Posts Tagged Sales
The entrepreneur’s tool box: beyond the fun of Pinterest
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on January 5, 2012
Over the holidays I received an invite to the “latest and greatest” of social media, Pinterest. Over New Year’s weekend I discovered just how fun, how addictive .. and how potentially influential the latest edition of social media can be.
In the social media arena, nothing has caught my attention as a way to share my hobbies, tips for entertaining, wishlists, all as a virtual “scrapbook” — and for my clients to share their products, ideas, etc. — quite like Pinterest. Visual, interesting, fascinating — with true engagement, not to mention links to new products, decorating ideas, recipes, fun and .. fun.
Whoever you are and whatever you are selling, promoting or marketing, Pinterest could be for you. The “windows” of invites to join seem to rapidly open and close, but no doubt it will be an open forum for all very soon.
This could be the best social medium for your business, your blog, your book.
Get ready. And, if you are part of Pinterest now .. start “pinning” — and start sharing!
A special Formula 1 Friday: tools down
Posted by LoisMarketing in Formula 1, Personal Insights, Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on December 23, 2011
No wreaths and holly or singing Muppets in my annual Christmas post this year.
Instead I hope you will join me in a new holiday tradition!
In the United Kingdom, Australia and elsewhere throughout the world, to “down tools” means to stop working, typically because you are protesting working conditions or staging a work stoppage in support of someone or a cause.
This holiday season, why not “down tools” because you ARE satisfied with your working conditions? Because you value your job but more so because you treasure your family and friends, you treasure this season of the year … and you treasure the chance to be away, be quiet and still .. and just be.
Last week Formula 1 driver Mark Webber posted a message that he was glad to be home in Australia and was going “tools down” until after the New Year. That inspired this post and encouraged me to put tools down over the holidays myself. It will be nice to take a break from the computer. I’m even going to pack away my new Kindle Fire. Phone: essential use only. TV? I am going to break away from that, too.
I’m going to enjoy real live honest-to-goodness conversation with family and friends. I’m going to enjoy real live honest-to-goodness books. I’m going back to honest-to-goodness cookbooks to cook and bake.
Happy Holidays to each of you. Enjoy your celebrations, hug your family, thank your friends … and do something special for yourself.
The time to pick up the tools once again will come soon enough.
Formula for success: dessert for breakfast
Posted by LoisMarketing in Personal Insights, Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on December 21, 2011
Happy Holidays, everyone! Hope you are enjoying this wonderful season of the year and looking forward to time with friends and family while looking forward to the new year ahead. Aren’t you grateful for these special days? The chance to celebrate, enjoy beautiful lights and decorations, gather with friends and co-workers, share traditions — and create new ones — with your children, give to others, and just enjoy the anticipation of what is to come.
Whether you are anticipating Chanukah, Christmas or the arrival of 2012, there is “something in the air” this season that seems to make us all children once again. The approach of Christmas brings out the kid in me — not that the kid ever goes away! I love sugar cookies and Christmas trees and Santa Claus.
How can you not believe in Santa Claus?
We spend the year caught up in life. In work, in chores, in responsibilities, in traffic, in campaigns and product launches and analyses, in meetings, in negotiation, in, in, in.
This holiday season, I hope each of us will get “in”to the moment. Whatever your faith, and wherever you are, there is much to celebrate, be thankful for, and look forward to right now. Today. This morning.
The morning after our Thanksgiving celebrations, friends and I laughed that we were sneaking leftover pie, cake or cookies with our morning coffee or tea. We admitted that we felt a bit guilty for having dessert for breakfast. Yes, every Thanksgiving and Christmas you should have dessert for breakfast. At least once. If that is not a tradition in your household it should be. The kids get to have dessert for breakfast, too.
What is there to feel guilty about? Have a little fun. Have dessert for breakfast this holiday. And, for that matter, have dessert for breakfast whenever there’s something to celebrate during the year. Or have dessert for breakfast just because. May we make the most of this time of the year — and may we remember that there is much to celebrate, appreciate and enjoy each and every day.
There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to something special. When you find yourself “in” the day to day of 2012, stop and take time to do something just for you. A mini celebration or a break from it all.
And, for heaven’s sake, have a cookie!
The entrepreneur’s toolbox: lessons from my coffeemaker
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on December 15, 2011
From that heading you may be wondering if I’m into the holiday “spirits” this morning. Ha! I can assure you that I’m not, but I’m definitely into holiday coffee flavors this year.
Normally I want “just” coffee, regular not decaf, the darkest blend “straight” without cream or sugar, without syrup or flavorings, and without a barista’s latest artistic creation decorating the top (even though I want to learn how to make those). I’ll ask them to sneak in a shot of espresso on those mornings where I need a jumpstart … but otherwise leave my coffee alone.
