Saturday, December 19, 2009

This is totally Jenifer (My Wife)

And it happens in business every day.  I heard this story from Mike today in the office.

The question is why do you cut the ends off the ham? 

I don't know?  Let me ask Grandma.

Grandma, I do not know either!  Let me ask great Grandma.

"Because it wouldn't fit my pan!"

The point is 3 generations did it the same way and did not know why.  And there was no real reason to do it.  How many things do you do every day that are the same way?

Friday, December 18, 2009

Sirius is still trying to get me back

They are down to $4 a month for 5 months. Guess they do not realize that this is a value issue not a price issue. Stop taking away value and adding price. To keep business you add value and keep the price the same.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

In a way it is counting to 10!

When you hear news that is shocking or puts you out of your comfort level and even more important makes you mad take some time and think about your response.

It is amazing how the next day or week it does not look so bad.

This, like every thing has to be balanced out with not allowing people to take advantage of you.

Best I remember, I have never regretted keeping my mouth shut. However I have regretted opening it!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Being on time.

It is the easiest way to make a good impression.

More importantly it is an easy way to make a lasting bad impression. I have heard people say that being late make you look more important or that it makes you look busy.

Nope, it is just rude. Next time someone is late, remind them how rude they really are. They are making a power play. They are not fooling anyone.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Marketing and Sales go hand in hand.

If you were to prepare a great steak it would be tenderized then cooked. This is similar to marketing and sales.

Marketing is the tenderizer, sales is cooking.

You cannot expect a steak to taste great without proper preparation. Seasoning, tenderizing and merinating.

Same with sales. You cannot expect great sales without first good marketing. That is to get name recognition (Tenderizing), product awareness (Seasoning) then send in sales (Cooking)

Problem is many cut marketing when sales are bad. This is the worst thing you should do. All it is going to do is make your sales get worse. You are spending the big dollars on the sales team (The steak) so by not properly preparing you are not maximizing your returns.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Your potential.

Have you ever stopped to think what your potential is. At your job, your family or your hobbies? I figure that if you use 50% of your potential you are above most. Using every hour of every day to maximize your potential is important.

Maybe instead of trying to get 100% potential you should try and get 5% more than you are today. Then keep trying to improve at that pace.

Be honest with yourself. What percent are you of your potential. Are you getting more and improving?