Time Management Strategies for the Holidays

Live Teleclass ~ Time Management Strategies for the Holidays, to be held on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 11:00 am EST

Led by Tracey Lawton, Online Business Manager & Office Organization Expert

On this call Tracey will be sharing with you effective and proven time management strategies to get you through this busy holiday season.

With the information she'll be sharing with you during this teleclass you can apply it all year round - not just during the holiday season. You'll be able to accomplish so much more with the right systems in place.

Click here for more information.

What are your priorities?

I have had to learn to juggle really well this week both my personal and my business obligations. My husband had hand surgery yesterday, so I had to make sure the kids got to school on time so that my husband would not be late. Since I had several hours to kill, think 4 or 5 long hours, I took some business work along with me so that I could feel like I accomplished a little bit more than just reading one of my romance novels.

Well, the day did not turn out quite like I had expected. The pharmacy was having issues with my insurance so the guy behind the counter took forever to get me my husband's prescriptions, then my husband decided to faint on the bed as we were getting ready to leave. Not once, but several times. By that time my daughter was already out of school almost one hour. She didn't have a cell phone on her so I had to rush over to pick her up, while my husband was being rehooked up to an IV back at the surgery center. I was then almost 40 minutes late picking up the youngest one.

Then to top it all off, my daughter demanded that I get her a cheesecake so that she would forgive me for leaving her at school so long. With my son in the car I had to buy him something too. Then I had to drop them off, pick up a check out of the mailbox, dash off to the bank, and managed to make it back to my husband in just over 1 hour. Geesh!!!!

Once I came home, we had to drag my husband up the stairs to the bedroom with the help of the neighbor next door. (Hey, my skinny sixteen year old son could not do it all.) Then I got to play nurse all night. Through it all I managed to get back on the computer, shoot off some emails, work on some administrative work, and get the kids some dinner together. Talk about a tiring day!

I had gotten up early so that I could prepare what I had to do for the day. I try to schedule what I know I can do for the next day and then have a list of "What if's?" so that if my schedule does not go as planned, I have some backup things that I can accomplish.

There are times when your family has to be a priority and times when your business has to be a priority. The key is to decide which falls where each day and schedule accordingly otherwise your will always be behind and someone will feel low on the totem pole of life.

Listen to Errand Guru Talk Radio this Wednesday!

Please join me, along with my co-host Danette Moss, for our weekly radio show on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET. This week our guest is Debbie Quintana with Gourmet Gifts.

-Are your clients hoping you can help them find the perfect gift this year?

-Are you looking for inexpensive ways to keep in touch with your clients?

-Are you looking for the perfect "Thanks for your business this year" gift?

Join Danette, Debbie, and myself as we discuss how Gourmet Gifts can help you and your clients this holiday season. Everyone is looking for ways to say how much they care without breaking the bank. What better way than to give a Gourmet Gift!

You can listen online at Errand Guru Talk Radio or call in at (646) 478-4999 to listen in on the phone.

Don't worry if you can't be there live, you can listen in later to the archived segment on the website.

We will have a chat available during the segment so you can ask your questions or, if you call in, you can ask your questions live on the air!

Are your client's needs so obvious?

I celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary on November 24. My husband had been wanting an iPod Touch for a while now. He talked about the kind he wanted. When we would be out shopping he always made a point of stopping to look at the iPods. Even though he would do anything to get his iPod, he wasn't expecting it. I surprised him with the brand new 32 GB iPod Touch. To say he was giddy is an understatement. He couldn't believe that I would do that for him. Of course I would because I knew that was what he wanted. It was easy to choose to get that for him.

Now me, I am a different story. I do not have a wish list lined up with things I desire. For my husband it is harder for him to get me gifts because me wants and needs are not so obvious. I don't have signs up saying what I want, like that kid in the commercial who leaves pictures all through his house with an ad of what he wants. My husband has to dig a little deeper to find out what to get me.

Your clients, both potential and current, will fall into one of two categories. They will either know what they want and come to you immediately or you will have to dig a little deeper to find out what it is that they want and find a way to communicate to them how you can handle those needs. Most small business owners think that if they hang their shingle out to say they are in business that the clients will flock to them. Not so true. You have to let these people know what it is that you do out loud. If you don't say anything, how do you expect them to figure out what it is that you want from them?

When you market and advertise, you need to make your message loud and clear. Tell them how they can benefit from using your services or products and then give them a call to action. Tell them the next steps that you want them to follow so that they win by getting what they want and you win by getting what you want.

