CASH or CREDIT?

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accepting credit cards, cash register, credit card readers, credit cards, customer Service, debit cards, mobile salesperson, payment options, processing credit cards, processing debit cards, salesperson, square register

Are you a salesperson? I remember when I used to do in-home demonstrations and in order to process a credit card I had to hand write the information then go to the office the next day and process it. Too often it was denied and then I had to contact the customer and ask for another form of payment. It would have been really nice to process it on the spot!

NOW I CAN! I found Square Register, a mobile app that allows me to process transactions as a cash sale, credit or debit sale, and it even will figure sales taxes.

I was able to go in and set up my business informaton with name and contact informaton and then enter all my products with prices and tax rates.

At each sale I just entered the amount, checked either cash, credit, or debit and processed it. I am even able to give a receipt to the client by e-mail. When I ran a debit card they are required to sign on my phone and then enter their email address in order to recieve the recept. At the end of the day I just looked at my transactions and I was able to calculate the amount of my sales for the day, on my phone. When I got home I pulled it up on the computer and went into my account and it even has a reporting feature that shows each sale, what was sold, how many sales were cash, credit, or debit, amount of sales tax collected, and even trends.

It is so cool.

They have 2 payment options. I chose the flat 2.75% of the sale, but If I had more volume then they have a fee for the year.

I encourage everyone to check this out!

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https://squareup.com/

The value of Branding your business

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branding, company integrity, customer Service, marketing, mission statement

Branding your business is a marketing term that quite simply defines or identifys your company with a set of shared values.   Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks Coffee empire adds that “your company needs to make and emotional connection with people outside of your product”.  In his case, the definition refers to outside his coffee.

The needs and desires of your customers are what drive your company’s growth.  Finding the answers to those questions requires a purposeful plan and exercise.   A good business owner or manager has an awareness to customer comments, trends and spending habits but a dedicated and timely effort to secure those answers lends more support to your analysis and conclusions.

The one constant expectation customers will seek until they find it is integrity.  Nothing will sink your business faster that a reputation for lacking integrity when dealing with customers, vendors or employees.  Consequently the best foundation for branding your company to start with is your reputation for integrity.

Once you have determined what wording best defines the essence of your company’s values, you can write a “mission statement” that further defines your company from an overall standpoint.  Incorporating the values of your branding values, you can readily remind yourself, your employees, your customers and vendors of what you stand for in the marketplace.

If you need a good reference to start your thinking process for this exercise, read the Gospels and note how Jesus branded his company.  As you read His life story, you will see the Godly principles he operated in all the time.  History will repeat for you as it did for Jesus in that you will not be able to please everyone as hard as you may try.  But each and every day that reality will give you a chance to build the character and brand of not only your company but you too.  Afterall, the company is you just as Jesus was and is the church.

When you have your branding identified and your mission statement written, be sure and write it so that all your company can read it, understand it and run with it.  That document can become a constant reminder for all involved in your operation that your branding value (reputation) is only as good as your actions.   This platform for your company’s business behavior can be a very effective evangelistic tool. So go, spread the Gospel, and only use words if you have to! 

Rich Forster    KBJ Publisher

Ready for 2009!

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business, Business Consulting, business owner, Carthage Missouri, Christian, Christian Business Consulting, Christian Business Journal, christianity, Coaching, consulting, customer Service, encouragement, Faith, Finance, FREE, freedom, Kingdom Business Principles, leadership, Life, management, Mentoring, Religion, small business, success, time managment, work

The holiday season was so busy, and the new year has not slowed down much. I am sorry I have just not been in a blogging mood. I am now ready to get back at it. I have been working on my plans for the year and setting goals. My goal is to blog every other day.

I have been having some great things happening lately and some divine meetings. I met today with a new contact and had a great time. I met last week with several new folks and had awesome visits with them. The really good news is that each of these meetings are going to produce something great.
I am pumped and ready for 2009!

Comment and let me know how your 2009 has started.

If you need a little boost then join us Thursday night January 15, 2009 with our special guest, Randy Mayes from The Success Coach Network.

For more information CLICK HERE!

Blessings!

Lowell Lane

Networking – Is it for you?

