30 Oct

The Importance Of Positive Attitudes At Work

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 30.10.15 by John Meloche

Pile of hands - Successful business team celebrating their success with a high fiveHalloween is here! Well, almost. Tomorrow is the big day when people will be all dressed up looking to either party (see: adults) or locate as much candy as possible (see: kids…and adults). It’s all about tricks and treats when it’s time for Halloween. But, in most cases, it’s the treats that most are after. In yesterday’s blog, we pointed out that there is another type of “treats” that business owners need to pay attention to.

How a business owner treats his or her employees is a pretty big deal. When you have people working for you who truly enjoy coming in to work every day, you’re bound to have a very productive and successful business. Yesterday, we noted that empowering your employees with responsibility, encouraging them to overcome fears and offering fair compensation are great ways to treat your employees right.

But what can you do to truly make your employees feel like they’re being treated with all of the respect, appreciation and consideration you can give them? How about hiring more employees who they’ll enjoy working with? After all, people very often make friends at work. The people they see on a daily basis are often a big reason why they enjoy coming to work each day. So, be sure to hire individuals with great attitudes.

This past Major League Baseball season, our beloved hometown Toronto Blue Jays (yes, it’s still hard for us to accept that they are out of the postseason) added a number of incredible players to their team. It was often said among sportscasters, members of team management and even players that the best part about the new additions to the team was that they were all “character guys”.

That means that, not only were they talented baseball players, they were excellent people. This made for great chemistry among teammates. Many members of the organization heralded the club’s General Manager, Alex Anthopoulos for going after players who added to the overall positive atmosphere in the clubhouse. This is one of the strategies you should employ when hiring new staff members.

Remember that talent alone is not going to improve your business. Creating a team out of good-natured people who enjoy working in group settings is going to take your brand a lot further. To make your current employees feel even better about working for you, surround them with people who they enjoy working with. According to Success Resources, you should “hire and fire employees on attitude, not ability.”

“There is no cure for a bad attitude and no training that can change it…and it’s highly contagious,” says the website, “You’re better off cutting out the infection before it spreads throughout your organization.” Why would you want people with bad attitudes to work for you anyway? Keep positive attitudes in mind the next time you’re in the hiring process. Your business will greatly benefit from it.

In our experience, employees greatly benefit from being given free promotional gifts. To help generate positive attitudes at your business, hand out useful and handy company promo gifts. To place your order, contact Synergy Marketing at 1-877-748-9884!

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29 Oct

4 Sweet Ways To Treat Your Employees Right

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 29.10.15 by John Meloche

Business Team of Mixed Races at OfficeThere’s a lot of talk about “treats” going on these days. With Halloween quickly approaching, there soon will be many costume-clad youngsters hitting the streets in seek of treats. Perhaps, that has got something to do with it! In the business world, “treats” is also an important word. But it has everything to do with how people are treated – candy isn’t always part of the equation. For a successful company, it’s important to treat your employees right.

Here are four sweet ways to do so:

1. Picture them as future superstars. People have plans. And, for all you know, your employees are people with aspirations to move up in your company. By treating them as if they may, one day, own your brand, you just may get the best productivity you’ve ever generated from members of your staff. Help them to grow their potential by offering feedback that speaks to their talents. Foster their growth. You’ll be rewarded in the long run.

“Treat them as if they are eventually going to be better than you,” recommends Success Resources, “You can learn from every one of them in the time they have with you. Treat every employee as your teacher. Even if they’re criticising you. Before you get defensive, take a step back and ask, ‘Is there some truth to what they are saying? Why are they saying it?’ If someone has the courage to speak up, it means it matters enough for them to say something about it.”

2. Encourage them to face their fears. As motivated as some employees may be to climb the ladder of success, some others may suffer from senses of anxiety. Not everyone is confident in themselves. Give your employees the courage to know that their contributions to your company matter. By instilling a new sense of confidence in them, you will be helping them to be more productive. This, of course, benefits your brand.

3. Be fair about compensation. Everyone shows up to work for a pay cheque. We all know that. Keep in mind that the costs of living rise on a regular basis, and it’s only right that your staff members are able to afford them. Offering raises is a standard part of any job. Don’t lose some of your best staff members because you’ve made money an issue. Give what is fair and you’ll receive much in return.