Now I have to work on letting my husband know what I want so that it is easier for him to shop for me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is a long list of things I am thankful for this year: a home, my two cars, my three children, my husband, food in the frig and pantry, a business that continues to operate after 10 years, the ability to see, hear, taste, touch, and feel, for all of my friends and family near and far, and God, because without him I would not be here. The list could go on and on, but you don't have all day to sit here and read it. There is turkey and yams and mashed potatoes with gravy and cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie to eat.

Today take a moment to note to yourself or out loud what you are thankful for.

Join us this Wednesday!

Join us Wednesday, November 19, 2009, at 10 am PT/1 pm ET on Blog Talk Radio for our weekly radio show. This segment we will be discussing holiday promotions. With Thanksgiving just around the corner and Christmas not too far behind, you still have time to garner attention for your business and get some new clients before the start of a new year.

You can listen on the Internet at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/errandgurutalk or call in to 646-478-4999 to listen live. Our chat room will be open. Bring your questions and we will bring our answers.

What is your focus?

The last few weeks my focus has been on my family and not on my business. We were going through a family health emergency and my attention was solely on that. Does that make me a bad business owner? I don't think so. Something people have to realize is that small businesses are owned by real people who have real lives. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we need that we forget about their needs, wants, and issues.

With the holidays coming up, people are going to want to take a break from their business to enjoy life with their family and friends. We have to be understanding and realize that our world will not end if the dry cleaning is picked up for you on Thursday instead of Tuesday, unless of course you are down to your last pair of clean socks. For that I would recommend making sure you always have at least a 14 day supply so that if the washing machine gets hungry you still can make it out the door with your feet covered.

While I felt guilty at first for abandoning my circle of newsletter subscribers, clients, and networking circle, I realized that I don't have to feel guilty. As the saying goes, "If momma ain't happy then nobody is happy." Once I put my prospective in the right place, the guilt left. Now I am ready to focus on my business again and get back in the thick of things.

Just remember, life only comes around once so enjoy it while you can!

What's your business reflection look like?

I just received another notice about my domain name renewal. Can't believe that we are almost at the end of another year and that my business has continued to grow to another year. It makes me reflect back to when I first decided to start a business about 12 years ago. I was excited and scared at the same time to start this new venture. I was smart and dumb at the same time when it came to how to run a business. I have fallen down so many times, yet I have always found a way to get back up and keep going.

This year has been filled with highs and lows, but I still have managed to stay excited about being a business owner. I came back in September from an industry conference refreshed and full of ideas. Will I be able to accomplish all of them by the end of the year? Nope, but I have added many of my ideas to my list of goals for next year. Yes, I am already starting my list of 2009 goals.

We all will have our moments of reflection where we wonder why we started our business, but then we reflect on all that we have accomplished this year, we will know why we continue to run our businesses.

What do your reflections look like?

What do your words say?

With the elections right around the corner, people are buzzing over who they are going to vote for and what measures on the ballot they want to vote for. Some of their convictions are very strong. Some will vote for the next president based on who is representing their party and not on how well the person will do on the job. Some will vote on a certain person or measure because they were swayed by their friends and family at the last minute. Some will just randomly vote because they don't understand the confusing wording of the measure or the wording seems so technical.

Everyone has an opinion and yours counts just as much as. So when it comes to purchasing an item or using a service, why do some of us solely rely on what the next guy says? You need to make your own decision and this is where education comes into play. Many people know, or at least have an idea of, what an errand or concierge service is. So why is it so hard for many people who know they need extra help turn away from using the service?

When educating prospective clients, many people are just told about the features of the service. Sometimes we are so excited about what it is that we do that we ramble on and on. Sometimes we use words that our prospective clients don't understand. Sometimes we don't fully understand what we are doing and so we can't convey our message clearly to others.

Sometimes clients will just say no because they are confused by what we are saying. Sometimes clients will say no because they don't want to take the time to truly understand what it is that we do. Sometimes clients will just say yes because a friend told them they should. Sometimes clients will just say yes because everyone else is.

Is this necessarily the right way to go?

What we need to do is step back and really look at what we do from the prospective of the client. Only then can we see what they see and understand how to better get our message across so that we can truly sell them on us the right way. This way there is less confusion and more understanding.

So, what do your words say?

Don't miss my radio show Wednesday!

Please join me, along with my co-host Danette Moss, for our weekly radio show on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET. This week is a special week as it is a Q&A segment.

-Are you researching the errand and concierge service industry and aren't quite sure where to start?

-Have you opened your doors for business, but things are going slow?

-Been in business a while, but you are facing a new situation and need some help?

Bring any and all questions to this segment and we will use this hour to answer as many as possible. Where else can you participate in a free consultation?

You can listen online at Errand Guru Talk Radio or call in at (646) 478-4999 to listen in on the phone.

Don't worry if you can't be there live, you can listen in later to the archived segment on the website. If you have a question that you want answered, just email me at info@ecsuniversitytraining.com.

