Mike Michalowicz's Blog, page 80
November 5, 2015
International Traveling: How To Cut Phone Costs
If you have ever traveled internationally, whether for business or pleasure, and talked on your cell phone, you may have received a shock when you returned home. Most people don’t realize, when they set out on their travels, just how darn expensive it is to communicate with people back home while they are gone. If you are going to do it via phone, it is going to cost you! But the good news is that there are things you can do to help curb that expense.
Keeping phone costs down while traveling internationally will require that you do a little more than just answer your cell phone and talk, but it will be well worth it when you get the bill! Here are some tips for keeping your phone costs down while traveling abroad:
Know what you are up against. If you want to use your cell phone while traveling, first find out what you will be paying for international calls. Don’t go into it blindly or you will most likely feel the sting upon your return home. Making international calls on your cell phone can range from $1-2 per minute, and it’s easy to lose track of the time. So before you go, get in the know by calling your cell phone provider and finding out what it will cost you.
Use the WiFi connections to make calls. Depending on the type of phone you have, it may be possible to place free calls and texts if you use the WiFi connection available in certain spots. In order to take advantage of this, however, the conditions need to be right, including having a WiFi-enabled phone system and being at a location free WiFi is offered at the time you need to take or make a call.
Screen your calls. At home, you probably just pick up every call that comes through on your cell phone. But if you are traveling abroad and answer an unnecessary call, you may end up paying a couple of bucks per minute as you try to get off the phone again. If you don’t know who is calling you, or whether or not you need to answer it, let the call go to voice mail and then determine whether you need to call them back.
Look into the available apps. There are some apps available that can be helpful for making international calls and saving money. Check to see which ones would work for you and whether it would be worth it. Usually, such apps are under $10 and may save you a bundle in the end.
Consider using Skype or VoIP. Consider alternative methods to making calls, such as using Skype or VoIP. With Skype, you can make the calls online or with your phone, and it is much cheaper per minute than using your cell phone. Also, VoIP providers offer a variety of plans that allow people to pay one low fee for making international calls. They are both worth checking out.
Respond via e-mail. Not every person who contacts you needs a return phone call, especially while you are out of the country. If you get a message from someone and you can easily address their issue via e-mail, just respond that way. Most likely you will have your laptop with you anyway, so while you are in your hotel room you can catch up on communication that way.
When you are getting ready to leave the country, the last thing on your mind is probably what you will be paying for international calls. But that is a mistake that many people make, and come to regret. You can avoid this headache by considering and addressing the issue in advance, before you need to leave home!
November 4, 2015
Your Confidence Will Climb By Taking Your Profit First
In your business, always take your profit first. It immediately puts money in your pocket, confidence in your heart, and innovation in your mind!
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November 2, 2015
Episode 52: Finding Your Greatness with Lewis Howes
Show Summary
Author and Entrepreneur Lewis Howes joins Mike Michalowicz, Chris Curran and Kristina Bolduc for Episode 52 of the Profit First Podcast! Lewis talks about his new book and the power of finding your greatness.
Our Guest
Lewis Howes is a lifestyle entrepreneur, high performance business coach, author and keynote speaker. A former professional football player and two-sport All-American, he is a current USA Men’s National Handball Team athlete. Lewis hosts The School of Greatness podcast, which has received millions of downloads since it launched in 2013. His newest book, The School of Greatness, provides a framework for achieving real, sustainable, repeatable success. You get the tools, knowledge and actionable resources to take your vision and turn it into a reality. Lewis was recognized by The White House and President Obama as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs in the country under 30. He is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur and Yahoo.com and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Men’s Health, The Today Show and other major media outlets. Learn more at LewisHowes.com.
Show Quotes
What is your definition of greatness? For Lewis it’s figuring out what our unique gifts and talents are, and serving others in that process.
If you don’t know what your greatness is, ask your friends.
Find your perfect day – be clear on your vision and take the time to dream about what you want. Go into nature, disconnect from social media and ask yourself “If I can have anything in my perfect day, what would that look like?” Don’t feel guilty or feel bad about anything… just tap into your desires and then WRITE IT DOWN! Once you get clarity on what you want, you can take action to make it happen.
Create a detailed itinerary of exactly what you want. Look at your daily schedule and figure out where you can take the time to fit in elements from your perfect day.
Adversity is going to come no matter what. Embrace the change and use it as momentum rather than a roadblock.
The results we get in the world affect our self worth. How much do you want to learn & grow to become the person you need to be?
Show Links
Corporate Partners
Nextiva – VOIP phone providers for small businesses.
Fundera – Single source online funding for entrepreneurs. Also offers an adviser program for CPAs, bookkeepers and business coaches.
TSheets – The #1 customer rated time tracking solution!
Fundbox – the simplest and fastest way to fix your cash flow by advancing payments for your outstanding invoices.
October 30, 2015
How To Run Job Ads That Get Great Employees
For years I ran ads for different positions, and would always get hundreds of resumes in response. The problem was 95% of those respondents were generic responses. They were people who could care less about this specific job, they just wanted any job.
It took tremendous amounts of time to vet through the resumes, and rarely resulted in interviews of good people. Then I found a shortcut.
I now run long descriptive ads, with a catch. Near the final paragraph I insert a line or two that says:
“If you are truly interested in this position and understand all the details I just outlined for you, I need to know. When you respond to this position, in the email subject line you must put the words “I Read It!” or your response will not be considered.”
