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Miserable Boyhood

First off, St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish. He was born somewhere in Britain. (Mental note: delete the red hair; insert pasty complexion and bad teeth.) He was captured as a lad and hauled off to Ireland as a slave, where the loathsome pagans forced him to work as a shepherd. On a mountain. In ice, snow and rain.

Any jigging and beer drinking were probably done to escape frostbite.

Happily enough, God gave Patrick special escaping directions which he was able to use to get back to his family after six years.

Return to Ireland

Understandably, Patrick was grateful. He devoted himself to his faith, became a priest and eventually a bishop. Of course, his superiors could not send him to the sunny Mediterranean to convert the heathens there. They sent him back to Ireland. One can only imagine Patrick’s joy.

But back he went, where he was met by a tribal chieftain whose idea of a welcome was to give him a good beheading. That Patrick not only escaped this, but managed to convert the bloodthirsty fellow to Christianity as well, is considered one of his most noteworthy deeds. And on he went for forty years, living in poverty, preaching and converting, and expecting to be killed or enslaved again any day. No snake-banishing. No pots of gold. No dirty limericks.

He died on March 17, 461.

St. Patrick’s Day

Yep, you got that right. He died on March 17. So we’re all celebrating the day of his death with parades and parties, green hats and green beer. One can’t help but think that poor St. Patrick would be a bit dismayed. (”I dodged heathens with pointy sticks for forty years and this is what I get?”)

So what’s great about St. Patrick’s Day? Everyone gets to be Irish. We celebrate good cheer and brotherhood, no matter our differences.

Maybe St. Patrick is pleased after all.

TJ Black is a small business owner and adviser. She freelances as a writer for web sites such as Discount Quest. She wishes everyone a happy and not-too-serious St. Patrick’s Day.

January Hunting Tips

Now that we right in the middle of winter, most deer season are
over and hunters putting away all their equipment. It is a good
time to check over your hunting stuff, take note of what didn’t
work right, what needs to be replaced, wash and store your camo,
and reflect on what went right and what went wrong this past
season. I also look over my notes to see where I saw any deer
while driving around the area so I can maybe find a new hunting
spot for next year. It is also the time to thank all of the
farmers and land owners that let you hunt on their land.

Every January I will start to put away all my hunting equipment,
this year is different for me because we are moving to new
house. I have all the tree stands and ladders in the garage
waiting to be moved, and all the camo and small stuff boxed up
and waiting to go. When we get to the new house I will have to
take time to check the nuts and bolts and touch up the paint on
all the tree stands and ladders before putting away.

The camouflage hunting clothes will be washed in baking soda and
checked for tears or holes and any new camo needs noted on my
list to purchase for next season, then all camo hung and stored
away in the basement closet.

As I look back over my notes from this past season, I see the
positive things that happened. I saw that we passed up 6 or 7
different yearling bucks very early in the bow season. We had
many deer coming to the Food Plots we made. We also got some
good footage of the deer on Video Tape. I saw two Pope and Young
Bucks from my stand during the archery season, and could have
shot numerous other deer.

There were many negative things that happened this past hunting
season also. The first and biggest was that we did not draw an
Iowa deer tag. The second negative was that we didn’t have a
solid ” Plan B “. We had leads on possible hunts in Buffalo
County, but they all fell through. Another negative was when I
had my chance at a book buck I missed a diffcult shot, had I
took the time to bring my deer decoy out that morning I most
likely would have had a much easier shot as the buck would have
been focused on the decoy. The next negative came during the gun
season, in the area we were hunting, the deer movement was
almost non existent and I didn’t have a good ” Plan B “. I was
going to check out a new area before the season started but I
didn’t get around to it and when I did finally check out the new
area during the gun season, it looked very good but it was too
late in the hunt and I had to return home with an empty tag. One
last negitive was that I didn’t take the time to find any new
Bowhunting spots. You always need to be on the lookout for new
spots, you can lose a great spot you have been hunting for years
if the farmer sells his land. It happens all the time. Always
keep your eyes open for new spots.

