Early in my career, one of my mentors would often ask me, "So how's business this week?"
And I would regularly answer, "Quiet."
He would reply emphatically, "Then stir the pot!"
I wasn't in the restaurant business, but I understood the intent of his message.
Think about stirring, an essential to the cooking process. The benefits of stirring:
- Accelerates heating
- Blends for better taste
- Eliminates separation
- Prevents burning
- Sends an aromatic message to diners
Stirring, aside from cooking, is also a necessity to:
- Allow settled pigment to create color in the paint can
- Keep concrete from setting on the mixer truck
- Get sales from your prospects and existing and past customers
I managed to pass high school physics, but don't remember much about the subject other than what Isaac Newton said,
"An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force."
You are a force (perhaps unbalanced) that stirs the pot of possibilities for your business.
Are you stirring the pot by:
· Making telephone calls to prospects
· Mailing post cards
· Send a printed or electronic newsletter
· Maintaining a website
· Speaking publicly
· Offering demonstrations
· ress releases about your bususiness
· Writing articles for publication
· Blogging
· Sending hand written thank you notes
· Asking for referrals
Think about your business relationships with people who provide services and products for you. Aren't you doing the most business with the folks who maintain regular contact with you?
They call you, send you flyers and sale notices, e-mail you and perhaps call on you. You see them in the community at the soccer game, charity fund raiser or at church. They are present and available and stirring their pots for increased sales.
I get results whenever I send out my electronic newsletter, make a quick phone call to follow up or check in or present a talk or workshop. It works for me and it will work for you, too!
If you don't stir your pot, "No soup for you!"
