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Lesson #1: A Company Is Only As Strong As The Team Behind It
“One of the hallmarks of Onex is that since I started the company in 1983, every professional who has joined the company at our Toronto head office is still here,” says Schwartz. “We’ve had no turnover.”

Too small to fail
One secret of being a large financial institution is that you can take huge risks because you're too big to fail. If you hit craps and lose it all, don't worry, because you'll get bailed out.

Who Tells You the Things You Don’t Want to Hear?
Today's tip is a crash course on one of the key ideas in the new book - lifeline relationships.

Gaining Access to Power in a Buyer's Organization
Executive Summary: Sell to people with buying authority. Sales reps must understand the level of buying authority their contacts have within buying organizations. Reps must gain access to true power, and sell to buyers that have the ability to authorize transactions and close deals.

How Your Salespeople Can Eliminate the Competition
If your company is like most, you have lots of competition and some of them will do anything to get the business. How would you like to eliminate your competition? I don't mean putting them out of business (some of you wouldn't mind that at all) but I do mean getting them out of the way... There are three ways to eliminate increasing competition for a declining number of opportunities:

10 Reasons Why Sales Commitment Has Become More Important
A comparison of selling today with selling over the past 20 years shows that selling is significantly more challenging today than ever before. Let's take a look at 10 of the factors that explain this shift in difficulty:

SALES PRESENTATION ... THE BOTTOM LINE IS SELLING

Talk about two sides of the coin just think of the sales call. If you're in sales then it is all about the person in front of the other person/group. If you're in marketing it is all about the polished, super slick presentation. If you're the CEO and CFO it's all about the order. Surprise!!!! It takes them all. And a presentation should be tailored by the sales people so that it fits their style and the audience. And it should go where few marketing people have gone before...it should ask for the order. The best sales call is a gentle balance of the sales people and their sales tools. We just want to make it better for them.

Your Salespeople Can't Even Do That?
Salespeople, struggling with sales 101 type issues, don't let anyone know for fear that they would be perceived as inept, which, it turns out they are.

Is Your E-Rep Any Good?
As a sales rep, you know better than anybody what your customers and prospects need to know. You’ve done your research. You know their issues, challenges and objectives. You know the value they could accrue by using your stuff. They just won’t take the time to meet with you and listen! Well, maybe it’s you that needs to listen up. I think there’s a question that needs answering…

Go E#$% yourself!
As a sales rep, you know better than anybody what your customers and prospects need to know. You've done your research. You know their issues, challenges and objectives. You know the value they could accrue by using your stuff. They just won't take the time to meet with you and listen! Well, maybe it's you that needs to listen up. Are they telling you to...

Sell More Now
You can sell more in this economy...really!

Establishing Family Boundaries
The word ‘boundary’ is one that we hear often these days, but it was not always that way. In fact the concept of establishing boundaries within families is a relatively new; and certainly one worth taking time to implement.

The Typical Ways We Often Make Decisions

Decisions, Decisions - Making Them On Purpose Decisions, decisions...choices, choices. Everywhere you turn these days there's another one waiting to be made. But how? In a world of so many options and possibilities, what do we use to help us make the "right" decisions and choices? Do we draw straws? Flip a coin? Throw a dart at a list of choices to be made? Sure, why not? Won't those methods work? Well, actually, yes, any of these 'random ways' of choosing can work IF we add in a couple of other things. Recently in a phone coaching session with two of my clients, we made a list of some of the typical ways people make decisions including...

Maybe I really DO want to appear to be an order-taker...

Technology has changed everything. It used to take multiple face-to-face sales calls to get a prospect up to speed on the potential value of our products and services. More importantly, those calls enabled us to acquire a broad, deep understanding of their issues, requirements and problems. Now, web 2.0 makes our info available 24/7. They don't need us to learn about us. AND, they now refuse to take the time to educate us regarding what they need.

C-Level Selling Tip 8, Getting Past Gatekeepers and Handling Blockers
Gatekeepers and blockers are one of the biggest obstacles to C-Level Selling. This article and the free e-book and videos available from the links provide will never make getting to the Leaders a problem for you again.

