Tag Archives: transition

How do I co-exist with other vendors?

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Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose – author of TimePeace: Making peace with time – and I am a business and efficiency coach that specializes in time management, project management and work-life balance strategies. Steve Wynkoop and I talk a lot about designing and managing our professional careers on a weekly interview on SSWUG TV.

At the end of the day, I transform the way you run your business into a business you love to run.

Today’s comment came from a busy entrepreneur:

How do I co-exist with other vendors?

Food-VendorsScenario; You are pitching to a potential customer about your service offerings, and potential customer says that he is already working with a vendor in the same space. How do I stay in the mind of this potential customer and remain an option?

 

Firstly, I would avoid saying anything negative about the other vendor. If you know something about the other vendor – take this opportunity to highlight some of the things that vendor does really well. Then talk about the differences between you and the other vendor. Highlight your differentials without saying anything negative about the other vendor. Sometimes you can create a special niche while you are talking to these potential customers.
For example: “Yes. I know that vendor. They are very professional and have great prices in larger, big package orders. What differentiates my services is that I focus on custom orders and sizes. Every client has an individual technical support person (a real person). Your assigned support person has the authority to solve your issue. They don’t need to wait for approval. So, whenever you need a more individualized service, please keep me in mind.”

 

Start networking with those same vendors

Stop regarding these vendors as competitors. Start networking and offering your help and services to them in a sub-contractor possibility. Find a way to collaborate by advertizing your niche or differentials to them. For instance, offer the vendor your services for customization to help them provide a fuller package to their clients.

How to you work with a vendor

 

Once you are in a working relationship with your “now collaborative” vendor, make sure you have a clear “understanding of work” between the companies. Some things you need to include:

  • Explicit description of the work and time line
  • Pricing or hourly rates – and how/when the payment will be made
  • Acceptance criteria (make sure you agree upon what “done” really means)
  • Consequences of note meeting the delivery timeline or quality requirements
  • Agreement of who is the project manager (decision maker) on the project.

Conclusion:

Clearly understanding the project, who is in charge, what the time lines are, and pricing/charges often greases the wheels to a smooth project.

 

For more information or help on this topic, please contact LauraRose@RoseCoaching.info

 

Or sign up for a complementary one-on-one coaching call, just use this link https://www.timetrade.com/book/WFSFQ

Who to make friends with at work

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Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose.  I am a speaker and author. I am an expert in time and project management.

Today’s comment came from a busy professional:

 

Who to make friends with at work

Who are the people who are important to your career? Who are the people who can help you be happy at work? Who are the ones who can help you or be someone you can rely on? We are looking for tips on how to identify these people as well as how to know what level of friendship you should have with your co-workers.

 

Best advice is to clearly know where you want to be, do and have.  If you can clearly articulate your career goals and professional path – then it’s easy to understand “who to make friends with at work”.   Statistics show that we typically hang-out with people in our same social-economical standing.  If we want to advance, get promoted, make more money, be more affluent – we need to start meeting and networking with those people that have already achieved what we want to achieve.  This means that we need to define our own career goals and take full ownership of our own professional growth.  Once you have that clearly defined, you can start networking (making friends) with the right people at work (i.e. the people who can help you achieve your goals).

Have an INS

I have a workbook called the Individual Network System or INS.   This workbook outlines the who, what, where, when and how of corporate and business networking. It helps you identify the right people to meet and how to keep you on their radar. If you would like a complimentary copy of that workbook, please setup an appointment.

The intent of creating a business networking is to build relationships with the right people that will help you find the positions and roles that you really want. If that is what you really want, then take the 20 minutes to chat about it with me.

Find a mentor

 

Consider finding mentors in various areas of your professional development:

1) How to better market yourself within your professions

2) Help you with promoting your ideas and innovations.

3) How to write and publish your articles, presentations, and white papers

4) How to present to the exec

5) How to get other managers from sibling departments recognize your value to your company (If your manager is the only person that knows your value – you are doing yourself a disservice).

 

 

I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.

With enough notice, it would be my honor to guest-speak at no cost to your group organization.

I have a presentation on “3 Keys to saying YES to everything but on your own terms”. To sign up for the complimentary course, go to www.lauraleerose.com/Say-Yes

 

 

How do you deal with the pains of customer service?

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Today’s question came from a busy entrepreneur about his customer service plan.

