Reduce Your Christmas Card Budget... Be Authentic

Got too many friends? Or let's say "acquaintances" and you want to find out who your real friends are?

Here's a sure-fire way to thin the herd... Start being completely honest with them. Call them on their BS and hold them accountable for their actions. That alone will be a new concept for many and they will tuck tail and run because they are unable to deal with the truth! Now, it must also be said that in order for you to be authentic with your friends and give them open and honest feedback, you too must be able to receive the same from them.

If you want to have some fun and shake things up a bit... Try this at work too. It's espcially fun to do this with your boss. Make sure you get permission first or they "open the door" and then seize the moment. I wrote about one of these experiences in a book entitled "My Boss Sucks... A Story Book and Survival Guide". Check it out @ www.bossfixers.com

If You Are Not Part Of The Solution... You Are Part Of The Problem!

Bitching, pissing & moaning, whining, and complaining is easy and all too commonplace. Seriously, start listening to conversations at work, maybe even your own, and see just how much of this negative behavior goes on. What are you doing about the events and circumstances that cause you or others to complain? Nothing? Shame on you! If you are unwilling to take steps to change whatever the situation is that you are complaining about then STFU! In case you are unfamiliar with that acronym, here's a clue... Shut The... You can figure out the rest. If you can't offer a solution or are unwilling to be involved in an effort to create change then you have forfeited your right to complain.

How about this... Step up and be a part of the solution!

Enjoy The Ride...

Pain/Pleasure Factor

In my experience as a law enforcement dive team commander, I was often tasked with evaluating the benefit of a given mission versus the risk it would pose to team members executing the mission. This is referred to as the Risk/Benefit Factor.

It's my opinion that we should evaluate our personal and professional relationships in a similar way. Let's call it the Pain/Pleasure Factor. We all have a finite amount of time each day, year, etc. and you get to choose how you spend that time. My advice is that you choose wisely and don't waste time with people who are more of a pain/frustration than they are a pleasure to be around. Make sense? Sure it does.

So look at your interactions through that lens and place a high value on your time. Plain and simple... Don't spend time with people that suck the joy out of life.

Enjoy The Ride...

Back in the Saddle

Wow.... It's been waaay tooo long! Time to get back in the saddle!

Let's talk about responsiveness...

I am amazed by how many comments I get from people for calling them back so quickly... WTF? Seriously, I thought it was a "no brainer" when someone calls you and you know that you have a hot lead or someone who is ready to buy, you are like "Quick Draw McGraw" grabbing the phone to call them back? Apparently that doesn't always happen, so here's your chance to stand out among your competition.... Be responsive, return those calls ASAP and see what a difference it can make.

Ride on...

Two Simple Rules for Success in Sales

I was on a coaching call with my good friend James Malinchak a few days ago and we were talking about selling. He shared the following two simple rules for success in sales that he learned from Larry Winget.

1) Have a great product or service
2) Offer to sell it to a bunch of people

Now... This seems very simple and you might even be having the "well duh" response to these rules.

The real deal is that selling is that simple. If you are not generating the sales that you want, evaluate step one. If you believe step one is covered and you still are not hitting your mark, evaluate step two. If step two is covered, them maybe you were wrong about step one.

Utilize these two simple rules in your business and watch the sales improve.

Just Believe...

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!!!

Say what you mean and mean what you say.... We'll all have a much better day!

Here's a little experiment that I suggest you try:

-Pay close attention to the conversations that you have with people today. Make a mental note every time you hold back and don't say what you are really thinking or say something that you don't mean because it's the "politically correct" thing to say.

When people communicate with each other in an authentic way, business gets better, and so does life.

Try it.... You'll like it.

Just Believe

Exposure = Opportunity

Exposure = Opportunity.....

Does your target market know who you are and what product and/or service you have to offer?

Turns out people can't buy from you unless they know you exist. What are you doing to make sure that people know what you do? Here are a few ideas that might help you improve your exposure and create more opportunities for sales.

1) RADAR ON - In sales/business development you are always on duty. Yes, your primary work day might end at 5 or so and I know work/life balance s important. If you are a business owner, or responsible for sales or business development, you must always be aware of an opportunity to create "exposure" for your business.... RADAR ON!

2) REFERRALS - Ask your current clients/customers for referrals. This does two things.... It let's you know that they are happy with your product/service and gives you another "opportunity".

3) SOCIAL MEDIA - If you have resisted Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Plaxo, etc. It's time to get in the game. Google yourself.... How many times does your name show up? Don't you think your potential clients do this? Social media is a great way to get your information out there and create a network of people that are interested in what you do.

4) PHONE A FRIEND - Pick a friend that you have lost contact with. Reconnect with them and rekindle the friendship..... See what they are up to and how you can help each other.

5) SELF-IMPROVEMENT - Turn off the TV, stop watching the trash people call the NEWS, and start reading personal and professional development material that will help you improve.

These are just a few random ideas that you can use to improve you and your business.

....Just Believe