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Page 1: Edition # 19

THE #1 TRADESMAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

www.tradesmaninnercircle.com.au

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Proudly Australian

Issue #19May 2011

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Page 2: Edition # 19

TIC Member Support Line

Unlimited Email & Fax Support Email us today on [email protected]

If email is preferably your thing, then at the dead of night when the questions pop into your head, email us with your thoughts and questions.

It is our commitment to help you develop your business into whatever you want it to be.

Help When You Need ItTo#our#Members,

You#are#never#far#from#help.

Unlimited#Phone#Support!Call!us!whenever!you!need!us!on!1800!704!822

Your%direct%access%to%pick%our%brains,%ask%ques3ons%or%simply%to%bounce%some%ideas%off%us,%whatever%the%reason.%

Page 3: Edition # 19

Happy%Easter!

I"am"sure"hoping"your"brain"has"recovered"from"one"of"the"longest"public"holiday"weekends"in"history!"(or"so"it"seemed)."Not"that"I’m"complaining"seeing"I"too"enjoyed"a"long"overdue"extended"family"holiday"in"the"Gold"Coast"with"Ange’s"family."I"am"pleased"to"report"that"we"escaped"the"typical"‘Easter"weather’"we"have"annually"in"Sydney"of"rain,"rain"and"more"rain,"and"enjoyed"plenty"of"sunshine."It"was"good"for"prawning""(check"out"the"pics"within!)."Although"the"trip"was"fun,"there"is"no"place"like"home!Mind"you,"something"has"to"be"said"about"early"departures"for"long"drives"(especially"with"kids)"I"I"am"thankful"we"leJ"at"1am"to"drive"the"10hours"home"to"miss"the"traffic."My"inIlaws"got"stuck"near"Bulahdelah"and"managed"17kms"in"2hours!"No"thanks…"" On"another"note,"we"enjoyed"celebraSng"Ange’s"birthday"last"month"with"degustaSon"with"‘a"twist’"at"‘Kables"Restaurant’"at"the"Four"Seasons"Hotel."You"select"your"own"5dishes"instead"of"being"locked"into"a"menu"of"which"you"can’t"eat"–"it"was"delicious"but"my"mind"thinks"about"the"kitchen"chaos"that"would"create."Check"out"the"amazing"view"–"pic"within."It"was"also"Shaun’s"birthday"this "past"month"and"I"must"admit"his"new"purchase"has"been"enjoyed"by"all"–"see"his"‘Man"Cave’"arScle"to"find"out"what"I’m"talking"about."With"li^le"Jack"now"in"the"house"I"am"sure"there"is"more"

reason"than"a"birthday"for"said"purchase!"–"am"I"right"Shaun?"" So"welcome"May."Month"number"11"of"12"when"considering"end"of"financial"year"(is"it"that"Sme"already!!~~!~)"This"month"we"should"all"be"meeSng"with"our"accountant"to"discuss"preparing"for"the"end"of"financial"year"so"that"we"know"100%"what"to"do"to"put"your"‘ducks"in"a"row’"to"end"on"a"high!Are"you"on"target"to"achieve"your"financial"goals?"Are"you"calling"in"your"accounts"receivables"to"capture"the"money"in"the"right"month/year?"Get"cracking."I"know"we"are!"" Oh,"and"the"month"can’t"slip"by"without"me"menSoning"the"biggest"event"of"BriSsh/Commonwealth"history"–"the"wedding"of"Wills"&"Catherine."Where"you"glued"to"the"t.v."like"Ange"was?"So."what’s"in"store"in"this"month’s "issue?""Let’s"check"it"out"together…

Lay"it"on"the"plate.................2

Free"Hot"Links.......................5

Lost"in"the"web"I"Basecamp..6

Spill"the"beans.......................8

Dose"of"living.......................10

Moving"office"space............12

Empower"your"team...........13

Tips"from"the"best"in"business..............................14

Shaun’s"Man"Cave...............16

TradeTalk 1

Andre

w

This#Month

Page 4: Edition # 19

Lay it on the plate.........

feeling"of"" excitement"wells"from"the"bo^om"of"my"stomach"when"I"look"at"the"cover"of"this"month’s"magazine."I’m"18"years"old"again,"I’ve"checked"my"harness"for"the"20th"Sme"and"I’m"psyching"myself"into"my"2nd"ever"rock"climbing"a^empt,"this"one"arranged"at"the"Warriewood"Blow"hole."

