e-ret@iler
July 2000
Sent to you at your request by Tom Shay and Profits Plus Seminars
Visit our website at www.profitsplus.org

We have all seen those owners and managers who seem to always be in control of the situation. We often think they are the most profitable, and we expect them to have the very best employees. It just looks like everything is going their way. From meeting those individuals who fit into that category, my experience is to tell you they are in that position because they made a conscious decision to be there.

Recently, I found another article that seemed to document what it is that these individuals are doing. From Entrepreneur magazine, here are the 5 signs of an optimistic entrepreneur. If you fit this category, congratulations! And, with this list we hope to provide you with an outline of how to duplicate yourself.

If being a part of this group is your goal, may I suggest you print a couple copies of this edition of e-ret@iler and post them in the places you are most likely to stop for a moment (like the bathroom mirror and next to your desk)

Again, from Entrepreneur magazine, the five signs of an optimistic entrepreneur are:

1. You have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. If someone were to wake you from a deep sleep, and ask you what your goal is, you would be able to list the various points without hesitation.

2. You spend more than 50% of your time working toward that vision. Remember the definition of crisis management - spending more than 25% of your day solving problems that did not exist when the day started. As you free yourself from crisis management, and delegate tasks to others working with you, you can spend time getting you and your business to go where you want.

3. You take 100% responsibility for your successes and failures. This is not bragging, but when someone compliments you on your business, you can proudly state how it was accomplished. I think of the owner whose entire staff are excellent employees, but claims they were "just lucky" to find them.

Instead, the optimistic entrepreneur takes full credit for their success as well as full responsibility for any failures.

4. You avoid "emotional vampire" people. This group can consist of family members, friends, and employees. These are the folks who always see the negative side of things, and then make sure they tell you how you should expect failure. These folks just eat your time, and your energy.

5. You ooze confidence and have a can do attitude. (Simply stated, and needing no further explanation.)

The free article download that is added to the website for July deals with the topic of direct mail. In the past twenty years, direct mail has become one of the most popular forms of advertising. In the July article, an excerpt from our new book "What does Tom say?", we share with you a list of ideas that can help you "tune up" your direct mail.

With many e-mail programs, you can click on the link at the end of this sentence to go immediately to that page on our website. Making Your Direct Mail Work

We haven't mentioned it in the last couple of months; Click on the link at the end of this paragraph, and you can take a 20 questions, multiple choice "pop quiz" to see where you stand with regard to business management and operation. It is free for you to enjoy and improve your business knowledge.
Retail Test

Thank you for allowing us to visit your computer this month, and taking the time to read our newsletter. We trust you have received some business building ideas from it, as we look forward to seeing you again next month.

Get your profits plus,
Tom Shay