“The Arnold Schwarzenegger Marketing Lesson”

Years ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger taught me an extremely important marketing lesson… Here’s the story (true Story):

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Max Soutter

As a kid, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a Hero to me. Saving the world, killing aliens, busting the bad guys…and of course…that bike (who could forget the Terminator Bike).

I loved him so much so, that I decided, I would launch a ‘Nick Name Branding Campaign’. The goal – to get my friends to call me

‘The Maxinator’

(You know, from Arnold’s Terminator Movie?). Or how about ‘Max Soutternegger’. Had a ring to it.

This ‘nick name branding campaign’ went on for quite a while. I wore a black jacket (except mine wasn’t leather), i tried talking like the Terminator – except my voice hadn’t really broken yet). I even wore 2 pairs of socks, just to be closer to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s height! Then there was the thing about my mom not wanting to get me a bike (something about me being too wild on the roads).

The hardest problem though, was that them daft friends just couldn’t see the resemblance! They just struggled with granting a skinny guy an Arnold Schwarzenegger nick name. No matter how much I tried, my branding lacked intrinsic credibility.

As the years went by, the campaign died (a slow, severe and reluctant death). Years later, my body had blossomed and I discovered I was for the first time – as tall as Arnold Schwarzenegger in REAL life – but alas, it was all too little too late. Turns out people were more concerned about his width, than his height*.

So here’s the point.

When it comes to marketing and branding…credibility is all important. You can waste a lot of time, resources trying to appear to be something that no one believes you are. It’s not really about reality…accountants deal with reality…marketers have to deal with perceptions. So just because you are the best, doesn’t mean people perceive you as that.

Credibility is whether or not people perceive your branding or marketing story to be the truth. Is it believable.

Credibility and perception is why the ‘Zimbabwe Sadza Joint’ cant sell their cokes for the same amount as Meikles Hotel can – no matter how much they spend on marketing. It’s the reason why Spar can sell exactly the same Christmas toys for 5 times the amount you’d get them downtown.

Credibility is why it’s almost impossible to be perceived as the highest quality and the cheapest at the same time. It’s the reason why it’s almost impossible to be perceived as the fastest whilst also offering the greatest personalization for each client. It’s the reason why, nicely packaged biscuits often out sell poorly packaged but better tasting biscuits.

Here’s the lesson: Make sure that whoever and whatever you’re trying to brand yourself as, you’ve factored in the credibility issue. Make sure that you’ve given great consideration to how believable your latest offer or claim is.

Max

p.s. “I’ll Be Back!”

* I’ve discovered since i wrote this post a few weeks ago, that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s height is in fact a big deal to many people (on Google)! For the record…it’s  6′ 2″ (1.88m), i believe. That would make him 0.1 shorter than i am!

It’s A Mind Job.

Sometimes, staring out the window, seemingly lost in space, is extremely productive. All depends on what you’re thinking (visualizing).

If you’re worrying about your dog eating the cat at home, you’re wasting time. If you’re fantasizing about winning the lottery, you’re wasting time. If you’re remembering an argument you had with a friend you didn’t know on Facebook, then you’re really wasting time!

On the other hand, if you’re ‘Visionizing, well that’s different.

Visionizing is what I call it when I take the time to go over my vision everyday – in my mind. I place myself in a future time and I vividly imagine all the details as if it were real right now. What it sounds like, looks like, smells like…I make it multi-sensory and exciting..

Why do it?

Cuz my mind can’t differentiate between imagined reality and actual reality. Neither can yours. It’s a proven fact. Why do you think you couldn’t sleep after watching that Horror movie? Because you replayed it in your imagination…and your mind thought there was real danger.

Listen Bob: By Visionizing everyday, 5 or 10 times a day, you can imprint a new way of seeing or believing into your brain. You can convince yourself that person you want to be, is in fact who you are already. You can reprogram yourself past your current limitations, attitudes and perspectives. Success is a mind job.

Top performers all over the world absolutely always use this technique. Some do it intentionally, other without even knowing it. They’re constantly seeing themselves crossing the finish line before everyone else, or closing the biggest sales, or romancing their wife.

The great thing about visionizing is that is absolutely works! Do it for your business, your studies, your family, your ministry – anything. The trick is to make it vivid, make it multi- sensory and make it often. Just 3 times a day, 10 minutes at a time for a start.

This will work wonders for your everything you apply it to. Free your subconscious mind of all the things you don’t want to happen. Don’t think about them, visualize or talk about them. Start daily visionizing a compelling new future.

Option B is to play another game of solitaire or get back to your 467 friends on Facebook and make friends w. See how far that takes you? I think, like me you prefer the Option A.

Examples of Leverage

Had two emails yesterday, both asking for an example of leverage – so here goes.

1. 1) You’ll pay the same amount to advertise a 10x 5 advert in the newspaper whether you get 5 responses for 50. By leveraging an understanding of your market, buyer psychology and effective marketing…you’ll create a far more appealing offer = same cost, more results.
2. Waste time daily your email marketing to a limited list, or leverage technology and this opportunity. Now you can reach 15 000 people every week for the next 6 months for less than a dollar a day…all automatically. Less effort + less cost, but more customers.
3. Spend the next 5 years trying to improve your weaknesses OR hire someone who is ALREADY strong in those areas. You’ve just saved yourself time and frustration.

Get it? These are very basic examples, but absolutely powerful. There are literally hundreds of ways to leverage for success. A great starting point is to embrace the mindset shift – you’ll start to notice opportunities all around you.

For example, a few months ago, i found a great site that highlights websites on a rotational basis. It’s a great way to get more traffic to your blog. And how do you do it? All you have to do is link to them…like this

What Year Albert Einstein Die?

Albert Einstein died in the year of 1955, April the 17th. He was 76. Albert Einstein experienced internal bleeding caused by the rupture of an aortic aneurysm, by the end of the next day he was dead. But so what?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You could ask that i suppose. I mean unless you’re a history, science buff, why would you care – right?

Wrong.

I bring up the death of Einstein for one reason;

Did you know that 5 decades after he’s death, thousands of people are STILL asking and learning about him from the internet alone?

The accomplishments of Albert Einstein make up a long list…more importantly, so do his contributions. Apparently all this makes him very difficult to forget. In fact they even kept his brain (check out the pic from National Geographic).

 

 

 

Of course Einstein isn’t the only one whose had a great impact. I heard recently that the powers that be are considering making Nelson Mandela day an international public holiday! No bad for some who spent almost 30 years in prison.

I’ wouldn’t be surprised if America one day declares a ‘Barrack Obama Day’.

Ok here’s the point of all this…Jay Abraham asked a question once that challenged me to the core

“If your business closes doors today, will the market miss out on anything?” The answer is a definite no for most businesses and entrepreneurs – fortunately though, you still have time to do something about that.

Provide a service worth talking about, make a contribution worth remembering. Go ahead, be more than just another meaningless dot in history.

Life is about more than just personal satisfaction, business is about more than just money.

Think about it – i know i will.

Max Soutter

p.s. oh by the way, thousands still ask about Hitler too – and He died a whole 10 years before Albert Einstein did. The number one question they’re ask – “Why did Hitler hate the Jews?”.

The world wants to remember Albert Einstein, and they wish they could forget Adolf Hitler. How will we feel about you? Will we feel anything at all?

Why Should We Talk About You?

There are a few questions your marketing needs to answer if it’s going to be successful.

Questions like “Why should we buy from you instead of one of your competitors?” Why should we buy now instead of next week, next year or next never? What makes you so special? And so on. One of the less considered questions, yet just as important is this one…

“Why On Earth Should We Talk About You?

You see you want us to talk about you. You need it. It’s free advertising. It’s greater credibility. When we your market start talking about you to each other, that means your brand is finally going somewhere. It means you’re actually reaching us…we keep you in mind when we want to buy…or refer someone else. It’s simple

Mind Share = Market Share.

We’re not stupid though. We won’t talk about you just because you ask or just because you need us to. We won’t even talk about you just because you’re good. Good is expected. If you’re not good, then we’ll bad mouth you and complain about you. But to get us talking well of you…

You’ve got to be more than just good.

You have to be out standing. Note-worthy. You have to offer something, say something, do something outside of our everyday experience. You have be so far better, or different to your competition that we have no choice.

