This past weekend, my wife and I traveled to Corpus Christi to visit friends and family. Yesterday was a miserable day weather-wise in Corpus, 30+ mph winds, drizzle and chilly. Before returning to San Antonio, I pumped my gas and awaited my receipt, then I saw the frustrating “RECEIPT WITH CASHIER.” As I made the annoying walk, I was greeted by two ladies behind the counter. One provided me my receipt, the other said “I’m so sorry you had to come in, may I get you a coffee or hot cocoa?” I was so pleased with their attitude, I went back to the car and told my wife the story. Then, when we joined our friends for lunch, I told them about the experience as well. This company bought my admiration with a cup of coffee. What small things can you do for your customers and clients to make their day a little more pleasant? Can you keep the holiday spirit going year ’round?
Our last Twitter post was about how it can sell you and sell others. It has been hard for me (Erik) to articulate the “how” until now. Knowing what @LanceArmstrong is doing, having @fitfuel display their level of customer service or reading live transcripts from @ImagineChurch on Twitter can be inspiring. More than that, you see data and knowledge that others share by providing pictures and links that you wouldn’t normally see. Perhaps the largest benefit is making friends with all kinds of people, from folks around the block that you might not have met to people around the world. The sale here is communication with humans and all that comes with it. If you do not understand it or want to know more, check out the video below, then start following @nanpalmero and @erikdarm.
In one weekend, I (Erik) learned the power of twitter. I have new friends and followers, and most importantly, I am able to build relationships. It can be scary at first, but I am now learning about the daily life of Lance Armstrong and many other great humans. Following others can be quite inspirational if you follow the right people, both in life and online. I would hate to be behind in this world and not know about this and how it is involved in sales! The most exciting thing is that, although I learned about the power of twitter this weekend, it will be used in a completely different way in a few days. Why not register for twitter today?
In 2002, when I started SalesBy5, I started with 4 companies as customers and they were all what I call ADD, at least partially. In almost 7 years, I have found that this type of customer is the one that SalesBy5 excels at helping. The highly detailed micro-manager type is not our best customer, as we do well with guiding, creating structure and holding the hands of the ADD entrepreneur or manager.
When you transplant a tree, or something with deep roots, you run the risk of it dying or taking a long time for a full recovery. In a business, it is much the same. Sticking to your strengths, and what you are really here to do, is key. Today, the economy is different that it was 6 months ago. What can you do to use your core strengths rather than changing your game?
Have you ever received an email that looked something like this:
Here’s the proof you requested. Please review and let me know your choice.
-Jack
Did that type of email leave you feeling sold on the person that wrote the email or the company where that person worked? Maybe you have been guilty of sending an email like this, I know I have. Consider writing your emails with an extra touch of kindness and courtesy. Here’s one way of rewriting the above email that is a bit more agreeable.
——
Good morning XYZ,
I hope you are having a great day. I have attached the proof for your review. Would you kindly have a look at your convenience and let me know your preference, please? Thank you for your time and have a wonderful afternoon.
Best,
Jack
Notice the greeting, small and warm pleasantry in the intro, kind tone and a nice ending. If you write your emails too short and to the point, they can come across cold and at worst, angry. If you are ever unsure about the tone of your email, read it with an angry tone and see how it sounds, then revise if necessary. Remember, each time you touch your prospect, vendor or client, you have the opportunity to sell or un-sell.
For 9 years I was part of arguably one the best EO (Entrepreneurs Organization) forums in San Antonio. Last week, I quit the forum (a board of advisors for all parts of your life).
This group is special to me and always will be. They sold me on things that are right. They encouraged me when I was surrounded by de-motivation. They believe in SalesBy5 and my vision. So why quit? I felt I needed to move on to keep myself challenged and keep them great. My heart said stop and I listened. I lost my forum, but they remain my best friends. I know that they will gain new members that will add stimulus.
Stepping out in faith is a lot harder than staying where you are out of fear!
Yesterday was about Joy at the Wynn. After I wrote that, I told a few of her co-workers about writing the blog on her and they all commented about how great she was to work with. Then they told me that there were some customers who did not like her personality, stating that she was not “normal” or she was “having too much fun” or she was “too nice.”
Dear Joy and Steve Wynn,
Please send your customers that do not appreciate your remarkable ways to the other casinos in Vegas. Send them to the mundane, the normal, and underachieving casinos, they will fit right in and still find something to dislike.
This is Joy and she lives her name! She runs the computer roulette table at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. She sings, dances, gets to know the guests and loves her job. She makes money having fun all day and gets more tips than others, no doubt! She is jumping up and down to the music as I write this. Joy won employee of the year at the Wynn out of 10,000 employees!
Joy sold me on the Wynn, along with so many others! The culture here is great; the sounds, smells, tastes and sights all sell, but never has a dealer sold me or even been memorable. Joy, this blog’s for you! You live your own brand of joy! Thank you for the inspiration!
Wow, what a time for opportunity! What is your company or organization doing to improve your pipeline for growth, your communication internally and externally and, most importantly, your cash position?
There are opportunities everywhere, and trained coaches can help you uncover them. Seize the opportunity by reaching out for help if you need it, if you do not need help, congratulations!
We are big fans of Verne Harnish and his daily huddles. We do them everyday, because as Doug Harrison from The Scooter Store says, “If you want to win everyday, you have to do huddles everyday.” At times, there are a number of us bouncing all over the country. To help make our huddles a reality, regardless of time and place, we use Foonz. Foonz is a free conference calling service that allows us to make this happen. We are still able to complete our News, Priorities and Hurdles. It works by one of us calling into the service, starting a conference, it sends out a text message to the rest of the team letting them know that it is time to call in. Have you tried Foonz? Do you have a cool way of using it at your company or organization? Share with us in the comments.
photo by Aaron Escobar
photo by Somewhat Frank
photo by Edward B.
photo by nbcuniversal.com
