Great Sales Tip

I was reading one of my favorite blogger/social connectors/mentors yesterday (Keith Ferrazzi -http://www.keithferrazzi.com/about/our-story/) who I always take time to read.  He had a great, no an awesome interview with  Greg A. Cozine where they discussed the difference between a sales suggestion and a direction.  It doesn't sound like that big of a deal, until you think about it.  A suggestion allows for the client to give you an  ambiguous reply, while a direction is giving them something they need to discuss with you deeper.  What a small thing, but it can return a lot of value.  Check out the full story at http://www.keithferrazzi.com/career/simple-sales-tip-with-a-huge-impact-on-your-closing-ratio/ and see if you don't agree!

Busy People

Do you notice the busier you get, the more people ask you to do things?  It this crazy or what.  Well I have to go with what...  It seems to me the busy people get things done.  Not only that but they get them done correctly the first time (they usually don't have time to redo anything) and with the most efficiency (they really don't have time to do it in the first place, so they do it the quickest way).  Now it isn't always 100% done correct (OK maybe that is just me, but think there are more out there like that) but it does get done.  Close that page and move on to the next.
So next time you need something done - who are you going to ask???

Cycles

Do you notice how everything works in cycles.  If you look hard enough you can find it.  Sales is a lot like life - if you can make it through the bad cycle, the good one is right around the corner.  People ask me "How long does a cycle last" and that is really dependent on you.  Do you dwell on the negative or the postivie?  Do you have a victim mentality or do you feel you are always in charge?  On average for me a cycle lasts about a week (at least the bad ones).  Just remember to keep your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel - change is coming (and you have to be careful because sometimes that light is a train and it will run you over if you are not careful!).

Bad Things to Good People

Why does it happen? Doesn't God care? It has been a pretty rough go for the Hicks' household. There have been a lot of difficulties that have hit our extended family. The problem is that I am a very emotional person, so although we are not directly affected by them, they take quite an emotional toll on me. I think about them quite a bit and help out how we can because in the end people are really all that matter. You need to stop and help when and how you can because there may not be another time.
By the way -God does care. I view God as a loving father. I don't want bad things to happen to my children, but I can only protect so much. We, like my kids, need to make their own choices - right or wrong. All we can do is watch, help when we can, and love them just like God does to us.