Now that the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season is over, we
will thank the land owners and offer venison sausage and other
goodies for their generosity in letting us hunt on their land.
And hope they will do so again next fall.

Keep checking www.advanced-whitetail-hunting.com for updates on
hunting permit deadlines, new equipment and new info for your
upcoming Food Plots and Mineral Licks. Also, send me any
pictures of you or your buddies’ deer and tell me how your
season turned out.

Enjoy the winter, dale@advanced-whitetail-hunting.com

Winter is one of the worst times for your skin. The icy cold
temperatures, low humidity and whistling wind can wreak havoc
with your skin. Fortunately, there are preventative steps you
can take to avoid becoming a victim of the colder season skin
problems.

Most people complain about the wintery conditions worsening
their skin. Very often you will experience dry, flaky, often
itchy skin. In addition, the wind and low temperatures make your
lips chapped and dry. In order to combat this onslaught here are
some do’s and don’ts to help you enjoy the colder months.

First, the Don’ts.

1. Minimize your exposure to the wind and cold. Protect yourself
from the damaging affect of the wind by avoiding over exposure.
The skin has a thin protective layer covering it. The wind and
cold strip away this protective coating and in the process dry
out the outer layers of the skin.

2. When you bath, don’t use extremely hot water. Use warm water
that is comfortable to the touch but not excessively hot. Don’t
take numerous baths or showers every day as this can also dry
out the skin.

3. Don’t use harsh soaps and cleansers as they also will strip
off the protective moisture barrier on the skin.

4. Avoid scratching dry itchy skin as this tends to make the
condition even worse.

OK, enough with the don’ts. By now you should be getting the
idea to avoid any environmental factor that will dry out the
skin. But suppose you already have dry skin, what can you do to
make it better?

The Do’s.

1. Cover exposed skin to protect it and prevent excessive
moisture loss. In the colder climates, there is a wind property
called ‘wind chill’. Depending on the strength of the wind, the
temperature and the humidity, the wind chill will tell you how
quickly your exposed skin will get damaged. Stay covered and
wear layers if possible to avoid losing the skin’s natural
protective layers.

2. Moisturize sensitive areas of your skin at least twice a day.
You may even wish to start a schedule where you moisturize in
the morning after your shower and before bedtime.

3. Use a natural water based toner before applying your favorite
moisturizer.

4. Apply a replenishing oil to your skin a few times a week. You
can purchase replenishing products or make your own by combining
almond oil with about 5 or 6 drops of lavender oil.

5. Apply extra moisturizers to your hand and feet as they tend
to dry out faster.

6. If you have problems with cracking skin, try soaking the
affected area in a bath of Epsom salts, sea salts and an
essential oils. Repeat a couple of times per week.

7. Take care of the inner you. Get plenty of rest and drink lots
of liquids, like water and diluted fruit juices.

8. Eat a healthy diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and
vegetables.

9. If your home has low relative humidity (less than 40%)
consider adding a humidifier, if not for the entire house, for
your bedroom.

No longer do we have to be at the mercy of ‘old man winter’. By
preparation, due diligence and some preventative steps, you can
get rid of the winter dry skin blues. No matter where you live,
almost 80% of the population tends to experience dry skin
conditions in winter. Armed with these helpful tips, perhaps you
can join the ranks of the 20% who are not affected by dry winter
skin.

Words like infusion, decoction and tincture are often used interchangeably but to a serious student of herbal medicine these words have specific meanings. Let’s examine some of the most common ways herbs are prepared and learn which word is appropriate for each preparation method.

Infusions

To make an infusion an herbalist will add botanical materials to just-boiling water, cover tightly and remove from heat. The herbs are allowed to steep for several minutes then strained out. The water is bottled and refrigerated or used immediately. The important thing to remember about an infusion is that the herbs aren’t actually boiled–they’re added to water that’s just at or slightly below the boiling temperature. Remember when “sun” teas were all the rage? A sun tea is a perfect example of an infusion.