5 Virtualization Strategies for the Budget Challenged and Reasons to Start NOW!
Virtualization is a technology finally hitting its stride, but there are still some companies that don't know how or why they should use Virtualization. Some challenges with virtualization are reviewed as well as 5 strategies that can be used to help make it affordable even with tightening budgets.

Top 10 Qualifying Fact Finding Questions That Will Earn You the Sale for Consultative Selling
Qualifying fact finding questions are directly connected to your industry, your products, your services and most importantly your customers. In consultative selling, I find that asking these 10 insightful qualifying questions early in the selling phase of the sales process saves me time.

C-Level Selling Tip 6: Networking, Use Your Resources
Everyone needs more business, and the best way to get more is to network your way through the doors to the C-level offices. Learn about networking with this C-level selling tip.

Global IT companies expect recovery in 2010
In news that hints at increased job opportunities for IT workers across the world, a new study from AT&T shows that CIOs and technology executives expect economic recovery to begin early next year.

38% of software development professionals use outsourcing
More than one-third (38 percent) of software development professionals at companies use some type of outsourcing to meet their organization’s needs, according to a new survey.

Qualify the Sale - Three Ways to Win

One of the many challenges salespeople face is getting to the finish line, only to find out they have not won anything. This can be a source of aggravation or a wake-up call that they are doing something wrong. Recently I was training a group of insurance professionals and they recounted numerous stories of how they gave a wonderful presentation, only to discover that the potential client could not buy their products or services.

Sales Peoples' Biggest Weakness – C-Level Selling
If you want overachieving salespeople they must know how to and be comfortable C-Level Selling. Most sales people deliver mediocre results because they lack this skill set. Learn how to put this missing major element into your salespeople.

Monetize Your Message: HOW to profit WILDLY in the new world of Speaking - Part ONE

During the golden age of the speaking industry, speakers found themselves being paid to motivate and inspire audiences all over our nation and beyond. Bureau agents presented us to perfect clients and meeting planners wouldn't think of bringing in an inexperienced "green" speaker for an event. We were valued and valuable. Companies and organizations had large training budgets that they would "lose" if they didn't "use". Oh, yes. Business was good. Now, we are seeing a new set of circumstances entirely....long-standing conferences being cancelled due to low participation.... Companies required to justify every $$ they spend are finding it hard to demonstrate the ROI of bringing in a motivational speaker. Speakers in general are being "booked" less often, and far too many speakers have invested LOTS of $$ for far too little return

Cold Calling Techniques - I wonder if you can help me?
Busy executives are sick of being approached and sold to in the same 'old skool' ways by pushy sales people. My recent experience hiiting the phones to sell advertising on behalf of one of my clients proves my ideas that there are a ways prospecting on the phone can be done.

Create Chaos, Change & Controversy! (...or at least chase after them)
There's a new buzz-word making the rounds. Have you focused on the "trigger event" concept? Can you make it work for you?

Experience is not a substitute for the pre-call plan
Every now and then it's a good idea to re-visit one of those "everybody knows that" concepts and do a hard-nosed self-assessment regarding our personal sales performance. Always, always pre-plan every sales call, right?

The Greatest Tool in Business: Listening
Failure to listen can impact your success in more ways than one.

All Opportunities Are Not Created Equal
When reviewing an opportunity, most sales manages will ask about the odds to close. When asked about odds to close, most sales reps have a ready answer. Most often, it's wrong; based on some mystical gut feel, but it sure does makes everyone feel better - like authentic planning, prioritizing and time management actually occurred.

Sales Staff Motivation
An article on how important recognition and praise is to staff motivation.

Good Decisions, Bad Decisions

Why is it possible for two identical businesses in the same market selling the same products and services to the same prospects have radically different outcomes? There are two key reason; First, staff and how the employees of the organizaton do their jobs, second, the quality of the decisions being made on a daily basis. I'm not foolish enough to believe anyone is capable of making the right decision every time, but there are times when the right choice is just not that hard to identify. When those decisions face us, it is imperative we do the proper due diligence and make the RIGHT decision. This article talks about some of the core reasons bad decisions get made, and talks about how to avoid getting caught in that trap. Enjoy!

