How to Handle Rejection

    

A Short Story -

As an entrepreneur you will face a ton of rejection!  Get used to it, otherwise you will fail.  It is a harsh truth, but someone needs to tell you straight.  At times it can feel as if the wind was knocked right out of you.  You work so hard to prepare for your interview with the right buyer, retailer, and or customer.  Then within five minutes of your pitch the customer tells you to stop.  You can immediately tell when things aren't going right.  Suddenly, they tell you their company is not interested...  It's amazing how many times that has happened to me.  The important note in my story above is address the fact that you must keep fighting for what you want.  If it were easy to build a business everyone would be doing it.  It's when you have nothing in the tank that the doors begin to open.  This happens because nobody is willing to work that hard, and people begin to take note.  When you finally cross that threshold, you know that you have made it another step closer to your goal.

  

Why Does This Occur In Society? -

Unfortunately, the world we live in continues to promote the status quo.  The major corporations, governments, and other strategic outlets are keeping new ideas out of the marketplace.  The reason for people not taking a chance on a new idea is, because they are consumed by the fear of failure.  In many countries outside the U.S. fear is exacerbated, because there are fewer opportunities.  Thankfully, the United States of America is a place where people can get multiple chances at success.  If you can stay in the game long enough, and figure out what people want, you will be ahead of the curve.  Keep trying out new ideas and testing them to see which ones strike a cord with consumers.

  

A Small Tip -

No matter what anyone thinks about your idea, product, service, or business keep trying to build whatever it is you have created.  Many people ask me how I came up with the concepts for my businesses.  I often respond by telling them that it took years to get the business idea perfect.  Even after you successfully bring a concept to reality, it will continue to undergo changes.  The idea, product, and or service is never FINAL.  Keep developing your business, and eventually all the No's that you hear in a day will become Yes's!

Sincerely,

Enterprise Warrior

Three Imperative Tips For Sales

     

Sales Sales Sales! -

I touched on this topic at the end of my last blog entry (Hidden Truths About Communication).  I would like to dedicate today's discussion to looking deeper into sales.  There will easily be more additions to this topic in future posts, but these are some of the basics.  At the end of the day, sales are what keep the lights on at your business.  In the two industries that I have worked in, each has played a strategic role in shaping my techniques.  It is very difficult to drive sales in the music industry, especially if you do not work with/for a label.  The beverage industry has another set of challenges, which are uniquely different from the music world.  Distribution is the key to your company's sales in the food and beverage world.

  

Transparency -

Make sure when you start a conversation with a client, retailer, buyer, etc. that you are up front about your business position.  At the start of your business, you might lie about the size of your company.  You might tell everyone that you have more people working for you.  You might even say you have clients who haven't fully committed yet.  Entrepreneurs of all kinds have been placed in these situations before.  The key point is to recognize that people are willing to help the underdog.  That doesn't mean the circumstances will be any easier, but at least they will be willing to listen to your story.  As I started to build sales in my beverage business it became easier to tell people about the organization.  We boosted credibility by being honest about what our goals were and still are.

  

Urgency -

If nobody wants your product, then move on to someone who does.  It is very clear in the early stages whether or not you have an idea that everyone can appreciate.  If you do not gain traction at first that's ok.  This might mean that you have to develop the concept more to find people who appreciate what you have created.  Urgency is the idea created that the product has a limited supply or timeline to purchase.  There is a fine line when using this technique.  You need to use a combination of transparency and urgency to end up with the sales results you want.  Urgency does not work if you lie during the majority of your pitch.  Make sure that you find clever ways to make the client, retailer, or buyer feel that they can't have the product or service.  If this tactic is used correctly, you will be amazed at how effective it truly is.

  

Follow Up -

This point is what separates the best salesmen from the mediocre.  If the client doesn't see you again, after the sale is complete, you probably won't be their client for much longer.  It is imperative that you keep a business relationship going like you would a marriage.  It takes years to build a solid partnership where both parties are comfortable working with one another.  Make sure to check in to find out how they are doing.  Taking the extra five minutes to confirm that the relationship is still strong will make all the difference in the longterm.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Sincerely,

Enterprise Warrior

The Hidden Truths About Communication

Communication Can Be Simple -

Every entrepreneur, whether you are in technology or food needs to have good communication skills.  In a world where we communicate online and use other technological devices, it's imperative that we work on improving our face-to-face interactions.  Being personable and staying in the present moment will put you ahead of the pack.

Below I have posted a link that will describe some helpful skills.

3 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills


Body Language -

It was up until recently where I discovered the importance of body language.  Amy Cuddy gives an amazing Ted Talk about this incredible skill.  I have posted the link to her talk below as well.  She really helps us understand that it's the smallest details about us that communicate so much.  If you have had a long day, and you don't want to speak with anyone it becomes immediately clear.  It is part of our human nature that give us the ability to pick up on these vibes.  If you are selling a service its extremely important that you are prepared, so that you will show relaxed body language.  This will help you in many cases, and especially in your own life.

Your body language shapes who you are
^ Take the time to view the whole video!

Don't Worry So Much About the Sale -

As entrepreneurs, we are sometimes so concerned with making the sale that we forget how to be personable.  It is more important to connect with someone than just jumping into your sales pitch.  If you can connect with someone they will be more loyal to your business into the future.  Sometimes you might want to step back and realize that the retailer/buyers are people just like YOU.  They get pitched 100 new ideas each and every day.  Next time you're about to walk into that meeting, be sure to try and get to know them like you would a friend.

You'll be amazed at how much further you get!

I hope this helps..

Sincerely,

Enterprise Warrior

The Starting Point

The Way You Think Determines Your Success -

The single most important factors an entrepreneur can do is work on his mindset.  If your mind is not focused on what you want, how can you accomplish your dreams?  This simple fact is that society will tell you that your idea is crazy, that it will fail, its too big or too small, and a whole list of excuses.  It's your job to continue to move forward each and every day.

Stay Focused -

The successful warrior is the average person with laser like focus.  If you know exactly what you want, the universe will give it to you.  There is an important exercise to practice when you are first starting your journey.  Take a second to think about what you enjoy doing day-to-day.  Ask yourself the following question often.  If money was no object, what would you try to accomplish?  This question is one that you might have to ask yourself a number of times.  Once you fully accept your answer, you will be relieved to find out that you CAN DO IT!

Check out this link below.

Stay Focused Motivational Video





It's Not Over Till I Win!

If you truly believe in what you are doing, it is impossible for you not to succeed.  If you stay strong long enough, eventually, you will come across someone who understands your vision.  Whether its a customer, vendor, and or investor, pick their brain about what they value about your business.  Keep refining your product or service, and making sure that you are catering to the people who understand your vision.  There will be times where it feels like no one will ever use your product or service.  Keep refining and eventually you will have a success.  Most people give up on their idea after approaching family and friends!  Imagine how far you've come by continuing to pursue your idea even after 90% have given up.  Use that as a motivating factor to keep pushing forward.

Check out this link below.

Make The Change Motivational Video

Life Is Too Short Not To Try...

Don't look back wishing you made this change in your life.  Remember that the thoughts you have determine your success.  Harness your thoughts of the experiences you want to have.  Once the mind knows what you want, it will know exactly how to make it happen.  Time is never stagnate, which means there are a ton of opportunities waiting for you to harness.  Make sure to act on the experiences that seem random, because chances are you manifested that situation.


Thanks for reading!  Make the "Change," and you will immediately start to notice a transformation.

Regards,

-Enterprise Warrior