With that little requirement, the 95% of blanket respondents remove themselves from consideration. I just look for emails with the subject line I required, and consider those folks. It has saved me countless hours looking through resumes, and brings me only the candidates that I know are seriously thorough and interested.
You need to do the same.
October 29, 2015
People Lie With Words And Speak The Truth With Wallets
Ask your contacts if they would buy a product you’re thinking about creating. They will surely say yes. Your product doesn’t exist yet and they don’t have to pay you anything, so it is easy to say yes. Plus it is socially appropriate to say yes. It is socially appropriate to encourage your dream.
While all your contacts say yes to your hypothetical product when it is time to actually make the purchase they say no. Why?
It is painful for people to depart with money. When there is a transaction, the consumer needs to feel that the value they are deriving is great than departing with the money they are spending. It requires real consideration and thought. Not an obligatory yes because it is socially appropriate.
So next time you have an idea for a product and want to ask your contact what they think, ask them to put down a deposit. It will change the conversation from words to wallets. And wallets always speak the truth.
October 28, 2015
The Best Advertising Method Ever
The best advertising method ever? It’s not Facebook. It’s not email blasts or pay-per-click. It isn’t even a Super Bowl ad. The best marketing has always been word-of-mouth, where your existing clients are raving about you to their relationships (your prospects).
So stop pouring your time and attention into these other outlets, instead pour your time and attention to delivering your customers an experience that blows them away. They will become your best advertisement every. I promise.
October 27, 2015
How To Be Scalable
Scalable has become an abused word. Everyone wants to be scalable, yet few understand what it means. So let’s get a few things straight.
To be scalable is not to increase sales. That’s growing revenue.
To be scalable is not to hire more employees. That’s an HR nightmare.
To be scalable is definitely not adding more space and more stuff. That’s more overhead. More expenses.
To be scalable is to develop an efficient method of delivering a repeatable solution to a large set of customers who want or need it.
Create a solution that everyone wants and talks about, and it will sell itself. Create a solution that is so efficient it needs less employees, less space and less stuff. Do those two things and you have discovered how to be scalable.
October 26, 2015
Episode 51: Utilizing IT for Profitability with Michael Spadaro
Show Summary
Michael Spadaro joins Mike Michalowicz, Chris Curran and Kristina Bolduc for Episode 51 of the Profit First Podcast! Michael gives you great tips on how to leverage technology to become more profitable in your business.
Our Guest
Michael is the Founder and CEO of Profound Cloud, an award-winning IT consulting firm that helps businesses save time and money using innovative technologies that make them more efficient. Michael’s forward-thinking approach to technology recently earned his company a spot on CRN’s Next-Gen 250 list of solution providers that are on the cutting edge of technology and business model shifts. Profound Cloud was also the recipient of a 2013 Silver Stevie International Business Award for their outstanding customer service practices. Having served the IT needs of clients in numerous industries, along with being a business owner and entrepreneur himself, Michael has a keen appreciation of the challenges business owners face and an acute knowledge of solutions that succeed. With a background that spans from Software Development to Theatrical Design, including having worked on Tony award winning theatrical productions, such as the original Broadway productions of The Light in the Piazza and Rabbit Hole, Michael understands the importance of working as a team and how technology plays a role in all facets of our lives. Michael is an avid speaker on the topics of technology, productivity, and entrepreneurship. He proudly serves as a member of the Small Business Advisory Panel for Brother, a global manufacturer of printers and communication equipment. He attended New York University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative.
Show Quotes
Get comfy with Google cloud! Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Google (a great central place for your HR materials), Google Plus, etc.
A common problem: “I don’t know what I don’t know!” Educate yourself on what’s out there! Make technology a fundamental skill so you don’t have to rely on the “IT guy”
Where can you start? Track certain topics using google news – you can set certain topics you want to follow.
There are so many helpful tools out there for business owners that people do not take advantage of, because they don’t actually know what’s out there – or they stick to what they do know. Do your research on what you already use and what’s out there… and choose wisely.
Take advantage of products that consolidate projects. For example, Hootsuite is a dashboard that combines all social media in one place (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, etc)
After Michael implemented Profit First in his business, profits increased and business stayed the same. Then you start to notice the leakage of money that you can patch up.
As your business becomes more complex, it’s easier to hide money from yourself.
Responsible growth: only focus on your best clients! This will cut back a little of your revenue, but will improve your bottom line overall.
Show Links
Google Apps for Work Consulting Services
Corporate Partners
Nextiva – VOIP phone providers for small businesses.
Fundera – Single source online funding for entrepreneurs. Also offers an adviser program for CPAs, bookkeepers and business coaches.
TSheets – The #1 customer rated time tracking solution!
Fundbox – the simplest and fastest way to fix your cash flow by advancing payments for your outstanding invoices.
October 23, 2015
You Break It, You Bought It
You break it, you bought it. What a horrible sign to have in a store!
I am afraid to touch that thing, let alone look at it. I am afraid to experience your product. And if you make me afraid, I am not going to buy it.
Why not put that precious piece in a secure, museum like display? Now I will marvel at it. And what I marvel, I want to own.
Your product matters. The experience surrounding your product matters more.
October 22, 2015
An Addiction To Axioms
Be careful about accepting things the way they are, simply because it has always been that way.
The world was flat, until someone finally thought otherwise.
The earth was the center of the universe, until someone finally thought otherwise.
Just because the world says it so, does not mean it is.
Challenge the axioms. Find new answers. And then shout it out to the world.
