In business or even in your private life, communication is, of course, essential. In her recent book, Relevant Selling, author Jaynie L. Smith makes this point again and again. She is mostly referring to business and sales but here theory works in everyday life too.
Her point, as I understand it, is that you must know what your customers value about your company and products or services before you can promote those values. In other words, a business owner or manager must understand what attributes or advantages or unique skills about your company attracts customers and keeps them. The only way to find out is to ask.
We in business can go on and on day after day telling our customers that we have the highest quality products or the fastest delivery when what they really value the most is friendly service. We must ask by doing reserarch and by asking our customers what it is that they like.
In everyday life, the same holds true. It is OK to ask your friends or family what it is about you that they value the most. What do you do for them that they hold in highest regard? Is it your understanding or kindness? Is it your stability and firmness on decision making? Ask and you will know.
Every company and every person has strengths but we may not clearly know what they are. If you find out, you can keep doing more of it. If you are a business, you can advertise it.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
An Excellent Sales Team
Here is an interesting story that I found on Twitter from the Harvard Business Review. For the story, click here.
I believe that sales management involves some special skills that are different from what makes a great salesperson. I would guess that having an excellent sales manager will bring the best out of an average team. On the other hand, an average manager will not help excellent sales people very much.
I believe that you need to start with an excellent manager. What do you think?
I believe that sales management involves some special skills that are different from what makes a great salesperson. I would guess that having an excellent sales manager will bring the best out of an average team. On the other hand, an average manager will not help excellent sales people very much.
I believe that you need to start with an excellent manager. What do you think?
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Happiness at Work
Here is a very interesting article from Forbes magazine about the workplace. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/07/27/10-steps-to-happiness-at-work/
I invite you to check it out.
I invite you to check it out.
Observations about the Olympics
Having watched the Summer Olympics on television for decades, I am still impressed with the overall event. The opening ceremonies are a time for great pride for all of the participating atheletes representing their home country.
All of the competitions are world class events and winning a gold medal at any one of them is a great lifetime acheivement. All of the categories of competion represent the best in the world competing for three spots on the victory stand; gold, silver, and bronze.
I understand that many of the Olympic atheletes are gifted in some way. This is particularly evident in swimming, gymnastics, and track and field. You can't train enough to be able to compete with them without the natural God give talent and ability. They also can't compete without endless pracctice and training.
However, when I watch the final lap of a freestyle swimming event, or final attempt to make a high jump height, I forget about what goes into it and just try to enjoy the moment.
One negative about watching the Olympics are the tiresome commercials that we sit through just to get another ten minutes of action. Oh well, some TV is tolerable.
All of the competitions are world class events and winning a gold medal at any one of them is a great lifetime acheivement. All of the categories of competion represent the best in the world competing for three spots on the victory stand; gold, silver, and bronze.
I understand that many of the Olympic atheletes are gifted in some way. This is particularly evident in swimming, gymnastics, and track and field. You can't train enough to be able to compete with them without the natural God give talent and ability. They also can't compete without endless pracctice and training.
However, when I watch the final lap of a freestyle swimming event, or final attempt to make a high jump height, I forget about what goes into it and just try to enjoy the moment.
One negative about watching the Olympics are the tiresome commercials that we sit through just to get another ten minutes of action. Oh well, some TV is tolerable.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Why be bored?
We often hear others say in their downtime, "I am so bored." Wow, why be bored? I know that there are circumstances where an individual may be incapable of doing anything constructive and I am not talking about those cases here.
If a person is able to physically do something, if they are able to read, if they are able to provide service of any kind to others, then there is almost never a reason to be bored. All too often, this boredom is manifested in watching TV or even worse, getting into trouble of some kind.
Boredome is really a lack of intersting activities being pursued by a person. You don't have to be rich to not be bored, but you should be rich in interests. Simply reading is doing something. Excellent books are available at the public library.
I think that the act of combating boredom is simply the initiative to take action and do sometbing interesting. Am I wrong?
If a person is able to physically do something, if they are able to read, if they are able to provide service of any kind to others, then there is almost never a reason to be bored. All too often, this boredom is manifested in watching TV or even worse, getting into trouble of some kind.
Boredome is really a lack of intersting activities being pursued by a person. You don't have to be rich to not be bored, but you should be rich in interests. Simply reading is doing something. Excellent books are available at the public library.
I think that the act of combating boredom is simply the initiative to take action and do sometbing interesting. Am I wrong?
Friday, July 27, 2012
Time management is evolving
I believe that the guidelines for how we manage our time are changing. Of course we want to get the most out of our work day so that we can give an honest and fair effort to our employer each and every day. This is essential to your career.
