It only takes 5 minutes…

Posted by ASA Therapies on February 26, 2012
Posted in: Something Different. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Growing your Business

Some people say that doing business is hard, so I ask, what do you mean by ‘Doing Business’?  The most common answer is “getting in front of the decision maker is the hardest part in doing business, once I’m there the rest tends to be easy and business get’s done”

Does this sound familiar?  It sure does to me!

My blog today is about business networking and connecting people to help their business to grow…  Have a read, hope you enjoy…  Feel free to provide your thoughts…

Meeting new & existing contacts

When I first started out doing business networking it was scary, who to approach, who to speak to, what to say…actually I think I’ll leave!  I never left but instead, after my first networking event, thinking it was successful I went back to the office and searched the internet for useful tips on how to network effectively.  What I thought was a successful event was quite the opposite!  All I did was collect about 17-18business cards!

It’s all about building trust and relationships with people, sometimes this takes only 1 minute – 1st impressions count!  Sometimes you will need to meet people on a regular basis to build trust and relationships.

Connecting people…

It wasn’t long before I realised that I have a gift, I have a gift of remembering most types of businesses that I meet, and also remembering what they are looking to achieve in business.  If you’ve read my first blog (or read the tag line on my business card) then you’ll know that I love to help people to feel better.

Helping fellow business people to get more business is also what I love to do.

I like/get on with Person A, I like/get on with Person B, Person A is looking to meeting people/businesses like Person B

Well, I like both people and think there could be an opportunity for them to do business or start some form of a strategic alliance, so why not introduce them to each other?

Some of you may disagree and/or be thinking “What’s in it for me?”  For you there’s probably not much except a feeling that you may have helped someone to grow there business, and this in itself will go a long way in terms of public praises and gratitude towards you – third party testimonial/praises are worth much more than praising yourself.

Sometimes when you introduce people to each other no business get’s done.  However, the doors were opened because you could see a potential, and that’s what people are looking for… An OPPORTUNITY to do business.

I was working this week on creating these opportunities for fellow business contacts and it only took less than 5 minutes per introduction!

1.5mins to speak to Person A, 1.5mins to speak to Person B, 1.5mins to do an email intro/text each other with contact details.

The rest is up to them!

Help others and they will want to help you in return… 

Spread the Epidemic!

Posted by ASA Therapies on February 5, 2012
Posted in: State of Mind. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

Be warned!

The world is at risk of something magnificent… Everyone can catch it, no one is immune to it, it’s contagious and there is no cure!  Everyone has the power to spread it and I urge that once you’ve got it, you must share it with the world, let everyone know that you’ve got it…

It’s powerful and will change the way you feel, it will change the way you think, it will change your feelings inside, it will make others feel happy also…

I’m talking about Smiling!

Not just a small grin, but a great big one from ear to ear.  Show your teeth, show you really mean it… These are the contagious smiles!

It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.  When you smile it makes you naturally feel good about yourself and pictures/memories of the good times will start to flow.  Try smiling and thinking about something bad that’s happened, you can’t, it’s physically & psychologically not possible.

I walk around with smiles on my face all the time, I get funny looks, but when someone smiles back I know it’s spreading and that person will want to smile more.  This makes my smile even bigger. Some people call me ‘The Smiler’ and when I’m not smiling people often ask ‘What wrong, is everything ok’, and instantly I find myself thinking ‘SMILE!’ and in come all those happy feelings again.

When the nerves take over…

Humans have a tendency to put up barriers when meeting new people, so when you are out networking, going to do a new business deal or having team meetings with colleagues, wearing a smile will play to your advantage.  It will help you to feel calm, relaxed and put you in a state of joy which will be observed by the people you are with.  This will help those around you to relax, feel calm, drop their barriers and next thing you know you have new contact, better meetings and even new clients for your business.  Try it, I dare you!

Something to try…

Try closing your eyes for one minute and smile…feel your face relaxing… what thoughts come into your head?  Nice thoughts, right?  Next time you go shopping, driving your car, or simply going for a walk, smile and watch the funny looks you get, it’ll make you giggle, honest!

So remember: Smiling is contagious… Spread the Epidemic… :-D

Men Only!

Posted by ASA Therapies on January 29, 2012
Posted in: Something Different. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Valentines Workshop – Men Only!

That’s right you read it correctly,  Men Only!

Just kidding, women are also more than welcome.

If you’re a woman there is no offence intended, instead it would be great if you could read below and foward this on to your partner, maybe take part yourself.

One of my friends always comes up with quirky ideas, some I like, others not so sure about, but the last idea he gave to me definately caught my attention.

Thanks Brendon Kenny, you’re a star!