“Research shows money is not the greatest day-to-day motivator,” says Harvey Schachter of The Globe and Mail, “With the exception of a commissioned salesperson, it’s in the background, boring. But if no pay increases have occurred for three years or a recruiter offers somebody $10,000 more, you have a problem. So pay well enough that money is a non-issue should that recruiter call.”

4. Give them responsibilities. Believe it or not, most employees actually do want you to put them to work. They enjoy being depended on as it gives them senses of pride in their abilities. After all, wouldn’t it be better for your business if those who worked for it felt like their contributions mattered? Put people in positions to succeed – not fail. Allow them the opportunities to meet their full potential.

“This means exposing them to the tough choices and situations they will need to experience to start their own businesses,” says Success Resources, “Give them responsibility and ownership. Help them see the importance of delivering value to the people around them. Be a beacon that inspires them to follow. And eventually they will be beacons as well. Eventually, they may leave you, but they will look back and appreciate what you did for them.”

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28 Oct

The Importance Of A Positive Mindset In The Business World

Posted in Small Business Advertising on 28.10.15 by John Meloche

3d light bulb with a dollar sign in goldThis week, the Synergy Marketing Blog has focused on the theme of overcoming hardships in the business world. We’ve been examining ways that business owners can recover from losses over the past few days. But, more importantly, we’ve also asserted that thinking with a positive mindset is a key ingredient to running a successful business. After all, we all suffer losses at some points in our lives. How we deal with them determines our future success and happiness.

“No matter how effectively you run your business, chances are that you’ll eventually encounter negative customer feedback,” writes Robbi Robinson on OrapinMarketing.com, “When negative reviews happen publicly– on social media or review sites like Yelp– your first instinct might be to panic and launch into damage control mode.” She goes on to note that bad reviews can actually be great catalysts for your company’s growth.

How so? Well, consider the fact that your customers are arguably (although we wouldn’t argue it!) the most important people to your business. Therefore, what they have to say matters. Now, no one likes to hear negative comments about themselves or their businesses. But isn’t the best way to fix a problem to attack at its source? In other words, getting direct information about what is perceived as wrong about your business is the first step to improving things.

“While it’s true that bad reviews have the potential to send your sales plummeting, they can also provide your business with a great opportunity to showcase your excellent customer service– and subsequently gain new customers,” insists Robinson. This is where having a positive mindset truly comes in handy. If you get angered by negative reviews, you are not likely to help your business to improve. You’ll likely get defensive.

However, if you receive bad reviews as learning opportunities, you’ve already begun to help your business travel in a new and more lucrative direction. Having a positive mindset is exactly what your business needs to succeed after suffering a loss. By staying positive, you’ll also be better prepared for future shortcomings. Nothing is bound to remain perfect forever. But being equipped to handle all challenges will be very beneficial for your company.

“Successful entrepreneurs are comfortable doing business in a changing world,” writes Martin Zwilling on Entrepreneur.com, “They use their moral compass to get them back on track after a setback and keep them pointed in the right direction. Investors, customers and partners follow entrepreneurs who are honest and caring.” As well, when you are honest and caring, your customers will notice.

In fact, many of them – especially the ones who have supported you the longest – may sympathize about your rough patch and want to do their part to help you get back on your feet. Remember the importance of accepting customer feedback with open ears. Robinson insists that you do so in order to make things right. “Ask them what you can do to improve their experience– and then follow through whenever possible,” she advises.

One way to get the beneficial feedback that your company needs is to ask for reviews. “Studies show that customers are more likely to do business with a company who has multiple reviews,” Robinson reveals, “Don’t think that every review must be positive either; customers understand that businesses make mistakes, and are more interested in the company’s response to the negative review than the review itself.”

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27 Oct

3 More Ways To Grow Your Business Following Hard Times

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 27.10.15 by John Meloche

Teamwork statisticsIn yesterday’s blog, we visited the topic of rebounding from a business loss. Still reeling from the Toronto Blue Jays’ exit from this year’s postseason, we remain aware that sports teams aren’t the only groups who suffer big losses. Business owners go through it all the time. Needless to say, it isn’t easy. Financial losses hurt, but suffering the emotional stress with not being able to grow your business in the way that was intended can cause permanent damage to one’s company.

