Welcome to What's the Point? - the official Ezine for the Acupreneur. 

My name is Dr. Eric G. Schneider, D. Min and I'm the Chief Inspirational Officer of the Acupreneur.

My mission is to cultivate 2000 readers of What's the Point? by Jan 2005 and I need your help.  Please forward this Ezine along to your colleagues. 

If you are not already subscribed, you can view past issues and subscribe at www.acupreneur.com/ezine.html. 

Greetings,

This past week, I've been able to get back into going to the gym and practicing Tai Chi, having finally gotten over a nasty cold and gout attack.

As I re-approached the idea of eating healthy and exercising, I was forced to think about why I really want to do these things.  

Believe it or not, health in itself was not a good enough reason - and neither was vanity for that matter.   

I realized mobility and clarity are my two main motivators when it comes to my having a healthy diet and exercise routine.  To be able to move freely and comfortably, play and run with the dogs, spend quality time with my partner and be clear headed for my clients - this is what motivates me.

It isn't as much about being healthy physically, as it is about being able to fully enjoy my day-to-day life. This is what I want to build for myself.

So, this week I am going to expand on last week's theme of 'What are you building?' 

But first, I want to share one more letter from my first quarter workshop.

Many blessings,  

Eric G. Schneider, D. Min.
Eric@acupreneur.com

In this week's issue:

• Feedback
• Feature Article
• Contact Info

More Feedback

"The weekend seminar really made me realize the importance of setting goals and having some sort of vision instead of winging it and fishing around in the dark. 

The seminar reminded me that making a successful living at something you love doing is one of the greatest blessings one could have in this lifetime and is definitely something to strive for. 

I felt very supported and comforted by the fact that everyone at the seminar, including Eric, is going through the same issues in building their business. 

I will definitely be meeting my goal of leaving the no-fault clinic in 6 months.  It will be closing sometime in January.  I just found out on Tuesday.  It is funny that I just declared that goal over the weekend and now it is happening.  I felt a little worried on Tuesday when I found out, but now  I feel much more comfortable with this information.  Even if they decide to stay open longer, I am definitely leaving in January.  At this point I have to because I am so busy, I need to make space for another day of seeing my own patients and I need to have evening hours."

Sean Fort, L.Ac.

Thank you Sean for sending this to me -  it really gave me a great deal of satisfaction!

What Does Your Business Card Say?

Last week, I told you a story to illustrate how you approach your work and your life.  (click here for a reminder).

When you asked yourself the question, "what am I building?"  - what did you come up with?

Many acupuncturists resist business common sense.  They have 'bad press' around business and everything that is associated with it.  They create a chasm in their own minds about spirituality vs. business, instead of combining spirituality and business.  

When I think about what I am doing here at the Acupreneur, it could be best summed up by healing this artificial split.  

Many of the most influential leaders in business thinking today have brought spirituality into the forefront.  Men like Steven Covey, Ken Blanchard, and Spencer Johnson have worked to highlight spiritual principles in relationship to business.  

You see, once an acupuncturist can embrace certain principles, they can be assured of success.  

Let me focus on one basic principle - putting your clients and your potential clients first.

This is not about pushing your boundaries or being a martyr - it's about seeing things from your client's and potential client's perspective.   

When you put your clients first, amazing things start to happen.  It shifts the way you think about marketing, sales and finance.  

Let's take a basic example - take a look at your business card.  

• Do you like it?

• Do you love what it says?

• Do you enjoy seeing your name with your degrees next to them?

• Do you love the name of your practice?

• Do you love everything about it?

When I first got my degree, I was delighted. I wanted it displayed on my cards, my stationary, my brochures, etc. I was very excited - however, my degrees, qualifications, the type of therapy I practiced, etc. did not actually matter to my clients.  These things only had meaning for me. 

Sadly, they did not help me fill my practice. It took me a long time to break out of the service professional box and start viewing things from a consumer's point of view - without any jargon whatsoever!

What is your customer's view?  What problems do they have that you have an answer for?  Answering these questions, of course, means that you have already chosen a niche.  If you have not, people will have a hard time finding you.  

As a potential client, can I find what I am looking for when I look at your card?   

If your card only has meaning to you, you leave your potential clients all alone to project what he or she thinks your practice and your services are about.  

My card has changed a lot over the years.  It is client centered.  It is designed to help potential clients find themselves, which in turn helps them find me.  

What meaning does your business card project?

Eric

Dr. Eric G. Schneider, D. Min .is the Chief Inspirational and Spiritual Officer of the Acupreneur. The preeminent business school for oriental medical professionals who want a financially rewarding practice while maintaining their spiritual values.

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Dr. Eric G. Schneider
289 - 7th Ave
New York, NY, 10001