Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Weather The Economic Storm
6 Ways to Help Your Business Weather the Economic Storm - A very cool article about freelancers and how they can adapt and survive in the current economic climate. This would really apply to any sales oriented organization. Think of the six steps, showing value, promoting freebies and/or add-ons, using the media, doubling up exposure, joint venture opportunities and raising prices. Read the entire article here.
Labels: Business, Economy, Sales
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Good To Great
In starting with my reading challenge for 2009, I have started a hardcover book, but, I also started on an audiobook since I am traveling often. My first choice was Jim Collins. His book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
was a great first choice and it didn't take that long to get it listened to. It is only a tad over 6 hours of audio and I knocked that out in roughly 5 trips to my office.
In this current economic environment I was looking for some insight into creating and sustaining great fundamental principles. This book outlined some great concepts that I have already found myself digging into and getting my arms (and head) around. The first concept is the Hedgehog Concept and I find that I love the idea about focusing on the understanding of what you can be versus the goals, strategies or intentions. What are your three circles? The other concept was the Flywheel or the Doom Loop. This gets my thoughts going about momentum, consistency, leading, discipline and initiative. I fully recommend getting this book or audiobook. At the very least visit Jim's web site where there is a wealth of information to help you go from Good to Great!!
was a great first choice and it didn't take that long to get it listened to. It is only a tad over 6 hours of audio and I knocked that out in roughly 5 trips to my office.In this current economic environment I was looking for some insight into creating and sustaining great fundamental principles. This book outlined some great concepts that I have already found myself digging into and getting my arms (and head) around. The first concept is the Hedgehog Concept and I find that I love the idea about focusing on the understanding of what you can be versus the goals, strategies or intentions. What are your three circles? The other concept was the Flywheel or the Doom Loop. This gets my thoughts going about momentum, consistency, leading, discipline and initiative. I fully recommend getting this book or audiobook. At the very least visit Jim's web site where there is a wealth of information to help you go from Good to Great!!
Labels: Business, Economy, leadership, management
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Providing Customer Service and Creating Customer Loyalty
I will start this story by saying that as a tech savvy person I was very confident that I can address any issue that I come across when it comes to computers and their related peripherals. With that being said, I had a problem that arose with my Epson Stylus CX4200 All-in-One printer.
This past Sunday the darn thing just decides all by itself that it will no longer apply ink to the paper. No matter what I tried it wouldn't print. I started with the software side using the Epson utility that came with the printer. Nothing. I then went to the Epson support web site to use the online tool, interactive and a great resource, but, nothing. It recommends that I put all new ink in it. Brilliant. Off I go to Staples for the new ink and $56 later all installed in the printer. Go through all the steps. Nothing. Results of the online tool, call the Epson tech support line. Yikes.
I call today and after some number prompting for printer, operating system and the such within about 30 seconds on comes John, a very nice and thorough tech support person. We go through all of the steps and after about 5 minutes of troubleshooting it is determined that it is a hardware failure. Sounds expensive. He emails me the three closest repair centers to contact, 45 miles, 70 miles and 146 miles. I would have thought that was it. But wait, there's more.
He goes on to ask if I would be interested in a new printer since repairing a 2-year old printer is really not advantagous, nor cost effective, and I had actually thought that myself. He directs me to the loyalty page of Epson and guides me through all of the printers available there at a discount as a great Epson customer (I am a long time user). I order a new CX9400 and it's discounted, has a $50 instant rebate and they will ship it for free. I mention that I have just purchased all of this new ink to test the dead printer and he provides me with a reference code for printer ink for my new printer all I need to do is call when I get it. Now that is what I call going the extra mile and making sure that the customer is happy. I will continue to buy and recommend Epson printers and inks to everyone. That includes you. Go check out Epson today.
Are you meeting customer expectations or exceeding customer expectations?? Start creating customer loyalty and not just customer satisfaction. Today was a prime example of a great experience!!
This past Sunday the darn thing just decides all by itself that it will no longer apply ink to the paper. No matter what I tried it wouldn't print. I started with the software side using the Epson utility that came with the printer. Nothing. I then went to the Epson support web site to use the online tool, interactive and a great resource, but, nothing. It recommends that I put all new ink in it. Brilliant. Off I go to Staples for the new ink and $56 later all installed in the printer. Go through all the steps. Nothing. Results of the online tool, call the Epson tech support line. Yikes.
I call today and after some number prompting for printer, operating system and the such within about 30 seconds on comes John, a very nice and thorough tech support person. We go through all of the steps and after about 5 minutes of troubleshooting it is determined that it is a hardware failure. Sounds expensive. He emails me the three closest repair centers to contact, 45 miles, 70 miles and 146 miles. I would have thought that was it. But wait, there's more.
He goes on to ask if I would be interested in a new printer since repairing a 2-year old printer is really not advantagous, nor cost effective, and I had actually thought that myself. He directs me to the loyalty page of Epson and guides me through all of the printers available there at a discount as a great Epson customer (I am a long time user). I order a new CX9400 and it's discounted, has a $50 instant rebate and they will ship it for free. I mention that I have just purchased all of this new ink to test the dead printer and he provides me with a reference code for printer ink for my new printer all I need to do is call when I get it. Now that is what I call going the extra mile and making sure that the customer is happy. I will continue to buy and recommend Epson printers and inks to everyone. That includes you. Go check out Epson today.
Are you meeting customer expectations or exceeding customer expectations?? Start creating customer loyalty and not just customer satisfaction. Today was a prime example of a great experience!!
Labels: customer loyalty, customer service, technology
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy New Year
Well, another year in the books. How was your year? I found it to be very challenging to say the least. The last few days have been spent wrapping up the end of our 2nd quarter and at the mid-point of our fiscal year getting organized for the new year.
Now there are 252 sales days remaining in 2009. What are your plans for this upcoming year. I guess I'm talking about resolutions. JustSell.com puts out their sales resolutions every year and I find that they provide a great road map to sales success. Here they are for 2009. A mere 18 points to get you focused for the new year. What is your plan?
For the new year I have committed to myself that I will spend more time reading, with the help of my family and friends in a reading challenge, and I will target 13 books to read in 2009. I also will dedicate more time to this blog, my social networking sites (LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter) and writing. I can't forget about health and family to focus on. Sounds like a lot on the plate, but, in this new year I am going to be a firm believer in activity and productivity will be needed for success. What is your plan?
Happy New Year!!
Now there are 252 sales days remaining in 2009. What are your plans for this upcoming year. I guess I'm talking about resolutions. JustSell.com puts out their sales resolutions every year and I find that they provide a great road map to sales success. Here they are for 2009. A mere 18 points to get you focused for the new year. What is your plan?
For the new year I have committed to myself that I will spend more time reading, with the help of my family and friends in a reading challenge, and I will target 13 books to read in 2009. I also will dedicate more time to this blog, my social networking sites (LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter) and writing. I can't forget about health and family to focus on. Sounds like a lot on the plate, but, in this new year I am going to be a firm believer in activity and productivity will be needed for success. What is your plan?
Happy New Year!!
Labels: Planning, Resolutions, Sales
