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Helping business owners grow their companies and transition with confidence, added value and complete control.
Tag Archives: sales
Employee Incentives that Work
After four blogs on the long term motivations for running a business, perhaps it is time to return to some more practical advice. One of the most persistent issues for a business owner is trying to motivate employees with incentives. You install … Continue Reading
Posted in Incentives, Managing Employees
Tagged business ownership, employees, leadership, management, sales, small business advice
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The Only Thing We Have to Fear?
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” FDR famously broadcast during the Great Depression. His speech didn’t end that economic slump, and the election next week won’t end this one. It will, however, help. The Republicans are … Continue Reading
Posted in Economic Trends, Marketing and Sales
Tagged business strategy, economy, marketing, politics, sales
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Sales Comp III: Hunters and Farmers
Sales people break down into two subgroups- hunters and farmers. The purists will argue that in fact, only hunters are sales people. I can buy that. The farmers are more likely to be called Customer Service Representatives or Account Managers. … Continue Reading
Posted in Incentives, Managing Employees, Sales
Tagged business ownership, sales, sales management, small business advice
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A 35K guy is a 35K guy…
I had breakfast with a client this morning. He was planning a new training initiative for his sales team. “How much do the make now?” I asked. “About $30,000 to $35,000 a year.” he replied. “What are you trying to … Continue Reading
Posted in Leadership, Managing Employees, Sales
Tagged business ownership, employees, management, sales, sales management, small business, small business advice
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Sales Comp II: Are You a Supplier or a Vendor?
The next question to consider when you are designing sales compensation is: “Are we a supplier or a vendor?” Without wasting time on the differences or similarities of the dictionary definitions, here are mine: A supplier provides goods or services … Continue Reading
The Rhythm of the Sales Process
With so many of our clients trying to boost sales in a tough environment, we’ve been having lots of discussions about sales incentives. It’s surprising to me how many business owners create incentives that don’t fit their business, simply because … Continue Reading
Another Swimming Metaphor
“Only when the tide goes out, do you discover who has been swimming naked.” This classic bromide by Warren Buffett has come to mind several times in the last few weeks. As the economy hits dead low tide (coming back … Continue Reading
Posted in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Sales
Tagged business ownership, economy, entrepreneurship, sales, sales management, small business advice
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You can’t keep a good saying down.
“There are lies, damn lies and statistics.” It’s a great saying, and in the USA is typically attributed to Mark Twain. He, in turn, attributed it to Benjamin Disraeli. That credit is undocumented. What is certain is that it was … Continue Reading
Advertising Effectively
I’ve heard it three times in the 24 hours since returning from my vacation; “I’m spending a lot of money on marketing, but I don’t know how effective it is.” The problem goes back for as long as there’s been … Continue Reading
Happy (tweet) Fathers’ Day (from your child via FaceBook)
My wife was working on the vacuum cleaner today. Despite my intention to be a lazy slob all day, I decided to pitch in. A short diagnosis let me do a temporary repair, and sent me to the Internet to … Continue Reading
Key Performance Indicators
I developed this piece for my peer group clients in The Alternative Board® A number of them have said it’s greatly clarified their understanding of what Key Performance Indicators were, and how to approach them. So I share it here… … Continue Reading
Is It Time for Courage?
A friend of mine occasionally shares his copy of EcoTrends®. This research newsletter tracks 41 different economic indicators. Since I’m not actually a subscriber, I refer you to their site if you’re interested in the details of their analysis. The … Continue Reading
Posted in Business Perspectives, Economic Trends, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Politics and Regulation, Strategy and Planning
Tagged business ownership, business planning, economy, employees, entrepreneurship, financial, leadership, management, marketing, sales, small business, small business advice
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