Having said that, I also realize that balance is very important not only to you in your daily life but also to you as an employee of a company. Having happy, well-rounded employees should make for a great company.
Here is an interested blog post from the Harvard Business Review http://blogs.hbr.org/anthony/2012/07/how_will_you_measure_your_companys_life.html It is essential to keep balance in time management and it is important to your company that you manage your time well.
Online and mobile communication opportunities make keeping that balance a little different, not necessarily more difficult but a little different. How we spend our time is changing and evolving because of the availability of online options. Many professions now allow for telecommunting because of this. Having this availability is a new challenge for time management.
Answering the question, what is the best use of my time at this moment is a challenge. If you are on the company clock, that narrows it down significantly to how can I use this moment to benefit the company or the business. It is the rest of the day and night that is more complicated.
Do I work on my professionals skills, work on my physical fitness, my faith life, family life, or relaxation. The answer is yes to all of these and finding the right combination is a challenge. Online availability makes it easier to accomplish many things but more difficult to balance your time. That is why I say that time management is evolving.
Give your day plenty of thought. Use your time wisely in every way.
Having said that, I also realize that balance is very important not only to you in your daily life but also to you as an employee of a company. Having happy, well-rounded employees should make for a great company.
Here is an interested blog post from the Harvard Business Review http://blogs.hbr.org/anthony/2012/07/how_will_you_measure_your_companys_life.html It is essential to keep balance in time management and it is important to your company that you manage your time well.
Online and mobile communication opportunities make keeping that balance a little different, not necessarily more difficult but a little different. How we spend our time is changing and evolving because of the availability of online options. Many professions now allow for telecommunting because of this. Having this availability is a new challenge for time management.
Answering the question, what is the best use of my time at this moment is a challenge. If you are on the company clock, that narrows it down significantly to how can I use this moment to benefit the company or the business. It is the rest of the day and night that is more complicated.
Do I work on my professionals skills, work on my physical fitness, my faith life, family life, or relaxation. The answer is yes to all of these and finding the right combination is a challenge. Online availability makes it easier to accomplish many things but more difficult to balance your time. That is why I say that time management is evolving.
Give your day plenty of thought. Use your time wisely in every way.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Great advice from a master of great advice
No not me, from Brian Tracy. If you are looking for excellent business and sales advice, check out Brian Tracy's Blog http://www.briantracy.com/blog/
Hard Work Does Pay Off
In more ways than one. Of course, pay and benefits are an important part of any job. So if you work hard just to achieve and maintain those two things, then hard work is paying off. Work hard, be honest, keep learning, and you should be fine.
There is much more to it though. Through hard work, you will accomplish things that you may not have thought you were capable of doing. Through hard work, you will achieve satisfaction that your skills have been used to accomplish goals and tasks for which you are paid.
It is not easy and at times not really desirable, but that is why they call it work. If work alone was that gratifying, you might do it for free. However, in accomplishing the goals of your employer, you also accomplish your personal goals. You are using your skills and talents to support yourself and others. There is great dignity in hard work.
So yes, hard work does pay off.
There is much more to it though. Through hard work, you will accomplish things that you may not have thought you were capable of doing. Through hard work, you will achieve satisfaction that your skills have been used to accomplish goals and tasks for which you are paid.
It is not easy and at times not really desirable, but that is why they call it work. If work alone was that gratifying, you might do it for free. However, in accomplishing the goals of your employer, you also accomplish your personal goals. You are using your skills and talents to support yourself and others. There is great dignity in hard work.
So yes, hard work does pay off.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Communication is so important
So many hurt feelings can be avoided through better communications. So many businesses can run more efficiently with better communication. It takes quite an effort by everyone to make effective communications happen.
One thing that digital communication has done is to make some communication more difficult. While social media has increased the quantity of communication, it has taken some of the meaning out of it. How often do people get involved in e-mail or text battles that lack understanding because the messages are misintepreted? I would say this happens a real lot.
There are some guidelines that you can follow that should work to overcome misunderstandings. First is to simply speak up. If you need clarification on any message from your friend, spouse, co-worker, boss, or anyone, just ask. What did you mean? Or how did you mean that? It is better to get clarification than to make decisions based on miscommunication.
Also, wait before reacting if you are not really clear about a message. Don't assume too much and act on something because you think that is what the other person meant. If you really don't know something, don't act upon it without clarification. We do this often where we form feelings or reactions based on what we interpret a message to be without clear understanding.
Communication is so important. Make it your objective to become a better communicator, both is sending messages and receiving them. Also work to make technology more effective for you and those with whom you communicate.