Foot Canvassing
An article discussing the benefits of Foot Canvassing

Cold Calling - Tips to make it easier
An article giving ways to motivate yourself to make cold calls.

Expectations- A Sales Attitude By Any Other Name
Years ago I read something that Zig Ziglar wrote: Attitudes are habits of thought. Pretty simple definition, but incredibly powerful. How many of our thoughts are really sales attitudes including expectations?

Five Reasons Prospects Stop Responding To Your Sales Process
How long do you pursue a "hot prospect" that is not responding to your sales process?

Top 12 Attributes Of Effective Leaders
Have you ever wondered why some people make great leaders yet others fail at it? I believe that effective leaders share a common set of attributes. This article identifies 12 attributes I feel best exemplify great leaders. Do you possess any or all of these attributes?

Cold Calling: A Prep Pep Talk
A prep pep talk: Eight things to keep in mind before begining to call your prospects.

Online Business Success: Leveraging LinkedIn
Are you utilizing the power of LinkedIn to increase your business referrals? Read this article and learn nine ways to power up your LinkedIn account.

Tough Times Sales Strategies: Part 1. Selling More to Existing Customers
Low-cost strategies to boost sales to existing customers during challenging economic times.

Why is Selling So Difficult?

Wouldn't it be nice if selling was as easy as most salespeople treat it? You would just come right out and say what you're selling, tell prospects why it's important, explain the features and benefits, tell them what it costs, and make the sale. After all, that's how we did it in the 60's and 70's. It's so easy. It's so logical, it's so ineffective. Why is selling so difficult? I have a number of answers....

High-Level Decision Makers
HLDM. What is it? A new drug to counteract high cholesterol? The latest high definition, plasma TV technology? Not at all. HLDM stands for High-Level Decision Makers. And contacting HLDMs can improve sales performance probably more than any another selling tactic.

Total Cost of Ownership TCO of IT

Business owners too often don't factor in the total true costs of IT assets. Indirect, or "hidden", costs (lost productivity) are frequently higher than the more obvious direct costs (hardware, software and support). Detailed TCO calculations aren't practical for small businesses, but it's feasible and, we'd argue, critical, to understand and apply the general concepts of TCO. This topic is the first in our 2009 whitepaper series: "Making every IT dollar count!" The full whitepapers are available on our website.

Famous From One Hit? Don’t Hold Your Breath
You have an article coming out in a national magazine, or you are appearing on a television show. You are all excited and think, “Wow, I better get ready for the flood of calls.” The only problem is you only have one hit. While you might get some calls, it won’t be enough to create lasting name recognition. To really become famous, you need repetition.

Getting to the Real Decision Maker
Many of us fall into the "activity trap". We make lots of calls, talk to lots of people, and have an awful lot of sales in the "under consideration" column. If that same level of activity occurred in front of qualified decision makers, our sales would probably double. For tips on getting to decision makers, read on...and enjoy

Know the difference between buyers and decision makers
We often tend to focus more on the person who is probably showing interest in products or services you display or demonstrate and neglect the one who accompanies them.

Is Radio Advertising Right For You?
Is the radio the right medium for you to market your business? It all depends. Many businesses have blossomed from it and others have been burnt badly. While there are always exceptions to the rules (and I LOVE exceptions), here are some good guidelines when it comes to choosing RADIO as a place to promote your business.

From Staplers To Sticky Notes: Why Desktop Items Make Sense As Proomtional Products

How can you position your company’s name and contact information where it will be seen many times every working day, just where it matters most? Desktop imprinted products might be your answer. When you give useful desktop items, such as pens and memo clips, to your potential customers, you’re ensuring that they’ll see your company name many times throughout their business week. Colorful imprinted products, such as sticky notes, brighten up the desktop “landscape” and create a cheerful, positive association with your business in the customer’s mind.

Advertising Effectively - 6 Steps to Effective Advertising
It’s easy to see how peoples media consumption has been split, fractured and fragmented. Essentially, we still have 24 hours per day. But we now have multiple forms of communication vying for our readership, listenership, or participation. What this means for you – as an advertiser – is that you need to be very careful about who you are advertising to, and which media to use.