This is why it’s important to utilize ways to rebound from what may be perceived as a failure. Yesterday, we pointed out the importance of learning from mistakes. So-called “failures”, in fact, can be the best ways to learn how to steer companies in new and more profitable directions. If you’re a business owner who has suffered a loss of some kind, it’s important to remember that there is still great hope for your company.

Here are three more ways to grow your business following hard times:

1. Remember that you’re not alone. Think you’re the first business owner to ever face hard times? Think again. Many have come before you and many will follow. And all of them either have already experienced or are bound to experience some sort of loss as business owners. The best business owners, however, are the ones who realize that a loss is not the end, but instead, a chance at a new beginning.

On Entrepreneur.com, Martin Zwilling reiterates this when he states that “every human grieves over a loss.” The difference, however, lies in how the loss is handled. “Some never recover their confidence, and others continue to fall back on excuses, such as ‘I was a victim of the recession,’ or ‘My investors forced me to make some bad decisions,’” he writes, “After a few months, the best entrepreneurs are back in the game with a better plan.”

2. Understand that your customers are hurting too. If you’ve experienced bad dealings, don’t forget that you’re not the only one who has been hurt by them. Your customers are likely to be affected, as well. It’s important for you to be mindful of their needs and concerns and work to resolve any problems that may have resulted from their bad experiences. This just may be the first step in rebuilding your brand.

On OrapinMarketing.com, Robbi Robbinson highly recommends that you be empathetic towards your customers. Try not to get too defensive when you’re given negative reviews. “Your ultimate goal is customer retention and hostility is a surefire way to alienate new and existing customers alike,” she reminds us, “Instead, be empathetic and apologize for their negative experience– even if you weren’t in the wrong.”

3. Don’t take it personally. A strong theme that has existed throughout our past two blogs is that of learning from mistakes. One mistake that is important to not make is taking it personally when your business goes through a rough patch. Even if the rough patch is a result of an error you made yourself, don’t forget the old and very true adage: nobody’s perfect. Understand that dwelling on what you did wrong will not help you in the long run.

Zwilling insists that business owners remember that their failures are not “personal condemnations.” All businesses – especially startup businesses – are bound to encounter tough times. “Economic condition changes and high investor expectations are real but normal challenges facing every startup,” he says, “You have not been singled out for testing, and being overrun does not indicate a character flaw preventing you from being a successful entrepreneur.”

Just how important is a positive mindset in the business world? Be sure to read tomorrow’s blog to find out! And don’t forget to call Synergy Marketing to order promotional products to advertise your business at 1-877-748-9884!

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26 Oct

3 Ways To Rebound From A Business Loss

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 26.10.15 by John Meloche

Rebound word on a green 3d arrow to illustrate rising, improving or increasing and bouncing back to succeedIf you’re wondering if the staff, here at Synergy Marketing, is heartbroken…the answer is yes. Last week, our beloved, hometown Toronto Blue Jays were ousted from the postseason after a 4-3 loss to the eventual American League Champions, the Kansas City Royals. We would just like to express our thanks to the Blue Jays for their wonderful season, and for providing our fellow baseball fans across Canada with the most excitement we’ve had in 22 years.

With that said, we very excitedly look forward to a promising next season. The important thing to learn in this year’s falling short of getting to the World Series is that there’s always hope for greater success moving forward. All business owners should keep this in mind when they fall short of their own goals. You’re not always going to create a business plan that succeeds. However, learning from your mistakes can help you to win big in the future.

Here are three ways to rebound from a business loss:

1. Think of it as a new beginning. It’s important to start with your mindset when trying to rebound from a business loss. It’s easy to be depressed and angry when things don’t go the way you expected. However, so-called “failures” should be deemed as opportunities for growth. Consider the fact that had you not failed to begin with, you wouldn’t be aware of the changes that could be made to improve things with your company.

