Ok, I am in the IT business. There are certain abbreviations I should understand (IT Information Technology) However recently it seems like an explosion of emails and talk that have abbreviations I have never heard of. If I don't understand them then most likely our customers do not.
If your trying to look smart by using these. It isn't working. The old saying KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) works well. As sales people we should be trying to provide solutions in easy to understand language. That is our value to this process. Otherwise we would have technicians just do the whole thing!
Next time you think about abbreviating something, think again!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Watching the clock?
I recently was speaking with a guy who had been working at his current job about 20 years. He was telling me his strategy of taking breaks and lunch so that it made the day go faster. I have to be honest, I haven't done that since carrying out groceries in HS. It actually goes the opposite. Watching the clock to make sure I get done what I need to get done and home at a time that Jenifer won't hang me out to dry.
If you spend lots of time watching the clock, is your job not challenging enough? Time to look for something more engaging. I cant imagine doing this for 20 years.
If you spend lots of time watching the clock, is your job not challenging enough? Time to look for something more engaging. I cant imagine doing this for 20 years.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
WAY OFF TOPIC but has been bugging me for a while
Driving.
Why do people drive 50 in a 65 MPH zone? It is dangerous, causes everyone to have to pass on two lane. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
Why do people swerve left to go right? Are we NASCAR and have so much speed that this is required? JUST TURN RIGHT.
Why don't people use their blinkers? Sure makes traffic flow easier.
Why do people use their blinkers 2 miles before their turn? I would have passed you if I had known you had no intention for turning till next county.
Why do people turn into the far right lane when turning left? CLOSEST LANE not FARTHEST LANE. It was a simple lesson in drivers ed.
Why do people drive 15 mph in a 35? I don't have that kinda time.
Why do some people not know you can turn right on red if it is clear? Sure hold up everyone because you didn't pay attention in drivers ed.
OK I feel better. I didn't want to keep it bottled up. If there is any lesson here for sales. Remember, you are being evaluated as a sales person all the time. You never know if that car you cut off is the next big customer.
Why do people drive 50 in a 65 MPH zone? It is dangerous, causes everyone to have to pass on two lane. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
Why do people swerve left to go right? Are we NASCAR and have so much speed that this is required? JUST TURN RIGHT.
Why don't people use their blinkers? Sure makes traffic flow easier.
Why do people use their blinkers 2 miles before their turn? I would have passed you if I had known you had no intention for turning till next county.
Why do people turn into the far right lane when turning left? CLOSEST LANE not FARTHEST LANE. It was a simple lesson in drivers ed.
Why do people drive 15 mph in a 35? I don't have that kinda time.
Why do some people not know you can turn right on red if it is clear? Sure hold up everyone because you didn't pay attention in drivers ed.
OK I feel better. I didn't want to keep it bottled up. If there is any lesson here for sales. Remember, you are being evaluated as a sales person all the time. You never know if that car you cut off is the next big customer.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
It sure has been cloudy here lately
First it is 90, then 50. Rainy, misty, cloudy and just plain dreary outside. Why is it that this makes such an impact on attitude? It is estimated that we spend 93 percent of the time indoors. (Probably more as IT people)
I discovered that there is an optimal temperature for mood, according to University of Michigan researchers. It’s 72 degrees F, or about room temperature. Stray from this temperature too far, either warmer or colder, and your mood is likely to take a dip. This is probably why our friend Brad from Duluth is so grumpy. It is too cold there!
In my online research (Probably not real scientific) What’s more, generally speaking the researchers found that pleasant weather can improve mood, memory, openness to new information and creative thoughts. If it gets too hot, however, like it does during the dog days of summer, moods tend to worsen.
It is important to remember however, you control your mood. Not the weather, the people you work with, clients not even your family. Next time you feel the blues coming around, remember that you are in control. It is a decision to be in a bad mood.
I discovered that there is an optimal temperature for mood, according to University of Michigan researchers. It’s 72 degrees F, or about room temperature. Stray from this temperature too far, either warmer or colder, and your mood is likely to take a dip. This is probably why our friend Brad from Duluth is so grumpy. It is too cold there!
In my online research (Probably not real scientific) What’s more, generally speaking the researchers found that pleasant weather can improve mood, memory, openness to new information and creative thoughts. If it gets too hot, however, like it does during the dog days of summer, moods tend to worsen.
It is important to remember however, you control your mood. Not the weather, the people you work with, clients not even your family. Next time you feel the blues coming around, remember that you are in control. It is a decision to be in a bad mood.
Monday, September 8, 2008
More Proof in GOLF Magazine
Their article states that if you are happy and have happy thoughts it is one of the most powerful things to help your game. It can shave 5 shots or more off your game!
Once again, the positive attitude shows to be one of the most powerful things you can have in your life.
Once again, the positive attitude shows to be one of the most powerful things you can have in your life.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Man is it complicated
The IT (Information Technology) industry is complex. I have been doing some training lately and just explaining the types of phones can be complex
1. IP
2. Hosted IP
3. Digital
4. Analog
and then you do the hybrid thing along with different third party devices that can add functionality into almost any system.
I start to more fully understand the value that sales adds to this process. You could spend months studying this and still not fully understand it all. I have over 10 years of experience and it continues to amaze me how things I thought I fully understood, I only partially understand.
h
1. IP
2. Hosted IP
3. Digital
4. Analog
and then you do the hybrid thing along with different third party devices that can add functionality into almost any system.
I start to more fully understand the value that sales adds to this process. You could spend months studying this and still not fully understand it all. I have over 10 years of experience and it continues to amaze me how things I thought I fully understood, I only partially understand.
h
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Is the phone call a lost art?
So I was disconnected from email for 5 days. I have to tell you it was a bit like an addiction. The first day, I was looking for wireless connectivity. Darn it, all secure. I was a bit figitity and on edge. Second day, I looked again, then gave up all hope. By day three, I was over it and kinda enjoying the lack of connectivity. Not that this in any way is equal to a real addiction.
Anyway, I did have my cell phone with me. I took a couple of calls on Thursday. Most of them not important. Still, several people sent me emails and, then followed up Friday wanting to know where their answer was. I did do the return email thing that stated that I was out of the office till Tuesday. Yet, this did not phase anyone of these persistent emailer's. If they would have picked up the phone and gave me a call, I would have answered and had the information (Or the right person with the information) right away.
More than not, we trust that email gets to the right person. With today's SPAM filters, multiple servers talking to each other and all the other things that can get in the way. Nothing replaces a simple phone call. Plus, it is good old fashioned customer service.
Anyway, I did have my cell phone with me. I took a couple of calls on Thursday. Most of them not important. Still, several people sent me emails and, then followed up Friday wanting to know where their answer was. I did do the return email thing that stated that I was out of the office till Tuesday. Yet, this did not phase anyone of these persistent emailer's. If they would have picked up the phone and gave me a call, I would have answered and had the information (Or the right person with the information) right away.
More than not, we trust that email gets to the right person. With today's SPAM filters, multiple servers talking to each other and all the other things that can get in the way. Nothing replaces a simple phone call. Plus, it is good old fashioned customer service.
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