Complainers are everywhere they can identify obvious problems easily and tell everyone about it. Problem solvers are rare and valuable to have in your business. When these people talk about problems they don't focus on how the problem effects them but on how they can solve the problem.
I know I'm spouting out the obvious here, but I'm sick of complainers that rock the boat and make everything worse for everyone. When someone complains, and are very verbal about it, there are consequences for everyone involved. Some organizations, like schools, will create policies that come out of flippant complaints and these policies make it harder for other parents. These parents turn around and complain and another policy is put into place. Before you know it, the kids don't know which way is up or which way is down and their whole schedule is off. Complainers think only of themselves and not the far reaching implications of their words and actions.
I love problem solvers, these people take an issue, look at all the ramifications and take into account the resources they have and need to come up with the best solution. Compromise and diplomacy rule with problem solvers even when they get frustrated and feel attacked by the complainers. There are few problem solvers in my world and I truly value them as people and friends.
Leaders and great people were not complainers, they were problem solvers. They saw an issue and fought for it. They rocked the boat with their words and actions but their words were always for the greater good and NOT just themselves. Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln all stood for something outside themselves, they saw a problem and came up with a solution. Most of which meant a collapse of the way things were and a rebuilding of society for the better. They identified the problem, came up with a solution, and put their lives on the line for the good of others.
I want to be a leader, a problem solver, a better person for society. I educate and raise my children to be the same, to find a solution not just whine about the problem. To think of others and how their words effect the larger picture. To have a positive attitude but not a selfish positive attitude.
Karma and Consequences..... This is a really interesting view of health attitudes and the attitudes of economists / mortgage specialists.
Showing posts with label attitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label attitude. Show all posts
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Is Your Small Business a Professional in its Industry or a paid Amateur?
I've been asking myself a lot lately, what makes someone a professional? In sports and the art world the difference between an Amateur and a professional is simple - one gets paid the other doesn't.
Is it really that simple? I don't think so. A professional means more than a paycheque, it's the difference between learning and arriving at excellence. Its an attitude, an image, a way of thinking, and acting. Being a professional is more then a certificate on the wall or a job. There are many paid individuals in the marketplace, employees, small business owners, and salespeople who do not act or think like a professional.
So what characteristics make someone a professional?
Preparation. A professional is always prepared for any situation, objection, and question. Nothing phases them and they are known for their abilities in their industry.
Knowledge. A professional knows everything about their industry, market, specialty, or job. They are known for being the go to person.
Image. A professional looks like a professional, not just sometimes but all the time. The dress, act, and talk like a professional all the time.
Practice. A professional is always practicing the basics and getting better at what they do. They practice so much that they don't have to think about it, they just do it. They re-act quickly and always know exactly what to do.
Responsibility. Professionals do not blame others for their failures. They take responsibility when they make a mistake and then fix it. They do not offer excuses or play the blame game. The do the job right and make sure everything is done right.
Private. Professionals don't gossip or hang out at the water cooler. Professionals don't bring the personal problems to the office or blab about their lives all day. Professionals are there to work, they understand how to be pleasant and are experts at small talk but they are not about the drama of life.
I want to be a professional, I strive to be a professional salesperson but I fall short. If I keep working, keep striving, and continue to learn I will one day achieve professional status.
Is it really that simple? I don't think so. A professional means more than a paycheque, it's the difference between learning and arriving at excellence. Its an attitude, an image, a way of thinking, and acting. Being a professional is more then a certificate on the wall or a job. There are many paid individuals in the marketplace, employees, small business owners, and salespeople who do not act or think like a professional.
So what characteristics make someone a professional?
Preparation. A professional is always prepared for any situation, objection, and question. Nothing phases them and they are known for their abilities in their industry.
Knowledge. A professional knows everything about their industry, market, specialty, or job. They are known for being the go to person.
Image. A professional looks like a professional, not just sometimes but all the time. The dress, act, and talk like a professional all the time.
Practice. A professional is always practicing the basics and getting better at what they do. They practice so much that they don't have to think about it, they just do it. They re-act quickly and always know exactly what to do.
Responsibility. Professionals do not blame others for their failures. They take responsibility when they make a mistake and then fix it. They do not offer excuses or play the blame game. The do the job right and make sure everything is done right.
