The NierenBlog

Take a Lesson From Ben Franklin

 I took the following exerpt from one of my favorite ezines--"Just Sell"

Take a lesson from Ben:

From Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography…

My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I judged it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I should have gone through the thirteen; and, as the previous acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others, I arranged them with that view, as they stand [below].

1. TEMPERANCE
   Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE
   Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid
   trifling conversation.
3. ORDER
   Let all your things have their places; let each part of
   your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION
   Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without
   fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY
   Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself;
   i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY
   Lose no time; be always employed in something
   useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY
   Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; and,
   if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE
   Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits
   that are your duty.
9. MODERATION
   Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much
   as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS
    Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILITY
    Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common
    or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY
    Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to
    dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s
    peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY
    Imitate Jesus and Socrates

 

Now go sell something.~>

 

8 Ways To Say Thank You

 

  

When I originally wrote this article, it was positioned for salespeople and in reality, we are all sales people in some way. As I think of all the reasons to be thankful on this upcoming holiday-- health,friends, and peaceful life specifically come to mind. As so many of us, I am grateful for so many things and also this is a time of reflection thinking of my wonderful parents- Molly and Paul up in heaven and who I would give anything to share another Thanksgiving meal with and also several of my dear friends, such as my friend, Jon who is battling pancreatic cancer and wishing him peace.

I'm lucky to be spending this Thanksgiving in one of the most peaceful places on earth- Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico---- truly a bit of heaven on earth.

As you read the article below-- take from it what you like and apply it to however it may work for you.

The real goal is to say thank you to someone and these are just 8 different ways to do so.

"Good salespeople strive to be in front of clients as often as possible. When we think about it, our clients and prospects give us many opportunities to stay in their minds in positive ways. Yet, we very often overlook these opportunities.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to stay in touch is with the power of the personal note. In research I've conducted in my consulting, I ask the question, "How many of you send out personal notes to people?" I also ask, "How many of you receive personal notes from clients or business associates?"

Here are eight opportunities to send a "thank you," and when and how to do it effectively:

1. When customers do business with you, every time. Write a short, personalized "thank you" on an interesting card, letterhead, or even a postcard that says, "I appreciate your business, thank you." You can never say thank you to someone too many times. We all appreciate the fact that people go out of their way to make us feel important and recognized. 
2. When they compliment you. When a client compliments you about something, it's an opportunity to jot off a little note of thanks, saying, "Thank you for taking the time for making my day. I appreciate it." Compliments are given so rarely, so take the lead to say thank you when you get one.  
3. When clients offer comments or suggestions. It's a wonderful gift when your clients give you a suggestion or comment on how you might do something better or different. They're also giving you an incredible buying signal. They might really be saying, "If you make that change, your product or service will be more attractive to me." Here's how to start this type of note: "Thank you for your suggestion on how I can better serve you. I'm in business to do exactly that. And you make my job easier and so much more enjoyable when you provide input."
4. When customers try something you recommended. When clients buy into something new, solely based on your suggestion, they're going out of their "comfort zone". They're putting trust in you and your product. This calls for a another special note that could read, "Thank you for your trust in me. I value your business."
5. When customers recommend you. This is the best form of advertising you can ever get. It's so easy to take the time and go back to our advocate, and say, "thank you for referring me to -----. I will keep you posted and informed on what develops. It means a great deal to me to know that you're willing to recommend me. I appreciate it." This type of "thank you" might include a small gift as well.
6. When customers are patient, or not so patient. Our clients help us when they give us time to learn how to best serve them. Often this requires their patience. On the other hand, they give us a "wake up call" when they ask us to hurry up. When this happens they might really be saying, "Hey, remember me? Keep me in mind, or I just might get swept away by the competition." In either case, pull out a notecard again, and let them know how important they are to you. Perhaps say, "Thanks for keeping me on my toes. I appreciate how you help me keep your business." 
7. When clients say "no" to you. You've just pitched an account and you didn't get their business, this time. It's still the an opportunity to write a short note. Thank them for their time, their consideration and their honesty. Keep the door opened by being friendly and courteous. Research I conducted in the last four years shows that almost 20% of my business comes from prospects that said no the first time. People remembered the notes I sent and it made a difference. Such a difference that I got referrals, even from contacts who were not able to use my services themselves.
8. When customers make you smile. I have one client who e-mails me jokes all the time. Another one will call up and just give me some good news. Whatever it is, it makes me smile, and I want clients to know that they've made me feel good. I'll send them a note with one of those little smile faces stickers.( It may be corny--yet I love it) This technique always gets noticed and remembered.

