The Wizard Times

Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions.
- Albert Einstein

Think Differently
by Clay Campbell

I received this note from Glen, an electrician. Glen needed help and advice for his business. I believe many business owners can relate to Glen's situation. I don't believe that cheap wins every time, but I do believe that you can get into a rut in your thinking and it's hard to get out of it. In my book 101 Ideas to Market Your Business in a Poor Economy, I give a case study in which we talk of the principal of adding something more. By using the principal of adding something more, we increased our sales by 250% over the last 6 years.

Here is Glen's letter:

Hi Clay,

Received the books you sent.... really appreciate that. Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to keep this business afloat long enough to use your services.

I need to be doing about $10,000 a week to make it... and last year, averaged about $10,000 a month.

We have too many competitors who are grossly undercharging for their services.... I know it, but they don't have a clue. I wish that I could coach them and show them the error of their ways, but, I tried that before and they don't want to hear the truth. So, the customer has two choices: a quality contractor who understands how to run a business and take care of the customer or a hundred competitors who are cheap. Cheap wins every time.

Anyway, thanks again for the books and your suggestions.

Sincerely,
Glen
Your Ethical Reliable Choice for Electrical Repairs

I replied to Glen:

I have a friend here that is a plumber that bills out about $150,000 per year, has one truck and one employee (His wife). After the cost of his supplies, he and his wife make about $80,000. Got a another friend who has one truck, and does electrical contracting, he clears and nets about $50,000 per year.

There are many ideas you could use in my books; combine them with the talent you already have, a positive attitude, and hard work. If you do that, you could make a real good living.

You just need to think differently. It's hard to read the label when you are on the inside of the bottle, so think differently. A good book can help you to do that; better yet... a visit to The Wizard Academy. I recommend another book for you: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Also look at my recommended reading list.

I have had a Country Music Theatre for 22 years here. Last year I started doing bus trips taking senior citizens to places like Branson Mo, Nashville TN and The Great Smokey Mountains. After paying all expenses, I made a little over $20,000 cash just on the Bus trips.

You and your wife get together, and figure out some way that you can do something, that goes along with what you are already doing, that can add extra income by providing a service or product that people really want.

My Best to you
Mr. C

Perhaps now would be a good time to have a complimentary meeting with a Wizard of Ads Partner. Links to their websites and blogs are listed down the right side of The Wizard Times. Hundreds of their articles with free insightful advice can been seen at www.americansmallbusiness.com 2009 would be a great year to attend a class at the Wizard Academy 21st Century Business School in Austin Texas. What is the Wizard Academy?

See you next week.

Clay Campbell
Wizard of Ads

PS. Need help to attract more customers and grow your business?