Attract the Right Job or Sale: Sales Tip #611

October 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Do you police your business checkpoints?

39/52 - Signs
Is it the right way?

A television show had characters singing "The sign said one way" to teach children to obey signs.  However, entrepreneurial adults who are inclined to take calculated risk, and upon reviewing all that has taken place, may decide the one way holding true for others may not be right for them.  

My belief is there is never one way to solve a problem.  When you follow the one way "everybody" goes, there will be little reward and not much happiness attached to your efforts.  It is your creative approach that will bring about surprising results for the better.  

A good practice is to review the highlights of each month.  Determine of what you are most proud and how may you increase the success of these milestones?  As entrepreneurs, are you able to create additional products or services related to these?  Then analyze that which did not work out as well as intended.  Are you able to rescue those? If not consider whether they should be tossed for better possibilities.

Regarding a prospect who said "no" to your offering, do you know the reason why?  If not, find out and consider whether it was a reasonable objection or just not a good fit.  In either case, the next time you will have an easier time converting clients.

A friend relayed that after having interviewed at a number of companies over the last 6 months being told, "You are the perfect candidate", only to find all communication ceasing afterward, finally learned not one of those companies bothered to hire.  The empty positions still remain.  The question becomes, "Was there ever an intent to hire in the first place?  Are they waiting until the economy recovers but meanwhile needed to prove to higher ups they were interviewing?"  She said she felt better knowing uniformly she did not miss out.  

Questioning leads to answers and a better fit down the road.  That better fit becomes a very Smooth Sale!

Further business development and sales advice may be found in: Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results.

 

For those of you desiring more interviewing strategies – we have two options:

1.  A 20 minute YouTube video & powerpoint presentation 

2.  Read:  HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews, published by Career Press

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #601

October 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Learning from your journey provides opportunity

Putting The Puzzle Together

Suddenly the pieces fit!

Most entrepreneurs love the challenge of trying something new, and occasinally re-inventing their business.  It seems I not only fit into this category but reinvented myself as well.  When you take the time to look back upon where you began, to where you are today, and are headed into the future, a new perspective will be handed to you.  Your puzzle will begin to paint the picture for your future success.

It hit me recently that I transformed from a corporate sales environment where top producers never share what they found to work best, to a model that is completely the opposite.  I learned to share among others, promote one another, and to fully collaborate on projects so that we may all succeed.  As my business pieces developed separately, I would frequently hear, "Why are you doing that? It makes no sense."  

As it turned out, everything you do upfront lays the foundation for building a better business.  Getting a grasp on my personal brand was key to moving forward.  Learning new strategies for business development to include marketing, writing, and many forms of media, took most of my time in order to implement everything correctly.   Next was learning to promote correctly, and finally, collaborating with others who also found this third step.  

When you are willing to continually self-educate as well as learn from others, the process becomes motivating and begins to speed up.  This is true whether you wish to Get the Sale or hear HIRED!  The best part is new opportunities are found through the collaboration.  Once you find the right group, additional collaborative offers appear becoming new pieces in your puzzle.  Thus your possibilities and opportunities multiply.  Your biggest decision becomes which to choose!

Once your current puzzle is complete, you create a larger one, headed for the future horizon and a very  Smooth Sale!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #578

August 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Always Get Their Perspective First

Crowds watching during filming
Creative Commons License photo credit: daveynin

Do you reserve judgement?

 

Being a native born resident of California, I am very accustomed to earthquakes.  The good news about experiencing one is that they are over in less than a minute.  However, quite a different perspective was observed this past week in Washington D.C.

Half an hour after the mild earthquake hit D.C., my husband and I biked toward downtown to meet a friend.  Our biking came to a literal screeching halt.  This had been the very first earthquake experienced by most people there.  Buildings were evacuated and people had flooded the sidewalks and streets.  Continual noise from sirens on ambulances were heard and cars jammed intersections trying to flee the scene.  Only fleeing was at a standstill.

As we finally made our way to our meeting destination by walking our bikes, we were trying to figure out why the modest quake would have everyone so shaken.  On the one hand it was almost funny.  But once in conversation to unravel the facts, we realized many of the same people had experienced the nightmare of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. In fact, it was  less than a month from the anniversary date.  No wonder they were gripped with concern and fear.