On Entrepreneur.com, Martin Zwilling writes that failure is not an end, but instead the start of a new beginning. “Generations of successful entrepreneurs, including Thomas Edison, categorized every failure as an experiment, and each one told him successfully what didn’t work,” he points out, “Despite a thousand light-bulb filaments that failed, he is remembered as one of the most success entrepreneurs of the century.”

2. Reach out to your disgruntled customers. If things haven’t exactly gone your way, it’s likely that you may have upset a few of your clients. It comes with the territory. It’s important that you reach out to them in order to make amends. At the very least, putting forth such an effort will help you to regain favour with even some of your most angered customers. By getting in touch and offering apologies, you can salvage some very important business relationships.

On OrapinMarketing.com, Robbi Robinson discusses the importance of responding to customers in timely manners when they post negative reviews online. “If a customer posts a negative review on your business’s Facebook page and it sits for a week unanswered, you’re sending the message that customer service isn’t a top priority,” she says, “Instead, try to respond to all complaints and concerns in a timely manner– ideally within 24 hours.”

3. Use competition to your advantage. When you started your business, you were surely aware that there were other businesses similar to it in existence. Having competition is inevitable. If you see your competitors as reasons to lose hope, you’re already steering your company in the wrong direction. Instead, consider the various ways that you can offer your customers something different than your competitors.

And there’s only one way to find out exactly what you can do differently to please them. Just ask! Getting customer feedback will always be valuable. “Don’t forget to ask how you are better, and don’t allow yourself to be counted out,” advises Zwilling, “Competitors may have scale and size on their side, but they usually aren’t nimble and tuned in to the latest trends. Every entrepreneur has strengths, but too many ignore them and fear their weaknesses.”

Be sure to check back for tomorrow’s blog as we continue to explore ways that you can help your business to rebound from a big loss. And don’t forget to call Synergy Marketing to order promotional products to advertise your business at 1-877-748-9884!

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23 Oct

3 Steps To Take To Be A Winner In Your Industry

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 23.10.15 by John Meloche

Depositphotos_12389975_s-2015Tonight, Synergy Marketing’s hometown Toronto Blue Jays take to the field at Kansas City’s Kaufmann Stadium for Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. You’ll notice that we completely avoided discussing this past Tuesday’s heartbreaking loss to the Royals in Game 4. The 14-2 drubbing was nothing we felt like remind ourselves about. But after a beautiful bounce back 7-1 victory on Wednesday night, the Blue Jays have proven that the title of American League Champions is still up for grabs.

As you know, the Synergy Marketing Blog enjoys highlighting the parallels between sports teams and businesses. There are many similarities. All businesses need to hire strong team members in order to pull off successful “wins” in their respective industries. Like the Blue Jays, putting in strong-willed efforts to achieve when the odds are stacked against you is often necessary.

So what steps can you take to be a winner in your industry? Here are three:

1. Let your customers be the boss. Sounds like a strange concept, doesn’t it? But in order to be an industry winner, you’ll need to think outside of the box. In truth, this step isn’t all that out of the ordinary. It simply encourages you to allow your customers the freedom to inform you of what they’d like to see from your company. Accepting customer feedback is an excellent way to help you make the best decisions for your brand.

After all, what’s your business if it isn’t guaranteeing customer satisfaction? On Business2Community.com, Susan Guinto suggests that you ask customers to take a survey in order to know how they truly feel. “Conduct a brief survey either through email, social media poll or a basic opt-in form on your website to generate you wealth of information that will help improve your product or service,” she instructs, “A survey also creates the impression that you are ‘all ears’ when it comes to your customers’ needs.”

2. Get a unique domain name. It’s no secret that the internet is often used as most people’s first go-to destination for information about all types of products and services. How does your website stand out from all of the rest in your industry? To be a winner, you’ll need to be unique. And it all starts with an original domain name. On Entrepreneur.com, Derek Newton writes that not everyone is going the .com route anymore.

“For many new companies, notably those primarily online, picking an unusual website or company name helps puncture the attention clutter,” he reveals, “This means shunning standard, stodgy ‘.com’ addresses in favor or more creative or descriptive options. The great news is that hundreds of new domain names are now available, with words like ‘.florist,’ ‘.photography,’ ‘.coffee,’ and more.”