Is there anything about your product/service that’s truly conversation worthy? No? Well then, don’t expect much word of mouth. Expect to spend more and more money to get our attention. Expect to work harder, longer just to get us to remember that you exist. Expect to have your more outstanding competitor getting all our word of mouth.

So again… Why Should We Talk About You?

Change Of Number

Just a quick one,

I know quite a few people have had trouble getting hold of me lately, that’s because my Cell number has changed.

New Number Is 0913 710 746

You can still use the usual email address.

Max

Top Personality Mistakes In Business…

Are you in business? Or about to be? Then take note of this interesting list of personality mistakes in business

Personality Problems

1. Not Mentally Strong: A certain attitude is required of successful entrepreneurs. Do you have what it takes to lead rather than to be lead?
2. Inability to Analyse: Successful entrepreneurs need an analytical spirit. Can you be analytical and even a little bit critical in order to guarantee business success?
3. Inability to Self Critique: As a business owner, you need to be willing to self critique. A business owner who is not critical of his or her self is an unsuccessful one.
4. Lack of Desire: You have to be passionate about your industry, niche or business in order to succeed. Do you lack desire for your business? Then you are destined to fail.
5. Low Motivation: Just like desire, motivation is critical for business success. If you are lacking motivation, perhaps you are in the wrong business. Get motivated or get another job.
6. Over Confidence in Expansion: While expanding may be a necessary part of business, if you become over confident in your ability to expand, your business will surely flop.
7. Making Rash Assumptions: If you walk into your business making assumptions, you will have trouble acting on real information.
8. Failing to Take Responsibility: When you are an entrepreneur, you have to accept responsibility for failures in your business; you cannot simply shirk them off onto someone else’s shoulders.
9. Procrastination: If you procrastinate, or are lazy, or otherwise simply cannot get things done, you are NOT suited for entrepreneurship.
10. Overzealousness: Your business will not go from 0 to 60 on day one. You need to be prepared for a slow battle, and shoot for “slow and steady” business growth.

See the whole article of 50 mistakes here -

Your Zimbabwe Business Questions Answered

Got questions on how to start or market your business in Zimbabwe?

I don’t always get a chance to answer all the emails I get – especially questions. Not because I don’t want to, but because I can get really busy sometimes. Anyway, I took sometime out last night to answer a few of your questions. These are some of the most common questions I get – (not directly related to my products or services.)

I haven’t gone industry specific as I would in a personal email so that the answers would be more generally useful.

1)     What If I Don’t Have Money?

So what? You have more options available to you than you think. For example;

a)     List all the things you’d spend on if you had the cash. List the businesses that supply these services/products. Find out what they need that you have or can get and offer them a barter trade. If it sounds simple, that’s because it is. To be sure, not everyone will be interested, you may have to call around – but then again, in many cases you only need one or two people to say yes.

b)     Borrow smart. Family, friends, other businesses, etc. Usually you want to borrow slightly more than you actually need, just in case. Negotiate for the best terms (time/interest). Alternatively, borrow from someone who can make use of the service you provide in your new business. This creates upfront or future creative repayment options for you. Avoid borrowing for things that don’t generate revenue directly.

c)      Creative finance. Can you trade money for equity? Will they accept a delayed payment in exchange for higher interest rates?

Here’s an opportunity to setup your business without cash.

2)     When Is The Best Time To Start A Business?

When is the best time to plant a tree? Ten years ago. But the second best time is today. You can waste a lot of time trying to catch the perfect timing to start. In most cases you’ll only know how good your timing was after you’ve done it. You can’t tell in advance exactly which opportunities will come up and when. What you can do is be prepared when they do.

3)     How Do I Start A Business In An Area I Know Nothing About?

You don’t. Business is difficult enough as it is, don’t further complicate things for yourself. Personally, I’d only do that under 3 circumstances

a)     That’s when you can partner, outsource, delegate your area of incompetence.

b)     When this area is very easy to learn is a short space of time.

c)      When I can innovate the business to minimize or completely eliminate the importance of the competence I lack.

4)     How To Transition From One Industry To Another?

a)     First step is to take with you everything from the old business that’s useful in the new (assets, employees, databases, relationships (contractual), brands (& all intellectual property) etc – Especially your key relationships

b) Make Sure You’ve got the fundamentals & Note the 20%. 80% of business operations are directly transferable from one industry to another. For instance, accounting principles work the same no matter what business you’re into. Take special note of what’s in the 20%…what exactly makes this industry different in operations, marketing, management etc

c)      Start setting up the new business before you’ve left the old. Establish a sustainable cash-flow. Create a basic operational capacity. Of course if you’ve got huge savings, you can afford to be less careful about your transition. Generally though, don’t try to be a hero and don’t take unnecessary risks. Play is safe and wise.

5)     How To Transition From Employee To Entrepreneur?

a) Understand the incredible mindset/ attitude shifts you’ll have to make. Being an entrepreneur is not the same as being an employee without a boss. The difference is huge.

b) Realize that your primary function will be “Head Of Marketing” no matter what your current skill set now.

c)      Be ready and willing to endure a few months of unsteady cash flow … either simplify your current lifestyle or save up before you leave your job (at least 3 months worth). Also, being an entrepreneur isn’t 8am – 9pm… especially in the beginning – yes, even if you’re working smart.

d)     Make it gradual if you can. Work part time at first if possible – then setup as much as you can before you make your move.

6)     What do you think about partnerships in a new business?

Essential and dangerous. Don’t go into partnership for the wrong reasons.

a)     Because you came up with the idea together

b)     Because you’re friends

c)      Because you’re already partners in your current business

The only reason to partner is because each partner provides a unique contribution that’s essential for the businesses success. If you have to partner with someone because you cant afford to pay them.. be careful – make it temporary and avoid going the equity route if you can. Finally ensure that each partner is rewarded according to value, not position – and make it contractual.

7)     Are there any types of businesses you don’t recommend?

Yes.

a)     Don’t start a business with an unproven or untested market- unless

b)     Don’t start a biz that solves a problem you don’t really care about.

8)     What kind of business do you recommend?

a)     The kind that has a hungry market

b)     The kind that makes the kind of difference you care deeply about

c)      The kind that offers the sort financial rewards that you’re after.

d)     The kind that’s congruent with your values, gifts and God given purpose.

9)     How do I know when to give up?

Don’t listen to people who say never give up. There are times when it’s the smartest thing to do

a)     When you HAVE to compromise your values, ultimate vision or your integrity to succeed.

b)     When the market no longer needs the solution you’re offering.

c)      When what it takes to succeed is beyond what you’re willing to invest (spiritually, emotionally, financially, with time and other resources.)

d)     When what you’re willing to invest cannot offer you the rewards you’re after – I’m not talking only of financial rewards.

When you’re tired, discouraged, frustrated or distracted…these are not good times.

10) What Is Your Top Marketing Strategy?

I use a lot of different ones depending on the Situation – but definitely Joint ventures. A close second would be word of mouth. They have 3 things I love in common

a)     They get other people’s resources working for you. Their time, money, relationships, reputation, skill sets.

b)     You don’t need much money to implement them

c)      They are extremely flexible, with many different angles to approach them

11) What’s the Most Important Thing In Marketing For Growth?

I’d have to say it’s deeply caring about your contribution – being committed to solving a problem, because you care about them. It will come through in your service, your offers, the products you develop and the strategies and tactics you employ.

12) Where & How Do I Start On My Marketing Strategy?

Defining your unique selling point (USP). You USP answers the question of “Why  should I buy from you with so many other options?” A good USP is a unique, specific, simple & memorable. It doesn’t need to sound clever – a 12 year old should understand it. Once you’ve settled on the most profitable USP you can deliver on,

a)     Integrate it into every marketing piece and tactic you use.

b)     Shape your business (or service) around that USP, so that you always deliver on it.

c)      Make sure everyone in your organisation is focused on it – from CEO to cleaner.

13) What are the 4 leverage keys for Other people’s Money?

Ah…for that you’ll have to read the book! But it’s a free download and you can get Cash Baron Secrets here

14) How can I get more customers?

Already answered that in The Customer Thief – free download!

Yours for higher profits,

If I haven’t answered your specific question… feel free to pop me an email and I’ll get back to you when I can. If you make your question as specific as possible with lots of details, I’m more likely to send you an individual reply.

