Gift Ideas that are Fit For Business owners

Good morning -
I would like to help all of my contacts find and give gifts that are a good 'Fit For Business' owners. Send me your ideas (info@fitforbusiness.ca) and I will post them in this blog and share them with my contacts.

Fit For Business (Cheryl Rankin) - a banner sign for your business (647-287-0320, http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/)

Stitchsations (Shaheda Bhabha) - towels with your logo, order 1 upto 100 (call 905-454-1107, http://www.stitchsations.com/)

Dana Sewell Websites (Dana Sewell) - Give yourself a website to boost your business to the next level (call 647-349-9490, http://www.danasewell.ca/ )

StemsFlorals (Debbie Visser) - Centrepieces and hostess gifts starting at $20 (call 905-450-5512, http://www.flowersgta.ca/ )

Barry Shainbaum - Give a gift of hope this Christmas: Hope & Heroes, a coffee-table book, features 47 heroes of our planet, in photographs and biographies. $20.00 (call 416-362-8028 http://www.barryshainbaum.com/ )

Wheels Of Fitness (Gwen Rose) - Ball Chair (desk chair that is great for your back!) Regularly $159.95 but on special for $139.95 and free shipping in GTA (call 416-391-4646, http://www.wheels-of-fitness.com/)

Equilibrium Lifestyle Management (Leah Epstein) - Personal Training Gift Certificates (call 416-841-2196, http://www.elifestyle.ca/ )

TraciLee's Handmade Soal (Patricia Anne Birrell) - Traci-Lee's Handmade Soap is the home of "Girl Friendly" (SLS FREE) Bubble Bath and Old Fashion natural cold process soap. (call 905-702-2523, http://www.thekissbuyinggroup.com/ )

Mariposa Concierge & Errand Services (Tania Rose) - Buy yourself or someone else some extra time (call 416-841-9721 http://www.mariposaconcierge.com/ )

Independent Party Life Consultant (Karen Dinsmore) - Candles and centrepieces make great gifts (619-746-5519, www.partylite.biz/createwarmth )

Step Into The Spotlight (Tsufit) - Book - Step Into The Spotlight - A Guide To Getting Noticed (http://www.stepintothespotlight.com/)

Mango Tango Make-Up Design (Nicki Traikos) - custom gift certificates for makeup applications or make-up (call 416-561-9515, http://www.mangotango.ca/)

Victoria DeBrun from Centum One Financial has suggested http://www.youthfulbeautifulskin.com/ .

A & M Designs (Monica Blackburn) - Web-site gift certificates (call 905-502-8649, http://www.amdesigns.ca/ )

eMarketing Coach (Boris Mahovac) - Learn the basics of blogging for business (call 905-844-4247 , http://www.hottoblogforbiz.com/ )

Dradalm Promotions (Deb Taman) - Corporate Clothing (call 905-856-9323)

ACN (Rey Manipula) - Video Phone - IRIS 3000 for $99.00 - See the person you’re talking to with Revolutionary Video Phone (call 647-668-3077, http://www.rpmtelecom499.acnrep.com/)

Havoc To Harmony (Karen Sencich) - Laminated Information Guides that can be imprinted with your marketing and/or fund-rasing message. A great employee or client recognition gift (call 905-452-7008, http://www.havoctoharmony.com/ )

Clarity Assistants (Lyen Mortensen) - Give the gift of time! Purchase a set of 4 hours of time for someone else to do your bookkeeping, office administration or errands (call 647-205-9864 http://www.clarityassistants.com/ )

Rima Maamari suggested this idea - Gluten-free gift basket / wheat free recipe book (http://www.ecochefs.com/)

Passionate Web Creations (Alison Silbert) - Book - Winning Web-sites including a complimentary 30 minute coaching session (call 905-826-5714, alison@passiionateweb.ca )

Sharon Katz - Painting kits for kids or actual paintings for you (http://www.sharronsartat.blogspot.com/ )

Power Manners (Shannon Smith) - Book - Power Manners - How to use your personal skills for business and social success (call 416-324-8955 http://www.powermanners.com/ )

Stacey Grieve - Book - "Why Are You Weighting? It's Not The Food That's Making You Fat!" and discover a whole new way and a whole new you. (call 416-463-7070 http://www.whyareyouweighting.com/ )