3. Create excitement in your office. If your employees are not on board with your mission to be an industry leader, it will be pretty tough to win. As we alluded to earlier, you need a strong team in order to pull off championship victories. Newton writes that “often overlooked, though, is how an office culture can help your business stand out. Nothing is exciting about a bland office.” Guinto seems to agree.

She writes that your employees need to know that they are important to your business. “Let your employees, most especially your chat representatives, know that their contribution to your business’ operation is important to its success,” she advises, “Provide coaching programs that teach them to properly engage with customers without any sign of apathy. Customers are quick to sense a helpful employee from the one that is ‘just there’ but wouldn’t make any real effort to help out.”

Our promotional gifts are known for helping companies get ahead. To help you win in your industry, call Synergy Marketing at 1-877-748-9884 and attach your company name and logo to a great promo product today!

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22 Oct

3 Ways To Utilize Your Promo Gifts For The Best Responses

Posted in Promotional Products on 22.10.15 by John Meloche

ballpoint-logo-group-rev-1024x1269How can you use promo gifts to your advantage? In yesterday’s blog, we discussed how you can use them to attract attention for your brand. We pointed out that when you give out useful and handy promo gifts, you don’t just generate interest from your recipients. You also elicit curiosity from those who come into contact with your recipients. So how can you utilize your promo gifts to get the best responses?

Here are three ways:

1. Invite old customers back. It is often said that it is much easier to impress current customers than it is to excite ones that you’ve never met. But how easy is it to reintroduce your company to customers who you haven’t seen in a while? Surely, there must be a way to entice them to return. Promo gifts are the key! Who doesn’t like getting something for free? The gesture may just turn your old customers into new ones again. John Whitaker makes this point on CreativeGuerillaMarketing.com.

“Ideally, you have the contact information of your current customers and past clients, stay in touch with them by sending them promotional items with your brand name boldly printed on them,” he suggests, “The items could be clothing such as T-shirts and designer caps, key holders, pens, writing pads, lanyards, or any item that you deem people will utilize on a regular basis. You may also add some of the promotional products to the packages of your offers.”

2. Make your customers feel like VIPs. People enjoy the “exclusive” feel that comes with doing business with certain companies. It’s your job to make sure the people who support you feel good about every interaction they have with your business. Promo gifts are very often used as rewards. Let your loyal customers know that you appreciate them by giving them “exclusive” gifts that are reserved for your best supporters.

On Epromos.com, Audrey Sellers reminds us that using promo gifts as part of an advertising strategy provides a personal touch that many large corporations don’t even think about. “Receiving a gift makes people feel special, and remember: Everyone loves a freebie,” she writes, “Promotional items show customers that their business is valued and appreciated.”

3. Get your employees on board with spreading your brand name. Remember that promo gifts aren’t just for your customers. They serve as excellent rewards for your employees as well. Most people take great pride in the companies they work for. So your employees are the people who are most likely to be on board with promoting your brand. Encourage them to do their part by giving them your promo gifts as ways to show your appreciation.

“Your employees can collectively play a major role in spreading the word about your brand,” says Whitaker, “Empower them by giving them some branded promotional items that they can give out to people in their various communities. Events like Expos and conferences can be ideal places for creating brand awareness. If you take part in various events, encourage your employees to give out to participants some of your branded items particularly pens, clothing, and lanyards. People will appreciate it.”

Sellers agrees that promo gifts are excellent at boosting employee morale. “Promotional items are incredibly effective at inspiring employees and helping them form a favourable view of your business,” she believes, “They’re also great motivators, encouraging the team to work harder and sell more.” To get your hands on the best promo products in the business, contact Synergy Marketing at 1-877-748-9884!

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21 Oct

3 Ways To Use Promo Gifts To Attract Attention

Posted in Promotional Products on 21.10.15 by John Meloche

img-aluminum-water-bottle-1024x1269Why use promotional products? Well, for one thing, they have always worked to grow the customer bases of companies. At Synergy Marketing, our many years of experience with providing Canadian business owners with the best promo products in the business tell us that they work. By attaching your company name and logo to a useful and handy promotional gift, you’re bound to attract attention that is known to be long lasting.