Underperforming Corporations
Companies, (most of them) freeze up (become strategically rigid), get on the wrong track and underperform.

Now is the Time to Master Financial Conversations

While these are admittedly challenging times for many, I still see a lot of sales being made among the companies we are working with. The biggest difference in selling today is the amount of time it takes for sales to close, especially compared to the last few years. But some sellers aren’t feeling any pain – their sales aren’t taking longer in spite of the economy – and yours don’t have to either.

You Can Win More Sales by Accepting & Working with Change Than Denying It
Change is part of sales both in hard cold cash and learning to adapt. So how good are at accepting change to win more sales?

Sales Training – Salesperson’s Universal Distress Signals
Each salesperson likely has their own universal distress call. Here are ideas to save salespeople suffering from five common sales problems.

Think of Others First If You Want to Increase Sales
Is sales about you or the other guy? Many will say the other guy, but their behaviors are all about them. Read why thinking of others first will increase sales.

Are Your Sales Lagging Because You Are Failing to Ask for the Business?
Do you want to increase sales? Then possibly, you may need to do a lot more asking.

Sales Force Motivation - Learn from the Red Sox' Miraculous Comeback
If you observed the Tampa Bay fans during game 1 in St. Petersburg and game five in Boston, you would have observed some very tense, anxious people. Yet if you paid any mind to the Red Sox fans in the three games they lost and prior to their comeback in game 5, they didn't seem very upset at all...

Who You Call On is a Conceptual Thing
When you make calls, whether it's a brand new sales call or a service call to a customer, the level you call on within the organization is a reflection of how you see yourself conceptually.

Sales Coaching Tip: Stop Confusing Motion with Progress to Increase Sales
Are your sales suffering? Maybe, it is time to determine whether you are in the motion business or progress business?

ATS Evaluation Handbook

Finding the right applicant tracking system that meets all the needs of your organization can be an overwhelming task. It can be a challenge even knowing where to start and how to compare each solution. You will find important areas to investigate, questions to ask and responses to analyze during the evaluation process that will serve as a useful tool. This document is designed as an educational tool to guide your company in the search for the proper solution. This guide is organized into the following sections: • Identify Decision Makers • Identify Requirement • Vendor Assessment • Summary • About iCIMS

Solutions Not Rates Why Network Global Logistics Exemplifies The New Service Model For Integrated Logistics Network Global Logistics Profile

"To begin, one does not have to be in the throes of a disaster to benefit from my area of practice. While demanding situations in which bridging the chasm between an unexpected outcome and the reality of unrealized results is certainly something for which one becomes known, it is often the ability to see a problem on the distant horizon and structure the appropriate response that has generated the greatest level of client satisfaction. What makes what I do unique is that I am unencumbered by a commitment to promote a particular methodology such as SCOR or Six Sigma because it is either trendy or has been recommended by the latest expert."

Is Your Career LinkedIn?

Social networking is the buzzword of the moment...Facebook, MySpace, Plaxo, LinkedIn and many more. People are asking, “is it relevant to my career or professional life?” With so many options, it’s easy to become overwhelmed if you’re trying to figure it all out, and you may even question whether it’s worth the time to invest in setting up an online profile. If you’re searching for a new job, wanting to change careers, trying to advance in your current field, developing your credibility as subject matter expert in your field, or building your own entrepreneurial venture, LinkedIn is an invaluable resource.

Driving B2B Sales Performance Improvement
Why do so many business providers struggle to reach their growth potential? Why when there is real market need for their quality business solutions and services do they find it so difficult to gain market traction?

Moving up the Value Chain
As consultants, our rewards and reputations are rooted in the value we bring. But value is always a perception; like beauty it exists in the eye of the beholder.

A,B,Cs of Business Development: Strategy for the Non-Complex Sale
Most decision makers are very busy. Often they are willing to work with vendors, recruiters, etc. on an informal basis. If you have a great product or service that matches the client's needs, why complicate or slow down the sales cycle? Start simple and move into relationship mode as you build trust and understanding for the clients needs and interests.

