me off a bit until she followed... Read More
AI: Why we’re not embracing the trend
Do you use AI (artificial intelligence) in your business? Chat GPT has gotten the most promotion (especially since Microsoft is backing them) and Google announced that it’s coming out with... Read More
9 Questions to Creating Wealth
We often hear that "selling is hard", "many small businesses fail", etc. And while all that's true, today, instead, we're going to focus on the positive things you can do... Read More
4 Credibility Busters – Do any affect your business?
I use a PO Box for business mail (do you?) and typically pick it up weekly unless I’m driving by off hours as I often have BudBud with me. Luckily... Read More
Consistent Follow-up: How to and How NOT to
Have you heard the phrase “a day or a decade” when it comes to converting prospects to clients? Or website visitors to opted-in leads? While I don’t know where it... Read More
Membership Systems: Why Simplicity Matters
A former client reached out with a problem.  None of the videos on their membership platform worked. The video descriptions were still there, but not the videos.  Like many others,... Read More
National Handwriting Day
Each year, January 23rd is celebrated as National Handwriting Day. Being a fan of handwritten notes, cards and letters, especially in this era of digital everything and instant communication, I... Read More
My 2022 Reading List
I like to send books to my clients -- books I've read and think they'll get something from. For the past few years I've been adding a post here of... Read More
“When it came up”
Most businesses go through “feast and famine” periods – periods where either you have so many clients you’re longing for a day off and other periods where you’re wondering if... Read More
Increase Profits with These 5 Retention Strategies
The proof is in the stats: It costs up to seven times more to gain a new client than to keep a current one. A 5% increase in customer retention... Read More
How businesses tick off potential customers
Recently, a long-time friend and client celebrated her wedding anniversary -- 48 years. I called a florist in her town, ordered something very specific, confirmed they had it in stock and it... Read More