ActionCOACH Honored In The People’s Choice Stevie® Awards For Favorite Companies

 ActionCOACH has been voted the favorite Business Services organization by the more than 35,000 people worldwide who voted in the first People’s Choice Stevie® Awards for Favorite Companies. 

The worldwide public vote was conducted as part of the 8th Annual International Business AwardsSM, the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in business.

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards will be presented to honorees at The 8th Annual International Business Awards on Tuesday, 11 October in the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

All organizations honored in the Company/Organization awards categories of this year’s International Business Awards were eligible to be included in voting for the People’s Choice Awards, which was open to the public for more than five weeks this summer.

Founded by Oz businessman Brad Sugars in 1993, ActionCOACH has expanded into a global leader in business coaching.

This is not the first time ActionCOACH has been honored by the Stevies this year, as the company earned Company of the Year – Business Services, at the American Business Awards earlier this year.

Complete lists of honorees and other details are available at www.stevieawards.com/iba

ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business coaching and executive coaching firm, with more than 1,000 offices in 39 countries, coaching more than 15,000 businesses every week.

Australians Among Winners Announced for the 2011 Business Excellence Awards

The 2011 Business Excellence announced winners in 16 separate categories in a gala awards ceremony held at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami.

The winners received the gold Business Excellence Awards statuette, surrounded by more than 150 attendees, including ActionCOACH Business Coaches and business owners from around the world.

The list includes Australian Pressure Testing Services, a Western Australia-based company owned by Paul Newboundan, and New South Wales-based In 2 Motion, owned by Jason Pilgrim.

2011 Business Excellence Award Winners

Best Overall Company (Under 10)
Stice Drywall (Edmonton, Alberta) – Owner, Vern Stice

Best Overall Company (Under 50)
Beaver Trees and Landscaping (Christchruch, New Zealand) – Owner, Bryce Robb

Best Overall Company (Under 500)
Scott Fischer Enterprises (Ft. Myers, Florida) – Owner, J. Scott Fischer

Fastest Growing Company (Under 10)
Opp Family Chiropractic (St. Francis, Minnesota) – Owners, Dr. Brian and Dr. Cindy Opp

Fastest Growing Company (Under 50)
Chase Roofing and Contracting (Cooper City, Florida) – Owner, Tamara Chase

Fastest Growing Company (Under 500)
Australian Pressure Testing Services (Henderson, Western Australia) – Owner, Paul Newbound

Entrepreneur of the Year
Michael J. Caputi, Epoxytec (West Park, Florida)

Best Service Based Results
ACF Consulting (Trinity, Florida) – Owner, Adam Ford

Best Manufacturer/Wholesaler
MIC Foods (Miami, Florida) – Owner, Alfredo Lardizabal

Best Retailer
Columbus Car Audio and Accessories (Columbus, Ohio) – Owner, Todd Hays

Most Community Impact
In 2 Motion (North Richmond, New South Wales, Australia) – Owner, Jason Pilgrim

Best Turnaround Company
Luxury for the Home (Houston, Texas) – Owner, Leslie Hassler

Most Innovative Company
Nova Data Testing (Yulee, Florida) – Owner, John Taylor

Best Customer Service Results
Gonzalez and Goetz (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) – Owners, David Goetz and Lisa Gonzalez-Goetz
Best Start-Up
Source88 (St. Petersburg, Florida) – Owner, Lindsey Jarrell

Young Entrepreneur (35 and younger)
Neitra Blair, owner of Organizing Lifestyles (Houston, Texas)

The Business Excellence Awards are sponsored by ActionCOACH, the world’s number one business coaching firm. For more information on the awards, visit bef2011.com .

Business Awards: Entries for the 2011 ActionCOACH My Business Awards are Now Open

Enter your company today in the 2011 ActionCOACH My Business Awards

Entries are now open for the 2011 ActionCOACH My Business Awards, and you can get everything you need to know about the awards competition here …

ActionCOACH My Business Awards information

The 2011 ActionCOACH My Business Awards recognise business success in a number of categories, and is also a must-attend event for owners and entrepreneurs.