Private. Professionals don't gossip or hang out at the water cooler. Professionals don't bring the personal problems to the office or blab about their lives all day. Professionals are there to work, they understand how to be pleasant and are experts at small talk but they are not about the drama of life.
I want to be a professional, I strive to be a professional salesperson but I fall short. If I keep working, keep striving, and continue to learn I will one day achieve professional status.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
OMG Shoot Me Now!
I feel like I'm going nuts. Technically we are homeless and staying with my in laws in a small cramped space. If this has taught me anything it's that collecting stuff is not for those who live in small spaces. Keeping from getting on everyones last nerve is near impossible and living like this is a test in tact and polite communication. Sometimes its best to keep your opinions to yourself.
We are out looking at homes daily and I finally had enough of the negativity and nit picking. My husband can see every imperfection from a mile away so I established a positives first rule. My husband is very detail oriented and checks everything he does not once, not twice but three times to make sure its perfect. Don't get me wrong this is a good thing in the long run because he catches everything I miss, which is everything! However, when your looking for a place to live it is better to see the positives of the property first then the negatives, otherwise you'll never find a place.
Perfection is an ideal and is very subjective. Perfection to one person is easily imperfection to another. Expecting perfection in life will only lead to misery because things rarely just fall into place. Life is easier for those who are flexible, creative problem solvers that can make anything out of nothing than it is for those who want everything a certain way.
Its easy to point out the negatives, not so easy to comment on the positives first. For me listing the positives has become a habit, how else would you explain enjoying my 12 years in Calgary weather and all? Recently, my daughter told me that daddy was going to be happy now and she was sorry that I wouldn't be because I liked Calgary. I explained to her that I focused on the good of Cagary and not the bad so that's why I was happy there and I would do the same at the coast (in BC). Its all how you look at something, even the weather and the traffic.
We are out looking at homes daily and I finally had enough of the negativity and nit picking. My husband can see every imperfection from a mile away so I established a positives first rule. My husband is very detail oriented and checks everything he does not once, not twice but three times to make sure its perfect. Don't get me wrong this is a good thing in the long run because he catches everything I miss, which is everything! However, when your looking for a place to live it is better to see the positives of the property first then the negatives, otherwise you'll never find a place.
Perfection is an ideal and is very subjective. Perfection to one person is easily imperfection to another. Expecting perfection in life will only lead to misery because things rarely just fall into place. Life is easier for those who are flexible, creative problem solvers that can make anything out of nothing than it is for those who want everything a certain way.
Its easy to point out the negatives, not so easy to comment on the positives first. For me listing the positives has become a habit, how else would you explain enjoying my 12 years in Calgary weather and all? Recently, my daughter told me that daddy was going to be happy now and she was sorry that I wouldn't be because I liked Calgary. I explained to her that I focused on the good of Cagary and not the bad so that's why I was happy there and I would do the same at the coast (in BC). Its all how you look at something, even the weather and the traffic.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Kicked Down Again thanks to Credit Report - How to Keep Going and Going Like the Energizer Bunny
If you've been following these posts then you know I've had lots of set back recently in both business and job search. Staying positive and not giving up have become harder but I keep getting back up, I must love eating dust. This time my credit report is the cause of my not being offered a position. Although I've never declared bankruptcy or ever been arrested because of late payments I've been denied a position I would have been perfect for.
Let this be a lesson for you as well, keep your credit rating good, you never know what you'll loose because of a bad credit rating. It doesn't take much to have bad credit, just a few late payments is all it takes to knock a hundred points off your rating and the only thing that can fix it is time.
Here's some things I've learned about credit rating and how to keep a good one:
1. Order your report from Equifax or other credit rating company. Are there any discrepancies? Any errors? I found one, too late for the job but good for the future.
2. Do you have late payments with any company? Make sure you aren't late again for the next 6-12 months - this will help you to create a better rating.
3. Don't apply for any credit -- any credit rating search or denial of loan will hurt your rating.
4. Close all accounts that you don't use, keep your credit amount lean and request reduction in limits on all credit you keep.
5. Use your credit regularly, just make sure you pay regularly too.
6. Protect your SIN and your other personal information to ensure you don't become a victim of identity theft that will destroy your credit.