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advertising, business, Chocolate Blues & Business, customer Service, marketing, Networking, relationships, Saladmaster, sales, Shepherds Guide, Springfield Mo

Yesterday I attended an awesome event, “Chocolate Blues & Business“.  What a combo!

This was a fun event held in the beautiful Tower Club in Springfield, Mo.  There was hundreds of people there and all kinds of vendors.  Everything from The Shepherds Guide Christian Yellow Pages to Saladmaster Cookware, and all kinds other products.

This was an unusual event for me because I was able to take my wife along.  I thought that she could use a bit of a change of scene from kids, the house, and Carthage.  Want to get her view of the event?

Are events like this for you?

Networking has many forms.  Social events, personal relationships, business acquaintances, customers, Internet social networking, and referrals.  You could do nothing but networking, and not get anything done.  You have to be selective, so I use a few simple criteria to select how I am going to do networking.

Who is your customer?

I work with The Shepherds Guide Christian yellow pages and my target customer is the Christian Business owner or Manager who makes buying decisions about advertising.

Where can you find them?

I am looking for places that companies go to get the word out about there businesses.  Home shows and fairs, Networking groups such as KBJ Network.  Events where pastors or lay leaders will be.  Family faith based events.  Christian concerts that have Christian vendors.

How do you get them interested in what you have?

What I look for is companies that in some way are displaying or stating that they are a Christian business’s.  Do they have a fish or scripture reference on there advertising or company vehicles?  Do they have Christian information displayed?  Are they openly talking about Christianity?

I hope these tips helped.

Be selective!  Be Productive!  Be Successful!

Blessings

Lowell

6 Core Business Principles

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Budgeting, customer Service, Finance, leadership, management, marketing, Marketplace Ministy, sales

Are you a business owner or manager?  As a business owner or manager there are many issues that have to be dealt with, but there are 6 core business principles.

1. Leadership/Management

2. Sales

3. Finance

4. Marketing

5. Customer Service

6. Marketplace Ministry

KBJ teaches Kingdom principles for SUCCESS and MINISTRY in the MARKETPLACE by sharing about these 6 core business principles.

Were you a part of the JOSEPH PROJECT? 

We did a series of Tele-Seminars called the Joseph Project… Dreams to Destiny.  We did a total of 18 Tele-Seminars each dealing with these 6 core business principles.

We interviewed many experts in their fields and Godly people.  They were awesome!

If you missed out, KBJ will be offering this series again in a format called KBJ University. 

KBJ University will utilize these Tele-Seminars and offer a worksheet and other resources to help you study and apply these 6 core business principles. 

If you are interested in this and don’t want to miss out on KBJ University then go to: http://kingdombusinessjournal.net

SIGN UP AND WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE LIST.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

RELATIONSHIP MARKETING

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Author, business, customer Service, family, Kingdom Principles, Kristie Tamsevicius, Life, marketing, Relationship Marketing, sales, speaker

What is relationship marketing.  Building relationships takes time, patients, and consistency. 

We had a great Tele-Seminar with Kristie Tamsavicius   Our topic was sales but we talked about using Relationship Marketing to increase sales.  Kristie T, ” If you’d like to pick up a few tips on how to create close knit relationships with the people in your network that turns into a lifelong stream of steady business, you’ll definitely want to tune in”.  

It was an awesome time and very valuable information.  

Lowell

 

   

Leadership and Management

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business owner, Business Start-up, customer Service, Finance, Home Based business, Leader, leadership, management, marketing, New Business, Owner, Relationship, Religion, Retail, sales, small business

What is your definition of Leadership?

What are others definition of Leadership?  Let’s see….

 

Wikipedia defines leadership : “the ability of an individual to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organizations of which they are members”. Organizationally, leadership directly impacts the effectiveness of costs, revenue generation, service, satisfaction, earnings, market value, share price, social capital, motivation, engagement and sustainability. Leadership is the ability of an individual to set rules for others and lead from the front. It is an attitude that influences the environment around us.

 

Today I am starting a series of post with audio lessons about 6 core business principles.

Today I am sharing about Leadership and Management. 

 

Won’t you join me for our Founder Rich Forster talking about this topic.  Click HERE.