How do you deal with the pains of customer service?

I work in the hospitality industry, and I spend a lot of money on what I call “guest investments” where I give some sort of discount, free merchandise, etc. in order to win back customers when something goes wrong. I can’t tell if it’s working or if I’m throwing money away. How does your business deal with the challenges of customer service and keeping people happy?

This question came up at a very appropriate time. I had recently discovered that my bank offered a “Private Bank Level” for clients that have 1 million dollars invested with the bank. At that level, they receive premiere customer series and 24 hour concierge service.

Consider doing this with your own customer service strategy. In an earlier article (Should I have specific segmented brands or one brand that does all at different price levels?) we discussed the Product Funnel.

Product Funnel Strategy for Customer Service

Give low-interaction help instructions for clients that are taking advantage of your free products and services. Low-interaction help instructions can be in the form of (but not limited to):

  • FAQ articles and cheat sheets
  • Community Discussion Groups
  • Email response within 2 days

As the client invests more in your products and services, they get more access to support.

Structure your customer service as a product line of service. Give premium service to the people that are actually doing the most business with you. This will transform the “pain of customer service” into a product or business of customer service.

Customer Referral and Loyalty Programs

Also, don’t wait until there is a problem to implement your customer service program.   Be proactive with customer referral and loyalty programs. Visualize your product funnel in there area and incorporate rewards programs based on the amount of business your client is currently doing with you. Use your rewards program to entice your customers to do more business or move into the next price-point of programs and service.

Creating a great referral/loyalty/retention program not only elevates your customer service focus and energy – it automatically solves the “pains of customer service” as well. Take time to clarify what your Mission Statement and vision is regarding Premiere Client Service. Start dealing with clients instead of “customers”. Start building raving fans that will ultimately market your products/services for you – and simply release the customers that do not fit in your plan.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

When you clearly identify your niche or target market, some people will not fit. When someone doesn’t fit, there is only one thing that will make them happy. That one thing is to release them and direct them elsewhere.   This is where affiliated partners and business referrals come in.

You are still providing customer satisfactory solution – it’s just not with YOU. You are still making the client happy.

Quick summary:

  • Clarify your Vision of your target or ideal client
  • Create affiliated partnerships with those clients that are not ideal
  • Design a referral partnership agreement with those partners
  • Design a referral/loyalty/retention program for your target/ideal clients

I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.

 

 

How can I get clients for my business?

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Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose.  I am a speaker and author. I am an expert in time and project management.

I help busy professionals and entrepreneurs create effective systems so that they can comfortably delegate to others, be more profitable and have time to enjoy life even if they don’t have time to learn new technology or train their staff.  I have a knack for turning big ideas into on time and profitable projects.

At the end of the day, I transform the way you run your business into a business you love to run.

This question came from a busy entrepreneur:

I am building my health coach business and trying to get clients. I am using social media outlets, emailing other holistic businesses to connect with, and offering workshops to local natural grocers. Getting individual clients is something I really want right now to bring in income and I’m having trouble. Any suggestions?

Defining your target clients:

“Health coach business” is pretty broad. My recommendation is to narrow your niche. You need to be able to clearly identify your target client. For instance;

  • What are the demographics of your target client?
  • What specific problems do they face and want to overcome (be as specific as possible)?
  • Where do they normally live and shop?
  • What kinds of foods do they normally eat?
  • What are their hobbies?
  • What kind of lifestyle do they current have?
  • What kind of lifestyle do they want to have?
  • What income do they make or want to make?

Once you have clearly described your target client – go to places where your target clients are.

For example: if your target client is affluent women, above the age of 40, interested in health – then check out the country clubs to see if you can give talks and workshops there.  Narrowing your target market or creating a niche will actually help you attract more clients and better market yourself.

Next Steps:

Once you have a clear picture of your target client and niche, then market to your Power Team. Your Power Team is small businesses that share your same target market and provide complimentary services.

For example: Small businesses that wish to locate ‘affluent women above the age of 40, who are interested in health’ would include:

  • Gyms, Personal Trainers, Aerobics Instructors
  • Personal Shoppers and Image Consultants
  • Health Spas/Day Spas
  • Beauty Supply consultants
  • Hair Stylist

My recommendation would be to find and collaborate with an affiliated partner in your Power Team group. Create package deals which include services from one or more of your affiliated partners.

