client k – Page 627

Getting Ahead

One of my buddies is also a daily blogger.
She is constantly having to
forgo opportunities and rearrange her schedule
to get her posts done.

She thinks this sends a signal that
she puts her non-time sensitive blog first.

I disagree.

It says to me that she’s disorganized
and a last minute type of person.
Not someone I prefer to have on my team.

In contrast,
I always have a week of general type posts
“just in case.”

That way if I get a chance to meet Stephen King,
I don’t have to say no thank you.

Give yourself a buffer
so you can take advantage
of opportunities.

The Action Packed Resume

Most of us have heard that
the average resume is looked at
for 10 to 20 seconds so
how to make those seconds count?

First, use white space.
White space draws the eye
to the words that count.

What words to use?
The words on the front page
(as most employers don’t look at the second)
must clearly address
(as in use the exact words if possible)
all the requirements
in the job posting.

And when talking about experience,
start with a verb.
This illustrates that you’re a take action type of person.
Take action people get hired.

Market Like Beckham

Much has been written about David Beckham,
his salary and whether he is “worth it.”

In that evaluation, all factors,
not simply his playing
needs to be considered.

What many people following the industry,
including Robert Boland at New York University,
are pointing out is
the increase in franchise purchase prices
since Beckham joined the league.

As Boland states, Beckham is
“a world champion marketer,
not a world champion player.”

Lies And Leona Helmsley

I don’t mind people making mistakes.
Mistakes happen.
All the time.

What irks me are lies.
If I catch someone in a lie,
I’ll watch my back from that day forward
and second guess any future dealings.

Leona Helmsley felt the same way.
In a 1985 interview with Mike Wallace,
she said “If you lie to me, you’re through.
I won’t do business with you.”

Google Book Search

Google has launched a new Book Search.
The feature has some implementation issues
(as we have become used to seeing with new software)
but I am already excited about the marketing possibilities.

Soon customers won’t have to search for romance
and then wade through 1,000’s of novels,
often getting discouraged
and ending up with nothing.

They will (at least eventually) be able to look for
romances set in India during 1832.

Less choice means more likely to buy.

E-Mail Selling Techniques

Ever receive an e-mail and
ask “why was this sent” or
“what am I supposed to do with this?”

You’re not alone.
Stephan Schiffman in his book E-mail Selling Techniques notes
that the number one mistake
businesspeople make in e-mails is
“Not asking for, confirming or setting the next step.”

How to ask?
He suggests the timeless yet effective P.S.
with the action to be taken.

John Jantsch advises to
send a monthly press release.
“Get in the habit of creating a press release every month
with some newsy item or announcement and
send it to a highly targeted list of journalists
as well as your best clients and prospects.
Do this for a while you will find some interesting PR avenues
may start opening up.”

What I like about this strategy is that
it drives you to action,
forcing you to complete at least one
news worthy promotional event a month.

Conversation Starters

A friend of mine wanted help
with finding a unique conversation starter.
I replied that wasn’t difficult.
Simply don’t talk about the weather.

Doug Morris, pilot, meteorologist, and
author of From The Flight Deck,
says that 9 out of every 10 conversations
begin with the weather.

How do I start a conversation?
I ask for an opinion on a relevant current event
(no politics or religion).

One Message

My guidelines for pitches is
one pitch, one product.
Don’t try to sell every service
your company has to offer.

Adrian Savage,
author and business executive says
“Each additional message causes
an earlier one to be forgotten.
What do you want the audience to hear?
Say it clearly and with confidence
… then shut up.”

Impressing The New CEO

Marie G. McIntyre, author of
“Secrets to Winning at Office Politics”
gives her top tips for catching
the eye of the new CEO.

Deliver on your word.
Speak clearly and concisely.
Go above and beyond.
Develop a relationship.
Ask questions.

I treat getting a new CEO
the same way I do getting a new job.
I assume I’m being closely and constantly watched.