This episode reminded me of a very important principle for successful sales.  Whether you are applying for a job or to acquire a client, you must get the other person's perspective first to fully understand how you might best be of assistance.  Simply asking, "What caught your attention to invite me in today?" will get you on the right track for a good conversation.  Reserve judgment until you know all the facts.  You will have a far better opportunity to build the relationship by maintaining an open mind.  This will help you to interview better or gain a far better chance of securing the sale.  

Using the philoosophy of obtaining the other party's perspective first will enable you to enjoy the Smooth Sale!

Seeking work?  Register for the AmericaHires360 Virtual Career Fair  - No Charge for job seekers!

You will find more information on sales techniques and strategies in these two books:

Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results

and

HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews

 

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #551

June 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Solopreneur to collaborator creates stellar results

Day 19.06 Chicas
Creative Commons License photo credit: Frerieke

Where do you stand in the spectrum?

In the corporate world I was trained to keep success strategies to myself and proceed singly.  However as an entrepreneur, it became a lonely world not sharing office space with others or telling of our latest conquests.  I also thought there had to be a better way.

Social media came into being along with learning about collaboration.  At first it was hard to believe I could find a group of people with whom I wished to collaborate.  Upon joining Whispering Energy, it became evident collaboration was not only possible but that results would be exponential.  Check out the new schedule at http://facebook.com/WECollaboration

Business development, increased numbers of prospects turning into clients, and building my brand became far easier.  In fact it became fun working with like minded people motivating one another to succeed.  You may adapt the same concept to interviewing.  When you have a trusted group, you are more motivated to seek opportunity both for yourself and your friends.  Working in this manner, you are far more likely to hear, HIRED!

For those who wish to read more about relationship building and selling, I just learned for the time being, my book, Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results, is rated #20 on Kindle for business-sales books.  

Increased ideas, friends on social media, and promoting events of one another turned the tide in a very down economy.  Implementing collaboration turned the stormy sea into a Smooth Sale!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #533

May 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Unusual places provide unexpected Opportunity

 

Today's meeting produced a most unusual conversation.  I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with a modest gentleman who, in a friendly manner, casually relayed some of his incredible connections.  Several points about this meeting should be taken very seriously:

1.  "George" and I met at a very different type of trade show from the typical professional events (reptiles were showcased at one station)

2.  Once we realized we live in the same town, George agreed we should meet for coffee after the event

3.  Follow-up is the key ingredient to moving closer to a sale

Whether you read Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" or my book, "Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results", you will learn that commonality and the human bond between people is the business development piece of sales.  Friendship, caring, sharing stories, and building relationships will convert your prospects to sales better than any advanced formula you might conceive. Commit your mindset to this concept, and you will do very well.

Our meeting took place at a coffee shop where we were both relaxed, happy and thoroughly enjoyed the time together.  The discussion centered on all of the advantages of putting video technology to work properly.  I described how a client just complained about the waste of "no-show" appointments incurring wasted time traveling and expense of gasoline and parking. The beauty of the video technology I now use is it allows users to easily post video on most social media sites and in email, blogs and newsletters, plus offers video conferencing and webinars – eliminating the problem of poor ROI.   George was intrigued.

By the end of our meeting, we both recognized that we will both be helping one another in the near future – making for a very Smooth Sale!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #532

May 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Commitment to Success Creates Success

Work

Have you ever noticed when you finally conquer the pile on your desk you feel renewed energy 
and motivation kicking in?  

What if you were to do this every working day, would it make a big difference in your success?
 

Commitment comes in all forms, not just wedding ceremonies.  Just today, I had a conversation with two other authors about the commitment it takes to build a speaker platform, get known and sell many more copies of your book.  

My suggestion for a first step is to take a public speaking class to become an engaging speaker if it doesn't come naturally.  The list of what "should" be done is a very long one.  I always recommend to do first what might be achieved most quickly to acquire that feeling of success sooner.  Then focus on the areas of interest and importance as you prioritize your list. 

I created a handout consisting of 50 tips to help authors increase their audience size and sales potential.  Many apply to job hunting and interviewing too.  The top tips refer to knowing your audience or hiring company's goals and then you may bridge what you have to offer to your prospect's interests.  Once you succinctly speak to this guideline, the sale will more easily be made or you will hear HIRED!