Finally, here's my bonus note to you:

Dear Reader,

Thanks for taking the time to read my article. I know that you're busy. As a "thank you" gift, I want to share what I call my "Power of Three". 

Every day take 15 minutes at the beginning or end of the day and write three short goodwill notes: one to a prospect, one to a client and one to a friend. Just say hi, send an article, or say thanks and make it specific. When you do this, at the end of the week you'll have made 15 "goodwill" contacts, and at the end of the year, 750. Think of the "business seeds" you'll have planted. Some of this could germinate into additional business. And if you like this article, drop me a note.

 

My wish to you- is that you have a peaceful, wonderful, warm and happy Thanksgiving and realize that everyday is a day to both say "Thanks" and to be "Giving"

ABC's Of Networking

Simple and yet true:

ABC’s of Life Networking

A        Action,Attitude, Be an Ambassador of your company and life, Create Advocacy

B        Belong to groups- industry, professional, special interest, client focused

C       Call your Clients and Contacts—Connect

D       Deliver what you say immediately and consistently

E        Empathy, Execute, Evolution, Eyes and Ears (opened)

F        Friendly approach, Find opportunities to be in touch

G       Goals, Give, Grow

H       Humor and Help—go hand in hand

I         Initiate and show Interest

J        Join and be involved

K        Keep in touch with their preferred method of communication

L        Listen and Learn

M       Motivate yourself to keep the process going, think like a Marketer

N       Nurture your relationships

O       Be Open, ask Open-ended questions, Opportunity to learn from all

P        Process, Plan, Practice

Q       Set your Quota—Quality versus Quantity

R       Research, be a Resource,Refer others

S        Strategy, System, Success

T        Trust takes Time

U       Understand first, everyone is Unique

V        Versatility counts

W      Write to stay in touch

X        XO- Really Like the people in your continual networks

Y        Focus on the other “YOU”—what are their interests

Z        Zero in on all opportunities and possibilities with new and nurtured connections

 

THE VIBRANT CROSS-GENERATIONAL APPLE STORE EXPERIENCE

Here is a blog post from my friend Phyllis Weiss Haserot, dubbed “the cross-generational voice,” about the wonderful cross-generational experience that Apple has created in the Apple Stores.

" I wrote this piece 3 weeks before Steve Jobs’ passing. It’s a tribute to an aspect of Apple that I haven’t seen in the tons of articles on Jobs I have been soaking up like a sponge. After one of my Apple One-to-One training sessions, it occurred to me what a truly vibrant example of cross-generational conversation the Apple Stores present.

24/7 you can see people of all ages shopping and playing together. And my favorite part is the superb training. I say it’s superb because the mostly Gen Y and younger Gen Xer trainers are not only savvy but also fun to spend time with. Even with my sometime tech frustrations, I always leave in a good mood.… CONTINUE READING

About Phyllis:

Phyllis Weiss Haserot, dubbed “thecross-generational voice” because she strongly identifies with three generations in the workplace today (Boomers, Gen X and GenY/Millennials), brings a potent combination of marketing, mediation, and organizational effectiveness expertise to help organizations solve sticky and sensitive inter-generational challenges that can hinder productivity, client retention, succession planning and business development results.

President of PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT COUNSEL, a business development and organizational effectiveness consulting and coaching firm working with professional services firms for over 20 years, Phyllis is the author of THE RAINMAKING MACHINE and THE MARKETER’S HANDBOOK OF TIPS & CHECKLISTS (both Thomson Reuters/West 2011). She has two books in progress: “Can Professionalism Be Saved? 7 Savvy Multi-Generational Solutions” and“Generations and Money: Talk about the Last Taboo.” pwhaserot@pdcounsel.com, www.pdcounsel.com

Blog:www.nextgeneration-nextdestination.com