Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Referrals play a very important part of your strategy when you are increasing your revenue. Clearly referrals are like the “Glengarry” leads. For those of you who may not have seen the movie Glengarry Glen Ross the Glengarry leads are the best, the most important, most valuable leads and the gold standard of leads that you can have.
We love when our clients refer their contacts to us because we know that our chances are winning the project dramatically go up because we have already been endorsed by a trusted advisor.
Today’s question is when do you give or get referrals?
- Is it a restaurant?
- A new wine?
- Vacation spot?
- Car?
- Movie?
- Insurance broker?
- Financial analyst?
- Clothing stores?
- Lawyer?
- Job?
- Doctors?
- Hotels?
Also what types of things do you NOT give or take referrals on:
- Stock tips?
- Church/temple?
- Toys?
To me this is a very interesting subject and one that I am very curious about. So I ask you
- What things do you give or get referrals on?
- What things do you NOT give or take referrals on?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in Business, Life | Post Comments (4) »
Monday, August 30th, 2010
The other day I was driving around and actually drove past a football field with some kids in it and something looked a little odd. I decided to turn around and take a closer look. I saw a number of groups on the field but the one I was most interested in was two kids that looked about 15-16 playing together. One of the kids was on the 40 yard line while the other one was standing close to the goal line. The one on the 40 was alternating between kicking field goals and punts while the other kid was catching the balls and running back the ball. I watched this for about 15 minutes and was amazed that this was happening WITHOUT a COACH! Just the two boys:
- Practicing
- Getting better
- Laughing and enjoying a sport they love
To me that was amazing. I don’t see that as much as I did when I was growing up. Lots of kids are inside playing on the web, watching TV or on their iTouch. Good for these kids to be outside and practicing.
It got me to think about how I practice. Here are a few ways:
- If I haven’t played baseball or softball for a while I will go to the batting cages.
- Before I go into a new business development meeting with colleagues I will review what we want to say and accomplish
- Before an industry presentation I will review the PowerPoint deck for timing, videos and animation
Practicing is how you get better!
Practicing is critical to your success!
I look forward to hearing from you!
Posted in Business, Life, Sports | Post Comments (4) »
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Being in the research industry for over 25 years has given me the opportunity to see and taste lots of new products. Over the years some of those products were a complete success while others fell by the way side. Someone on our team shared an article (thanks D.S.) regarding a new product.
The inventor is Mark Kirkland and the product is Sandwich in a can or actually Candwich.
He actually has a few different concepts:
- Sandwiches in a can.
- Pizza in a can.
- French toast in a can.
- Cinnamon rolls in a can.
Mark chose a can because, when combined with techniques similar to those used to preserve Meals Ready-to-Eat for soldiers, an aluminum can keeps food fresh for a full year or even longer.
Another benefit is they can fit into a soda vending machine so the Candwich products can easily be sold in both stores and vending machines. Assuming one thing he has consumers who are willing to try the product that will be selling for $2-3.
Some of the Candwich’s are peanut butter and jelly, BBQ Chicken and the BBQ Beef Candwich.
Ok I will go first. I would say no to a sandwich in a can no matter how good it tastes. To me it just doesn’t sound right. There is NO way I would eat pizza from a can. I want my pizza rolled out with toppings and piping hot. I might consider French toast in a can for a minute but I think I wouldn’t do it. However Mark sign me up for a Cinnamon roll in a can — to me that sounds reasonable and I would buy that product.
Assuming it tastes ok would you buy the product.
What about you? Would you buy:
- Sandwiches in a can.
- Pizza in a can.
- French toast in a can.
- Cinnamon rolls in a can.
- Have you seen or bought these products or similar ones
I look forward to reading your comments.
PS: Mark good luck I hope your Candwich is a complete success!
Posted in Business | Post Comments (13) »
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Time is FLYING by! I can’t believe that the first six months are in the record book and the year is half over. Most if not all of my industry contacts are happy with their results year to date and are way up over 2009. The question is what happens moving forward?
The real question is which side of the fence are you on?
- Are you really excited about the next six months and think that your business will continue to flourish after a solid first half?
Or
- Are you really concerned and think we are headed for another downward turn and clients will be cutting back budgets the second half of the year?
I really look forward to you sharing your thoughts.
Posted in Business | Post Comments (1) »
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Today is just like most Sundays. I get up early, play with the kids and then go to the store to get the Sunday newspaper and a few healthy items (for those who know me well know that was a joke – I rarely eat healthy) at the grocery story.
As I was talking on my cell phone to my buddy GS, I walked into Tom Thumb and had a few quick items to buy. Normally I don’t like to chat on my cell phone in a store but since I hadn’t spoken to him in a few weeks I continued our discussion. I was still on the phone and of course in the express checkout line since I had maybe 7 items. The cashier’s name was Tony who was very nice and outgoing. I gave him my rewards card and he said to me “do you need any ice today?” I paused for a minute and asked GS if I could call him back. I then looked at Tony and said “I am just curious. I know Tom Thumb does a lot of training did they tell you to say that?” He paused and wasn’t sure if he might be in trouble and answered “no not at all. I assume since you have cases of water, soda and other drinks that is warm I thought you might be having a party or something and need some ice”.
I looked at Tony and said “I wish everyone on our team and every company was like you”. Thanks and have a great day!
I was very impressed for a number of reasons:
- Tony was very proactive
- He was trying (maybe he didn’t even realize it) to increase revenue but up selling
- He was adding value and purpose to my trip
- It was a memorable experience
What do you think of Tony?
- Don’t you want everyone on your team to be like Tony?