Gift Baskets On The Shelf (Barb Wilson) - Red Poinsetta Gift Basket (call 905-785-1951 giftbasketsontheshelf@sympatico.ca)

eWomen Network (Darla Campbell) - 2010 Fundraiser Calendar "Dreams For Women" featuring world-class female athletes competing in Vancouver Olympics - $20 (call 416-562-9082, darla@amonavi.com )

Homewell Cares Mississauga (Donna Woods) - Moving Made Easy Packages - Get $20 off the moving package for seniors (call 905-848-2273)

Marilyn Garshowitz - her book - The Brutal Truth: A personal exposé of the corrupt and abusive Canadian Government and its legal system. A feisty non-fiction book dealing with bullying and misuse of power. $30 (http://www.thebrutaltruth.ca/ or Marilyn@thebrutaltruth.ca)

Kids Lane (Josephine Makoha) - safe and educational toys for babies and toddlers (Winston Churchill & Eglington, Mississauga; http://www.kidslane.ca/ )

Supper Encounters (Patricia Bianco) - Gift Certificate for meal shopping and preparation for similar cost to doing your own groceries. Go home with meals not groceries & save time! ( http://www.supperencounters.ca/ )

World Vision (Terea Suppa) - donate to World Vision charity for a great gift idea (http://www.worldvision.ca/ )

Your Marketing Magnet (Janette Burke) - Gift Certificates for marketing / PR coaching & consulting services, starting at $150 plus taxes (call 905-882-6893 ext 1, http://www.yourmarketingmagnet.com/ )

Janett Burke suggested movie passes, popcorn and movie memorabilia

Balogh and Partners (Gabor Balogh) - Gift Card Program - they shop for a gift ofthe correct value without ever knowing the card amount (call 647-340-5112, http://www.gbalogh.ordermygift.com/ )

Lyen Mortensen suggested Jewelry from Gypsy Jewelry, specializing in unique silver, costume and designer jewelry (Sherway Gardens Mall and Oakville Mall kiosks)

ELP Designs (Evan Pleet) Colour consultation

New Empowering Ways (Christina Demeester) - Goal setting session to create the life you really want and build the career you truly deserve (call 416-924-6087, http://www.newempoweringways.com/ )

Veronica O'Connor has a cookbook - Give the art of cooking "Veronica's Caribbean Dishes" cook book (call 905-799-2939, http://www.authorhouse.com/ )

Jennifer Neal suggested a Gift Card for all occasions. Most major brands are available (http://www.jneal.ordermygift.com/ )

Jashamy Inc - 50% off all our office chair products until Dec 31, 2009 (call 416-670-0778, http://www.jashamy.com/ )

AVON (Aniko Biro) - make-up products by AVON (call 416-451-3210, avon4sale@rogers.com)

Ajax Chiropractic & Wellness (Sandra Fattibene, RMT) - Massage Gift Certificates - give the gift of health! (http://www.ajaxwelleness.com/ )

Expedia Cruise Ship Centers, Brampton (Elisabeth Anniehs) - gift certificates towards a cruise (eanniehs@cruiseshipcenters.com)

ELP Designs and Space Planning (Evan Pleet) - Interior Design/Decorating and colour consultation gift certificates or first meeting discount (call 416-565-7801, http://www.elpdesigns.com/ info@elpdesigns.com )

Jim Pagiamtzis suggested a Gift Card for any occasion (call 1-866-407-7601, www.jpagiamtzis.ordermygift.com/default.aspx )

Peter McCusker (Peter McCusker Photography) A full family portrait to create a milestone of a family record for the future. Done digitally and you receive all the images on the DVD to print a you desire and keep secure for the future. (call 905-580-0658, www.weddingpicturestoronto.ca)


Tracy Matthewman (Isagenix) - Give the gift of health - Isagenix Nutritional Cleansing - Lose weight, boost health. (call 416-602-9897, http://www.whyisagenix.com)


If you need help pulling together your ideas, call me Cheryl Rankin, Fit For Business, 647-287-0320, info@fitforbusiness.ca, http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/

Holiday Parties

Holiday Parties -

No matter what Holiday Party you are invited to, you need to be ready to network. "What do you do?" is your chance but an unprepared person will waste the chance.
- keep it short
- do not offer your business card until you are asked for it
- try to peak their interest
-best if you tell a story about a successful client

Business Connection Exchange is hosting a Holiday Party for business owners on Dec. 2nd. It is open to members and guests. Everyone is welcome! For details check - www.business-connection-exchange.ca ...earlybird prices have been extended.

If you need help finding events that sut your business, call me.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca

December Marketing

How on earth do you get your potential client's attention during December?