But can you build a customer base simply by handing promo products out to everyone you meet? There needs to be a smart strategy in place so that you’re able to get the most out of the promo products you’re using to advertise your business. Consider the fact that you’re looking to attract more attention to your company. Who are you looking to get that attention from? Use your promo gifts in ways that will spark interest in those most likely to support your business.

Here are three ways to use promo gifts to attract attention for your business:

1. Highlight new products or services at trade shows. Clearly, it’s important to advertise your products and services in as many effective ways as you can. By handing out promotional gifts at trade shows, you raise awareness about your brand. They help to elicit interest in a company name that recipients may never have heard before. As a result, new customers will be bound to come looking for you. John Whitaker discusses this trend on CreativeGuerillaMarketing.com.

“To increase the awareness of your new products or services, it’s vital that you promote them through various platforms,” he writes, “Promote your new products or services at trade events in your local community. Distributing branded flyers, clothing, and lanyards of your new offers at sporting events in your local area is another effective way to create awareness about your new products or services.”

2. Encourage their use on a daily basis. One of the best ways to get the most out of your promo gifts is to give them to people who are most likely to use them on a daily basis. Do you have clients who enjoy exercising? Perhaps, giving them water bottles will help to create awareness about your brand in the gyms that they attend. Promo gifts are awesome because they advertise to more than just the people who use them.

They also advertise to people who come into contact with the people who use them. On Epromos.com, Audrey Sellers writes that promo gifts enable you to reach a wider market. “Give out a promo item, and it’s not just the recipient who sees your message—your audience widens to family members, friends, co-workers, passersby and anybody who happens to catch a glimpse of your gift,” she writes.

3. Use them as donations. Gift-giving is a generous gesture to begin with. When you provide gifts to those who are most in need, it provides an entirely new image for your brand. Naturally, it’s an image that is most favourable. When you provide gifts to charities as donations, it can do a lot to boost your company’s reputation in your community. Whitaker champions this promotional strategy.

“There are various ways to touch lives within your community where you run your business,” he says, “You can donate writing pads and pens to local schools. Offer gift baskets to newborn babies at various maternity hospitals within your local area. Sponsoring organizations with humanitarian initiatives can also be a good way to build reputation for your business.”

To get your hands on the best promo products in the business, contact Synergy Marketing at 1-877-748-9884!

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20 Oct

3 More Ways To Make Your Business Beat The Odds

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 20.10.15 by John Meloche

Three red dice with the words Beat the Odds on their faces, symbolizing the risks and rewards of gamblingYes! Last night, the Toronto Blue Jays pulled off a hard-fought and well-earned 11-8 victory over the Kansas City Royals to draw closer to evening up the American League Championship Series. The Royals now lead the series 2-1. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the entire nation of Canada is pretty excited about their only Major League Baseball team possibly returning to the World Series for the first time since 1993.

Of course, in order for that to happen, there are many more hurdles to overcome. After all, it is a seven game series and there is a lot of baseball left to play before the World Series competitors are decided upon. In our last blog, we reminded business owners that running a business is not unlike managing a sports team. It’s important to find ways to help your business to work towards beating the odds. Are you looking for more ways to do just that?

Here are three:

1. Remember your calling. Many entrepreneurs forget the reasons that they decided to begin their businesses, in the first place, when things don’t go their ways. It’s understandable to get frustrated when your company is experiencing a downturn. Certainly, it doesn’t make your job all that much fun. But when you retrace your steps and remind yourself about what you love about your business to begin with, it may help you to refocus your energies in positive ways.

On FastCompany.com, Faisal Hoque recommends that you go back to your roots and follow your authentic purpose. “Acting fearlessly often means heading into uncharted territory, challenging conventional paths, or putting aside the need for safety and comfort,” he explains, “Where do you get the energy to do so? Usually from your authentic purpose—your personal calling in life.”

2. Give your investors something to believe in. Most small businesses are able to begin because their owners located some start-up money. Those who invested in you are certain to want to know how things are developing with the business. If you’re experiencing a tough time, you’ll need to reassure your investors. As mentioned, in step #1, you may have to rediscover your own purpose in your industry. Once you do that, be sure to get your investors back on board.