Stop the nagging…

So, all you men out there (women can take part too), picture this:

You come home to find your partner is really stressed out,  he/she has had one heck of a day.  Shoulders are aching, their feet are hurting and you’re on the end of the nagging. Then you hear those words…

“Please will you massage my shoulders, oh and my feet are hurting too, please will you rub them for me?”

You do your best, and ask “How was that honey?”

To which you get “I would’ve been better paying for it”, or “You’re never any good”!

Ring any bells?

Your Saviour

How magical would it be if one day, just one time, you got home and asked your partner “How are you feeling today?  Do you want your feet rubbing?” – “NO, YOU’RE NO GOOD AT IT“,  ”Oh, go on, just give me one more try”.

Little do they know that you’ve just attended a Valentines Workshop which taught you how to massage.  Women are more than welcome to attend :-)

Quirky and different indeed!

There are several dates/times available to attend the workshops and each one has limited spaces, you only have to attend once.  Visit Valentines Workshop for more details on how you could give the ultimate valentines present, EVER!

All attendees will get the following…

  • Taught how to give a 10-15min Back, neck, shoulder massage
  • Taught how to give a 10-15min  Foot massage
  • Information about the treatment methods to take away
  • Ideas how to set the ambiance
  • Bottle of Massage oil
  • 6 Candles

By the way, you won’t have to take your shoe’s off, you’ll be practicing with your hands… The routine is easily transferable to the feet, so as a bonus you’ll also learn a hand massage routine.

And one lucky person (per workshop) will win…

  • A Bunch of  Red Roses
  • A Box of Chocolates and
  • A Bottle of Champagne, all to give to your loving partner.

Why Wait, click here to book now!

Who Am I?

Posted by ASA Therapies on January 25, 2012
Posted in: Hiren Patel. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 comment

Who Am I?

The Smiler!

Some people have labelled me The Smiler!  I don’t know why, but maybe it’s because it makes it easier for people to talk to me!  My family has a history of looking angry when we’re concentrating, so to make me more approachable, I have to smile! :-D

This is my first blog and I thought I’d write about me, where I’ve come from, some of my experiences and why I started ASA Therapies.

My Past

My educational background is to degree level in Maths with Computing!  Who’d ever thought I’d become a complementary therapist!

Born and bred in Leicester for 23 years, I first moved to Manchester in 2003 and then moved to Liverpool in 2004 when the company I was working for gave me a relocation package that was irresistible!  My day to day tasks with my last employer was analysing data, forecasting trends and making recommendations for future improvements and growth.  The job title I held was Business Risk Analyst.

Inspiration

Mrs Patel (mum to me!) was and still is my inspiration for starting a complementary therapy business.  Many years ago mum suffered with severe depression and was on some very strong anti-depressants, and this was due to dad being terminally ill for a few years.  Mum used to spend all day with him in hospital whilst raising my sister and I, it was very tough for her.

At the age of 17 my father died, which was a good thing for him because he had suffered for a very long time!  I was so lucky to have an older sister who cared for the family during mum’s downtime.

Uncle Patel from India knew that my mum loved to read so he sent a book on hand reflexology.  Within 6-7 weeks of self teaching my mum was no longer depressed and found her calling in life.  From this she was inspired to do a diploma in reflexology so that she could help other people to feel and become much healthier, as she did.

Business Risk Analyst to Complementary Therapist

The transition started when I found myself adopting the City of Liverpool and could see myself living here for a long time to come!

I was on the phone to mum and was asking her for ideas of growing my social circle.  ”Why don’t you learn reflexology?” was her suggestion.  Being a guinea pig (case study!) during the time when she was studying, I found it helped to sleep better and feel great the next day, so I thought “Why not eh!?”.

Qualifying in Reflexology, I got the bug!  Over the next two years I also studied Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage.  I was already Reiki Level 1 qualified before doing Reflexology, but then qualified to Level 2 after completing the Indian Head Massage course.

I met some great people on the various course, most of which I am still in touch with.

Why make the change?

Through some of life’s challenges faced through family history, university and personal down-times I thought hard about what is it I want in life?

Helping people has always been one of my key qualities, whether it was providing advice to friends, helping family with DIY, or simply being a listening post for people to release their frustrations.

With an analytical background and one of my strengths I decided to bunch up the skills and start ASA Therapies.  It’s now allowing me to achieve some of my goals in helping people, but more so showing people how they can help themselves.  Nothing makes me happier then to see other people happy, and by providing these treatments for people from all walks of life, gives me just that.

I strongly believe that it is now my turn to give back to society what the Universe has given to me – love, peace and a harmonious life.

That’s Me!

Going forward I anticipate to write more blogs so that I can share, in more detail, some of my experiences and what I do to take on everyday challenges.  Please leave comments and feedback, tell me what you think!

Most Important…

Smiling is Contagious… Spread the Epidemic!  :-)