Example:

Total Mind and Body Makeover Introductory Package Includes:

  • 3 months Health Coaching (weekly one-on-one coaching)
  • 3 months of Gym Membership
  • 2 celebratory Spa Days (you can take both days yourself, or go once with a friend)
  • 1 Image Makeover with an image consultant, personal shopper and make-up expert

This introductory package offer would go out to your affiliated partner’s contacts, be on their websites, and be equally promoted by them. The promotional package price will be appropriately divided by the participants.

Another sample package could include the “free” offers that the affiliated partners already provide.   For example:

  • 1 Health Coach one-on-one session
  • 7 days membership at the gym
  • 1 free 30 minute massage
  • 1 session to match clothing color to skin tone, and body type.

The idea is to package what the affiliated partners already freely provide, into a more attractive starter package. Providing a more end-to-end solution or 360° program can differentiate your programs from competitors.

Where do you go from here?

Once you have the right programs in place, co-market with your affiliated partners. Create catalyst events that encourage the clients from each business to mingle and visit each shop.   Offer to host a party for the Image Consultant and Make-up Artist at your establishment. Have them invite their clients into your shop for a free Make-Over.

I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.

With enough notice, it would be my honor to guest-speak at no cost to your group organization.

I have a presentation on “3 Keys to saying YES to everything but on your own terms”. To sign up for the complimentary course, go to www.lauraleerose.com/Say-Yes

 

How to select the proper path at your crossroads

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Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose.  I am a speaker and author. I am an expert in time and project management.

I help busy professionals and entrepreneurs create effective systems so that they can comfortably delegate to others, be more profitable and have time to enjoy life even if they don’t have time to learn new technology or train their staff.  I have a knack for turning big ideas into on time and profitable projects.

At the end of the day, I transform the way you run your business into a business you love to run.

This question came from a busy professional and small business owner:

I am at the crossroads in my career. I am 20 to 25 years to retirement; and I still have lots to contribute. But I am interested in lots of different career paths and I find that I am splitting into two separate and distinct directions. How do I figure out which is the right direction for me?

Often times, the two separate and distinct directions are not really that different. Often times, if you take a Bigger Picture view (take a higher-level perspective) of those “separate interests” – they actually share a common purpose or goal.

Example: What should I do?

  • I am interested in Quality Assurance – and like making sure everyone is meeting the standards, in order to deliver quality products and services.
  • My work experience is in developing network security systems. Should I just find a lateral move?
  • I am also interested in stepping out on my own as a contractor

 What’s the HUB or Center Focus that bring these things together?

My name is John Doe, I am an authority in network security systems. I help security conscious companies stay ahead of intrusion detection methodologies and never-ending security attacks, so that they can avoid down-time and delays due to unauthorized data breaches; assure client sensitive data safety and surpass both their delivery schedules and competitor’s market releases.

At the end of the day – I give my clients peace of mind.

 

If the above was your HUB – your Purpose or High-Level “What I do” statement, you have extended your opportunities and career path exponentially. See the below example of the activities and roles that stem from that single HUB-Focus.

HUBExample

 

Bottom Line: More often than not – two separate paths is an indicator that you are focused on the details and not on the higher-level purpose. Stepping back and taking the time to discover the Bigger Picture view or High-Level perspective, brings the paths together.

I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.

With enough notice, it would be my honor to guest-speak at no cost to your group organization.

I have a presentation on “3 Keys to saying YES to everything but on your own terms”. To sign up for the complimentary course, go to www.lauraleerose.com/Say-Yes

 

 

How Introverts Can Successfully Network

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How Introverts Can Successfully Network

Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose.  I am a speaker and author. I am an expert in time and project management.

I help busy professionals and entrepreneurs create effective systems so that they can comfortably delegate to others, be more profitable and have time to enjoy life even if they don’t have time to learn new technology or train their staff.  I have a knack for turning big ideas into on time and profitable projects.

At the end of the day, I transform the way you run your business into a business you love to run.

Today’s comment came from a busy professional:

How Introverts Can Successfully Network

  • How can introverts successfully network for business?
  • What are ways that introverts can step out of their comfort zone and meet with business contacts socially and be successful at it?

Most shy people are nervous when the spotlight is on “them”.  So – reverse the networking process and put the spotlight on the other person.  Get interested in finding out about them, what they do, what their goals are, what kind of people that the other person wants to meet.  Then step into the “how can I serve you” mentality.  Introduce them to the people that they want to meeting, etc.