We will have a chat available during the segment so you can ask your questions or, if you call in, you can ask your questions live on the air!

Attraction Marketing and Money Mindset Program

As a creative business owner, I am excited to share with you someone I think you need to meet...

I've noticed that as creative entrepreneurs we are looking at how our passion-based business can make the next leap in success. I want to share with you one of my favorite business mentors, Laura West. As president and chief creative officer of the Center for Joyful Business, well, you can tell she isn't your average business woman!

Laura has a unique way of blending attraction energy and smart marketing so that passion-based business owners can learn to love marketing - believe it or not! She makes it fun, approachable, and lays out what you need to do in simple systems. If you are already thinking about 2009 and are ready for next year to be your best year ever then you'll want to be on her teleclass THIS THURSDAY!

She's told me that space on the bridgeline is filling up quick so be sure to register soon!

Here is her Teleseminar information:

Attraction in Action: My 5 Most Powerful Attraction Marketing Secrets so You Can Create Your Dream of a Six Figure Business Quickly and Easily with Laura West, Center for Joyful Business

Thurday: October 30

2pm eastern

http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/attractionsecrets?af=738320

In this class she'll share how she grew her business and finally BUSTED THROUGH the six-figure ceiling (While still feeling good about honoring her commitments as a wife, mother and frequent traveler.)

In this teleseminar, you'll also discover:

-Your #1 most precious resource as a business owner (hint: it's not money). Find out what it is and how to create a bottomless supply.
-The first baby steps you can take to gain the confidence and clarity you need to transform your business.
-Why building relationships is much more fun and fruitful than marketing (eww!).
-How to boost your Celebrity Factor so clients seek you out - even when you're on vacation.
-How to do all this without running around in a frenzy chasing marketing idea after marketing idea and feeling like you're never getting anywhere fast enough.
-If you're finally ready to stop saying "It's not just about the money" and start claiming "It's time that it's ALSO about the money!" then I hope you'll join us for this refreshingly different and authentic approach for growing your business.

http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/attractionsecrets?af=738320

Space is filling up fast! Over 130 registered already so reserve your spot fast!

In this teleseminar, she'll also be opening the doors for her *NEW Attraction Marketing and Money Mindset Program! It's a year long program for 24 amazing creative entrepreneurs who are ready for 2009 to be THE YEAR they bust their own money ceiling! Be sure to join us or register to get the recording of the teleseminar. She'll be offering some special bonuses and incentives that you'll only hear about on the call.

If you are tired of chasing marketing ideas all over the web and are ready to put your marketing into simple systems so you can turbo your impact - all while consciously using your attraction energy....well, you're going to want to be a part of this fabulous group of like-spirited and commited business owners.

It's time for a sale!

It is getting to that time of year. My end of the year sale. The next sale won't be until January of 2009! So what do I have on sale for you?

Purchase either my Middle of the Road Package C or my Ultimate Package and I am throwing in a couple of freebies.

Middle of the Road Package C
6 months free in my Errand Guru Coaching Cafe
3 additional hours of consultation time
Free personalization of forms
Free shipping
You are receiving over $850 in freebies!

Ultimate Package
1 year free in my Errand Guru Coaching Cafe
5 additional hours of consultation time
Free personalization of forms
Free shipping
You are receiving over $1300 in freebies!

At the end of the checkout process, enter the code End of the Year 2008 in the text box in order to receive your freebies. I will personally contact you with all of the details regarding your freebies.

Visit my Combination Packages page so that you can see exactly what you receive in each package.

Hurry and place your order because this offer expires November 9, 2008!

Are you prepared?

As I am sitting here trying to finish getting ready for my trip to Florida next week, I realize that I am not as prepared as I should be. I have known about this trip for a year now. I kept telling myself I had plenty of time to get my materials ready not only for my vendor table, but for my session I am teaching as well. Now I am down to the last two days and I still have plenty of work to do.

Are you prepared for your business and your clients? For example, if you have scheduled a pet sitting assignment weeks ahead of time, you should take the time right then and there to put together all of the paperwork that you will need and set the folder aside ready to go. Why? When the day comes for you to run off to your first visit, if you haven't prepared ahead of time, you may rush off without paperwork or the keys, which may lead to you having to return to your office or forgetting something you need to do during your visit.

We all can get overwhelmed from time to time and forget about little things we have to do. It is best to take the time to write down, while you still have a fresh memory, what it is that you need to do. It could be a to-do list or a spot on your calendar. I know that when I first get up, my mind has the day's events rolling about in it. If I take a few moments to sit down and write out everything possible that I can think of that I have to take care of, whether it is for that day or not, I will not forget about a small detail that may turn out to be important.

