The latest reports are saying it now takes 7 touches before a client will reach out to you for service. That means a prospective client has to see your ad, message, community, etc… 7 times before they will call you.  

I guess I have been around a while because I always thought it was 3, which still means you have to get your message out there in enough locations and over a specific time period so your prospects see your message that magical amount before they are ready or are forced to make that call or visit.

How do you do it?

1. If you’re lucky enough to have a community or office in a great location where you have plenty of traffic flow, good for you and your developers! Take advantage & show off your signage!  Onthe other hand, if your community or office  is tucked away in a quiet area, make sure it is well signed so those that do pass by know what it is and can find it more easily. Get some signs posted in busy traffic locations. Be creative on partnerships. Remember: location, location, location!
2. Get your name out in the community! Sponsor & host local events, hold open houses, send a regular newsletter or mailings that seniors can share with their friends & family.
3. Take advantage of all free listings, like getting your business listed on Google Local and in other directories so you come up when people search for the service you provide in your area. Consider swapping links with complimentary businesses.
4. Build and maintain a website!  Boomers & Seniors do their research online. Make sure they find your site, that it answers their questions and leads them to the next step, a call or visit.
5. Network! Make sure all of the businesses in your area know about you and what you offer & where you are located. If possible, set out brochures or cards at their locations. If you have a community, have them for lunch or a happy hour.
6. Don’t forget your referral sources! Sell them on your competitive advantage so they think of you when a patient needs your service. A professional referral can really make the difference!
7. Advertise! In print, online, radio, billboard & TV. Whatever you can afford! Get your message out there so your future client sees your name enough times to remember you when it’s time to make that call!

A constant debate has always seemed to rage in the business world:  How many meetings should a company have?  Of course, that is too broad of a question, since company-wide meetings are few and far between, while units and teams involved in specific projects might meet daily or even multiple times during the day when a deadline is near.

There are many facets to the pro and con debate about meetings:

-          Meetings are expensive.  People will point to all of the resources that are tied up in a meeting when they could be performing their regular duties.  True, but not as extreme as a literal view of tying the hours to 100% lost productivity.  In many companies, those involved in the meetings will get the same amount of work done, just stretching the day to meet deadlines and catch up.

-          If you meet too often, people tune you out.  This is one reason I tend to fall on the side of meeting less.  You always want to have fresh things to discuss, new topics and some experiences since last meeting  to fuel new thoughts.  If a regular meeting is held too often, de ja vu kicks in and the audience will be unfocused.

-          Don’t involve too many people, unless it is a brief informative meeting.  Smaller groups encourage better back and forth and sharing of ideas. 

-          Meetings are a breeding ground for ideas.  With many people working at home, in other locations and generally being on the go, getting the team together at the proper interval can turn into a great opportunity to learn from each other. 

-          Meetings are communication.  Other forms of communication work very well, but in a meeting you can get a better sense of acceptance and understanding.

-          If you are communicating important, detailed plans in meetings, make sure you provide this detail in written format.  Listening skills can be great, but an hour later things can get lost and a week later, you might find the same meeting happening again.

Just a few thoughts on meetings.  Overall, be flexible, don’t feel like meetings need to occur on a scheduled/regular basis.  If there is nothing to discuss, don’t meet.  Also, don’t be a slave to the clock.  If you end the meeting in 20 minutes, great, if it goes an hour, it was needed.  Keep meetings under an hour and a half, or take a break.  One more important thing – supplying good food helps most meetings succeed!  

What are your thoughts on meetings?  How often do you find yourself in a bad meeting.  Are the meetings interactive?  What steps do you take to encourage the sharing of ideas?  Appreciate your feedback, thanks, Doug