 

Some quick steps to follow before going to a Networking Event:

 

  • Design 5 Ice Breaker questions to ask various people that you meet
    1. How did you find out about this event?
    2. What are your goals or what are you looking for in this event?
    3. Who did you want to meet at this event?
    4. Tell me more about your business and who would be a good referral for you?
    5. How can I help you with your referral and business goals?
  • Now have a specific goal outlined for this networking event
    1. Make a goal to meet 5 new people at this event, and schedule at least 3 follow-up meetings out of the 5. Increase that number the next time you go to another networking meeting.
    2. Make a goal to find someone in a specific industry or field. Then ask around to see if anyone can introduce you to someone here in that field.
  • Do your homework
    1. Find out who else will be at the event ahead of time. See if anyone that you really wanted to meet will be there. (Use your LinkedIn network to find anyone that you know that already knows that person – and make a game plan to go to that networking event together).
    2. Invite a friend or co-worker that would be a good wing-man
    3. Follow-up on the people that you have met at the meeting.

 

 

Going to networking meetings are not the only way to network. Another good method is to invite individuals for an interview for your radio show, video or article.  Invite someone to guest speak at your organization, association or department. Volunteer to be the lead of your professional organization’s program committee. The job of program lead – will automatically introduce you to important and prominent experts. And lastly – simply hang out where the people you want to meet hang-out. Get interested in the things they are interested in.

Whether you are asking them questions, interviewing them for an article, or introducing them as a speaker, you will naturally share the spotlight when you put the spotlight on someone else.

I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.

With enough notice, it would be my honor to guest-speak at no cost to your group organization.

I have a monthly presentation on “how to say YES to everything but on your own terms”. To sign up for the complimentary course, go to www.lauraleerose.com/Say-Yes

 

 

3 Easy Tips to Up-Scale Your Iphone testimonials

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Today’s comment came from a busy business owner

One easily attainable marketing tool are video testimonials. If you are already giving a talk, it’s easy to take advantage of the excitement and enthusiasm that your audience is feeling right after your presentation. If you wait until they leave and are back into their daily activities – it’s going to be harder to get them to refer or comment on that event. Don’t miss that opportunity to get that genuine reaction and excitement for your genius.

So – even if you don’t have expensive camera equipment – you can use your iphone or ipads for impromptu testimonials. What are some simple steps that people can do with their iphones or ipads to increase the quality of these impromptu videos?

3 Quick Tips to improving your videos are:

1) Take your videos in the horizontal view.  It will give you more real estate to work with to work with.

2) Be aware of your background.  Take time to look at your viewfinder and make sure your client doesn’t look drawn or washed out.  Often times putting your subject in front of a solid white or black background or simply taking them outside into the sun will do wonders for their color.

3) Be aware of the background noise.  Often times you are in an large, open conference room with many conversations taking place around you.  And your iphone or ipad microphone is picking up all the ambient noise.  Take the time to move into a smaller room or corridor to tape your testimonials.  Video experts can often fix the background colors and size — but they can not easily fix the background noise in your video testimonial.

Bottom line is to merely be aware of the surroundings when you are taping your testimonials.  You may want to get your comments in front of your large banner – but if that banner is in a place where there’s lots of background noise, you may be better off moving to a quieter location and in front of a warmer backdrop.  Then supper-imposing your logo or banner later.

 

Optimize career for learning or responsibility?

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Today’s comment came from a busy professional.

I currently work at a small web design agency with a team of 5. I’m the sole marketer where I do all digital marketing for clients.

This includes SEO/PPC, some social media, and everything else growth marketing related. I love the autonomy, the people I work with, and ‘owning’ the entire digital marketing role and department.

My only complaint: clients are really small (e.g., electricians, attorneys) and I’m itching for something more challenging and complex.

However, I am learning a lot. Work-life balance is amazing at the agency, allowing me to take on MOOCs and side projects where I’m learning to code.

Recently, a large public company offered me a PPC Analyst role where I’ll manage a 10MM ppc campaign. Glassdoor reviews mention poor work-life balance. My brief pros & cons analysis of take the job offer:

PROS
+ higher salary
+ more prestige and responsibility
+ learning, yes, but very focused on SEM in one particular vertical

CONS
+ 50-60+ work weeks
+ less time for MOOCs, self-study and side projects
+ possibility of low job satisfaction (culture, politics)

=== My question ===

ultimatumWhat would you do? Do I continue working at the agency where I’m comfortable and can have the autonomy to master what excites me.

