|
The Make-it-Fly
Retreat, Live by Design in 2009, last Friday was an outrageous
success! Barbara
Brannen and Terri
Starck did a terrific job. Those attending received a plan
with structure and accountability built in. For many, this was
a life-changing event bringing clarity of purpose. The wonderful
weather, scrumptious food and magnificent setting at beautiful
Mount Vernon Country Club were superb.
|
 |
The following was typical of comments in emails we received:
 |
“Thank you for the GREAT speakers today!
I have been to a lot of seminars, workshops, etc. and this
was indeed ONE of the very BEST! It was on
target, concise, focused, results oriented and FUN!” |
|
We’ve already had requests from those unable to attend
for an encore!
|
 We’re
excited to introduce Dianne Ochoa,
our first franchisee. Dianne is located in the
Los Angeles area where she works with business owners. She’s
already enjoyed running several Advisory Boards there.
If you're in the L.A. area, you can contact Dianne at 866-641-4797
ext. 702.
Coming very soon… Sky-Place—Make-it-Fly’s
social networking space. We’ll keep you informed!
Enjoy a super week!
Dave and Victoria! |
|
Stephanie Lewis
Lew West Business Consultants
Ask any entrepreneur what the most difficult area of business
is and hands down the top of the list includes business plans
and operating manuals. Stephanie Lewis of Lew West Business Consultants
takes the pain out of these two areas for small business owners.
|
 |
“The
business has evolved from just writing business plans to utilizing
a company’s information to build that company an operating
manual,” Stephanie says. “The idea is if they received
a call that required them to leave town for six months without
their phone, they could hand over their operating manual to a
knowledgeable person and still have enough business remaining
when they returned that it can be resurrected.”
Stephanie offers two choices: she writes your business plan or
operating manual for you or for lower cost, you can receive the
materials and Stephanie will assist you in creating either of
the documents. “If funding is desired,” Stephanie
says, “all possible assistance is offered.”
Stephanie incorporated the business in 1991 after several years
as a sole proprietor. “I am most excited about the latest
service addition,” she says. “Lew West now has the
personnel and capabilities to go into an established small or
mid-sized company and supply an objective, full analysis of their
business. That company is then given a comprehensive report of
our findings and suggestions.”
|
| Q: What do you find
most fulfilling about running your business?
SL: I love being
able to help business owners validate where they currently are
and assisting them in laying out a tangible path toward their
ultimate dream goal. I love sharing their dream, and then being
a part of making that dream a tangible reality. It is never boring
to watch a business develop its own personality.
Q: What motivated you to start
this business?
SL: While working
in the upper management level of corporate, I began starting small
business on the side to build and sell. Unfortunately, it required
a businesses plan and I hated writing them. After being successful
with my first business that had a business plan, I chose not to
write another business plan and promptly tanked the next two companies
I tried. After grudgingly acknowledging that a plan was essential
to my success, I forced myself to develop the most user friendly
BP I could. As I mastered the basics, I began to help others when
asked, and now I write, or consult on, BPs for anyone needing
organization and an active operational plan – and now I
actually enjoy doing it!
Q: What book has been most helpful
to you in your business?
SL: E-Myth
Revisited by Michael Gerber, and Pour Your Heart Into
It by Howard Schultze (Starbucks); two great versions of
developing a business from the ground up.
Q: Who has influenced you most
in your life?
SL: My
mother. Even though she personally was never involved with business,
she lived vicariously through me and was forever convinced that
there was nothing “we” couldn’t do. I’m
not sure I was always as convinced as she was, but it was very
comforting to know she was staunchly confident and supportive
of whatever I was doing.
Q: What has proved to be your most
successful marketing strategy?
SL: My most successful
marketing strategy has been, and is, developing long-term friendships,
and being a sincere friend in return. Every person is special
in their own way, and it seems the more friends you have the more
business you have. Your friends will recommend you without you
even having to ask because they know they can trust you to take
care of their friends.
Q: What have been the greatest
challenges you have had to overcome, or are currently facing,
in your business?
SL: My
greatest challenge was to accept the sincere help of all of the
wonderful people in the marketplace. Even those that weren’t
quite as sincere offered a contribution to the learning curve.
