Archive for the ‘Sales Training’ Category

We see it a lot here at The Sales Corner. Including the “decision makers” making the decision to put an exorbitant amount of money into a product or service to gain little to no attention from that service or provider. In this example below, we show you a common type of approach;

“Mr. Customer, you can pay $15,000 dollars to get you in the top 3 on Google in less then 6 months!” Doesn’t that sound great?! Oh, and by the way, can and will also offer you; Internet Marketing, SEO Services, additional Search Engine Placements, Revenue Ad ideas, ways to sell products, and other things that will appear to help your online growth…. and if you want to gain access to that stuff, you’ll need to pony up another $15,000 or more to take advantage of those things!” If you’d like can start right away as long as you can provide them a Credit Card, AND SURELY WILL GUARANTEE you top placement on Google for your money, and their hard work, and you’ll become famous! Doesn’t that sound great Mr. Customer?”

Ho Hum, but we here at The Sales Corner say “Sorry Mr Customer; You’ve just been screwed out of a nice chunk of change!” Change that you could have used to buy a new desk, computer, programs, or hell, maybe you wanted a vacation with your family while you left the business to someone else!!

Why are you screwed though? Here’s how, and we think you’ll find this a bit intriguing;

1) ANYONE can search Google for anything.

When they do, some of YOU will have success on the top pages and some will not. However, it’s true that the top 5 links mostly get the clicks, it’s not always true that just because you are in the top 5 you’ll stay there there based on what those optimized search terms were. No, you’re in the top 5 because Google put you there based on how they ranked your popularity. (among other criteria….)

(This information alone to the right service provider is worth about $10,000 dollars in their price book, and I’ve just provided it for
free.)

So how popular are you today?
Where do you fit in?
Is your provider KEEPING you in that top 5 with “good ethics” and “dynamic ways” to keep you in the top listings?

Frankly our “Kid and Pre-Teen Research Team” can do better then some of the “experts” out there. WHY? It’s because they are creatively changing and remain dynamic.

You’ll stay on top of the Google game if you are dynamic, changing, and doing doing doing something that Google likes. Do you know all the secrets? NO, and let us tell you, neither do we, nor does the next service provider.

What The Sales Corner does know is how to keep you in front of your customers in your market. We help you build on your relationships and open NEW doors!

The perks of some of these things are becoming “famous” on Google, or having “the source” be you when a potential party is looking for your solution, service, or similar product etc…

We hope you take the time to consider this the next time you are seeking a service provider with a very large amount of overhead needed to do a job that any smart 3rd or 4th grader can do. Please be different; be smarter then those people. HELP YOURSELF LEARN and GROW and ACHIEVE and perhaps best of all SAVE YOUR MONEY! (Or give it to us, to help your ROI…..)

The Sales Corner Memberships;

http://www.thesalescorner.us/blog/sales-corner-marketing-seo-sales-membership-packages/

Popularity: 34% [?]

What nonsense is that? You’re the one that conceptualized, designed, and built your business from the ground up. You’re the one that has 100% control over everything in your company; right? Or do you?

Do you build any of your “business model” on “what ifs” — because “what if” you lost a limb, an ear, a finger, an arm, a leg, or god forbid, your head? Could you continue to operate in whatever way you needed to without a hiccup in your service to clients, customers, and other business relationships?

“I doubt that I could continue operating at full capacity in the event of a catastrophic time.”

Knowing our own limits, only helps us understand yours. Were all different, but, similar. Business can be looked at in the same light;

Business models are at a core, the template for all business models. Having a different business then the next person only makes you “similar” in the fact of processes, and things to do to keep your business active and going. (finding new partners, getting new suppliers, having someone do collections, finding new customers, seeing into new markets, driving new sales etc..)

You’re business may not have the same struggles as mine, or Joe’s, or Bob’s but I can bet your “butt” that all three of our business’s will need help to stay going, either now, or in the future!