The handout was developed specifically for aspiring authors who will be attending the Self-Publishers Online Conference May 10-12, all day.  I will be speaking on the how and why to use all media to build your platform and sell more copies of your book(s).  Click the link to register and save 10% by including the code: SmoothSale11

Today one of my tweets landed on Facebook which said, "Commit to 10 phone calls per day to increase business".  James responded saying, it's solid traditional advice that works.

 Make your commitment to success to be successful and enjoy the Smooth Sale!

 

 

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip 530B

April 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 

Commitment to success creates success

42-18647749

Are you ready to move your business forward and willing to listen to others

who have gone before you?

Then you will want to mark your calendars for May 2, 11:00 a.m. PT, and have a thick pad of paper and pen ready for when Michele Price and I will be sharing inside information on successful relationship building and selling, business development, branding, social media and everything else that has to do with bringing your business to the levels you desire.  

For the job seekers, it's no secret, I believe interviewing follows the sales cycle.  Your belief system, vision and plan for obtaining your goals are all directly related to sales techniques.   So I will be sharing insight on Michele's show, Women In Business Radio, taken from both of my books, Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results, and HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews.

Speaking of business development, it is noteworthy that Michele and I met on Twitter.  Her handle is ProsperityGal and I am smoothsale.  We each enjoyed the other's tweets and graduated to email and connecting wherever possible.  Frequently, I explain that by offering your best on social media and wherever you encounter others, when you give the meeting your full attention and your all, desired results will be yours.  This is the essence of relationship building and selling, and developing a returning and referring clientele.  

NOTE:   ~ Michele's show, Women in Business Radio, is dedicated to helping women achieve greater success than previously envisioned. It is an honor to be included on this show tomorrow.  I hope you will join us there.  And by the way, should you wish to connect with Michele or me on social media for mutual benefit, here is how you may find us:

Michele: ProperityGal on Twitter; Michele Price on LinkedIn, Michele Price on Facebook

Elinor:   smoothsale on Twitter; Elinor Stutz on LinkedIn, Elinor Stutz community on Facebook

Utilizing all media communicating in a friendly way always works to strengthen your network.  You will increase your audience sized comprised of prospects and clients, and you will find marketing and selling a whole lot easier.  Building relationships leads to a very Smooth Sale!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #529

April 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 

Adaptation of new ideas bring increased success

Chameleon quite close...

Be the Chameleon for Change

Have you ever clung to a great service knowing that time is running out on its effectiveness?  Did you have a twinge of guilt for contemplating leaving for a newer service?  It's a common phenomenon and one with which you must weigh the pros and cons for switching.

You might consider:

- Current ROI on expenditure vs. anticipated revenue for the new venue

- Current audience vs. anticipated expanded audience

- Decreased pace of learning vs. accelerated learning bringing new opportunities

Your answer is usually very clear as to which direction to take.  This is true for career advancement too.  In my own case, years ago, I experienced a severe headache and stomach ache for an entire week contemplating taking a new job.  This should have been the indicator to which i paid attention and not have switched.  This employment became a nightmare.  However, other switches where it made very good sense proved to be wise moves.

In the case of utilizing one virtual assistant for a period of time and then recognizing another will provide more current services, it's also difficult to face up to the fact you need to leave the first. In some cases you may wish pose the question of what to do before you drift off to sleep and "sleep on it".  Frequently, by morning, the answer will come.

The good news is once you have made the decision to move on, cleared your conscience and are happy about your decision, you will be free to be open to all new possible opportunities.  As you have this freedom, the ability to develop business, move with greater confidence and expand services and products will be at your will.  

Your clientele will take note receiving the marketing communication message that you are a go-getter.  In turn, you will develop business at a far more rapid rate or as a job seeker, you will attract attention more readily.  It will be easier to build relationships with prospects, hiring managers, and clients.  

You will be led to the Smooth Sale!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #528

April 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 

Originality converts business into a thriving brand

Multi Grain Hoops

This week the active conversation topic was “Do you fit the mold?”  The question brought back not so fond remembrances of when I was expected to “behave as a typical female” relayed by some corporate salesmen who didn’t believe a woman could sell, and by my then friends who more traditionally believed “a woman’s place is in the home”.

 I never fit the mold because early on I learned to stand up for who I am and to compete where required.  I smiled thinking, “When you fit the mold, you become moldy.”  Moldy in this case refers to becoming stale. 