Just go here …

ActionCOACH My Business Awards

… and enter your company today!

Business Awards: “Best Start-up” Category Announced for 2011 Business Excellence Awards

The 2011 Business Excellence Awards announced entries are now open for the “Best Start-up” category for this year’s event, which will take place at the conclusion of the 2011 Business Excellence Forum, hosted at Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami from August 19-20, 2011.

Business awards at the 2011 Business Excellence Awards include honours for "Best Start-up"

 The Business Excellence Awards honor the “best of the best” results in small and medium sized businesses from around the world, and is an excellent way to showcase exceptional results for business owners, entrepreneurs, their teams and their companies.

To enter companies into the “Best Start-up” category, click here …

befawards.com

 … to request a download for entry into the awards.

 The “Best Start-up” category is recognizes outstanding results for startup companies that have begun operations since January, 1, 2010.

 Winning companies will receive a 2011 Business Excellence trophy for the category, as well as local and national publicity for the company’s business accomplishments.

 The 2011 Business Excellence Forum and the 2011 Business Excellence Awards are sponsored by ActionCOACH, the world’s number one business coaching firm. The events are part of the company’s on-going commitment to innovation, business excellence and business re-education for owners and teams who operate and work in small-and-medium sized businesses.

Deadline for entries is June 30, 2011.

For more information about the 2011 Business Excellence Awards, click here:

befawards.com 

ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business coaching and executive coaching firm, with more than 1,000 offices in 32 countries.

Business Awards: 2011 Business Excellence Awards Announce “Best Overall Company” Category

Entries are now open for the “Best Overall Company” category for this year’s event, which will take place at the conclusion of the 2011 Business Excellence Forum, hosted at Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami from August 19-20, 2011.

To enter your company into the “Best Overall Company” category, visit:

Business Awards

… to request a download for entry into the awards.

The Best Overall Company category recognizes companies that demonstrate exceptional “best practices” that lead to outstanding results year-over-year.

There are (4) separate categories to enter for consideration:
A1. Less than 10 employees
A2. Less than 50 employees
A3. Less than 100 employees
A4. Less than 500 employees

Winning companies will receive a 2011 Business Excellence trophy (designed by the same company that designs the Oscar for Hollywood’s annual Academy Awards), as well as local and national publicity for the company’s business accomplishments.

Additional categories for this year’s awards ceremony include:  Best Turnaround Company; Most Improved Company; Best Customer Service; Best eBusiness and Entrepreneur of the Year.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the Business Excellence Forum will feature some of the finest speakers in the world of business, including Les Brown and ActionCOACH Founder, Chairman and President Brad Sugars.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend a number of workshops, breakout sessions and networking events.

Deadline for entries is June 30, 2011.

To learn more about the 2011 Business Excellence Forum, go to:

“Best Overall Company” Entry Request

For more information about the 2011 Business Excellence Forum, visit:

Registration Information

ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business coaching and executive coaching firm, with more than 1,000 offices in 32 countries.

Grow your business with clear Vision and Mission statements

If you’re wanting to really grow your business, you should get clear on the true vision and mission of your organization and what you want it to become.

You can leverage and better grow your business with Vision and Mission statements.

Think of your vision (or your Vision Statement) as your destination.

Think of your Mission Statement as the path to getting there.

In both, you should be able to answer three key questions about your business:

1) What do you do?

2) For whom do you do it?

3) What is the benefit of doing business with you?
 
Once you’ve established your Vision and Mission, share it with your team.

Putting your mission statement in your employee handbook will help your team understand the overall purpose of your organization, so long as you answer the three key questions about your company.

Remember, it’s easier to create teamwork and coordination in a company when everyone is working toward a common goal.

Make your company’s goal to fulfill your Vision and Mission.

Not only will you be going in a clear direction for success, you’ll be doing it with people who share your own drive and passion to make that vision and mission a reality.

All the best,

The TEAM at ActionCOACH

Business Awards: The 2011 Business Excellence Awards and How You Can Enter Your Company

Has your company had an exceptional year?