" My"two"mates,"Daz"&"JusSn,"were"avid"climbers"and"thought"it"funny"to"take"me"to"the"most"challenging"of"local"spots"(I’m"not"one"to"say"no!)."Watching"the"‘beginner’,"under"their"expert"coaching"of"course,"was"always"the"entertainment"of"the"day,"and"for"me,"the"buzz"you"got"was"like"four"red"bulls"on"an"empty"stomach!

" There"is"something"to"be"said"of"the"‘power"of"the"mind’"

because"more"oJen"than"not"it"was"simply"thanks"to"my"‘self"talk’"and"my"youthful"Superman"confidence,"that"made"me"follow"my"buddies"and"tackle"the"cliff"faces"presented"to"me."Now,"if"you’ve"never"done"rock"climbing"it’s"not"for"the"faint"hearted,"and"it’s"certainly"more"taxing"on"your"body"than"one"would"let"on"–"more"specifically"I"remember"experiencing"the"feeling"that"my"finger"Sps"and"forearms"were"about"to"explode"–"apparently"I"was"suppose"to"drive"with"my"legs"more"instead"of"pull"with"my"arms!"But"hey,"I"was"there"

entertainment"right!"In"their"defence,"they"did"a"great"job"of"coaching"me"to"perfect"any"climb."As"they"say"‘follow"the"footsteps"of"those"that"have"walked"before"you’.

" Much"like"business,"this"sport"of"absolute"single"minded"focus"to"reach"the"ulSmate"goal"–"the"top"of"the"cliff,"reflects"the"mindset"we"need"to"develop"and"maintain"to"succeed"because"as"the"quote"reads"‘With"confidence"you"can"reach"truly"amazing"heights…’.

2 TradeTalk

“With confidence, you can reach truly amazing heights:

Without confidence, even the simplest accomplishments are

beyond your grasp”

The Power

A

of The Mind

Page 5: Edition # 19

TradeTalk 3

Whatever"you"believe"you"can"achieve.

" On"the"flipside,"I"have"been"privy"to"many"a"man"and"woman"that"have"said"“I"can’t"do"that!”"to"even"the"most"simplest"of"tasks"based"only"on"the"lack"of"confidence"in"themselves"to"make"something"happen,"to"be"willing"to"take"a"calculated"risk"or"simply"to"break"their"own"rouSne."Tasks"that"would"dramaScally"increase"turnover,"increase"profits,"reduce"stress"levels"and"gain"some"free"Sme"in"a"day"to"actually"eat"your"lunch"in"peace"(or"maybe"that’s"eat"your"lunch"at"all!).Sound"like"someone"you"know?"I’m"sure"there’d"be"some"that"would"say,"“"I"think"I’ll"sSck"to"rock"climbing!”

" AJer"my"very"brief"affair"with"the"sport"I"certainly"developed"a"respect"for"anyone"game"to"challenge"a"cliff"with"only"a"length"of"rope,"some"karabiners,"a"harness"and"a"strategy"and"burning"desire"to"reach"

the"top."It"goes"without"saying"that"the"‘rock"climber’"in"business"is"granted"the"same"respect."Are"you"a"rock"climber?

free#video#of#the#month

""Your#Words#and#Thoughts#have#Physical#Power#–#

Will#Smith

The"link""I""h^p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfWGoLj1JCMor"just"type"into"you"tube"search"I"

Your"words"and"thoughts"have"physical"power"I"Will"Smith

This"video"reveals"a"level"of"intelligence"and"powerful"thinking"from"a"source"we"would"never"

imagined."Actor"Will"Smith"talks"how"to"achieve"

your"dreams."

Above: The Warriewood Blow Hole

Page 6: Edition # 19

INTRODUCING%THE%TRADESMAN%INNER%CIRCLE%IPHONE%&%ANDROID%APP

Now$you$can$access$our$free$content$all$in$the$one$

convenient$loca3on.$Allow$us$to$help$you$make$the$right$

moves$to$ensure$your$business$and$life$success

If"you’re"on"your"iPhone"you"will"find"it"in"the"app"store"by"searching"Tradesman"Inner"Circle."For"Android,"search"for"us"on"your"handset"in"the"Android"Market.

