Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #594

September 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Customer Service Branding

 

A new lesson regarding the importance of quality customer service was learned this past weekend.  

On the inside, I was close to tears when I saw the gifts being opened at the wedding shower.  One by one, I recognized the need to ship the very heavy items back east.  I mentally calculated that the shipping would cost more than the gifts, and I was the one responsible for getting them there safely.  This was on a Saturday afternoon and we were leaving by plane early the next morning.  What were we to do?

Luckily a friend of the bride advised I take all the gifts back to the two respective stores where the bride-to-be was registered.  It was further suggested I explain the dilemma and that should they accept the returns without receipts, we would promise the same items would be purchased again on the east coast.  It was a lot to ask of the stores.

To my complete amazement, each store went a few steps further than I would ever dare to ask.  They both offered to not only take the gifts back, but to ship them for free.  On top of that they were giving patrons in-store coupons and voluntarily gave us the same.  So not only did we save a lot in shipping costs, the bride will receive her gifts without having to do anything, and she will also receive extra spending cash!

If you haven't guessed, the two stores involved were Macy's and Bed, Bath and Beyond.  They went so far out of their way for us, I have chosen to help spread the word of their incredible customer service.  This is the power of building business well so that others feel compelled to tell everyone they know about the outstanding experience.  It all leads to a continued Smooth Sale!

Read Additional Sales Techniques:

(Paperback and Digital formats)

International Best-Seller: 

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

and

Best-Seller:
HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews.

 

 

 

 
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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #578

August 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Participation Is Sometimes Tricky

 

Have you ever been asked to collaborate on a project where you admired the participants but weren't quite certain about how it would be received?

I was recently asked to combine forces with distinguished others in complementary areas of expertise.  The underlying theme is how to succeed in whichever direction you are headed.  The project is meant to help and inspire audiences which I'm all for, but there was a nagging question to be quieted.  My concern was whether my connections would welcome the information.  

Time was taken to review all of the groups with which I have had contact over the years.  A few stood out as those that will appreciate what we are about to deliver and so they are the ones who will be in receipt of the information. 

Being in busienss requires remaining consistent and true to your brand.  When the next exciting opportunity comes along, consider all angles before you reply "No" or "Yes!".  When a project meets your standards, you will usually find a Smooth Sale!

Attend Summer Sales School – many courses from which to choose!

I will be teaching:

- Business development using Power Branding

Read Additional Sales Techniques:

(Paperback and Digital formats)

International Best-Seller: 

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

and

Best-Seller:
HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews.

 

 

 

 
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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #751

June 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

 

Realizing Obstacles and Strengths

 

NOTE:  Today's Guest Blog is from Lillian Brummet.

Apply her advice to interviewing and meeting with clients as it speaks to your personal brand.
____________________________________________________

Once you have started the first few steps of releasing a product it is time to list potential resistance in the market, the reasons for it and how to combat the problems. This resistance list may include: a publisher's no-return policy, the lack of an advertising budget or personal marketing skills, limited availability for events, travel and mobility limitations and any other major or minor thing that may impede your efforts.

Then make a list of your strengths. Your personality will play a large part in the making of this list. For example, some authors may be comfortable speaking to very large groups, some may prefer intimate settings and others may not be able to leave their home (i.e. illness).

Enhance this list with other aspects about yourself that may get you in the door of a media outlet. For instance, you might write down: woman, mother, caregiver, gardener, and pet-lover. If for instance you are writing after retirement, you can target retirement groups as an audience. Perhaps you are a confident speaker and can host workshops on writing. If you have a green thumb you could host events such as giving away sapling trees for your environmental book event or tender rose plants for a romance theme.

Media tend to have highly targeted audiences, and this is where the key word lists come in handy – so by doing the right research, for example, you may open a door simply by being a female writer. These kinds of personal touches may be the key that gains access to the limited space in print media or gaining the attention of terrestrial and online radio programs.

Additionally, getting to know yourself through this list creation process will not only reveal your strengths and weaknesses, but also shows how you can effectively market your book.

~ Lillian Brummet: Award winning author, book marketing guru, owner of the award winning Brummet’s Conscious Blog, and both the host and executive producer of the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show. (www.brummet.ca)

Read Additional Sales Techniques:

International Best-Seller:

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

and

Best-Seller:
HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews.

 

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #636

December 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Your Biggest Vision

TMOMDisneyland-Day2 015
 

Dreams Do Come True ~ Walt Disney

Have you ever fantasized about your career or business?  Is it a deep seated desire?  Have you ever expressed it out loud to anyone?

Frequently, we hold our desires secretive.  However, the first step in making those visions come true is to state them out loud to those in whom you may comfortably confide.   By talking about your dream, it becomes more viable.  You soon begin to contemplate the initial steps to be taken.  

