How to Handle Jargon at Your Web Site - and Why
September 30, 2009
If you sell a technical product or service, you probably know you have jargon at your web site - specialized terminology that the average person doesn’t understand. While jargon does help you communicate precisely with peers, it seriously gets in the way if potential and actual customers aren’t as conversant with it as you are.
Plenty of heart patients, for instance, don’t know what a “myocardial infarction” is (a heart attack). Many pregnant women have never heard of a “doula,” a woman who coaches them through labor. Movers and shakers thinking of buying another company don’t necessarily know the term “assessment of human capital.” Hardly anyone would know what “global readiness solutions” are, since one company made up the term. The same goes for abbreviations and acronyms used without the spelled-out versions, like “W3C, 508 compliant.”
If you sell an ordinary product or service, you’re also in danger of having jargon serve as a barrier at your web site. You may be using common words in ways most people wouldn’t understand. For example, the sentence “We partner with creative men and women so they reach their goals” doesn’t contain any unusual words or expressions, but most readers wouldn’t grasp that it means “Creative men and women hire us to help them reach their goals.” At a real estate site, I once saw the headline “Not a drive-by!” and didn’t know whether a “drive-by” meant that you wouldn’t want to stop or that you wouldn’t need to.
Please Pay Me for my Laziness
September 29, 2009
Please Pay Me for my Laziness
by: Cameron Volk
I must admit, I’m probably the laziest person in my family, maybe even the world. Even to this day, I can still hear my mother yelling at me to get out of bed or get off the couch to do something.
Sound like you? Bet I know a difference.
Every time I remember those times when my mother would yell at me to stop being so lazy, I get a good chuckle out of it. To be honest, so does my mother. The reason why is simpleI get paid for my laziness. How, you ask? Paid Surveys!!
Thousands of companies online (and offline) want the “general” consumer’s opinion on many of the products they manufacture and sell. And believe it or not, they will actually pay people to take these surveys and voice their opinions. Since I’m so lazy, I figured I would give it a try.
To my astonishment, it doesn’t take much to get paid by these companies. I spend, at most, twenty minutes doing a survey and once I’m done, they process the payment either through the mail or pay processor (i.e. paypal, etc.). Payments can vary from $5 to $200 or even more.
Top Web Site Blunders by Coaches, Consultants and Experts
September 28, 2009
Of all the web sites belonging to coaches, consultants and experts that I have reviewed, more than three-quarters shared a very serious marketing blunder: Their potential clients wouldn’t understand from their home page precisely what they do. Jargon gets in the way.
Many specialists believe that they need jargon to communicate their expertise. Without it, they’d sound incompetent, they think, and those in their target market who are as specialized as they are wouldn’t respect them. My recommendation is not to eliminate jargon, but to include it in the site, with your main emphasis on the business benefits your company provides or the problems your company solves.
For instance, I’ve done an informal survey to see if business owners understand the jargonistic tag line, “CRM software for small business.” Nope! Most aren’t even sure what “customer relationship management” really means. But if you write, “Close sales faster and improve customer loyalty through customer relationship management (CRM) software for small business,” you’ll earn greater comprehension, without alienating those who already know the shorthand.
Don’t think this applies to you? Sorry, it does. Nearly everyone in business overestimates - usually greatly overestimates - the extent to which customers understand their jargon.
Social Network Software
September 27, 2009
My neighbor ? a lovely man I’ve known, and have had social contact with for years ? is the COO of one of the world’s largest companies. He’s read my books, is familiar with my concepts, and is a fan. But we’ve not talked shop due to our social connection.
One day he called me and told me he wanted me to speak with his new national VP of sales ? that he wanted my ideas and methods to be used in his company. Wonderful. Especially since it all came from him.
The VP called me days later at my friend’s request, and we had a great phone contact: he said he was familiar with my concepts and was interested in a conversation, and he invited me to his office to spend some time. It was one of the only times in my life I flew to a client site for a face-to-face prospecting visit. In my mind, this was a very hot lead indeed.
When I got there, it became apparent he was setting me up to show the COO that he didn’t need me, didn’t need my material, and was fine, thank you very much. He was curt, rude, and, frankly between us, rather stupid in his remarks.
Resume Objectives: How Do You Know if Resume Objectives Are Right for You?
September 26, 2009
Some experts say NEVER bother with resume objectives. While others say they should be an essential element on every resume.
So, how do you know who is right?
The simple answer is… no one is absolutely right. Your decision on whether to use resume objectives will depend on your circumstances, job search goals, and-in some cases-the person who reviews your resume.