TRADE SECRETS IN YOUR POCKET

Download for

FREE now!

Page 7: Edition # 19

FREE HOT LINKS

Yes,$it$might$just$be$the$shopper$in$me,$but$these$daily$e>mail$offers$are$just$great!$

Once$signed$up$(for$FREE),$you’re$sent$the$latest$daily$discount,$by$city,$for$a$huge$

variety$of$things$–$from$movie$3ckets,$JetBoat$rides,$cruising$on$the$Harbour,$beauty$

treatments$and$my$latest$purchase,$one$month$of$unlimited$group$fitness$training$for$

$39$(valued$at$$400$–$that’s$90%$off).

I$started$this$week$and$I$must$say,$the$thighs$are$killing!$Already$finding$it$hard$to$sit$

down$on$a$chair!$As$they$say$“that’s$a$good$thing!”.

In$all$seriousness,$these$offers$are$a$great$way$(and$cost$effec3ve$way)$to$reward$

yourself,$your$partner$or$even$a$well$deserved$team$member!$

It’s$called$high$perceived$value$at$low$cost…do$yourself$a$favour$and$check$them$out!

By:Angela$Smith

TradeTalk 5

Scoopon.com.au Spreets.com.au

Ouffer.com Treeets.com.au

Page 8: Edition # 19

Finally …No More Losing Your Paper ‘to do list’s’ PLUS Still Guarantee You’re On Track For Deadlines Regardless Where You Are In The World.

So#what,#you#ask,#is#this#remarkable#tool#that#

provides#such#flexibility#yet#with#amazing#

control?#The#answer#>#BaseCamp®

Okay"so"we"are"clearly"a"fan"of"this"soJware"(and"not"getng"a"kick"back"for"this"plug)"but"the"quesSon"to"ask"is"what"do"you"use"it"for"and"why"do"you"love"it?

Well,"let"me"share"with"you"my"thoughts"–"

6 TradeTalk

A ‘cloud software’ version of our 90Day Success Plan – yes, take your action plan with you anywhere from the beach, to the snow, anywhere, anytime. As long as you have internet connection, you have basecamp.

Page 9: Edition # 19

TradeTalk 7

The Human Brain Is Too Efficient

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are witren, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

All milestones and individual tasks entered against each project AND allocated to an owner – no forgetting activities ever again - from a trigger to contact a supplier quarterly to deadlines each month for the magazine.

Upload and save files to share and Collaboration on documents in one easy location with tracked changes.

Basecamp has really upped the ante on project management, and at only $49 a month, we think it’s a steel!

Check them out at www.basecamphq.com

Page 10: Edition # 19

SPILL THE BEANS. . . . . ‘MIND-BLOWING SECRETS FROM A MARKETING MAVEN’

8 TradeTalk

We Reveal: How To Put A Stop To Price Focused Shoppers Once And For All

" More"oJen"than"not,"customers"simply"only"know"they"have"a"problem"that"needs"to"be"fixed,"and"because"they"don’t"really"understand"where"to"start"the"conversaSon"they"simply"launch"into"“so"what"will"it"cost?”.""" Let’s"look"at"an"example"that"you"can"apply"across"any"and"every"business"whether"it’s"service"or"product"based."I’m"in"the"market"for"a"new"camera"because"my"current"one"has"decided"to"bite"the"dust."I"can’t"capture"memories"of"my"kids"or"videos"of"their"funny"songs,"Isaac’s"first"words"or"Hannah"climbing"door"frames"(yep"–"her"new"past"Sme!)."Now"if"I"walked"into"a"shop"and"told"the"salesperson"that"I"wanted"to"buy"a "camera,"and"without"talking"brand,"model"or"features"and"purely"asked"for"price,"should"the"salesperson"point"to"a"camera"(1"of"40"on"display)"and"respond"with,"“this"one"is"$1,299”."What"do"you"think"my"first"reacSon"would"be?"I’m"sure"it"would"something"along"the"lines"of"“That"sounds"expensive!”,"but"the"thing"is,"expensive"compared"to"what?"If"it"could"take"professional"quality"images,"video"capabiliSes"with"lighSng,"play"the"radio,"cover"as"a"mobile"phone,"offer"GPS"and"featured"a"chip"within"as"my"credit"card"would"you"sSll"think"it"was"expensive?

