Working From Home – Home Based Business Success for Entrepreneurs and Others

Many entrepreneurs work from home. While this can be liberating, it can be challenging, as well. For those who were previously employed by a company, making the transition to being an entrepreneur can be doubly challenging, as you will understand what any entrepreneur will tell you that it’s now all up to you to get the job done. As a successful entrepreneur for nearly 30 years, here are six tips to help those new to the world of entrepreneurship – as well as those entrepreneurs who have been doing it for a while, but may need a reminder – to be more successful,

 1 – Your Environment: Clear out an area from which you can comfortably work. If this can be a stationary location such as a small desk or table in your abode – or a separate room – so much the better. That way, you know when you sit down in that location, you are “at work.” Having a dry erase board, a post-it board or something hanging from a wall on which to clip notes is always good for reminders, etc. With regard to keeping your desk neat and tidy, Albert Einstein said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what then is an empty desk a sign?” Well, I would ask, “Of what then is an orderly desk a sign?” Unless you have a mind like Einstein, keeping your work location neat and orderly may be beneficial to increasing your overall efficiency.

2 – Minimize Visual Distractions: Make sure your work space is free from visual distractions such as the television or awaiting chores (i.e. dirty dishes in the sink). That doesn’t mean that you must face away from a window with a nice view. It means eliminating what might detract you. If you are in the middle of an important conversation and something comes on the television that distracts you, then you have just potentially created an uncomfortable moment that could have been avoided. The TV diverted your attention, which is different from looking out the window and taking a short break.

3 – Minimize Interruptions: When working from home, put phone numbers from relatives or friends who may call during your work day on vibrate. When checking your email, skip over personal messages until you take a break – that is also the time to check your personal phone messages. Also, refrain from web surfing, tweeting, and Facebooking, during your work time. Focus on what needs to get done and do it.

4 – Work Time & Breaks: Coordinate your day, so that you know when you will be working and when you will be taking any breaks. Try to stick to that time schedule. When it’s time to take a break, step away from your “office.” When it’s time to return to work, put personal issues or responsibilities aside and do your business.

5 – Shirt or Slippers: Maybe you can work just fine at home in your pajamas or sweats. However, for many people, “cleaning up” and wearing something more “appropriate” can increase efficiency and overall productivity. You don’t need to put on what you might wear if you were to actually go into the office, but you will probably feel more “professional” if you are wearing something other than a bathrobe and fuzzy slippers.

6 – Make Time for Motivation and Inspiration: Prior to starting your work day, take a few moments to read something that will inspire or motivate you. As stated, working from home requires discipline and discipline requires you to be self-motivated. Write down some sayings or affirmations that you like and keep them near your workspace.

While these strategies appear to be simple, many entrepreneurs will overlook them. However, by following these strategies, you may increase your performance and productivity and, therefore, be more successful as an entrepreneur.

What do I do as an entrepreneur? I’m a trade show magician. That’s right. Corporations worldwide engage me to drive traffic to their booth and act as their spokesperson. To find out more about my work as one of the leading trade show magicians, just click on the links. You can also view my trade show magician video here .

©2012 Bob Garner. All Rights Reserved. You may use this article, but you must use the byline and author resource. Jillops works for Bob Garner.

Trade Show Presenter Testimonial Confirms Trade Show Magician Garner is the Best

It’s one thing to have a client write a testimonial, but it’s another thing to have them be willing to be video taped. I really appreciate it when my clients take the time to provide me with a video testimonial.

At the show referenced on this testimonial, I was not there as a trade show magician – I rarely am - I was a trade show mind reader. And after I got a crowd, I would then transition the attendees to two of the best trade show presenters in the business.  (I have been booking these trade show presenters for many years and I am proud to have them on my team.)

The show was awesome and we all had a great time and helped our client achieve their goal. Take a look at the video for a super testimonial. Thank you Bev!

For more information on my services under trade show magicians or trade show presenter, just click on the link.

Deal With Challenges – Harry Houdini Can Teach You About Dealing With Challenges

As a trade show magician and funny motivational speaker who uses magic and mind reading in my presentations, my life was transformed by reading about Houdini when I was 8 years old.

Even though Harry Houdini died 85 years ago on Halloween, his legend lives on. Check out this post on what Houdini can teach you about dealing with challenges and escaping from problems: http://funnymotivationalspeaker.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/dealing-with-challenges-and-escaping-from-problems-what-harry-houdini-can-teach-you/

 

Trade Show Magician Testimonial Confirms Bob Garner is the Best

Looking for a trade show magician? You need to check out this blog http://funnymotivationalspeaker.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/trade-show-magician-testimonial-confirms-no-one-can-do-what-bob-garner-does/ and watch the video.

Instead of a boring trade show presenters, trade show magicians deliver excitement, as well as a message.  A good trade show magician brings in a crowd, delivers content and then pre-qualifies attendees and gets them into the exhibit to talk to reps. That’s trade show ROI! That’s trade show magic!