Once the initial steps are taken and you seem to be on the right path, confidence builds to put a more developed plan of action together.  This is where the need to publicly announce your intentions and put a marketing or plan in place for the public to be aware of your project.  

Should your new project be career related, putting your brand in the public eye will position you as the expert and will attract possible offers.  I believe the following quote is also attributable to Disney:  "Dream it, do it, become it".  This slogan summarizes business development and heading toward making the sale and achieving your once secretive desire.

Need a little motivation to take action early 2012?  I highly encourage you to consider the following:

 

Happy YOU! Year – Create The Best Year Of YOUR Life

January 14-22 Virtual Conference featuring Multiple Experts

January 19, 10:a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET  - Elinor Stutz

Motivation Marathon Free Webinar Series

SBA San Francisco
January 26, 6-8:00 p.m.
"Relationship Building and Selling through all Media"
455 Market Street, #600
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-744-6820
Registration Required

 

SBA San Francisco
April 24, 6-8:00 p.m.
"How to Quickly Write A Book and Sell More Copies"
455 Market Street, #600
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-744-6820
Registration Required

More information for improving business, sales techniques or for interviewing may be found in either 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.

 

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #595

September 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Sing the Last Note when Dissolving A Relationship

Linda, Paty, Erick y Alan
Remain in Harmony

It struck me after reconnecting with people whom I met years ago, and with whom I previously had a working relationship, that we were still on good terms because the door was left wide open for future communication.  When it comes to business development, building your brand and attracting additional sales, it's your goodwill and behavior that will dictate a positive outcome even when you dissolve a current relationship.

When I began sales, I had not a clue how to perform nor was there any training.  You may know the story, I simply made friends with everyone to rise to the top by the 4th month.  In business, while we may lose track of one another, a thought will come to us of that person.  I make it a rule that when I do remember someone to contact them again.  

Have you resonated with tweets or postings on social media sites?  Contact the people and let them know that.  That's how friendships are born and opportunity arises where it initially seemed impossible.  Thank people for mentioning you, it's surprising that more people do not.  This is a great positioning strategy to stand out from the crowd.

Whether you are trying to build relationships with a friend, an associate or a hiring manager for a particular job, the same rules for goodwill apply and go a very long way.  This is precisely what leads to a very Smooth Sale!

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

The Community Service project AmericaHires360 was developed to help Americans return to work.. Companies and Sponsors are making it possible for Job Seekers to attend for free. The event takes place online October – December click the link above to register today.

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #577

August 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Take Action to Make it Happen!

Regatta
Creative Commons License photo credit: Ozulus

Are you simply thinking about it?

In the early days of entrepreneurship, I was advised to "Play a bigger Game".  Only I didn't know how to get started.  It was good to have the advice but I needed to shore up experience first.  By establishing my foundation, recognizing what I enjoy the most, I then knew which direction in which to head.

As experience kicks in, it's much easier to take a leap of faith or calculated risk to play that bigger game.  I knew full well that by not trying, my dream would never be accomplished.  When you are willing to take the leap of faith, the visibility enables you to build a larger audience and grows your brand far more quickly.  

If you are curious how to get started, I tried new thought processes.  In the corporate sales world, we were factual and took control.  However, I since learned that when you have a wonderful idea, it's important to express it outloud to trusted others.  Think about it in your private time.  Eventually your new thought about a better tomorrow cycles into your subconcious.  As these thoughts incporate into your mind, body and spirit, you stand a far better chance for making them a reality.  

My first dare was by another who challenged me to write a book good enough to be traditionally published. I did and it was.  So I did it again for practice. All challenges over the years and overcoming them through trial and error, had prepared me to move onto a larger playing field.  Two very large projects are now in the works.  Join me by creating your bigger game and let's experience the Smooth Sale together!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #576

August 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The Conversation Style will Determine Your Outcome

 Phone Call on a Balcony

Creative Commons License photo credit: garryknight

Are your conversations 2-way?

Have you ever met people who seem to have all the answers?  They talk at length, do not allow for input, refuse to hear another opinion and/or demand others agree with them. My viewpoint on all of this is, it isn't a conversation.  Instead, what you have is a monologue.  When people adhere to this conmmunication style, I do my best to find another with whom to speak.

This is another aspect of magnetic communication.  Your prospects, clients, and hiring managers or companies should be respectful of your input as well as demanding it from you.  Otherwise, there will only be aggravation found down the road.  

When you seek your next new friend, client or job, determine if the conversation is in fact a two-way street and that a good dialogue is had.  LIkewise, when you communicate in this manner, it becomes a marketing message that precedes sales.  Your style also develops your brand.  