7. Don't use any agency that claims to fix your rating for a fee -- it's a scam, the only way to correct your credit rating is time!!!!!! Be a responsible borrower for a year.
8. Have a plan to get out of debt and to get your payments made on time. Know your dates and minimum amounts, this is where I got screwed up. If possible make your payments automatic from your bank account and if you can't see if they will accept post dated cheques, I've been hit here too because they've either misplaced the cheques or I didn't record when the last cheque would be cashed.
It is getting harder to keep up the search for work, it's getting harder to be positive and optimistic about my chances. However, I can't give up because if I do I'll never get a job or get ahead. I want a career and the only way to get one is to keep going and find one, while at the same time building on my skills and knowledge.
Let this be a lesson for you as well, keep your credit rating good, you never know what you'll loose because of a bad credit rating. It doesn't take much to have bad credit, just a few late payments is all it takes to knock a hundred points off your rating and the only thing that can fix it is time.
Here's some things I've learned about credit rating and how to keep a good one:
1. Order your report from Equifax or other credit rating company. Are there any discrepancies? Any errors? I found one, too late for the job but good for the future.
2. Do you have late payments with any company? Make sure you aren't late again for the next 6-12 months - this will help you to create a better rating.
3. Don't apply for any credit -- any credit rating search or denial of loan will hurt your rating.
4. Close all accounts that you don't use, keep your credit amount lean and request reduction in limits on all credit you keep.
5. Use your credit regularly, just make sure you pay regularly too.
6. Protect your SIN and your other personal information to ensure you don't become a victim of identity theft that will destroy your credit.
7. Don't use any agency that claims to fix your rating for a fee -- it's a scam, the only way to correct your credit rating is time!!!!!! Be a responsible borrower for a year.
8. Have a plan to get out of debt and to get your payments made on time. Know your dates and minimum amounts, this is where I got screwed up. If possible make your payments automatic from your bank account and if you can't see if they will accept post dated cheques, I've been hit here too because they've either misplaced the cheques or I didn't record when the last cheque would be cashed.
It is getting harder to keep up the search for work, it's getting harder to be positive and optimistic about my chances. However, I can't give up because if I do I'll never get a job or get ahead. I want a career and the only way to get one is to keep going and find one, while at the same time building on my skills and knowledge.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Unemployed and Looking for Work takes 3 Ps - Patience, Perseverance, and Prayer
The waiting, the interview game, the searching, no wonder I wanted to buy a career for myself. I want to get going on a career so bad I can taste it. Finding a new position that fits what I want and what a company wants is stressful, anyone who has looked for work knows the rejection, the anticipation, the effort, the stress.
So what can you do while you wait for the right job offer to come along. First off, why do you have time to do anything else? Looking for work is a full time job in itself. If you do have time though, read books and periodicals that pertain to the job and industry you want a career in. You may even find a job, you will impress during your interviews and you will feel like you are doing something productive. Patience does not come easy, but without it you'll make reactive decisions and not proactive. Take it from someone who knows, lack of patience means bad rushed decisions. If you feel productive you'll be able to weather out the storm.
Rejection is hard to take, even for the most confident person. You've found a position you want really bad but you didn't interview well or someone was just more suited for the position and you don't receive an offer. I've been there, you've been there, everyone has been there - You are not on your own. The thing is if you give up after too many nos you'll never get anywhere in life because life is full of nos. If you want to work or want a career you have to keep going, regardless of how many times you've been kicked down. Without perseverance you'll always be unemployed and down.
Looking for work can be a lonely occupation, especially if those around you are stressed about you being out of work. It's hard to stay positive have patience and persevere when you feel like your alone in the world. Prayer will help you talk out your feelings, failures, and make you feel like you're not on your own. You will need someone or something to listen to you so you can get perspective on your situation.
A couple years ago my life was great, I was content with what I had and excited because I was going back to work outside the home and start a career. I was reading Philip Yancey's book "The Bible Jesus Read" at the time and the first chapter was on the book of Job and my study of the Book of Job ended up being a warning about the future.
I've been kicked down so many times and have had so much go wrong that my closest friend keeps commenting that she doesn't know how I get out of bed in the morning. I'll let you in on a secret -- I try really really hard not to feel sorry for myself or expect others to feel sorry for me. I keep a positive outlook by focusing on the positive aspects of my life and not the negative. It's all about perspective and staying positive even when things don't go my way. Family has asked how I keep going and really, what else am I supposed to do? I am determined to have a successful career and do something with my life and in order to do that I have to keep going and persevere over every no, every rejection and be patient waiting for the right offer.
