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 We
recently enjoyed another birthday party when Dave’s granddaughter
Olivia turned three years old! So
fun to be with family, and watch children open presents and play.
We can probably learn a lot from them!
Victoria has been mentoring up-and-coming speakers. She was rewarded
last week when two of them gave important speeches and did exceptionally
well—one of them winning second place in a local contest!
Supporting and helping others has
been the foundation of Make-it-Fly®.
Our goal to change the mindset in the marketplace from one of
competition to collaboration seems lofty, but it’s working.
As you run your business, don’t forget to take some time
out for family and friends, and to enjoy these wonderful last
days of summer!
Our very best regards,
Dave and Victoria
P.S. Make
a note of the next Make-it-Fly
Café on Thursday, October 25!
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Paul Kreins
Have Big Fun Entertainment (Bowl-ero Lanes)
Who knew that bowling could be
serious business? Paul Kreins knew. As a 28-year
veteran of the bowling industry, Paul acquired Bowl-ero Lanes
in September of 2006. “We are an independently owned family
business,” he says. “In the simplest terms, we are
a bowling center, but what we sell is entertainment, fun and recreation.” |
While entertainment is what Paul offers, what it
took to turn around a floundering business was nothing short of
epic. “I am driven by a challenge,” he says, “but,
in this case, even my due diligence failed to reveal just how
serious the situation really was here.”
But turn it around he has. Bowl-ero Lanes is a “family-oriented,
kid-friendly and customer-centric” business, according to
Paul. “We have all the usual things a bowling center has
(bowling, arcade, restaurant, lounge, birthday parties, company
parties and leagues),” Paul says. “But
what sets us apart is our never-ending desire to make our customers
happy.”
Q: What do you find most fulfilling
about running your business?
PK: I love the
bowling business, in general, because I love people. Every day
is a unique adventure. People go bowling because they want to
have fun, they want to be treated special and they want to get
away from the stress of everyday life. I love making people happy.
Q: What motivated you to start
this business?
PK: I saw this as
a good opportunity to turn a business around. It’s what
I have done all my career. This was a very distressed operation
that needed significant help. I have been in the “bowling
business” (in various capacities) for 28 years. I am generally
considered one of the top industry experts when it comes to bowling
center operations, marketing and business development. I still
do consulting for bowling center operators, seminars for trade
associations and writing for industry publications. I am also
a bowler (33 years as a PBA member) and a coach (Top 100 in the
world as determined by Bowlers Journal International).
Q: What book has been most helpful
to you in your business?
PK: In
addition to the Bible, the business book that seems to have had
a great deal of impact on me is Selling the Invisible
by Harry Beckwith. We are in the service business. We don’t
sell anything tangible. We sell relationships. Bowling, like most
products and services, is just a commodity. In the end, the only
thing that sets us apart is the service itself. This book illustrates
that point very well.
Q: Who has influenced you most
in your life?
PK: Everyone
we ever touch in our lives, and even some we don’t even
know about, has an influence on each of us in some way. Consequently,
everyone is important. But of course there are some people in
our lives who have a greater impact than others. In my life, I’ve
been blessed by knowing many incredible people from friends to
teachers to coaches to business associates. Most significantly:
I have two loving, wonderful parents, who shaped me as a person
and continue to be a positive influence in my life every day.
My wife, Patti, has stood by me and supported me through the past
20 years during some very difficult times. She is my best friend.
My son, Ben has had the most profound impact on my life since
the day he was born. I had never experienced the type of love
that exists between a father and son.
Q: What has proved to be your most
successful marketing strategy?
PK: Treat
people special.
Q: What have been the greatest
challenges you have had to overcome, or are currently facing,
in your business?
PK: We
took over a business that had unbelievably serious problems. It
was bleeding cash. It had a horrendous and far-reaching reputation
for bad customer service. The previous manager had literally driven
off thousands of customers. It was very dirty, and maintenance
had been neglected for years. Aside from surviving financially,
our greatest challenge has been getting former customers to give
us a chance to show them how much things have changed. Along with
that, getting new customers to sample our “product”
has been an ongoing challenge.
Q: How did you benefit/are you
benefiting from participating in a Make-it-Fly®
program?
PK: The
Make-it-Fly® program is a tremendous concept. For me, being
new to the community, it was a great way to get to know other
entrepreneurs and receive critical feedback and support from a
group of individuals who could look at my business and my work
habits objectively yet with a critical eye. Personally, it helped
me get focused on high-return tasks at a time when I was feeling
pretty overwhelmed.
Q: What would you say to other
business owners who are contemplating getting involved in a Make-it-Fly®
program?
PK:
Do it. It is an extremely worthwhile investment of your time.
Paul Kreins can be reached by phone
at: 303-922-1125, or visit his website at: www.Bowl-ero.com.