Value Added Selling
Value added selling is a proactive philosophy of seeking ways to enhance, augment, or enlarge on a solution for the Client. In value added selling you are always looking for ways to exceed the Client’s expectations.

The Power of a Sales Playbook Embedding Discipline and Best Practices in Your Sales Force

Sales people have a bad reputation in the business world. With movies like Boiler Room and Glengerry GlenRoss, Hollywood has only reinforced this. Frankly, some of this bad reputation is deserved. In many companies, the sales people may be hitting their numbers, but management knows they are only operating at a fraction of their potential. Is there a way to put discipline into the sales function? Won’t discipline kill the spirit and motivation of a good sales team? Good sales people are typically high-energy, relationship-oriented people with a low tolerance for structure. Their talents lie in handling the nuances of multiple relationships in an uncertain and dynamic environment. A Sales Playbook is the answer.

Back to the things that worked
Is it time for you to go back to the ways you use to promote your business and sell your products and services? USA TODAY: 10/3/07 Sears Reviving holiday Wish Book Fourteen years after shelving its venerable catalogs, Sears is reviving the holiday tradition as it struggles to attract new shoppers and revive business.

Do Ask...Do Tell
Here are the questions to ask that will get you the information you need to sell.

Best Practices: Creating a Successful White Paper Program

A white paper program is a curriculum of organizational elements and best practices that support companies in delivering a schedule of targeted, well-written white papers over a period of time. A white paper program helps differentiate a company’s approach to technology, positions the company as a thought leader, clearly defines the benefits of proprietary solutions to prospects and investors, and enhances credibility among business leaders and decision makers. This paper reviews best practices for creating a successful white paper program.

Part Six - Prospecting for More Sales
Part Six of a Ten Part Series. In this series, we explore all the different avenues of prospecting necessary for a business to succeed. Think of your business as a a beautiful garden, and then consider all the things you need to do to keep that garden beautiful and growing, rather than dreary, dead or decaying. Need help with Prospecting? Feel free to get in touch with us via our website.

Making an Exhibition of Yourself - Getting the most from business and trade shows

From 'Grow your own Business' to 'The Franchise Show'; from 'Ideal Business Show' to 'E Commerce 08', there are a wealth of business exhibitions to choose from. I recently attended the Business StartUp Show in London and its success was clear to see. The exhibition hall was buzzing all day, some of the bigger stands had swarms of people around them and queues for the business seminars snaked around the hall. Among all of the activity there were some wonderful examples of how to, and how not to, network at an exhibition. Events like this are, naturally, great ground for networking. Whether you are an exhibitor or a visitor, it's an opportunity to grasp with both hands. Here are some of my top tips for networking, both as a visitor to a business exhibition, and as an exhibitor based on what I observed on the day:

After the Show What Will You Have to Show for It
Brand Communications Beyond the Booth™ Taking a booth at a trade show is as much a risk as it is an opportunity.

Part III: Can LinkedIn Increase Your Sales?
In this third article of a 4-part series, you'll discover even more ways you can use this tool to create more opportunities, connect with decision makers and win more business. Again, real sellers and real results!

Five Steps to Cold Calling Success
Are you having a hard time reaching decision-makers, setting up well-qualified appointments, getting past gatekeepers, gathering information or finding if you are calling on an appropriate prospect in the first place? Maybe it seems impossible to get your cold calls returned or you are getting stuck into an endless loop of voice mail. Read on...

7 Ways To STOP Chasing Decision Makers!
You probably know this scenario well: Your main contact at a company has expressed interest in possibly purchasing your product or service.

A Business Alliance is Not a Marriage - Part 4
“What kind of team building can we do to get both sides of our business alliance working better together?” “How can we get them to trust us more?” “As partners, shouldn’t we be looking at the balance between risk and reward equally?”

A Business Alliance is Not a Marriage - Part 3
“What kind of team building can we do to get both sides of our business alliance working better together?” “How can we get them to trust us more?” “As partners, shouldn’t we be looking at the balance between risk and reward equally?”

