Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #598

October 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Leader Within Is Your Brand

Learning About Afghanistan

Stand Up to Be Counted

Many years ago, I took a leadership training class.  I'll never forget the meaningless conversation that took place among very intelligent people.  I was so disgusted, I walked out of the room.  To my surprise, a number of people followed me out.  When the exodus seemed to finish, I then opened up the door and sat back down.

The end result,  again to my surprise, was hearing the instructor congratulate me on being brave enough to walk out.  I learned you have a choice to simply fit in, follow the crowd, or step up to what you believe.  This is true in your personal life as well as business and career life.    You may experience conflict once in a while when you do speak up, but more importantly, you will qualify your better fit for being appreciated.

While some people insist on imposing their thoughts on you, when you hold true to what you believe is right, you remain true to yourself.  This is the essence of your personal brand and marketing your business.  Speaking up whether on the popular side of the discussion or not, brings out your leadership qualities.  And when you are willing to take the risk to do so, you will attract the right job or clientele.  Adding to the benefit, many more opportunities will come your way because others will recognize the leader within you.

Attracting the right fit puts you on the wave of the Smooth Sale!

 

Join us for AmericaHires360 virtual event taking place the entire last quarter of the year and register as either a Candidate (no fee) or Employer.

You will find more information on sales techniques for both business and career in these two books:

Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results
An international best seller and proving to become a classic on how to sell properly!
and
HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews
In major bookstores and online

 

 

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #583

September 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Avoid putting the brakes on principles to experience an improved outcome


Creative Commons License photo credit: KSquared_Photos

Have you ever considered compromising your principles?

 

A few weeks ago, we anticipated meeting friends in Orlando, Florida.  Our plan was to rent a car and follow them to their home about 200 miles away.  They insisted we save money and ride with them.  But I refused to listen due to their driving a very old car and aren't among the safest of drivers.  So we chose to follow them home on the freeway – about a three hour drive.

My stubborness stems back to the fact I incurred a broken neck by another unobservant driver.  It would have been great to have saved the Week's rental fee but our safety is far more important.

After visiting Epcott Center, we began our journey that evening toward their home.  Ninety minutes into the drive, I needed my husband to take the wheel.  He then called the wife of his friend to let them know to get off the freeway at the first possible exit.  As we exited, we began to wonder why they weren't pulling over.  Two miles down the deserted dark road, they finally pulled over to get out of the car and walk toward us.

Rolling down our windows, we were aghast when we heard them say, "Our brakes failed and it is the second time this happened."  

Imagine, had we agreed to simply save money on a rental, and get into their car for the long journey to their house, what might have happened.  The four of us would have been at the mercy of the first car that put their brakes on the highway, and, most likely, we would have slammed into them.  

I thanked my lucky stars that I am stubborn and refused to give in.  Some refer to stubborness as leadership skills – my preferred definition!

In the end, our friends were thankful that we asked them to exit the freeway, remained behind them and were then able to escort them home in a new car.  

I'm relaying this story in honor of the U.S. Labor Day Holiday today.  Generally speaking, on holidays some people tend to drive drunk, text while driving or drive at very high speeds  - all of which is illegal.  And all of this leads to fatal accidents.  Please drive responsibly.

Adhere to your principles for personal and business reasons – you be happy you did and experience the Smooth Sale!

_____

 

P.S.  The Community Service project AmericaHires360 was developed to help Americans return to work. No Fee for Job Seekers. Take place online October – December.

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 #582

September 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Labor Day in Honor of Job Seekers

Weighing pros and cons
Creative Commons License photo credit: MattHurst

Labor Day Evolved and Applied to Entrepreneurship

Labor Day began as a salute to the working force.  The day was provided to give the hard workers an extra day of relaxation.  In other words, the labor force was Appreciated.

As the author of HIRED!, I am appalled by many of the stories faithful readers share with me.  Honesty and integrity appear to be lacking on the side of employers.  H.R. Managers do not seem to communicate with the hiring staff, and hiring staff do not appear to be telling the truth to candidates.  Now this may be a generalization, but the following sentence exemplifies what is consistently shared with me:

"You are the perfect candidate and I can't wait to get you on our team.  The offer will come this week."

Of course the offer never comes.  But adding insult to injury, the person who uttered the above statement, doesn't have the decency to respond back to the job candidate.  Has our society disintegrated that badly?  

