The May meeting was a success! Notes are here!
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Nancy Bureau opened the meeting. Summer is here! Flowers went in across Niwot and House Blend Band will start the Summer Season off with the first Concert this Friday May 18th. Come join the fun!
Mary Coonce NBA Treasurer emailed in and has no updates for the NBA. Deb Fowler and Angela Hudgins spoke briefly about the events upcoming for Summer. Alison Steele spoke about needing volunteers for Rock & Rails. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE NBA HAS A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO VOLUNTEER FOR ROCK & RAILS. Volunteers are asked to fill in a 2 hr shift on Thursdays evenings. Sign up! If each NBA member signed up for 1 shift of 2 hrs, easily all of the shifts would be covered!
Biff Warren spoke about Niwot Clean Up Day is this Saturday May 19th and also Volunteer Clean Up Day for Children’s Park is this Saturday May 18th.
Anne Postle asked businesses to host Why Not Niwot Art Show. Businesses can host art pieces and the art must represent Niwot in some way. Hosting businesses must be open on Saturday 11-4 and Tues-Thurs and open for the First Fridays in July and August. Winners are announced at First Friday in September at the Open Studios Art Gallery at Niwot Feed.
Eric Thompson spoke about Non Pushy Selling and the talk was fabulous! He spoke that if a potential client is pursued, they often move away. He suggested thinking not about us, but instead thinking about what the client needs He suggested to have this happen is to have Non Pushy Essentials:
When a client views a business as friendly, helpful, and has a credible expert, then they feel they must reach out.
Often businesses focus on the friendly and helpful, and not as much on making sure they present themselves as a business that really knows its stuff. There is a strategy of Results in Advance. “The best way to demonstrate to someone that you can help them is to help them”. This sounds obvious, and often business owners get stuck in the details, and not in the direct action of helping them. Think about what your business has that you could introduce to potential clients. You can even ask clients “Would it be helpful if….” and see what they say. Instead of saying “I” statements, focus on “you” statements. In other words, change “I’d love to show you/take you to lunch/etc” , say ” Would it be helpful if..”
If we add in that we are the only one who does this, then clients start to look toward you and rely on you. A framework is to fill in these 3 blanks
Often business owners are either too vague or too broad in this who/what/how. Think about who is the perfect client/customer for you? What is it that they want that they don’t have? What are their challenges? What do you have to help them? Clients then see that they want you to help them. Questions were asked if testomonials were helpful and YES, they are. Social proof is very very powerful. Getting good reviews is a game changer for people. In the food service/restaurant industry, there is the opportunity to think beyond your business and think about putting together a fun event that links your best customers to what they love….family night vs free wine tasting for a best client and invite that client to invite 10 friends. Create an experience for that customer/client.
Eric Thompson’s contact info is 970-232-4364 and [email protected]
Meeting adjourned at 7:02p.nb