Business Success Blog: May 2017

Monday, May 22, 2017

Team Trust in Commercial Leasing

There are so many ways in which 'success in business' can be linked to the concepts of 'teams' and 'teamwork'.

We've frequently used quotes from well-known entrepreneurs with respect to the importance of creating a team. One such successful entrepreneur was Henry Ford - founder of the Ford Motor Corporation. Here are two familiar quotes attributed to him:

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."

In a conversation yesterday, it happened that we were talking about the importance of finding and working with individuals and organizations where TRUST is built and a sense of true collaboration and teamwork exists.

The fact of the matter is:

"If we don't have trust, we don't have anything!"

This important message is extended to aspects of choosing your business location, as well as your approach to this very significant business decision. In this post we're pleased to include a few more valuable tips from Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield from The Lease Coach. Thank you for sharing of your expertise with our "Business Success" audience!

Negotiating Commercial Leases & Renewals FOR DUMMIES

Commercial Leasing Tips for Commercial Tenants

By: Jeff Grandfield – The Lease Coach

For many business-owners, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized sales people. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate.

As explained in our new book, Negotiating Commercial Leases & Renewals FOR DUMMIES (co-written with my colleague, Dale Willerton), tenants may go through the leasing process only two or three times in their entire lifetime – yet they have to negotiate against seasoned professionals who negotiate leases every day for a living. Negotiating appropriate leasing terms is vital for an entrepreneur as the amount of rent he pays will directly affect the business’ financial bottom line.

Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, these are some money-saving tips for tenants:

Brokers … Friend of Foe? It is not uncommon for a tenant to believe that the real estate agent or broker is working for them. However, it should be noted that the listing agents’ commission is being paid by the landlord and even an outside agent may be sharing in that commission. Whether a landlord-paid agent can represent two masters you will have to decide for yourself. Brokers and agents do a great job but who are they doing that job for and who is paying them to do it? Even the most altruistic agent can’t serve two masters equally.

Size Up the Opponent: The fact is different leasing representatives are motivated in different ways. For example, an in-house leasing representative working on salary will be more concerned with your stability as a tenant. An outside realtor will finish the deal, collect his commission, and may never work with that landlord nor see you again. Sizing up your negotiating opponent and their personal motivation is part of a well-planned leasing strategy.

For a copy of our free CD, Leasing Do’s & Don’ts for Commercial Tenants, please e-mail your request to JeffGrandfield@TheLeaseCoach.com.

Jeff Grandfield and Dale Willerton - The Lease Coach are Commercial Lease Consultants who work exclusively for tenants. Jeff and Dale are professional speakers and co-authors of Negotiating Commercial Leases & Renewals FOR DUMMIES (Wiley, 2013). Got a leasing question? Need help with your new lease or renewal? Call 1-800-738-9202, e-mail DaleWillerton@TheLeaseCoach.com or JeffGrandfield@TheLeaseCoach.com or visit www.TheLeaseCoach.com.

AND - If you'd like some free Success Tips on Team Building, take a moment to review the ones we posted on our Provision - Exploring Mentorship BLOG following participation in an event hosted by Futurpreneur Canada last year.

CLICK HERE to view the Post: "Seven Keys for Building Great Teams"

What's been your experience?

Feel free to add your comments and thank you in advance

for sharing this post with those in your circle of contacts!

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Saturday, May 13, 2017

Success Means 'Making a Difference'

I've shared this with virtually every audience that I've been privileged to address - whether it's entrepreneurial focused, or otherwise. This principle is just that important! What is it?

Find a worthwhile cause, one that you truly believe is making a difference, and then build creative ways of supporting that cause through your entrepreneurial venture!

For some, having their own business allows them to continue and expand the support they've provided to great causes in the past. For others, this is brand new territory! But it's an exciting opportunity to build on the things you personally value, align them with priorities for your business, and take that support to an entirely new level! Regardless of the path you take, be sure to incorporate that important step, and lend a ‘helping hand’ to some of the many organizations and good causes that are working hard to make a difference in the lives of others!

Here's one story that I'd like to share with you. It was several months ago that I was invited to be the keynote speaker at an annual community breakfast. Seated at my table were Art and Beth Brochu. As we shared conversation over breakfast, Art told me of the fundraising he'd been doing for the Children's Wish Foundation in Alberta. The longer I listened, the more I thought of how absolutely "awesome" this was, so I asked Art to keep me informed, and I promised to share an update with those in my circle of contacts.

So let me tell you just a little about the “Art Cycles for Wishes” fundraiser which is now underway in Alberta!

Art’s cycling journey will again be raising awareness and donations for the Children's Wish Foundation – a Canadian organization that's helped nearly 25,000 sick children and their families. Art will be riding his bicycle a distance of 5,300 km from Fort Hills, Alberta on May 1, 2017, through numerous communities across Alberta, and will conclude on July 20, 2017 at Edmonton City Hall.

Now, as if 5,300 km isn’t a ‘daunting enough’ goal, one that would cause many well-conditioned individuals to step back from the challenge, let me assure you that Art’s been ‘around the block’ a few times. This isn’t his ‘first bike ride', and he’s no rookie! In fact, in 2014, at 70 years of age, Art cycled 9,285 km across Canada for the same worthy cause!

As he did then, this military veteran will be speaking with audiences along the way about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As we’re now learning, PTSD not only affects "First Responders" - those in occupations such as Fire, Emergency Medical Personnel, Police and Military, but it can also affect anyone that’s experienced a significant lost. His hope in sharing this message is to help raise awareness of PTSD, it's impact in all of our lives, and the important message that ‘help is available’ to those affected.

Art Brochu has done a lot for this cause, but he's very quick to thank all who've supported their efforts. Many have jumped onboard: Alberta communities and Lion's Clubs International have banded with caring individuals along this route and beyond to show their support - hosting events along Art's cycling route, donating funds, and raising awareness in their local areas.

Art's adventure is now underway. It began with a rougher than anticipated start and a few unexpected delays. Add to that, some 'colder than normal' temperatures' and a heavy spring snowfall across much of the region. But it’s the warmth and generosity of people that continues to propel Art and his team forward. As has been said, "Wishes Work Wonders and create lasting, happy family memories."

To close, we say: “Great work Art ... You're making a difference; ride on!”

To follow Art Brochu and offer your encouragement and support during his Alberta Ride for the Children's Wish Foundation, please contact:

Art Brochu, “Art Cycles for Wishes”

P: (780) 975-3541

E: abrochu@telusplanet.net