If you’re in the Denver area, think about holding your
company parties, meetings and/or functions at Bowl-ero Lanes.
They have great food too! Click here
to check out Paul’s special offer for In-Flight Refueling
readers.
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 Dave’s
Networking Tip:
Consider
thanking the organizers of a great event
personally, or send them a note letting them know how
much you enjoyed and/or benefited from the event. We all
appreciate recognition.
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 10
Tips to Help You Work Smarter
By Victoria Munro
Working hard probably won’t yield the results you want!
We all have a limited amount of time and energy, and by working
smart rather than hard we will achieve more and have time and
energy to spare.
1. Define Your Goals and Keep a Laser
Focus
Keeping clearly defined goals before you helps you focus on what’s
important. Prioritize: Decide daily which activities are most crucial
to achieving your goals. Spend a few minutes each morning determining
your number-one goal for the day, and then write a realistic daily
to-do list. This will help clarify important tasks.
2. Schedule Regular Appointments
with Yourself
If you’re going to maintain balance, keep on track and move
your business forward, you need to set regular appointments with
yourself. In your calendar, block out uninterrupted times to think,
review and plan. Unless you’re in a crisis, don’t
allow day-to-day tasks to take over this time.
3. Know Yourself: Build on Your
Strengths, Work Around Your Weaknesses and Avoid Your “Stressors”
Spend most of your time working in the areas of your strengths—what
you’re good at and feel fulfilled working on. Develop these
strengths further. Often, doing what you do best is a “high-payoff
activity" in your business. Whenever practical, seek to delegate
tasks in your areas of weakness.
Are you an early bird or a night owl? What time of day do you
work at peak performance? Schedule your “high-payoff”
activities during these times. Know and honor your own limits.
Understand what causes you undue stress and avoid this whenever
possible.
4. Take Regular Mini Vacations
and Give Rewards
We work more efficiently when we take short breaks or “mini
vacations” for a few minutes every hour or forty-five minutes.
This refreshes us, clears our minds, and increases vitality and
the ability to concentrate.
Value yourself enough to plan rewards or treats for yourself
at the completion of difficult tasks. This could be something
as simple as a latte at the corner coffee shop, a walk in the
park or a shopping trip.
5. Put a Stop to Procrastination
When you find yourself procrastinating, seek to understand why.
Asking questions like: “Is this project really in line with
my goals? If I do it, what’s in it for me? What will happen
if I fail to do it?” The answers can be very revealing.
Acknowledge that continuing to avoid tackling the project may
cause you more stress than making a decision and doing it, or
deciding not to do it and accepting the consequences.
6. Make Your Work Space Work for
You
Since you spend a significant amount of your time in your workspace,
make it as pleasant as possible, and create an atmosphere that
is conducive to productive work. Surround yourself with things
you enjoy. Eliminate or at least minimize any distractions.
Organize your desk so that piles of papers do not surround you.
Make sure that your phone is located in the best possible place.
Invest in a comfortable headset. Keep your daily planning tool
close at hand.
Click
here to read more...
Click
here for the printable version.
Click
here to read more articles like this one.
Forward
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Victoria’s
Marketing Advice
Say it Over Again!
Never assume your clients or potential
clients saw, read or understood your first marketing messages.
The fact that they didn’t respond doesn’t
mean they don’t want what you’re offering.
It just means that you probably need to send your message
multiple times before it will cause them to take action.
Don’t underestimate
the power of repetition!
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Bowl-ero Lanes
Paul's Special Offer for In-Flight Refueling
Readers:
Book a company party for $250 or
more
within the next year, and receive a $50 discount!
Just mention Make-it-Fly®.
Ever
Thought About Seeing a Counselor?
Have you thought about seeing a counselor
but don't know how to find one? I am a Licensed Professional
Counselor and a Specialist in Grief and Loss. I offer
a safe place to process life for individuals, children,
couples and families. I understand running your own
business and how tough it is to take care of yourself.
No charge for first session!
Janet
M Buntrock, MA, LPC,CT
Candlelight Counseling, Littleton, Colorado
Call: 303-797-6443
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READING THIS
AD? THEN WHY NOT PUT YOURS HERE TOO? The In-Flight
Refueling Ezine reaches more than 1,800 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.
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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:
- Fridays - January 4, February 1, March 7, 2008
- Thursdays - January 31, February 28, March 27, 2008
- Mondays - March 3, April 7, May 5, 2008
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 is scheduled for
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2007
Time: 4:30 to
7 p.m.
Location: Seasons Café
in the DTC, located at 8101 East Belleview, in the Marina Square
Center.
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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 2007. All
rights reserved.
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Make-it-Fly®
LLC
720-962-8888
355 South Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80235, USA
http://www.make-it-fly.com
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