Infusions typically use only the tender parts of the plants, mainly the leaves or flowers. If the woodier parts like stems and roots are used the mixture is referred to as a decoction.

Decoctions

Decoctions are similar to infusions in that they’re basically just herbal teas steeped for a long time. The main difference between an infusion and a decoction is that decoctions are used for the woodier parts of the plant, mainly the roots, barks and stems.

To make a decoction, an herbalist will bring an appropriate volume of water to a simmer then add the fresh botanicals, simmering the herbs uncovered until the water is reduced to about half of its original volume. After steeping, the herbs are removed, the decoction is strained and then bottled and refrigerated or used immediately.

Both decoctions and infusions can be used to make fomentations, which we’ll study next.

Fomentations

Also known as a compress, a fomentation is simply a decoction or infusion used externally. To make a fomentation an herbalist will dip a thin absorbent cloth, like a tea towel, into a fomentation or decoction then apply the cloth to the skin. Ideally, the cloth is re-dipped into the still-warm liquid and re-applied as soon as the compress cools on the skin. Herbalists believe that herbs that would normally be too strong for internal usage can be safely applied externally, allowing the body to absorb small amounts slowly.

Fomentations can also be used with an external heat source, like a hot water bottle, so long as care is taken not to burn the area being treated.

Tinctures

Some herbs are too strong or too bitter to be used in infusions while other herbs simply don’t perform well during water-based extractions. And in some cases, any heat at all will destroy the herb’s volatile oils. In these cases, an herbalist will prepare a tincture.

To make a tincture, an herbalist will add a few ounces of herbal material to several ounces of vodka or brandy then allow the mixture to “steep” for several days. After steeping the herbs, the herbalist will strain out the plant materials and bottle the remaining alcohol tightly and store it in the refrigerator.

Unlike infusions and decoctions, which are typically taken cupfuls at a time, tinctures are usually used sparingly. A standard “dose” can be anything from a few drops to a tablespoon.

When it comes to buying mortgage leads, there are many good
companies out there for you to research, and many avenues to
travel down when considering which lead type will work best for
you.

While working as a loan officer, I dealt with my fair share of
mortgage lead companies. Along the way, I bought my leads in
bulk, I bought them fresh, and I bought them with a live
transfer.

Researching lead companies is an important aspect when deciding
to invest in one, but lets be honest with each other, we really
don’t know what we are getting until we begin to purchase them.

When I would purchase my leads in bulk, I would take $100.00 of
my hard earned money, find what I believed to be the best
cherry-picking site out there, and by about fifty leads at $2.00
each.

Now I know that you get what you pay for, and my goal was to
close two at the most, and at the very least, one. Over the
years this approach would occasionally pay off, but I had the
feeling of working harder, and not smarter.

The next approach I took a shot at was the purchase of “real
time “ leads, or “fresh leads.” I would take that same hard
earned $100.00 and receive approximately three to five fresh
leads consisting of purchase leads and refinance.

These leads I did not cherry pick, I would set up a filter
before hand. The filter would be specific to state, type of
loan, credit, ltv, loan amount. Etc.

When a lead came in and matched my filter, it would be stream
lined directly to my e-mail account, and it would be roughly ten
minutes old. I had a lot of success with these leads, but
continued to keep all of my options open.

The other type of lead I decided to take a shot at was the live
transfer lead. I believed this to be a wonderful concept, and a
very efficient way of obtaining leads and increasing my
applications.

I basically sat at my desk and waited for the lead company to
transfer customers to me by way of the telephone. Sometimes this
worked and sometimes it didn’t. The problem was, there was no
guarantee that I was going to answer the phone. I worked in an
office with ten other loan officers, if I stepped away from my
desk, they would end up in my voice mailbox, or if the phone
went unanswered, the potential customer would hang up.

It is pointless to go into further detail, I think you get the
picture, the live transfer at times could be a mess. Again, I
felt as though I was working harder and not smarter.

