I recently stumbled into this article as I was preparing my own 2017 goals for Tom Argiro Photography.  This is an article that is curated from 15 other articles about goal setting. 
​https://www.thebalance.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-small-business-goal-setting-2951416

The Ultimate Guide To Small Business Goal Setting
Every small business owner, regardless of where they are in the business life cycle, needs goals to keep them moving forward, get motivated to do more, and maintain the success of their businesses.

Goal setting can follow many different processes, and each one can be successful as long as it defines the long- and short-term goals and devises a plan for getting there.

Jeffery Gitomer is one of the sales training gurus that I follow.  He's been at it for over 30 years, and has a lot to offer. 

One of his articles caught my attention recently.  He says that those of us in sales often do not ask the right questions.  He considers these to be "pathetic":

• What are you using now?
• When does your contract expire?
• Can I place a bid?
• What kind of budget to you have?
• What do I have to do to earn your business?

In contrast, asking power questions will make your prospect think in new ways. 

• What would you do if you lost two of your top ten customers?
• What is your plan to keep them loyal?
• What you ask sets the tone and the perception for the buyers.
• What you ask determines the response.
• What you ask makes or breaks the sale.
• Your questions are a critical factor in the way customers perceive you.

You can find the full article here:
​http://www.gitomer.com/articles/ArchiveColumnPrint.html?key=ajcdMibak3MdcjEQZJ5CQA%3D%3D

Stephen Covey identified seven habits of highly effective people.  In his book of the same title, Covey describes the second habit as "Begin With The End In Mind." Covey takes us through an exercise in that chapter of imagining what it would be like to attend your own funeral. If you could witness what people say about you after you're gone, are they going to say what you want to hear? 

Covey asserts that by keeping the end point in mind, you can begin shaping your direction now. Nurture the relationships that matter to you. Make a positive impact on this world every chance you have.  We never know when that chance will be over.

A power team is a group people of complementary professions. They work with the same clients, but do not take business away from each other.

If you've just started a business, you need sales, right? Trouble is, you may not be sure how to put together a sales approach. And, the truth is, there is no magic formula for sending your sales through the roof. So, stop looking.

Related: Close More Deals Faster Using This 5-Step Approach

Being a good steward of something means that you have a 1) sense of ownership, 2) you take responsibility for the entity that you are a steward of, 3) you are accountable for your actions as a steward, and 4) you are rewarded for getting it right.

We often talk about stewardship in terms of effectively managing our time, talent, and treasure.  The conversation usually comes up when your pastor needs help funding the new building fund.

That's not what I'm doing here.  I'm simply trying to stir a fire in your belly as it relates to our Chamber.  If you're reading this now and realizing how important stewardship of the North Phoenix Chamber is to you, we can help you find ways to apply your time and talent for the greater good of the Chamber.  Several committees need your help and our ambassador program can use a few inspired Chamber members, too.

Call the office at 602-482-3344 and ask for Tom. 

This article originally appeared on SmallBizTrends.com.  

​Sep 10, 2016 by Annie Pilon 

​Running a business is complicated, which means there are some factors or tasks that tend to get overlooked. From basic concepts to more involved processes, members of our small business community have plenty of tips for dealing with those sometimes overlooked business tasks. See the full list of tips below.

1. Be Sure to Spend Enough Time on Marketing
2. Learn the Difference Between User Experience and Customer Experience
3. Get Honest Feedback for Your Business Idea
4. Invest in LinkedIn Marketing
5. ​Determine Your Brand’s Social Media Persona
6. Pitch Your Online Content for the Right Audience
7. Use Tech Savvy Ways to Tell Your Brand Story
8. Improve Your Email Click-Through Rates
9. Build Customer Trust to Stand Out in a Crowd
10. Use SEO to Get Local Customers to Cling to Your Content

Read the full article here:
​http://smallbiztrends.com/2016/09/10-overlooked-elements-running-successful-business.html

Our Chamber's 2016 Fall Survey results are in.  ​Overwhelmingly, 92% of you said that more customers are a top priority for your business.  The good news is that our Chamber has tools specifically designed to drive more customers to you.  

Salespeople often make the fatal mistake of blaming other things, circumstances, and people for their own inability to create a buying atmosphere. And that mistake has double jeopardy. One, you're blaming the wrong party, and two, you issue blame instead of taking responsibility. You fail to see the urgent need for more self-improvement training. 

Jeffery Gitomer has identified 12.5 fatal flaws of selling. Real reasons why salespeople fail to make the sale. Painful as this exercise may be, he suggests rating yourself instead of just reading them. And for your maximum enjoyment and benefit, a one sentence "flawless" remedy or suggestion follows each flaw.

CrossFit…a word that strikes terror into the hearts of mere mortals, a word that makes people want to hide under their beds, a mental image of super humans doing things us average people will never be able to achieve. Just Google CrossFit, and you will find YouTube videos of super humans leaping, lifting, flexing, and running at a pace that seems unreal.

This was my impression of CrossFit when Brian Fitzwilliam of CrossFit Upper Limit walked into the chamber office two weeks ago. Brian explained what CrossFit actually is, and how different it is from what most people have in their minds. He went on to explain the certifications he and the other trainers have, and how they are certified beyond just minimum standards. By the time he left, I had a much different picture of CrossFit in my head, a picture so different that the next morning, my wife Elisabeth and I showed up for our first session, at 5:30 in the morning!

Those of you who know Elisabeth and I know we don’t do 5:30 in the morning, period! But there we were, in our sweat shorts, sneakers, and tops, walking into the gym at 5:30 in the morning. I was a little excited and Elisabeth was a lot concerned. We met Amy Klein, owner of CrossFit Upper Limit, who reassured us that what Brian had told us the prior day was true. After some initial formalities, into the warm up we went.

What can I say after that first workout? I survived. Did I enjoy it? Actually, yes! I am enjoying getting stronger and healthier, and knowing that I am taking some positive actions towards improving my health. Yes, modifications for the exercises were made, and yes, they still are being made. But I AM there, and that is the biggest modification of all. I challenge you readers out there who have been terrified of going to a gym for whatever reason to come to this place- it is different in the best way possible, and you will see that. Check out the website, find a session that works for you, and take the first step toward a healthier you. And you even get your first week free!