Max Soutter –

Click Here To find Me On Google

Trade A Cell Phone Line For A Website… If You Hurry!

What’s worth more? That cell phone line that isn’t bring you business, or a corporate website worth $200, no monthly hosting fees and a strategic advantage over your competitors?

You Tell me.

If you’d prefer the website…let me know today – i’ll be swapping with cell phone lines for an up coming promo i’m doing. This is just for the first 5 takers…then it’s over.

Fill in your contact details below and i’ll get back to you… or give me a call on my office line – 04 756 411 (ask directly for Max).

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3 Ways To Grow Your Business

Looking to grow your business? Expand your market share, increase profits and so on?

Truth is there are probably hundreds of learning options available to you. The internet, libraries and book stores are full of info on tactics you can use. Problem is, there’s so much of it out there it’s hard to make heads or tails of it. Consultants make a lot of money by complicating simple concepts – but grasping it is simpler than you may think

Actually there are just three ways to grow ANY business

Get more customers.

Get each client to buy more frequently

Increase your profit off each sale.

Every startegy or tactic will fall into these 3 categories.  Simple right? Yet thinking of it this way allows you to see what you should be focused on.

For example, Should you be focused on bringing in more leads?

That’s the first place most businesses turn – yet it’s often the hardest and least profitable. It requires that you spend more marketing dollars to get the word out, which is always more expensive than just marketing to an already established customer base.

However if you’re a new business or you have a thin customer database, then you’ll want to attract new leads. In the customer theif you’ll learn how to do this faster, easier and more profitably – check out the draft version here – no fancy graphics, no grammar checks and a few missing chapters – yet already a few people have sent me testimonials – like this one

“…was surprised when my cousin emailed this to me. It definitely doesn’t look as ‘finished’ as Cash Baron Secrets, but the ideas in there have totally changed my business strategy. Within two days of using the info in there my advertising results in the Herald went by about 50% – thanks (looking forward to the final version” Kuda Moweni.

“This is tight Max, thanks. If i focus on these principles, i can easily increase my earnings with in the next 1 week.” Jason Kolani Muwenizani.

Of course , with in each of these 3 ways are hundreds of tactics and nuances. My advice… don’t use the same old tactics your industry is used to seeing. Borrow and steal ideas from other industries, companies and organisations.

If your industry is used to focusing on newspaper classifieds, maybe it’s time you tested an aggressive internet strategy? A referral program, cross-sale, up-sale, deap-sale, joint ventures, newspaper advertising, direct mail — i could go on and on.

Let me know how it’s going

Max

P.S. You know the drill… Right click, save, read, make money.

You Can also download Cash Baron Secrets or even just read it online CLICK HERE

Use Zimbabwe Newspapers To Steal Customers

It’s easy to steal customers in Zimbabwe. One way is with killer newspaper advertising.

To be clear, i’m not talking about killer LOOKING ads, i’m talking about money MAKING ads. For the next few days I’ll cover the strategies, tactics, mindset and insights needed to steal your markets attention with your advertising. (Customer Thief: Have you read the book?)

Effective advertising goes far beyond just placing a big ad in the Herald newspaper with lots of colour and a nice logo…I’m talking about the principles that get results. Once you learn the science of advertising – in Zimbabwe you can practically rule, I know, I’ve done it.

Firstly understand that the following is a list of principles – not short term techniques. That means it

• Doesn’t matter where – Herald, Sunday Mail, Fingaz, Zimbabwean, Independent  or a magazine etc
• Doesn’t matter whether you’re doing display or classifieds ad
• Doesn’t matter what product or service – selling property, car sales, computer, cell phones, furniture, events management, consultancy, etc…once you know how – you know how.

So here we go, in no particular order 15 tips on creating winning newspaper ads in Zimbabwe…

1. Focus your time on developing a strong headline for your ad. The headline is the ad for your ad and has by far the greatest impact on your results. I typically write between 10 or 20 headlines before I settle on one. Don’t settle for the first thing that enters your head…it’s probably not nearly as smart as you think.

2. Capture attention and speak directly to the reader about something that’s important to him immediately in your headline. Forget what’s important to you, forget your logo and your company name…your focus now is completely on your prospect.

3. Once you headline has done it’s job (which is to attract the interest on the right reader), then focus your ‘body copy’ on presenting a compelling offer with as many benefits as you can afford to include (You’re being charged per-word).

7. To catch a prospect, think like him. It’s about what he want to know, not what you want to say. Benefits are what your prospect is most interested in…give him what he wants.

8. NEVER ever try to close the sale in a (short/small) classified ad. You’ll waste your money and get less response than you could’ve. Use the two-step formula for maximum results. Use your classified ad to find hot leads. When those leads contact you (via phone, email, whatever) that’s the time to go for the close. There are multiple reasons for this…trust me – it works.

9. Make it easy for people to contact you. This is especially important in Zimbabwe with cell phone networks as bad as they are. If they can call/email or visit…that’s the way to do it.

10. Write your ad as though you’re talking to one person. Have that person in your mind when you write. This makes your communication more personal, effective and it’s easier to build rapport.

11. Use simple design options to make your ad stand out. A double thick border, a different colour, a block on the headline…be creative without wasting money.

12 Use the F word. Offer something Free if possible. People respond to that like nothing else. A free report, info pack or even a free quotation – whatever.

13. Evaluate your competition. I’m amazed by how so many are content to pay and publish ads that look exactly like their competitors ads. Just go through the herald classifieds and look at the real estate/ computer or vehicles for sale section. It’s dumb – don’t duplicate your competitors…stand out. A better offer, a different design layout, a unique approach.

14. Forget grammar – delete words in classified ads. Edit your ads for unnecessary words that take up space and cost money without contributing to the marketing effort. ‘the’, ‘and’ etc. This isn’t an English exam, it’s a business exam.

15.  Choose your category or section carefully. This is worth very careful thinking and can often make a huge difference – especially in classifieds ads. If you’re wise, you’ll test different sections with the same ads and key the results.

There you have it, that’s it for today. Advertising works, if you work it. It’s probably the most used marketing tactic…yet one of the least understood. An ad that has been tested over time and maximized based on solid strategy and market feedback is worth gold to you. I’ve done my part…now do yours.

Tomorrow – 10 questions to ask before you write a single word of your advert. These questions are what make the difference between an amateur and a master customer thief.

The Customer Thief – Max Soutter

Actually, Some Thieves Sleep VERY Well At Night!

Stealing customers is not only profitable and satisfying, it’s also ethical and legal. In fact, once you learn and apply the 5 keys taught here in, you’ll feel great about your business AND your newly stolen customers will thank you for it.

In “The Customer Thief”, Max Soutter explains shows you what to do when your customers won’t buy and your competitors won’t share. Isn’t time you started snatching wallets and picking pockets in your market place?

CLICK HERE to download The Customer Thief

Please take note: the download is an insiders ‘Pre-release version’ Fill in the form below if you want the final version when I’m done with it.

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Zimbabwe Business: Get Clients For $10usd Or Less – 5 ways

After years of working with Zimbabwean businesses all shapes and sizes, I’m amazed by how difficult and expensive some people make their marketing. They see full page ads, high priced websites, huge bill boards and massive sales teams and assume that marketing has to be expensive to be effective. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Here are just 5 (of many) ways to get more customers, make more money and grow your business in Zimbabwe (or anywhere) with a ridiculously small budget.
1) Classified ads. Classifieds can cost as little as 3usd at the Herald newspaper. Unfortunately, the way most classifieds are placed means that you waste even the little budget that you do have. Here are a few tips…

a) Don’t attempt to SELL in a classified (or any kind of small ad). If you don’t have enough space to tell a convincing sales story and present a decent presentation, DONT! Instead write a sentence or two to get the attention of your target market and arouse their interest enough to enquire for more info. This is where www.getmoreinfo.wordpress.com can work great for you. Refer clients to your specific page/link where you’ve put enough info for them to make a buying decision. The more expensive, unique or complicated your product, the more important this is.
b) Don’t be boring! The average classified section in the paper can have anything from 10 – 1000 competitors – all selling the same product the same market. Unless you’re different or special there’s no real reason to call you instead of your competitor. Remember in results based marketing, it’s more important WHAT you say, than HOW you say it.