You Don’t have to Have all of the Answers; It is okay to Seek Help Once in a While

If you are too proud to ask for help in your business, you are missing out on many valuable learning opportunities. Mentoring is an essential tool to utilise in business. Mentors, business associates, friends and family can all provide valuable insight to assist you in your business success. Mentoring is one of the best sources for quality information and business wisdom on an ongoing basis and is simple to arrange.

How to Attract More Customers with White Papers
Writing White Papers is a very powerful way to attract more well-paying customers and clients. White papers offer a very unique marketing advantage in a very competitive marketplace.

Four Quick Ways to Improve Your HELP and FAQ Pages
Depending on the nature of your site, Help and FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) can span a few or many pages. Building up these sections of your site can greatly enhance your visitor's experience with your website. These pages are often sought out by shoppers who are looking for just a bit more information to help them feel confident about their purchase.

Great Leaders Turn Adversity into Advantage

As a student of history, and military history in particular, I have always been impressed with the ability of famous leaders to seemingly bounce back from just about any difficulty or adversity. This is also true in the fields of sports, politics and business. In some ways, great leaders are also great survivors. They often thrive on chaos and adversity. No adversity seems too great to prevent them from finding some advantage. While I certainly don’t believe in deliberately creating difficulty, there are nonetheless some principles that you can apply to turn adversity to your advantage.

Three Strategies for Coaches, Consultants, and Business Advisors to Reach Top Decision Makers
As the title suggests, this article helps business advisors reach top decision makers.

Cheetah Index to Premiere Soon!

As part of our mission to fill the void left by conventional media in covering African issues, African Path will take an active role in supporting and empowering the continent’s young and progressive decision makers. Today, African Path announces the launch of a dedicated business section under the African Path network which will be branded as the Cheetah Index. Currently the site will run on a Beta version.

The importance of networking

This morning at 7.30am the Kenya ICT Board (www.ict.go.ke) held an open forum for the Kenya BPO & Contact Centre Society an umbrella organisation for all things outsourcing. I was to make a short presentation on some of the work we are doing on their portal, but I arrived a few minutes late so I wasn't slotted in, even though I was disappointed having worked on the powerpoint the previous night I opted to stay and hear what was to be said.

Documenting A Bad Experience Can Cost You Sales
The “Documenting Bad Experiences For Future Reference Could Be A costly Mistake!

The 'Being Efficient' Myth In Sales
You need to take time to soften a decision-maker with appointment confirmation notes and telephone calls. Also, a series of direct mail softening letters, faxes, e-mails and endorsement letters need to be sent before and after a sales presentation to reinforce the benefits that you have demonstrated.

Five Levels of Decision Making
Clear, helpful advice on how to approach making good decisions as a leader.

A Favorable Juncture of Circumstances
Opportunity is a noun, a favorable juncture of circumstances. When given a sales opportunity to meet with a prospective client, use this opportunity to build trust and rapport, and in so doing, you will find you can then make the right recommendations of your products and services.

Sales Questions To Ask Prospects That Get Through To Their Bosses
What can you do when sales prospects seem interested yet keep stalling, avoiding commitment because they're not the only decision-makers? Asking the right sales questions is vital when their bosses are part of the decision-making process. Here's how to ask them, streamlining your sales prospecting process, saving time, and closing more sales.

Yoda needs to follow his own advice!
Decisions come from decision makers and salespeople have to get the conversations going with the top people. Oops, I didn't do that, what happened...

The Top Four Annoying Cold Call Mistakes of All Time
The reason most sales people feel they’re annoying a decision-maker when making cold call is because they have a completely annoying approach! Interviews with hundreds of corporate decision-makers reveal the top four annoying cold call mistakes... of all time.

C-Level Sales Training Tip 15 - Create the Confidence Necessary to Win-Over C-Level Executives
Confidence is what C-level decision-makers want to see in their selling partners. The best way to become confident is to prepare. Here’s how.

7 Ways to Name Your Prospect
In the maze of corporate America it is sometimes very difficult to discover with whom you should speak. There could be multiple decision-makers or there could be only one decision-maker. And, of course, they’re never listed as “decision-maker” in the company directory.

Secrets of Selling to the "C" Suite
Learn the secrets of getting in front of decision makers and learning how to close business with those that can.

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