Christmastime is different though. That’s when coffee becomes dessert for me — even for breakfast. Cinnamon, mocha, hazelnut, butterscotch, peppermint. Even pumpkin pie spice. I still skip the cream and sugar — and for heaven’s sake, the whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, too — but I enjoy a bit of “spice” in my coffee this time of year.
So thank goodness for my Keurig. For those of you who may not be familiar with the brand, they have developed coffeemakers that keep water hot then force it through a small “K-cup” of coffee, tea or chocolate for a single cup or mug. A freshly-made hot beverage each time. Much more flavorful than instant coffee from a jar, I promise you. And no more “ugh” coffee left sitting in a carafe to be barely bearable — or poured out — come mid-morning.
But this isn’t meant to be a commercial for Keurig. As I popped in a hazelnut-flavored coffee pod for my morning cup the thought occurred to me: Each message, each conversation, each meeting with our customers or prospects should be “fresh” and “hot”. Not re-warmed or left over. Instead, just for them. Rather than offering a “carafe” of solutions taking time to uncover needs and provide custom, creative, fresh solutions. There are times we are asked to be an artistic, expert barista. Then there are times we simply need to be there with black coffee and a listening ear.
Ask yourself — is your business a “carafe” or a “Keurig”?
Formula for success: the USGP and Klout, revisited
Posted by LoisMarketing in Formula 1, Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on December 8, 2011
An update and follow-up to the post I wrote on November 21st …
Well, I have good news. And more good news.
First the good news. New — and hopefully permanent — life has been breathed into the planned 2012 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. It was announced yesterday that the organizers and promoters of the first Formula 1 race in the USA in seven years have stroked a very big check to Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and all is right once again at the Circuit of the Americas. “The race is on!” as the circuit’s website now exclaims. After announcements that monies were not available and construction had been stopped, a contract has been signed, fees have been paid .. and now all that remains is for a circuit to be built — with heaven knows how many more hurdles to be jumped before we hear engines next November.
Hope springs eternal in the heart of a Formula 1 fan.
Now the other good news. Klout, once touted as THE measure of influence in social media, continues to fade into the sunset. Its rise and fall have caused many to stop and reassess where they are placing their value in the virtual world. Many are refocusing on the importance of their own organic clout. With a “C”. The real thing. The influence each of us can create, cultivate, manage — and utilize to benefit others — on our own.
I’m watching still. Observing.
I’ll believe the United States Grand Prix is for real when I hear engines revving for the first practice on Friday, November 16th.
But in the meantime I believe there is true power in social media. Powered by the engine of influence and impact each of us has …
… simply by being ourselves and simply by engaging others in real conversation. And real connection.
Formula for success: of Klout and the USGP, of cabbages and kings
Posted by LoisMarketing in Formula 1, Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on November 17, 2011
Those of you who follow me on Twitter are not at all surprised that I’ve lumped these two together. I’m not a fan of Klout but very much a fan of Formula 1. It has been interesting to watch things crumble among them over the last few days: Klout is rapidly losing “clout” and subscribers, and – as things stand now – it doesn’t look like Formula 1 will return to America with a United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, next year.
When you think about it, it makes sense to lump the two together. Both driven by a spotlight on the world’s stage and a hefty payday. Klout positioned itself as the supreme measure of social media influence. Full Throttle Productions and numerous investors promised to stage a Formula 1 race, build a circuit and complex, and bring the racing series back to America in 2012. Wow. Has Klout been dreaming of the ultimate IPO? And what were the promoters in Austin dreaming and scheming?
It all comes down to this. Stand and deliver. Bottom-line results. Nothing else matters. Klout scores and races-that-may-never-be should not encourage – or discourage – us. For those of us with customers and clients, with families and responsibilities, it’s all about standing and delivering everyday. Not worrying about what the world at large thinks about us .. but instead focused on being our best and delivering our best in everything we do.
Long ago I adopted the Serenity Prayer as my credo: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
God, help me make the most of every opportunity you place in my path and in my hands.
We can’t fix it all. And if you are dependent on some strange algorithm to prove your value to and influence of others, you need to look within. Stop looking without. And please stop placing distorted value on things – whether they be Klout scores, blogging or social media, or whatever may be the “latest and greatest”. Go out and be your very best for those who matter most to you. Go out and create the very best products and very best results – for them. And stop being distracted, disillusioned or disappointed by people, things – and “scores” – that do not matter in the end.
P. S. Oh – the “cabbages and kings” reference in the title today? I’m a huge Lewis Carroll fan. He went far beyond writing “Alice in Wonderland”. Go to Google and get to know the guy.
There’s nothing quite like community …
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on October 17, 2011
It goes beyond hometown fall festivals. It definitely goes beyond Hillary Clinton saying “it takes a village”.
There’s just something about community. About communing.
No, not commuting … communing!
