Visit the New Home of The HBB Connection Blog

If you're wondering what happened, no worries, I haven't packed up and left town. :-)

The HBB Connection has simply moved to a new home at www.thehbbsource.com/hbbconnection

The decision was made to bring everything under one roof and simplify efforts.

Take a gander over to my new blog and catch up on the latest resources and opportunities for the aspiring home business owner.

I'll see you on the other side ...

Laurie Hayes

Finding Joy After Relationships Fail - Where Does Home Business Fit In?

Join me and Maureen Staiano of www.achieveyourdreamcoaching.com as we discuss the option of starting a home business while in the process of starting life over as a single person or parent.

Maureen invited me as a guest on her radio show, "Finding Joy After Relationships Fail" where I shared helpful pieces of advice and valuable resources on where to begin and what to look out for as you begin your journey into home-based business.

You too can benefit from our discussion and may access the recording dated 8/13/07 at http://www.contacttalkradio.com/hosts/archives/staiano.htm

I'd love to hear your comments on the show, so please enjoy the listen and return here to post your feedback.

Yours in Success,
Laurie Hayes

Don't Throw It Out. Freecyle It!

Thanks to Denise O'Berry over at AllBusiness.com, I was introduced to a little gem of a service that not only encourages the practice of giving and sharing, but is protecting the environment through reducing waste and demands on our natural resources.

The service is called Freecycle™ and its platform allows consumers to faciliate the recycling of perfectly good items instead of tossing them into landfill sites.

Freecycle can be invaluable to you as a home-based entrepreneur and the concept has been embraced worldwide, generating thousands of local groups in more than 50 countries.

Freecycle works through e-mail lists where members post items they wish to give away or receive.

Need a new printer, chair, desk or bookshelf? This just might be your lucky day.

Find out what the Freecycle network offers in your area. Turn your trash into treasure while discovering a few treasures of your own. :)

Laurie

Masters Of The Secret - FREE Online Course

To support you as you follow-up on the teachings from the hit movie, The Secret, Bill Harris, one of the teachers in the movie and the creator of Centerpointe has put together an extraordinary online course titled, "Masters of The Secret."

This FREE online course reveals the most powerful concepts and practical information about how to implement The Secret in your life — and how to get all the benefits, right now.

Jack Canfield, Lisa Nichols, Michael Beckwith, James Ray, Hale Dwoskin, John Assaraf, and Joe Vitale join Bill Harris and together they introduce you to the transformational power of the Law of Attraction.

These same people — who you've seen in the movie as well as on Oprah, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Larry King Live, and The Montel Williams Show — will be your teachers.

This program is slated to sell for $79.95, but because Bill believes so strongly in getting more people to master The Law of Attraction, he's willing to pass this information on to as many people as he can for FREE! But only for a limited time ...

Don't miss your opportunity to master the secret to creating incredible happiness, inner peace, and personal success. I urge you to register now at Masters of The Secret.

You'll enjoy eight weekly lessons, each featuring an unedited, spontaneous conversation between Bill and one of his Secret co-stars as they show you exactly how to apply The Law of Attraction to your life.

I've gone through the entire program and downloaded the recorded calls into my iPod. I'm amazed I haven't worn out the battery because I've listened to several of those interviews over and over and over again.

The content is really THAT powerful.

I want YOUR life and business to be the best they can be and believe the Masters of The Secret program will play a pivotal role in making it happen.

Enjoy the program. It costs you nothing and may contain that one nugget of wisdom that dramatically alters your life forever.

Love and Abundance,
Laurie

Developing The Thank You Note Habit

I constantly stress the importance of building personal relationships with customers and prospects through greeting and post cards because it is the highest performing activity to massively grow your list of top notch referrals.

Today, I'd like to share someone else's commentary on this relationship building strategy. His name is Tom Hopkins of Tom Hopkins International Inc.

Enjoy. :-)

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"I learned the value and power of thank you notes early in life. When I was a young child, my parents occasionally went out with friends for dinner. Invariably, when my parents returned from an evening out, I saw my mother sit down at her little desk in the hallway as soon as she got home and begin to write. One night I asked her what she was doing. Her answer came straight out of Emily Post: “We had such a wonderful time with our dear friends this evening that I want to jot them a note to thank them for their friendship and the wonderful dinner.” My mother’s simple act of gratitude, expressed to people who already knew that she and my father appreciated and enjoyed their friendship, helped to keep my parents’ friendships strong for their entire lifetimes.

Because I understood that building relationships is what selling is all about, I began early in my career to send thank you notes to people. I set a goal to send ten thank you notes every day. That goal meant that I had to meet and get the names of at least ten people every day. I sent thank you notes to people I met briefly, people I showed properties to, people I talked with on the telephone, and people I actually helped to own new homes. I became a thank you note fool. And guess what happened? By the end of my third year in sales, my business was 100% referrals! The people I had expressed gratitude to were happy to send me new clients as a reward for making them feel appreciated and important.