One thing that digital communication has done is to make some communication more difficult. While social media has increased the quantity of communication, it has taken some of the meaning out of it. How often do people get involved in e-mail or text battles that lack understanding because the messages are misintepreted? I would say this happens a real lot.
There are some guidelines that you can follow that should work to overcome misunderstandings. First is to simply speak up. If you need clarification on any message from your friend, spouse, co-worker, boss, or anyone, just ask. What did you mean? Or how did you mean that? It is better to get clarification than to make decisions based on miscommunication.
Also, wait before reacting if you are not really clear about a message. Don't assume too much and act on something because you think that is what the other person meant. If you really don't know something, don't act upon it without clarification. We do this often where we form feelings or reactions based on what we interpret a message to be without clear understanding.
Communication is so important. Make it your objective to become a better communicator, both is sending messages and receiving them. Also work to make technology more effective for you and those with whom you communicate.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
A Customer Focused Approach
In her latest book, Relevant Selling, author Jayne L. Smith makes an excellent point about a customer focused company. She makes it very clear that a company focused on their customers has the best chance for success in any business.
The customers needs must drive your company. Smith puts it this way "The voice of the customer should dictate your budget, strategy, and resource allocations. She takes it a step further by making the point that companies must ask their customers what is important to them.
This sounds like a very simple strategy and I agree with it strongly. Find out what your customers want and structure your business to meet those needs better, faster, and with more consistency than your competitors.
Check out Jaynie's website http://www.jayniesmith.com/ and if you have an opportunity to hear her present at a seminar, I recommend it. She will help your company's sales efforts.
The customers needs must drive your company. Smith puts it this way "The voice of the customer should dictate your budget, strategy, and resource allocations. She takes it a step further by making the point that companies must ask their customers what is important to them.
This sounds like a very simple strategy and I agree with it strongly. Find out what your customers want and structure your business to meet those needs better, faster, and with more consistency than your competitors.
Check out Jaynie's website http://www.jayniesmith.com/ and if you have an opportunity to hear her present at a seminar, I recommend it. She will help your company's sales efforts.
More About Connecting
Think about everyone you come in contact with every day. How often do you make eye contact and how often do you just look the other way. Now I will admit that there are some people who should be avoided, of course.
However, there are many opportunities to connect, sepecially in business. When you visit a company, do you treat everyone equally important or do you just breeze by the people who you feel are less important? For example, what about the receptionist, guard, or janitor? On the other hand, if you are one of those people who are treated often as less important, do you begin to feel that way?
The point is that there are many opportunities to make connections and it is especially important in business. A business setting is a great place to work on connecting with other people. Eye contact, body language, and attitude are all important.
The point of all of this is working on yourself. If you want to continue to improve your career and improve your relationships, work on making connections. However, this is not about you. If you want to make meaningful business connections, your encounter must be about them.
However, there are many opportunities to connect, sepecially in business. When you visit a company, do you treat everyone equally important or do you just breeze by the people who you feel are less important? For example, what about the receptionist, guard, or janitor? On the other hand, if you are one of those people who are treated often as less important, do you begin to feel that way?
The point is that there are many opportunities to make connections and it is especially important in business. A business setting is a great place to work on connecting with other people. Eye contact, body language, and attitude are all important.
The point of all of this is working on yourself. If you want to continue to improve your career and improve your relationships, work on making connections. However, this is not about you. If you want to make meaningful business connections, your encounter must be about them.
Monday, July 23, 2012
How Important is Making Connections Anyway?
I have re-listened to a CD program from motivation and etiquette expert Shawana Schuh and having done so, remembered so many things that I learned the first time and when I attended one of her seminars. The title of this program is Connecting in a Disconnected World.
She gives so much great advice in this session that it is very difficult to summarize even the most important parts. However, one theme keeps recurring with regard to making connections and that is "make it about them, not yourself." Whether you are connecting with customers or connecting with friends, it is alway more connecting to focus on other and not yourself.
Putting the focus on other involves all communication that you do both verbal and non-verbal. If you always place others first, you will be a desired communication partner. If you make it about them, you both win.
If you would like to learn more about Shawna, just go to her website at http://www.shawnaschuh.com/ and you will find some resources there. If you are interested in working on yourself, one of the best observations that I can make is to check out the advice of Shawana Schuh.
She gives so much great advice in this session that it is very difficult to summarize even the most important parts. However, one theme keeps recurring with regard to making connections and that is "make it about them, not yourself." Whether you are connecting with customers or connecting with friends, it is alway more connecting to focus on other and not yourself.
Putting the focus on other involves all communication that you do both verbal and non-verbal. If you always place others first, you will be a desired communication partner. If you make it about them, you both win.
