Common Sense?

Common sense....often times I hear someone say."Don't they have any common sense"? The obvious answer is "No"
Because common sense isn't something someone just has.  We're not born with common sense. It has to be taught and shown examples of. For generations now, it simply hasn't been. Why? I really can't answer that except to  conclude that somewhere over time people just got tired of thinking things out and decided to just do whatever was easiest and damn the consequences.  I've related a story countless times to not only my children, but others who have posed that question outlined at the beginning of this piece.
I dated a gal for a short time many years ago who had a young son. His bedroom was an absolute disaster. You basically couldn't see the floor. I being something of a neat freak apparently intimidated this girlfriend into trying to get her son to clean up his room. She would send him in there time after time to clean up but he would inevitably end up sitting on the side of his bed staring at the wall. You know, that deer in the headlight stare. The girlfriend would say to me "I don't get it. By this age you'd think he'd have enough common sense to see how messy his room is and want to fix it"
I finally gave in to my temptation and sat her down one afternoon for a chat. Her own room wasn't anything to shout about either though she tried hard to impress me with her limited domestic abilities.
I asked her if she had ever...I mean EVER gone into his room and showed him HOW to clean his room? After some thought she conceded that "No, not really "showed" him but told him what to do. Of course for most of his formative years he had only to glance into his Mom's room for the example.
Expecting people to behave in a certain way means that you believe that they may have been taught to, yet sadly that is not necessarily nor even commonly the case. So the next time you see young people or even adults behaving badly and you ask " Don't these people have any common sense"?
Chances are they don't and it's not their fault.

Bob Villoria  is an experienced Sales and Marketing consultant with over 45 years experience who helps business owners get more clients through social media marketing. He is also a personal and business development coach/mentor with an online practice available at RMVCARD.com 
Also a writer of horror fiction.

Assumption Junction

Article provided by Bob Villoria - Mentor/ Social Media PublicistJeanna Gabellini Level: Platinum Jeanna Gabellini, is a Master Business Coach who assists high achieving entrepreneurs, corporate leaders & their teams to leverage fun, systems and intentionality for high-octane ...

We've all heard how making an assumption of another person "makes an ass out of you and me." (Ass u me) Yet, people still make assumptions all the time about why a person did or didn't do something and what they will do in the future. Many of the stories that are made up about people are so far off target, but assumptions continue to be made.

You can spend a lot of unproductive time wondering why something happened, especially if you know attraction principles. You assume it was this thought or that thought that created your negative circumstances...again, many times your guesses are far off base.

However, there is great place for assumptions in your life. Assuming that you are going to get exactly what you want leads to consistent results. Assuming that the game of manifestation is never over, even when the rule book says so, will get you everything you want at any time.

Don't assume...

You won't make your financial goal this month or year.

Assume instead…

You will.

Don't assume...

Your health will decline as you get older.

Assume...

It will improve.

Don’t assume

That employees are hard to manage.

Assume

You will attract the IDEAL team.

Don’t assume

That a BIG goal would be a miracle to achieve.

Assume

It's normal for you to achieve it.

Don’t assume

That there is not enough time.

Assume

There is an abundance of time.

Don’t assume

You have to do it all by yourself.

Assume

The Universe has your back.

Don’t assume

You have to sacrifice your own needs for clients.

Assume

Your ideal clients will honor you.

Don’t assume

You are stuck in a rut.

Assume

The time is now for a breakthrough.

Don’t assume

You can't afford it.

Assume

You can and the money will come.

Assumptions are happening hundreds of times a day and you don't even notice. Make it your practice to tune into your assumptions. See if each one serves you or creates a roadblock. A good assumption keeps the door not only open to possibility but ensures success.

If you think it's not as easy as this, you're wrong. But you'll end up being right if you keep assuming things are hard work or impossible. Catch my drift?

No more excuses. No more yucky assumptions. It's time for an assumption revolution within you. Assume that you are worthy of all good things and that by you choosing your own rules that feel good, miracles WILL be an everyday occurrence.

If you would like some help in looking at things with a little different perspective, contact me today at rmvcard@aol.com

Bob Villoria  is an experienced Sales and Marketing consultant with over 45 years experience who helps business owners get more clients through social media marketing. He is also a personal and business development coach/mentor with an online practice available at RMVCARD.com 

Don't chase money...