2) Email It! It cost’s less than 2usd for 30 mins at an internet cafe and ‘free’ at your office. Developing an email database of clients and prospects is basic strategy for a business that’s going anywhere. Write an attention grabbing subject heading (one that will get your email opened) send it to everyone on your database. Offer them valuable info, then refer them to your getmoreinfo page for more info on your offer

3) Sacrifice a $1usd! That’s about all it costs to send an SMS classified to the Gazette newspaper! Come on… they’ve been advertising this for ages and so few people still use it. All the better for you if you’re the only one in your market promoting your product in a half empty classifieds section of a national newspaper! Follow the tips above for effective classifieds.

4) Develop a referral program. There are dozens of ways to do this that ANY business in Zimbabwe can take advantage of. Basically, it mostly comes down to these three things
a) Develop an offer worth talking about.
b) Make it easy for people to refer people to you.
c) Reward them for their efforts. By the way, ‘reward’ doesn’t always mean cash…there are many other ways to do it.
5) Join www.getmoreinfo.wordpress.com Even before it’s official launch, it’s gaining lots of interest. Having your company/product/services info on that site, well written is worth gold to you. Nothing beats being able to advertise your business to potential thousands by simply sending an email! Get in while it’s still free to join – or even better, for just $50 get Gold Membership. Listen, the site isn’t even finished being designed yet, but has already received over a hundred visits – get in early for a great advantage. Find out more here.
By the way if you haven’t read Cash Baron Secrets, why not? Once you’ve read that, you won’t ever have to be limited to ‘cheap marketing’. There’s a story in there about how i got a company to ‘finance’ over 12 months of marketing FOR me…100% FREE! Download it at no cost here.

Regards

Max Soutter
p.s. Thanks to everyone whose been following my estate agency challenge. www.propertyplace.wordpress.com – in record time, has overtaken 96% of local property websites including most of the ‘Big Boys’.

Do you know of any more ways to market effectively alcheapo? Do share with everyone…

South African/ Zimbabwe Visa Restrictions Removed: What This Means for You

So, visa restrictions to South Africa have now been removed. It’s great news for most Zimbabwe consumers and even businesses… but not for all. I’ve been telling entrepreneurs that things are changing for over a year now – get ready.

This development is just the beginning… Zim entrepreneurs will soon be facing serious competition from out SA friends…will you be ready? Here are a few things you can expect to happen (over time)…

1) Most obviously, prices will become more competitive. As more Zimbabweans now have access to products and even services from ‘the source’ you can expect prices will go down even further in most areas.

2) More people may venture into your type of business. Every time a barrier to entry is removed in business, more people will enter that industry. This represents both opportunity and challenge for you as an entrepreneur.

This is why it’s important for you to know how to create competitive barriers in your market. If your business is vulnerable just because Visa requirements to South Africa have been removed, you’re in trouble.

3) More people will become interested in 2010. Almost every person with at least a teaspoon of entrepreneurial juice – you’ve thought about what opportunities 2010 may avail to you.

4) Over-time I hope and suspect that business ideas in Zimbabwe will improve. I believe we’ll see entrepreneurs move from short cut, instant gratification business models, to more substantial longer-term models.

5) We’ll see an improvement in the quality of local goods and services. Those who got away with terrible services or products will soon find themselves out of business if they don’t move with the times.

6) Of course as Zimbos get increasingly fussy, knowing they can get the same or better service in SA or from SA businesses, Zim entrepreneurs will have to shift gear and go to another level in customer service. Smiles, prompt service a free extras will become a more common feature of Zimbabwean business!

7) New types of businesses. Whilst many of the usual will grow stronger, we’ll see new ideas begin to infiltrate Zim. As things slowing improve, individuals become less survival oriented and start looking into what else they want in their lives. As they become more exposed to other options, it opens up opportunity for smart businessmen and women to take advantage.

Marketing will all of a sudden matter! Now instead of merely putting your logo in the newspaper, you’ll have actually have to have something to say – something more than “Hurry While Stocks Last!” or ”Sale Now ON”. Strategy, market info and so on will increasingly from now on gain in importance to Zim business. When you cant sell merely on scarcity or price…real marketing begins.

9) The Internet will become a much more important medium. With internet cafes springing up everywhere these days, it’s already happening. Those who know how to use this exciting medium will gain a massive advantage, especially in communicating to regional or international markets. But even those targeting local prospects will gain exciting new strategic advantages. It’s amazing how few local businesses actually have a website, let alone know how to maximize it’s use. The time is soon coming when not having a website, will be the equivalent of being illiterate – you’ l be relegated to the ‘rural areas’ of the business world.

10) Businesses will increase outsourcing to SA. With access to more skills, not readily available in Zimbabwe, wouldn’t you? Naturally, this affects the value of skills and the security of jobs here. It also avails opportunities to those who can facilitate the process.

I could actually go on and on. I don’t know how to predict the timing of all this, but it’s most likely sooner than you think. The point is, recognize that things are changing a lot faster than most business people realize. Investors are coming in, partnerships are being created, plans are being put in place etc.

What should you be doing about all this in your business? Get to it!

10 STEPS TO SUCCESS IN DIRECT SALES (ZIMBABWE)

In Zimbabwe, direct sales in far from a common concept to many Zimbabwean Entrepreneurs, yet every year thousands of men and women across America sign on with direct selling firm-Tupperware, Amway, or a cosmetic company-hoping to make money enough for new draperies, a new davenport, or some new clothes. They sell a little merchandise to a few relatives and close friends. Then they are through. They quit before they give themselves a chance to learn the basics of success in sales. “I am simply not a born salesperson,” they often say.

No one is born a salesperson, any more than one is born a doctor or born a lawyer. Sales is a profession. To be successful in any profession one must learn not only the basic techniques, but also how to apply those techniques. Success in sales makes use of all the abilities one is born with, plus all those acquired through education and experience.

If you are looking for a career opportunity or “extra income” to help with the family budget, direct selling offers you dream-fulfilling possibilities. However, you must give yourself time to learn the techniques of sales. Ask yourself. “How long does a doctor to be study? A lawyer to be study?”

WHAT IS DIRECT SELLING?

Direct selling is marketing a product directly to the consumer with no middleman involved. Most reliable firms are members of the National Association of Direct Selling Companies. They bring to the public fine products that are modestly priced in order to insure mass consumption.

Most direct selling companies furnish their representatives with a starter kit and essential supplies below-cost prices. In many instances the investment is under $100.

There is an old adage which says “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Many of them were able to change their lives for the better. They took their families on nice vacations. They purchased a piano or an organ and provided music lessons for their children. They saved money for college education. They redecorated their homes, bought needed furniture. One highly successful saleslady built a new home.

The rewards of direct selling are many

1. You can be your own boss.

2. You can set your own hours.

3. You can own your own businesses with little or no investment.

4. You can pay yourself more than any boss would ever pay you.

5. You can give yourself regular raises as your business grows.

It is only fair to tell you that there are failures, too. There are people who will not work for themselves. When working for a boss, they rise early, are well-groomed, and get to the office on time. However, when they are their own boss, they are still in a bathrobe, drinking one more cup of coffee at 11:00 A.M.

If you can be your own boss and discipline yourself to do what has to be done when it has to be done, direct selling offers a most unusual earning opportunity.

THE TEN STEPS

Here are ten steps that will assure your success:

1. BE A GOAL SETTER. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to save for college education for your children? A new car? A new home? You can have whatever you want, but you must want it enough to do the things that have to be done to get it. Whatever your goal, write it down and set a target date for reaching it. Divide the time period into blocks of achievement that are reachable. Work consistently toward accomplishing each day, each week, each month what you set out to do. Goal-setting is a must in every area of life. Little is ever accomplished without definite goals.

2. BE A LIST MAKER. Each evening list all the things you want to get done the following day. That gives you an organized approach to each day. As each task is finished, mark it off your list. It is amazing how much gets done when one works with a “things-to-do” list. Also, have a notebook listing appointments, potential clients, repeat clients, and referrals, and keep it with you at all times. You will be adding to it constantly.

3. BE ENTHUSIASTIC. Enthusiasm is the high-octane “fuel” that salespeople run on. Enthusiasm generates its own energy. Energy and good health are synonymous with busy, happy people, people who are achieving.

4. RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAGIC WORD IN SALES IS “ASK.” In direct sales we don’t have to wait for business to come to us. We create our own business by asking for it. Ask for appointments, then you can do business. Ask for business, then you will close sales. Ask for referrals, then you always have a full list of potential clients. Be quietly, yet firmly aggressive.

5. EXPECT NO’S. Realize that no’s are not personal. In sales, as perhaps nowhere else, the law of averages works. Every no gets you closer to a yes. Keep track of your ratio. It will help improve your techniques. Are you getting ten no’s to one yes? Is your ratio five to one? Remember, the yes’s are your income. Also remember that “no” does not necessarily mean “no.” Often a “no” is simply a stall for more time to think. It may be a request for more information about your product or your service. What your client is actually buying is assurance. Assure here by your helpful attitude and your complete honesty, that you want what is best for her. She will most likely respect you and do business with you.

6. SCHEDULE TIME WISELY. A schedule is the roadmap by which salespeople travel. It takes the frustration out of the day. It assures that the necessary things get done and get done on time. Plan your work then work your plan.

7. BE POSITIVE IN YOUR ATTITUDE. Success in sales, as in all areas of life is 90 percent attitude and 10 percent aptitude. All of us must work at developing habits of constructive thinking. I am proud to be a salesperson. Sales make the wheels of our economy turn. Bernard Baruch, advisor to several presidents, is quoted as saying, “If every salesperson sat down and took no orders for twenty-four hours, it would bankrupt our country!” Every company that manufactures any kind of product depends upon salespeople to move that product. Without salespeople business would be paralyzed.

Remember, sales is one of the highest paid of all professions. Statistics show that good salespeople enjoy incomes far above the average.

8. HAVE AN OFFICE AREA. Most direct salespeople work from their own homes, but it is essential to have a place where you can work in a organized and efficient manner. An office plus a strict working schedule gives you dignity. Both are absolutely essential for efficient operation and accurate record keeping, so important to the success of any business.

9. BE INVOLVED. Most sales organization offer contests to stimulate production. Include winning contests as part of your business goals. Contests make your business fun as well as adding considerable dollar value to your income.

10. LEARN TO HANDLE MONEY INTELLIGENTLY. A regular nine-to-five job usually means a paycheck at the end of the second week. Direct sales “reps” handle money constantly. Direct sales is instant income and constant income. Therefore. it is absolutely necessary to become an efficient money manager.

Deposit every penny collected from clients into a checking account set up especially for its business. Since bank statements show an exact record of all monies collected, and business expenses can be verified by canceled checks, record keeping becomes simple and accurate. Everything except a few “petty cash” transactions can be directly taken from bank statements.

Money saved regularly and put at interest, soon develops a second income in addition to earned income. A long-term goal, which is realistic in direct sales, is to be able to live in retirement off the interest earned on savings. Would financial security mean a lot to you? If so, ask yourself these questions:

* Am I honest?

* Do I really like people?

* Am I willing to learn?

* Am I willing to work?

* Am I capable of being my own boss?

If your answers are yes, to find a good product for the direct sales market, one that you like, one that fills the need of a lot of people, and go to work for yourself! You can turn dreams into reality.

Zimbabwe Newspapers: Bad News is Good News

Zimbabwean journalists aren’t interested in writing any Good news in the newspapers. They don’t look for it and i suspect, even if they found it, it wouldn’t make it into the paper. That said…there is A LOT of good news and business opportunities in the papers. Not intended, but it’s there – especially for businesses.

Shocking right?

Of course, to see it, you’ll have redefine what good and bad news really is for your business.You’ll have to learn to see the opportunities revealed in the bad news.

For instance if you read that businesses are closing down. Is that goodnews or bad? Depends.

• Can i buy assets cheap from the business that just closed down?
• Maybe that means less competition for me.
• Can i find out why they closed and avoid the same mistake – free education
• What if i can go after their experienced and qualified employees, that ordinarily maybe hard to find…
• Or what if…i think you get the picture.

The point is businesses exist to solve problems. No problems, no opportunities and no businesses. Entrepreneurs, Businesses and institutions and even economies fail when they start to take bad news at face value. That’s when they become problem conscious. They start to blame MDC/ZANU PF, they blame their parents, their pastor etc. You’re not like that are you?

Here’s how i look at it

Bad news happens when needs arise. Good news happens when someone saw the need, ignored the negativity and turned it into an economically viable solution. You’ve got to decide how you’ll interpret the news around you. They’ll be lots of good, or bad depending on what you’re looking for.

Max

p.s. Here’s an example. You want to start a business but you’ve got no money? Well if you’re creative and determined here’s how to turn that into good news!

How To Start A Business With No Money

Want to start a business but have no money? Now’s your chance.

For the next 7 days only, you can get a Business Setup Kit on a purely barter trade basis.We’re accepting all kinds of things…cell phones, lines, laptops…be creative. If you’re really serious about starting your business, then this could be a chance of a life time.

Remember the Business Setup Kit is worth thousands of dollars and already under priced for now. Find out more by reading our brochure.

You’ll get everything you need to get going with your new business so don’t miss out.

Finally, ‘Customer Thief’ is almost done (way over due), so if you want a free copy, stay tuned…i’ll be posting it for free download for just a few days… dont miss out.

Max

p.s. be creative about the barter trade deal, nothing is out of bounds so send me an email or give me a call to propose a trade. See the Business Setup Kit brochure here.

p.p.s. Check out my last book free to find other creative ways to do business without money -

Zimbabwe Business: Business In Zimbabwe Standing Still

It’s true, business is standing still in Zimbabwe. Talk to any business owner and he’ll tell you how much money he’s owed – and how no one is paying up. You’re probably going through it yourself. There’s very little genuine economic activity taking place – and what a great opportunity for you!

Think about it.

When is the best time to overtake and make progress…when you competitors are running, or when they’re asleep? This is the time to gain market share… now that competitors are losing it. If you cant do that, then gain ‘mind share’ and if you can’t do that, then gain whatever kind of share you can!

Your choices are few. Either;

OPTION A
• Shrink back, fearful and discouraged
• Outsource your responsibility and response ability to others
by joining the blame game – Zanu PF, MDC, your parents,
pastor or whoever you want.
• Abandon your dreams of significance and contribution.
• Downsize your ambitions from greatness, to mere survival.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many and very good reasons to be discouraged and angry at political, business, church, education leaders. There are good reasons to become fearful of the present and lose hope for the future – to become selfish and self centric…but don’t.

OPTION B
Put to work these invisible forces of good in your life and business. Demand more from life – your skills, talents, opportunities time & every resource. Demand that the doors of possibility and prosperity be opened to you. Refuse to accept limitations and achieve your goals in 2009… no matter what.

Faith and hope are the very core of the entrepreneurial spirit. Selflessness and service are the backbone of the entrepreneurs business. Without these, you’re a victim, a weakling, a mediocre man or woman.

I truly believe that this is the best time to be pressing in to achieve business success – even in Zimbabwe. Don’t wait for circumstances to support you, let them catch up. You can beat your biggest and most fierce competitors by being bigger in spirit. While they complain, wait and procrastinate you move forward. You can gain incredible advantages that aren’t available in easier times. While they’re business is standing still, you’re moving forward.

Regards

Max Soutter

It all comes down to knowing how to turn bad news into good news and finding the opportunities hidden in problems…see that post here.

Biggest Business Mistake Of 2009

After 3000 hours of research and study I can tell you what the biggest mistake in business is. Turned out I didn’t even need to study to learn it.

It’s worse than investing in the wrong idea. It’s worse than having to redo a thing not done properly. Worse than hiring the wrong guy. It’s worse than over paying, undercharging, or any other strategic mistake. It’s…

Talking without acting.

We all do it once in a while – especially around about this time of the year. We talk about what we’re going to do – even write it down. We tell family and friends how 2009 things will be different. “I’m going to start that business, invest in marketing, pay for that service” etc Then after the hype is gone… nothing.

We forget. Procrastinate. Get distracted. Whatever.

Make this mistake once you’re likely to miss out on a great opportunity. Keep on making it, you’ll end up not just a failed entrepreneur, but a failure in life.