When people are willing to operate with open minds and possibly collaborate with you to improve the projects, you will be far more likely to find motivation and inspiration to keep on doing and improving uponwhat you enjoy.  And when you have the above components in place, you are on the road to a very Smooth Sale!

Those of you seeking new work, consider the AmericaHires360 Online Job Fair taking place the entire last quarter of 2011.

 

You may find more information in the following 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 #571

July 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Listening brings increased reward!

Day 28.07 colleagues fun
Creative Commons License photo credit: Frerieke

Do you make the time?

Over the years, I have learned that most often people, older than myself. have much to share.  Unfortunately, younger people choose to avoid older people at gatherings due to their being less mobile.  This was not the case for me this past holiday.

I was introduced to a woman who immediately let me know she her husband had recently passed away and she was terribly lonely.  Inviting me to sit down to talk, an hour passed by very quickly.  She began to relay how they came to the U.S. from Italy.  By the middle of her story, I was taken by the devotion they showed to their community.

 One tiny segment of the story was, the husband collected outgrown childrens' shoes and mended them.  Over time he grew an incredible collection of all sizes that were returned to good repair.  As children in his community outgrew their shoes, they would visit his garage to swap their old shoes for a newer pair in better condition.

Needless to say, this couple set a fabulous example for their family.  And their children grew up to become hugely successful themselves.  It became a most inspiring hour and the better part of the afternoon.  When you treat everyone with respect, listen to what they have to say and build relationships, you are bound to learn something new and make wonderful new friends.  

Adapt this philosophy to job seeking or business in general, and you will be enjoying a very Smooth Sale!

For more information on interviewing or building relationships for business, you may wish to read:

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

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

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #570

July 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Bridge the Gap for an Assured Sale

Vulcan Bridge
Creative Commons License photo credit: r-z

Find similarities between old and new careers

 

Last week I had the good fortune to be interviewed by Karen Ellenbecker, Host of Money Sense, WISN 1130.  Today, a listener called to say she took careful notes and became motivated to switch careers but she had a question of me.  She said the career she is after is to teach high school students whereas she now is a teacher's aide helping young disabled students.  She wondered how to overcome not having the exact requirements.

There is a technique called bridging; speakers and salespeople use it.  You first speak to the other party's needs and desires, indicate your skills are easily transferrable and then itemize how this is true.  In her case, disabled children no matter what age brings an extra set of responsibilities.  Speaking to the challenges she currently faces, it will be easy to transfer to working with teenagers.  I explained rather than focusing on the differences, she needs to focus on the similarities and how easy the switch will be.  Plus they will gain from her experience in handling difficult situations should they arise.  My listener was very happy with the answer.  i have no doubt she will soon hear HIRED!

The other piece of information comes from my first book, Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results.  The advice of truly understanding your prospect first, treating them as a potential friend and then demonstrating you are there to solve problems, will enable you to more easily get the sale.

Should you have any questions, please write elinor@smoothsale.net, I'm happy to assist and help you achieve a Smooth Sale of your own!

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Attract the Right Job or Clientele: Sales Tip #569

July 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Are You Open to Opportunity?

Tian Tan Buddha Statues
Creative Commons License photo credit: iriskh

Accepting the unimaginable

 

Earlier this year I was asked to deliver a keynote speech for International Women's Day in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.  I decided the time was right to give an inspirational talk based upon my personal experience while lying on a stretcher in the Emergency Room of a Hospital waiting to hear back from the doctor on duty after he reviewed my X-rays.  The vision I saw that night was the basis of the talk.  It is what gave me insight into the future on how I should conduct my business including the need to include community service in the plan.  

My talk provided not only inspiration but techniques to increase business and find better results which in turn provided hope and motivation.  Afterward a Sister from the Brahma Kumari Order came over to me as did others to say how much she enjoyed my talk.  A month later I was invited to one of their luncheons as a guest.  I met the most incredible people there and hear a Gold Medal Olympian speak about how she visualized winning one of her gold medals as she recuperated from surgery.  That too was a very inspiring day.

To my surprise and delight, I was issued an invitation to facilitate an inspirational workshop at the Brahma Kumari Center in San Francisco on October 25th from 10:00 a.m. to noon, should you be in the neighborhood.  It's located near Golden Gate Park.  Truthfully this is all fairly new to me, but it was such a joy being on their premises I welcome the opportunity to be a presenter.  It's a very new venue and I know additional opportunity will come forth in addition to becoming a fond memory.

Build relationships with everyone.  For more information read: Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results

and learn how to apply building relationships to job interviews by reading:  HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews

Communicating well, expressing appreciation for others and building relationships will help put you on the stream to a Smooth Sale!

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