OK, I am off to finish my packing. As usual, I will be just fine as I put together a packing list several weeks ago and I know what I need so I don't forget anything.

Will you be joining me in Tampa?

If you haven't had a chance yet, visit http://www.iceaweb.org to check out more information about their upcoming conference September 24-27 in Tampa, Florida. I am so excited to be attending another conference, and as Vice President of Budget and Finance, I want to see more attendees there. Not only will there be some great information being taught, but there will be numerous opportunities to network and get to know other business owners in the errand and concierge service industry.

I am also excited because I will be one of the speakers for the pre-conference session. I will be discussing the basics of getting started during my three hour session. The information I will be providing will give you a great start to help you get your business off on the right foot.

I am looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and meeting many new ones this year!

Don't miss our show on Wednesday!

Make sure that you join us on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET with our guest speaker Peggy Porter. Peggy is a coach, author and speaker who specializes in helping Mom Entrepreneurs plan, prioritize and be more productive with their time so they can make more money, spend more quality time with family and bring more energy and less stress to their own lives.

Being a wife and mother of two children, Peggy experiences first hand the challenges of balancing work, family and ME time. She has successfully created a life that is full and rewarding and is passionate about helping all women create the same success.

If you run a business and want to find new ways to balance your work and personal life, then this is the segment for you. You can call in live at 646-478-4999 or listen online at www.blogtalkradio.com/errandgurutalk.

What type of attention are you looking for?

As I have been watching news reports, it seems that the talk of the town is Sarah Palin. Not because of what she stands for, but because of all of the controversy and scandal surrounding her private life. While I think that McCain is getting a boost in attention, are you sure it is the right kind of attention? My mom goes on and on about what a horrible choice he made and talks about how she may bring him down. I am sure John McCain would be happy to hear that.

Kids look for attention from their parents all of the time, whether they have to behave good or badly to get it. Of course parents tend to make a bigger deal out of their bad behavior more than they do when the child acts good. I know sometimes I have a tendency to overlook the good things my children do, because I just expect that from them, and I am more vocal about the bad things that they do. I promise I am trying to get better about doing the opposite.

As business owners we are always looking for attention when it comes to our business. Whether it is a piece in the newspaper or a bit on the local TV station or current clients are spreading the word. The more people that know about us, the better. Or so we think. The problem is when we don't care whether the publicity is about our behavior, whether it is good or bad, as long as it is attention.

We need to be more conscious about the attention our company receives. We want to throw a party and run to tell everyone when we have done good and we need to quickly take care of any errors we make and not draw attention to these errors. Of course, as business owners we will always make mistakes. It is how we handle them and the attention they receive that will determine what happens with our business.

Ready for the new school year yet?

For many of us business owners, when the kids go on summer break so do our businesses. With the kids going back to school, many of us get back on track. I know for myself, I do tend to have a busy schedule full of pet sitting and other errands, but I still make plenty of time to hang out with the family. With the kids going back to school, I go back into full business mode during the school year.


Whether the children are going to school part-time or full-time, you still need to have boundaries set. This includes your business hours, when the children are and aren't allowed in your office, what happens when the children are sick or on vacation, and so on. If everyone knows their roles and their boundaries, it is much easier to get through a hectic school year filled with after school and weekend activities and still be productive in your business.

Have you signed up for the Coaching Cafe yet?

Have you had a chance to check out what's being offered at the Errand Guru Coaching Cafe yet? If not, check it out at http://www.angelatyourservice.com/index_files/Page1171.htm. There are many exciting benefits to being a member, including two one-on-one coaching call in days, a Q&A call, a special topic or guest speaker call every month, a private forum, and many other benefits.

The first month is only $14.95 and each month thereafter is $29.95. We will be having some exciting guest speakers coming up in the next few months, but you will only have access to that information if you are a member of the Errand Guru Coaching Cafe.

Don't miss our show on Wednesday!

Make sure that you join us on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET with our guest speaker Christine Saunders. She is the owner of The Spiraled Stem Floral Design. She will be discussing green trends in event planning.

The Spiraled Stem incorporates environmentally sustainable flowers, products, materials, and practices into their studio and every project they do. Flowers are often an overlooked element of eco-friendly decor, and now they have made it easy for eco-conscious companies, event planners, individuals and brides to go green in every color.

If you run a business and want to find new ways to provide green services, then this is the segment for you. You can call in live at 646-478-4999 or listen online at www.blogtalkradio.com/errandgurutalk.

I'm back!

After being away for a few weeks, I am back with more information for you. Please make sure that if you haven't had a chance, check out previous blog posts and make any comments you would like regarding the posts. No comments means that I do not know if you like what I am talking about, if any of it makes sense, or whether you are even reading what I write.



Thanks!!!!!!!!