You might have heard that ancient quip: “What’s in a name?” A lot, actually, as anyone would testify. The same holds true for a brand. After all, a brand is a name that you create for your line of products and services for business. Therefore, it’s essential for every small business to create a strong brand. Definition of a Brand …
Voicemails are an integral component of sales success. They can be a powerful tool to connect, provide information, and build relational capital. However, not all sales people utilize voicemail effectively. I assert that some use it so poorly that it produces a negative, rather than a positive, result. Pointless, rambling, static voicemails ending with the incredibly hasty phone number are …
Have you ever wondered which jobs will stand the test of time? If you have, then you’d not be surprised to hear that many of the jobs that are currently trending will not exist in the next two to five decades. Some of these jobs are fading away and will be completely gone as early as 2030. The key factors …
In my early twenties, I read The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer. I was riveted by the title character, who said, “Nothing makes you so angry as knowing you are in the wrong.” That single sentence has had a profound effect on how I handle situations of missteps and blunders throughout my life. Not only has it helped guide my …
As salespeople, we are on the phone with clients and prospects every day. The ubiquity of this form of communication can obscure the phone call’s true value. Don’t take this powerful tool for granted! Freshen up your phone etiquette to maximize your sales potential. The Basics Your voice immediately sets you apart. Your client or prospect needs to clearly hear …
Most of us have experienced at least one terrible job. Being in a toxic environment can be crushing, and your fight or flight instincts kick in: It’s time to find a new job. We’ve been there. Finding a way out of a toxic working environment can be difficult, and you may feel trapped as you search for a position elsewhere. …
Our families significantly shape who we are as people. The way we’re raised impacts the way we think and the attitudes we have. Family beliefs, however, are not tattooed onto your brain. Almost all of us differ from our family’s worldviews in more ways than one. This is to be expected, as time keeps moving us forward and popular attitudes …
There are multiple approaches to sales depending upon the complexity of the product or service, your personality, and the needs of your prospective or current clients. A low touch sale may be transactional and require very little sales interaction. This can include repeat orders that are automated. On the other end of the spectrum, a high touch sale will require …
Sleep is incredibly important to your health. Getting enough of it improves your immune system, lifts your mood, and can help prevent heart disease, just to name a few benefits. Getting too little sleep, however, increases your chance of accident and injury, makes you irritable, and, if chronic, can lead to some serious health conditions. If sleep comes easy for …
When it comes to advancing in the workplace, people often talk about long journeys of climbing the corporate ladder and having to start small. But while there is something to be said for gaining valuable experiences and learning the ropes of a job gradually, does this have to be the case all the time? Is it possible to quickly climb the …
For new moms, the choice to stay at home with their babies is a tough one. There are pressures that weigh down on the new mother from all angles. A post on “The Biggest Surprise About Going Back to Work After Being a Stay-at-Home Mom” talked about the reality of moms who are going back into the work force: On …
Throughout our schooling and within self-help and professional books, we are consistently – constantly – urged to take the lead. We are taught to be leaders in our workplace and in our personal lives, in everything we do. While this might feel empowering, the fact is that this is not always feasible. Indeed, if everyone was always playing a leading …
Everybody can start a blog, as long as you have some basic computer skills. A couple of years ago, blogging was all about expressing your views, and people would actually take the time to read your stories. Today, things have changed a bit, as you need to blog about what people are actively looking for. However, this doesn’t mean that it …
The first step in maximizing the impact of your prospect follow-up is to know your objective. Take the ubiquitous follow-up call or email: Your objective should be more than just checking in; it should be to move the sale forward in a meaningful way. And while it goes without saying, I’m going to say it: Follow up in a timely …
The #MeToo movement is changing dynamics in the workplace as the staggering scope of the problem has come to light. Companies need to reexamine their internal policies, encourage change in corporate culture, and address sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination claims more directly. In short, companies must do better. How can they do this? Here are key lessons to take from …
Starting a business can be overwhelming, but it can also be very rewarding — especially if you start out with very little capital. And it’s even more challenging when you’re a woman, considering how women-owned businesses are still considered a minority. Not to mention, the hurdles faced by women who have started a business are often different from those experienced by …
Self-esteem reflects a person’s attitude towards themselves. This evaluation may come from career success, relationships, lifestyle, appearance – or a combination thereof. We tend to feel good about ourselves when we achieve certain goals, and typically appreciate acknowledgement of others when we reach milestones. When you work in sales, you may base your success on how many sales you make …
It has been a rough few months. The COVID-19 pandemic, the worst global health crisis since the 1918 Spanish Flu, has killed over half a million people and infected many, many more. Unfortunately, that’s not all. The epidemic has also devastated the business world and left thousands out of a job. The present and near future look bleak for many. …
Things are so much simpler when you’re younger. You don’t have to think about paying bills or making appointments; even relationships are easier. When you live in the same home as your family, you see them every day, making it easy to keep up those relationships. Likewise, all of your friends go to the same school or live in your …
We’ve all had those pressure-filled days that push us to the brink. While no career professional ever wants to lose their cool, there is an added burden in sales. A failure to keep your equilibrium in check can have huge consequences in a client relationship. The damage to the relational capital you worked so hard to build can be wiped …