Eric Tippetts

Rituals For Peace, Happiness and Prosperity

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As entrepreneurs, we face stressful times that many people have no understanding of.

Stress and anxiety is normal.

It is how we deal with these issues that defines our character. If handled improperly, we can actually create more problems than what we started with.

I have found many rituals that can enliven peace, happiness and even help us live a prosperous existence.

I know that some rituals may not be your “cup of tea,” so I am going to share a variety of rituals.

I suggest you find one or more and try them for awhile. Many of these rituals have been used for centuries. And many successful entrepreneurs are “addicted” to some of these rituals because they help them manage their stress.

Rituals #1: Welcome The Sun

Each morning immediately after waking, just step outside and say hello to the sun. The sun provides us with so many benefits that just acknowledging its existence can give us a whole new outlook on our upcoming day.

Rituals #2: Practice Projective Visualization

This comes straight from the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus. Many of us call it using empathy.

Before you get angry and lash out at someone, ask yourself how you would react if a friend or family member were to react in the way you are about to react.

Would you try to calm them?

Would you agree with their reaction?

Before you react, be that friend or family member and do to yourself what you would do if in their shoes.

Rituals #3: Speak Positive Affirmations

Each morning before you even get out of bed, I challenge you to speak 5 positive affirmations out loud.

It is amazing how this works. Those affirmations will stay locked in your brain all day because you not only spoke them, you heard them.

Just think of positive things about or for you:

  • I am wise!
  • Yes, I am a beautiful person!
  • I can succeed at anything I set out to accomplish!
  • Etc…

Rituals #4: Morning Exercise

An early morning jog, walk or bike ride is a great way to get your blood flowing smoothly and be prepared for a day of business activities.

Exercise does a body and mind good.

Rituals #5: Get 7 Hugs

You know, I did a video awhile back about how my wife and I keep a great relationship flowing all the time.

I am going to share that video with you, but first let me tell you that positive force can move out into other areas.

So let me just challenge you, and don’t be weird about it, but go out and get 7 hugs from people everyday.

You will see some amazing results.

Rituals #6: Postpone

Everyone of us have at least one bad habit.

And the problem comes with trying brute force willpower to overcome that habit. We try but often we fail.

I shouldn’t eat sweets…

The sweet neighbor lady brings that plate of cookies and our willpower becomes no power.

There is a better way according to Epictetus again. Postpone; don’t tell yourself no, just tell yourself later.

And then you find something different to take its place. Replacing a bad habit with a good habit is much easier than trying to eradicate a bad habit.

Rituals #7: Fast

Sometimes we start taking some of what we have for granted. We must learn to be grateful for those items once again.

I am going to use coffee as an example. I am sure that a vast amount of my readers love coffee. But are you taking your coffee for granted. Is it the delight it used to be, or do you just swallow your coffee without being grateful for it?

Maybe it is time for a coffee fast.

Try going without coffee for 2 or 3 days and you will gain the coffee love you once had.

Fasting has been used for centuries. It does not necessarily have to be food or drink; you can fast with nearly anything.

  • A Facebook fast
  • An internet fast
  • Fasting from television

Yes, fasting can help us realize the great things we do have.

Conclusion

Do you have any rituals you follow that help you live peacefully, happy and prosperous? Feel free to share them with us.

I hope this helps you and I also want to share something else I developed that can help: I challenge you to 7 Days to Unstoppable Motivation.

Get The Challenge Started Here!

You know what?

I have faith in you, so have faith in yourself!

I love you all.

To The Top!

eric tippets

Using Hyper Personalization In Your Email Marketing – To The Top Tuesday

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There is data surrounding you that can add huge revenues to your business. But are you using that data to its full potential?

The newest trend in email marketing is hyper personalization.

Yes for several year, businesses have personalized emails by adding the person’s name, their location and maybe their birthday.

But if managed correctly, you can get much more information on potential customers that can be used to show them their wants and needs.

You can use this data to show people similar items that they have already been actively searching for or looking at.

Amazon has been using hyper personalization for quite some time. If you have ever looked through Amazon and you then visit a website that has Amazon ads, isn’t it amazing they are showing you similar products?

You can and should use similar methods.

Personalization in email marketing works

Research found that by simply adding the person’s name to an email raised the open rates by over 23%.

This tells me that consumers desire a more personalized experience from marketing. But there is a “line in the dirt” with how much personal information you dare let that consumer know you have.