The don'ts of an interview
Saturday, May 17, 2008
I wish I was Meticulous - Why My Husband's Business is Thriving
I wish I was more like my husband sometimes, he is meticulous, detail oriented and stays on task until the job is done (not much of a multi tasker though). Today my son fell and gashed his knee, my husband cleaned up the wounds but was concerned that one gash might need stitches. We took him to the nearest emergency room to have a doctor look at it.
When the doctor looked at my son's knee he was impressed by how clean it was and asked if my husband was a nurse. To which we replied, "No, he's a mechanic." The doctor wanted to bring his car to him and was even willing to drive the 6 hours between Salmon Arm and Calgary to have a meticulous person such as him fix his car.
My husband finds clients like this all the time and receives referrals for the same reason. He's consistent, meticulous, and honest in every thing he does. My husband doesn't enjoy being a mechanic and would rather do something else, but he doesn't let that stop him from doing the best job he can. His clients love him and continue to send him referrals because even though he doesn't like it he doesn't let that interfer with the job he does.
Are you consistent? Do you treat every customer the same? Do you act the same in every task you do? Can you say that people come to you because of your reputation or are you constantly having to reinvent yourself? Not many people are as stand up and solid as my husband but those that are find that work just comes to them because of their reputation.
When the doctor looked at my son's knee he was impressed by how clean it was and asked if my husband was a nurse. To which we replied, "No, he's a mechanic." The doctor wanted to bring his car to him and was even willing to drive the 6 hours between Salmon Arm and Calgary to have a meticulous person such as him fix his car.
My husband finds clients like this all the time and receives referrals for the same reason. He's consistent, meticulous, and honest in every thing he does. My husband doesn't enjoy being a mechanic and would rather do something else, but he doesn't let that stop him from doing the best job he can. His clients love him and continue to send him referrals because even though he doesn't like it he doesn't let that interfer with the job he does.
Are you consistent? Do you treat every customer the same? Do you act the same in every task you do? Can you say that people come to you because of your reputation or are you constantly having to reinvent yourself? Not many people are as stand up and solid as my husband but those that are find that work just comes to them because of their reputation.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Women can Do Anything They Want to Do if They Just Believe they Can! - Small Business Women, WAHM, Work at Home Options
Since I was ill and taking it easy today I picked up my favorite classic novel, Jane Erye by Charlotte Bronte. As I read the authors biography and the story itself it struck me just how good women have it today compared to past generations. I can't imagine having to be dependent on someone for my welfare or being considered less just because of my gender.
Women like Charlotte Bronte and her sisters Emily and Anne were courageous women who forged ahead and paved new roads for younger women.
We live in a wonderful time, where sickness doesn't mean death, where women can speak their mind without fear, and where children are considered treasures not workers. Yet we still find so much to complain and gossip about, we always strive for what we don't have and demean those that have it.
What would life be like if we recognized how lucky we are to have what we have and know just how blessed we are. We live in a time where women can be whatever they want and still be mothers. Women like Mary Elizabeth Braddon, who wrote over 80 novels, were an exception of her time. She lived with a man who's wife was hospitalized (mental institution) cared for his 5 children and bore him another 6 while at the same time wrote over 80 novels and ran a magazine.
For women who say they can't do something, you may want to rethink your reasoning. What is it that is holding you back? What is it about your theology that would lead you to believe this? If you really believe that you can't do something it is time for you to visit places where women have no say, are considered chattel and have very little rights. These countries exist today and if you were there then yes there are valid reasons why you can't. For now though think of the women who sacrificed and worked hard so we could have the equality and freedom we have today, to say you can't is to disrespect everything they fought for because all you need to do is believe you can. If Mary Elizabeth Braddon could write 2 novels, care for 5 kids and give birth to 1 child all at the same time with no running water or indoor plumbing what could you do if you put your mind to it?
Women like Charlotte Bronte and her sisters Emily and Anne were courageous women who forged ahead and paved new roads for younger women.