Do you know of a company that has produced exceptional results, or an entrepreneur who has started a great company?

If you've had an exceptional year, you should consider entering your company in a business awards competition

 
If you do, here’s how you can enter that (or your) company in an international awards competition that costs nothing but can bring significant benefits to your company.

Just visit …

Business Excellence Awards

… and enter your company in the 2011 Business Excellence Awards, which will be presented on August 20, 2011 at the conclusion of the 2011 Business Excellence Forum.

When you visit …

Business Excellence Awards
… you’ll be able to enter your company’s contact information and receive an email with a link to the downloadable entry form.

You can choose to enter in any of (13) separate categories, including:

1) Entrepreneur of the Year
2) Best Retailer
3) Best Service Based
4) Best Turnaround Company
5) Most Innovative Company
6) Best Manufacturer/Wholesaler
7) Best eBusiness

In addition to the category “Most Community Impact,” additional categories include:

9) Best Customer Service Results
10) Best Start-up
11) Young Entrepreneur (35 and younger)

12) Fastest Growing Company
a.  Less than 10 employees
b.  Less than 50 employees
c.  Less than 100 employees
d.  Less than 500 employees

13) Best Overall Company
a.  Less than 10 employees
b.  Less than 50 employees
c.  Less than 100 employees
d.  Less than 500 employees

All winners receive their own trophy, as well as local and national publicity for their achievements.

Deadline for entries for the 2011 Business Excellence Awards is June 30, 2011.

Just visit:

Business Excellence Awards

… and enter your company today!

ActionCOACH highlights “business help” results at regional conferences

I am An ActionCOACH

The ActionCOACH regional conferences highlight a number of great “business help” results from the past year, and this year was no exception.

The results of the ActionCOACH business help system and its impact on profit, team building and owner lifestyle is always evident at the regional conferences, as top coaches are recognized for their results in their local communities.

More information about the latest Asia-Pacific Conference is here …

Steve Leach wins award

… featuring a variety of ActionCOACH Business Coaches.

“Conference season is a great way to show how a good Business Coach guide you with great business help,” ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars said.

“Business Coaches can offer business help in so many ways … from systems that help multiply profit to new ways to leveraging your time in building better teams.”

Business Coaches use business help questions to allow owners to see and overcome business challenges.

Business Coaches also offer business help by holding owners accountable (sometimes for the first time) to getting the better results.

For more ideas on how business coaching can offer business help to your company, see “I Am an ActionCOACH” here …

YouTube video – I am an ActionCOACH

And … for those companies in start-up mode looking for business help, ActionCOACH offers business help through a variety of business help books, CDs, DVDs and group coaching workshops and seminars.

In bigger companies needing business help (meaning those companies with turnover in excess of $5 million), ActionCOACH Business Coaches offer business help in exclusive “one-on-one” coaching, with a variety of additional business help options and programs.

Remember, all of ActionCOACH business help programs are guaranteed, so whatever level of business help you choose, you know you will get the business help results you want to achieve.

Business Mentor Australia: How to Boost your Average $$$ Sale (Part 3) …

We’ve been reviewing some strategies ActionCOACH uses to increase the Average $$ Sale in any business, and we’ll continue to look at some key strategies to make this happen as easily and effectively as possible …

Below are some more ways to increase the value of each sale in your business:

Use a Questionnaire …
Dig as deep as you can.  Make sure you ask enough questions to leave no stone unturned.  The more questions you ask the more chance you have of finding another need or want that you can fill.

Also, if you’re unsure of any additional products or services that you could sell, a simple questionnaire can be effective.  Use it to ask your customers what else they would like you to sell.  Don’t limit yourself too much.  Ask the customers to get a little creative … who knows, there could be a whole new opportunity just waiting to be suggested.

Hints and Tips …
1. Make your questionnaire simple but effective as a sales tool.
2. Offer customers an incentive to participate, or just explain how what you’re doing will help them.
3. Fill it out on the spot with you acting as a sounding board, don’t be afraid to ask more questions to dig deeper.
4. Ask for their suggestions, and act as quickly as possible.

