Friday, September 30, 2011

Closed. Gone Fishing. Out To Lunch. On Vacation. We're Not Here. See Ya!

I am continually amazed when I find businesses who claim to want more business, complain about the economy, and more, who aren't even open during business hours. Yes, during business hours.

A business goes to the trouble and posts their hours, and then doesn't even stick to that? I've seen it many times.

There is a huge assumption here that if someone shows up at your business and you're closed during business hours that they will just come back another time. It is seriously doubtful, but what about having that happen twice? See ya! You've just lost another customer of who knows what value to your business.

I can name three local businesses in the last six months where I've shown up at their store intending to buy and found the doors locked and the lights off. All three of these I went back to a second time and found them closed again. I wonder how they could ever grow a business this way.

One of the most basic rules necessary for good business: When you're open, be there!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Able Towing Has Become Latest Trend Setter Package Client

Upward Trend welcomes Able Towing as our latest Trend Setter Package client. We will be building them a website, adding a blog, updating and managing their social media including facebook, twitter, linkedin and YouTube. It also includes an email newsletter, video, SEO optimization, consulting and more.

Look for more about Able Towing in the coming days.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Words of Encouragement

"We can gradually grow into
any conditions we desire,
provided we first make ourselves
in habitual mental attitude
the person who corresponds
to those conditions."

-- Thomas Troward

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Words of Encouragement

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed
is always to try just one more time."

-- Thomas Edison

Friday, September 23, 2011

Old Technology for New Prospects



Using a piece of "technology" that you've probably got sitting in your office, for tracking prospect conversations

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Gateway Professional INSURANCE Services Is Latest Trend Setter Package Client


Upward Trend welcomes Cathy Spencer, and Gateway Professional Insurance Services as the latest Trend Setter Package client. Upward Trend will begin managing Gateway's blog, all their social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and others, along with a monthly email newsletter, video, SEO optimization, consulting, and more.

Gateway's current website will remain at http://www.gatewayinsurance.com/. Gateway Professional Insurance Services has been located at 1990 Alamo Drive, Suite 1 in Vacaville for the last 28 years. Give them a call at 707-446-9864.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Words of Encouragement

"You simply have to put one foot
in front of the other and keep going.
Put blinders on and plow right ahead."

-- George Lucas

Saturday, September 3, 2011

TEDxCMU - Chris Guillebeau - Fear and Permission


Some interesting thoughts . . .

Chris Guillebeau travels the world and writes for a small army of remarkable people at chrisguillebeau.com. This talk is about crocodiles, killer whales, writing your own permission slip, and changing the world.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Leading Collaborative Groups


John Abele, cofounder of Boston Scientific and author of the HBR article "Bringing Minds Together," explains how to effectively manage teams.