" Now"in"some"people’s"eyes"a"camera"is"a"camera,"but"like"my"example"above"it"can"have"many"

! ow!many!(mes!! in!a!day!do!you!find!yourself!cringing!because,!yet!again,!another!customer!has!asked!you!up!front!“So,!what’s!the!price?”,%and$with$duress$you$reply$“it’s$$297.00,$BUT,$blah$blah$blah”,$as$you$roll$into$defending$why$the$price$is$what$it$is!$Problem$is,$the$customer$has$already$switched$off$having$heard$your$reply.$They’ve$made$their$decision$in$that$split$second$and$hung$up$the$

phone$or$leG$your$store,$and$you’re$leG$saying$to$yourself$“Just$another$price$shopper!”.

% Now,"what"if"I"told"you"it"doesn’t"have"to"be"this"way."What,"in"fact,"if"I"told"you"that"I"have"a"truth"to"reveal"that"will"change"the"way"you"look"at"price"shoppers"forever?…"do"you"want"to"know"what"it"is?"Okay…"listen"up…

It’s"our"fault."‘Oh"my"gosh!’"I"hear"you"exclaim."‘No,"it"can’t"be"true!’"you"sigh,"but"the"truth"of"the"ma^er"is"this"–"we"have"trained"the"customer"to"ask"for"the"price"up"front."Now"hear"me"out"about"this…

H

Page 11: Edition # 19

TradeTalk 9

different"features"and"offer"many"different"benefits."Let’s"take"a"look"at"this"in"a"li^le"more"detail…

" Using"this"example,"what"if"the"sales"person"responded"to"my"“how"much"is"this"camera?”"quesSon"with,"“so"that"I"can"help"you"be^er,"can"I"ask"you"some"quesSons"about"exactly"what"you’re"looking"for?”."My"reply"would"be,"“of"course”."They"could"then"understand"my"needs"by"asking"quesSons"like";“Are"you"looking"to"replace"an"exisSng"camera"–"what"brand"was"it"and"were"you"happy"with"it”"“Is "a"water"resistant"camera"a"feature"you"want”"“Are"you"looking"for"something"that"provides"both"a"camera"and"video"opSon?"“So"

what"colour"are"you"looking"for?”"“Are"you"looking"for"an"allIround,"point"and"shoot?"Or"is"stepping"into"a"professional"arena"with"addiSonal"lens"opSons"your"preference?”

" From"these"quesSons,"I"understand"the"sales"person"is"genuinely"interested"in"my"needs"and"the"sales"person"is"able"to"offer"opSons"A,"B"or"C"as"the"most"suitable"camera"based"on"my"responses.

" The"price,"is"therefore,"negated."It"is"just"a"ma^er"of"now"asking"me"which"camera"I"want"to"buy"out"of"A,B"or"C"–"a"complete"win/win"to"close"the"sale."

Each month TradeTalk is uploaded to iTunes. You will also find the entire Q&A back catalogue there for you to listen to wherever and whenever you want

Animal dreamsJust for laughs.......

" So"how"can"this"be"applied"to"your"business?"Every"business"owner"needs"to"work"out"what"problem"his"customer"is"trying"to"solve"and"ask"the"right"quesSons"to"understand"their"situaSon"be^er.""So,"when"next"asked"by"your"customer"“What’s"the"price?”,"how"do"you"plan"on"responding?

“so!that!I!can!help!you!be<er,!can!I!ask!you!some!quesAons!about!exactly!what!you’re!looking!for?”.

Page 12: Edition # 19

10 TradeTalk

A Good Ole Dose Of Living

Hannah

$and$h

er$frien

d$Saxo

n$caug

ht$

4kilos

$of$pra

wns$fo

r$Easte

r!

Jack$mee3ng$h

is$furry

$

brother$from$a$furry

$mother.

Hannah$&

$Saxon$drin

king$from

$a$

coconut$th

ey$found$fl

oa3ng$in$t

he$

water.$how

$exo3c!

Isaac$and$Andy$enjoying$a$swim$in$sunny$Gold$Coast$over$Easter

Success$with$taking$off$the$husk!$

coconut$milk,$here$we$come!

Page 13: Edition # 19

TradeTalk 11

CHANGING ADDRESS?

Don’t miss out on a single issue! If you’re changing contact details then ensure to let us know -- simply give

us a call or send an email. This way we’ll keep you plugged into a world of knowledge, tips, news and views.

