Are you a FUTURE business operations EXPERT?

If so, you may become a HIRED GUN that many businesses will need in the future, especially as we transition into the “Knowledge Worker” era.  Operations and systems allow entrepreneurs to focus on (and leverage) their expertise and passions – and not worry about the running of their repeatable business tasks – although those systems are the key to long term success.

Michael Gerber, the author of ‘The E-Myth’ – a bestselling book that focuses on the importance of business systemization: “Most businesses fail to fully achieve their potential. That’s because the person who owns the business doesn’t truly know how to build a company that works without him or her – which is the key.”

Living by LISTS:

• Do you make lists?
• Everyday?
• If you do something not on the list, do you go back and add it on the list and then check it off.

Attention to DETAIL:

• Are you detail oriented?
• Are you the one who makes sure a task is COMPLETE?
• Do you dot the I’s and cross the T’s?
• And then PROOF read everything, one last time?
• (Although this won’t be your role) Have you had experience in accounting, legal, or planning (or even being the main organizer of your high school reunion)?

So what’s in it for you?  OSMOSIS!
I was where you were just 4 years ago, and I have become the industry expert in just those four years, and to take my business to the next level I need help getting processes in place – so I need you.  Here’s what I will give you:

• My BLUEPRINT so that you can achieve the same stature in your field
• My KNOWLEDGE from over $50,000 of marketing, strategy, and Internet marketing teaching and resources (all purchased after university).
• My SHORTCUTS to catapult your EXPERTISE (and reputation) on the Internet
• Your EXPERIENCE in working with a high-performing VIRTUAL team (the next big skill!)
• The DEAL: $20 / hour for 20 hours per week for 6 to 8 weeks (maybe longer if mutually agreed upon)

If you are STILL interested, you can apply if…

• You are not a whiner, complainer, or someone who needs to have their hand held
• You want to have your OWN business in the next year or two & you just want to be immersed in another business before you start your own.
• You are ready for a WILD ride as I explode my business to a hyper-level in my industry in the next year

Please  send me an email and answer the questions above + send your resume to robin@funeralfuturist.com.  Plus send me links to any positive references about you on the Internet.

Thanks for taking the time to read this – if you are INSPIRED please APPLY, if you aren’t – well maybe you would like to hire us – see the service offerings and trainings on the right of this page.

5 Reasons to have Careers on your Funeral Home Website

Recently, I created a “Help Wanted Ad” for some a support position to help me with the growth of my business and posted it to my website.  In stead of the old way of posting ads with newspapers and then sifting through a stack of job-seeking-tire-kickers, I wanted to elevate the relationship level to one of someone who was familiar with my work (via my website) or at least to get a referral – friend of a friend.  So why I am telling you this story?  Well it seems to be a topic of interest lately – getting good calibre staff – and we seem to turn to our travelling sales reps and ask them if they know of anyone looking.  As funeral directors, we forget that we have a large volume of “eyeballs” checking out obituaries on our websites and leaving condolences.  Why not have a “Careers” or “Job Opportunities” section on your website?

Here is a list of the reasons why you should have a Careers section on your website:

• It’s free! Well, depending on how your site is set up you may have to pay your web developer to create this section, or if you use a Content Management system like WordPress – it’s completely Free.
• Gives visitors an insight into your company.  Even if someone isn’t looking for a job – maybe they are trying to decide what funeral home to choose and if you communicate in your Help Ads that you need a certain type of person that will go above and beyond for your client families, they may see that is a deciding factor – “Attracting Families through Help Wanted Ads”
• The job seeker will get a better understanding of your operations since they are already at your website (although if someone comes in to an interview without researching you on your website, maybe you should keep looking).
• The Referral – maybe someone has been to your website to leave a condolence and they see your Careers tab and they know of someone who may be perfect for funeral service and they are already familiar with your company via the website (this referral will never happen if you only used help wanted ads).
• Good Economic Community Member – in economic times like this, it is good to show that you are investing back into the community – Job Creation (even if it is a replacement situation for you, you don’t have to tell everyone that)

I am sure that there are other benefits to posting job opportunities on your funeral home website. Can you think of any other reasons?  Please leave a comment below.

Here are some steps that you should remember:

• Let the firm’s caring, empathic personality come out in your ad, and describe what it is like to be apart of your team (others are reading it too)
• After the position has been filled, leave it up as a sample and still offer to accept resumes
• Embed or link to the Lynch’s “The Undertaking” documentary video clips from YouTube or PBS – these hold the entire profession in a more positive light
• Create a “Footer” link to your Careers section for each page – visitors’ curiosity will make them check out what’s available
• Secret tactic: use Social Network sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and even Twitter to direct people to your new job posting

I hope that this has been helpful – again please add your thoughts by leaving a comment below – thanks.

…Hepp

Wanted: Entrepreneurial Support

Although I have posted this under the “Careers” category, it probably should be called “Opportunities” or “Internet Apprenticeship” but at least with “Careers” you will know that I am looking for some help.

You see, there are a lot of things happening behind the scenes as Web 2.0 and the funeral industry collide – actually “mesh” together – all of it beneficial to the funeral profession!  But to make sure that I play my part in the most efficient manner, I need some help.

This position experience may be perfect for someone who is looking to re-enter the workforce or looking for a more flexible work schedule.

Position Details:

• $17 to $20 per hour
• 20 hours per week (could be increased if desired)
• Additional incentives for specific projects

Required skills:

• Highly organized and self-motivated
• Ability to manage and oversee projects
• Able to follow (and create) systems / procedures
• Excellent communication skills, both oral & written
• General computer skills and ability to be trained on new systems

Duties:

Your number one job is to help FuneralFuturist.com acquire and keep customers

This is a list of some of the general tasks and duties (training will be provided if necessary):

• General administration and bookkeeping
• Article submission to article directories
• Article distribution for trade journals and associations
• Transcription of audio and video recordings
• Enrolling funeral directors in online continuing education programs
• Project management of website development
• Project management of email newsletters

Skills gained (applied):

• Relationship Marketing
• Internet Marketing and how it applies to traditional bricks & mortar companies

Skills gained (by osmosis):

• Negotiating
• Risk taking
• Creating & seizing opportunities
• Entrepreneurship

Specific software / web services will be used (previous experience not necessary – free video training provided for all apps)

• Aweber: Autoresponder and email marketing
• 1ShoppingCart: Shopping cart administration
• Traffic Geyser: video uploading
• MindJet: Mind mapping software
• Muvee: Video editing software
• Google Apps – Awesome Resources (and Free too!)
• WordPress – World’s Best CMS System
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Simple Accounting
• Amember – Membership software
• Infusionsoft - Customer Relationship Management

This position is best suited for someone residing in Victoria, BC.

For more information, email me at admin@funeralfuturist.com or call 250-744-3595.