Objections are a requirement to a successful sales day. In fact, without them, you’re likely not engaging your prospects and customers.
It’s the introduction of an objection that can spark a flow of information that can help you further qualify a sales opportunity and better understand the needs and current environment of your prospects. For this reason, you should work to embrace and understand the true objections you might be facing. Read More here... The 8 Objections - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Are you valuable?
Are you valuable? 4 Questions to ask yourself about your sales value: Click Here to read more...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Insider List: Motivating Movies
8 Mile (2002) Jerry Maguire (1996)
Ali (2001) Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973)
Alive (1993) Legally Blonde (2001), Legally Blonde 2 (2003)
Antwone Fisher (2002) Lorenzo’s Oil (1993)
Apollo 13 (1995) The Lou Gehrig Story (1956)
Ben Hur (1959) The Matrix (1999)
Boiler Room (2000) Men of Honor (2000)
Braveheart (1995) Miracle (2004)
Brian’s Song (1971) Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) My Body Guard (1980)
Chariots of Fire (1981) Norma Rae (1979)
Chocolat (2001) North Country (2005)
Cinderella Man (2005) October Sky (1999)
Dead Poets Society (1989) On the Waterfront (1954)
Defending Your Life (1991) The Paper Chase (1973)
Door to Door (2002) Patton (1970)
The Emperor's Club (2002) Remember the Titans (2000)
Erin Brockovich (2000) Renaissance Man (1994)
Field of Dreams (1989) The Right Stuff (1983)
Forrest Gump (1994) Rocky (1976), Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982)
Friday Night Lights (2004) The Rookie (2002)
Gandhi (1982) Rudy (1993)
Gladiator (2000) Scent of a Woman (1992)
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Glory (1989) Stand By Me (1986)
Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005) Vision Quest (1985)
Henry V (1989) Walk the Line (2005)
Hoosiers (1986) Wall Street (1987)
The Hurricane (2000) Working Girl (1988)
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Ali (2001) Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973)
Alive (1993) Legally Blonde (2001), Legally Blonde 2 (2003)
Antwone Fisher (2002) Lorenzo’s Oil (1993)
Apollo 13 (1995) The Lou Gehrig Story (1956)
Ben Hur (1959) The Matrix (1999)
Boiler Room (2000) Men of Honor (2000)
Braveheart (1995) Miracle (2004)
Brian’s Song (1971) Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) My Body Guard (1980)
Chariots of Fire (1981) Norma Rae (1979)
Chocolat (2001) North Country (2005)
Cinderella Man (2005) October Sky (1999)
Dead Poets Society (1989) On the Waterfront (1954)
Defending Your Life (1991) The Paper Chase (1973)
Door to Door (2002) Patton (1970)
The Emperor's Club (2002) Remember the Titans (2000)
Erin Brockovich (2000) Renaissance Man (1994)
Field of Dreams (1989) The Right Stuff (1983)
Forrest Gump (1994) Rocky (1976), Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982)
Friday Night Lights (2004) The Rookie (2002)
Gandhi (1982) Rudy (1993)
Gladiator (2000) Scent of a Woman (1992)
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Glory (1989) Stand By Me (1986)
Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005) Vision Quest (1985)
Henry V (1989) Walk the Line (2005)
Hoosiers (1986) Wall Street (1987)
The Hurricane (2000) Working Girl (1988)
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Email 3 Times Daily- From Just Sell
What if you checked email only 3 times a day?
The rules…
Check and handle email upon arrival then check and handle email at lunch. Check and handle email after 4 pm. At home, check it all you’d like (but hopefully that won’t be more than once a day).
Here’s what we’ve learned so far (we’ve been doing it at JustSell since 11.2010)…Click the link below to read more...
Email 3 Times Daily - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®
The rules…
Check and handle email upon arrival then check and handle email at lunch. Check and handle email after 4 pm. At home, check it all you’d like (but hopefully that won’t be more than once a day).
Here’s what we’ve learned so far (we’ve been doing it at JustSell since 11.2010)…Click the link below to read more...
