Photograph your progress

I am a list maker from way back!  I take great pleasure in writing things down and crossing them off after I am done.  For me, it is a reward and a great indicator of my progress.  Being detail oriented, I have a tendency to get mired down in them and my work can get bogged down.

SO, I decided that picture is truly worth a thousand words and am now documenting my progress in my store work through photos in a very active way.  Taking before, during and after photos is transformational.  They do it for makeovers on people, so why not for my stores.

With everything happening in today's world, it is difficult for store owners to focus on displays, so I have taken a proactive stance.  I know how my product sells best, so I have decided that since I am the expert, why not offer the service to go in and set up what I sell.   It is a win win for all of us.  The end consumer, my customer and myself.  Sales grow and the business grows and everyone is benefiting. Even the person who buys the great products as gifts or for themselves.

The best compliment I have received lately is that my set up of the Owen Allen store in Winter Park looks like Neimann Marcus!  I said thank you, but it is better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks and have a wonderful and happy Thursday! 
Joan

I love selling!!!!!

I love sales.  I love getting out on the open road and driving all over the state of Florida calling on my clients.
If the weather wasn't so changeable here, I would drive my little convertible to appointments. 

In tough economic times we  have a tendency to second guess our decisions in life.  As my coach, Mary Ligon says " How many times a day do you catch yourself evaluating yourself, others, places, and situations in a negative fashion, believing that this is Reality? It is not Reality; it is your belief system about Reality. Change your Belief system if the Reality you have is not the Reality you want."  I say, Amen Sister!!!!

During the off season I sometimes question my decision to leave the corporate world, especially when the sales are not coming in and the income is lower.  But then, like today,  I visit a long time customer who greets me as an old friend, who proudly shares photos of her family and grandchildren  and shares with me.  This is so special. She is a widow and told me she has spent the better part of the year, caring for her dying 52 year old niece, while trying to run a business.  It's times like this that you realize that it's not selling stuff that is important, but the quality of our lives and how we spend them and how we share ourselves that matters.

I know I was born to do the very thing that stimulates me every day.  I really value the relationships that I have developed with my clients.  Above all they are people, with families, dreams, wants and goals.  It is my job to be a person first and a sales person second.

I love selling and most of all I love the people I sell to!!!!

It Pays To Advertise!

The old adage, "IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE", started in the early 1900's by an anonymous author!  Whoever that was hit the nail on the head!  YES, if you advertise, you will get customers.  If you don't advertise, you won't grow your business. 

Many of my accounts know we did the FESTA event last year, some participated and reaped the rewards of a special event supported by VIETRI Nationwide!  During turn around times in the business environment, it is essential to take the lead and get the word out about your store, your products and most importantly, your services.  Tell consumers what you can do for them.  The days of unbridled spending are over and there are only so many limited custom dollars to go around.  Don't you want to make sure that you get a piece of the action?  You know you have the best products, the best staff and the best service in town.  So why doesn't everyone else know that?????  Coke advertises every day and they are already number ONE!

So here is a poem for you by advertising legend David Ogilvy:

The codfish lays ten thousand eggs,

The homely hen lays one.

The codfish never cackles

To tell you what she's done -

And so we scorn the codfish

While the humble hen we prize.

It only goes to show you

That it pays to advertise!

I couldn't say it any better myself!!!! :)

Phone calls are under rated!

I am constantly reminded that the "old" ways are still tried and true.  I am techie and am connected with my iphone, ipad, gps, radar detector, laptops (yes, I have multiple), two PCs, scanners and probably other gadgets that don't come to mind at present.  OOPS, I almost forgot my trusty companion, the digital camera.
It goes everywhere with me!

I returned a phone call to one of my best accounts today, who I really enjoy enlightening conversations with and guess what?  I got an order. Albeit, a small one, but nonetheless, another piece to add to an existing order.  Had I not made the call, I may not have earned a few extra dollars today.

The personal touch is very under rated these days.  The simple fact is that people buy from people they like!!!!

You don't have to pay thousands of dollars to go to a course for the answer.  It really is that simple.  Just ask me!  Have a Happy and Profitable Monday!

Feel the love!

Tip #2


Feel the love! In today's world, we rush from place to place, while talking on the phone, checking our email and generally stay plugged in 24/7. So when you are dealing with people, never forget they like to be recognized and loved, just like you do. The old adage "do unto others" still applies today! When you feel the love, it comes out of every pore and spreads to those around you. I try to follow my own advice, even when I find myself in a challenging situation. Visualize it in every fiber of your being. Smile,  feel the warmth inside and out.  When you internalize the love, you not only feel it, but you share it to!!!! Happy Sunday!

Tip of the Day! #1

Everyone has so much thrown at them these days and it only takes a few seconds to brighten someone's day.

Whether you are communicating in person or on the telephone, SMILE when you are speaking.  It seems like such a small thing to do, but the reactions that your body undergoes when you smile are very visceral and believe me, it does come through, every time.  When you SMILE, you exude happiness and your voice automatically changes.  I do this especially when I am not in the mood to converse with the person on the other end of the phone.  It makes the conversation and time fly by.

So take some time today to experiment with everyone you come into contact with.  I promise that the results will be your "reward" and no one needs to know you are doing it!

Happy Monday!!!!!!
Joan

Success in Tough Times

It's all about starting from a framework of success.  Just knowing that you will be one and that failure is not an option, is a powerful beginning.  I founded my company after a failure which today I look back on as a favor the company I was working for did for me.  My ultimate goal was to own my own business and I held my nose and jumped in.  20 years later I am still at it, albeit at a slower pace due to the economy.  In the business of sales it is always cyclical and 2010 is not exception.  There is so much going on and so much against a sales person that you have to sell what you are passionate about and that's what I do.  Where others are dropping out of the business, I am ahead in sales year to date.  Granted that in this environment it is an up hill battle, but I refuse to give up.  This is my dream, my baby and I will not fail.  Have I had set backs? Sure!  What good sales person hasn't?  Now is the time for the cream to rise to the top.  In the coming days I will be outlining easy to follow sales tips that anyone can do and be successful.
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Selling!!!!