- Are there other stores that do the same thing and allow employees to be creative?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in Business | Post Comments (10) »
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Have you ever gone to a conference and heard a presenter that was very compelling? Had a solid message? And frankly had some really nice takeaways?
Well a few weeks ago that exact thing happened to me. I was at a WOMMA conference and had the privilege of hearing Jeffrey Hayzlett, CMO Eastman Kodak present. During his very engaging presentation he mentioned a few things that I wanted to share.
He said we have created some really good best practices at Kodak around Social Media and Mobile Marketing. And he said all you need to do is contact a guy named Tom and he would send them to you. Well as I was sitting there I emailed Tom and before 10 minutes went by Tom responded with the reports.
WOW talk about great follow up skills! Especially when someone else promises that you will be doing something.
I have reviewed the reports and really believe there are lots of great takeaways.
I would be happy to share them with you. The reports are entitled:
- Social Media Tips
- Mobile Marketing Tips
All you need to do is post a comment and let me know if you want one or both of the reports.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Posted in Business | Post Comments (51) »
Monday, June 14th, 2010
A few weeks ago I had just landed in Chicago and was in a cab on my way to downtown. A few things were for sure, it was hot in the cab and sweat was pouring down my face, I was thirsty and my Blackberry had less than 25% life left on its battery… Translation I needed a charge!
I stopped and thought – isn’t that a great business idea?! You are like “what, having a dead battery?!!” No, how many times is your IPOD, IPHONE, Blackberry or computer low on juice? Your electronic device that you rely on so much (at least I do, am I alone?) needs a recharge!
Why don’t cabs capitalize on these? Why don’t cabs have some type of system that you can plug in your electronics and get charged up while you are sitting in the cab on your way to your destination.
- What do you think?
- Would you use this service?
- How much would you pay?
- Is it $3.00 for 15 minutes?
I am really excited about this idea!
I look forward to hearing your comments.
Posted in Business | Post Comments (15) »
Monday, June 7th, 2010
I was buying a Sunday Dallas Morning News newspaper last week in a Walgreens and I noticed a promotion they had that was displayed at the cash register. The item was a book that was selling for $21.99 or you could buy two for $43.98. Even though it was very early, I could still do the math and quickly figured out that there was NO discount for buying additional copies of the book. Quickly I thought — Are you kidding me! That’s the promotion you went with! That’s the impulse item you put next to the register. Even though I am not a retail guru I would think that the planners or store managers would use that sacred space for items that really move and frankly can make them a lot of money.
Instead they go with a promotion that to me isn’t even a promotion.
- With the economy being the way it is doesn’t everyone want and almost need to get a deal?
- Isn’t everyone looking to buy something on sale?
There are a number of promotions and deals that really can work. Lots of retail stores are doing:
- buy one get one free
- Pay full price for the first item and the second is a penny
- Buy two suits and get a sport jacket for free
Retail stores are really getting creative these days.
- What promotions do you like?
- What promotions in your opinion don’t work or a total waste of time?
- What retail store does the best job?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted in Business, Economy | Post Comments (10) »
Monday, May 24th, 2010
Over the weekend I was at a Target store and after purchasing a few items I was standing in the checkout line. The line had maybe 3-4 people in it and as I was looking around for some impulse items to buy (yes I am guilty of that) I noticed something interesting on the cash register. As the person in front of me was paying I noticed something come up on the register that I had never noticed before. It said “The guest is entering their pin number”. I assumed the person in front of me was using a debit card and no, that wasn’t the interesting thing about this. To me it was the word guest! I thought that was a GREAT word to use. To me they could have used a number of other words like client or customer. But they didn’t they chose to use the word GUEST.
When I think of the word GUEST I think about someone coming to my house or going to someone’s house and be treated very nice or very special almost like a special occasion.
- As a retail shopper don’t you want to be treated special?
- Don’t you want to be treated nice?
- Doesn’t the word GUEST imply that?
Ok you may think I am a little nuts for noticing this on the cash register but I do pride myself on noticing everything. So please get past the point that I might be crazy.
- What do you think of the word GUEST?
- Have you noticed this before?
- Should that word be more prominently displayed in their stores?
- Are there other words that you like to describe a customer?
I look forward to your comments.
Posted in Business, Economy | Post Comments (10) »
Monday, April 26th, 2010
Anyone who has been in one of my presentations has probably heard me say, "You need to BE A RESOURCE! BE A RESOURCE to your clients, prospects, friends in the industry etc." I am sure this sounds familiar to many. About a year ago I had a posting about industry reports that we would make available to the readers of the blog. This posting was very popular so I thought I would do it again in 2010.
Over the past few months, I have been reading a number of interesting reports on what is happening with the economy and with other companies. In the spirit of BEING A RESOURCE, I thought I would share those reports with you. Rather than posting all of them, I will make them available to anyone who asks. All you need to do is post a comment on the blog as to which reports you want. In return I will email them to you. The only requirement I have is you read them and post a comment about your thoughts on the report and whether it helps you. Sound fair?
Here are the five FREE available reports:
- Marketing Research Association – Research Industry Index (RII) March 2010
- Rockhopper Research – Research Industry Trends 2009 Report
- Rockhopper Research - Research Industry Trends Monitoring Group 2009 Qualitative Research Report
- Trend Watching – 10 Crucial Consumer Trends for 2010
- Anderson Analytics Marketing to Women Social Network Services (SNS) Factoids March 2010
I can assure you they all are very interesting. Some of them are specific to the research industry, while others are more general and have value for any business. Okay, in order for me TO BE A RESOURCE, at least a few people need to request the reports.
- Okay, who wants a report?
- Once you read it what did you think?
- Did it provide value to you?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Posted in Business, Research | Post Comments (12) »