Page 14: Edition # 19

12 TradeTalk

HOW TO AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES AND EXPERIENCE

A PROFITABLE DECISION WHEN MOVING OFFICE SPACEIt’s#4#years#since#we#moved#into#our#office#in#

Artarmon#and#with#a#

number#of#members#

recently#talking#about#

moving#from#home#

office#to#rented#space,#

it’s#Ime#to#share#our#

learnings.#"

Let’s"Sck"off"some"criScal"quesSons"to"ask"yourself.

Why#do#you#want#new#office#

space#away#from#your#home?#

Good"place"to"start."First"and"foremost,"for"us"it"meant"being"more"central"to"our"work."It"was"certainly"not"a"producSve"use"of"Sme"sitng"in"a"car"in"peak"hour"traffic"driving"from"Mona"Vale"to"Bondi"(for"those"nonISydney"members"–"over"an"hour)."Not"to"menSon"the"team"had"grown"to"twelve"and"they"were"sharing"a"room"in"our"new"home,"sca^ered"over"the"floor"on"Monday"morning"to"siJ"through"their"paperwork"to"hand"in"to"the"office."Mmmm,"not"so"professional."That"said,"certainly"made"for"a"great"start"in"business"and"created"an"awesome"culture"with"meeSngs"conducted"on"our"back"deck"with"the"BBQ"pumping"out"bacon"and"egg"rolls"of"a"morning.

What#exactly#are#you#looking#for?#

(no(ce!the!word!exactly)

Ahhhh"yes."We"always"want"something"bigger,"grander,"the"perfect"locaSon"with"natural"light,"that"costs"the"earth!"We"found"it."

Located"in"Artarmon,"office"upstairs,"warehouse"down,"natural"light,"specific"minimum"sq.metres,"easy"vehicle"access"for"loading/unloading,"no"joint"driveway"with"other"businesses…"and"the"list"goes"on."In"short,"we"knew"exactly"what"we"wanted.

Where#are#you#looking?

This"was"an"interesSng"one."The"contacts"at"the"local"commercial"real"estate"agents"were"actually"very"helpful"once"they"understand"specifically"what"we"were"looking"for"and"called"immediately"something"came"up"with"our"criteria."Not"wasted"Sme"viewing"a"site"that"did"not"fit"the"criteria.

When#do#you#want#it?

We"wanted"it"NOW!"We"were"wasSng"money"travelling,"not"just"to"the"job,"but"the"team"coming"to"the"office"(our"home)."Might"I"add,"we"did"need"to"be"paSent"and"not"rush"into"the"first"thing"we"found."It"was"a"huge"investment"and"one"not"to"be"taken"lightly.

Who#is#going#to#do#the#research#

and#negoIaIon?

This"was"my"responsibility"seeing"I"understood,"be^er"than"Ange,"what"the"criSeria"was."It"was"my"visual"that"we"were"trying"to"match."And"hence"it"was"my"

posiSon"to"do"the"negoSaSng"too."Yes,"there"are"plenty"of"lessons"here"maybe"for"another"Sme!"

And#the#most#

important,#How#are#you#

going#to#fund#it?

This"was"the"killer"and"a"huge"learning"curve"for"us."We"completely"underesSmated"the"expense"of"moving"to"a"warehouse,"new"carpet,"racking"system,"computers,"new"electrical"cabling,"phone"system,"kitchen"items"

(fridge,"ke^le,"crockery,"cutlery,"tea/coffee).."and"monthly"payments"and"this"list"really"does"go"on."Now"not"to"scare"you"away"from"the"decision"of"moving"to"new"office"spaces,"because"all"this"aside,"it"really"was"the"best"thing"for"our"growing"business,"but"we"want"to"make"sure"you"are"100%"completely"ready,"in"every"possible"way,"and"that"you"don’t"do"what"we"did."

So"here’s"the"thing…"we"encourage"you"to"pick"up"the"phone"and"talk"to"us"first"before"you"sign"any"documentaSon"or"commit"to"any"purchase/lease"because"we"are"well"equipped"to"ensure"you"avoid"a"costly"mistake"and"experience"a"profitable"decision!"

