Upcoming Events
|
Where Vicki is speaking in the first quarter 2009:
Fresno Builders Exchange
February 26th
Fresno, CA
more info
SBA (Small Business Administration)
March 10th,
6:00 - 8:00
San Francisco
more info
|
| Client Testimonial |
|
"When our company was not meeting its revenue potential and we didn't know why, we turned to Vicki Suiter, of Suiter Financial Systems. She really helped us get on track for meeting our goals and to increase income and net profits."
Glenn David Mathews, principal & founder of ARG Conservation Services
| |
|
January, 2009
Profit Primer
Tools for building strong companies! |
 Happy 2009! As the new year started out, I began thinking about what would be the most useful advice I could give people on how to not only survive, but thrive in the current economic climate. The first thought that occurred to me is that we must begin by changing our thinking. Rather than look at the current economic challenges and ask "why me?", ask "what CAN we do to make it a good year?" "How can I work on my business to make it the best it's ever been?" Around that time a client sent me a piece he had written that addressed just that question - "How CAN WE make it a good year?".
This month's newsletter is a reprint of the piece my client sent me. It's about seeing the glass half full; realizing that there ARE things you can do to effect the success of your business in the coming year - in spite of the economy; and finally, that we all can make a difference in the business climate around us. Hope you enjoy reading this piece as much as I did. May your 2009 be a year filled with success and prosperity - on all levels! Best regards, Vicki |
It's All In How You Look At It
By Steve Rempe, Rempe Construction, Inc.
While there have been an overwhelming number of articles published recently giving advice for businesses and about the effects of the current downturn in the economy, I feel most have missed the point. They have missed what I consider to be the many important places where we can begin our personal and business recovery. The following are ten items I think are worth considering.
1) Quit commiserating. It does absolutely no good to discuss the result of the recent decline in the market, real estate values, the deficit or GDP. Stating that the economy is horrible and that we are in a recession hardly addresses a solution, and does not build good will toward creating a solution.
2) Treat people around you with care. Your employees, your customers, your friends and relatives are all affected in some manner by the economy. Much of the anger or uneasiness we see is a displaced reaction to underlying stress at home and work. Everyone we meet, from the counter person at the coffee shop to the mechanic, is feeling that their job may be in danger, their savings won't go very far, or that someone they know will lose a job and they may be unable to help.
3) Thank people around you for whatever they do for you. Thank your parents and family for loving you, thank employees for their efforts and loyalty, thank your customers for the opportunity they provide, and thank your friends for putting up with you.
4) Stop being a "witness." We must be a participant in our own business and personal recovery. We often hear people comment on the system, what is wrong with everything, and how they are to blame for the end result of everything. This is what I call blaming the referee for the results of the game. If we want change we must do so by reaching out to others, personally and in business, to find like-minded people that will pull together.
5) Tune up your business. Clean your desk, renew a bulletin board, and thin out the junk. Take the time to meet with staff and find out what works procedurally and what doesn't work in your office. Once identified, give individuals the task of making changes and reporting back to you, with the goal of becoming both a stronger company and individual on a deeper level.
6) Be the best. Everyone will compete on price and the market will control the bottom, but quality cannot be faked. A commitment to quality is a cultural trait of good companies.
7) Let people know you are out there. Do not be afraid to ask for referrals or let people know that you are in the market for good projects, new work or new customers.
8) Build business from a basis of true personal relationships. Find something you like about the individuals you work with or for, or move on. As an extension of this, reach out to others in businesses with which you share an ethical and moral basis. Speak openly with these individuals and find out what common goals you share, common customers, common interests, and common drive to build business.
9) Give yourself a break. You did not cause the current economic conditions. Go to work every day with the idea that you are fortunate to have that job, and while we may not have caused the current situation, we have the opportunity to be a critical part of future change and growth.
10) Give your time away. Mentoring or teaching is the greatest gift you can give yourself. As we teach we learn. As we learn we are revitalized and we gain the energy and strength to lead the people around us in the future.
|
Ask Vicki!
Got a question you'd like answered? An issue you need resolved? Email Vicki and she may include it in her next newsletter.
Email Vicki at: info@suiterfinancial.com
As a business coach and consultant for over 18 years, Vicki has helped hundreds of companies realize an appreciable increase in profits and cash flows. She does this by developing solid strategic and financial plans, as well as feedback systems that get results. She also works with owners, managers to create alignment in teams and generate an increased sense of satisfaction and clarity on where they can make a difference in an organizations success!
|
|
Suiter Financial Systems
250 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. C2
Novato, CA 94949
www.suiterfinancial.com
info@suiterfinancial.com
415 884 0288
|
|
|
www.suiterfinancial.com 