My advice? 2009 has come. Attack it. Not with words alone. With action. Swift, aggressive and consistent action. Use your words to embolden and inspire yourself into action. Use pressure to get your juices flowing into action. Refuse to be of the mediocre lot who talk of impressive things and don’t follow up. You’re of a different kind – you’re a success, you’re someone going somewhere.

A poor plan implemented is better than a brilliant plan, not implemented. If you made that business mistake in 2008, don’t do it in 2009

Max Soutter

p.s. There is one other mega mistake that’s a close 2nd for me…especially in Zimbabwe – check it out here

Starting A Graphic Design Business

The most important thing for starting a graphic design business is credibility. People want to know that you are professional & skilled at what you do.

To be trusted with big (and small) design budgets, brands and reputations, you’ll need to properly setup your graphic design company. The Graphics design Business Setup Kit will enable you to not only project a highly professional image, but also run a highly professional operation.

Design Tools & Templates Nothing speeds up good design like a good set of ready to use templates that are highly professional. These can be used for presentations, pitches & design assignments. Here is a set of high quality tools that will speed up you business. 

• q Set of over 2500 fonts! You’ll never be stuck with the creative or technical nightmares that come with not having the right font for a job.
• q 10 website templates to get you going or for presentations to win jobs
• q More than 200 Pre-programmed Photoshop Actions to do in seconds what can take hours of design work.
• q Over 1000 Clipart Collection to inspire your creativity and get you going quickly on projects.

Graphic Design Logo & Stationery. Enjoy the benefits of an attractive and credible brand image working across all your stationery and communication pieces. It will inspire confidence in your business from partners, suppliers and customers. 

• q Logo design
• q Printable Business Card design
• q Printable Letterheads design
• q Printable Compliment Slips design

Saved and formatted for you in all 7 major design formats allowing you flexibility and confidence in any scenario.

Business Website Design Get a website that will show case your service in style to potential millions. Your graphic design business website is the perfect for dealing with clients across town, suburbs and even countries. Good website design can also be a great credibility building tool, especially in your line of business.  

• q Home Page
• q About Us page
• q Contact Us page
• q Services page

Or choose our niche site option and get unlimited pages, password protected pages, free hosting & registration, search & comment capabilities, all for the same price.

Company Registration Get business registration quick and easy. Also choose from one of our available names or register a personalized company name of your choice.

Finance package. Never be caught unable to create or manage your finance info. Whether it’s budgets, cash flow, cash projections & financial planning etc. This comprehensive set of forms & templates already programmed with basic finance formulas, allows you to do all of this with greater ease than ever before.

Human Resources Management Package. No more confusion about how to hire, partner, recommend, terminate, manage, measure & motivate employees in your new startup. This package is your personal human resources assistant helping you get the job done with all kinds of templates and forms. You’ll easily put together a comprehensive human resources policy and procedures manual.

Sales And Marketing Package.  Now you can create, measure, plan and analyze your marketing, even without much previous skill or experience. Marketing is the life blood of your business and you’ll love the convenience of this package. Create marketing plans and marketing strategy that works.

Further Details

 Delivery: Depending on your location and preference, you will receive your kit either on special personalized download link or on CD. 

Free back service: We keep a copy of all your designs (brand and website). If you require these in future (lose or damaged your CDs). 

Cost: For the duration of this promotion period, all kits have been drastically discounted. Depending on your chosen options, type of business and delivery preferences you kit will cost you between ($450USD – $1200 USD (fuel coupon equivalent).

The discount period will last from now until end of January after which the price will may more than double to reflect it’s true value. Don’t waste time, take full advantage of this special offer immediately. If you’d like to discuss a payment plan, then feel free to give us a call or pop an email.

 Ready to act now?

Call us on +263 11 661 853 OR 263 11 867 867

email: max.soutter@gmail.com

Commodity Broking/ Trading Business Setup Kit

This kit is a collection of resources designed to handle the needs of any commodity broking or deal making business. There is a wide range of tools, so go through the list thoroughly. You’ll notice a comprehensive assortment of forms, templates, guides, checklists and business letters that will save you time and money starting up and setting up your brokering business.

Trading & Transactional Documents (over 30 forms, templates & guides) When managing a diverse portfolio of products and transactions across multiple scenarios, you’ll need the flexibility & efficiency of a well defined & designed set of ‘transaction management’ forms. With over 30 of them here, thoroughly designed and thought through, you’ll be ready to handle anything fast and easy. 

• q Ordering
• q Receiving
• q Selling
• q Shipping
• q General

Logo and stationery design Kit. Enjoy the benefits of an attractive and credible brand Image working across all your stationery and communication pieces. It will inspire confidence in your business from partners, suppliers and customers. 

• q Brand Logo design
• q Printable Business Card design
• q Printable Letterheads design
• q Printable Compliment Slips design

Saved and formatted for you in all 7 major design formats allowing you flexibility and confidence in any scenario.

Business Website Design Get a website that will show case both your product range & your other services to potential millions. Your business website is the ideal communications tool for dealing with partners, suppliers and customers across town, suburbs and even countries as your trading opportunities expand. Good website design can also be a great credibility building tool, especially in your line of business. 

• q Home Page
• q About Us page
• q Contact Us page
• q Services page

Or choose our niche site option and get unlimited pages, password protected pages, free hosting & registration, search & comment capabilities, all for the same price.

Company Registration Get business registration quick and easy. Also choose from one of our available names or register a personalized company name of your choice.

Finance package. Never be caught unable to create or manage your finance info. Whether it’s budgets, cash flow, cash projections & financial planning etc. This comprehensive set of forms & templates already programmed with basic finance formulas, allows you to do all of this with greater ease than ever before.

Human Resources Management Package. No more confusion about how to hire, partner, recommend, terminate, manage, measure & motivate employees in your new startup. This package is your personal human resources assistant helping you get the job done with all kinds of templates and forms. You’ll easily put together a comprehensive human resources policy and procedures manual.

Sales And Marketing Package.  Now you can create, measure, plan and analyze your marketing, even without much previous skill or experience. Marketing is the life blood of your business and you’ll love the convenience of this package. Create marketing plans and marketing strategy that works.

Further Details

Delivery: Depending on your location and preference, you will receive your kit either on special personalized download link or on CD.

 Free back up service: We keep a copy of all your designs (brand and website). If you require these in future (lose or damaged your CDs). 

 Cost: For the duration of this promotion period, all kits have been drastically discounted. Depending on your chosen options, type of business and delivery preferences you kit will cost you between ($450USD – $1200 USD (fuel coupon equivalent).

The discount period will last from now until end of January after which the price will may more than double to reflect it’s true value. Don’t waste time, take full advantage of this special offer immediately. If you’d like to discuss a payment plan, then feel free to give us a call or pop an email.

Are you ready to act today?

Call us on- +263 11 661 853 OR 263 11 867 867

email: max.soutter@gmail.com 

Pre Setup Businesses For Sale

A pre-setup business is like a pre-cooked meal. It takes away the risk, work and stress of you having to be an expert. It Saves you time energy and money. It vastly increases your chances of success, no matter what type of business you’re into.

Below are a few Pre Setup Businesses we already have for sale.

Go through the summary brochures relavent to your needs, you’re almost bound to find something relevant. If you cant find what you’re looking for, please email. We’re constantly adding to our Pre-setup businesses.

Commodity broking setup: suitable for any kind of trading, commodity broking, Joint Venture deals etc  

business-setup-kit-commodity-broking1 

Events Management: suitable for Events managements, events planners, marketing agencies, function coordinators etc

business-setup-kit-event-management

Human Resources Consultancy: suitable for a consultant, recruitment agency, business growth agency, job hunting business etc

business-setup-kit-hr-consultancy

Marketing Consultancy: suitable for marketers, business growth experts, ad agencies, etc

business-setup-kit-marketing-consultancy4

Technology Related: suitable for software development and sales, tech consultancy, selling software or hardware generally associated with being tech businesses. 

business-setup-kit-tech-related

business-setup-kit-transport-related-retail

Doing Business In Zimbabwe: The Four Secrets

With inflation in the Zillions, most Zimbabwean entrepreneurs have had enough. Are you one of them? Perhaps you’re thinking of leaving to ‘Harare North’ (UK).You’ve hit your head against the wall so many times, yet it doesn’t seem to break.

Well what If, instead of trying to break the wall down, you found the door? Not only that, but you also found the key?