Now that I am accepting offers of assistance to reach my goals,
doors are opening and the future is becoming much more grand than
what I could have ever achieved by myself.
Q: How are you benefiting from
participating in a Make-it-Fly® board?
SL: I am
a devoted fan of Make-it-Fly® and what
it has done for me. When I came into Make-it-Fly®
three years ago, I was new to the area and wanted to meet people
in the marketplace, and meet them I did. Having broken into a
number of new locations over the years and familiar with the time
it usually takes, I found that through Make-it-Fly®
I became acquainted with more quality people in less time than
I ever have been able to in the past.
Q: What would you
say to other business owners who are contemplating getting involved
in a Make-it-Fly® board?
SL: You
can’t afford not to be a part of Make-it-Fly®.
It keeps your thinking fresh, introduces new avenues and possibilities
for you and your business, and challenges you to grow out of your
comfort zone.
Stephanie Lewis can be reached
by phone at: 303-459-4971, or visit her website at: www.lewwest.com.
Forward
this email to a friend. |
Back to Top
|
 Dave’s
Networking Tip:
Two
things to avoid as you network and
in life:
1. Promoting yourself and your business—leave that
to others.
2. Trying to manipulate the thoughts, feelings and/or
actions of others.
|
|
 Lay
the Foundation First
and Then Write Your Plan
By Victoria Munro
“If you don’t have a plan, how will you know when
you get there? The single greatest mistake most entrepreneurs
make is embarking on a business without a written plan.”
~ Jay Conrad Levinson and Seth Godin, The Guerilla Marketing
Handbook
A written plan, however simple, that realistically reflects your
business can be an amazingly effective tool. In
a nutshell, it’s your
road map to success.
Among other benefits, a business
plan will help you:
 |
Keep
on track and prevent expensive, time-wasting detours |
|
Convincingly
demonstrate the validity of your business for potential investors |
|
Rightly prioritize
your daily, monthly and annual goals |
|
Wisely allocate
resources |
|
More easily identify
and quickly resolve problems |
|
Affirm your sense
of purpose |
|
Give meaning
to immediate tasks, even the mundane little chores |
Before writing your plan,
it’s vital to lay a solid foundation based on understanding
who you are and where you want to take your life. At nine years
old, I made a plan to own a chain of flower shops—seemed
like it would be fun. I opened my first store at 17 and added
another when I was 19. I worked hard, and in my early 20’s
was well on the way to achieving my dream. Yet instead of being
elated, I was disappointed and frustrated. This wasn’t what
I wanted after all. I needed to stop and reflect on where I really
wanted to take my life.
Since then, I’ve found it helpful to give careful thought
to the following foundations before writing plans. Putting
these in place first will keep you
focused, motivated and moving towards a rewarding life you’ll
enjoy. Without these foundations in place, you
can do “all the right things,” but they probably won’t
work for you or bring you fulfillment over the long haul.
Three Essentials: Foundations
for Your Plan
You Must Know:
1. What You Value Most
Clearly identifying and being true to your personal values will
energize and influence all areas of your life and business. These
values are the non-negotiables that are truly important to you—the
principles you won’t compromise. Whether we are consciously
aware of them or not, we all have and live by personal values.
Our actions and the way we live
our lives demonstrate the values we hold dear.
Click
here to learn more.
2. Your Definition of Success
We use the word “success” frequently today, often
without giving much thought to what we really mean. Each person’s
understanding of success is unique. How you personally define
it will have a significant impact on how you use your time, run
your business and live your life. Think about what success means
to you? Write down your definition. This may take a little soul-searching,
but it will prove invaluable. Remember, success isn’t
a destination.
Click
here to learn more.
3. What Your “Big Picture”
Looks Like
Ask yourself what you want your life and your business to look
like in the future. Conceptualize it—see it, feel it, smell
it. Be specific. Where is the business located? What sort of a
building houses the business? Are there employees? How many? What
is the annual revenue? Who are your biggest clients? What is your
role in the company? How are you spending your time? Envision
everything, down to the smallest details, exactly as you’d
like to see it.