Before investing with mortgage lead companies, make sure you do
your home work thoroughly. Read the companies “terms of
service,” find out what their return policy is, call and speak
with a representative, ask about a free trial. Does it consist
of a free lead or some type of credit toward your first deposit?
If they are confident in the quality of their leads, than they
should not have a problem accommodating you.

I have had, and know loan officers who have had success with all
of the above mentioned lead type scenarios. Some may work for
you and some may not. But remember, if you find yourself working
too hard to make the lead work for you, consider a different
type of lead!

Another passenger family sedan has been released by the Volkswagen and it is the Volkswagen Golf. As of 2005, the statistics from Volkswagen say that there has been some 24 million Volkswagen Golfs already built, that is why the company claims that this vehicle is its best selling model in its entire history.

This vehicle has been produced in a couple of body styles. The list of body styles for the Volkswagen Golf include the hatchback with three doors, the hatchback with five doors, the estate station wagon, the sedan or saloon, and the convertible. Each of these body styles has had their own characteristics and their own features. The Volkswagen Golf has had various functions as well that ranges from being the very basic personal cars and transportation vehicles to high performance sports coupes.

If you do have $16,030, you can own a 2006 Volkswagen Golf. It is a vehicle that could take in some five passengers inside its spacious interior and cabin. Its trim levels range from the GL 2.0 sedan to the GLS 1.9 TDI. Upon its introduction, the GL 2.0 sedan has been crafted and marketed with the standard 2.0 liter I4 engine. This engine is very much capable of providing 115 units of horsepower and could make the Volkswagen Golf achieve 24 mpg for city driving and 31 for the highway. Standard for this vehicle trim is a five speed manual transmission system with overdrive and the four speed automatic transmission system with overdrive are given as an option. As per the GLS 1.9 TDI which is considered to be the trim level found at the higher end, this vehicle comes equipped with the standard 1.9 liter I4 engine that is turbocharged and is a diesel engine. It can produce 100 units of horsepower, making the Volkswagen Golf get 37 mpg for city driving and 44 mpg on the highway. For this trim level, the standard transmission system is a five speed manual with overdrive, and the optional one is a five speed automatic with overdrive.

Same Day Car Parts has all the Volkswagen parts and equipment that Volkswagen owners, followers, and aficionados are looking for. This online store holds top of the line Volkswagen car parts, Volkswagen auto body parts, Volkswagen accessories, and more. Same Day Car Parts also has top caliber parts and accessories for the various body styles and models that this vehicle brand has. Same Day Car Parts online collection of Volkswagen parts include used parts, accessories, body parts, engine parts, performance parts, and restoration parts among many others.

Same Day Car Parts,
Volkswagen accessories,
Volkswagen parts,
===
Tom Bailey is a consultant for one of the country’s leading auto parts stores. He is also an editor of a reputable publishing company in his area. He is currently based in Atlantic City, New Jersey with his wife and 3 children.

Dear ESL Student,

Native English speakers make mistakes too! These sentences were modified from national magazines and advertisements in the USA. Can you find the grammatical error in each one?
1.If your food doesn’t arrive hot and fresh to your door, we’ll make it right or refund your money.
2.See less fine lines.
3.Read on for a healthy spread for your sandwich.

Answers:

1.The preposition “to” is not correct. To express location or place, use “at”. The food will arrive fresh and hot at your door.
2.Less is incorrect. “Fewer” should be used with plural nouns. See fewer fine lines.
3.Only a living thing (plants, people or animals) can be healthy. Cream cheese, mayonnaise or any other sandwich spreads should be described as healthful. Read on for a healthful spread for your sandwich.

Much Continued ESL Success,

The creator of ESL Free Lesson

The “ESL Free Lesson” website is an incredible resource for ESL students from all over the world . This report is only one of 7 tips that you can get Free at eslfreelesson.com. To get your other 6 fantastic ESL tips and your “Free bonus Ebook” to help you to earn more money enroll now at:

www.eslfreelesson.com

“The flag stands for all that we hold dear — freedom,
democracy, government of the people, by the people, and for the
people.” –Henry Cabot Lodge, 1915

No matter what political party one belongs to, or what one’s
particular view is concerning the events in Iraq and the Middle
East, the fact remains that our American soldiers are there.

