Business « CBT Blogs

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]

A New Era for Columbia Business Times

Posted by Joe Schmitter on Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 Categories:

Today marks a significant moment in the history of Columbia Business Times. For the first time since its inception some 16 years ago, it is undergoing a major change in format, size, and shelf-life. We are sending it off to the printer, so everything is finally official! As many of you have already learned, starting [Click Here]

Stop showing up unprepared.

Posted by Cathy Atkins on Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 Categories:

Cheering for my favorite football team on a Sunday afternoon is, for me, one of the hallmarks of Fall. Sometimes, however, I find myself yelling at the team more than I do cheering. It’s often because the team that I love didn’t show up for the game that day. In my amateur opinion, they looked [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]

Boldness

Posted by Joe Schmitter on Monday, August 30th, 2010 Categories:

“When will your finest hour come, and how will it arrive? Do you really think it will materialize without an act of supreme confidence, audacity, or boldness?” –Gary Ryan Blair

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]

Ladies, So You Want A Raise…

Posted by Cathy Atkins on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 Categories:

We’ve probably all been there, ladies. You have a birthday or holiday in your past when the gift you received was not the romantic jewelry or flowers you’d been dreaming about for months. Instead, you opened the package only to look up with a frozen smile and a forced “Thank You” that belied the “What [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]

Really, Do You Smell?

Posted by Cathy Atkins on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 Categories:

We’re driving home one evening, and my 9-year old asks from the back seat, “Mom, what’s your favorite smell?” I paused a moment before answering because…well…I hadn’t thought about it in a while. And thinking about it made me realize how easily I can slip into “autopilot” as I run through my life. Like many [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]

Pizza and Crocodiles

Posted by Joe Schmitter on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 Categories:

As a self-confessed marketing & advertising junky, I love learning about unique ideas that help businesses become successful, especially small businesses! There are many lessons to be learned, and some of the greatest innovations are nothing more than ideas that have been taken from one industry, refreshed, and introduced successfully in another. For example, drive-through [Click Here]

Mad as Hell, Not Gonna Take It.

Posted by Cathy Atkins on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 Categories:

What is it that children have when they’re, say…less than 8 years old…that we as adults could use? Stuff like courage and persistence for starters. My kids know, that no matter how many times they ask me for a cookie before dinner and no matter that I repeatedly say no, there’s always the possibility that [Click Here]

Sparky’s is Still Open

Posted by admin on Friday, October 30th, 2009 Categories:

In this weeks edition of CBT Tracy and I wrote about Sparky’s homemade ice cream. While speaking to an unidentified Sparky’s source this evening, I wanted to confirm Sparky’s will not close November 1st specifically, but rather at some point this fall as the weather dictates. Sparky’s will then reopen when the temp warms back [Click Here]

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