It is far better to be honest upfront so that the candidate doesn't put all of their hopes into the one opening only to find major disappointment, anger, or remorse.  The candidate begins to believe, "I must have done something wrong."  

Our economy is still struggling and the news indicates it will be late 2012 before it begins to pick up.  Is it possible to bring a new work ethic to the corporate scene that includes honesty and integrity?  Interestingly, many people have become so fed up, they have become entrepreneurs.  In fact, the news further stated that it is small business that generates most of our revenue in the U.S., not the major corporations.  Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here.

Operating a successful business is one of the most difficult undertakings I ever participated in.  But if you have the drive, motivation to continually learn and truly believe you are capable of becoming successful, then should you be in the situation of no success while interviewing, you might consider starting your own company.  What do you enjoy most about your area of expertise?  This is the area on which to focus and begin planning your next steps.  Seek help as required.  

It would be wonderful if entrepreneurs would ban together to set a new model and become the leaders for doing business the right way with clients, interviewing parties and the world at large.  Let's  model incorporating honesty and integrity into business.  This philosophy becomes your brand and will serve to deliver you a Smooth Sale!  

Le us also band together to put "Appreciation" back into Labor Day.  
_____

 

P.S.  The Community Service project AmericaHires360 was developed to help Americans return to work. No Fee for Job Seekers. Take place online October – December.

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 #575

August 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Use this Winning Combination for Best Results

IMG_2938
Creative Commons License photo credit: sasha.marvin

Collaboration and Community Service

Upon compiling stories, for my new book, there was an evident theme.  The people I chose to use as living examples of how they overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles provided the very clear message:  to find success beyond what you imagined possible requires a combination of collaboration and working on the behalf of communities.  In every single case, these entrepreneurs were able to once again be motivated, inspired to do good work and by combining forces found incredible success.

As they say, timing is everything.  Sunday evening I completed my manuscript and sent it to be reviewed.  By Monday morning, Carlos Gil of Jobs Direct USA sent an invitation inquiring if I would like to be a featured speaker for a national Virtual Job Fair  which will run for 13 consecutive weeks between October 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. The Job Fair is designed to help Americans get back to work.  For more information, please visit:       America Hires 360

Community service has always been a part of my business plan.  I teach job seekers how to best interview.  As you begin to give of yourself new ideas come about.  Recognizing the appreciation of my information gave me the motivation to write the book, HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews.  The book became an instant best-seller.  I now have my sights on larger venues to help more people.

In case you are wondering, my new book is based upon everything I have learned to date combining the best techniques I have found both for small business and interviewing.  In the meantime, you may find much information in my other book, Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results.

Please let me know what questions you may have.  My mission to help you always achieve a 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 #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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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #525

April 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

 

Build Credibility for Your Business by Becoming a Published Author

by Susan Daffron

Poesia

Publishing a book is one of the best things you can do to establish yourself as an authority in your field. Having your own book sets you apart from all those other people in your industry who have not written a book.

In today's competitive marketplace, being a book author is an excellent way to differentiate yourself. In fact, having your own book does three important things for you and your business.

·  Positions You As An Expert

·  Opens PR Opportunities

·  Becomes a Business Marketing Tool

Writing a book forces you to learn more than the average person about a given topic and then explain it clearly. When you do it right, writing a book on a subject positions you as an expert. Potential clients seek you out because they figure you must know what you're talking about if you're able to write an entire book about the subject.

Because being a published book author brands you as an expert, you are more likely to be quoted in the media. Have you ever noticed in newspapers or magazines how often the words, "author of" follow a quote from an expert source? Or how many authors you hear on talk radio? The media needs sources, and as a business owner you want publicity, so it's a win-win situation.

If you want to get on the public speaking circuit, having your own book also makes it far easier to book speaking engagements. It's no accident that most savvy public speakers are also book authors.

In a Rain Today study, 56% of authors reported that their book had a "strong" or "very strong" influence on their ability to generate leads for their services.

When you have a book, your message reaches a larger audience and attracts new clients. When big Web sites like Amazon.com and BN.com carry your books, a wide range of people are exposed to your name and your message. These are people that would probably not hear about you any other way.

A book also works as a great gift for prospects and clients. You can use your book to educate your customers and prove your expertise. 

Being a published book author gives you a level of credibility like almost nothing else. A well-written, book sells your business, and your business sells your book too!