Email 3 Times Daily - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
60 Second Guide To Managing Upset Customers
Source: Templates & Tools by Score.org
Having respect for your customers will ensure their faith in and loyalty to you and your business. Studies show that it is nine times more difficult to attract a new customer than it is to retain an existing one, so it is critical to keep your customers happy. Surveys, focus groups and questionnaires are among the ways to measure your customers’ perceptions of you and determine how to improve.
If you discover that a customer is dissatisfied, take action immediately to win back their confidence in the services you provide. People like to know that their opinion counts and if they feel like you care about what they think, they will think positive thoughts about you and your business.
In just 60-seconds, you’ll learn how to manage upset customers and turn them into long-term, satisfied customers.
0:60 Stay Calm
Listen carefully to your customers' complaints without interrupting. Acknowledge that there is a problem and empathize with upset customers. Let them know what you can do for them and make them aware of all of their options. Always treat your customers with respect. Customers should sense that you are calm, but concerned. Your attitude when dealing with upset customers should be professional, mature, pleasant and reasonable.
0:46 Work at Gaining Loyal Customers
The number one reason that customers stop buying from a business is because they were treated poorly by someone. It is much more cost effective to retain loyal customers than to gain new ones. In order to create loyalty, you have to calm down upset customers and ensure them that you will work to find a solution that they deem acceptable. Let them know that their business is important. Thank them for their patience and cooperation. In many cases, it pays to reward upset customers in order to keep their business.
0:38 Look & Act Professional
A first impression is a lasting impression. Your appearance should signal that you are professional, mature and knowledgeable. Nonverbal communication also says a lot. Your body language and tone of voice should be polite and tactful. Pay attention to your facial expressions, posture, gestures and speech.
0:20 Choose Who You Want to Do Business With
There are some people who will never be happy with your products or services. Repeated complaints from a customer and terminal dissatisfaction are signs that you cannot please him or her. Your business is better off without such customers and you may want to refer them elsewhere.
0:11 Ensure that Mistakes Aren't Repeated
Once you determine the problem and how it originated, you can take steps to ensure that it does not happen again. Learning about a problem can actually help improve your business if you make sure that the problem is avoided in the future. Don't make the same mistake twice. In dealing with upset customers, you also learn about human behavior and become better at resolving similar situations in the future.
0:03 Don't Take Criticism Personally
Many discourteous customers act that way because they made a mistake and want to blame someone else. Don't let these customers get to you by responding emotionally or giving in to outrageous demands. Tears, anger and sarcasm are inappropriate reactions.
View more at Score.org
Having respect for your customers will ensure their faith in and loyalty to you and your business. Studies show that it is nine times more difficult to attract a new customer than it is to retain an existing one, so it is critical to keep your customers happy. Surveys, focus groups and questionnaires are among the ways to measure your customers’ perceptions of you and determine how to improve.
If you discover that a customer is dissatisfied, take action immediately to win back their confidence in the services you provide. People like to know that their opinion counts and if they feel like you care about what they think, they will think positive thoughts about you and your business.
In just 60-seconds, you’ll learn how to manage upset customers and turn them into long-term, satisfied customers.
0:60 Stay Calm
Listen carefully to your customers' complaints without interrupting. Acknowledge that there is a problem and empathize with upset customers. Let them know what you can do for them and make them aware of all of their options. Always treat your customers with respect. Customers should sense that you are calm, but concerned. Your attitude when dealing with upset customers should be professional, mature, pleasant and reasonable.
0:46 Work at Gaining Loyal Customers
The number one reason that customers stop buying from a business is because they were treated poorly by someone. It is much more cost effective to retain loyal customers than to gain new ones. In order to create loyalty, you have to calm down upset customers and ensure them that you will work to find a solution that they deem acceptable. Let them know that their business is important. Thank them for their patience and cooperation. In many cases, it pays to reward upset customers in order to keep their business.
0:38 Look & Act Professional
A first impression is a lasting impression. Your appearance should signal that you are professional, mature and knowledgeable. Nonverbal communication also says a lot. Your body language and tone of voice should be polite and tactful. Pay attention to your facial expressions, posture, gestures and speech.
