In the Knowledge Business - Don't believe the hype!

If you are in any type of consulting field there are a few basic rules.
Firstly KNOW what you are talking about and what you are professing to be an expert in. There is this sad thing in today's internet where people feel that if you present yourself as an expert, people will perceive you as one and then you make some good money.

The truth is, that is no longer the case. Because of people who are doing this as part of their "marketing" plan, these so called self titled "experts" have damaged this for the real professionals.

The funny thing is everytime I see someone who calls them a professional, I call them on it. Well, what do you know? What have you done all your life? What experience do you have?

The sad truth is many of them have zero knowledge in consulting. They know a few inspirational quotes they found on the internet, don't really read books regularly and are simply trying to make a quick buck.

The sad part is, I feel bad for them. I am a compassionate human being and I understand these people need to put food on the table, but do not LIE about yourself.

The Best approach to entrepreneurship is to be involved in a field that you have extensive experience in. You have spent years working before the economy collapse, so take that expereince and make something out of it. Do Not Try and Reinvent Your Wheel To conform by what is the "popular" thing out there. Or by what many of these mentors are telling you to.

A real Consultant and Mentor will help you succeed using your own already acquired skills and helps you to grow from that point. They do not direct you to "begin again."

Find something you love to do, you are passionate about doing and YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE DOING.

Nothing can take down your credibility more than claiming to be something you are not.

For more information, connect with me:

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About the Author:

Sandra Torres is a Business and Marketing Coach, Self-help Author, Fitness Enthusiast and Mother of a wonderful teenage boy. Sandra works creating and writing ad copy, web content, developing sales strategies to drive sales and often does Social Media Trainings. As a Business Coach, she helps small business owners, individuals and corporate executives effectively operate their businesses through guidance and consulting.

Thank you for reading this post!

Developing your Brand

Many people want to know what is the best way to develop your brand.

Branding, first of all, completely begins with you, your ethics, your morals and what you stand for. Developing your brand first begins with what you want your brand to be defined as and perceived as. If you are looking to establish a luxury brand you must have a luxury product. If you are looking to establish your brand as a speaker or success coach you must deliver on those requirements.

"Branding is a promise of the value you will receive"

Branding your business goes far beyond putting up a site. In today's world of data and communications, you must do something to set yourself apart from the rest. You must be defined by your values, your completely unique values.

What is it that you want your customers to feel by working with your brand or buying your product? How are you going to ensure that they continue to feel that way?

Branding is about quality and about value.

So to begin the development of your brand, you must develop something you are proud of; Even if it's you. Because you represent your business and you yourself ultimately are that brand.

To your Success!

For more information, connect with me:

SandraTorres.org     |   Facebook   |   Twitter

About the Author:

Sandra Torres is a Business and Marketing Coach, Self-help Author, Fitness Enthusiast and Mother of a wonderful teenage boy. Sandra works creating and writing ad copy, web content, developing sales strategies to drive sales and often does Social Media Trainings. As a Business Coach, she helps small business owners, individuals and corporate executives effectively operate their businesses through guidance and consulting.

Thank you for reading this post!

Purpose of a Business Plan

Many first time entrepreneurs wonder why do you need a business plan and what types of businesses need a business plan and mainly how to begin the process of writing one.

Well first let’s go over what exactly is a business plan. A business plan is a blue print to the success of your organization. It clearly identifies who you are, where you are going and most importantly How will you get there.
Many people who are looking for either government funding and grants, small business loans or investors know that they cannot proceed with that process unless they have a professional business plan at hand. Anyone who is going to lend you any type of money wants to know what they are lending money to.

Lenders and Investors think like this:

Is this company going to be able to pay me/bank back?
Does this company have a strong management team to implement success?
Does the operations team have a clear idea of their market and their competitors?
Does this team have an effective marketing strategy to get themselves where they anticipate?
Is there passion and expertise behind this business?

Clearly – the bottom line here is - Do they know what they are doing?
____________________________

Most investors or bank reps take less than a minute to “critique” or pass “judgement” on your business plan.

So your business plan, should not be a mere cookie cutter format full of boring writing and misspellings. Your business plan is a sales tool. You need to sell yourself completely in your plan. You need to be creative in your technique and pour your whole heart and soul into creating something that you are passionate about, because becoming a successful entrepreneur has a lot to do with your passion for that business. And odds are you are starting or operating a business that you have experience in right? So all your years of experience and your passion for that industry should be clearly felt through your plan.
Any business that intends to “stick around” needs a business plan. More often than not initially we have an array of ideas for our businesses, but time passes and day to day operations happens and economy strikes or a competitor moves in or something happens and we forget those ideas.

Include all your Marketing Ideas: A business plan contains your tried and tested as well as researched marketing plans and ideas:

Whether or not you are specifically looking for investors or lending; make sure you jot down all your marketing ideas and plans into your business plan – when business is slow you can refer back to it to help remind you of additional resources you might have forgotten about. I mean we are all human, and everyone tends to forget something here or there. Be honest with yourself.
If you are looking for investors – in developing your marketing plan make sure you do your market research.
Make sure you clearly identify your target market, client profile statistics and where they live. When an investor or lender sees that you put in the effort and time into clearly identifying your buyers, they will take you serious.
The internet today can help you get most of that information. Just be detailed and informative.

How To Begin Writing Your Plan – See The Main Table of Contents I Use


To Your Success!
MasterBusinessConsulting.com

For more information, connect with me:

SandraTorres.org     |   Facebook   |   Twitter

About the Author:

Sandra Torres is a Business and Marketing Coach, Self-help Author, Fitness Enthusiast and Mother of a wonderful teenage boy. Sandra works creating and writing ad copy, web content, developing sales strategies to drive sales and often does Social Media Trainings. As a Business Coach, she helps small business owners, individuals and corporate executives effectively operate their businesses through guidance and consulting.

Thank you for reading this post!