Allow Payment Terms or Financing …
This allows your customers to spend more by giving them the chance to pay it off over a period of time.  You’ll find this is particularly beneficial if you’re up selling them to a product that’s beyond their original budget.

Hints and Tips …
1. Ensure they are credit worthy.
2. Use it as a real selling tool to close the deal.
3. Ask “How much can you afford a month?” and then work out a payment plan to suit them – this makes it very hard to say NO.

Carry Exclusive Lines …
By stocking items that can’t be purchased elsewhere you can charge higher than normal prices.  The advantage is that your customers can’t shop around and get cheaper quotes.  This is a great way to avoid ‘C’ and ‘D’ grade customers asking you for a discount.

Hints and Tips …
1. If people won’t pay your price, let them go … other customers will.
2. Exclusivity is worth a lot, so don’t be afraid to lift your prices.
3. Use the uniqueness of your product as a selling tool – people love to have something others don’t.

Rearrange Store Layout and Merchandising …
Make sure your products are on shelving that’s clearly marked with Bin Labels.  Not only will that assist your customers when purchasing, but it will also help you when re-ordering stock.

Stock should be presented clearly with no broken packaging.  Fast moving items should be placed on or just above eye level with slow moving items placed just below eye level.  End aisle displays should tell a story with add on sale items clearly visible.

Make sure your most expensive items, or items with the highest margin are in your highest traffic areas.

Hints and Tips …
1. Top selling items should be displayed at eye level.
2. Slower moving items just below eye level.
3. Make sure all products are clearly marked and cleanly displayed.
4. End aisles should be harnessed with ‘specials’ and impulse products.

More to come …

Business Mentor Australia: How to Boost your Average $$$ Sale (Part 2) …

In our previous ActionCOACH post, we talked about the importance of upping your Average $$ Sale, and in the next several posts, we’ll offer specific strategies to make this happen in YOUR business.

Here’s some additional suggestions:

Up Sell …
This can be done when you have a basic and deluxe version of a particular product.  It works by selling your customer a more expensive version of the product they’re looking at, based on its benefits.  When up selling it’s important to explain how the more expensive model will better suit their long term needs.

Hints and Tips …
1. Clearly spell out the BENEFITS of the more expensive option.
2. Put the price into perspective – “Sure it might be a little more now, but in the long run…”
3. Keep your options open…don’t oversell the dearer product as someone may be on a very tight budget.

Cross or Add On Sell …
A technique that is successfully used by many large companies (see McDonald’s above).  Can be very effective when selling products or services that are used in conjunction with others.  A good example of this would be selling your customers a watering system when they buy a quantity of lawn seed.  Or try buying a suit without the sales assistant offering you to try a vast array of ties.  You can also cross sell associated products or services on a commission basis with another company.

Hints and Tips …
1. Always offer more than the customer is initially looking for.
2. Offer a package deal if they buy something else as well.
3. Don’t over pressure people, after all you want them to come back.

Down Sell …
Show them the highest priced item first and then the one just a little more expensive than they’d planned seems extremely cheap. This can be really effective when your customer can’t afford a more expensive item.  Rather than attempting to only sell them a higher priced item, and as a result losing the sale altogether, you simply sell them a similar product that fits just above their budget.

Hints and Tips …
1. Wait until you are absolutely sure they can’t afford the premium product, you just might sell the most expensive item each time.
2. Try and make it sound as though there is little difference between the two products anyway.
3. If you haven’t got a cheaper version, try and sell them something else.

Use a Checklist …
Similar to Add On Selling, you simply run through a checklist with your client whenever they purchase a particular type of product.  This list should be prepared in advance and used with as many different products as possible.  For example if a customer buys a tin of paint, run through the list to see if they need brushes, thinners, drop sheets, stirrers, etc.

Hints and Tips …
1. Make sure every team member has the list.
2. Check to make sure it’s being used with every customer.
3. Have a reward system in place that acknowledges team members who make additional sales off the list.
4. Test and measure – and if it ain’t working, change the questions.

More simple yet effective strategies in upcoming posts!