But knowing each person’s

  • Browsing history
  • Demographics
  • User preferences
  • Mobile location history
  • Mobile app behavior
  • and their social media data

can give you a huge supply of data that can allow you to send marketing emails tailored just for them.

So now you can interact with your email list one on one

I know that some entrepreneurs may be shaking their heads with stress after reading that headline… “I have a list of nearly 10,000 people. How will I interact with each person?”

Technology has the answer.

Most mass email services allow you to use personalization somewhat. They will automatically put the person’s first and last name in, but you now need to segment your list.

You can segment them by location, income levels, ages, etc…

Just these segments alone will help you personalize the emails. If you are sending emails to people in Florida, an image of a palm tree or the Miami skyline will create the sense you are local.

If the age group is 50+, maybe you show an older man and woman in love.

But personalization can go even deeper

So let’s say you sell a wide variety of accessories such as handbags, billfolds, sunglasses, etc…

The browsing history of a certain segment has been looking at designer sunglasses. And you already have emails designed that are automatically sent showing your sunglasses and.

The possibilities are endless.

So how to collect data

Naturally, you should be using analytic programs to their full potential. You can also by instituting loyalty programs that asks for customer information. Polls and surveys are another great method to collect data.

So essentially you need to put all of it together. You must put the puzzle pieces together.

Collect data

You want to collect data from social, mobile and even off line channels.

Integrate data

Now you need to be able to put that data into a system that is always evolving.

Build profiles

Using the gathered data, you are now tasked with building profiles. You will soon discover many correlations making some of these people alike in many ways.

You can use those similarities to make multiple hyper personalized mass marketing emails.

Keep a close eye on technology

I predict that soon there will be software that will manage all of this for entrepreneurs. Yes, there are some advances available, but the investment cost may be slightly unreachable.

So who will be the first entrepreneur to develop this software

I am challenging all of you reading this. Can you design the software that will take the world by storm? One that can make hyper personalization an easy part of the entrepreneur’s marketing plan…

You have a problem to solve.

Can you develop the answer?

Conclusion

Hyper personalization IS the future. I am just considering how it could help me make Rocket Recruiting even better.

But many of the people who are using Rocket Recruiting will say it is already hyper personalized.

What do you think?

You haven’t used it yet? Well, you can get Rocket Recruiting here and see how well it will take your business…

To The Top!

eric tippets

Set Your Business Apart

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You may wonder how a small business can suddenly “run rampant” on its large corporate counterpart.

I can look back in time and name some companies who did exactly that:

  • Airstream took other large RV manufacturers like Winnebago and Fleetwood by surprise.
  • T-Mobile jumped upon the cellular wave and have surfed it as well, if not better than the AT&T giant.
  • And I dare not leave out Apple. Steve Jobs would not allow Bill Gates and Microsoft to monopolize the computer jungle.

So how did these smaller businesses hold their own or even “stomp the $*^&” out of the corporate monstrosities?

The entrepreneur set the business apart.

And to gain success as an entrepreneur – as a business leader – you need to be able to do the same. You need to set your business apart. I am going to give you some ideas, tips and advice on how to be the platinum dollar in a roll of silver dollars.

Set Your Business Apart With Super Passion

If you are in love with your business and your products or services just as a groom loves his bride, you are already setting yourself apart.

And if you put that passion into customer care and service; if you know clients by name and you ask about their children; if you will open ½ hour early because a customer really needs an item but they have to travel to the city and will be gone by the time you open.

You instill that same customer care in anyone who works with or for you.

Are you getting the point?

It really won’t matter if your prices are somewhat higher than that corporate store on the other side of town. The one who has employees who act as if the customer is a pest.

You are the winner because you set your business apart with passion.

Set Your Business Apart By Looking For Those “Hidden” Opportunities

This process involves a measure of risk, but people such as Steve Jobs showed the world how you can create something new that will frustrate the competition.

The idea is not listening to the naysayers and moving forward with those ideas others may think ridiculous.

Right along with this, look for the “hidden” talents in your tribe. You just may be in for some huge surprises.

Set Your Business Apart With Quality

If your quality is even slightly better than the competitor, you HAVE set your business apart.