0:20 Choose Who You Want to Do Business With
There are some people who will never be happy with your products or services. Repeated complaints from a customer and terminal dissatisfaction are signs that you cannot please him or her. Your business is better off without such customers and you may want to refer them elsewhere.
0:11 Ensure that Mistakes Aren't Repeated
Once you determine the problem and how it originated, you can take steps to ensure that it does not happen again. Learning about a problem can actually help improve your business if you make sure that the problem is avoided in the future. Don't make the same mistake twice. In dealing with upset customers, you also learn about human behavior and become better at resolving similar situations in the future.
0:03 Don't Take Criticism Personally
Many discourteous customers act that way because they made a mistake and want to blame someone else. Don't let these customers get to you by responding emotionally or giving in to outrageous demands. Tears, anger and sarcasm are inappropriate reactions.
View more at Score.org
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Is Pinterest the New LinkedIn for Job Seekers?
Pinterest, for the uninitiated minority, is an online bulletin board for “pinning” images you like from around the web. It is also the fastest growing social network since Facebook.
But is it the answer to your unemployment? Click Here to read more on Forbes.com...
Check out Jeff Cowan's Pinterest Boards at: https://pinterest.com/jcowansprotalk/
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Insider List: Motivating Books
212° the extra degree, S.L. Parker (2002)
As a Man Thinketh, James Allen (1983)
Awaken the Giant Within, Anthony Robbins (1993)
The Art of War, Sun Tzu
Between A Rock and Hard Place, Aron Ralston (2004)
The Bible
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlson (1997)
Failing Forward: How to Make the Most of Your Mistakes, John C. Maxwell (2000)
Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results, Stephen Lundin, et al. (2000)
The Greatest Salesman in the World, Og Mandino (1983)
The Greatest Salesman in the World: Part II: The End of the Story, Og Mandino (r1989)
How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling, Frank Bettger (1986)
How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie (r1990)
If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg (2001)
It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life, Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins (2001)
Leadership, Rudolph W. Giuliani (2002)
Life of Pi, Yann Martel (2003)
Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters, Phil McGraw (2000)
Live Your Dreams, Les Brown (1996)
Lives of Moral Leadership: Men and Women Who Have Made A Difference, Robert Coles (2001)
Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Emil Frankl (1959)
Mary Kay: You Can Have It All, Mary Kay Ash (1996)
Maximum Achievement, Brian Tracy (1995)
Night, Elie Weisel (r2006)
Notes from a Friend: A Quick and Simple Guide to Taking Control of Your Life, Anthony Robbins (r1995)
The One Minute Sales Person, Spencer Johnson (r2002)
The Other 90%: How to Unlock Your Vast Untapped Potential for Leadership & Life, Robert K. Cooper (2001)
Over the Top, Zig Ziglar (1997)
The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale (r1996)
The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life, Bruce Wilkinson (2000)
The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, Rick Warren (2002)
The Richest Man in Babylon, George S. Clason (r2004)
The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck (1978, r2002)
Self-reliance and Other Essays, Ralph Waldo Emerson (r1993)
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey (1990)
Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton with Sheryl Berk and Rick Bundschuh (2004)
The Strangest Secret (Earl Nightingale's Library of Little Gems), Earl Nightingale (1996)
Swim With the Sharks, Harvey Mackay (r1996)
Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill (1976)
Walt Disney: An American Original, Bob Thomas (1994)
Who Moved My Cheese?, Spencer Johnson (1998)
Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Wartime Sarajevo (r2006)
As a Man Thinketh, James Allen (1983)
Awaken the Giant Within, Anthony Robbins (1993)
The Art of War, Sun Tzu
Between A Rock and Hard Place, Aron Ralston (2004)
The Bible
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlson (1997)
Failing Forward: How to Make the Most of Your Mistakes, John C. Maxwell (2000)
Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results, Stephen Lundin, et al. (2000)
The Greatest Salesman in the World, Og Mandino (1983)
The Greatest Salesman in the World: Part II: The End of the Story, Og Mandino (r1989)
How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling, Frank Bettger (1986)