I understand that you may not be comfortable at first with starting the Thank You note habit so I took the time to write out ten situations in which sending a Thank You note is appropriate. Then, to help you even more, I’ve drafted the notes for you.

1. Telephone contact. Thank you for talking with me on the telephone. In today’s business world, time is precious. You can rest assured that I will always be respectful of the time you invest as we discuss the possibility of a mutually beneficial business relationship.

2. In Person Contact. Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you, and my thank you is for the time we shared. We have been fortunate to serve many happy clients, and it is my wish to some day be able to serve you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call.

3. After Demonstration or Presentation. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to discuss with you our association for the mutual benefit of our firms. We believe that quality, blended with excellent service, is the foundation for a successful business.

4. After Purchase. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to offer you our finest service. We are confident that you will be happy with this investment towards future growth. My goal is now to offer excellent follow-up service so you will have no reservations about referring others to me who have similar needs as yours.

5. For a Referral. Thank you for your kind referral. You may rest assured that anyone you refer to me will receive the highest degree of professional service possible.

6. After Final Refusal. Thank you for taking your time to consider letting me serve you. It is with sincere regrets that your immediate plans do not include making the investment at this time. However, if you need further information or have any questions, please feel free to call. I will keep you posted on new developments and changes that may benefit you.

7. After They Buy From Someone Else. Thank you for taking your time to analyze my services. I regret being unable, at this time, to prove to you the benefits we have to offer. We keep constantly informed of new developments and changes, so I will keep in touch with the hope that in the years ahead we will be able to do business.

8. After They Buy From Someone Else, But Offer to Give You Referrals. Thank you for your gracious offer of giving me referrals. As we discussed, I am enclosing three of my business cards. I thank you in advance for placing them in the hands of three of your friends, acquaintances, or relatives that I might serve. I will keep in touch and be willing to render my services as needed.

9. To Anyone Who Gives You Service. Thank you. It is gratifying to meet someone dedicated to doing a good job. Your efforts are sincerely appreciated. If my company or I can serve you in any way, please don’t hesitate to call.

10. Anniversary Thank You. Thank you. It is with warm regards that I send this note to say hello and again, thanks for your past patronage. We are continually changing and improving our products and services. If you would like an update on our latest advancements, please give me a call."

The power of expressed gratitude is immense. Put this tool to work for you today!

Developing the Thank You Note Habit, ©Copyright 1998 Tom Hopkins International, Inc.

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To make this follow-up process easy without taking more than two minutes out of your day, consider automating the process. I use SendOutCards (www.hbbsourcecards.com) and highly recommend it if saving time and money is important to you.

Take a look at the system and help yourself to a test drive. I've supplied you with one FREE greeting card and postage, so send a card to yourself, a friend, colleague or client and see what kind of response you receive.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Boost Your Business Revenue Through Network Marketing

"Network marketing" used to be a dirty term in my world and when Robert Kiyosaki claimed it as one of his preferred means to wealth building, my jaw almost hit the floor. 

How could such a worldly, intelligent businessman make such a statement?

Unfortunately several experiences in the MLM world left me with a serious distaste for anything even remotely resembling network marketing.

In my early 20's I joined Amway. (Is there an aspiring entrepreneur who hasn't?) 

In six short months, I had asked every person I had ever met, shared a bus seat with, loaned a quarter or had a meal with, if they would be interested in making loads of money while promoting top quality products.

They weren't interested and I soon became disheartened and felt like a fraud for trying to persuade them to follow my recommendations. I certainly wasn't rolling in the dough. How could I promise them the same?

Several years later I got involved in home parties selling candles and recruiting new consultants. I built up a small team and loved the product, but late nights and long trips to outlying towns took their toll and my enthusiasm quickly waned.

Network marketing eventually began to symbolize harassment of friends and family and a never ending treadmill of late night presentations. 

In the candle business, no matter how many thousands of dollars a month I made, I always had to conduct two shows a month or risk losing my ranking and everything I had built. I wanted a business that would allow me to build it to a desired level, then step back from the front lines and teach and help others to do the same.

I believed there would never be place for network marketing in my life until I began my coaching and referral business -- and until the right business model presented itself.

I found the right fit when I was introduced to a business that allowed me and my clients to leverage our time and effort by automating the client referral process.

The product was created electronically then produced in physical form and sent through regular mail to its intended recipients. I didn't have to carry inventory, leave home to make presentations or meet any kind of monthly quota.

It is the perfect fit for my business because it gives me and my clients more freedom to focus on the long-term vision of our businesses while serving as one of the key tactical strategies for building stronger customer relationships and generating referrals.