We can make recommendations, but you’ll have to make your own choice, based on your individual situation and preferences. But first, let’s try to get a better understanding of the 2 different schools of thought on resume objectives…
THE NEGATIVE VIEWPOINT
Ask anyone who does not believe in using job objectives on resumes why, and they’ll tell you it’s because resume objectives are so often self-serving. In other words, they say what you want, but they usually fail to say how this is relevant to the employer. You see, the company that hires you is more interested in the potential benefits you’ll bring to the organization, not how they can help you achieve your goals.
Sarbanes Oxley 404 Compliance - How Nov. 15, 2004 Deadline Affects You
September 26, 2009
Fast Relief for Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 Compliance
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires management to confirm the effectiveness of their IT and financial controls in an “internal control report”, which is contained within the annual report (10-K) issued to the public. But what exactly is an internal control report, and why is it important to you?
The Section 404 Internal Control Report
First, the internal control report must affirm management’s responsibility for controls and procedure, and second, it must contain an assessment of the effectiveness of the internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. Although both of these issues might at first appear difficult to solve, they are actually not as hard as you would think.
Management’s Responsibility for Controls and Procedures
Affirming management’s responsibility for controls and procedures means more than to simply say management believes in or trusts their system. The affirmation will also need to include a program for a code of ethics for senior financial officers. The program must include prompt disclosures of any changes to your ethics program. So how do you do this?
Business Ethics and Compliance Program
6 Steps To Laying Out Your Competitive Strategy
September 25, 2009
Why do so many companies languish and watch as their business turns into a zero profit zone, while others seem to thrive?
When you look at your business, whether it’s a new venture or a company with a long history, can you answer the following questions?
- What does my company do better than anyone else?
- What unique value do I provide to my customers?
- How will I increase that value next year?
Companies that fail to answer these questions, and don’t believe they are of paramount importance, relegate themselves to marginal profitability at best and failure at worst. But companies that can answer these questions are able to raise the value bar for their customers and reap the benefits of success.
Of course, being able to answer 3 simple questions does not ensure success, but it is an important step in creating a strategic and focused operation which leads to a successful business. With today’s business environment being so competitive, businesses need to re-invent the rules on which they compete in order to be successful. Companies like Wal-Mart have figured this out and have redefined competition in their market by delivering a unique value to a selected customer group. By maintaining a focus and discipline, they make it difficult for other companies to compete under old competitive terms.
Success Tips for Small Business Owners
September 24, 2009
Running a small business requires many skills. However, to do this successfully you need to organize yourself first. Avoid procrastination - read the following and take action.
Successful Small Business Owners Look After Themselves First
Exercise regularly, eat healthily and be around positive people. Feed your mind by attending personal development courses. Read self-help and motivational books, listen to tapes. Stress management levels will be much more effective when you look after yourself.
Do the right thing by yourself and you’ll have heaps of energy, be motivated, have more balance in your life which in turn will help you be more productive and successful.
Successful Small Business Owners Clean out the Clutter Regularly
You will save yourself heaps of time, energy and money if you clear out your work and home environment?paperwork, books, old equipment etc. You’ll be able to find things, save money because you won’t have to buy what you already have hidden somewhere, plus you’ll be less stressed. Organize your office and your small business premises regularly?keep the clutter out. Eliminating clutter will help you to avoid procrastination. It’s too easy to avoid getting things done if you are overwhelmed with clutter.
Closing The Sale
September 23, 2009
Several weeks ago I asked my Newsletter subscribers to send me their biggest sales challenges. So far, I have received 275 challenges. While I am still in the process of categorizing them, Inoticed that a number of them mentioned “Closing the sale” as yourbiggest challenge.
Closing the sale, cinching the deal, tying up all the loose ends, and getting to a yes decision is an important skill in the selling process. Even getting a “No” decision is better than holding onto an everlasting pending one.
Joe K., a friend and former client, discovered the importance of an effective close at an early age. Joe has been the president of major corporations and currently serves on several corporate boards - so pay attention to his comments.
Here’s what he has to say about closing the sale . . .
Are You Bargain Hunting? Here Are A Few Tips
September 22, 2009
Are You Bargain Hunting? Here Are A Few Tips
by: Johan Barnard
There are a few things that you always have to consider when you are looking for a bargain deal. This is particularly the case when the product or service you are acquiring costs a lot of money, or you are paying monthly for it.
Obviously the first thing to compare is the price. When comparing prices on similar products, you have to make sure that the quality or specifications are round about the same on the products or services you are comparing. Its no use thinking that one piece of computer equipment is a better bargain than the more expensive one, as in that industry the more expensive item will be the better quality of higher specification of the two.
You also have to make certain of what your needs are. Let’s take medical insurance as an example. If you visit the doctor maybe once a year for a cold, and you do not have any chronic diseases, it is really not worth it taking out full medical insurance. Rather in that case take something like a hospital plan, where you are covered in case of emergencies, and you are also covered for bigger operations etc. should it be needed.