1. Review the details to describe your perfect client.
2. Sale - sales definitely get attention.
3. Benefits - be very obvious in telling everyone the benefits of being a client in December.
4. Can you team up with a company that is getting lots of attention in December and market together? (Alliance Marketing)
5. Do something good and include it in your marketing -- for every sale you will donate to a charity.
6. Donate door prizes for corporate and charty events and get publicity that will help you in the future.
7. Package your products and services in a new way to attract attention to your business.
8. Rename your services to match the season.
9. How can you use the internet to get the word out for free? (gorilla marketing)

If you have a tough time creating a last minute plan for December, call Cheryl Rankin, Fit For Business at 647-287-0320 and get a few tips for free.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
twitter:fitforbusiness

Links

Incoming links

To check how many incomng links you have -
go to google search - type links: leave a space and then type "www.yourweb-site name and the quotes on the other side.
links: "www.fitforbusiness.ca"

Paul Tobey mentioned this neat search during a presentation in Oakville.

If you are not sure how to get more incoming links - call us at 647-287-0320.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/

Plan

What are the top three (3) things you need to get done today?
Set yourself up for success:
- write them down
- tell someone else what you need to get done
- confirm you have everything you need
- can you schedule your day to help the plan?
- start one of the things right now (even 10 minutes!)
- can you delegate to someone else to guarantee that it gets done?
- what are the consequences if you do not get the 3 things done?
- do you need a reward to motivate you to stay on track?
- be very specific what you need to get done today (just making a grocery list does not get food in your fridge)

Have a great business day!

Sign up for the Fit For Business newsletter and get lots of tips.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
twitter (fitforbusiness)

Recession Marketing

Is the recession slowing down your business?

Be sure to adjust your marketing to suit the times and the changing needs of your clients.

- consider adjusting your target market
- can you package your product /service in a new way? Personal Training for golfers is still personal training but it is packaged differently
- can people pay in a new way? Buy 3 sessions and save.
- partner up with another business owner to get the word out
- try new communication methods (linkedin, blogs, newsletters, twitter,etc)
- can you sell something new to the same clients?

To get a marketing action plan for the recession - call Cheryl today at 647-287-0320.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
www.fitforbusiness.ca
twitter (FitForBusiness)
info@fitforbusiness.ca
647-287-0320

Stand Out - Get More Sales

What are you doing to make your business stand out in comparison to your competition?

During a recent vacation to Montana, I noticed a few businesses trying hard to stand out:
- 70% off sale at Herberger's department store
- a huge Eagle statue at the entrance to a camp ground near Glacier National Park
- a real estate agent's office is in an Art Gallery / Gift Store
- a Toy Store rents strollers for the day to travellers
- a brewery called The Great Northern Brewery Company opened a restaurant bar and recently started doing tours....because of the tours we stopped to buy lunch and a beer sampler package for two and then souvenirs
- some stores in the tourist towns have public washrooms. When washrooms are hard to find it guarantees your store visitors

Now what about your business - what can you do to stand out in the crowd?
Stand out in a crowd and get more attention and get possible clients to check out your business and in the long run get sales. Boost your sales by using your marketing to stand out.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
* now on twitter (FitForBusiness)

Fit For Business

Tell me - is your business "Fit For Business"?

Is your business working at its best?

Is your business making as much money as you expected?

Are you living the life that you expected?

Take time today and write down your goals and expectations for your business. When you write things down remember that all successes are not many years in the future. If your business is going to be the one you dream of then you need to have a success today; you need to have a success this week and of course you need to have a success this month. It does no good to have a long term goal and not a clue which path to start on. The path to your success will change along the way but you need to start down the path today.

If one of your big challenges is 'sales' then please check out our upcoming sales workshops. As business consultants in the Toronto area, we focus on growing your business to the next level. www.fitforbusiness.ca

Cheryl Rankin

Fit For Business

647-287-0320

fitforbusiness.ca

info@fitforbusiness.ca

twitter: fitforbusiness / linkedin / facebook

Shape Up Your Sales Workshop / Consultation

Need more clients?
Need to boost your closing ratio?
Not sure if your sales process is working?

3 hour workshop - Discussion will include some sales and marketing tips to shape up your sales and make your profits more fit. Many tips and hints from her presentation at an international conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
* Create the optimanl connection with your client
* Improve the client's commitment to buying
* Use action provoking messages
* match media options to your budget and market

1 hour consultation - continue the discussion with all of the focus on your business.