So if you’re reading this, then you may be like a lot of other people who ask us; “What can The Sales Corner help me with?”

This is our response, which simply put is EVERYTHING, “What do YOU NEED?”

Once you can establish the need or multiple needs that you have, it will be easy to find a way to fill the need using The Sales Corner.  In fact there are several ways we can fill your needs with the offering of full service membership packages to look out in ALL the areas you might be looking for help!

See a complete list of package offerings here;

http://www.thesalescorner.us/blog/sales-corner-marketing-seo-sales-membership-packages/

ADDITIONALLY I can offer you some “REAL INSIGHT” into others similar needs and how they were able to utilize The Sales Corner to address those needs;

Question 1

My computer is running slow; My internet sites take longer to load and I wish there was a way I could get someone to help me without having to worry about the expensive price of the local “Squad” or wait from “someone in another country” to call me back or fix my issue.

Answer 1

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Phone Service and Support membership packages which are designed as all inclusive to what was needed here for this client to get phone support for  “general technical help, and product application support.” As this client had issues and needed a resource to contact with the assurance they would get a timely, and well educated response!

Question 2

What do I need to keep active, and reach my customers/clients?
I already know how to write my own content, publish my own articles, and get out into the Social Media scene to grow myself;

Answer 2

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Quarterly Website/Blog membership packages which is all inclusive to what this client needed to get a Website Built, Integrated, and Managed after Install! We think it’s great even when you don’t know what you need to in order to have a medium to communicate yourself on. This gives them ability to communicate directly and privately to their own user base!

Question 3

How can I get into new Sales and Marketing areas with my current projects?
I don’t know anything about how to use a blog, where I should be online or offline, or how to reach new people because my “old” approach isn’t working anymore;

Answer 3

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Quarterly Internet Marketing / Sales membership packages which are designed as all inclusive to what this client needed to get their products, their face, and “their business” out to people who wanted to know about them! This will keep them there where they need to be, in front of people online and off!

Question 4

Some folks out there have their own sites on a free host, or a host that charges them a monthly or annual fee; That’s okay, but sometimes people don’t always know what to do in these cases or how to get to their files etc. How can The Sales Corner help me get a place to host or store my files for my website, my blog, or FTP access?

Answer 4

The Sales Corner is able to propose one of our Quarterly Website/Blog Hosting membership packages which are designed as inclusive to what this client needed for their files to be stored, accessed, and managed on a regular basis as they saw fit! Now they can upload/download and so can their users (With or Without a Blog if they like since this is “file storage”).

As you can see, The Sales Corner and our network of members have very good methods of helping you get more information for free, save your business money, get more all while you can walk away and feel confident to know that you’re business isn’t going to fall under, because you couldn’t afford our monthly fee, or that yearly cost to keep it going!

“The Sales Corner is always willing to listen and work with all of our members to accommodate their needs and wants and desires, after all you help us keep going as much as we help you; We simply supply the magic powder to mix it all together which is then what we give you which is tangible and something you can count on for your business needs!”

Matt G
The Sales Corner

“The Shaman says only the best leaders use help to their advantage.” The Sales Corner Probing Question of the Day:

“When you find yourself without an answer to a problem….” “Where do you go to find the answer?”

Popularity: 88% [?]

One of the worst things that hurt individuals is the inability to grow. We all have skeletons that haunt our past- if we let them. Previous issues, phobias and concerns can be like anchors on boat, they can continually drag you down until you reach the bottom; and they can sink you.

If you feel you are held back, it just might be past ghosts. The focus must be on the present and the future- not the past. You cannot alter the past; you can only impact your future.