Or take the job offer with more responsibility and pay but at the expense of narrowing my career focus and skill-sets too much.

 

Like many professional in your situation, you seem to think there is only two options for you: Stay where you are or go to this possible low-satisfaction job.

There are rarely only two options to any situations. So – why can’t you continue to search for a great job that fits all your requirements? Why can’t you be the one to define and propose more complex and challenging projects? Why can’t you take a more active role in bringing in more high-profile clients? Why can’t you present at various conferences and client trade show to better expose yourself as an expert or authority in your field of interest? Why can’t you step-up your marketing of the Product YOU – so that you create additional opportunities for yourself?

Also – are you sure this new job is a 50-60+ week job with low-job satisfaction? Or are you just making assumptions?

You are ultimately responsible for your own time and project schedule. If your salary is based on a 40 hour week – then your salary is based on a 40 hour week. If you decide that you want to limit your general work week to 40 hours a week (giving you some space for MOOCs, self-study and side projects) – just outline your project schedules more realistically. Take more ownership of your personal business commitments and schedules. As long as you provide realistic expectations on your deliveries – you can still schedule space and time for everything that is important to you. Although there will be times when you need to work the extra hours; if you are consistently working overtime and the weekend – then you lack the appropriate project management and time management skills.

If you feel that if you don’t put in 50-60 hours a week to receive advancement – then you are choosing that over the other things. Figure out what you really want; decide what are the imperatives and non-negotiables – and design your life accordingly

**Note: If you consistently work overtime and weekends to conduct regular workplace business, then you have no buffer time to accommodate project emergencies. If your project is constantly hitting emergencies, then your risk analysis and project management skills need to improve. If you would like more information or training in this area, please reach out to me.

Regardless of what your ultimate decision (staying in your current position or taking the higher-paying job) – you have the power to design your own career exactly the way you want.

I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.

With enough notice, it would be my honor to guest-speak at no cost to your group organization.

I have a monthly presentation on “how to say YES to everything but on your own terms”. To sign up for the complimentary course, go to www.lauraleerose.com/Say-Yes

 

 

3 Ways Project Managers Can Anticipate, Avoid and Mitigate Problems

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Today’s comment came from a busy professional.

What separates the good, or the great, project managers (PM) from the just so-so?

The answer: How they handle problems when they arise and they prevent them from derailing deadlines and the budget. Some of the top issues projects frequently face are:

pm triangleProblem No. 1: Team members not knowing or understanding what their responsibilities are, not owning their part of the project.

Problem No. 2: Meeting deadlines.

Problem No. 3: Scope creep.

 

Problem No. 1: Team members not knowing or understanding what their responsibilities are, not owning their part of the project.

The PM is responsible for effectively conveying the project scope, goals and individual team member’s responsibilities. The best way to assure that your message has been conveyed is to ask each team member to paraphrase the goal and their part/responsibility/role in achieving the goals. They need to also paraphrase the consequences of not achieving the goals – not only for the company but for their careers as well.

Depending on one-way conversations like email and memos will not assure that your team understands their role. Creating presentations and status reports does not fully verify the team’s ownership.

Implementing one-on-one manager’s meetings will increase transparent communication between the employee and employer. Adding one-on-one project manager meetings with the various managers on the projects will do the exact thing for the project.

 Problem No. 2: Meeting deadlines.

Meeting deadlines is one of the critical skills of a PM. The first step, of course, is to create deadlines and milestones. Milestones are the mini-deadlines used to stay on course. It is critical to associate a customer-releasable deliverable at every milestone. The deliverable can be as simple as the requirement specs, a presentation, a prototype, a demo, an update, early alpha or beta versions, etc. By delivering early and often to the clients does several things:

  • Keeps the clients involved and gives you early feedback on how your features are matching your clients’ expectations. The product needs to match the client’s need and not your design. You are building the product for the client’s use; therefore, it’s imperative that you get the clients’ perspective along the way.
  • Forces the team to work on the quality of the deliverables all along the way.
  • Can continually provide the clients with their minimum requirements (to get them moving forward on their tasks) while you continue to enhance the product for future releases.

