360 Business Success Blog

Lenders will always evaluate the business owner's previous experiences as a borrower.  Most lenders will not consider a traditional loan based on a personal credit score (FICO) below 680 or a business credit score below 75.

Personal credit score (FICO score) impacts your personal financing as well as your business financing.  It will require time and effort to build business credit for a new business. Your good personal credit standing will make this process easier and faster (or slower and harder, if you don't have a good FICO score).

Your FICO score determines interest rates assigned to you as a consumer for credit card, home mortgage, auto, etc.  Thus, by increasing your FICO score, interest rates assigned to you as a consumer will be lower, where as if you have a lower FICO score, interest rates will be higher.

It is ideal to keep your FICO score at 720 or higher.

Read the article: How to Increase Personal FICO Credit Score

Some thoughts and encouragements especially for women entrepreneurs:

• Who is the number 1 on your list of 10 most important people in your life?  We have a tendency to take care of others first; "self" often becomes "afterthought".  Don't forget about taking care of yourself.  Don't forget to put you as #1 on your list.
• We are usually more realistic and aware about our surrounding.  This is often a good thing.  But this can also keeps us from moving forward.  Have a vision, make a plan and don't forget to ACT - move forward.
• We act "strong" & we put smiles on our faces.   But we often doubt ourselves and bury our pains.  Be a part of supporting, nurturing & like-minded women's networking group; example www.wgn-global.com.  Be authentic & share experiences.
• We are usually more nurturing and supporting in nature.  Leverage from that nature in creating a supportive "team" around you.
• We are good with "giving".  Not so good with "receiving".  Learn to get help.  Learn how to ask for help.
• It's important to invest in yourself.  Proactively learn from others.  Get coaching.  Sign-up for workshops.  Keep on learning!

Remember: Have a vision, plan and then don't stall - ACT.

Yuri

 

Happy New Year!

How many people have goals you want to achieve this year?

I think 2009 is truly a year of opportunity for smart companies.
When majority is in “fear” and frozen to try anything or retreating, YOU can act and increase your market share.

And because others are not being aggressive, you can create more results at lower costs.

Does it make sense?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today, I like to talk about cost effective ways to gain market share, increase customers and achieve results you want.

Also, I will talk about where Internet Marketing opportunities lie in 2009, and how you can seize the opportunities FAST.

360 View, Inc.  was established with a vision to create successful business using Internet technologies.
A lot of people think we make websites & do Internet marketing; which we do.

But these are just tools.

It’s HOW you use these tools that make you successful.

We are also in a business of creating and investing in new or established companies.

We created a company that sells diesel engine parts about 18 months ago. In our first full year, we made more than 700K in revenues.

How was that possible in such a short period of time?  

The following were two of the most important success factors:

• Had a good business plan & marketing plan
• Leveraged from Internet Marketing strategies

I will continue to use Internet Marketing strategies to grow this company aggressively without breaking my wallet. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fast, Simple and Cost Effective Things You can Do in 2009

Since there are so many things to share, I will focus on only 3 things.

The recommendations I make are based on science on human behavior & statistics.

1. Increase Conversion on Your Website:

• Study / Statistics: We make a decision in split seconds.
• Science: (heat map of where the eyes follow): The most important real estate of a website is upper left area.
• Human behavior: We want to be TOLD what to do.
• Make bullet points. The eyes go to the points.
• Have a relevant picture close to important message you want to get across. The eyes follow the pictures.
• Have a phone number ABOVE the "fold" of your website (ideally up on top)
• Have a call to action ABOVE the "fold".

2. Be more visible locally:

• Focus on Local Search Results – “Cosmetic dentist in Seal Beach” vs "cosmetic dentis".
• Less competitive, thus costs less & faster when you focus on "niche" or specific geographical area or  certain demographic. 
• Make sure you show up on Google Local.  You don't need to have a website for this and it is free.  www.google.com/local/add and submit your business.

3. Leverage from Social Media Networking:

• 2009 opportunity lies in Social Media Optimization.
• This is the fastest growing area in the Internet space.
• YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Myspace - You can now advertise through these channels.
• You don’t have to have a website.
• My favorite: YouTube – google loves it because it owns it.  You can get yours indexed in about 24-48 hours.
• Create a PowerPoint presentation about your business and use a free tool like Windows Movie Maker to create a YouTube movie presentation with voice over.  Totally free.
• You can also do video optimization. If you choose your keyword right, you get ranked on first page of Google!

Summary:

If you are aggressive person like myself, you CAN do everything SEO/SMO/PPC and dominate the search engine results. It is possible in 2009.  However, the window of opportunity closes down quickly as things happen very fast in the era of Internet.

In summary, to be successful this year:

1. Have a goal and have it written
2. Have a plan and have it written
3. Just do it

Sincerely wishing for your bussiness success in 2009.
Yuri Lee
CEO
360 View, Inc.

Successful people:

• "just do it" once he/she decides "it" produces a desired result at high probability
• are prepared to fail numerous times
• view failures as part of expected process
• view failures as opportunity to learn & grow
• proactively learn from others
• know they will succeed

Many:

• do not "do" based on fear
• do try to "justify" him/herself by coming up with a "reasonable" reason

I declare NOT to be one of many:

• I will "just do it" and figure things out along the way
• The fact that I failed 5 times means I am 5 steps closer to success

Wishing for your success....and many great lessons along the way.

Fortunately, I realized that "I" was the biggest obstacle from achieving extraordinary success in my life - by being fearful, self doubting, and thinking small.   I was able to transform myself through series of events, training, coaching, books & tools.  

Although there are many things that helped, the following items are top of my list:

• Accelerated Trainings lead by Andy Philip, who is a multi-millionaire.  I'm a Leadership Program 16 (LP16) graduate of the training program.  The trainings changed my way of BE - DO - HAVE.  Before the trainings, I was an excellent "DO"er but didn't understand the importance of "BE"ing.  BE authentic about self will make "DO"ing easier and "HAVE"ing easier.  Unfortunately, Accelerate Trainings are no longer offered but there is a branch-off, called Maximum Results Trainings.  These trainings use the same methodologies and techniques developed by John Hanley, Sr. of  Lifespring Trainings.
• Hypnotherapy sessions from certified professional with a good reputation.  Please refer to my blog post dated January 9, 2009 for more information.
• Read as many self-help books as possible, and start doing what they suggest.  There are so many great books.  If I must choose two best books, I choose the following based on direct and profound results.

- The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy
- Key to Living the Law of Attraction by Jack Canfield

Yes, there is always "more" to go.  We were given our lives to "learn" and learning never stops!

 

2009 is a year of opportunity for smart companies. Let's explore cost effective ideas and implement smart Online Marketing strategies to increase market share!

• Date & Time: January 26th Monday at 6pm  Location: Morry's at Naples www.morrys.com

Thanks you very much for those who attended the live presentation on Monday.  Please see the simple and cost effective tips I shared with the live audience.

I like to extend my invitation to attend a webinar on Wednesday January 14th at 10am PST to learn how to recession proof our business with Internet Marketing in 2009. Even though you cannot make it, please make sure your associates, clients & colleagues can - so they can benefit from this information.
 
My Internet Business franchiser, WSI with over 1500 offices in 87 countries put together a webinar to help small businesses succeed using Internet Marketing strategies.  They have analyzed the Internet marketing spend of the tens of thousands of customers they have, and will be discussing some of their broad findings about where the "Smart Money" is going.
 
The webinar will cover the following topics:

• Pay Per Click Advertising: Targeting your advertising dollars for a focused message
• Search Engine Optimization: Rank better then your competition
• Social Media Optimization: Commercial Value to your Business
• Internet Marketing and the future: Changes in Google you need to know and leverage now.

I will be posting the recording of this webinar once ready.  Please come back if you couldn't participate.
 
Wishing for a very successful year.
 
All the best,
Yuri Lee

I'm a result oriented person.  Based on my own experience and tangible results created last year, I believe hypnotherapy sessions from a right professional can accelerate the process of achieving goals faster and with higher probability.  I highly recommend my hypnotherapist, Mahastee Mehdizadeh of Forward Life for business owners in achieving their goals. I was able to manage and overcome many challenges because of her help.  I realized that I was the biggest obstacle from achieving my success.  Once I got over this, everything started to take off effortlessly and faster.

Many people create New Year's resolution but how many people really achieve their goals? 

Mahastee is offering a special service that ensures your New Year's resolution to actually materialize into reality.  She is offering a special New Year's Resolution session for only $150.  Added bonus to this special session is 2009 Tarot reading at no additional fee only if you are open to this and choose to take up on the opportunity.  I do not know much about Tarot reading, astrology or anything of this nature.  I have not really cared for anything like this until she offered to do a reading on me.  Of course, I cannot speak about the accuracy of her reading related to future but I was stunned by her accuracy in describing my current situation; precise description of people involved, their ages, their specific characteristics, impact on my life, etc.; she does not know these people and she didn't even know my "question" I was asking in.  At the end of this session, I was encouraged and inspired.  As a result, I set big goals for this year, and I believe I will achieve them.

Mahastee Mehdizadeh
Forward Life
www.forwardlife.net
(818) 632-4565
info@forwardlife.net
Inquire about Achieving New Year's Resolution - Special Session
 

I had an opportunity to start-up a new company with two other partners unrelated to 360 View, Inc.  We launched a website in August of 2007.  In 2008 our revenues marked 700K.  In 2009, we are aiming for $2M in revenues.  One of the factors contributed to our rapid growth was our strategy to leverage from Internet technologies.  Our strategies worked really well, and we made a big impact in the industry.  However, what we didn't expect was many potential pitfalls & breakdowns that can happen with a rapid growth.  Contrary to how others perceived us, 2008 was a very painful year dealing with enormous number of challenges in short period of time.  Through this experience, I've learned some valuable lessons.  Beyond sales & marketing, there are so many important factors that makes a young company successful.  If one critical factor is not addressed on a timely manner, everything else can fail despite remarkable sales figure. 

I like to use this blog to share some "ingredients" that makes a successful business in 2009.

Wishing for a Geart Health, Happiness & Prosperity in 2009.
Sincerely, Yuri Lee
LinkedIn Profile of Yuri I. Lee

This is our first blog post on this website.

Feel free to grab a cup of tea and take a look around. You'll find great content and information about our business, and resources for small and medium companies.

I hope you enjoy and feel free to let us know what you think!