A good many of them are National Guard troops and reservists
from the various states, who have been activated and are being
deployed overseas to a war zone.

These are soldiers who are taking time out from their lives and
families to serve — the call has come and they are responding
readily and whole-heartedly.

Let’s all show our support for them and all our military
personnel by flying our national flag every day.

Remember, our flag should always be treated with the utmost care
and respect. The flag represents a living country and, as such,
is considered a living thing.

Always display the flag with the blue union field up.

Always hold the flag carefully — never let it touch anything
beneath it.

Always keep the flag aloft and free — never carry it flat or
horizontally.

Always keep the flag clean and safe — never let it become torn,
soiled or damaged.

Did you know: the U.S. flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, and is
the fourth oldest national flag in the world.

Join me in flying our national flag on the next flag holiday:
Labor Day, September 6.

The Soldier author unknown

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of
the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of
speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us
the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to
a fair trial.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the
flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the
protester to disrespect the flag.

If you walk into your local bookstore and pick up any random title on interpersonal communication, the majority of the books will simply remind you to “always be approachable.”

Wow, you think, thanks for the advice.

But when you walk into a room full of strangers, attend a national conference or start a new job, that advice doesn’t help maximize your approachability.

In my book, The Power of Approachability, my goal was to help the reader change his or her paradigm of communication and think of every interaction – big or small, online or off – in terms of approachability.

Now, as the research continues, I’ve created a new model. It’s called The Approachability Indicator™. For the past five years, I’ve examined thousands of case studies, scientific journals, books, interviews, surveys and articles on what the world thinks approachability means. And although the research showed that various disciplines and people viewed the idea differently, there were several fascinating commonalities among all the sources.

This system will teach you what approachability is, why it’s critical to successful communication, and it will provide you with concrete techniques to MAXIMIZE it.

To begin, the word “approachability” derives from the Latin verb apropiare, which means “to come nearer to.” Therefore, approachability is a two way street. And the model represents both inbound and outbound channels. Outbound, or proactive approachability, is stepping onto someone else’s front porch. It’s about being bold. It’s about breaking the silence. And it’s about taking initiative. Inbound, or reactive approachability, is welcoming others onto your front porch. It’s about openness. It’s about availability. And it’s about making yourself accessible to others.

All types of approachability fall into one of seven categories. (To see a diagram of The Approachability Indicator™, as used in my workshops and seminars, see the contact information below.)

As you read the list below, each section will give you several techniques to help MAXIMIZE it!

Building Social Capital
Willingness to develop new relationships

1) Acknowledge people you know
2) Welcome new business/personal relationships with various types of people
3) Network for the purpose of mutually valuable relationships, not sales
4) Become easily engaged by friends and strangers alike
5) Maintain the confidence to talk to high level professionals
6) Learn to enjoy meeting new people
7) Constantly enlarge your network
Make eye contact, even if you don’t know someone

What You Say
Dynamics of conversation

1. Patiently allow others to interrupt you for conversational clarity
2. Leave a conversation making your partner feel good about himself
3. Make sure every person in the group is involved in the conversation
4. Allow people to finish jokes, even if you’re heard them a million times
5. Break the uncomfortable silence when nobody else will
6. Still be friendly to others, even if you’re in a bad mood
7. Change the subject when someone else feels uncomfortable
8. Be sensitive to other people’s communication apprehension
9. Give people an experience, not just a conversation

What You Don’t Say
Non-verbal behaviors

1. You have two ears and one mouth – listen and talk accordingly
2. Use gestures when you talk
3. Wear clothes that make you look and feel comfortable
4. Give high-fives and hugs when appropriate
5. Vary your vocal inflection when you talk
6. Look ahead when you’re walking, not at the ground
7. Smile when introduced to someone
8. Smile when you say goodbye to someone
9. Smile when you answer the phone
10. Keep your arms uncrossed, even if it’s cold
11. Use adequate pauses during conversation, instead of talking for the sake of talking

