"The global market is quickly arriving on each and every one of our doorsteps and in order to remain in business, we need to aim for "best in the world" with our products.  Have good quality just isn't enough any more.  Entrepreneurship is taking over the world so there are millions of people in business and countless people doing exactly what you are doing.

If you are not continually striving to improve the quality of your products or services, sooner or later, there will be someone providing YOUR customers with a better product, with better service and at a better price.

Competition is everywhere and competition is good as it ensures that each one of us continually improves our products and services.

So, aim to make your product or service the best in the world. Research what others are doing in your industry, see how they are treating their customers and what service they are providing, check their pricing and what they offer and just never stop improving."

When you go into a meeting, whatever type of meeting it may be, you have two choices, either you can be in control or you can be controlled.

One tip that we were taught many years ago is that in order to gain control of any meeting, and positively influence the outcome, know what you want to get out of the meeting before you go into it and be confident about what it is that you want.

By knowing what the outcome of a meeting is before you go into it highly increases your control of the meeting and your chances of actually getting what you want out of the meeting.

Obviously, it is important to use a bit of tact in the meeting and not to be forceful with your opinions but you will be amazed at your persuasion powers when you know what you want and you are confident you will get it.

This tactic works really well for sales pitches, tenders, salary discussions, team building meetings, board meetings etc.

When we say "know the outcome of a meeting", for example if you are doing a sales pitch and want to secure a sale, firstly, know that you are going to leave the meeting having signed the sales contract.

At the same time, to ensure this happens, ensure you know every little detail about the sale, what price you are willing to negotiate down to, what terms you are willing to offer, what agreements you are willing to enter in to and stick to your pre-defined guidelines.

Too many people get swayed in meetings and leave the meeting no better than before and sometimes worse.

Be prepared, know what you want and know what you have to do to get it

It is said that luck is when opportunity is met with preparedness.

The luckiest people in the world are said to have been prepared for opportunities when they came their way.

The best way to be prepared for opportunities is...

1.Identify a range of different opportunities that you would like to become available to you and your business

2.Think about what it is that you need to do that if these opportunities came your way, you were prepared to take advantage of them

A simple ways to be prepared for opportunities is to carry a briefcase/laptop bag around with you where ever you go with the following in it...

a.Your business cards
b.Your business plan
c.A price list of your products
d.A memory stick with a presentation about your idea/business on it
e.A receipt book in case someone wants to pay you
f.Your CV in case you are asked
g.A prototype of one of your products where applicable

By being prepared, you will be amazed at how many more opportunities you will be able to take advantage of

"One of the most frustrating and aggravating things in business is when someone "Over promises and Under Delivers".  What this means is that they promise you something today, for example, and they don't deliver today and when they do deliver, it is not as good as the thing they promised.

Any one of your customers that feels like you have under-delivered will be angry, frustrated and will lose confidence in you and your business.

It is very important that you and your employees all practice the motto "Under promise and Over Deliver". By doing this, you will always surprise your customer and they will be happy and will trust and respect your business.

5 ways to under promise and over deliver...

1. Quote slightly more than you intend to charge so that your customers are pleasantly surprised when they get your bill and it is less than what they were expecting. Never charge more than your quote!!

2. Always add on a couple of days when you promise delivery of your product or service or when you promise a response, and then deliver early.  This will please your customer and show them how efficient you are.

3. Never agree to do something for your customer that you can't do or provide properly.  Rather just say..."Sorry we cant do that" or "We don't actually do that but I'm willing to research it and get back to you about it"

4. Always stick to what you tell your customers you will do.  Don't ever say...."We will send you a quote by 3pm" if you are not 100% committed to getting them their quote by 3pm.  Don't ever make promises to your customers that you can't keep.

5. Always be truthful and honest with your customers and never be afraid to admit that you have made a mistake.  They will respect you and trust you for it."