We live in a wonderful time, where sickness doesn't mean death, where women can speak their mind without fear, and where children are considered treasures not workers. Yet we still find so much to complain and gossip about, we always strive for what we don't have and demean those that have it.
What would life be like if we recognized how lucky we are to have what we have and know just how blessed we are. We live in a time where women can be whatever they want and still be mothers. Women like Mary Elizabeth Braddon, who wrote over 80 novels, were an exception of her time. She lived with a man who's wife was hospitalized (mental institution) cared for his 5 children and bore him another 6 while at the same time wrote over 80 novels and ran a magazine.
For women who say they can't do something, you may want to rethink your reasoning. What is it that is holding you back? What is it about your theology that would lead you to believe this? If you really believe that you can't do something it is time for you to visit places where women have no say, are considered chattel and have very little rights. These countries exist today and if you were there then yes there are valid reasons why you can't. For now though think of the women who sacrificed and worked hard so we could have the equality and freedom we have today, to say you can't is to disrespect everything they fought for because all you need to do is believe you can. If Mary Elizabeth Braddon could write 2 novels, care for 5 kids and give birth to 1 child all at the same time with no running water or indoor plumbing what could you do if you put your mind to it?
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
To Work from Home Ya Gotta have a Positive Attitude
Do you have a positive attitude? Are you always looking on the bright side or see the world as a great place to be? Or do you find fault with everything and make up problems as you go along?
It is hard enough working from home, trying to stay motivated, meet the demands of your children, your family and your house. You need to stay away from those who like to complain just to complain. I mean come on, do you really have time to listen to someone complain who doesn't want a solution? You know the person who complains for complaint sake, just to hear their own voice, don't you ever wonder if anything good happens in their lives?
Turn off the news and start getting RSS feeds instead. Huh RSS feeds? Most blogs, news websites etc have the little orange symbol (shown at the top) that will enable you to get the headlines into your Microsoft feeds or other feed reader. It will provide you with headlines, read the ones that matter to you and your business, ignore the ones that don't. If it bleeds, don't read it.... You have better things to do with your time and your business then to read the negative news.
Watch less TV, skip the reality shows, where's the reality in them anyway? Pick a few of your favorite shows, I admit I love to watch CSI and Without a Trace, not your most uplifting shows. Try to watch a few shows that make you laugh everytime you watch them. Laugh more, smile more, and take your vitamins.
Staying positive when you are on your own in business is difficult because you don't have the rah rah sales meetings or the patcha on the back managers meetings. The only time your spouse is going to give you a high 5 is after you've cashed the 10th big cheque. So to stay positive you will have to find positive places to be. Networking meetings, supportive online forums, and coffee with supportive friends.
Stay on top of the little stuff so the stress won't overwhelm you. Do you have someone who can do your filing? or listen to your voicemail for you? Do you have real support around you, the kind that will lend a helping hand before the cheques arrive? If not, where can you find it?
Other women out there are in the same boat you are, you are not alone. You need to find others who like you work from home and need support, the helping kind. Form your own little positive support network and together create a cooperative to grow your businesses together and offer each other a positive word of encouragement and motivation.
So where do you find them? Sign up for my newsletter for positive support nuggets, email friends and ask them who they know, go to The Work at Home Directory to see if there is anyone in your area. -- While you're there you may think about adding your business to the online directory. Put a notice up at your local coffee shop and create your own little work at home group.
Whatever you do, wherever you find it, be positive. You can only stay self motivated and offer yourself up encouragement if you stay positive.
Do you have some ideas about how to become and stay in a positive frame of mind? Add them here so we can form our own positive attitude in business group.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Ambition A bad word for Women? or a virtue for Women?
I just started reading the book Am-BITCH-ous by Deborah Condren. I bought this book because it's red cover stood out and the name of the book was too interesting to pass up. So what is an Am-Bitch-ous Woman? The author's definition:
A women who:
1. Makes more money
2. Has more power
3. Gets the Recognition she deserves
4. Has the determination to go after her dreams and can do it with integrity.
Does this sound like someone you want to be in work and home? Would you like to learn how to be Am-Bitch-ous? Well, come along with me as I start my adventure to becoming an Am-Bitch-ous women.