If you’re interested I can show you both. The door is called leverage. And there are four keys that will open almost any business door you want. In my last Book “Cash Baron Secrets”, I’ve out lined these for you in a simple, easy to read, practical way.

You’ll see how;

1) I got a got a half page advert in the paper for free.

2) How I turned four hours of work into a 6 month ‘money saving stream’

3) How I got a timely cheque from an almost stranger, who didn’t like, or trust me – no begging necessary.

4) How I got a business to work 12 months to build a marketing opportunity for me, at their own expense without them even knowing it.

5) Lots more

The great thing about all these examples is that they’re from years ago…when I didn’t have a cent or a reputation. You’ll see exactly how I used leverage to survive and thrive where others were failing.

Download it here 100% free

http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/category/free-downloads/

I still leverage today. The higher inflation gets, the more relevant the keys become for any entrepreneur in these extraordinary times.

Max Soutter

I’m going to leave the book for free download for a few more days, then it will be removed from the site. So if you’d like to learn from a once ‘desperate cash baron’, then download it now.

http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/category/free-downloads/

talking about leverage, for a limited time, here’s how to start a business without money

Zimbabwe Business Plan

Surviving and thriving in Zimbabwe isn’t impossible. Challenging – yes. Impossible – No. It does however call for ideas and strategies beyond the scope of most academic and business textbooks. You’ll need “extraordinary measures in extraordinary times” – just ask Governor, Gideon Gono. It’s in his new book.

 An example of extraordinary measures is the Zimbabwean Business plan. If done well, it will include a number of considerations that you wont find in any generic business plan template. Whether for investors, partners or yourself, answers to these questions could make or break your Zim biz.

 Every Zimbabwean business plan should consider:

1) If you can’t charge in a stable currency, how do you intend to maintain the value of your money? (barter trades, a quick cash to asset conversion, stocks and shares etc)

2) If your business is not a cash cow, for example high priced goods, how will you meet the daily cash requirements for your business? (Can you change the shape and form in which your payments are made? How creative can you be with suppliers and payment schedules? What fast moving related (or not) products can you sell to keep cash flowing? etc)

 Another example of this is the obvious need to setup multiple bank accounts. If you have 10 employees, each should have a bank account with 5 banks. Same goes for the Directors and the business itself. Also, develop a ‘Withdrawal strategy. How can you get employees paid without the downtime?

3) Territorial defense against imports. Remember what happened to Delta? They lost mega market share because they weren’t ready for the competition from imported brands. Are you? If your competition from SA (and beyond) come round, can you survive? What’s your game plan? Don’t procrastinate on your strategy.

4) Shorten Your Time Frames. What would conventionally be considered medium term planning overseas, would Long term here. The environment is a little more volatile, and dynamics change a lot faster. Your plan needs to be more fluid or flexible. Surviving and succeeding today is more of a factor here than it is in most places. Take this into consideration.

5) Recruitment and replace plan. We have one of the fastest employee turnover rates in the world. Acknowledge this and plan for it. How can you keep employees longer? If you lose one do you have a plan for quick replacement? Flexi-packages and employee policies could prove useful. .

Is this list complete? No, it’s just to stimulate your thinking. It’s meant to empower and inspire you to be practical and unconventional. Zim biz can work, just not in the same way as elsewhere. For Zim business, throw away the Cambridge text book!

Yours for smarter business

 Max

Looking for a smart, practical and proven approach to setting up your business? Checkout our business setup kit. It’s fast, affordable and ‘Zimbabwe Proven’

No Business Opportunities in Zimbabwe?

No Business Opportunities in Zimbabwe?

Really? Must be my imagination then… I keep seeing them everywhere. All you need do is open your eyes and think a little outside your box.

We have one of the 7 wonders of the world- it’s proven to attract millions of visitors a year. The factors keeping those millions away wont last forever. Or better yet, maybe you should just wait until the opportunity becomes obvious to the whole world?

Enough natural resourcesto make everyone in this tiny country filthy rich. Put your thinking cap on. Make some calls, do some research. Are you the one to take advantage of these resources? Someone has to. And someone will.

Small country, nationwide media. For example, whatever you’re selling – your marketing can literally reach the whole nation with a relatively (by comparison) small budget through national media. 2 or 3 newspapers. There’s just one TV channel to worry about. National media coverage costs less than ‘community coverage in the first world!

Where else can you hire someone for less than a dollar a month?A skilled person. I’m not saying it’s right, but it is happening. Offer half decent salaries and you’d have some of the best employees the country has to offer.

Innovation is easy.A third world country with a educated and literate population (including diaspora). Basic technologies and facilities are not available. Whole industries almost don’t exist. What, you’d rather try to innovate in the first world, where your best idea was probably already done about 5 years ago? Where you’re competing with mega businesses? Where innovation is a way of life?

Half the population in the Diaspora.Setup partnerships both ways. If your business has potential, talk to your brother in the UK. 200 pounds may not be a a really big deal. In Zim, that could cover salaries for 5 – 10 people! You’d have a bigger advertising budget than most BANKS. If you’re living overseas, you’ve got no excuse.

So easy to gain a competitive advantage.Imagine a place where something as simple as high speed internet can be a competitive advantage? Where really understanding strategy and marketing (direct response) is like understanding magic. Where having a Paypal account makes you the only person who can buy products/services from the internet? Where having the right accent is taken as being educated?

Come on. I could go on, but that’s enough ranting for one day.

Or you can focus on the politics. Put your hope in Gideon Gono, Morgan Tsvangirai, Zanu PF – none of these people will make you rich. Trusting in politicians almost guarantees failure. Trusting in the media, no matter which one will DEFINITELY disadvantage you.

It may not be easy, the challenges are real, very. But so are the opportunities. Be unconventional. Be a positive leader. Be smart. Be unselfish and bold. No one except God will hand success to you. And even then, you’ll still have to take it.

Ready to startup and setup your business the smart way? checkout our business setup kit -

http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/business-setup-kit/

 

Zimbabwe Christmas: My business advantage

Cruelty towards competitors…? Is that allowed? Well you may be charged with that crime if you take advantage of this easy opportunity.

Businesses in Zimbabwe, South Africa, UK and everywhere tend to do the same thing around about this time…they shut down. From about the 15th of Dec til the 15th of Jan many businesses, business owners and key employees go on holiday. That represents a fantastic opportunity for you…

here’s why.

With all your competitors shut down for 2-3 or more weeks, that leaves you in that time as the only voice in your market place. The only person open to do business with. The only solution for a desperate need in your market. 

It’s a great time to target hard to get accounts. to gain a little more market share, to become a little more influencial. Whatever.

If i were you, i wouldnt shut down this Christmas. Or atleast, not for more than a day or two. If you really want an ’unfair advantage’ that is. Instead devise ways to communicate to your market during this time. Tell them why you’re the most reliable, cost effective, highest quality – whatever.

Alternatively you could just take two or three weeks off and start from scratch in January…in which case you dont want to be my competitor this Christmas.

What would you rather have for Christmas – a stomach full of rice, chicken and hangover? Or a mega headstart on your competition? 

Max Soutter

p.s. Hey, i’m not saying dont celebrate Christmas, i’m saying celebrate it by gaining a real life only once a year advantage! I welcome your thoughts.

p.p.s. Before i forget, for those who’ve enquired, my new ebook ‘The Customer Thief’ should be out by Next week. If you’d like a free copy, then pop me an email and i’ll send you the link – max.soutter@gmail.com In the mean time if you havnt read Cash Baron Secrets, you can download it on this site, under ‘free stuff’

Starting a Business: Checklist

Here are a few things to remember when starting a business and how the Bizsetup kit can help you.

Analyze your business idea by doing a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis. (Bizsetup Kit: Get strategy templates and guides to help you along the process)

Get a professional brand designed. Go for a credible, professionally done look – not artistic expression. Your brand should be then be applied to your stationery designs and all future communication your business has with anyone. (Business setup Kit: Comes with pre-designed or custom designed brands by highly skilled and experienced designers, marketers and researchers)

Decide on your business location. Having an office (even a home office) can be a great credibility and convenience advantage for your business. (Bizsetup Kit: We’ll setup an Office Host facility for you in a prime town location. Giving you access to a receptionist, boardroom, office, computer, printer etc – all on a as you need basis. That means you can start going instantly with an office and staff support.)