What made me change my mind about network marketing?

The decision to sign on was easy one once I found the right model that fit my values and complemented my existing services.

- I don't do shows
- I'm already surrounded by my target market and don't have to seek people out
- No inventory
- No monthly sales or enrolment quota to remain active
- My strength is in leveraging time and effort and I help my clients do the same with a value added product
- No paperwork

Once I found the right network marketing business that met my needs, I was able to improve my existing services while creating a fresh new income stream.

I'd like you to reconsider network marketing with a fresh set of eyes too because if you find the right one, it can generate an added revenue source to your existing business.

Start by asking yourself what type of product might complement your business.

If you're in health services, there are plenty of direct marketing businesses that provide vitamins and other health-related products.

If your business values protecting the environment, consider MLM companies that provide organic products that complement your services.

If you're in the beauty business, consider the many networking companies that sell wholesome, pure make-up and skin care products. 

A client of mine ran her own aesthetics business from home for twenty-seven years. One of the best decisions she made was to sign on as a distributor for a line of beauty products she believed in and used almost exclusively on her clients. 

This added revenue stream not only boosted her daily deposits but won her several trips around the world and a new car.

No matter what type of business you're in -- home decor, cleaning, coaching, gourmet cooking, yoga, event planning, image consulting, professional organizing, tutoring, child care, real estate, financial advice -- you can create an added passive revenue stream for your business through network marketing.

And as you look at the variety of plans and models, do your due diligence and make sure you have a full understanding of what the business entails.

- Make sure the company is reputable. How long has it been in business? Are there any online forums discussing this particular business?

- Are there monthly quotas?

- Do you have to carry inventory?

- Do you have to conduct presentations?

- How does the compensation plan work?

- Can you start generating revenue immediately?

- How much paperwork is involved?

- What kind of training exists?

- What kind of restrictions apply on advertising, promotion, etc.?

- Look for product reviews on forums

- How much of your time will be required?

- Will it be fun?

With a little bit of effort, due diligence and an open mind, you may find the perfect network marketing business to provide additional value to your clients and an added revenue source for your business.

Give it some thought.

Build A Cash Pool For Your Home-Based Business By Following 7 Simple Rules

Although your income statement might show a healthy profit, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if you have no cash flow.

One of the biggest mistakes made by new home business owners is allowing clients and customers to buy now and pay later. In other words, extending credit.

Credit is for banks and large corporations, not for you as a home-based entrepreneur.

Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business.

Without it, your business will wither and die regardless of how many sales you’ve made or how much money is owed to you.

Cash flow represents the amount of money coming in to your business through services rendered and products sold, and money going out to cover expenses and production costs.

Your primary responsibility as a home-based business owner is to ensure the flow is consistent with more money coming in than going out so a pool starts to form to hold the overflow.

This overflow is what allows you to make early payments so you can benefit from vendor discounts, to take advantage of special deals, capitalize on newfound opportunities, and easily cover unexpected emergencies.

As soon as cash flow fails to produce the surplus funds you need, challenges arise and stress and overwhelm quickly follow.

Integrate these seven simple rules to your operating strategies and enjoy the benefits of a steadily growing cash pool.

1. Request payment prior to delivering your product or service. If your service is delivered over an extended period of time and asking for a one-time payment in advance isn’t realistic, divide the payment into segments and request payment in advance of each new time frame.

For example, if you provide weekly house cleaning, consider requesting payment at the beginning of each month in advance of providing your services – or suggest three or six months payment in advance and offer a discount as an incentive. A mere 10 percent discount over a three-month period could put an extra $100 or more into your client’s pocket. Many will jump at that deal.

2. Pay every bill on time to avoid late payment charges and earlier only if special payment discounts are offered.

As a hair stylist working primarily with cancer patients, imagine spending one thousand dollars a month on wigs. If the supplier offers 2/10, net 30 as payment terms, you will save two percent by paying your invoice within ten days. That might only be $20, but over a year, it adds up to $240.

Take advantage of this incentive with every supplier that offers it and you could keep thousands of dollars in your business that you would otherwise have spent.

3. Deposit payments as soon as you receive them. Instead of making one or two trips to the bank each month, make them daily or weekly. Letting checks lie around increases the risk of loss. Also, go to a teller when making your deposit. Using an ATM machine removes any evidence you deposited real cash or checks. An employee or technical error or internal theft could create problems you simply don’t need.

4. Use a business credit card whenever possible for travel, meals, and minor expenses. This leaves more cash in your hands and defers payment. Using a card that awards travel miles also helps you cut future travel costs. I’ve enjoyed cruises and free flights to business conferences thanks to air miles.

5. Create continuity sales. Build a product or service into your business that your client could use on a continual basis. For example, if you run a bookkeeping business and your clients struggle with cash flow, recommend bank reconciliation services every month.