Whether you own your own business or work in a corporate environment do you have the courage to speak up to raise your voice and demand your just desserts and not be considered a bitch at the same time? Women make great assistants and employees for one reason, we work hard and don't demand too much. Those that do demand end up getting promoted and feeling they have to constantly prove themselves so they work harder for less money and demand more out of their subordinates.
Women are their own worst enemies. We talk about girl power and women's rights and sisterhood but we then turn around and stab each other in the back. We sit around and gossip and judge other women as being less if they put their career as a priority in life or we judge them if they decide to stay home instead.
Instead of being supportive, encouraging and motivational we cut each other down. Well, it's time we reinvented sisterhood and stand together to celebrated all the wonderful choices we as women get to make. We can have it all, we can have our cake and eat it too, we can be whatever we want to be. There is no right or wrong choice for any women that's the beauty of it. Celebrate it and be as ambitious as you want to be in the role that you choose, then encourage, help, and motivate other women you know who make either similar or different choices.
Whether you have choosen to be in the work force or have choosen to stay home you will need the support and acceptance of your friends and peers. It's time to offer the gifts you have and demand what you want out life instead of gossiping and judging others who have fearlessly gone out, made a decision and demanded the most out of it.
A women who:
1. Makes more money
2. Has more power
3. Gets the Recognition she deserves
4. Has the determination to go after her dreams and can do it with integrity.
Does this sound like someone you want to be in work and home? Would you like to learn how to be Am-Bitch-ous? Well, come along with me as I start my adventure to becoming an Am-Bitch-ous women.
Whether you own your own business or work in a corporate environment do you have the courage to speak up to raise your voice and demand your just desserts and not be considered a bitch at the same time? Women make great assistants and employees for one reason, we work hard and don't demand too much. Those that do demand end up getting promoted and feeling they have to constantly prove themselves so they work harder for less money and demand more out of their subordinates.
Women are their own worst enemies. We talk about girl power and women's rights and sisterhood but we then turn around and stab each other in the back. We sit around and gossip and judge other women as being less if they put their career as a priority in life or we judge them if they decide to stay home instead.
Instead of being supportive, encouraging and motivational we cut each other down. Well, it's time we reinvented sisterhood and stand together to celebrated all the wonderful choices we as women get to make. We can have it all, we can have our cake and eat it too, we can be whatever we want to be. There is no right or wrong choice for any women that's the beauty of it. Celebrate it and be as ambitious as you want to be in the role that you choose, then encourage, help, and motivate other women you know who make either similar or different choices.
Whether you have choosen to be in the work force or have choosen to stay home you will need the support and acceptance of your friends and peers. It's time to offer the gifts you have and demand what you want out life instead of gossiping and judging others who have fearlessly gone out, made a decision and demanded the most out of it.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Business is all about TRUST
I was reading about how to get people NOT to say maybe in Seth Godin's book, "Small is the new Big." He offers up Susan Storm as the salesperson of the year because she got thrown out of a meeting by using pressure tactics to get the mananger NOT to say maybe. I have enjoyed Seth's book and it has given me a lot to think about, especially when it comes to internet marketing. Reading this section got me thinking about how NOT to conduct yourself in sales.
For a brief moment in my career I had my dream job, account manager. No I wasn't accountant, it is a professional sales title. I loved this time in my life and I worked for a very small family owned company selling in a traditionally male industry. I knew nothing about pipe, pumpjacks, and the oil industry (aside from the invesment part) when I started. I had all of 0 contacts and I started with virtually no database. In nine months I had 1200 entries, approx 800 names of which approx 400 were contacted on the phone and of those approx 200 I had met with personally. I had presented $10 million in quotes and 3 multi million dollar supply proposals. I don't write this to toot my own horn, but so that you'll understand I have been in Susan's shoes. Account Management is about building trusting relationships, a position where forcing a manager to make a decision on the spot does not belong.
The job of the salesperson is to find the lead, get in the door, make a presentation and build "trust" so that there is no inherant risk to saying YES. I realize that Seth Godin was trying to make a point about management and the word "maybe" more then Susan's approach. Susan tried tio force management to make a decision on the spot and ended up breaking the relationship, severing it, and loosing all trust. That hardly qualifys for Sales person of the Year, that's an old school tactic, not a "purple cow." Marketing is not Sales, they are related but not the same. They do however, have one major thing in common, creating trust. Sales is on a more personal one on one level, where marketing is creating trust to the marketplace.