Magician Trade Shows – 7 Year Client Confirms Bob Garner Delivers Leads and Energy Like No One Else

Trade show magician Bob Garner has been working with this client for over 7 years and according to their testimonial, Bob delivers high leads and energy to their booth like no one else.

Bob is more than a trade show presenter, he is a trade show magician that incorporates his client’s messages into amazing entertainment. No goofy tricks or skits, trade show mentalist Garner provides sophisticated entertainment while getting his clients quality leads and a heightened ROI.

Watch the video and then call trade show magician Bob Garner.

 

 

Trade Show Magician Shows Ways to Overcome Objections That Stall Out Sales

As a trade show magician, I work with a large number of sales reps from a variety of industries. We chat about sales and many of them have mentioned that when dealing with a customer, they will sometimes get the “I need to think it over” answer when they ask for the sale.

On my sister blog – funny motivational speaker – I wrote an article that explains what your prospect may mean by using this delaying tactic and 3 remedies to use to overcome it.

Read the article here:

Trade Show Presenter Site – Tired of BoringTrade Show Presenters

Bob’s new trade show presenter site is up. If you’re tired of boring talking heads or – even worse – actors who think they are funny by doing silly skits or celebrity rip-offs, then you’ll like this site.

The vast majority of attendees at trade shows can’t stand silly actors. They also get bored with trade show presenters who are narrators  just talking from a script. That’s why we combine your message with sophisticated entertainment.

By sophisticated entertainment, we mean psychological demonstrations of mind reading and ESP, clean humor and audience interaction. Bob is not what you would commonly refer to as a trade show magician.

While most trade show magicians just do tricks, Bob takes the art of mystery to a new level that trade show magicians could never reach. That’s why so many clients use Bob at their shows… because he helps them create an unbeatable  “Buzz” about their booth at the show.

Plus, if you’re a trade show manager, you want to increase your ROI. Bob is an expert at doing this, while most trade show presenters rarely increase ROI, just costs due to needing a stage, audio/visual, etc.

Bob fits in any size exhibit and comes self-contained. He actually separates the qualified attendees from the unqualified attendees and gets the qualified attendees into your booth. How many trade show narrators do that?

Check out his new site at http://www.thetradeshowpresenter.com/

New After Dinner Entertainment and After Dinner Speaker Site Launched

A quick note from Jill…

Bob just launched his new site on his services as after dinner entertainment and as an after dinner speaker.

Bob does many of these events throughout the year and he always “rocks the house!” As an after dinner entertainer, Bob is also a funny emcee and, oftentimes, the awards banquet entertainment.

Many times the dinners or corporate parties are more casual – you know, buffet style by the pool – or a casino night. Either way, Bob delivers the “WOW” factor for his clients. No wonder so many companies turn to Bob when they are looking for corporate party entertainment.

Anyway, go check out his new site and see the videos. The new site is http://www.entertainmentafterdinner.com/ . Plus, Bob just launched another site http://www.corporatemasterofceremonies.com/. He is a busy boy!

Trade Show Magicians Increase Trade Show ROI and Buzz at Shows

If you’re exhibiting at a trade show, you want attendees to visit your booth. You want to attract attendees, deliver your marketing or sales message and you want those who are truly interested in what you have to offer into your booth to talk in more depth with your reps.

That is how you increase ROI and go back to your office with a feeling of “mission accomplished.” Those are results that your boss can look at and use to verify why your company goes to shows – and why you still have a job. 

Without a large ROI, sure, your company may go to a show just to be seen, but do they need you? Just having a “presence” is a waste of corporate dollars. I have seen large booths with no attendees in them and the trade show manager will say, “We aren’t here for leads. We just are here to be seen.” What? You don’t need to be a certified trade show manager or even anyone with a college degree to get those results. You just need to be a warm body.

Bottom line: If you’re not at a trade show to let attendees know what you have and why they need it, then you shouldn’t be at the show. How do you know if your competitor’s clients are unhappy and maybe looking for a change? You can wait for them to “drop in” to your booth, but is that “going after the competition?” Isn’t “going after the customer” what the Director of Sales preaches to his or her sales team?

All corporations are focused on improving the bottom line and getting qualified attendees into your booth to hear what you have to offer and giving those attendees “face time” with reps or product managers is what improves that bottom line and you can’t get that with an empty booth.

Just having a booth and waiting for attendees to “drop by” and maybe scan their card for a prize is just a waste of time and money. Is there any trade show manager who doesn’t dread hearing the question, “Why are we at this show?” or “Do we get any leads at this show and are they any good?”(And then the marketing department wonders why their trade show budget has been cut and why “trade shows” at their company are viewed so poorly. It’s because you aren’t showing a ROI.)

You need to create a “buzz” about your booth. Now, there are a few ways to do that and using trade show magicians is one of the most highly proven ways of achieving a “buzz” at a show.