How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie (r1990)
If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg (2001)
It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life, Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins (2001)
Leadership, Rudolph W. Giuliani (2002)
Life of Pi, Yann Martel (2003)
Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters, Phil McGraw (2000)
Live Your Dreams, Les Brown (1996)
Lives of Moral Leadership: Men and Women Who Have Made A Difference, Robert Coles (2001)
Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Emil Frankl (1959)
Mary Kay: You Can Have It All, Mary Kay Ash (1996)
Maximum Achievement, Brian Tracy (1995)
Night, Elie Weisel (r2006)
Notes from a Friend: A Quick and Simple Guide to Taking Control of Your Life, Anthony Robbins (r1995)
The One Minute Sales Person, Spencer Johnson (r2002)
The Other 90%: How to Unlock Your Vast Untapped Potential for Leadership & Life, Robert K. Cooper (2001)
Over the Top, Zig Ziglar (1997)
The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale (r1996)
The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life, Bruce Wilkinson (2000)
The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?, Rick Warren (2002)
The Richest Man in Babylon, George S. Clason (r2004)
The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck (1978, r2002)
Self-reliance and Other Essays, Ralph Waldo Emerson (r1993)
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey (1990)
Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton with Sheryl Berk and Rick Bundschuh (2004)
The Strangest Secret (Earl Nightingale's Library of Little Gems), Earl Nightingale (1996)
Swim With the Sharks, Harvey Mackay (r1996)
Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill (1976)
Walt Disney: An American Original, Bob Thomas (1994)
Who Moved My Cheese?, Spencer Johnson (1998)
Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Wartime Sarajevo (r2006)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
How to Focus - via Just Sell®... it's all about sales®
How to Focus - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®
Imagine the incredible results you’d have if you and your team really focused on a consistent basis.
You’d likely…
____________________
If you’re in an office setting that allows you to face away from distraction (the door or other people – not customers, of course), do it.
Managers: Depending on your team, some or all of these ideas might not go over well (we know firsthand). Involving people in a discussion, asking them for ideas on how to improve internal focus and minimize distractions, might be a good first step. Also, consistently helping people remember the purpose behind what it is you do for customers can help gain commitment to your reasons for focusing. (Make good things happen for other people.).
You’d likely…
- contribute more
- waste less time ramping back up
- serve customers better (internally and externally)
- find more customers
- come up with more ideas
- plan better
- be less frustrated and stressed
- help others focus more (by interrupting them less)
- make more money (for everyone… including you)
Nothing’s guaranteed, of course. But it’s a better bet. (And in the long run, you’ll enjoy more.)
If you like these ideas, you might also like my message on commitment called Cross The Line. Use this link to watch the quick little video.____________________
4 ways to knock out the bulk of distractions
- Establish focus hours with your team (or company-wide) – chunks of time each day where everyone will allow everyone else to focus (that includes you). No inter-office communications unless it truly can’t wait. At JustSell, ours are from 9 am – 11 am and 2 pm – 4 pm (4 total hours a day). You’ll make mistakes occasionally and break focus hours but with commitment and reinforcement, everyone will benefit. If you’re really SalesTough (see below if you don’t know what this is) in order to minimize outside distractions, let your family and friends know your focus hours (and turn off your cell).
- Turn off email alerts and commit to checking it at the most minimal level you feel is possible for your particular sales world without having a negative impact on service. If you’re SalesTough, most of your inbound emails are probably important but still don’t need attention for at least an hour (if not longer). Be truthful with yourself and set your interval so everyone wins. If you can set only two or three specific times a day to respond to email, do it. (See below for what we learned by checking it only 3 times a day.) Consider having an auto-responder that let’s people know when you address your email (e.g., "Thanks for your note. I usually check my email three times daily (8:30 am, 11:30 am, 4:30 pm). If you need me immediately, please call my cell/ assistant/ office line.)."
