Archive for the ‘New Business’ Category
A Salesperson’s One-Page Business Plan
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 Categories:
Do your salespeople see themselves as mini-entrepreneurs? They should. Being a salesperson is like running a “business within a business.” You can guide them to that mindset by having them write their own personal one-page business plan. It will help them understand how their efforts contribute directly to the bottom line, see more clearly how [Click Here]
Are you a master of the fundamentals?
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 Categories:
I want to share with you what my daughter has written on the inside of her softball visor: Play tough. Do your BEST. Believe in yourself. No Fear. Have Fun! She’s 13 years old. The idea to pull out a Sharpie and write on the inside of her visor came from the assistant coach [Click Here]
You Want Fries With That?
Posted by Joe Schmitter on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 Categories:
My wife and I were recently able to leave our two daughters with their grandparents and sneak off to enjoy a quiet meal together. If you have kids, you understand how delightful it can be to have a few minutes of peace and not worry about flying meatballs or who gets the Minnie Mouse plate. [Click Here]
Going Fishin’ for New Business
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Monday, April 18th, 2011 Categories:
Once a quarter, we go fishing. Fishing for business, that is. Each quarter, the members of my sales training classes (President’s Club) dedicate a morning to applying all the prospecting tools they’ve been learning. It’s called “Fishbowl Day.” They show up for class, prospect list in hand. Armed with money and prizes, they dive into [Click Here]
The Root of the Problem
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Thursday, March 24th, 2011 Categories:
I saw the first yellow crocus blooming in the yard not long ago. It’s an encouraging sign of Spring. Pretty soon, my kids and I were walking around the yard excitedly pointing out the hyacinths and tulips poking through the ground. Didn’t take long, however, in my excitement about the “fun” flowers to spot the [Click Here]
Don’t Sanitize the Mess
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 Categories:
‘When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love’ (Marcus Aurelius) Joy. Peace. Noel. Words that come easily to mind this time of year. We may even have these words gracing the fireplace mantel as we decorate for [Click Here]
A Double Dog Dare
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 Categories:
We just completed our first official foray into school fundraising. After the school assembly a few weeks ago, my 12-year old came home excited. She waltzes in the door with catalogs, an order form, and a plan. Of course, I helped her prepare. (Hey, what can I say…I’m a sales trainer.) We planned her route [Click Here]
Don’t Present Until You’ve Earned the Right
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 Categories:
Sometimes salespeople just piss me off. Have you ever felt that way? I accepted a phone call from a telemarketer on Monday. She went into her information dump on the phone. I listened politely, waiting for her to come up for air. I then explained that I was not interested in her product at this [Click Here]
Thank You, Dear Prospect!
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 Categories:
I ran across this in some old Sandler “No Guts, No Gain” material and thought I’d share it with you. Please read through and enjoy! Feel free to add your own. Thank You, Dear Prospect …for every turndown which made me stronger, even though at the time I thought it was the end of my [Click Here]
2 Styles of Advertising: Which One Suits You?
Posted by Joe Schmitter on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 Categories:
Advertising is an art, not a science. If any advertising source, i.e. Newspaper, radio, tv, etc. could guarantee results, they would have long ago put the other sources out of business. The truth is your business can achieve results with any form of advertising, if done properly. I’d like to share with you some background [Click Here]
Cheeseburger and Fries, Hold the Discount!
Posted by Joe Schmitter on Monday, March 29th, 2010 Categories:
Recently the concept of discounting has found renewed life, mostly due to the perception of a troubled economy and the ease with which it can be measured. Some social media applications have even been tweaked to provide a platform for businesses to discount their products/services to their followers/fans/connections, etc. The topic of today’s post is [Click Here]
Playing It Straight in a Crooked World
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 Categories:
I tend to optimistically believe in the inherent good of every person, but know that unfortunately we live in a crooked world. Greed, power, inexperience, or sometimes just plain carelessness will cause a person to act in unscrupulous ways. Fear can cause normally good people to make character decisions that disappoint. Fear can also flame [Click Here]
Staying on Track
Posted by Cathy Atkins on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 Categories:
Keep track of the right things in 2010. Many business struggled because they weren’t monitoring the numbers that make a difference, and didn’t notice the decline until it was too far gone. One that I consider the most important to track is called a T-12 report, or Trailing 12 month report. It gives you a [Click Here]
VA Mortgage moving out, Census Bureau moving in
Posted by admin on Monday, July 27th, 2009 Categories:
The Bukoswki brothers, Brock and Brant, have always tried to make their company a fun place to work – every day is casual Friday and employees play games during breaks, such as washers tournaments in the parking lot. So when I heard that VA Mortgage Center.com plans to move into the vacant building on Grindstone [Click Here]
What the heck is Glowgolf and what’s the Opry got to do with it?
Posted by admin on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 Categories:
Here’s the story behind that zany new business at the Columbia Mall, Opry Glowgolf. It’s a glow-in-the-dark, 54-hole mini golf course at the former MC Sports location in the south wing. Employee Adam Baker says they’ve been really busy since school let out, with about 100 customers a day the norm. How’d they get the name? [Click Here]