In a way we are defined by the communities in which we live. In my case it’s a pretty cool neighborhood with security gates and the customary fall pansies now planted at the front. But that’s not the community I speak of. In this case community is about finding that common interest and common bond. It’s about coming to the aid of each other and about being a good “neighbor” in every sense of the word. It’s about more than hearing — it’s about listening. It’s more than seeing — it’s recalling. Who do you know who could be a good resource? A good introduction? A potential prospect? Or — more than anything — a new friend?
We are all part of communities. Isn’t it time to meet the new neighbors?
Formula for success: look before you leap
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on September 14, 2011
If you know me you know I’m not one to talk politics. Please don’t waste your time with comments trashing or defending the presidential candidate I’m about to spotlight as an example in this post. Trust me, your comments will be deleted and a political-oriented message is in no way the intention of this post and ever the intention of this blog.
That being said, I’m going out on a limb — or in this case, a ramp — to offer this advice.
There was a very interesting conversation on Twitter last night about “how to approach the boss to help him identify his weaknesses as a leader”. In other words, how do you communicate observations and suggestions for your manager about how he or she can improve as your manager and as a leader? At the same time, news and opinion (hey, you can’t have one without another) began to emerge about Michele Bachman’s supposed post-debate interview and off-the-cuff comments after the Republican presidential debate Monday evening.
You wonder why I blend the two scenarios. It’s for a purpose. Whether in the manager’s office or on the US (and, for that matter, the world’s) stage, don’t blurt out what you really think or what you’ve heard without a bit of preparation. And without a bit of research. For those of you battling a cold, uncommunicative manager who is “from hell” .. relax. Before you blow through the door of their office to blow off steam .. STOP. BREATHE. FORMULATE. SCHEDULE. PRESENT.
Whatever your party affiliation, you’ll see your candidates and their opponents overreact and create unwanted soundbites throughout campaigns. The presidential race here in the USA and whatever may be happening in your district, prefecture, county, or country. Remember that there are lessons to be learned — from bus stops and train stops for glad-handing to debate stages as well as from what happens in hallways, offices and cubicles.
Once again, breathe. Take a moment to take stock. Don’t leap to conclusions. Gather your facts, your solutions — and most of all, your demeanor.
The key is to formulate the “sound bytes” that will resonate with your management just as candidates seek to create — or avoid — the ones that resonate with media and with their constituents. Don’t immediately take others’ word and feedback without doing your own research. And frankly, don’t take your “word” either — without a clear perspective on what has left you concerned or questioning.
Put political feeling aside and you quickly learn there is a lot to learn from politicians. What to do … and what NOT to do.
For heaven’s sake, don’t “jump the shark” and launch the the beginning of the end of your job and opportunity.
What does “jump the shark” mean? See photo with this post and Google the phrase.
(And be glad …. be very glad … if you’ve never seen that episode!)
Formula for success: promises kept
Posted by LoisMarketing in Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on September 9, 2011
Amid all the loss and tragedy of September 11, 2001, one statistic lingers in my mind: among the 3,000-plus killed that fateful day, over 600 were with the financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald. 658 employees, at work in offices that occupied four of the top floors of One World Trade Center when the first jet sliced through that fateful morning.
After the initial shock and horror, an amazing story began to emerge and continues to inspire me. How, after losing two-thirds of their staff, the management of Cantor Fitzgerald immediately committed to providing benefits, support and care for the victims’ families … and how they vowed to stay together, stay strong and rebuild — as a company and as a “family”.
And so they have. Just one phoenix that emerged from the ashes of the Twin Towers and the other destruction of that day. The human spirit is amazing. Made even stronger when joined by kindred spirits committed to each other and to a common goal.
I remain convinced that out of the greatest evil can come the greatest good.
God bless us everyone.
Formula for success: the power of your doormat
Posted by LoisMarketing in Personal Insights, Sales/Marketing/Public Relations on August 8, 2011
A doormat is an amazing thing. Put yours to good use.
For more than to scrape off the literal mud, sand, grass clippings and general unwelcome stuff of your yard and neighborhood as you step inside each evening.
Use it — and take time — to scrub off the unwelcome stuff of your business day before you put key into lock and enter.
Also use it to scrape off the distractions, quarrels, bills and other mindless — or very mindful — stuff as your head out each morning.
Keep the two very separate. Don’t mix business with home life. And don’t mix home life with business.
Your doormat is your best barrier. Scrape it off .. each time you step there. Brush off what will distract you from being the best for your family. Then brush off what will distract you from being the best for your company.
Doormats are the best sole — and soul — cleaner for life’s journey. “Welcome” home … and “welcome” world.
Make it a great day … in every way!
Welcome!
Sales and marketing diva, avid Georgia Bulldog football and Formula 1 fan, a contributing editor for Formula 1 Blog (www.formula1blog.com), writer, artist and gardener.
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