And, I am not just talking product or service quality. Yes, it is great to add extra value with quality to your product or service, but quality climbs higher than that…

  • Customer Service Quality: I mentioned it in the passion area earlier but I just have to stress this important factor. Many of the big businesses are slipping terribly with their customer service. They have sacrificed customer satisfaction with speed. While many customers want what they want NOW, they also want it to their satisfaction. You need to create a system that has those customers happy after they spend their money with you. You need to be personable and leave a good taste in their mouth.
  • Process Quality: Many people just detest having to take a defective item back to many businesses because they are treated like they did something to cause the malfunction. No matter if the person is handing you money or you are giving money back because of an issue, they should all leave with a smile.

Set Your Business Apart By Using The Latest Technology

Believe it or not, the smaller businesses often have the advantage in this area.

Large corporate structures have invested in technology and asking “the board” to spend money on new technology is harder than pulling the teeth from a mountain lion.

There are still large corporations having staff use Windows 98 because they believe there are more important things to invest in like an Espresso Coffee machine for the monthly executive meetings.

If you believe a new software or other technology will help you serve your clients more efficiently, invest!!

Set Your Business Apart By Being Social

While those big corporations are spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on billboards, television commercials and other costly marketing, you can just get out and mingle with the people who will buy from you.

Consumers have discovered that the only time they truly hear from the majority of CEOs of the corporate monsters is when they are trying to “clean up” a mess an employee made.

Don’t be like that. Set your business apart by being reachable. Tweet a cute kitten picture or post a humorous or motivational video on Facebook.

When business owners show they are just like the rest of the population, they are setting both their selves and their business apart and gaining a lot of respect in the process.

Learn From The Corporate Big Boys But Do Not Copy Them!

Set your business apart and you will have great things happen… I Am Sure!

Let me help you 1 step further… I developed the Business Success Kit with 3 powerful tools in one:

  1. To The Top – A Blueprint For Wealth
  2. The Expense Tracker – Keeping Your Business Finances Straight
  3. and Rocket Recruiting – Never Struggle Convincing People

Just get the Business Success Kit here.

Did this help you?

Please leave your feedback… If you have any questions, you can post those here too.

I want to help you take your business

To The Top!

eric tippets

7 Expert Negotiation Tactics

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Since the day we were spanked by that Doctor who pulled us out (hopefully head first), we have used negotiation tactics.

All through life, we are negotiating in one form or another.

But suddenly, when it comes to business negotiations, some entrepreneurs seem to “shut down” or “get cold feet.”

I cannot answer why so many people shy away from negotiating… It is a completely natural human action.

I am going to help you.

I am going to share 7 expert negotiation tactics and tips that you can, and should use to achieve the best outcome in any business discussion.

Keep in mind that nearly anything can be negotiated. Even when you are shopping for an item for your spouse or other loved one, do not fear negotiating for a better price. You may surprise yourself when that $100 sticker price suddenly becomes $80.

Expert Negotiation Tactic #1: Word Mirroring

This is a manipulative trick used by the best of the best negotiators. It is taught to those guys who are talking a dangerous criminal into giving up.

You will build a strong connection with the person when you simply repeat back the last 1 to 4 words they used in the sentence before. And, those words need to come from you with a question inflection.

The person you are negotiating with: “We will be willing to allow this sale as long as your company meets 3 stipulations.”

You: “3 stipulations?” (3-4 second pause) “What will they be?”

Learn to selectively use word mirroring. It builds rapport and gives you extra time to think.

Expert Negotiation Tactic #2: Competition

This tactic can be used by buyer or seller effectively.

If used properly, the competition tactic can work great but if misused, it can create mistrust and animosity.

No matter what, do not make the competition look evil or damage their name.

Buyer: “(competitor) offers a comparable product for this price; can you match it?”

Seller: “I know that you will see (competitor) has a similar product that is good, but our product gives you these 2 added benefits…”

Expert Negotiation Tactic #3: Have Your Price Range Set Before You Start Negotiations

Before you even enter negotiations, you need to know what your high and low prices are. Do your research.

You do not want to share these with the other party but by having these set, you will be better prepared and will have the power to accept or walk away without being “wishy-washy.”

Expert Negotiation Tactic #4: Delay

When a negotiation is getting near the deadline, you can gain more concessions by using a delay tactic.

Let’s say that the other party wants this deal closed by tomorrow at noon and you are just not comfortable with the terms.