So very often I hear about this business or that business holding huge receivables for overdue amounts that should have been paid either up front or on time. I saw it in the radio biz when I was on the radio and I've seen it time and time again. Owners lamenting about how they signed up a client who supposedly all with good intent promised to pay their first billing on time, only to have them either string it out for months or not pay at all. Nobody works for free. If you're not collecting at least 50% up front at signing, you're setting yourself up for weeks if not months of possibly chasing money. Never have I seen it as often as I have over the years, with businesses and individuals signing on for someone to do their social media. Because of the realistic time frame for seeing any results from social media marketing, so many individuals and businesses alike think nothing is being done on their behalf. One can spit out all the "jargon" and "analytics" they want, but if the client doesn't see instant gratification in too many cases they believe that not enough if any work is being done. And as I have heard too often, that client tends to not want to pay for the work that has already been done.
If I have a client who balks at paying up front, I simply explain that 
a. Why it takes more time than they may imagine to realize ROI yet I will be working all that time and... 
b. If they are not satisfied and I have to do more work, it's easier for me to make up any additional postings, etc. than it is for me to have to chase money. In most cases, the client understands and agrees.
So my advise is to always collect 30%, to 50% up front when signing a new client. That way if you do have someone go "south" on you, they have at least paid for a solid portion of the work you have completed.

How do you know if it works...

So very often the question arises from clients..."How do I know if my Social media efforts are working"?
I like to say that many of the old methods of tracking it are more effective than not.
To that end, I came across this article which really says what I've been saying for a long time and I would like to share it with you. My thanks and acknowledgment to Kimberly Yuhl for hitting the nail right on the head...

Social Media ROI for Small BusinessSEPTEMBER 16, 2013 BY Kimberly Yuhl

It seems as if every social media expert is advising how to measure the Return on Investment (ROI) with relation to hours and costs associated with marketing using social media. ROI is important to justify the budget for consultancy costs or additional personnel to big business. I contend that social media ROI for the small business owner means something entirely different.

The biggest cost to small businesses using social media as a marketing tool is time. So the question becomes less about money and more about the value of their time. This doesn’t mean that ROI isn’t relevant, it just means it has a different meaning and different metrics to the small business owner than it does to big business.

Measuring Social Media ROI

As a small business owner, measuring Social Media ROI may leave you feeling like you are chasing an elusive number. The reality is you are. Instead of measuring ROI, set goals around things you can actually measure such as:

• How many customers converse with you through your blog or Facebook page?
• How many customers made a repeat purchase last month?
• How many customers reviewed your business or product on Yelp?

Customer engagement is something that is important to the success of your business and is pretty easy to measure – as long as your goals are specific. For instance, the number of likes on a Facebook page are not as important as the number of customers that take the time to like or comment on a post.

Key Performance Indicators

When you measure items that speak to customer engagement you are actually measuring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This is different from ROI and there is a strong case for the small business owner to use KPIs instead of ROI to measure the effectiveness of their social media efforts. A small business owner is involved in every aspect of the day to day business and as such will be able to make a correlation between an increase in certain KPIs and the value it adds.

As with anything new, it can seem overwhelming and impossible to add another thing to your already over-scheduled day. Tracking this type of information can help you hone your social media efforts to activities and networks that actually add value. After some time, you will see patterns emerge that will prove helpful. Look for information that will point you towards the type of content, time of day and the social networks that increase your customer engagement. With this kind of valuable information, you will know where, when and how to spend your time. In the end, you will know you are getting your money’s worth and isn’t that what ROI is all about?

Your Action Item

Choose three customer engagement measurement goals and track those goals every week for three months. At the end of three months evaluate the data and determine if your efforts are resulting in increased engagement. If not, it might be time to alter your strategy.

If you find that "time" is not on your side in creating a social media campaign for your small business, give me a shout. I will help your small business get more visibility immediately.

Bob V.

This is for the guys out there...

