Feature Article: A Meeting of One

Business Owner in the Spotlight
George Tyler
DataPreserve

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Last week we started Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 number 55 and graduated board number 54. The graduation ceremony at the end of this three-month program is a moving experience. Board members become bonded as they experience the power of sharing their gifts to help each other in their businesses and personal lives.

The article, Invest in Your Number One Asset, published in the last issue, generated a lot of response. Victoria wrote this for us. It can be challenging to take excellent care of yourself while running a business. The result: Dave joined the local health club and is working our six days a week. Victoria has committed to get at least eight hours of sleep every night!

We encourage you to commit this year to taking good care of your business’s number one asset—yourself!

Dave and Victoria

George Tyler
DataPreserve

Try to imagine business life without your computer system. Now try to imagine it after all the data stored on your computers either disappears or is no longer available. Not a pretty picture, is it? DataPreserve eliminates this problem by backing up all your important computer data in certified Tier IV double-mirrored data centers in two different states. “We protect the lifeblood of a company,” says DataPreserve owner George Tyler.

With his wife Marianne, George purchased the five Colorado DataPreserve franchises in 2005, the very first franchisees of the company. By utilizing DataPreserve’s services, companies can breathe easier, knowing that their data is protected. “A company’s data is readily available regardless of the problem with their local computer or a catastrophic event at their office,” George says. “We have created a local network of data guardians to provide our services to the small and medium businesses.”

Q: What do you find most fulfilling about running your business?
GT: It is both a blessing and a curse, but as a business owner, you name your own hours. Some days you work 14-16+ hours, while you can take other days off. You are responsible for all aspects of the business, and you don’t run out of tasks to complete. It is very exciting to work side by side with your spouse.

Q: What motivated you to start this business?
GT: I never thought I would be a franchise owner, but the DataPreserve model is very unique. My 25+ years in the technology field has been developing partnerships to expand business. The sales model of DataPreserve is all based upon building relationships and partnerships to grow a long-term business. Over the years I have worked for Fortune 100 companies and participated in the creation of several start ups. I find that I like the thrill and the stimulation of a small organization.

Q: What book has been most helpful to you in your business?
GT: Books are so powerful and it is hard to narrow the list to only one. Before we even started our franchise, we both read Michael Gerber’s book E Myth Revisited, which is almost a bible for small companies. Now I am working on E Myth Mastery as the next step in becoming a better entrepreneur. Other authors that continue to shape my business and my life include Harvey MacKay and Bob Burg.

Q: Who has influenced you most in your life?
GT: We are all influenced by our family, and I have to mention my dad. He gave me guidance and values that shape my life. For the business world, I believe in the mentors who are the presidents of the several starts up for whom I have worked. These men have shown that treating people fairly and respectfully, and believing in each team member creates a strong team.

Q: What has proved to be your most successful marketing strategy?
GT: Without a doubt, we get most of our business through personal networking. Over a month, Marianne and I will attend 15-20+ different networking events. People like to do business with people they know and can trust. Seeing people month after month has created trust between our business partners and ourselves.

Q: What have been the greatest challenges you have had to overcome, or are currently facing, in your business?
GT: We have been very successful filling the needs of small business. Our biggest challenges is developing, educating and growing our channel of distribution.

The other opportunity is how to solve the needs of larger customers. Most of our current customers are companies with one to forty employees. We would like to work with the next level of customers with up to 100 employees. This is a great challenge for both us and our business partners.

Q: How did you benefit/are you benefiting from participating in a Make-it-Fly® program?
GT: When I first moved back to Denver to start this franchise, I immediately started developing partnerships and relationships with members of the business community. My Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board has helped me step back and look at the whole business. Instead of just worrying about the day-to-day issues, and my board has helped be look at the long-term picture and focus my efforts on a sustaining business.

Q: What would you say to other business owners who are contemplating getting involved in a Make-it-Fly® program?
GT: If you are willing to follow advice and listen to criticism from other business owners, plus provide suggestions to your fellow board members, I recommend that you join a board immediately. Where else can you find a sounding board of intelligent people who care about your success?

George Tyler can be reached by phone at: 720-259-1111, or visit his web site at: www.datapreserve.com/colorado.

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A Meeting of One
By Victoria Munro

Whether clients are calling and sales are up or you’re just getting a new business off the ground, running a business is demanding. The crucial daily tasks of running the business, wearing the many different hats, trying to catch up and keep up can consume all your time and energy. The thought of stopping to take time out to reflect, review and plan can seem absurd. Yet it could be what you need most.

If you want to grow your business and have a life, taking regular time to step away and think is key to your success. .

Schedule a Meeting of One
Set an hour or more aside each week for yourself. Regularly scheduling your own private meeting of one can keep you on track, bring to light innovative solutions to problems, turn mistakes into helpful learning experiences, clarify what’s really important, help you maintain a balanced life, inspire creativity, and rekindle your passion for the business and for life.

Make your Meeting of One a regular event. Put it on the calendar at the same time each week. Get out of the office, away from the phone and other distractions. Perhaps go to your favorite coffee shop or the local library. In the summer, a park bench or picnic table might offer an ideal venue. See this as an important meeting with the company’s key player—you.

There’s Value in Taking Time Alone to Think
Rags-to-riches millionaire and philanthropist Peter Daniels has created successful ventures around the world. In The Power of Focus, authors Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt write, “When asked what turned his life from triple indebtedness to unprecedented success, he (Peter Daniels) replied, ‘I scheduled time to think. In fact, I reserve one day a week on my calendar just to think. All of my greatest ideas, opportunities and money-making ventures started with the days I took off to think.’ ”

Your Meeting Agenda
Ideas for your meeting agenda might include:

	Review your long- and short-term goals.
	Are you on track to reach them? Are there adjustments you need to make?
	Review the last week.
	What was your biggest success? Challenge? What can you learn from each of these?
	What did you do in the business last week that was fulfilling and fun? What did you least enjoy? Could you delegate this? How?
	What could make customers’ experience with your company more profitable and enjoyable for them? Can you offer additional products or services would they value?
	What is the most important task, and the second most important task, you can accomplish this week? What might prevent you from accomplishing these? How will you overcome this?

Close your meeting by making a note of new ideas and anything you’ve committed to do or do differently this week.

Click here for the printable version.

Click here to give us your feedback and ideas. Answering and discussing the above questions works well for us. What kind of planning have you found helpful? We’ll share your ideas with our readers.

Click here to read more articles like this one.

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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:

• Thursdays - January 31, February 28, March 27, 2008 Apply now
• Mondays - March 3, April 7, May 5, 2008
• Fridays - May 2, June 6, July 11, 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, February 28, 2008

Time: 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Location: Maloney's Tavern, 1432 Market Street, Denver.
Click here for details and special parking arrangements.

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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.

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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