I learned this imperative life lesson many years ago as a survivor of child abuse. After many years of physical and mental anguish I was forced to mature quickly while making many life-altering decisions. Now as a professional entrepreneur and more importantly a joyful father and husband I understand the power of focus and future. Life from time to has been volatile but if you remain focused and positive you can create the future you desire. Here is what I have learned along the journey:

1. It is imperative to have goals and to write them down. When the mind views something on paper there is an implicit contract that gets committed to memory. Additionally, focus on time frames so issues you desire remain in reach.
2. Dreams are those visuals that instigate and instill our desires. Never let anyone tell you dreams are folly. Those that do are stuck in their own hubris.
3. Guilt is negative thoughts derived and devoured by self-deprecation. The “pity pot” cements us. Positive thoughts instill better outcomes.
4. Franklin Roosevelt once stated, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” This is not a trite statement but very true. Fear similar to guilt stops you. Fear derails you. Fear stops growth. The best attitude against fear is risk. Higher risk means a greater opportunity for high returns.
5. Similar to fear, procrastination when manifested will derail future growth. Procrastination is the resultant of both fear and guilt. To stop procrastination, one must create motion. Motion creates energy and with it the more speed to get more accomplished.
6. Stop engaging with negative individuals, they only sink you. You are the summation of the individuals you associate with. If those around you do not love you unconditionally then you need to find new people. Altering your associations will bring significant changes in attitude and behavior.
7. Never lose hope and never lose faith. Life has some hurdles and it is how you operate through and around them not avoiding them. Hurdles are unavoidable but can be speed bumps with the right attitude.
8. No matter what God you believe in, never lose faith. God does not want anyone to fail and is always with us in the shadows walking right behind or beside us.

©2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

Popularity: 39% [?]

You heard right! Were on Digg!

Connect with us!

http://digg.com/users/thesalescorner

Popularity: 16% [?]

I went out this past weekend to play golf with my son and I took notice of how the game might be aligned with the world of selling. One of my frequent issues with selling is the lack of a process. This is simply because there is a lack of focus on hecustomer. Selling requires a constant and intense focus on the company’s most vital asset.

Coincidentally, the weekend golfer typically lacks focus in the one area of the game that is most important-the cup. Most golfers will attempt to hit the ball onto the take as far and wide as they can in the hope of being close to the cup. Unfortunately with only 18 chances the statistics do not favor the golfer. The most important and strategic portion of the game is known as the short game. Golfers need to focus on establishing as few strokes as necessary to get the ball into its final destination. It seems at times that golfers become more cognizant at the end rather than the beginning. This gameplan is too erratic and provides for more luck than grace.

Sellers too become most erratic when selling without a process. When focus is maintained on the client there is a better opportunity of closing business. Rather than hacking away at luck the true seller is constantly involved with creating less steps, less labor and more value to the potential client. Unlike golf they do not focus on only the beginning but the entire game plan. Some of the best sellers reach their short game with:

1. Preparation-every call in every visit is carefully planned to ensure a proper beginning and proper closure.

2. Relationship-the true seller is always involved in building and maintaining relationships with proper economic buyers.

3.Questions-sellers always have available questions related to objectives and measurements of success.

4. Risk-good sellers always take prudent risk to move the sale forward.

5. Productivity-good sellers do not waste time with unnecessary items, they optimize their day based upon prioritization.

6. Strategy-those sellers the strategic lead less volatile roads because they prepare for most circumstances.

7. Customer Service-good sellers are always ladies and gentlemen to ladies and gentlemen, 45% of every sale involves customer service.

Before heading out onto the sales golf course is best to have a good strategy so as to lessen labor and focus more on the end game-the customer. Being too tactical only wastes time and strokes. While you’re setting up your next shot your competitor is already on the green.

©2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

There are seven secrets for selling effectiveness. Click here For a Free Report 7 Secrets to Selling Success

Drew Stevens is one of the world’s leading authorities on business development and marketing. Drew is the author of the successful sales process book Split Second Selling. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Fitness. To discover how Dr. Drew dramatically accelerate your business development and sales skills visit his sales and marketing website.

Popularity: 14% [?]