- Turn off instant messaging services unless your work absolutely requires it to get the job done. Having to phone someone or talk with them live (by visiting them) will make you more aware and respectful of someone else’s time (and yours).
- Avoid the web during money hours unless you absolutely need it for your work. The distractions are endlessly wonderful for those who’d prefer to avoid making good things happen (which of course, isn’t your goal). If you must open a browser during the money hours (or focus hours), make sure your home page is something that doesn’t have the potential to encourage you down destruction distraction road (e.g., news or email sites, personalized pages, etc.). Search and discover outside your money hours or at lunch.
If you’re in an office setting that allows you to face away from distraction (the door or other people – not customers, of course), do it.
Managers: Depending on your team, some or all of these ideas might not go over well (we know firsthand). Involving people in a discussion, asking them for ideas on how to improve internal focus and minimize distractions, might be a good first step. Also, consistently helping people remember the purpose behind what it is you do for customers can help gain commitment to your reasons for focusing. (Make good things happen for other people.).
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Upcoming Workshop Schedule:
Our workshop in Indianapolis is less than a month away! You don't want to miss it. Reserve one of the remaining seats today: http://bit.ly/zwkjLg
Upcoming Workshops
*To register for a Workshop, please call us now at (800) 248-2931 / (949) 713-4469.
*To register for a Workshop, please call us now at (800) 248-2931 / (949) 713-4469.
- 12th Digital Dealer Conference
- 3:30 pm, April 4th, 2012
Orlando, FL
- Private Workshops
- March 14th & 15th, 2012
Midwest City, OK - March 19th & 20th, 2012
Florence, KY - March 22nd, 2012
Myrtle Beach, SC - April 24th-26th, 2012
La Vista, NE - May 17th, 2012
McLean, VA - June 14th, 2012
Davenport, IA
- November 15th, 2012
San Diego, CA
- 1 Day Public Workshops
- March 8, 2012
Toronto, Canada - March 9, 2012
Toronto, Canada - April 11th, 2012
Indianapolis, IN - April 12th, 2012
Indianapolis, IN
- EasyCare 1 Day Workshop
- May 8th, 2012
Atlanta, GA
*For more information regarding EasyCare workshops, please call (800) 518-3239.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Sign Up for Weekly Sales Tips Videos Delivered to Your Inbox:
Thank you for continuing to watch! Contact us if you missed any of the past videos and we will be more than happy to send you those as well.
Click HERE for this week's Hump Day Message.
With the time change on Sunday it's been hard to be motivated in the mornings! This week's Sales Tip Video is titled "How Do You Get Fired Up Each Day?"
Don't miss out on one of our upcoming 1-Day Workshops in Indianapolis!
Come discover why Jeff was one of the most popular speakers at
the NADA Convention
April 11, 2012 - Indianapolis, Indiana
April 12, 2012 - Indianapolis, Indiana
Did you miss Jeff's Controversial Presentation at the NADA Convention in Las Vegas?
Catch his presentation on "The Truth about Express Services & Oil Changes, Price Comparison Boards, Extended Service Hours, Closing Sales, Selling Extended Service Agreements on the Drive and Product Displays" at the 12th Digital Dealer Conference in Orlando, FL!
April 4th, 2012
3:30 pm
Click Here for More Info
For More Information About How to Attend these Workshops, Service Training, or About Jeff Cowan’s
PRO TALK, Call:
800-248-2931 / 949-713-4469PRO TALK, Call:
Weekly Reader's Poll:
In order to better serve our clients, we are conducting a poll on where Jeff should schedule his next beneficial workshop. Please take this brief poll consisting of only one question, and Jeff might hold a workshop near you:
Click Here for Poll
Want to sign up for Jeff's Weekly Sales Tips Emails like this? Visit our website!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Workshop Location Survey
Take our one question survey on where Jeff should hold his next sales workshop:
Click here to take survey
Click here to take survey
Monday, March 12, 2012
Insider List: Motivating People
Lance Armstrong
Earl Nightingale
Mary Kay Ash
Norman Vincent Peale
Richard Branson
Bill Porter
Paul “Bear” Bryant
Ronald Reagan
Jesus Christ
Christopher Reeve
Sir Winston Churchill
Cal Ripken, Jr.