I'm not usually one for coupon clipping or bargain shopping, I leave that for my wife but I found something that we guys should really be aware of that I felt compelled to pass along.
I HATE SHAVING! There, I've said it. But unless I want to eventually look like a neanderthal, I have gone through this ritual every other morning (I will not subject my face to this everyday) of shaving off all the stubble on my face. I tried a mustache once...LOL...hahahaha...no.
So I think it was sometime last year, as I was at Walmart buying my usual pkg. of Mach something blades, mumbling and cursing under my breath at the ridiculous cost for simply 5 blades. especially when time after time they wear out so quickly I usually end up sacrificing a pint or two of blood. (Okay, so I'm prone to exaggeration but you get the idea) Seriously though, one blade might get me two maybe three shaves before it starts tearing at my face. And usually appears rusty. Never a good thing to scrape your face with anything rusty.
On this particular occasion, my lovely wife of near 30 years said to me..."Why don't you try these women's blades. They're Wilkerson, which are better and I found that I get many more shaves per blade than 3 or 4"
I looked at the package...6 blades...around 5 bucks..I though What the heck! I'll try it. Would you believe I'm getting 5 sometimes 6 shaves from these little pink babies every time. Once I even got eight clean shaves before I just figured I JUST HAD to throw it out and reach for another one.
Now I know, some of you guys might have a problem with the pink packaging and all, but if you're serious about

• a. saving money and 
• b. getting more shaves per blade, 

...then you really need to check this out. I mean it's so unnecessary to pay as much as $8 - $9 even $12 for blades that work once or twice. It's called planned obsolescence and we men have been buying into it for years.
Okay so I've deviated sharply from my usual thoughts on sales & marketing, business visibility, my writing, and even my Mentoring practice but really guys, isn't it time we put our foot down and say "I'm not gonna put up with this rip off any longer and if this is a good alternative, I'm gonna take it"
I did and I'm clean shaven and saving a pretty penny each year as a result.
Happy Shaving

The Peter Principle

Definition of 'Peter Principle'

An observation that in an organizational hierarchy, every employee will rise or get promoted to his or her level of incompetence. The Peter Principle is based on the notion that employees will get promoted as long as they are competent, but at some point will fail to get promoted beyond a certain job because it has become too challenging for them. Employees rise to their level of incompetence and stay there. Over time, every position in the hierarchy will be filled by someone who is not competent enough to carry out his or her new duties.

Have you experienced this where you work?

Getting it fixed...

We've all been there at some time or another. Vehicles broken down in the driveway or worse yet, at the office. Who ya gonna call?
Up north I had a mobile mechanic who often came right to my home and or office and fixed whatever it was right there. Convenience? Priceless!
Well, I found one right here in Vegas yesterday that I have to say, is incredibly professional, prompt and courteous. Unheard of right? Mobile Mechanics of Las Vegas is who you need to call whenever you are stuck with your vehicle at home or at work. Steve, the owner is one honest guy and immediately sent one of his mechanics named Darryl out to fix my Jeep which had mysteriously decided not to start.  In less than a half an hour, Darryl zeroed in on the problem and fixed it immediately. He even had his pregnant wife in tow as he was heading home. I am blown away by yet another terrific service provided by yet another honest and reputable guy. Not something you find everyday.
I strongly recommend Steve and his crew at Mobile Mechanics of Las Vegas any time you find yourself in a similar situation. I know I will be using them again and will be gladly referring them often.
If you give Steve a call...tell him Bob sent you.

Adjusting to life here in Las Vegas has been interesting if nothing else. After the incredible adventures of moving here we immediately get hit with record breaking heat. Usual high temps up around Lake Tahoe in the high 70s, maybe an occasional 80 - 85. It's already been over 100 degrees here I think 15, 17 days, and this coming weekend is supposed to be 115, 117? YIKES!

Well, one good thing...I'm forced to stay in and write.

Wrote a letter for a client the other day having trouble with a return or a refund. I do that for folks who find it hard to write one themselves. Anyway, seems harder and harder to find companies that practice good old customer service and stand behind there products. It seems to me as I've worked with owners and managers over the years, that people no longer want to be in business for the long haul. Too bad. They too often lose sight of the big picture.
Speaking of "picture". Is this one comfortable dog or what?  Ahhhh...air conditioning. "Luv hangin' out in Dad's office".

Had my daughter @NikkiVilloria over today to help spiff up the new blog page a little. She just did a photo shoot for a guy that restores older cars? WOW! Very cool cars. She gets the coolest photog jobs. But not surprising. She has such an eye for photography it's uncanny.

Well, gotta go put together some content for a client and then do some posting for them.

If you have a small business and want a little more exposure? Give me a call or email me.

702-466-9697 or rmvcard@aol.com 

Gonna try and get this this at least once a week or as something "hits" me.

The First of Many

...and so begins the first of many blog posts.