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Product Maps

Written by: Milana Leshinsky

Article Overview: Having a "path" for your clients and customers to follow can make an incredible difference in your business. The best way to understand this concept and put it into practice for yourself is to be a student of others. The most successful entrepreneurs that we all know, respect and envy do just that!

Product Maps

After reviewing my financial reports this year, I made a shocking discovery:

Almost 50% of my expenses go toward continued education!

I buy more books, CDs, home-study courses and seminars than anything else in my business.

This became even more clear when my apprentice, Lorraine, visited my home last week. Everywhere she went, there were CDs: in my office, in the kitchen, inside the car (she didn't even see my bedroom!).

I used to think this was just me. But after listening to Mark Victor Hansen, Brian Tracy, Joe Polish and Donald Trump, I realized that every successful business person if, first and foremost, a student of others--no matter how big they already are!

That's how they stay a few steps ahead in your field and get new ideas for their business.

So let me ask you, when was the last time you invested in yourself?

- What are the top 3 books you read most recently?

- Which seminars have you attended in the last 12 months?

- What are the top 3 successful people you are watching?

One of the things I asked my apprentice to do was to create a product map of all my products.

Not only was it a fun thing to do, but we can now clearly see the natural path of everyone who enters my "funnel."

Having a product map clarified my coaching process.

- Do you have a process?

- Do clients know the first step to take with you?

(HINT: The first step should NEVER be coaching! Your goal is to create a *need for coaching* through your products and events. More on that later...)

Now, take a look at everything you offer today and develop a path or a coaching process for your clients. It will make a huge difference in your business.

Warmly,

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Article Tags: 12 months, apprentice, brian tracy, business person, continued education, donald trump, fun thing, funnel, home study courses, lorraine, map, mark victor hansen, natural path, seminars, shocking discovery, successful business, when was the last time



Related Forum Posts
Re: What Do You Outsource Mostly? - When building a New Product, I do find it helpful to outsource marketing (articles - blogging - major social network site etc) Otherwise, you may feel bogged down when you should be focused on the overall BIG PICTURE.
Show the Benefits - Offer a free test drive of the Product or Service with a Money Back Guarantee - Take the Risk out. This will help them make the decision but you have to work with them to realize it by explicitly state the benefits they are receiving.
Offer Credit instead - I'm not sure if ChrisH was referring to this but i'll state it more expicitly .. Charge upfront and offer a refund of double the value back in "Credit" towards your Product or Service you have for sale at the end of the event.
Re: what position to request? - What do you think of: Executive Manager? Director of Product Management? I am not interested in working as a freelancer. As I mentioned, the purpose of what I am doing is to get involved into a startup that may become successful in the future. This is a situation when a group of people get together to launch something promising and invest into this their time and energy and even may be money.
Re: Your Gmail Account can be hacked! - Very informative post , thats why i don't like to use free services for My own business , but still i'm using gmail for some Product Promotion and talking with Strangers And after reading your post i'm going to change my gmail setting right now , Thanks again for sharing


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