14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
John D. Rockefeller
Walt Disney
Knute Rockne
Thomas Edison
Eleanor Roosevelt
Albert Einstein
Theodore Roosevelt
Henry Ford
Colonel Harland Sanders
Benjamin Franklin
Robert Schuller
Mohandas Gandhi
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Rocky Graziano
Don Shula
Stephen Hawking
Sylvester Stallone
Katharine Hepburn
Mother Teresa
Michael Jordan
Jim Thorpe
Helen Keller
Brian Tracy
John F. Kennedy
Mark Twain
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Leonardo da Vinci
Ray Kroc
Elie Weisel
Abraham Lincoln
Oprah Winfrey
Vince Lombardi
The Wright Brothers
Nelson Mandela
Zig Ziglar
"We do not have to become heroes overnight.
Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up,
seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared,
discovering we have the strength to stare it down."
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
U.N. diplomat, humanitarian, U.S. first lady
Earl Nightingale
Mary Kay Ash
Norman Vincent Peale
Richard Branson
Bill Porter
Paul “Bear” Bryant
Ronald Reagan
Jesus Christ
Christopher Reeve
Sir Winston Churchill
Cal Ripken, Jr.
14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
John D. Rockefeller
Walt Disney
Knute Rockne
Thomas Edison
Eleanor Roosevelt
Albert Einstein
Theodore Roosevelt
Henry Ford
Colonel Harland Sanders
Benjamin Franklin
Robert Schuller
Mohandas Gandhi
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Rocky Graziano
Don Shula
Stephen Hawking
Sylvester Stallone
Katharine Hepburn
Mother Teresa
Michael Jordan
Jim Thorpe
Helen Keller
Brian Tracy
John F. Kennedy
Mark Twain
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Leonardo da Vinci
Ray Kroc
Elie Weisel
Abraham Lincoln
Oprah Winfrey
Vince Lombardi
The Wright Brothers
Nelson Mandela
Zig Ziglar
"We do not have to become heroes overnight.
Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up,
seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared,
discovering we have the strength to stare it down."
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
U.N. diplomat, humanitarian, U.S. first lady
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Push Your Luck™ - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®
Push Your Luck™ - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®
"Diligence is the mother of good luck."
– Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
American statesman, scientist, and printer
luck: noun: a force that makes things happen
You want more luck? Be the force that makes it happen…
"Diligence is the mother of good luck."
– Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
American statesman, scientist, and printer
luck: noun: a force that makes things happen
You want more luck? Be the force that makes it happen…
- Prepare. Work hard to be ready for the opportunities that are important to you. Research. Practice. Perfect.
- Be awake. Pay attention to the people, events, and things around you. Evaluate logically and trust your gut instinct.
- Take action. Put yourself out there. Explore. Be vulnerable. Make contact with people. Take risks.
- Expect positive results. Optimism improves your chances. If (when) you fail, embrace the lesson and continue on, smarter.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
6 Ways Your Business Card Can Still Pack A Big Punch
BY Lydia Dishman |
Since its founding in 2004, the company
has a seen its compound annual growth rate exceed 100%. MOO.com
now has hundreds of thousands of customers in nearly 200 countries
and printed 50 million business cards last year alone. Moross is
expecting that number to double in 2012.
"We mostly print flat rectangles, so it's pretty straightforward at a fundamental level. But there is a very specific reason for the size. When I first designed [the mini card] I did in the shape of a regular business card, but stripping away all the wasted white space made it more personal. Because it is a strange aspect ratio there is some cropping you get to do [when using your own photos]. The fact that you are going through the editing process is quite liberating. You get to really show who you are."
Photos for Everyone!