In the last several weeks I have solicited over 20 vendors for a variety of reasons; restaurants to home improvement centers. There is a stark contrast in treatment from one establishment to the next. Most bewildering is the general lack of focus and respect for customer service. The simplest issue for any business is retaining clients by treating them well. Research over many years proves that it is less expensive to maintain your current client base rather than acquire new.

As a business development and customer service consultant I am more sensitive to the issues. However let me offer some free advice that will save organizations money, time, stress and most of all, customers.

• When a customer walks into an establishment or walks to a cashier please have your staff smile and say hello. The world’s icebreaker is an empathetic smile.
• Remember customer’s names. The sweetest sound customers hear is the name of their name, do not screw it up, repeat it the name if needed.
• Have nametags available for all employees. Nothing is more bothersome than to not know the name of staff.
• Eliminate the ready, fire, aim approach to service. Start having employees listen and question. Nothing can be heard when both sides are speaking.
• Check the baggage. Consumers do not care if employees received a ticket before work; have a toothache or the myriad of other excuses. It is about the customer not the worker. Bad attitudes are to be left at home.
• When possible have all employees wear ubiquitous uniforms especially in service establishments such as doctors, specialists, etc. It is helpful to know staff from vendors or perhaps other customers.
• Have staff address me formally unless told otherwise. Respect is the better part of valor no matter the generational differences.
• Inform staff that cell phones and the rude act of text messaging are off limits during work hours. Attention must be given to the customer not the evening date.
• Ensure background checks on delivery personnel. In the last several weeks I have noticed seven traffic infractions. The most notable – Stop sign avoidance!
• Stop the banter. When clients arrive undivided attention is to be given to them. Refrain from rumor mongering and speaking ill of the previous client.
• Offer frequent customers some type of VIP service. The most treasured become your greatest marketing avatars.
• Create a customer culture all hired need to be focused on your greatest asset- customers.
• People remember the first thing they hear and see and the last. Make a positive first impression and a memorable last.

©2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

There are seven secrets for selling effectiveness. Click here For a Free Report 7 Secrets to Selling Success

Drew Stevens is one of the world’s leading authorities on business development and customer service. Drew is the author of the successful sales process book Split Second Selling. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Fitness. To discover how Dr. Drew dramatically accelerate your business development and sales skills visit his sales and marketing website.

Popularity: 12% [?]

I recall moving to St. Louis from the East Coast in 1999. After several months of acclimation I was asked to return to New York to conduct a sales seminar. I flew in a few days prior to enjoy some old jaunts and enact as tourist.

I was certain to visit Pennsylvania Station, my transportation portal to and from work for over 17 years. I awoke early the following morning to view the commuters and I was flabbergasted to see the worn, anguished and fatigued faces of those going to work. None looked happy. Albeit was early, yet many appeared dispassionate.

All people work because they must. The reward for work is money earned to pay for food, shelter and other necessities. However, work should be interesting. If it is not worth doing, do not do it! There are so many that teach, administer, manage, lead etc because they “have to”. True money is required to pay bills but if there is little happiness find something that does make you happy. After all you will spend over 40 years working. That adds to many unhappy days.

I am not suggesting you automatically quit and join a Broadway production but find labor that keeps you passionate and interested. Why interact with others that do not respect you and conduct boorish tasks. Find your love, find your happiness and regain your life. Do not become the dispassionate commuter but rather the conductor of your life.

Quote of the Day

Few are they who have never had the chance to achieve happiness … and fewer those who have taken that chance.

- Andre Maurois – French Author

©2010. Drew Stevens PhD. All Rights Reserved.