Identify your competitors.

TIP: Go through the newspapers and look at their adverts, call a few and pose as a potential business. What are they doing well? What mistakes are they making? What offers are they making in their advertising? How can you be profitably different?

Develop a marketing plan. Formulate a strategy on how you’ll penetrate your market place. Start with the 5 Ps

• a) Product – what are you really selling, what’s your offering? Define it the way your customer thinks of it.
• b) Promotion – how will you let people know of your products? Newspaper advertising, website, fliers and brochures, email marketing, SMS marketing etc
• c) Place – Where are you selling from. For example you can sell a slice of cake from a Hotel, restaurant, coffee shop, mobile service etc
• d) Price – how will you charge. Note: you don’t have to be the cheapest unless that’s really the best strategy for. Many Zimbabwean Businesses do well by being the most expensive – especially in the Service industry.
• e) Positioning – How you present yourself to your market. Your brand personality or character. Who and how do your want to be though of as. This is a combination of projected values, communication strategy and actual delivery.

Create your business (register your name, incorporate the business, etc.) (Bizsetup Kit: Along with your registration, get a set of free transaction and financial management templates to get you going from day one)

TIP: Avoid a shelf name a much as possible. Rather take the time to register a name that either indicates what you do, how you do it differently or the values of your business. For example “Business Setup Group” informs you almost immediately what we’re involved in. This makes brand building both easier and cheaper. Find our Business Name Guide on http://www.bizsetup.wordpress.com

Build a web site. There are many reasons for this, especially early on in your business. It’s one of the most strategic, effective and flexible an affordable means of communicating your business to potential clients and partners, both locally and internationally.

Tip: You may not need a massive and expensive website like big corporate. Get a mini site instead. It will act as an online brochure with many uses. Call us (011 661 853 for more info)

Set-up corporate e-mail accounts

Get business cards, letterheads and compliment slips if necessary. Don’t communicate like an amateur, do it professionally. Having a proper

Team Building. How will you attract, recruit, manage, motivate and transact with the people you need on your team? Be sure to manage your staff professionally from day one, to ensure high performance. (Bizsetup: We’ll provide you with ready made templates, guides and forms to help you do all this and more. All the hard work – systems, templates and policies, already done for you.)

Actually the Business Setup Kit helps you do all this very fast and effectively – even if you haven’t before. It’s the only package of it’s kind in the country. For more info,

download our brochure or give us a call on 011 661 853/ email:max.soutter@gmail.com

Why Start A Business In Zimbabwe

Here’s a question i received just the other day.

Mr Soutter, thank you for the Cash Baron secrets, very good read. However after going through it, i realised that these were universal principles and can work anywhere, my questions to is…

with everything thats happening economically and politically, why should i bother starting a business in Zimbabwe? Oscar P.

______________

Are you asking the same question? There are alot of good answers to it, but today i’ll give you two that i dont usually give.

1) World Cup 2010 is in South Africa. Guess which is country is right next door to SA? Guess which country ’shares’ one of the 7 wonders of the world with SA? WIth literally billions of dollarsbeing spent and to be made between now and 2010, you should be thinking seriousy about how to get in on the action. I’ll speaking more about this in weaks to come, and showing you how to take advantage of what’s happening.

2) Guess which country has had the highest/ best performning stock in the last 12 months? Whichever way you look at it, Zimbabwe’s in the top 5. Now consider the global economic problems and tell if that doesnt make Zim attractive. With Giants in USA dropping like flies, this is a great opportunity for you to diversify ‘out of the box’ and think Zim.

3) Robert Kiyosaki. I’m not big into overestimating what the ‘Gurus’ say, buy Even Rich Dad’s legend son recently confessed that Zimbabwe is where it’s at. Pay attention.

4) It’s still ridiculously cheap and to start meaningful businesses in Zimbabwe compared to other parts of the world. In a year or so, Government will start waking up to the business opportunities they control and start putting further and more dificult hurdles in your way. Dont wait. Dont procrastinate yourself out of an opportunity.

There you go, thats some food for thought. If you’re serious about getting ahead and seizing opportunities not yet flooded, then you need to ‘Think Zimbabwe’. After you’d though for a moment or two… ACT.

What other reasons can you think of to start a Zim business?

Max Soutter

Cash Baron Secrets

Struggling to make ends meet? Cant quite get business going?
Working on a seriously low budget? I’ve been there.

In my latest ebook “make Money Secrets of a Desperate Cash Baron” i’ll show you
some of the tactics i used in my startup days to make things happen.
I’m talking about

how i got adevertising with out paying
how i’ve gotten complete strangers to give me cheques
how i’ve leveraged other businesses with ease
and how i’ve put together failure proof marketing pieces

Most of the stories are from my very early days, but the
principles still work today – and even better.

After working with hundreds of businesses in almost 40 industries
i can tell you that the higher inflation in Zimbabwe (or anywhere) climbs,
the better these strategies work.

Dont be left out – you can download the book now, no cost and
no signup neccesary

Click here to download

How to Choose the Right Business For You

Some weeks I get to talk to between 10 and 20 entrepreneurs, one on one, all at different stages of their business development. Inevitably there are going to be two or three people who really want to be in business, but don’t know which one. Are you in that position? Here’s my advice – just three points.  

1) Self Analysis. Explore yourself first. There are hundreds of businesses, products or services you can get into in Zimbabwe, more than most people think, but not all are suited for you.

 What natural skills, knowledge, talents, passions do you have? You love numbers? You’re a good communicator? A brilliant sports person? A flair for art? Are you a good organizer? Love to travel?

 Look at what you’re good at and enjoy, then ask yourself “Can I package this and sell it?” In other words, can you turn it into a product? If not, can you combine it with something or someone else to turn it into a product that can be sold for profit? Last resort, can you turn it into a service? (I say last resort, because in a service business you will be forced to sell your time for money, which limits you.)

 Don’t commit to anything just yet because next you’ll need to do some…

 2) Market Analysis. Is there a demand for what you can do? Where’s the pain your product can solve? Where’s the problematic opportunity that matches your talent/ skill profile? In what form? Which market opportunity represents the greatest need for what you can do?

 If there is no demand for what you’re trying to do, just forget it, don’t try to generate hunger unless you have an endless budget and really thick skin. Just move on to a different idea, or a different twist on your current one.

 Once you’ve found a match between your talent profile and a market need, you’ve done most of the work. By the way, you don’t necessarily need a massive demand, just an intense one.

 Also, in Zimbabwe you’ve got to be careful of going into business to service the latest trend created by Gideon Gono or some new political development. You may end up devoting time and money into something, just to see everything change and render your investment useless.

3) Competitive Analysis – How will you differentiate yourself from those offering something similar? If you’re meeting an established need (as you should in most cases) then you’ll most likely have competition. How can you position your solution as better?

 If you’re just another commodity, selling exactly the same thing to the same people in the same way, you’ll always have to compete on price. Competing on price makes your business extremely vulnerable.

 It means no matter how long you’ve been at it, someone else can wake up tomorrow morning and steal your biggest customers by charging less. You’re trying to get rich, he’s just trying to survive, so who do you think can afford to charge less?

 You’re also competing with big businesses that can buy in bulk and therefore get discounts you might not be able to afford. That means they can also sell for less than you. You best bet is to differentiate your product/ service.

 Offer something extra your customers consider valuable. A free something, a longer guarantee, unique service, different flavours, colours, brands or whatever. Don’t be different for it’s own sake, do it in a way that’s profitable. Do it by answering the question “Why should I do business with you, even though I have so many other options?”

 Going through all these steps is a lot harder than just randomly picking something or following the crowd, but the rewards are also much greater. Take the time to get a feel for all these factors before you choose your business. Don’t take too long though, don’t fall procrastination, perfectionism or ‘analysis paralysis’.

Take action, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful new business.

Max Soutter

Money Secrets of A Master Cash Baron

Stop wasting time using low leverage, high risk, ‘hard work’ money making tactics – you dont have to. In my latest E-book, i’ll let you in on the underground, fast cash, big profit secrets that Cash Barons have long held secret. Reading this book will probably entertain you – doing what it says will put money in your pocket.

Download it free here cash-baron-book