Many clients hand a box of receipts to their bookkeeper at the end of each year and cross their fingers hoping they did well. Helping your clients understand exactly where they are each and every month is an exceptional service that many will jump at. One client at $30 a month would give you $360. Ten clients at the same amount, paid in advance would give you $3,600 cash at the start of the year.

6. Create something that allows you to do the work once, but profit from over and over again. For example, many of today’s business owners are creating e-books (electronic books) and audio recordings sharing valuable tips, information and knowledge that improve the health, happiness and prosperity of others.

Selling electronic products online removes production costs and provides a steady flow of funds into your business.

7. Invest your overflow. Once you have built a comfortable overflow, consider investing some of it to make it grow even faster for you. Letting a large sum of money sit in your bank account does nothing to accelerate growth. Talk to an investment professional and find out how you can make that money work for you.

Start with these seven simple rules and get creative. Brainstorm ideas for special offers, continuity programs, passive revenue streams and investment possibilities.

Get input from professionals, mastermind members and your coach. You can do it. They can help.

2007 © Laurie Hayes - The HBB Source

Follow Your Dream

Whether you believe you are meant to be a successful entrepreneur, author, athlete, singer, teacher or anything else, follow your dream.

Many great people have overcome insurmountable odds to do what they believe they were born to do ... and so can you. The key is to believe in yourself, do the work that's required, and never, EVER give up.

The greatest successes come to those who are willing to go the distance.

Enjoy today's videos of one such person who went after his dream and overnight warmed his way into millions of hearts around the world.



The final night ...

The Law of Attraction and the Science of Getting Rich

What are you thinking about right now? The Law of Attraction states that "whatever we think about, we bring about". This law may initially seem like new age fluff but believe it or not, there are scientific merits to this proposition. The top quantum physicists of our time have discovered that our universe and our reality is very much directed by the "observer".

When studying quantum particles (the smallest observable unit of matter), these scientists discovered that such particles behave in accordance with the person conducting the experiment. It the scientists "predict" that quantum particles behave in a certain way, they do. And yet, if the scientists "predict" that quantum particles behave in another way, they do. It is the "observer" that dictates the outcome of the experiment!

What does all this mean for us normal people? Well actually, these scientific experiments has far reaching implications for us as our world is made up of these same quantum particles! In this case, we are the "observer" the director and hence the creator of our reality, our world and our experience.

So, be careful of what you think about! for example, have you thoughts ever begun with the following phrases:

I don’t understand…

I don't want...

I’m frustrated that…

I hate my…

I can’t figure out …

I’m stressed about…

I’m worried that…

I should be able to… but I can’t…

Why am I having so much trouble?

The Law of Attraction indifferent to the words preceding your thought. Whatever you think about you will attract into your life. When you think "I don't understand why bad things always happen to me?", you are "attracting" bad things into your life. When you think "I want to get out of debt", you are attracting more debt into your life. When you think "I'm worried I will get sick", you are attracting sickness into your life! The Law of Attraction brings about what you focus on even if it is not what you want. Get it?

If you understand this principle, here are some examples of how to make the law of attraction work to support you rather than to act against you. Try observing your thoughts and changing your thinking in the following way:

"I want to get out of debt" to "I want to earn amazing riches"

"I hate my boss" to "I look forward to owning my own business"

"I don't understand why he is so lazy" to "I love it when he helps out around the house"

"I'm stressed about this project" to "I always create amazing results in my projects"

"I'm worried about getting sick" to "I experience vibrant health daily"

Now that we have a better understanding of the Law of Attraction, it is no surprise why so many people struggle with regards to money. It is been said that "the rich get richer while the poor get poorer". This is actually the Law of Attraction in action. Because the wealthy have money, they often think about how to best use their money and hence they attract more money. The poor on the other hand often think about their present lack of money and unfortunately, that also attracts lack into their lives. Currently, 96% of the world's wealth is being earned by just 1% of the population!

To address this issue, the main teachers behind the movie is launching a program is called "The Science of Getting Rich" and it is based on employing the law of attraction to create wealth. This amazing program is based on the principles and philosophies outlined in a book of the same title written in 1910 by Wallace D Wattles. This is the same book that inspired the movie.

What is the Science of Getting Rich about? Well in the words of Wallace D. Wattles, "The ownership of money and property comes as a result of doing things in a certain way. Those who do things in this certain way, whether on purpose or accidentally, get rich. Those who do not do things in this certain way, no matter how hard they work or how able they are, remain poor. It is a natural law that like causes always produce like effects. Therefore, any man or woman who learns to do things in this certain way will infallibly get rich." The Science of Getting Rich Seminar is all about teaching how to do things in this "certain" way to create wealth.

Click here to learn more about the Science of Getting Rich Seminar and how you can profit from the distribution of the program.