 

I hope you enjoy this.  Tuesday I will post another recorded message about Leadership and Management from a local business owner, Larry Ingracia.

Lowell Lane

 

A place to get all your business questions answered!

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Business Consulting, business owner, business questions, customer Service, family, Finance, Free Business Coaching, Free Business Consulting, Free Christian Business Consulting, Home Based business, Home Business, leadership, management, marketing, Mentoring, questions, Religion, sales, Start up business, work at home

 

IF THERE WAS A RESOURCE WHERE YOU COULD FIND THE ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR BUSINESS QUESTIONS AND RECEIVE KINGDOM PRINCIPLE BASED MENTORING………WOULD THAT BE VALUABLE TO YOU?

WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THOSE VERY SUCCESS PRINCIPLES WITH YOU.  OUR STAFF OF WRITERS AND EXPERTS ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT SIX CORE BUSINESS SUBJECTS THAT WE FEEL ADDRESS THE HEART AND SOUL OF BUSINESS NEEDS TODAY.   THOSE CORE SUBJECTS FOR SUCCESS AND MINISTRY IN THE MARKETPLACE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

2. SALES

3. MARKETING

4. FINANCE AND BUDGETING

5. SERVICE

6. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

 WE BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY OF YOU IN THE BUSINESS WORLD THAT COULD USE A MENTOR.  WE HAVE A STAFF OF LEADERS WHOSE CHARACTER, WISDOM AND FAITH IN GOD CAN BE YOUR TEMPLATE FOR SUCCESS AND AN EXAMPLE TO EMULATE.  WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER YOU ANOINTED INFORMATION FROM THE WORD OF GOD AND WISDOM FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF OUR EXPERTS TO HELP YOU AVOID THE LANDMINES OF DEFEAT AND DISCOURAGEMENT AND ACCOMPLISH YOUR PROMISED BLESSINGS AND DIVINE DESTINY.

IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF CLICK HERE.

 

Blessings,

Lowell Lane

50 years 0f Customer Service

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50 Years, customer Service, Gas, Gasoline, Loyal, loyal customers, marketing, relationships, Service, Service Stations

Filler up please, and could you check the oil?  When was the last time you pulled to the pump and a nice smiling face greeted you and asked if you would like it filled today?  Jerry Reither has been asking that with a smile the last, almost 50 years. 

In 1959 Jerry Reither started working Part-time at the local gas station at 10th and Garrison in Carthage, Missouri.  In 1962, after graduation, Jerry started working Full-time at the station.  In 1964 Jeryy bought the station and stayed at the location at 10th and Garrison for 15 years.  In 1979 Jerry moved to his current location at 4th and Garrison. 

Jerry still pumps the gas, washes the windshield, checks the oil, checks the tire pressure, and charges .20 more per gallon.  So why does he have business, RELATIONSHIPS.  Jerry has served some of his clients the whole time he has been in business.  Some of his clients parents and grandparents where his customers.  This type of CUSTOMER SERVICE is what brings them back.  Jerry goes the extra mile and serves the customer as he always has, and it is his choice.  He could charge less for the gas, let you pump it, and try to compete with the big guys, but GAS that is NOT what he is selling.

About 95% of Jerry’s customers are women.  They come to Jerry because of the relationships and knowing that someone still cares enough to take care of them.  Jerry also has about 30 commercial accounts, many of which have done business with Jerry for years. 

In 2009, Jerry will celebrate 50 Years of Customer Service. 

HOW IS YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE?

 Lowell Lane

 

Tele Seminar

Tags

Budgeting, Coaching, consulting, customer Service, Finance, Home Based business, Internet Marketing, leadership, management, marketing, Marketplace Ministry, Relationship Marketing, sales, Service

Hello,

It has been a crazy day. I have been on the phone most of the day with authors and confirming speakers for our new series of Tele Seminars called the Joseph Project.

Tonight we interviewed Randy Mayes, The Success Coach and founder of The Success Coach Network. Great interview, if you did not get to hear it, click HERE.

We have many great speakers coming up on areas of Sales, Marketing, Finance, Service, and Marketplace Ministry.  You don’t want to miss any of these messages.

Go ahead and check them out!

Lowell Lane