Click
here to learn more.
| |
“Personal leadership
is the process of keeping your vision and values before you
and aligning your life to be congruent with them.” |
|
| ~ Stephen Covey |
An effective business
plan is a dynamic document to be made use of often,
tweaked, updated and sometimes completely revised. It should not
be gathering dust on the shelf or stashed away in the file cabinet.
Before you write your plan, I encourage you to base
it on these foundations.
Enjoy your journey!
Click
here for the full, printable version.
Click
here to read more articles like this one.
Forward
this email to a friend.
|
|
Victoria’s
Marketing Advice
Maintain Steady Sales
Make a habit of spending regular time
each day or each week on marketing, even when you’re
really busy and have plenty of sales. Block out ‘marketing
time’ on your calendar and work at it faithfully.
Consistent marketing will help to smooth out the cash
flow roller coaster.
|
Back
to Top
|
The Riverfront specializes in well
crafted, richly satisfying occasions that balance
aesthetics, personality and party. The site is versatile, accommodating
groups from fifteen to five hundred. Features include: two dance
floors with professional sound and lighting, a fireplace nook,
three bars, outdoor patio, and gazebo. Our personal chef, custom
menus, and full suite of inclusions rank us paramount in our industry.
Call 303.865.8500
today
and schedule your holiday event!
www.riverfront-center.com
Learn Professional Sales Writing Secrets
– For Free!
Would you benefit from having sales materials
that are written with a professional polish?
Your solution is Casey On Copywriting,
a free
e-newsletter that teaches you:
| |
• Persuasive sales writing techniques
• Powerful headline writing skills
• Proven brochure writing formulas
• And much more! |
Get all
the details at www.caseydemchak.com
|
|
READING
THIS AD? THEN WHY NOT PUT YOURS HERE TOO? The
In-Flight Refueling Ezine reaches more than 2,700
entrepreneurs, small-biz owners, consultants and marketers. Reserve
your advertising spot today in the next In-Flight Refueling
Ezine,
http://www.make-it-fly.com/ezineads.html.
Paid Advertising Disclaimer: Make-it-Fly®
LLC does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability
of any of the paid advertisements above or the quality of any
products, services, information, or other materials displayed,
purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection
with any ad. It's common sense to do your own due diligence before
purchasing any product.
Back
to Top |
The
Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101
Each
Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 program
consists of 12 non-competing business owners who meet once a month
for three consecutive months. In the spirit of giving, they offer
each other solutions, ideas, resources and encouragement. Dave
and Victoria facilitate each group and share powerful tools to
assist business owners in reaching their goals and living more
balanced lives.
If you have experienced a Make-it-Fly®
program, please share the following openings with other business
owners who need support. Call Dave for more information at 720-962-8888.
Programs are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Current program openings in Denver:
- Thursdays - January 29, February 26, March 26, 2009 Full
- Fridays - February 13, March 13, April 10, 2009
- Tuesday - March 3, April 7, May 5
Click
here to sign up for Advisory
Boards.
Or call Dave at 720-962-8888.
Alumni
Boards are groups of 12-14 small business owners who have
participated in at least one Make-it-Fly®
Advisory Board 101 and wish to continue the support and accountability
with a group of like-minded, giving business associates. Members
meet once a month for a three-hour meeting.
If you completed the initial Make-it-Fly®
Advisory Board 101 and are interested in more information on Alumni
Boards, call Dave at 720-962-8888.
Make-it-Fly®
Café 
High altitude networking, where exceptional people help each
other.
Next
Café:
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009
Time: 4:30 to
7:30 p.m.
Location: The
Riverfront
2852 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton (One block west of Santa Fe)
Forward
this ezine to a friend.
|
|
Back
to Top
|
Click
here to read previous issues of Make-it-Fly®'s
email newsletters.
Contact
Make-it-Fly® - Dave and Victoria:
email: info@make-it-fly.com
voice: 720-962-8888
web: www.Make-it-Fly.com
Reprint
Permission:
Please email or call Victoria if you'd like to reprint any information
contained in this newsletter. Thanks! © Copyright 2008. All
rights reserved.
Back
to Top
Make-it-Fly®
LLC
720-962-8888
355 South Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80226, USA
http://www.make-it-fly.com
|
|