Page 15: Edition # 19

TradeTalk 13

Why#is#it#that#when#

we#hear#the#word#

‘sales’#we#literally#run#

for#the#hills?"" A"bead"of"sweat"pours"down"your"back"and"an"ill"feeling"se^les"in"your"tummy"just"at"the"thought"of"it."Learning"how"to"sell…"“arghhhhh,"do"I"have"too?”."It’s"like"pulling"teeth…but"the"thing"is,"we"all"say"that"selling"is"the"key"to"a"profitable"business"–"from"the"

person"answering"the"phone"to"the"tradesman"compleSng"the"work"–"the"enSre"team"is"affected,"so"that"said,"if"the"team"can’t"‘sell’,"we’re"doomed!

" That's"why"Andy"&"I"recently"took"our"leading"hand"Stewart,"Office"Manager"Carolyn"(Dr.DRiP)"and"Business"Manager"Shaun"(TIC),"to"immerse"ourselves,"yet"again,"in"a"sales"training"environment"to"hear"more"about"the"‘secrets"of"selling’."It"is"becoming"screamingly"obvious"that"sales"is"the"number"one"item"on"our"agenda"for"the"business"to"

provide"a"steady"cash"flow"and"profit"month"on"month."Now,"this"is"informaSon"I"know"our"compeStors"aren’t"getng"and"are"certainly"not"implemenSng"into"their"business,"and"hence"I"know"100%"it"posiSons"us"well"ahead"of"the"pack!

" So"what"did"we"learn"that"was"so"mindIblowing?"Get"this…"it’s"not"about"trying"to"get"the"tradies"to"sell"more,"it’s"about"getng"them"to"communicate"be^er!

“Oh#my…”#

“wow!...”##“isn’t#

that#interesIng!...”,#I#

hear#you#say.

" This"is"NOT"rocket"science,"but"an"obvious"reality"check"on"what"is"a"necessary"requirement"for"ANY"business"to"survive"and"thrive."It’s"all"in"the"languaging!"(Check$out$our$Sales$&$Customer$Service$Module$4)."Truth"be"known,"a"few"words"can"make"a"complete"difference"on"how"your"customer"perceives"you…from"foe"to"friend."I"know"which"I"would"prefer"to"be!

We reveal the secret to selling that will empower your team resulting in increased profits month on month…you won’t want your competitor reading this nugget of gold…

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong”

Peter T. McIntyre quotes

Page 16: Edition # 19

14 TradeTalk

wonder#what#the######### President#or#CEO#of#

the#top#Fortune#500#

companies#(annual#ranking#

of#American’s#top#

businesses#based#on#

revenue)#would#say#about#

the#necessity#for#

improvement?"Would"they"be"cocky"and"bellow"that"‘their"business"is"perfect’,"that"‘no"changes"are"required’"OR"would"they"modestly"agree"that"‘no"business"is"ever"where"the"leader"wants"it"to"be’,"claim"that"‘there"is"always"room"for"improvement’"or"‘something"to"be"different’.

" In"reviewing"the"top"business"in"the"Fortune"500"for"2010,"WalIMart,"one"would"have"to"agree"that"it"is"a"healthy"perspecSve"for"any"business"to"

think"this"way,"for"all"businesses"need"to"grow"just"to"stay"relevant.

" Going"by"the"read"up"of"the"Fortune"500"on"CNNMoney.com,"WalIMart"did"exactly"that"to"have"made"1st"place."They#aAracted#bargainBhungry#customers#from#compeCtors#with#remodeled#stores#and#inexpensive#privateBlabel#goods,#offering#everything#from#frozen#pizza#to#paCo#furniture#in#one#stop."A"single"trip"meant"less"spending"on"petrol."The"result:"Profits"surging"a"whopping"7%"to"$14.3"billion"in"one"year.

" Did"they"make"changes"and"improvements"to"have"reached"this"posiSon?"An"absolute"YES."

Did"they"take"a"risk"to"achieve"this"outcome?"Definitely.Did"they"provide"what"the"customer"wanted"and"hence"this"is"the"reason"for"the"success?"BINGO.

" Like"the"WalIMart"story"above,"is"there"anything"that"you"can"do"to"improve"your"business?

