Don't Let Employees Take Your Customers with Them When They Leave
If you have outside sales or support personnel, you run a very high risk of losing your customers when your outside staff leaves the company to work for another company or to go into business for themselves. Here's the typical scenario. You've got a great outside salesperson, often located hundreds or thousands of miles from the home office. Maybe, even in a different country. This salesperson loves his job, and works hard to service the customer. So hard, that he tells them: "Don't call the number on my business card. That's the home office and I am never there. Instead, call my cell number. I've written it on my card." All is well until your salesperson leaves the company to go to work for a competitor or even into business for him or herself. Can you guess what customers hear when they call the cell phone number to place an order? It's probably something like: "I am so glad you called. I am no longer with that company. I am with a new company that has better products and lower prices. Let me tell you all out my new company." This disaster happened because the company lost its connec

Effective Advertising Coverage Enticed People To Place Their Very First Bet On A Chance To Win Big
With in the past few months more and more people have tempted their fate with hopes to win big at gambling. It seems as though everyone has jumped on the band wagon to capitalize on those that seek fame and fortune through gambling. Everywhere you go from your local department stores, radio advertisement, television commercials and highway billboards you have now been exposed. This effective advertisement has enticed people to take a chance to win big.For the novice gambler, playing around a card table for minimal bets is exciting and rewarding. As time goes on these same people advance in their gambling addiction to scratch offs and lottery. These are convenient to buy, there seems to be one vendor per block. Even the local malls have set up booths to sell scratch off tickets and lottery. Its big business nowadays and people want to cash in one way or another. There seems to be just as much coverage on gambling compared to all the other forms of entertainment put together.Now that people have been exposed and tempted fate they may be one of the unfortunate ones who realized they have a problem and can not stop gambling. What do they do now? Where do they go? Why did th

The Basics Of Buying A Small Business
A Small Business Is Bought and SoldIS THERE A SMALL-BUSINESS OWNER who has never considered selling his business? Probably not. Is there an individual with some money, talent, or an urge for independence (often only the last) who hasn't thought about owning his own business?The number of small businesses actually bought and sold, however, represents only a small fraction of those who have felt these urges. To many people, the desire to buy or sell is only a passing thought. Others find various ways to solve their problems or satisfy their ambitions. But sometimes an individual doesn't follow through because he finds the prospect of buying or selling a business too baffling.The Flow of Decisions in a Buy-Sell TransactionBUYERS AND SELLERS both seek answers to the same question: "What is this business worth?" Most people see the worth of a business as the total value of equipment and fixtures, inventory, and buildings and land. Important, certainly, but the sum of these values does not equal the value of the business.For both buyer and seller finding the answer to this question is the most difficult and at the same time the most important step in the buy-sell

15.5 Ways to Attend a Trade Show
15.5 Ways to Attend a Trade ShowMany professionals in all areas of business travel great lengths to attend trade shows, but don’t take away what they should. Learn how to make that time away from the office worthwhile.I was prompted to write this article after attending and exhibiting at various auto related trade shows. While my experiences have been different at each show, the observations I have to share will apply to any show you attend. I’ve noticed that many folks attending shows are not prepared to be there.Some appear to come to shows just to kick back and enjoy the extra curricular activities. There are others who come with a game plan and appointments to see various vendors and providers. My goal is to give you a practical strategy to attend any auto related trade show and have fun, learn more and gain benefits for you personally and the company or dealership you represent.Prior to the Show:1. Develop a written list of personal and dealership/company goals that you wish to accomplish at the show. 2. Develop a written plan of who you want to see at the show. If possible, schedule appointments with them in advance. 3. Look at a list of v

Building a Strong Customer Service Team
There are more and more demands being made of front line team members, and sometimes the pressure can be heard by your customer. As the leader of a customer facing team you must be aware of what is going on with your team members - how to best support them, develop their skills and handle some tough situations. Building a strong customer service team is no easy feat. Here are some suggestions for building and strengthening your team:Hire the right people Decide up front what skills, strengths and personality you want on the team. The team creates its own culture based on your leadership. Be clear in interviews about what expectations you have for the job, what will create success and how it will be measured. As you narrow down candidates it’s a good idea to have them meet a few people on the team. Let the candidates get a feel for the team they may be working with.Be a team member as well as a manager and leader A successful team is only as successful as each individual team member. By viewing each role as an integral part of the team, not as a subordinate, each team member feels valued. This results in greater trust, smoother communication and better individual

Selling, a Great Career Choice, Part 5 of 8, Discover Freedom and Creativity in Your Life
In addition to having virtually unlimited income potential, one of the greatest benefits of selling as a career is the freedom it can give to you. Right along side is the incredible creative experience that you can enjoy, day in and day out. This is what I mean.When you master selling as a career you will discover that you are truly free.You will be free to earn as much money as you would likeYou will be free to work in whatever part of the country that works for youYou will be free from worry about downturns in the economy that could lead to long-term unemploymentOften you will be free to choose your own hours of work which will allow you the freedom to spend more time with family or friends or, perhaps, engage in the leisure activities that give you the most satisfaction and personal benefitsYou will be free to choose who you work for, (no more obnoxious bosses)If you choose, you will be free to be your own boss Selling as a career provides an abundance of creativity for your spirit as well. Because master salespeople choose to represent products or services that they tend to be v