Following a script, conducting business or even living your life the same as everyone else, will bring you little recognition or reward.  It’s when you step out to take calculated risk, try your hand at a venture that sounds exciting, and continue to learn that you begin to find true reward.    You soon recognize the real you versus how others wish you to remain. 

When you are at a stage of your life ready to move on and become the person you are destined to be, this is the point where you truly begin to develop your brand.   Confidence to go forth and strike your fortune is usually the make it or break it aspect of your new venture. Usually confidence is the first area one needs to build upon.  The second is to forego any notion of giving up.  My favorite saying is,  “When you give up you will never know what was just around the corner.”

The third phase is now that you know what you desire in your career or business, you must prioritize which idea to implement first.  Just as you broke the mold for doing what you desire, you must also analyze what everyone else is doing.  Ask yourself,

  • How can I put a different spin on what’s being done?
  • Of all the ideas out there, what is missing that I may contribute?
  • What are the best techniques for communicating what I have to offer?

Dedication, trial and error, and perseverance are the keywords for implementing the answers to those questions.  Going it alone is very, very difficult – I can tell you that first hand.  What did help was on an annual basis was to invest in coaching.  However, I didn’t begin to truly thrive until I learned to collaborate and help promote others whom I admire.  Once this level of activity was reached, ideas began to multiply and business grew at a more rapid rate.  Along with it came brand development.

Others recognized the speed with which my colleagues and I are able to adapt, implement and move forward.  They repeatedly ask how we do it.  

Therefore, Valeri Bocage, Sharon Hooper and I once again combined forces to create the Entrepreneur’s Business Retreat in the Sonoma Wine Country May 4-7.  Everything we learned about moving from obstacles to success; dreaming, believing and achieving; how to utilize all media; and earning a returning and referring clientele will be taught.  My colleagues and I are committed to helping you further develop your brand and success.

For the Agenda and to Register, please visit: http://bitly.com/SmoothSaleBizRretreat or call us today at (800) 704-1499. 

We promise to help you make it a Smooth Sale always!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #526

April 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Tough Beginning Steps Reward the Emerging Leader in You

Perfect night on Lake Michigan

As a beginning entrepreneur, I felt humbled among my peers.  Quite honestly, at times I felt intimidated too.  There were times where I didn't want to "show up" because I just didn't feel I belonged in anyone's league.  

I turned inward to figure out what my next steps would be and had a deep conversation with my inner self.  From there, I began to serious develop my business plan, new venues and reached out slowly to those from whom I could learn.  Early in the game, I next turned  to learning about social media.  Slowly, and with help, I built a nice following.  

Recently I began to reconnect with the very people in whose presence I once felt lost.  Apparently my inner work brought about outer appreciation.  I was a peer with many and in some cases accelerated beyond.  With your mindset focused on that which you wish to achieve, you will attract the right job, the better interview and clientele, as well as increased sales.  Build the relationships and you will achieve your goals more swiftly and smoothly.

One other piece of advice I would like to share is that while I was struggling I still chose to invest in myself and my business.  One of the smarter moves was to over time invest in professional marketing pieces displaying my accomplishments.  The saying, "A picture is worth 1,000 words" proved so true at the latest networking event.  I heard from many, the word, "Wow!"

So if you are struggling, doubting your ability or the viability of your business – take a good hard look inward of what you truly want, and outward on how you too may invest in your business.  It may be marketing pieces, a branding specialist, or nitty gritty skills on business development.  You may very possibly have a strong need to invest in your business to get past where you are currently buried if the above describes your current situation.

I always advise to begin at the most value packed offering and then analyze what the higher priced programs cost versus their return on investment (ROI).  Yes of course I have offerings as do many.  Decide for yourself which will be most appropriate to help you get moving.  I do recommend 3 services today:

1.  Read: Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results - sound business development advice for very little, my book proving to be a classic and one that's an international best-seller.

2.  Read:  (Job seekers) – HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews - a best-seller

3.  Attend:  Our Business Retreat May 5-7, to get you from today to your desired future designed specifically for entrepreneurs

Most of all, I always wish you a very Smooth Sale, and invite you to contact me to find how we may best serve you.

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Filed Under: Business Development, clientele, clients, closing, communication, Entrepreneurs, interviewing, Interviews, job-seekers, leadership, Marketing, Marketing and Sales, Mindset, Prospect, Relationships, Sales, Uncategorized ·
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