This blog post is a little different. I'm not talking about social networking, nor am I ranting about anything (I may even change the title of this blog given some of my more recent posts). That's a different post altogether.
This one is about light. More specifically lightbulbs and how they have changed in the past few years. For those of you still in the dark (sorry, I couldn't resist), there are new lightbulbs available for your home which don't require any changes to the fixtures you already have, and while they do cost a little more, they last up to ten times as long. What am I talking about? CFLs of course. Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs. I could spend the next few pages describing what they are, and how they will save you money, but that would be boring.
Instead, why don't you watch the short video clip below. Lee LeFever has this really cool way of explaining things, and making sense out of sometimes confusing topics. Check it out, and make sure to drop me a line to let me know if you've switched.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Don't Do This
I'm a trainer. I work for Verizon, not the wireless company, but the land-line side of the business. In addition to training, I also deal a little bit in marketing; not any specific product, but marketing from the standpoint that as a trainer, I am always trying to sell my concepts to the people I am training. I guess that means that I also am in sales (aren't we all?). Because of this, I read a lot about sales techniques.
One newsletter that I read on a regular basis is this guy. After 23 years of writing his newsletter, he probably knows a little bit about sales. What I really like are the stories he shares in his newsletter. Normally, they start out with something like, "I received this phone call the other day, and the guy starts off by saying....." As I said, I like the story approach, but always thought they were a little too perfect to be real. Not that it changes the point of the story, but I used to think there is no way that someone would do that. That is until I received this e-mail (I've removed the names of the business to protect them):
What's interesting here is that I have never heard from this person before so the name in my inbox was unknown to me, but I opened it anyway. The person obviously knew that I had contacted ***** company in the past, but in no way did they take the time to find out why I contacted the company; they just assumed that I requested information. I did not. Also, the sales rep must be located in an area where Verizon is not the local telephone company. How do I know this? Because they referred to my 'team at Verizon Wireless". Everyone across the country has heard of Verizon Wireless, but in my travels, I have come to find out that people don't know of Verizon as a Plain Old Telephone company because their local phone company is not Verizon. Normally this would not be a big deal, everyone makes mistakes, but this person made some assumptions in this situation, and didn't take the time to know me as a potential customer.
My guess is that this sales rep took over for someone who moved on to a new position, and went through all their old contacts and sent out e-mails hoping that someone would bite on the offer. As a new sales person, don't do this. You run the risk of turning that person away for good, and even worse, they may post your e-mail to their blog for all the world to see.
E-mail is a great contact tool and once you establish contact with someone it's great to use it to stay in touch, but do yourself a favor, when making initial contact with a new prospect pick up the phone and talk to them live. It will make all the difference in the world.
One newsletter that I read on a regular basis is this guy. After 23 years of writing his newsletter, he probably knows a little bit about sales. What I really like are the stories he shares in his newsletter. Normally, they start out with something like, "I received this phone call the other day, and the guy starts off by saying....." As I said, I like the story approach, but always thought they were a little too perfect to be real. Not that it changes the point of the story, but I used to think there is no way that someone would do that. That is until I received this e-mail (I've removed the names of the business to protect them):
Hi, Kevin.
I'm curious to see if you've had a moment to review the *****
video and poster as a possible theme for an upcoming
meeting or to further motivate and inspire your team at Verizon Wireless?
When you have a moment, please let me know if I can help
with ideas to create a ***** culture with your team. Thanks.
Best regards,
(Name Removed)
What's interesting here is that I have never heard from this person before so the name in my inbox was unknown to me, but I opened it anyway. The person obviously knew that I had contacted ***** company in the past, but in no way did they take the time to find out why I contacted the company; they just assumed that I requested information. I did not. Also, the sales rep must be located in an area where Verizon is not the local telephone company. How do I know this? Because they referred to my 'team at Verizon Wireless". Everyone across the country has heard of Verizon Wireless, but in my travels, I have come to find out that people don't know of Verizon as a Plain Old Telephone company because their local phone company is not Verizon. Normally this would not be a big deal, everyone makes mistakes, but this person made some assumptions in this situation, and didn't take the time to know me as a potential customer.
My guess is that this sales rep took over for someone who moved on to a new position, and went through all their old contacts and sent out e-mails hoping that someone would bite on the offer. As a new sales person, don't do this. You run the risk of turning that person away for good, and even worse, they may post your e-mail to their blog for all the world to see.
E-mail is a great contact tool and once you establish contact with someone it's great to use it to stay in touch, but do yourself a favor, when making initial contact with a new prospect pick up the phone and talk to them live. It will make all the difference in the world.
Don't settle for the middle of the road
Seth Godin has once again hit the nail right on the head. No one needs to be told that the recording industry is in a tailspin. Sales of CDs are down, profits are down, and very few in the industry have grasped the concept of moving towards digital delivery of their product. In about 300 words, Seth tells us that not all is lost; there are a few brave souls out there who are not only still making great music, but are embracing the future of music distribution. These forward-thinkers are going to pull the recording industry along for the ride (kicking and screaming if necessary), and that is the point of the story. Every industry when faced with change has a few people who are willing to take big risks to make a difference. Those who are not willing to be leaders are destined to be the middle of the road, or worse yet, left behind altogether.
There is always an opportunity to be the forward-thinker, no matter what you do. Do you think that Steven Levitt was the first economist to look at subjects such as drug dealers or swimming pools vs. guns? Probably not, but he was the guy who took the risk, and published the book about them.
Don't settle for middle of the road, be the forward thinker!
There is always an opportunity to be the forward-thinker, no matter what you do. Do you think that Steven Levitt was the first economist to look at subjects such as drug dealers or swimming pools vs. guns? Probably not, but he was the guy who took the risk, and published the book about them.
Don't settle for middle of the road, be the forward thinker!
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