But, you need to be careful as to which trade show magician you engage. Many magicians will tell you that they are trade show magicians, but they are not. There is only a small of handful of professional trade show magicians – entertainers who specialize in trade shows. (Hint: See if their testimonials line up with all the corporate logos they have on their site. BTW: Who gave them permission to use those logos? Also, do they still work birthday parties? Are their clients major corporations or just local businesses?)

As a trade show magician with nearly 30 years of experience working in a variety of industries, I can tell you that my clients believe in a proactive approach to gaining mind share and generating quality leads from the shows at which they exhibit. Trade show managers enjoy reaping the benefits of having the booth with “all the buzz.” There is not a single trade show manager that doesn’t love having the booth that everyone is talking about. Sales managers and sales directors love to see me load up their booth with qualified attendees who want more information. Sales reps jump over backwards when they get to go back to their office with a high number of quality leads that they can follow-up on and turn into sales. That is major ROI.

If you are looking to increase your trade show ROI and want a proactive approach to doing so, my trade show magician video shows what I can do for your company. Using trade show magicians to help you increase trade show ROI and the “buzz” about your booth at a show will work, you just have to make sure you get the right one.

3 Steps for Trade Show Managers Frustrated with Low Performing Sales Reps

Originally posted on Jan. 2011 at funnymotivationalspeaker.wordpress.com

Having worked as a trade show magician for nearly 30 years, I know the amount of stress that trade show managers face when trying to get sales reps to actively participate at a show.

The trade show manager and marketing personnel have put together a great exhibit. The booth looks fantastic and delivers the company message. You have the pre-show meeting where you tell all the reps what is expected and then when the doors open… the reps stand around and talk to one another, play with their phones or laptops, and wait for someone to amble into the booth. (Sound familiar?) 

Worse, they only want to talk to “real buyers” and only buyers of “their particular product” or “their sales area.” The result? A low ROI, a frustrated trade show manager and marketing director, and questions as to whether trade shows are really worth the money.

Firstly, trade shows are worth the money, because any time you can get a group of potential buyers or persuaders together, relationships are made or strengthened and sales can be made. (You can’t create the same “feeling” from a webinar or teleconference – but that’s for another article.) 

Secondly, you suffer from a low ROI – not to mentioned frustrated marketing managers, trade show managers, and event managers – because your sales force may know how to sell in the field, but few know how to sell on the trade show floor. 

What follows sounds simple, yet few reps actually do it. So, regardless of your level of trade show experience, here are just a few things on which sales reps need to focus at a trade show:

1) Stop looking for low hanging fruit. By low hanging fruit, I mean waiting for attendees to come to you. Get out of your booth and step into the aisles. Hold some info or DVD/CDs in your hand and engage attendees, as they walk down the aisles. You can say, “If you’re interested in (a brief sentence of what your product does), we can help you out.” Or you can say, “Are you interested in (insert above sentence)?” Engage the attendee. Smile and be friendly. 

When someone does walk in the booth, halt your conversation with your fellow rep about where to go to dinner and talk to the attendee. Introduce yourself and ask them, “What can I help you with?” Which leads me to…

2) It’s a team approach. If an attendee is not from your region or is interested in another product you don’t cover, take the attendee to the rep who can benefit from the conversation with that attendee. Sales reps aren’t necessarily “team players.” Companies love to talk about “teamwork” and then honor the individuals who have made more sales than others with prizes, cash, etc.

That’s why “teamwork” must be stressed at the pre-show meeting. Reps can help each other do more business at the show, which aids everyone. If a fellow rep won’t reciprocate, then you can stop sharing the leads with that rep. But more likely than not, your fellow rep will return the favor, if not there, at sometime in the future.

3) Get your mind off the close. Reps are focused, rightly so, on closing deals. However, at trade shows you have to relax and distance yourself from the close and work more on the “relationships” aspect, as well as educating potential customers. Why? Basic psychology: Right now, people are nervous and anxious and they can sense the same from other people. People will always gravitate to someone who is calm and relaxed, especially if they themselves are not. If you are relaxed and focused on relationships and educating the attendee, the attendee will respond with calmness and be more open to your ideas and suggestions.

Bottom line: Trade shows are the undisputed king of relationship building and the on-site, real-time education of large number of customers. As mentioned, webinars and teleconferencing are fine and have their place, but real face time and hands-on demos still and always will beat a flat screen and a dark conference room.

By being proactive at a show, you expand your opportunities. Expanding your opportunities will increase your productivity. You increase the amount of leads in your pipeline and help to generate a higher ROI from the show not only for you, but also for the whole company. In turn, this gives your marketing team the help they need to continue to help you.

These 3 tips for selling at a trade show will help trade show managers and event managers get their sales reps focused on being more proactive and more productive on the show floor, which increases ROI and justifies the marketing expense. 

As a trade show magician, my job is to bring you traffic so that your reps can do their job. To see how I am able to help you create a “buzz” about your booth, bring in quality leads and increase your ROI, watch the video below: