As a small business owner, I have found it is my business to know what people want and need, even before they know what they want and need. But I can find myself easily in a rut…waiting for people to ask me for what they need. Sometimes I find that I rely to heavily on waiting for the sale to come to me, rather than going out there and getting it. Waiting for someone to come and ask me for this product when they run out, or that promotion when it seems like a good thing for them in their lives. But you know what I find? People always have good intentions, but they never get around to doing more than the basics in their life…the basics of going to work, eating, sleeping and that is about it. When it comes to extras, which we need to face it, can be the products or services we provide, most people view that as a bonus or extra and don’t ask for it often enough.

Today’s challenge to you…find a way to know what people REALLY need and offer it to them NOW, as in TODAY. Don’t wait for them to ask, just take that leap and offer it to them.

The great car maker, Henry Ford, once said, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said: faster horses”.

Think about that quote for a second. If Henry Ford had only given people something when they asked for it, we might still be riding around in a horse and buggy.

Who do you know that has ordered something in the past regularly from you? Are they about out of it? CALL THEM NOW and offer to place their next order for them. While you are at it, offer them the latest promotion or deal.

Who do you know that has a problem or is in crisis at the moment that could benefit from a product or service you provide. CALL THEM RIGHT NOW and tell them  you have been thinking about them and their situation and suggest your product or service.

Do you have a customer or client that has a special anniversary or birthday coming up? CALL THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHER RIGHT NOW and talk to them about ordering a gift of your products or service for their loved one.

Today, you only have to make 1-2 of these calls to make an impact in your business. So what are you waiting for?

This is your chance to think outside the box and build a car instead of make a better horse because you are waiting for someone to ask you for the sale. Tell the people what they need and give them a world infinitely better than a world of poopy horse-drawn carriages.