Laugh and Get Rich

From Bliss Sawyers Marketing Blog

I had the great opportunity to be on the same stage as Darren LaCroix last week. A great speaker, Darren is also the author of Laugh & Get Rich, a fabulous book on How to Profit from Humor in any Business. I read it in two days. Would have finished it in one, but had to get my kids cheerios for dinner. Again.

I've always said it isn't the numbers that motivate borrowers to make application with a certain originator, it's the emotion behind the numbers and the connection they feel. LaCroix summed it up nicely when he said: "We don't live in a rational world and we don't deal with rational people. It's emotions that move decisions."

If work is fun... you perform better at your job. If you make it fun for your referral partners, clients and prospects to work with you, the business will just naturally follow. This book will give you some great ideas to build stronger relationships, differentiate yourself from the competition (who doesn't want to do that!) and SELL MORE. Hmmm.... seems to me like everyone needs this book.

We spend a tremendous amount of time working. Hours and hours and hours. More than we spend with our loved ones and more than we spend biking. Or golfing. Or any of the other things we like to do. So I wonder why more people don't have fun at work. Maybe they just don't want to be rich.

My favorite 5-letter word

From Bliss Sawyer's Marketing Blog

GOALS. Have you set yours for 2008? I'm not talking about jotting down a few numbers your manager asked you for and then putting them in a drawer - never to be looked at again.

I'm talking about goals that you take time to determine and then review daily. Goals that guide your actions. Goals that you will actually meet or even exceed.

If this isn't your usually mode of operation.. you'll have some habit-changing to do. But that's ok since you probably have some time to work on this over the next week or so.

First, block out an hour for a "goal setting session." Quiet, uninterrupted time. (Turn off the email and phone.) Let your mind go and decide what's really important and how you can keep your goals centered on those pieces of your life. Make monthly, quarterly, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year goals.

Second, develop a plan to consistently review and work on the goals. Keep the goals visible and on your mind. This is the easiest way to accomplish anything. All your daily tasks should be moving you towards these goals. Remember - you become what you think most about.

Lastly, don't get discouraged. There will be many times during the year when you will need to refocus and recommit yourself to your goals. I recommend you revise goals quarterly. Your journey will needs adjustments every so often. A regular review will keep you on the path you want.

Happy New Year!

The Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching, Jeffrey Gitomer

By Bliss Sawyer

Jeffrey Gitomer's newest book Little Platinum Book of CHA-CHING! is a fantastic read. Based on principals from John Patterson, founder of The National Cash Register, these amazing strategies that are ever bit as relevant today as they were in the late 1800's.
I found this book to be interesting and motivating. One great quote: "What you read usually determines how you think. If you decide to read about success, the odds are you will become successful." Hmmmm.... maybe you should buy yourself a Christmas present. Then spend time reading, taking notes and moving your business forward with the great (and simple!) ideas spelled out in this book.
It certainly can't hurt, and this just might help you start 2008 with a bang. Happy reading!