"There is a camera in every device now and the proliferation of photography stored on the web--Facebook is the largest depository on the planet. To get people to use [their own photography] in business and personal cards is a powerful application. It is almost like a subversion of the cheesy real estate photo, you can suck the photos into MOO's website and do pretty low intensity design work, and it's very memorable and impactful."
What Not to Print
"Other than something illegal, pretty much anything goes. We have had some customers order trials of...offensive graphics, and we block those users. Most of customers are creatively inclined and we are often delighted by the types of cards people make because we hand check everything."
Lasting Impression
"I think business cards will prove more resilient than books. We are in the identity business and the next stepping stone will include the ttransfer of information [from the cards] into devices. There is still something important about real-world tokens, though. MOO's mission is not just to transfer information, but to keep it."
MOO.com pioneered business cards the size of a stick of gum;
the company expects to churn out 100 million in 2012. Here's how to
leverage that small bit of paper into a big branding opportunity.
Richard Moross wants you to know that
business cards are alive and well. As the CEO of MOO, the company
that pioneered those clever mini cards with do-it-yourself design
options, Moross says the business of printing may be 500+ years old,
but it's doing quite nicely, thank you very much.
Since its founding in 2004, the company
has a seen its compound annual growth rate exceed 100%. MOO.com
now has hundreds of thousands of customers in nearly 200 countries
and printed 50 million business cards last year alone. Moross is
expecting that number to double in 2012.
Which is why Moross brushes away talk
that exchanging cards is going to go the way of the horse and cart.
Not only does he order and give out thousands of his own cards every
year, Moross maintains, “The more connected to the web we are, the
more precious the real world is, so it is important to make a
connection.”
That connection comes in the form of a
handshake, a look in the eye, and the passing of the card. “It is
hard to generate trust virtually and convey your personality through
a Skype call,” Moross explains. Though he says, “we sell the
most boring products in the world,” Moross notes that business
cards are resilient for a number of reasons, not the least of which
is simplicity. “You don't need to upgrade the OS. Everyone
understands what it is, and it just works.”
For all their genteel simplicity, MOO's
cards captured the attention of some
pretty tech-heavy businesses. Recent partners include Airbnb, whose
hosts are encouraged to use MOO cards to showcase their digs to
prospective guests, and Facebook. Moo’s Facebook Cards are
personalized featuring any of your Facebook Timeline Cover Photos on
the front and a custom quote (or favorite status update) on the back.
These collaborations drive home
Moross's fascination with the way design on the diminutive bits of
paper can break the ice, build relationships, and strengthen a brand.
He sat down with Fast Company recently to discuss how he gets maximum
impact from a mini card.
Be Yourself
"I give out thousands of cards but I
take a lot, too. I'm an avid collector. I mainly take pictures of
places I've been and meals I've eaten and use those on my personal
cards. There's a story behind each [image]. For instance, I had
octopus raw and shredded in Bangkok once. It looked disgusting but it
was marvelous. Those are the things that people find memorable when
they rifle through the cards they got that week and they remember
you."
Ice Breaker, Not Deal Breaker
"Typically I give my cards out at the
beginning of a meeting; that way the recipient can put it in front of
them, and, if there are multiple people in the room, no one forgets
anyone's name. I like to lay all my cards out on the table and have
people pick their favorite. Each one is different and it makes for a
really fun introduction."
Make a Useful and Productive Tool
"We mostly print flat rectangles, so it's pretty straightforward at a fundamental level. But there is a very specific reason for the size. When I first designed [the mini card] I did in the shape of a regular business card, but stripping away all the wasted white space made it more personal. Because it is a strange aspect ratio there is some cropping you get to do [when using your own photos]. The fact that you are going through the editing process is quite liberating. You get to really show who you are."
Photos for Everyone!
"There is a camera in every device now and the proliferation of photography stored on the web--Facebook is the largest depository on the planet. To get people to use [their own photography] in business and personal cards is a powerful application. It is almost like a subversion of the cheesy real estate photo, you can suck the photos into MOO's website and do pretty low intensity design work, and it's very memorable and impactful."
