sam101.com|Sales, Advertising and Marketing

Success stories are an extremely effective method in closing sales. If you have presented your product and the client is still sitting on the fence share a success story from another client. 

Start by describing the challenges that were in front of the other client. Talk openly about his hesitation to use your product or services. finally, explain the successful results this client received, preferably using numbers ($$$) to give them credibility.

Author, motivational speaker and sought-after sales coach, David Steel is one of the nations leading experts on Sales Motivation and Increasing Sales through Social Media.

Widely recognized for his ability to energize sales teams and drive revenue results, David works with businesses and C-level executives on such issues as hiring the right sales people, compensation, goals and sales strategies.

In this clip, the founder of the Customer Empathy Institute, Ross Shafer, will show you the huge difference between Customer Service and Customer Empathy. In tough times, ALWAYS Empathy wins that battle.

Jeffrey Explains how to acheive and maintain a Positive Mental Attitude and the importance of doing it.

This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink’s talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace. This video is amazing!
www.theRSA.org

Here’s the latest video of Tom expounding on The Little BIG Things before starting work on the book. All the seeds of the 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence are in this video series, though the text of the book is different from what you’ll find here, because Tom edited about 5 (or 10) times. In this video, Tom explains that taking control of your own career is not an option, but a must.

Get a PDF transcript of the video’s content: More on Brand You.

A lot of companies tell you they will price match but when it comes down to the act of doing it, it is impossible to make it happen.

Today’s poor example – Target’s Price Match Policy - happened about 60 minutes ago.

I am currently shopping for a Flip Video Mino HD (2hrs, 8 GB…). So as I always do, I hit the web for some quick research. I found the camera at BrandsMart and Target.

My first stop BrandsMart (3305 Busbee Drive NW) because the Flip Video Mino HD is on sale ($30 off retail). This location was sold-out however; their Gwinnett store had several in stock. I had no intension of driving from Marietta to Gwinnett, the manager, Corey Davis, of the Busbee location immediately offered to have the Gwinnett store move the product to the Busbee location for pickup on Tuesday. Excellent!

I have to admit to you, that when I decided to purchase something I like instant gratification. I want to take it home immediately and start using it, whatever “it” is.

Before going any further, I forgot to mention that at BrandsMart gave me a pickup receipt for the item on Tuesday. The receipt details the item including the sales amount, taxes, and total.

As I drove down Barrett on my way home, I had a flash of brilliance. Target! I remembered that Target has a price matching policy. I love Target. I was about to pass the Barrett Pkwy location (740 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW) so, I took a shot at them having the Flip Video Mino HD and stopped. They had it! I was excited and ready to purchase it with my credit card in hand – until I asked about the price match.

Turns out to use Target’s price match policy you must have a print ad with a photo of the item. So, my receipt showing a description of the item including the final cost wasn’t good enough for them. I took the salesman’s canned speech and started to leave. One last attempt, I thought. Target won’t let me down. So as I passed the “customer service” counter and I asked to speak to the store manager. I was told he would speak to me however it turns out he was too busy and another representative (Justin) showed up who had to page the store manager, “I have a customer here with a receipt for an item we sell and is asking for a price match, can we use it?” The store manger gave the same canned speech I had heard in electronics. Target had done something I never thought possible – they let me down!

I know a little about sales and customer service because I have over 25 years of experience with both. I have been a National Trainer for both sales and customer service and work hard in my business to go above and beyond expectations of my clients.

I understand that businesses need policies in place but I also know that nothing is written in stone, and that exceptions happen everyday. Again, my receipt details the item including the sales amount, taxes, and total. It lacks a “photo” but really what would that tell you that the description doesn’t?

Needless to say, Target lost a $210 sell of a Flip Video and another $50 or so on miscellaneous items that I need for upcoming trip. (That’s what the Flip Video is for too.)

On Tuesday, I’ll pick up my new Flip Video Mino HD from BrandsMart and head over to Walmart for the other items I need.

I love Target but this was a kicker for me. It will be a long while before they regain my business. Walmart is closer and cheaper on the items I would purchase from Target anyway.

Price matching policies should be as easy to use as the Flip Video Mino HD – plug and play!

Creativity can help you reinvent yourself.

The more ideas you have the more solutions you have available to you.

New ideas open new worlds and new options.

New ideas create new beginnings and new perspectives.

Creativity can reinvent your life.

Creativity can reinvent your company.

Creativity can turn your world and life around.

Now is the perfect time to reinvent yourself, your world, your company, your relationships etc…REINVENT!

You may find that some of these tips are easier than others. Challenge yourself. Make it a point to practice them. In time they’ll all become second nature to you.

Networking Tips: networking is also personal marketing. Master networking and you’ll have a dynamic marketing method at your fingers tips!

Networking Tips: always start with a positive attitude. Your goal is to
establish relationships – no one wants to spend time with a whiner or negative attitude.

Networking Tips: have a prepared introduction. This is referred to as your “commercial”. It should contain a brief 2 or 3 sentences outlining what you do and your name.

Networking Tips: be interesting. A strategy – know what the current topics are for the day and in your area. Ask open-ended questions that cause the other person to interact in the conversation.

Networking Tips: be on time. Hold your head up. Make eye contact. If crowds make you nervous find someone standing alone and start a conversation.

Networking Tips: your handshake should be firm, that goes for both sexes, not bone breaking! Hold your drink, plate or anything else in your left hand so your right hand is always free, dry and ready!

Networking Tips: when in a conversation “LISTEN” to what is being said and react to it. Pay attention.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation make eye contact, look at the person the majority of the time.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation stand still, don’t fidget, rock back and forth or play with hair or clothes.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation be aware of your posture, sitting up straight or even leaning toward the speaker.  No slouching.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation the most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.

Networking Tips: when in a conversation, how do you do?  How can you improve?

Networking Tips: you must be genuinely interested in others. Listen, acknowledge what has been said and make eye contact.

Networking Tips: the point isn’t just to introduce yourself, give out business card, and leave. The point is to make personal connections with others.

Networking Tips: work the room. Mingle. Don’t stay with the same person or group all night. Make plans to follow up with them and circulate. Challenge yourself to meet between 3 to 5 new people.

Networking Tips: give and get a business card to everyone you meet. Offer your card and ask for one if it isn’t offered.

Networking Tips: be sure to make notes on the back of each business card to remind yourself of what you discussed, hobbies, travel, interests, nicknames etc.

Networking Tips: be sure to follow up on any promises you made. Also be sure to follow up with everyone you meet within 24 hours of the event.

Networking Tips: networking is about being authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others. Not just seeing how they can help you.

Networking Tips: set objectives for each networking event. Have a plan. Are you there to learn, volunteer or is it strictly making business connections.

Networking Tips: visit multiple networking groups that spark your interest. Before joining ask: Is the group leadership effective?  Are the members supportive? Professional?

Networking Tips: once you join a group volunteer for a position to stay visible. This will help you become known as a powerful resource.

Networking Tips: establish yourself as a strong resource (expert) and people will turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc.

Networking Tips: by establish yourself as an expert everyone knows you and every one wants to know you…you create your own buzz.

Networking Tips: in order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you and articulate it to others.

Networking Tips: be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you.

Networking Tips: follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given.

Networking Tips: when you’re given referrals, your actions are a reflection on the person giving it. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow. Disrespect it and they dry up.