“When an investor is trying to figure out if an entrepreneur has what it takes, that ability to keep building the business is great evidence,” reads Entrepreneur.com, “Certainly the entrepreneur should not sit around and wait for a check in order to really start building the business. At some point if the company is showing meaningful signs of living up to the founder’s beliefs, it becomes very hard for investors to ignore.”

3. Be resilient. So you’ve reinvigorated yourself. And you’ve strengthened your relationship with your investors. Good job! Now what? Stick to it! Focus on your objectives and meet your goals by being diligent about all of the steps you plan on taking to become a leader in your industry. A positive mindset is very often the most important thing that a business owner can possess if being successful is the goal.

“Acting fearlessly means you have to be resilient,” insists Hoque, “Because if you are, you’ll develop a mental capacity that lets you adapt, with ease, when things don’t go your way. Like bamboo, resilient types bend but rarely break. You also have to let go. That ability to let go drives a constant process of change—it’s what makes people flexible and adaptable.”

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19 Oct

5 Ways To Help Your Business Overcome The Odds

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 19.10.15 by John Meloche

Time to Overcome words on a clock to illustrate beating, conquering or succeeding against a challenge, problem, troulbe, issue or adversityFor the second straight series, our beloved hometown, Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a hole. Down two games to none after dropping the first pair of games in their American League Championship Series with the Kansas City Royals, the Blue Jays take to their home field at Rogers Centre tonight in an effort to turn things around. In a seven game series, a 0-2 deficit isn’t the worst scenario in the world.

But it’s not the best one, either. Nevertheless, it can be overcome. In fact, 30 years ago, these two same teams squared off in this same series and it was the Jays who went up 2-0 after the first two games. Sadly, our hometown team ended up losing the series in seven games. So what does that mean for the 2015 version of the Blue Jays? It means that they are still very much in it! We know, here at Synergy Marketing, that the team certainly hasn’t given up.

As a business owner, can you remember a time when you felt like the odds were against you? If so, we’re guessing that you didn’t let a bad situation get worse by giving up. A strong-willed and determined attitude is necessary in any line of business. Even if things are worse than they have ever been for your business right now, there is a way to dig yourself out from under your bad situation.

Here are five ways to help your business overcome the odds:

1. Step out of your comfort zone. If your current methods of doing business aren’t working, it’s time to do something different. And this may require trying methods that may make you uncomfortable. Stepping outside of the proverbial box may be the best thing for your company. “Taking unconventional paths requires taking risks for a greater reward (financial or otherwise),” writes Faisal Hoque on FastCompany.com, “It takes courage to act differently than others might.”

2. Find a new investor. Is money the issue? Perhaps, you may need to partner up with someone who can invest in your business to get it to take off in a new direction. Entrepreneur.com recommends that you “figure out who in the world you know that can afford to put some money into the company and believes in you without caring much about the idea. Even if it is a small amount of money, this can be used to create more evidence that you’re building a fundable business.”

3. Turn obstacles into opportunities. It’s all about learning from your mistakes. This is where a positive mental attitude is necessary. When things don’t go your way, use the experiences as chances for you to learn and grow your business. “Fearless people work with what they have and turn obstacles into opportunities,” says Hoque, “They are at ease with challenges, disappointments, and rejections. Instead of setbacks, they try to see these events as gifts and find ways to utilize them to move forward.”

4. Partner up with experts in your field. There’s no shame in asking for a little help. Get in touch with those who have the experience that you may not have in your line of work. Entrepreneur.com advises that you locate those who have built successes of themselves in your industry and try to sell them on your ideas. “The more you can sell that person, and the more credible that person is, the better,” says the site.

5. Have the courage to make tough calls. Sometimes, this may entail relieving your company of particular employees who may not be pulling their weight. Often, you’ll have to make tough calls to bring about positive change. “It takes more courage to say no than to say yes,” Hoque reminds us, “But if you do it, you’ll protect yourself from making poor decisions. This tactic can help you stay focused and prevent unnecessary complexity and wrong turns. It can also keep you from getting involved with the wrong people.”

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