sam101.com|Sales, Advertising and Marketing

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.

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!

A decade ago some very clever marketing people devised a plan to position BP as a different kind of company. It was a brilliant campaign, but one that got way out in front of its business procedures. [read more]

#askmorequestions for the week of April 19, 2010. Follow me @sam101.

MONDAY
What are some opportunities you missed the first time they presented themselves?
What chance can you take today?
How kind have you been to those around you?
How have you managed your time lately?
What things make your days seem important?
What have you learned most recently through reflection?
Is your dream clear and big enough?

TUESDAY
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to reach your dreams?
What do you expect from today?
What do you expect from this week?
What do you expect from this year?
What do you expect from life?
Will achieving your goals lead you closer to your dreams?
What are you learning today?

WEDNESDAY
How much time do you invest in continuing education?
What are the greatest pleasures in your life?
How often do you encourage the people in my life?
Who can you encourage today?
What do you think about?
What makes me most effective?
How persistent am you?

THURSDAY
What are you capable of that you don’t do?
What would you most like to accomplish today?
What is the most powerful positive thought you’ve had today?
When are you the happiest?
What are your real dreams?
What are you doing about reaching your dreams?

FRIDAY
How much time do you spend trying to improve yourself?
What can you improve about yourself today?
How often do you say “Thank you”?
How will you show your gratitude to others today?
What are your talents?
Are you using your talents?
If you are not using your talents, why not?

Last Friday, I challenged my followers on Twitter “to ask more questions”. Now I want to add value by making them and you think. Follow “#askmorequestions” and tweet your answers.

Here are the first of many questions to come during the event, I have added my answers/tweets in bold:

#askmorequestions In what situations are you the most creative?

• In the evenings, in the shower & at bed time-I keep a pen/pad by the bed at all time-be prepared
• Check out- http://www.thebrain.com/?gclid=CMrayrb0gaECFUqF7QodEHtpvw

#askmorequestions How can you expand your creativity?

• Brainstorms w/o editing-no idea is too stupid-don’t interrupt the creative flow.
• Check out-http://www.copyblogger.com/mental-blocks-creative-thinking/

#askmorequestions What is the most exciting opportunity you have today?

• I have the opportunity to live in the present moment.

#askmorequestions What are your most creative abilities?

• Creative vision-I often see my logos completed before ever starting a design.

#askmorequestions Which creative abilities do you use?

• My ability to conceptualize is my strongest creative quality.

#askmorequestions Which creative abilities do you neglect?

• The “challenge” sometimes I play it safe miss reaching the next level.

#askmorequestions Which do you say more often “yes” or “no”?

• I try to manage both yes and no–to many yeses doesn’t do anyone any flavors-especially me!

Marietta, Georgia (PR) September 3, 2008 – The Republican National Convention (http://www.gopconvention.com/) in Minneapolis-Saint Paul got a rocky start this week. Hurricane Gustav took the limelight and forced the GOP to suspend Monday’s activities.

Like the Democratic National Convention this marks the formal end of the primary election period and the start of the general election season.

While both the Democratic and Republican parties’ gear up for the general election it is important that we the American people look at all of the candidates health care beliefs and plans for all Americans.

McCain’s “Call to Action” can be downloaded at http://www.johnmccain.com/healthcare/.

McCain’s web site tells us, “John McCain believes the key to health care reform is to restore control to the patients themselves. We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care.”

Republican vice-presidential candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has very little on her health care policy resume from her short time in office.

Why should health care be a big issue during the election? According to U.S. Census Bureau, a substantial increase in the number of seniors will occur during the 2010 to 2030 as the nation’s baby boomers age. By the year 2020, 12 million older Americans will require long-term care services. By 2030, 72 million Americans will be over the age of 65 or one out of every five Americans.

As the U.S. population continues to age about 80 percent of seniors have at least one chronic health condition and 50 percent have at least two. Arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and respiratory disorders are some of the leading health struggles they will face.

The baby boomers are also living longer than any generation before them. Studies show that as our population ages, the more services they rely on from the health care industry. The baby boomers; especial the tail end boomers could live to see 100 plus years; health care demands will dramatically increase and put pressure on health care services. So the health care beliefs and plans of the candidates, our next President, are very important.

While the cost of health care is out of the ordinary American’s hands we can take control of our own personal medical history. Knowing, tracking and recording your personal medical history is a critical must.

Did you know that most states only require your doctors to keep patient records for an average of 5 to 7 years? So what happens to your records when you really need them? What if your doctor retires, changes practices or moves to another state? Do you really want to fight to recreate your medical and drug history in an emergency? Wouldn’t it be more sensible to prepare now and keep a running record of your medical and drug history, contact numbers for doctors, family and ICE, pharmacies, insurance companies, personal inventory, directives and much more.

The MedicMinder provides peace of mind for users – the knowledge that all pertinent medical and drug history is documented in one comprehensive, easy to use system. No second-guessing in an emergency – having this vital information in immediate reach reduces guesswork and stress so often felt during times of medical crisis.

About The MedicMinder
Simply stated, the MedicMinder is “Trusted by Caring Families.”

About The Sam101.com
Sales. Advertising. Marketing. Tips, advice and design help in one stop.

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Diane Carter, PR Contact, http://www.themedicminder.com, Post Office Box 333, Marietta, Georgia 30061, 770-499-0127

Marietta, Georgia (PR) August 29, 2008 – MedicMinder has been upgrading our site over the past week, sorting, better descriptions, and adding a new RSS reader widget, the “MedicMinder Health Watch”.

This is a customized RSS health newsreader widget. The RSS reader was developed and introduced by Fox Interactive Media in November 2006, it is called SpringWidgets.

With the “MedicMinder Health Watch” you’ll find helpful information regarding medical issues and news, seniors, prescription drug alerts, health insurance, as well as general health related news.

Read multiple health feeds with this one widget. So go grab the widget (http://www.springwidgets.com/widgets/view/54965) and put it on your home page or pop it into the desktop launch pad today.

About The MedicMinder
Simply stated, the MedicMinder is “Trusted by Caring Families.”

About The Sam101.com
Sales. Advertising. Marketing. Tips, advice and design help in one stop.

##

Diane Carter, PR Contact, http://www.themedicminder.com, Post Office Box 333, Marietta, Georgia 30061, 770-499-0127