If you would like to learn more about Shawna, just go to her website at http://www.shawnaschuh.com/ and you will find some resources there. If you are interested in working on yourself, one of the best observations that I can make is to check out the advice of Shawana Schuh.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Three Cs of dressing for connecting
One of my favorite advisers is Schawna Shuh. She is a professional speaker and author who gives motivational advice. One of her segments is about dressing to make connections in business and she refers to it as the three C's.
First is color and we should all use color in our wardrobes when we are tring to make a positive impression. After all, our outfit and our appearance is for the benefit of others who see us. Therefore, using cheerful colors is a positive for others.
The second C is comfortable. Your clothing should be comfortable for the situation. Your selection of your outfit should be appropriate for your current engagement whatever that might be. Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable because of what you are wearing.
And the final C is for cover up. In a business or formal situation, it is always best to do so. This is fairly self explanatory. All of this advice is designed to help individuals to connect better with others in both business and professional situations.
First is color and we should all use color in our wardrobes when we are tring to make a positive impression. After all, our outfit and our appearance is for the benefit of others who see us. Therefore, using cheerful colors is a positive for others.
The second C is comfortable. Your clothing should be comfortable for the situation. Your selection of your outfit should be appropriate for your current engagement whatever that might be. Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable because of what you are wearing.
And the final C is for cover up. In a business or formal situation, it is always best to do so. This is fairly self explanatory. All of this advice is designed to help individuals to connect better with others in both business and professional situations.
Monday, July 16, 2012
You Don't Have to be Negatively Influenced
Don't take this the wrong way. At one time, in my younger years, I was much more opened to being negatively influenced. Now I know that I don't have to be.
At one time, I thought that I must try to fit in. Now I know that I don't have to. I say, don't take this the wrong way because it doesn't mean that I don't like you. It just means that I don't have to be influenced by you.
Maybe it is just a matter of having some self confidence and self esteem. Maybe it is a part of being older and wiser. I can be nice to everyone and I can socialize with anyone, but I don't have to be anyone but myself.
I guess that part of improving self confidence is knowing that I am ok and I don't need to fit in. I don't need to change and I don't need to act or think like anyone in order to get along with them.
Therefore, I can avoid the influences of others that I consider to be negative without avoiding anyone. Perhaps, I can even positively influnce someone else in return.
At one time, I thought that I must try to fit in. Now I know that I don't have to. I say, don't take this the wrong way because it doesn't mean that I don't like you. It just means that I don't have to be influenced by you.
Maybe it is just a matter of having some self confidence and self esteem. Maybe it is a part of being older and wiser. I can be nice to everyone and I can socialize with anyone, but I don't have to be anyone but myself.
I guess that part of improving self confidence is knowing that I am ok and I don't need to fit in. I don't need to change and I don't need to act or think like anyone in order to get along with them.
Therefore, I can avoid the influences of others that I consider to be negative without avoiding anyone. Perhaps, I can even positively influnce someone else in return.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Talent, Passion, and Commitment
We use the term passion quite a bit to describe an attitude or approach to your respnsibility. Passion can be defined as an intense, compelling feeling or enthusiasm or desire.
We all have talents at something and when we try to accomplish something either professionally or personally, we use our talents to help us to get there. Where talent leaves off, passion should take over. Where passion is limited, commitment kicks in.
I believe that it takes all three to have sustained success at anything. Use your talents wisely to attain your goal. Be both passionate and comitted and success should come your way.
We all have talents at something and when we try to accomplish something either professionally or personally, we use our talents to help us to get there. Where talent leaves off, passion should take over. Where passion is limited, commitment kicks in.
I believe that it takes all three to have sustained success at anything. Use your talents wisely to attain your goal. Be both passionate and comitted and success should come your way.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Working on your interpersonal skills
It seems to me that working on your interpersonal communication skills are more important now than ever. I encounter a lot of people and I am always impressed and take quick notice of anyone with good interpersonal skills.
On the other hand, a person with poor interpersonal skills also stands out in the crowd by their shortcomings.
The reason that I claim that it is more important that ever is that social media offer such abundant opportunity to communicate UN-personally that we lose touch with the ability to interact. In fact, some youngsters may not learn such skills because they are growing up with social media.
Make it a point to work at connecting in your professional and personal life.
On the other hand, a person with poor interpersonal skills also stands out in the crowd by their shortcomings.
The reason that I claim that it is more important that ever is that social media offer such abundant opportunity to communicate UN-personally that we lose touch with the ability to interact. In fact, some youngsters may not learn such skills because they are growing up with social media.
Make it a point to work at connecting in your professional and personal life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)