What Not to Print
"Other than something illegal, pretty much anything goes. We have had some customers order trials of...offensive graphics, and we block those users. Most of customers are creatively inclined and we are often delighted by the types of cards people make because we hand check everything."
Lasting Impression
"I think business cards will prove more resilient than books. We are in the identity business and the next stepping stone will include the ttransfer of information [from the cards] into devices. There is still something important about real-world tokens, though. MOO's mission is not just to transfer information, but to keep it."
Monday, March 5, 2012
Insider List: Motivating Thoughts & Actions
A quick list of Thoughts & Actions PRO TALK finds motivating:
a future of possibility
a printed copy of goals that can be seen every day
a loved one's courage while suffering through difficult times
seeing my team succeed
accomplishing a difficult task
solving a problem and moving forward
knowing you can’t win if you don’t play
being relentless in seeking positive incremental improvement every day
being outdoors
change of scenery
my children
my family
my friends
my mentors
sunshine & warm fresh air
money
Jim Valvano’s “Don’t Ever Give Up” Arthur Ashe Courage Award acceptance speech
the story of Abraham Lincoln’s life
the sacrifices of Jesus
stories of the police officers, fire fighters and office workers who experienced the 9/11 attacks
a future of possibility
a printed copy of goals that can be seen every day
a loved one's courage while suffering through difficult times
seeing my team succeed
accomplishing a difficult task
solving a problem and moving forward
knowing you can’t win if you don’t play
being relentless in seeking positive incremental improvement every day
being outdoors
change of scenery
my children
my family
my friends
my mentors
sunshine & warm fresh air
money
Jim Valvano’s “Don’t Ever Give Up” Arthur Ashe Courage Award acceptance speech
the story of Abraham Lincoln’s life
the sacrifices of Jesus
stories of the police officers, fire fighters and office workers who experienced the 9/11 attacks
Saturday, March 3, 2012
How to Write Off Your Car or Truck for Business
From Entrepreneur Magazine
www.entrepreneur.com
Driver's Seat: Jay Soled, a professor of accounting
and information systems at Rutgers University, offers tips on claiming
vehicle usage as a business expense.
Photo© Natalie Brasington
Q: It's tax season--time to ponder that annual conundrum: How much of my vehicle usage can I claim as a business expense?
A: The IRS code governing vehicle use runs roughly the length of "Infinite Jest." But it doesn't have to be that complicated, says Jay Soled, a professor of accounting and information systems at Rutgers University, who has testified before Congress on tax compliance issues. "The problem is the rules are a morass," Soled says.
So let's break it down. Like all taxpayers, entrepreneurs who use their car, truck, minivan or rickshaw for business purposes may be eligible to claim a deduction or exclude the value of said vehicle from their income. This is typically done in one of two ways.
If you own the vehicle, the most common method is known to the bean counters at the IRS as an accountable plan, which is akin to an expense account. You drive your vehicle for work purposes, keep track of the costs incurred while doing so and seek reimbursement. We're talking about tolls, parking, gas, car washes, mileage, maintenance and repairs. Sorry, but the tax code does not permit deductions for commuting to work, which is considered a personal use.
In the second scenario, an entrepreneur may supply an employee with a company-owned vehicle. The employee keeps track of the time he or she spends driving the car for business and personal use. The time spent using the car for business purposes should not be considered as income, but the employee's personal use of the car must be considered income (based on the fair-market annual lease value of the car). For example, you provide an employee with a car that has an annual lease value of $20,000. If the employee spends one-quarter of his or her driving time for personal use, the employee must claim $5,000 as noncash income.
Those are two common ways in which vehicle claims are considered for tax purposes--the easy part, if you will. In reality, it can get more complicated. What if an entrepreneur drives to more than one job site? Or to two different jobs? "It's not black and white," Soled concedes, "and it's hard for the average taxpayer to decide."
Which might help explain why compliance with IRS rules on autos is less than perfect. When the risk of an audit is 1 percent, Soled says, many taxpayers are content to bend the rules and take their chances.
We would go on, but we've run out of room. What, you were expecting David Foster Wallace?
Friday, March 2, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)