“I will have to sleep on this. We can meet again tomorrow after I talk to my partner… Say 10:30 AM?”

Expert Negotiation Tactic #5: Who Makes The First Offer

There is a long-standing debate on making the first offer or not.

I tend to agree that you can set your “flag in the sand” by making the first offer…. But make it unreasonable!

You have already determined your price range and I suggest you make that first offer higher or lower than your range. And study the reaction to know how you can move forward.

Expert Negotiation Tactic #6: Ask Questions That Will Get A No Answer

If every question asked is seeking a yes answer, you can put the person in a defensive position.

Mix in questions that will get an answer of no and you will create an atmosphere of relaxation. The other party will feel comfortable with you.

“Is now a bad time to meet?” or “Have you given up on this negotiation?”

Expert Negotiation Tactic #7: Name Dropping

This tactic along with testimonials can enhance your credibility.

“When we started this project, we partnered with (name of an influencer) who stated this would solve (problem) that no other product could match.”

“(Influencer) used the service and immediately told me they would have paid double the price I charged.”

Conclusion

I will immediately tell you that all of these tactics take practice. You may “slip-up” during your first few negotiations, but keep practicing.

Never… I mean Never

be fearful of walking out on a negotiation. You have the right to say no if the deal is not satisfactory.

I hope this helps you.

Negotiation is a huge aspect of taking you to the top. I suggest you get the book I wrote that will help you gain prosperity in life and in your business. Get your copy of To The Top here.

Do you have any questions about negotiating? Feel free to ask below. I will get you an answer.

And with that, I wish you great success and that your business will grow…

To The Top!

eric tippets

9 Tips For The Expat Entrepreneur – To The Top Tuesday

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Many of you know that I have been spending a lot of time in China as of late. While I am not living here yet, I have come to understand some of the challenges and excitement of being an expat entrepreneur.

I must say that China has some amazing people that are full of energy and are ready to take their businesses To The Top.

The food is great too!

If you have considered becoming an expat entrepreneur, I have these 9 tips that will help you on your mission.

I know they will help you and if you do have any questions, feel free to ask at the end of this post.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #1: Network With Fellow Expats

Get out and meet other expats. They don’t necessarily have to be entrepreneurs. By networking with others, you can get hints and tips on various things you should know in the country you have chosen.

Another great benefit of networking with other expats is those moments you are feeling twinges of homesickness or loneliness.

Also, fellow expats may refer you to natives who are interested in the ideas you have.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #2: Get Out Of The Tourist Zones

While there may be some entrepreneur opportunities in the tourist areas, I suggest you will discover the true problems and issues the natives need solved by getting out into the areas where most tourists will not go.

You do want to stay safe, so don’t wear expensive jewelry and look like the “perfect victim.”

As you stroll through these areas, I believe your creative side will come alive.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #3: Do Your Research Before Leaving

It is a great idea to hit the internet and research the country you are moving to. You will want to discover other businesses that have succeeded and look into the needs of the people that are not being met.

Some excellent websites you may want to look at are:

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #4: Learn Some Of The Language

I know this can be difficult… My Chinese is terrible. But, just attempting to learn some will show that you have the drive and desire to be a part of the good in the country you choose.

You could take courses, but there are many apps available to help you learn the basics.

One great one is DuoLingo.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #5: Check The Legalities

You absolutely want to make sure that you will be able to renew your employment visa after you have your start up running.

Some entrepreneurs have discovered they had to go through an obstacle course just to renew their visa after they had the business running.

You want to also know all the tax legalities. It would be wise to hire a local tax attorney and/or accountant.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #6: Find A Local Partner You Can Trust

It can help immensely if you have a person who understands the ins and outs of the area. This doesn’t mean getting someone from the U.S. whose grandparents came from the country.

You should find someone who has lived, worked and immersed their selves in the culture and understand it completely.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #7: Check Into Special Economic And Business Zones

Many countries are looking to help smaller areas with their economic stress. To do so, they offer huge tax breaks, free or low rental on commercial property, lower interest rates and much more.

China has a plethora of special economic zones, and I am sure other countries have similar offerings.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #8: Research The Best Marketing Methods

Maybe Facebook was a top method for your business in the United States but you may discover that the social network is not the top marketing method in South Africa.

This is where networking with others comes in handy.

You will want to find and test the various marketing methods that seem to work best in the country you are now in.

