The Bastion Blog

Sales are king...

One of the most valuable lessons that I've learned since becoming a business owner is that no matter how good the intentions, how good the idea, how great the product - if you don't have sales, your business will not survive.

This is one of those areas where you may want to consider that truly successful people, surround themselves with people who do things better than them.  What I mean by that is very simple.  I was under the impression that since I'm a good listener when it comes to sitting down with a potential client and taking the time to truly understand their needs, that the sales would just be a natural course of events.

However, I was sadly mistaken.  Not because of my abilities, but because I cannot stand cold calling and/or taking that initial step to get someone to speak with me.  I've always been good at empathy and sympathy and quite frankly, I can't stand when a telemarketer calls me or when a pushy salesperson tries to sell me something.  I never wanted to be that guy.

So my thought process led me to believe that if I took the alternate route and just kind of waited for those opportune moments to discuss a potential client's needs, that the business would just happen.

Unfortunately, that's not the case in most instances and the reality is more like "out of sight, out of mind."  So, you've got to find the happy medium of being in front of potential clients but not putting them off because you're too pushy.

The solution in my opinion?  Find someone who is better at sales than you and let them do their thing.  The good news about the economy being in shambles is that there are all kinds of qualified individuals out there just waiting to make their next mark on the business world.

Starting Over

If I only knew then what I know now...I probably would have never started a business that provided home inventory services for people.  Who was I to think that people would actually want to have a bit of assurance for their insurance?  Really what was I thinking?

That is the battle I go through on a daily basis as I sit here nearly 2 years after the fact and wondering what's on the horizon.

And so begins the next phase of this blog.  Before this, I pulled my hair out on a daily basis trying to come up with interesting material about the home inventory business, market and potential.  It only fell on deaf ears to the point that I just grew tired of trying.

Now this blog has become my outlet to just vent.  Vent about my frustration with this horrible joke of an economy that we're all navigating, vent about the lack of interest by the general public when it comes to taking proactive steps to avoid bad situations, and lastly just to vent about trying to keep the doors open when all the indicators seem to point to a much more dismal ending.

So everyday, I'm going to post something related to owning a business here and everyday, I'm going to be looking for a new audience to provide their opinion.  I know that I'm going to be disliked by some, commiserating with others and even just plain ignored by some...but if this blog helps even one business owner succeed, then I'll know I've done the right thing...

Doing your part to save the economy

It goes without saying that for many of us, this economic climate is unlike anything we've ever seen or at least been old enough to understand (1982 - was a rough economic year according to research).

There has been a lot of talk about change and there seems to be a wave of government intervention/help on its way.  But should we rely solely on that assistance or is there something we can individually do?

President Obama made a call to Americans to do their part and volunteer but many are wondering how that can actually help the economy.

I read a great article in the New York Times that is very similar to a plan that we're rolling out here at Bastion HBS.  It's certainly worth the read and reminds us of our own accountability.

Volunteer To Save the Economy

What will 2009 bring for you?

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions for me.  I was truly touched by the shear number of people showing their support for our 44th President.  I was motivated by the spirit of forward movement that seemed to be displayed.  I was impressed by the amount of technology associated with the connection to the inauguration.

It seems such a contrast to the dismal news coming from the market and those that aren't happy about the new administration.

One thing is certain. No matter which way you lean from a political perspective, and that is, if we want to reverse the downward spiral that we're facing as a country, we have to put petty differences aside and work together to make things right.

A valuable piece of information that was shared with us, I'll share with you.  No matter how bad things get, don't let the fear paralyze you into inactivity.

I received what I thought was one of the best emails from our Director of Video/Photography in our commercial video production division (Visual Alliance Media) where he said:

"If you sit back and do NOTHING, you reduce the possibility of achieving EVERYTHING"