So if I loved my job and I was as good as I say I was why am I not still there? Trust, more like lack thereof. No matter how good you are if your company cannot deliver a quality product, then things will fall apart. The guys I worked with were great guys, things happen and if trust becomes an issue, in sales it's time to go. I did have offers to go to, but I decided to stay home with my kids again. Maybe the wrong decision, maybe the right one. Maybe in the near future I'll be able to pursue my dream job again, until then, I've got Carennedy Solutions.
For a brief moment in my career I had my dream job, account manager. No I wasn't accountant, it is a professional sales title. I loved this time in my life and I worked for a very small family owned company selling in a traditionally male industry. I knew nothing about pipe, pumpjacks, and the oil industry (aside from the invesment part) when I started. I had all of 0 contacts and I started with virtually no database. In nine months I had 1200 entries, approx 800 names of which approx 400 were contacted on the phone and of those approx 200 I had met with personally. I had presented $10 million in quotes and 3 multi million dollar supply proposals. I don't write this to toot my own horn, but so that you'll understand I have been in Susan's shoes. Account Management is about building trusting relationships, a position where forcing a manager to make a decision on the spot does not belong.
The job of the salesperson is to find the lead, get in the door, make a presentation and build "trust" so that there is no inherant risk to saying YES. I realize that Seth Godin was trying to make a point about management and the word "maybe" more then Susan's approach. Susan tried tio force management to make a decision on the spot and ended up breaking the relationship, severing it, and loosing all trust. That hardly qualifys for Sales person of the Year, that's an old school tactic, not a "purple cow." Marketing is not Sales, they are related but not the same. They do however, have one major thing in common, creating trust. Sales is on a more personal one on one level, where marketing is creating trust to the marketplace.
So if I loved my job and I was as good as I say I was why am I not still there? Trust, more like lack thereof. No matter how good you are if your company cannot deliver a quality product, then things will fall apart. The guys I worked with were great guys, things happen and if trust becomes an issue, in sales it's time to go. I did have offers to go to, but I decided to stay home with my kids again. Maybe the wrong decision, maybe the right one. Maybe in the near future I'll be able to pursue my dream job again, until then, I've got Carennedy Solutions.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Amazing Memory Makes for Amazing Service
I took my kids to the dentist yesterday, which on the surface seems uneventful for a business blog. It had been 3.5 years since our last visit and my kids had changed a lot. When we walked into the newly renovated front waiting room the front girl, Karen, looked up and said "hello Shannon and how are Carter and Kennedy today."
Now at first glance you may be thinking, well she knew you were coming that's how she remembered you. What if I told you that throughout the years I'd stopped in on occasion to request donations for the local soccer bar b que and to drop off some literature. Not often, about once a year, and every time I'd walk in Karen would look up and say "hi Shannon and how is the Allen family doing?" My last name is Peel but the rest of my family is Allen so it remarkable that she puts one and two together, not even the school does and they see me on a regular basis.
The fact that I do not have to say "Carter and Kennedy to see Dr. Townsend," instead she smiles as we walk in and greets us is amazing customer service. To know who I am when I drop in occasionally throughout the years is an amazing memory. I have never seen Karen in a bad mood, she's never been snippy or abrupt, she is always cheerful and friendly. She is the face of the dental office and her remarkable memory combined with her cheerful attitude make her a priceless asset to the office's marketing. I hope they pay her very very well.
Now at first glance you may be thinking, well she knew you were coming that's how she remembered you. What if I told you that throughout the years I'd stopped in on occasion to request donations for the local soccer bar b que and to drop off some literature. Not often, about once a year, and every time I'd walk in Karen would look up and say "hi Shannon and how is the Allen family doing?" My last name is Peel but the rest of my family is Allen so it remarkable that she puts one and two together, not even the school does and they see me on a regular basis.
The fact that I do not have to say "Carter and Kennedy to see Dr. Townsend," instead she smiles as we walk in and greets us is amazing customer service. To know who I am when I drop in occasionally throughout the years is an amazing memory. I have never seen Karen in a bad mood, she's never been snippy or abrupt, she is always cheerful and friendly. She is the face of the dental office and her remarkable memory combined with her cheerful attitude make her a priceless asset to the office's marketing. I hope they pay her very very well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