Keeping It Real
Authentic personality

1. Inspire others instead of impress them
2. Become the world’s expert on yourself
3. Show others that you enjoy what you do
4. Be confident enough to be humble
5. Put your personality into everything you do and say
6. Have fun at work every day
7. Quickly make new people feel like they’ve known you for years
8. Be known by many people at your work, organization or faith group
9. Admit when you’re wrong, don’t know, or when you’ve screwed up
10. Be someone whom others “could tell anything”

Drop Me A Line
Easily reached

1. Return phone calls and emails within 24 hours
2. Carry several business cards in your bag, car or wallet
3. Avoid Hotmail, AOL or Yahoo for business transactions
4. Maintain a simple, easy-to-type, easy-to-remember email
5. Check your email at least three times a day
6. Offer various methods of contact (email, phone, fax, in-person, etc.)
7. Read emails aloud before sending them

PHYSICAL Availability
Openness of personal space

1. Greet others, even if you’re not designated as a “greeter”
2. Stop what you’re doing to address someone who comes to you
3. Seek out the first timers at meetings and parties
4. Talk to people before and after meetings, events, programs
5. Go out of your way to sit with people you don’t know
6. Do things that “aren’t your job” if it makes others more comfortable
7. Share travel plans with people who might need to get a hold of you
8. Be accessible outside of group situations for people who are shy in front of others

PERSONAL Availability
Openness of mind and heart

1. Make every encounter with another person feel valued
2. Find the answers to questions you don’t know instead of “faking it”
3. Address both trivial and serious problems of people who come to you
4. Receive criticism without taking it personally
5. Give criticism without sounding harsh
6. Listen to other people’s viewpoints and ideas, even if you don’t agree with them
7. Maintain openness, even about uncomfortable topics
8. Keep other people’s secrets
9. Be a boss, friend, co-worker, colleague AND/OR subordinate

This model also revolves around five benefits of maximum approachability. These factors answer the question: Why is approachability so important?

The first is opportunity. With strangers, you never know whom you’ll meet. With acquaintances, friends or family, you never know what you’ll learn. And with people in general, you never know how it’ll reciprocate. But you never will know until you take that first step. In other words, “you can’t win if you don’t play,” “to grab the fruit you must go out on a limb,” “the turtle only makes progress when he sticks his neck out,” and the like.

The second benefit is confidence. When people perceive you as approachable, they are confident they can bring their issues, ideas and true selves to you. And when you equip yourself with the techniques and tips for starting, maintaining and closing conversations, it will reassure your own ability to become and UNFORGETTABLE communicator.

The third benefit of approachability is permission. Because we live in a fast paced, fear based culture, we need to inform others that it’s ok to communicate. According to interpersonal communication textbooks, humans engage with each for five reasons: to inquire, to relate, to play, to help or to manage. Still, none of those motivators can be carried out without permission.

The next benefit is comfort, and it is absolutely essential to approachability. From remembering names to open body language to appropriate topics of discussion, comfort is king. And if you want to assure that co-workers, clients, friends, family – even strangers – can approach you AND be approached by you, they have to be comfortable. And so do you.

Lastly, there’s trust; and it’s the summation of opportunity, confidence, permission and comfort. Imagine you’ve got a flat tire in the middle of nowhere. Your cell phone has no service. You’re stuck! So, you walk into town seeking help. About an hour later you come across two houses on opposite sides of the road. One is dark, deserted and dilapidated. The other has its lights on and a family sitting out on the front porch.

Which house would you choose?

99% of the people I ask this question choose the second house because it exudes opportunity. They’re confident the family is friendly and they’re comfortable saying hello to them. Ultimately, the front porch gives them permission to step up and trust that the strangers be willing to help them out of a bind.

That’s approachability.

