The Numbers In Your Business
Working my way through application after application, as I sat on my porch listening to the birds early in the morning, I had tears on several occasions. Now before you think it’s because I’m a woman and I’m emotional let me just challenge you that when you peer into the lives and hearts of so many people you receive a gift that few will ever experience.
I began to think back on my years in business…..
The last 15 years of working online connecting with people all over the world. Years that demanded I prospect by phone the old fashioned way. Years that required client care all be done by phone, because that is what people wanted the most. Then the move towards email and all the communications coming through an "In Box". Forums, bulletin boards, then social media groups and more. The way we connect, changing and growing every single year, but one thing remained the same through all the changes. People….it's all about people. Each one with their own story, their own desires and reasons for wanting to start their own business.
Business has given me an intensive case study about people. Learning about people, what motivates them, causes them to lose sleep at night, what drives them crazy and they just won’t give up on and what gives them hope despite a multitude of challenges.
I began to think on the many times I’d hear a leader or coach say that making money in business is ‘just a numbers game.’ They would share the fact that if you close 5 leads a week to earn more money you simply had to close 5 more. Then…. they would give their formula for closing 20. All of which worked and were valid. But only a few along the way would say what was in my heart at that moment last Thursday morning. Few truly see the reality of who these ‘numbers’ are.
Behind every call, behind every lead, behind every opt in and email that we have the privilege of serving is a life.
When I hear that it’s just a ‘numbers game’ I cringe. Sometimes I get mad! Because you see, these so-called numbers are someone’s father, someone’s mother, someone’s son, daughter, sister and brother. Behind every single number and name on your list of clients, with that group of people who connect with you on Facebook and Twitter… is a story, a passion and a dream.
As I peered through the applications I knew the reality was that only 10-15% would ever be qualified even from the starting point. There’s always a 10% in every company. Doesn’t matter if you are the White House or Wal-Mart, an online marketing firm or a social media marketing team. There’s a 10% that leads the charge.
Sadly, there were very few who were actually serious business owners and business focused. The others had dreams, passions and hopes but would never take the steps to getting to where their destiny could lead. The others would be amazing people, lovely families and wonderful human beings, but course after course, book after book and seminar after seminar they would never put into action more than 5% of what they learned. Nor would they believe it could work for them.
To be honest….. I just did all of these. My hope is that you got the message. And….that you never look at the saying, “It’s just a numbers game” quite the same again.