" Although"the"immediate"thought"is"to"add"or"extend"a"range"that"appeals"to"your"customer"to"your"current"offering"(like"a"pool"cleaning"company"extending"their"basic"services"to"sell"pool"sales,

Is There Any Room For Improvement? Tips from the best in the business

I

Page 17: Edition # 19

Quote of the Month:

“somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by man who knows the secrets of making

dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C’s. They are curiosity, confidence,

courage and consta”~Walt Disney

TradeTalk 15

"pool"toys"and"the"like),"there"is"something"way"more"significant"to"consider"before"this."Want"to"know"what"it"is?

" Consider"the"business"as"it"stands"today"and"focus"on"fixing"any"weaknesses."The"more"details"you"pay"a^enSon"to"and"fix,"the"greater"the"improvement."And"I’m"not"talking"just"any"improvement"–"it"must"be"something"that"relates"to"your"customer.

" Let’s"take"a"look"at"an"example."Improving"a"process,"a"step"by"step"of"doing"something,"

involves"evaluaSon"and"change."Like"a"math"equaSon,"once"the"steps"are"manipulated"a"different"result"will"happen,"and"oJen"quickly."We"do"this"constantly"in"our"business,"and"to"use"just"one"example,"we"add"to"our"‘Tradesman#Procedure#Module’#all"the"Sme."It"is"constantly"in"evoluSon"of"improvement."This"book"lives"in"every"vehicle"within"our"fleet"and"provides"each"tradesman"with"the"‘procedure’"to"follow"in"any"situaSon"they"may"encounter"with"regard"to"their"job."For"example:"the"steps"to"follow"if"they"have"an"accident"(injury,"vehicle"etc),"our"’30"steps"to"customer"care’"–"the"steps"to"follow"when"they"do"a"job"–"what"to"say"to"a"customer,"when"to"call"through"a"credit"card"and"the"like."

" Why"do"we"have"this"book?"because"it"reduces"the"number"of"phone"calls"our"office"and"our"leading"hand"plumber"receive"from"the"team"throughout"the"day."The"

improvements"impact"our"customer"to"experience"a"be^er"service"that"overall"keep"them"coming"back"plus"keep"our"team"smiling."The"overall"result"is"simple:"It"saves"us"both"Sme"and"money."And,"if"the"answers"aren’t"in"the"book"they"are"added!

" Improvement"can"be"extended"to"include,"but"not"limited"to,"products,"people,"behaviour,"culture"and"of"course,"procedure/systems,"but"these"are"all"discussions"for"another"Sme.In"short,"drasSc"improvements"can"occur"in"your"business"by"simply"tackling"one"weakness"at"a"Sme"and"making"them"a"strength."Doing"this"constantly,"li^le"by"li^le"your"business"will"see"vast"improvements,"some"immediately"and"some"over"Sme."Like"WalIMart,"the"#1"Fortune"500"company,"constant"improvements"to"business"lead"to"posiSve"results.

Resource:"money.cnn.com

“There#is#no#top.#There#are#always#further#heights#to#reach”#~Jascha!Heifetz~

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16 TradeTalk

SHAUN’S

MAN CAVE

The Skinny On Smart TV’sChances"are,""in"the"last"few"years"you"have"spent"your"hard"earned"on"a"new"flat"screen"TV"and"now"you"may"have"heard"talk"about"the"upcoming"launch"of"Smart"TV’s.

What"is"all"about"and"do"I"need"one,"thats"what"we"are"about"to"get"into"in"this"months"Man"Cave.

So"what"the"hell"is"a"“Smart"TV”?"As"defined"on"Wikipedia:"A"Smart"TV"is"either"a"TV"with"integrated"internet"capabiliSes"or"a"setItop"box"for"television"with"a"10"foot"user"interface"that"offers"more"advanced"compuSng"ability"and"connecSvity"than"a"contemporary"basic"television"set."

What"is"a"10"foot"user"interface"I"here"you"ask?"this"is"what"makes"the"technology"possible.In#compuCng#a#10Bfoot#user#interface#is#the#soNware#that#enables#computer#type#display#on#a#large#television#with#interacCon#using#a#regular#televisionBstyle#remote#control.

So"how"smart"are"they?"For"example,"a"number"of"Smart"TV"pla}orms"come"prepackaged,"or"can"be"opSonally"extended,"with"social"networking"capabiliSes,"with"which"users"can"both"glean"updates"from,"and"post"their"own"updates"to,"exisSng"social"networking"

This is where we talk about all cool things that should or could be in the man cave.Gadgets, new tech, cool tools, new inventions or big boys toys, if it’s cool and fun well talk about it.