(To see an image of The Approachability Indicator™, see Scott’s website listed below)

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

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Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, “The World’s Foremost Expert on Nametags” and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at
http://www.hellomynameisscott.com

Today’s competitive marketplace for consulting services is no longer responsive to the marketing strategies that worked in the past. The services you provide should speak volumes about your consulting business. Think about what happens when you hear phrases such as “the ultimate driving machine,” “don’t leave home without it,” and “just do it.” Chances are good that you can immediately associate them with BMW, American Express, and Nike. These companies have mastered “brand brilliance.” Brand your consulting brilliance because the future of your business depends on it.

There’s an old adage, “Perception is reality.” Simply stated, the perception of a brand lies in its ability to influence a client’s behavior. When you have successfully branded your business, in the client’s eye there is no service in the marketplace quite like your service.

All consulting businesses should have a distinct, sustainable, and competitive advantage to differentiate their services from the competition. I call this process of identifying your advantage “Brand Your Consulting Brilliance.”

Here are six simple steps to brand and differentiate your
services in the new economy.

1. Think client focus first.
The client’s reality: Consulting businesses exist to serve clients. Develop a client visitation calendar and schedule in-person visits. Look the client in the eye and say, “I am here to serve you.” Follow up and follow through on all client-related matters in a timely manner.

Create a client questionnaire so clients can rate the performance of your services. You want them to tell you how you’re doing and what you can do to serve them better. It’s also a way to discover what challenges they are currently facing. Be relentless in your client retention efforts.

2. Discover a distinct advantage that will set you apart from competitors.
Start by articulating your “unique marketing proposition,” a statement of all of the qualities and characteristics that set your services apart in the marketplace. Analyze your services: What skills and services do we provide that are distinctive, measurable, and add value? Which of our past successes can we leverage in the marketplace? And don’t forget to ask colleagues what they see as your competitive strengths.

Communicate these messages reinforcing your unique marketing proposition anytime you have an opportunity to write or speak about your consulting firm and what you have to offer to prospective clients.

3. Generate publicity.
What others say about your brand is much more powerful and credible than what you can say about it yourself. When it comes to branding your consulting brilliance, favorable publicity in the media or word of mouth is far superior to advertising. So how do you generate the publicity “buzz”? Create a buzz about your brand by being visible: speaking at seminars, publishing a newsletter on your website, participating as a host or guest on television or radio talk shows, writing a column in a reputable trade journal, and networking.

4. Promote a powerful perception of quality in the client’s
mind.
What is quality if not a perception that resides in the mind of the client? You build quality intangibles around trust, reliability, excellent people, and innovative client services. Show clients that you can interpret and process their information to convert it to results oriented solutions. What you say is important, but what you do is even more important for reinforcing their perception of your brand quality.

Keep the lines of communication open. The goal of branding your consulting brilliance is to convince the client that your brand is worth their trust and worth a premium price.

5. Establish your credentials as an industry leader in the field.
Clients like to know they are doing business with an industry leader. Make clients aware of your consulting acumen, presence, and commitment. Know your clients’ businesses inside out – what they do, why they do it, how they do it. Tout your firm’s successful track record of accomplishment in working with companies like theirs.

Build and sustain credibility with clients by strengthening your client relationships, developing a client retention strategy, demonstrating that you value your new clients, and going the extra mile for them.

6. Practice consistency in building your consulting brilliance.
Stay focused on implementing the branding of your consulting brilliance. Keep abreast of marketing trends in your profession and position yourself as a recognized expert. Make the most of your unique marketing proposition. Accelerate and elevate the perceived value of your brand in the marketplace.

In short, to brand your consulting brilliance, know what you have to offer, know how to differentiate it, and know how to market it.

Robert Moment is a best-selling author, business coach,
strategist and the founder of The Moment Group, a consulting firm dedicated to helping small businesses win federal contracts. He just released his new book, It Only Takes a Moment to Score, and recently unveiled Sell Integrity, a small business tool that helps you successfully sell your business idea. Learn more at:
http://www.sellintegrity.com
or email: Robert@sellintegrity.com.