I was recently given a copy of a fascinating book, Attracting Perfect Customers: The Power of Strategic Synchronicity by Stacey Hall and Jan Brogniez. If you've read this blog before, you'll know that this book is right up my alley--business-oriented and yet completely attuned to the spiritual principles and practices that are the foundation of building a satisfying, rewarding life.

One of the processes they describe results in a Strategic Attraction Plan. One aspect of that plan is a description of your perfect customer. You're encouraged to read this description daily and add to it whenever you experience a quality or characteristic that you desire to have in your customers. It's a refreshing way to build a values-based business, attracting and serving customers that satisfy you.

You're also encouraged to begin to acknowledge and appreciate your existing customers for the qualities that make them your perfect customers. And, of course, if a customer is less than perfect, you're encouraged to release them. I love the idea that we want to serve customers that are a perfect fit for us and let go the ones that should be working with other consultants.

It's been a pleasure to reflect on the characteristics of my perfect customers and I thought you might be interested in knowing what they are:

My perfect customer (in no particular order):

Laughs with me about life.
Shares feelings and thoughts openly.
Trusts me and my experience.
Appreciates the creativity and innovation of our products and services.
Collaborates with us to accomplish their goals.
Is honest and open about challenges and rewards.
Wants to have a relationship with me and my team.
Takes risks and tries new things.
Cares about our business success.
Use our consulting services and our training services.
Pays us on time every time.
Enjoys paying us what we're worth.
Pays upfront and in full.
Refers us to others often.
Has a balanced, healthy orientation to life and work.
Wants to work with us from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Makes decisions confidently and easily.
Returns emails and phone calls promptly.
Sings our praises to others.
Appears in case studies and testimonials.
Thinks of me as a friend who cares about their success.
Values my insights and my perspective.
Plans carefully and thoroughly before launching a new training program.
Uses the tools we offer (e.g. our Best Practices Guide)
Is committed to succeeding through collaboration.
Recognizes the value of facilitated, adult learning.
Believes in post-class, web-based reinforcement as a way to increase retention and behavior change.

I could go on much longer and, in my own notes, I have! But I think you get the idea. I'm delighted to say that my clarity about who want to serve has attracted some marvelous new clients who are just perfect for us! If you'd like to be one of them, please call me at 877-517-5271, or email me at cclay@netspeedleadership.com.

Posted by Cynthia Clay at 12:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I haven't put my thoughts out into the blogosphere in almost two months. Why? We've been immersed in product development activities here at NetSpeed Leadership. I confess, as an entrepreneurial type, I get the most juice from the creative process.

The two biggest projects capturing my attention: Launching the NetSpeed Leadership webinar series (coming up on April 24) and completing 54 NetSpeed Leadership podspots with my friend and colleague, Dan Kennedy. You can check out some prototypes at our website; however these are merely examples of where we're headed. (They're not supported by graphic design, music, or interesting video in the prototype version.)

If you had asked me four years ago what new product or service we might launch in Spring 2007, I would not have imagined that we would be creating podcasts. I dipped my toe in the pond and jumped in with both feet! Dan and I have collaborated to write 54 short spots about a variety of workplace issues. They're fresh, funny, and educational. Mind you, we're clear that podcasting is not training because there is no skill development or practice; however, these are rich, focused options for a generation that prefers to access and filter information just in time.

Once we launch the podspot page at NetSpeed Coach, clients will be able to download audio versions (with background music) to their desktop, an MP3 player or iPod. If a client prefers, they can view a video version at their desktop.

Where I'm having the most fun at the moment is using avatar models in the video versions. One definition of an avatar is "a graphical image of a user intended to make the computing or network environment a more friendly place." So Dan has his graphical image and I have mine. We're both better looking, younger and more intelligent as our avatar selves. Their purpose is to make the podspot a bit more attention-getting (since many of us need that visual stimulation).

While we're on the topic of entertaining e-learning projects, I also want to announce that Leo Brodie will be joining NetSpeed Leadership as our Technical Services Director. We have so much interest at the moment in co-branding our learning portals, customizing our web tools, and custom-designing post-class reinforcement, Leo's skills will be in high demand. Come back in a few weeks and you'll be able to access our new podspots at the website. I can't wait.

Posted by Cynthia Clay at 01:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)