Keep in mind that many countries have restrictions on the internet.

Expat Entrepreneur Tip #9: Don’t Be Afraid To Integrate Some Americanism

While it IS important that you adopt yourself to the local culture, you may discover something we have here in America that is not found where you landed. And, that could be your ticket to huge success.

The person who introduced the leather jacket or Levi jeans to China grabbed the attention quickly and made a lot of money.

If you notice something we have here they don’t have there, try it!!! You may find huge success.

Conclusion

Well, there you have 9 expat entrepreneur tips. Keep coming back because as I find more, I will share them.

You know, I have been considering translating my book To The Top into Chinese. The people here are so fired up and I would like to help them even more.

Are you “fired up?”

Well, read the book! You can get it here… To The Top by Eric Tippetts

If you have been an expat, I would love to hear your story. Please share it in the comment area below.

With that, I will say…

Dào dǐngbù 到顶部

That is simplified Chinese for

To The Top!

Do You Own The Business Or Does The Business Own You?

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How Not Be A Slave To Your Business

When you created the dream you had always wanted; you discovered how to solve the problems of many; you stopped being a slave of a 9 to 5 job and you found freedom in becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own business…

But what happened?

Did you stop being a 9 to 5 slave and promote yourself to being a 6 AM to 10 PM slave?

Does the business own you?

It is actually quite easy to determine if you are a slave to the business.

Do you:

  • Wonder why you are working so hard and making little?
  • Go home every night feeling completely drained?
  • Feel chained to the phone or email?

Can you take off at any time and know the business will manage without you?

If you answered yes to 1 or more of the first 3 questions and no to the last question, the business probably owns you.

Now when you first start, it is understandable if you are putting in a lot of hours and doing tedious tasks, but your priority should be to delegate and automate as much as you possibly can.

You should work “on” the business, not “in” the business.

I am going to give you some tips on how to not be a slave to the business; how to own the business and not allow it to own you.

Own The Business Tip #1: Set Solid Boundaries

The work/life balance can be difficult for entrepreneurs. But you MUST set boundaries and follow them.

If you promise your child you will be at their school recital… BE THERE!

If you make a vow not to work Sundays… DON’T WORK SUNDAYS!

I believe you see my point. By setting and keeping boundaries, you will discover that the time you are working will be more profitable.

Own The Business Tip #2: Make Strategic Plans

The wise entrepreneur plans their day, week and even month. These plans have a strategy and the plan is followed.

Don’t allow people, places or things to “hi-jack” your strategic plan.

Own The Business Tip #3: Delegate And Look Away

I know, no one can do it as good as you can.

Baloney!

Sorry to be so blunt, but have you ever given one of your team members the opportunity to show you they can do it as good as you; maybe better!

You need to let go and let Jack, Shirley, Joan, Tim or whatever your team member’s name is, dribble the ball.

Yea, they may make mistakes, but you did too, didn’t you?

Don’t micromanage, just let them do the task and then compliment them and offer your constructive critique.

Amazing things will happen!

Own The Business Tip #4: Just Leave On A Whim

I highly recommend doing this at least once every 2 weeks.

Be spontaneous!

It’s 10 AM on a Tuesday and you just pack everything and go get the family.

  • Drive to the beach.
  • Go to an amusement park.
  • Go see family in a town miles away.
  • Etc…

Do anything except business.

It will run without you, won’t it?

Own The Business Tip #5: Quit Being The Savior

I equate this to a parent who cleans up the milk a 10 year old child spilled… Why?

The best way to help a child grow is to make them clean their own mess.

It is the same way at the business; an employee calls you to say they realized they accidentally forgot to lock the back door of the office. They are 6 miles away but you are 20 miles away.

It was the employee’s responsibility and you politely tell them to go back and do their duty. Don’t even offer to “save the day” for them.

Just tell them thank you for “owning” the mistake, but the consequence is a drive back.

Conclusion

If you allow yourself to become a slave to your business, you are no better off than the laborer who is working 10 hour days for a paycheck.

You did not start the business with that intent I believe.

So OWN YOUR BUSINESS! Don’t let it own you!

To help motivate you further, I want to offer you a free training course worth $97… 7 Days To Unstoppable Motivation… Just click here.

I hope this helped you. Please give me feedback and if you have any questions… You can post them below.

Thank you…

To The Top!

eric tippets

@ERICTIPPETTS

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