Another tool is risk management. There are various ways to manage risk. Risk Management and Risk Analysis incorporate contingency plans for high-probability/high-impact issues. Taking the time to visualize what “could happen” in the project, then sorting which items are most likely to happen with a high-impact to the project. Those items you put contingency plans in place.

Training every member of the time on good estimation skills will have a profound effect on accurate schedules. I have an article and presentation on the 12 Tips of Realistic Scheduling To download the article, register HERE.

Creating a Recovery Protocol Chart is also useful in meeting deadlines. The 12 Tips of Realistic Scheduling talks more about the Recovery Protocol Chart and Change Management in general. To download the article, register HERE.

Problem No. 3: Scope creep.

Change Management is the tool that you implement to eliminate scope creep. Once you have a well-defined feature set and requirement documents – any deviation of those requirements go through a Change Management process. CM outlines the consequences of the request including level of effort, resource requirements, delay in schedule, affect on other dependencies (identify any change reaction), quality issues or budget concerns. Once all these things are clearly outlined, the team can make a better decision in moving forward with the change.

Creating a Recovery Protocol Chart is also critical in reducing Scope Creep. The 12 Tips of Realistic Scheduling talks more about the Recovery Protocol Chart and Change Management in general. To download the article, register HERE.

I know your situation is different. Why don’t we schedule an appointment, where I get to know more about your unique situation? And then I will be happy to make recommendations on what your best steps are moving forward. To schedule an appointment, book it HERE.

With enough notice, it would be my honor to guest-speak at no cost to your group organization.

I have a monthly presentation on “how to say YES to everything but on your own terms”. To sign up for the complimentary course, go to www.lauraleerose.com/Say-Yes

 

 

How can you choose the most appropriate job title when wearing many ‘hats’ in your company?

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Hello, this is Laura Lee Rose.  I am a speaker and author. I am an expert in time and project management.

I help busy professionals and entrepreneurs create effective systems so that they can comfortably delegate to others, be more profitable and have time to enjoy life even if they don’t have time to learn new technology or train their staff.  I have a knack for turning big ideas into on time and profitable projects.

At the end of the day, I transform the way you run your business into a business you love to run.

Today’s comment came from a busy professional.

How can you choose the most appropriate job title when wearing many ‘hats’ in your company?

As a very new small business, anyone I bring on to my team is going to be responsible for more than one area of expertise. How can I name or define their positions when they are going to be doing much more than one thing?

Regardless of the title – you should have a full job description and even a Personal Business Commitment (PC) Plan for each of your employees (SMART Goals for the coming year). Their PBC’s should be based off your PBC’s and shows specifically how their role and responsibilities will help you achieve your PBC’s or SMART Business Goals for the coming year. Then during your quarterly performance reviews, you can easily measure their performance against their yearly goals – and give the appropriate tweaks and encouragement. Explicitly spelling out their roles and responsibilities is slightly different that giving their position a title. If you need help creating PBC’s, lets chat.

 

When giving titles, I recommend select a title that best supports or helps achieve their business goals. Consider the end-user of their business cards.   For example – if you have a employee that is a developer, but he also goes on the road with the Sales Staff to setup the demos and man the trade-show booths; I would give him the title of Subject Matter Expert or Technical Sales Engineer. Something – when given to the customer assures the customer that he is knowledgeable about the client’s use of the product as well as encouraging the client to call them about making the sale.

What if your project manager also does the accounting and bookkeeping for your small business? This person also answers the phones and fills in as the receptionist.   Although this person wears many hats, the title on their business card should be Project Manager, because affluent clients receiving that business card are more apt to carry on business dealings and conversations with the Project Manager over a book keeper or receptionist.

If you only have one sales person on your team and they also man the tech support line, their title on their business card should be Sales Manager – because an affluent client feels more important talking to the Sales Manager – than either sales person or a technical support person. They feel that the Sales Manager can actually get something done in the company.

Think about your business goals – and which title (from their many hats) is going to support bringing in the money.

Also – there is nothing wrong with creating multiple business cards with the different job titles. Then you give out the appropriate card at the right occasion. I don’t recommend doing 1 business cards with all the titles like: Project Manager/Developer/Tester. You want to present clarity, confidence and expertise to your potential client. Showing them that you are a jack of all and master of none will defeat the purpose.