Register Today and let's get you some more sales!

June 23rd
1 - 4pm
GPO Network Offices
5925 Airport Rd, suite 200

September 17th
1 - 4pm
GPO Network Offices
5925 Airport Rd, suite 200

Cheryl Rankin
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/

Business Consulting Boosts Business

Have you ever wondered who can help you grow your business but not sure who you should ask for help?

If you are not sure what help you need then consider getting a Business Fit Test from Fit For Business and identify the needs of your business and the opportunities of your business.

Fit For Business consultants can help your business with everything from the business plan to activate the business, business cards (marketing design / printing) and consulting for your operations.

Our favourite service to deliver is "Brainstorming For Business". Book a one hour session to confirm who your target market is; how do we get their attention and how do we get them to buy.

Olympic athletes and pro-athletes have coaches so why don't you? Call Cheryl Rankin, Fit For Business to book a complimentary, introductory session today!

Cheryl Rankin,
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca

Newsletters

Newsletters -

Business owners are using newsletters more than ever in an attempt to keep in touch with their clients and potential clients. Just sending out something does not guarantee a positive response.

In order to help boost the usefulness of your newsletter:
1 - decide what is the purpose of your newsletter
2 - how can you be helpful?
3 - highlight one services or product
4 - tell the reader what you wnat them to do -- call you / buy something / tell a friend
5 - give them a deadline - call today! Come in this week....
6 - what is the benefit of them dealing with you? tell them -- if you want to grow your business then call Cheryl, Fit For Business at 647-287-0320; if you want better newsletters....

Avoid
- too much info
- a high pressure sales pitch
- only selling something everytime

To boost the effectiveness of your newsletter and/or grow your business, please call Cheryl, Fit For Business and arrange a business consultation to discuss your needs.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/
info@fitforbusiness.ca
647-287-0320

Baskin Robbins has a great promotion

Baskin and Robbins .31cent Scoop Night is an abosultely great promotion to attract attention to their business. They have included everything - an unbelieveable price, connection to a charity and of course fun!

What are you doing in your business to attract attention? If you are not attracting attention then it is impossible to stand out above your competition. No one will find you.

Baskin and Robbins .31cent Scoop Night
April 29th 5 - 10pm

Bring your family and friends to the 3rd annual31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins(TM) to showyour support for firefighters and enjoy scoops ofyour favourite ice cream for 31 cents.
As a thank you to our customers and the firefighters who protect them, Baskin-Robbins is donating$10,000 to Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.All collected consumer donations will be used by CFFF to build the Canadian Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa.
- 2.5 oz. scoops are 31 cents plus tax where applicable, limit three scoops per person.

To attract attention to your business, call Cheryl at 647-287-0320 to book a Brainstorming For Business session.

Cheryl
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/

Social Media / Networking

Putting a new spin on networking -


Whether you offer professional services, specialized products aimed at other businesses or consumer goods, social media can give you great visibility.
Social media is the term used for communities of people interacting through a website, by posting comments, pictures, videos or audio. Integrating social media into your marketing strategy can help keep you in touch with current and potential customers, with suppliers, colleagues and other stakeholders.


5 tips for effective use of social media
1. Set clear goals and processes
2. Focus on quality over quantity
3. Think give, not take
4. Put your best foot forward
5. Be linkable - Link to other sites, and make it easy for others to link to your site.



Business networking These networking sites are designed with professionals in mind. They allow you to make connections with people you know and make new contacts
gain visibility discuss issues, such as investment techniques, with other professionals
post jobs and hire personnel find business advice.
Examples of this type of site include LinkedIn, Ryze, FastPitch, and Naymz. There are also sites that are specially tailored for small businesses, such as My Cubicle Space.


This article was posted in the BDC newsletter for March 2009. To see the complete article -

http://www.bdc.ca/en/my_project/Projects/articles/social_media.htm?cookie%5Ftest=1

To get help including networking in your marketing plan, call Cheryl at 647-287-0320.

Cheryl Rankin

Fit For Business

647-287-0320

info@fitforbusiness.ca

www.fitforbusiness.ca

Learn How To Brainstorm!

Is Your Business Stuck?

Not Sure Which Idea To Use?

How Can You Market And Cut Back On The Budget At The Same Time?

I have teamed up with Otto schmidt, Accents On Skills for a great workshop on Brainstorming or Business Owners.