If you'd like to learn more about book publishing, get inspiration and advice at the Third Annual Self-Publishers Online Conference,  May 10-12, 2011 . Use the code SmoothSale11 to get 10% off your registration.  We have an incredible lineup of speakers including Elinor Stutz to provide you advice and know-how of everything you need to know about writing and marketing your book.

****

Susan Daffron, aka The Book Consultant (http://www.TheBookConsultant.com) owns a book and software publishing company. She spends most of her time writing, laying out books in InDesign, or taking her five dogs out for romps in the forest. She also teaches people how to write and publish profitable client-attracting books and puts on the Self-Publishers Online conference (http://www.SelfPublishersOnlineConference.com) every May.

 

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #524

April 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Taking responsibility brings increased success

Mantle Meditation

What has been your result the first time you tried a new project to deliver to a client?  I'm willing to bet it took more time than you anticipated and possibly there was misinterpretation on both ends creating even more discontent on both sides.  This happens frequently, but how you handle the situation will make all the difference in your future success.

My philosophy on this is it is not the client's responsibility for your learning curve – a simple truth.  Once you understand everything that can possibly go wrong, you then have the formula for executing properly the next time around.  You will do so much damage by asking for the extra money, you will be sorry you did.  When you fail to take into account the clients' perspective and ask for additional money, you anger the client who then proceeds to tell everyone they know just how awful their experience with you turned out.  It will turn off future prospects and prohibit further business.

Consider the learning experience to be worth far more than asking for a couple of hours worth of extra money from your client.  When you explain the extra steps you took on their behalf, deliver calmly and bill according to the original terms, you will have a very satisfied client. Your branding and business development will take off in the right direction.  Your marketing message becomes you are of the mindset customer service matters as does building relationships with your clientele.  Take into account all perspectives involved to understand the best path in order for everyone to feel as if they have benefitted.

Good word of mouth will spread helping to attract larger audiences and sales.  And most likely you will earn repeat business, referrals and testimonials.  For more insight on how to work with clients, you may wish to pick up a copy of "Nice Girls DO Get the Sale" .   In terms of interviewing, in every conversation you must understand the motive and desires coming from the people interviewing you.  Only then will you know how to proceed.  You  may read more about how interviewing follows the sales cycle by reading, HIRED!

And should you desire in-depth knowledge of building your brand, utilizing all media, moving from obstacle to success, and getting your daydreams into the real world, seriously consider our upcoming Business Retreat, registration is closing soon.  Call us at 800-704-1499 with questions.

Our philosophy of moving from the client's perspective first is the hallmark of The Smooth Sale.

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #523

April 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Does Your Team Play to Win?

frog huddle

Every sport the team has a huddle to confer the next best strategy. 

Are you doing the same?

Your team is differently comprised than that of athletes.  Most likely you have a virtual assistant, graphic designer and I.T. person available, a bookkeeper and/or accountant, and associates with whom you brainstorm.  The most important question you can ask yourself is,

"Are all of your team players truly on your side and helping you to
move beyond current goals to your grandest vision?"

In addition to the usual players, I have two team players with whom I am proud to work.  

First team member:  Valeri Bocage hails from New Orleans or in her words, N'awlins, where she had a successful career with Landmark Education as a trainer.  But then… Hurricane Katrina hit causing Valeri to lose everything.  Did that little obstacle slow her down?  Not even slightly. She traveled to San Francisco where she built Powerful Women International – chapters are now thriving in 10 countries with more coming.

Second team member:  Sharon Hooper, located in Sedona AZ, and I met through an online collaboration dedicated to teaching social media and conducting business with heart.  We became friends and associates.  Sharon is a creative master with her specifically designed Vision Mapping Strategies to help you get your deep down desires on to paper and out into the world for all to witness.

The three of us are committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed and have joined forces to bring you our Business Retreat, Mary 4-7 in the Sonoma Wine Country .  Our program is designed to help you sync your mind, body and spirt and find success beyond what you thought possible.  We will be teaching you the best of what we know to help you achieve your dreams.  

Call (800) 704-1499 with any questions and register today.  Bring a friend to receive a 15% discount for both of you.

Commitment to education, whether seeking a job, planning your career or building business is a requirement for continued success.  Others will take note that you are on top of your game.  This becomes your marketing message and business development serving to put you in the leadership spot.  

When you take the required steps to grow, you become unstoppable ~ making yours the winning team and attracting the right job or clientele.  Most importantly you enjoy the very Smooth Sale!

 

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