Limited beliefs also withhold your success, Click Here for a Free Report on Overcoming Limited Beliefs

Drew Stevens PhD is one of the world’s leading authorities on business development and practice management success. Dr. Drew is the author of the successful sales process book Split Second Selling and the upcoming book Ultimate Business Bible – 10 Strategies for Achieving Ultimate Business Success. Click to receive a free chapter of Ultimate Business Bible. Dr. Drew is one of the founders of the Sales Leadership Program at St. Louis University and operates Sales Fitness and Business Expert Radio one of the Internet’s highly successful podcasts and radio programs. To discover how Drew Stevens can dramatically accelerate your revenue contact him through his business development and sales

Popularity: unranked [?]

Recently a friend of mine was conducting performance reviews for her staff. She has 16 direct reports and when finished all received a superlative review. With the completion of her paperwork and interviews she provided the reviews to her manager for sign off. Trouble began. Her manager indicated to her that she would need to revise all 16 reviews because no one could receive a superlative- it would hinder the firm’s bell curve. I am not making this up!

Performance is based on individual observed behavior as it correlates to both goals and organizational standards. Employees are then reviewed based on prior performance to these issues. Therefore individuals are honored for their efforts to conform to these standards. Bell curves kill morale and performance because they not only compare but reward non-performers with performers. Two issues here 1) If individuals cannot meet goals and standards they need to be terminated. Organizations are too busy attempting to make profits. Further when individuals do not perform there is either a management/employee relationship issue or a hiring issue. 2) To get individuals performing at optimum efficiency seek the best practices of the best people and communicate more. Too many reviews are too little too late. Reviews are not confidential year end documents but rather monthly communication vehicles that assist in providing direction for employees.

To determine best practices for employee performance reviews email me for a quick 10 step tip sheet.

©2010.  Drew J. Stevens Ph. D. All rights reserved.

Drew Stevens PhD works with organizations to dramatically accelerate revenue. Dr. Drew is the author of six books including Split Second Selling and the soon to be released Ultimate Business Bible. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Fitness with Dr. Drew. To gain a free 30 Minute Coaching contact Dr. Drew today get the proper prescription for your success.

Popularity: 3% [?]

The rubbish of reality television returns in most of its glory this month with American Idol. While many individuals seek out new methods to make fools, all can learn something.

After several years of watching the judges provide feedback to talent, I have noticed something profound, the spontaneity in which talent is unearthed. As my daughter watched the show last week it was interesting to watch the judges quickly dismiss talent. There is something to be learned here.

How many times do selling professionals spend useless hours with prospective customers only to discover:

1-    they are not the buyer

2-    they do not have discretionary power

3-    they are the gatekeeper

4-    they were only fishing for information

Sales professionals need to work quickly and refrain from spending countless hours with individuals that claim power and control and do not have it. Sales professionals need to think like a judge on the show they need to:

1. Review the observed behavior and understand whom they are speaking with
2. Ask provocative questions to understand the persons decision power
3. Ask questions that denote budgets and time
4. Determine immediately if the person is the economic decision maker

Selling today requires more efficiency and sales managers are asking for more productivity Ensuring success requires being prepared for every call and conducting research to denote imperative information on the company and the contact person. Efficiency requires the preparation of questions and knowing what to say after hello. If the judges on the show can work quickly so can you.

There are 7 techniques you can use daily to assist you preparation efforts. Get the 7 Secrets to Sales Preparation by emailing me today. Ask about our Free 30 Minutes “Sales Acceleration Coaching Clinic” to help you gain immediate sales result!

©2009. Drew J. Stevens Ph. D. All rights reserved.

Drew Stevens PhD is one of the worlds leading experts in sales and sales skills. Dr. Drew is the author of six books including Split Second Selling and the soon to be released Ultimate Business Bible. With over 25 years of sales experience and business leader, Dr. Drew has extensive experience in assisting both entrepreneurs and selling professionals to experience higher efficiency and effectiveness. He is also the creator of the Sales Leadership Certificate one of only 14 programs in the United States offering an accredited degree in the profession of selling and has a top ranked podcast called Sales Fitness offering tips and techniques that immediately improve selling performance.

Popularity: 5% [?]