Here is the flyer with all of the details:
http://iclaro.com/users/17237/downloads/Spring%20Training%202009.pdf

Tell us you saw this blog and save 50%!

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
6472-873-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/

Recession Marketing

Recession Marketing -
Marketing that is fit enough for the recession

Recession marketing is not the same as marketing in regular times. Is your marketing fit enough for the recession? Are your messages working? Are you attracting the attention of possible clients? Are they becoming clients?

Being aware of the challenges and opportunities of your business and industry will open the door for great possibilities. In a recession, clients are reluctant to enter into long term commitments. The fitness industry faces the challenge of getting clients to commut to memberships. Knowing this, a few fitness centres have adopted ‘pay as you go programs’ and are being successful at it. They have adjusted how they sell their service reacting to an opportunity that the industry created.

Your business is based on meeting the needs of your target market. What if your current target market no longer needs or wants your services. Do you close the business? If you always delivered long term personal training to people who needed your assistance to loose weight and get back into shape; you may need to adjust and do personal training for weekend athletes who think they can do it themselves.

The big thing about Recession Marketing is change or you will have no clients. Do not stop marketing or your clients will go to your competition. Adjust your marketing to keep your clients and attract new ones.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
www.fitforbusiness.ca
info@fitforbusiness.ca
*sign up for our free newsletter - www.fitforbusiness.ca

Database Management

This afternoon I spoke to a great networking group in Newmarket - Executive Mentors. My topic was database managment. Do you have a business card collection in a shoe box? Do you have any idea how much money and time that shoe box cost you? Do you understand that if the only place that you have your contact information for those other business owners is in the shoe box then it is worth nothing.

Try to stay on top of inputting the contact info everyday. If you go to a big event and you can not deal with it at the time then I would suggest putting the cards in a baggie and labelling it so you know where you met those people.

Watch for e-mails that have new contact info.

Never give up on the contacts....go ahead and put them in your list. Just tell people where you met and then get on with building your business relationship.

Database management is important to get contact info and continues with your tracking on all interactions with a potential client.

Get your system in place to bring your database upto date. If you need help setting up your system or actually inputting your data - call Cheryl at 647-287-0320.

Speaking Opportunities

Do you have anything to share? Can you help other people by giving a presentation?

If you have something positive to share then get out there and do it. Have you spoken to your own networking group? Does your networking group have other chapters?

To get more speaking engagements:
1. Finish your speaking engagements by telling people that you would like more speaking opportunities.
2. Ask in your 1 minute introductions.
3. Tell people where you have spoken and it might help them think of a new opportunity for you.
4. Write about your speaking engagements in your blog, newsletter or web-site.

Recently I spoke for the City Of Toronto's Enterprise Toronto program and I am scheduled to speak to a group of business owners in the Town Of Ajax. When I told a business friend that I was excited about these opportunities, she booked me to speak to her group in March.

If you know any business groups that would like a speaker who can share ideas on how to grow your business, marketing and/or sales, then please pass along my name.

Thank you,
Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
www.fitforbusiness.ca
info@fitforbusiness.ca
*sign up for my newsletter on my web-site

1 Minute Intro

Infomercial / Elevator Pitch / Business Introduction

A 1 minute introduction to your business is mandatory for your business. Include the basics like your name, your business name, what do you do and what problem do you solve for your clients. Add in some special things like 1) why you are better than your competition, 2) why are you different than your competition (unique selling proposition) or 3) who is your target market.

Use your 1 minute to try to get the attention of your audience. Do not sell anything!
Most business owners should use the 1 minute to buy enough time from their audience to get a coffee meeting where they can do their sales pitch.

What impression do you want to leave your audience with? Now write your 1 minute to give that impression.

Practice your 1 minute so it is automatic.

If you need help with your 1 minute introduction, please call Cheryl at Fit For Business to book a phone consultation. She can be reached at 647-287-0320.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca

Better than fine in '09

Business Owners want the prospects to choose them over their competition. If you are just fine then you will not get chosen and your business will not grow.

Start the year off right and be "better than fine in'09".

1. Stand out from your competition.
- is your tag line memorable?
- does your marketing stand out?
- how helpful can you be to your contacts?
- do you have a better price, better service, better product?
2. Make all parts of the business as professional as possible.
3. Promise what you plan to deliver.
4. Deliver what you promised and a bit more.
5. What do you do that impresses your clients? Do it again!

If you want to be "better than fine in'09" and grow your business, please call me for a complimentary introductory session.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/