The Bad Habits Keeping Your Business Small & Stuck

None of us are in business to struggle. Or not have fun. Or spend our days frustrated with where we are and where we know we could be with our results.

Yet, most of the time, most Ambitious Entrepreneurs are in that exact spot.

And most often it’s because one of these bad negotiation habits is getting in their way and stopping them (stopping you!) from going after what you want, need and deserve.

Here are the Top 6 worst habits when it comes to negotiation. Ditching them will take you far.

Small BusinessDevon SmileySeptember 21, 2016negotiation consultant, negotiation, guidelines, article, communication, advice

3 Important Lessons From Being an Entrepreneur

18 months ago I handed in my id badge, packed up my desk and headed out into the world of entrepreneurship.

And it's been quite a ride.

Today on the blog I'm sharing the 3 biggest lessons I've learned along this entrepreneurial journey and how they've helped me get to where I am today.

Feeling powerless? 5 ways to change that. Fast.

One of the reasons I started my work as a negotiation consultant was that I’d seen a few too many times how the ‘little guy’ can get the short end of the stick in business deals.

True enough, you’re not always going to have a whole lot of influence or power in a business discussion (even with folks your own size), but that doesn’t mean you lose your voice.

Today I'm sharing 5 techniques that'll help bump up your power and amplify your persuasiveness in any negotiation.

What You Need To Know About Sales vs. Negotiation

There are a lot of different hats you wear as an Ambitious Entrepreneur. You've got to get a handle on writing copy, planning social media, marketing your business - and of course there's sales.

But your professional development doesn't end there.

Today, I'm sharing some straight talk on why mastering sales and negotiations are two different beasts. And why you need both of them to thrive.

Negotiation Q&A: Who Goes First?

Working up the courage to share your proposal (and price...) with a potential client can be tough. So it's best to let them go first, right? Ask them what their budget is, and then work from there.
Nope. Nuh-uh. No way.
Shying away from making the first proposal may seem like the easier option, but if you're looking for your best business results, it's time to put on your Courageous Ambitious Entrepreneur hat and throw your proposal into the ring, first.
Read on to find out why.

Motivate Sales, Maximize Profit

Making sales – convincing people to hand over their hard earned money in exchange for your product or service – is fundamental to your business. When that flow of customers slows down, or we hit a rough patch financially, our first instinct can be to get out our price slashing tools and motivate purchases via discounts...but there's a better way.

A Quick & Simple Bottom Line Booster

Having a healthy bottom line is a must in business. You need to bring in enough to keep expenses covered, and still squirrel a little something away for a rainy day. So if your profit statements are looking a little lacklustre – it’s time to act.

Small BusinessDevon SmileyApril 21, 2016video, The Smiley Sessions, profit, money, guidelines, results

A Quick Fix That’ll Save You Time and Up Your Earnings

If you’re just starting out in business, or you’re particularly shy when it comes to putting yourself out there…chances are you’re making this mistake on your website. It’s a mistake that’s costing you sales and wasting a whole heap of your time…and today we’re going to fix it.

How Your Money Talk Is Failing You

The words we use when we talk about money - especially our pricing - can have a big impact on how our clients perceive us. That language also massively impacts our success when it comes to hitting revenue goals. In this week's Smiley Sessions I'm sharing a lesson we can learn from one of the world's most luxurious brands when it comes to communicating our prices.

Small BusinessDevon SmileyApril 7, 2016The Smiley Sessions, pricing, video, strategy, communication

The Power of Fearless Follow-Ups

Courage can feel as though it runs in limited supply. VERY limited supply. So after you’ve made the bold move of sending in a pitch, or making an ask for your business, the thought of finding even more gumption where that came from is overwhelming.

This week's Smiley Sessions video gives you the boost to be fearless in your followups.

Small BusinessDevon SmileyMarch 24, 2016negotiation consultant, video, advice, sales, negotiation, guidelines, motivation

Optimize Your Bottomline With Bespoke Pricing

‘One size fits all’ is a myth.

Whether it’s a pair of leggings, a marketing strategy, or a negotiation technique. The attempt to cram your unique business (along with all those wants, needs and one-of-a-kind skill sets) into a mold alongside the rest of the world just isn’t going to be flattering. Least of all to your bottomline.

Avoid This Pricing Mistake To Safeguard Your Profits

In today’s Smiley Session I’m sharing why taking a holistic view of your business, and being honest about what your strengths and capabilities are will help you avoid the haphazard, panic-inducing activity that can come along with price increases.

Watch the video to learn more...

What To Do When You Need A Motivation Boost

There are days when our entrepreneurial mojo is strong. We fearlessly tackle tasks and things just click into place. But other days…it’s like trying to move through cold molasses. We struggle with motivation – and even when we do sit down to get stuff done…nothing happens.

This week on the #SmileySessions I’m doing my part to get you fired up and trading in those soothing, sweet motivational moves for something a wee bit bolder.

The #1 Business Myth You Must Bust To Get Your Best Results

Most of us love a good dose of competition. We like to see our name at the top of the scoreboard, take those steps to the top of the podium and raise our fists in sweet sweet victory.

In this week’s #SmileySessions we’re breaking through the myth that business needs to be all about competition, and how to bring balance – and better results – home for your business.

Protecting Your Boundaries So Your Business (and life!) Can Prosper

Perseverance. Tenacity. Stick with it –ness. All excellent traits, and especially prized among the entrepreneur set. There’s no space for ambitious entrepreneurs like us to pout, sulk or give up because ‘it’s hard’. But this isn’t the same as stubbornness. Or blind pursuit of an outcome. Can you tell the difference?

Small BusinessDevon SmileyFebruary 18, 2016video, negotiation consultant, The Smiley Sessions, boundaries, negotiation, advice