Page 19: Edition # 19

services"(i.e."Facebook,"Twi^er"and""Skype"among"other"services),"including"posts"related"to"the"content"currently"being"played."This"means"that"you"could"watch"a"game"of"footy"and"interacSng"at"the"same"Sme"with"other"users"watching"the"same"game.

It"would"also"be"possible"to"access"free"TV"content"such"as"Hulu"and"other"free"TV"services."This"should"make"you"think"twice"before"

resigning"with"Foxtel"for"another"12"months,"the"savings"you"would"make"by"not"reIsigning"alone"would"jusSfy"the"purchase"of"one"of"these"units.

The"following"is"a"list"of"television"sets"with"integrated"internet."There"are"more"than"10"smart"TV"pla}orms"currently"available"for"consumers"offering"access"to"applicaSons"like"YouTube,"CinemaNow,"Pandora"radio,"Flickr,"Vudu,"Yahoo"TV"Widgets"and"more.

■ Philips"NetTV[62]■ LG"Netcast[63]■ Panasonic"Vieracast[64]■ Samsung"Internet@TV[65]■ Sharp"AQUOS"Net[66]■ Sony"Bravia"Internet"Video"

and"Sony"Internet"TV[67]■ Toshiba"Internet"TV[68]■

The"bo^om"line,"do"you"need"one"now,"no,"but"you"have"to"admit,"they"sound"pre^y"cool."

TradeTalk 17

Let me introduce my new little friendIt was my birthday in April and my wonderful wife purchased me a Nespresso machine. What a lucky boy am i.I was not convinced at first, I like to think of myself as a bit of a coffee snob, complaining when I get an overpriced burnt expresso or cap from a restaurant or the local coffee shop. However, from the first cup I was converted. This clever little machine processes the coffee capsules at just the right pressure and temperature to give you a great result every time. They also threw in a milk warmer and frother that is great for caps or flat whites.

You get your choice from 16 different coffee capsules from different regions all over the world. The capsules are then broken down into different uses such as, short or long black, cappuccino, flat white etc.

I now love the experience of walking into the kitchen and 30 seconds later I have a beautiful restaurant quality brew and at an average cost of 60c a cup, its hard to beat.

If you haven't tried them, do your self a favour, they are great additional to any Man Cave. the It is the bomb.

Page 20: Edition # 19

NEXT MONTHS ISSUE

TradeTalk"is"published"by"and"©"copyright"by"Andrew"&"Angela"Smith,"Tradesman"Inner"Circle"Pty"Ltd"2009."All"Rights"Reserved."This"newsle^er"and"any"accompanying"

material"are"for"general"informaSon"purposes"only."It"is"the"responsibility"of"the"reader"to"comply"with"any"local,"state"or"federal"laws."SSck"with"me"here"while"I"conSnue"

with"this"legal"blahIblah."The"Publisher"has"taken"all"reasonable"measures"to"ensure"that"the"material"contained"within"this"newsle^er"is"correct."The"Publisher"provides"no"

representaSon"and"gives"no"warranty"as"to"the"accuracy"of"the"informaSon"and"does"not"accept"any"responsibility"for"errors"or"inaccuracies"in"the"informaSon"contained"

herein"and"shall"not"be"liable"for"any"loss"or"damage"arising"as"a"result"of"any"person"acSng"in"reliance"on"informaSon"contained"herein."All"done!

For more information, contact:Tradesman Inner Circle Pty Limited!! ! Email: [email protected]: +61 1800 704 822! ! ! ! Web: www.tradesmaninnercle.com.au!

How$You$Can$Achieve$10x$More$In$Less$Time."We"show"you"proof"it"works.

How$to$get$customers$ea<ng$out$of$the$palm$of$your$hand."No,"it’s"not"a"joke!

Alright"crew,"that’s"enough"from"me"for"one"month…"off"to"hang"with"the"family!

To"our"PLATINUM"members,"remember"to"book"your"next"monthly"call."Speak"soon.

Andrew & Angela Smith

Q&A$OF$THE$MONTH%

Don't$forget$to$send$in$your$business$questions$to$

[email protected]$or$fax$1300$553$161$and$

you$can$have$them$answered$on$the$next$recording