Hunters and Gatherers - Are You Serving Both Their Needs?
January 31, 2010
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published research financed by Barclays Bank, which has implications for everyone who is serving the general population.
This research shows that consumers shop establishments based on one of the two personal profiles.
Approximately 50% of the population is defined as hunters when they go out into the public arena. They know what they want, they are focused on the task in front of them and they do not want anyone or anything to stand in their way. If you make the ’shopping’ experience too complicated for them, they will abort the mission and go somewhere else that addresses their needs more easily. As you would expect, a larger proportion of men than women fall into this category of consumers.
The other half of the population are defined as gatherers; they enjoy the experience of shopping and like to enjoy browsing around and discovering new items. They enjoy a conversation with your team members and look on the ’shopping’ experience as one of the joys of life. Approximately 60% of female consumers fit into this category.
Are 12DailyPro and Studio Traffic Ponzi or Pyramid Schemes?
January 30, 2010
Are 12DailyPro and Studio Traffic Ponzi or Pyramid Schemes?
by: Gobala Krishnan
Are “paid-autosurf” or “paid-to-surf” programs, the most popular being 12DailyPro and StudioTraffic, a scam? Some people would say they are. Some would disapprove even the use or those derogatory terms. Some don’t even care as long as they make money.
However, to fully understand and separate the truth from mere propaganda, we need to analyze the terms themselves, and see if it applies. Here’s a definition from Credit Research Foundation (www.crfonline.org) of “ponzi schemes” or “pyramid schemes” :
“When the organizers of the scheme use the assets of new investors to make profit payments to the old investors. The scheme typically has no other source of revenue other than from the new investors. Ponzi schemes, often called pyramid schemes, progress geometrically until they reach the point that the operators cannot find enough recruits (victims) to continue the payout.”
Most paid auto surf programs are not based on a multi-level marketing system, which means that they do not rely on new recruits to sustain their modus operandi or business operations. In fact, as a member of most auto-surf programs, recruiting new members is not even required. Even when they do have referral programs, it’s usually single-level or single-tier, avoiding the complications that are part and parcel of MLM programs.
Entrepreneurial Emotions or It Seemed Like a Great Idea at the Time
January 29, 2010
It’s your first business or the next Great Idea in your ongoing business, online or offline, it doesn’t matter. The roller coaster ride is a theme and variations on the same experiences. First the exhilaration — THIS idea, or THIS business is THE one. It’ll put you on the map with lots of money in your bank account. It can’t fail. It’s just too good. Have you said this? More than once? I have, and several times during my life, with numerous businesses and varying levels of success.
Then comes implementing the idea. The rubber meets the road. One great entrepreneurial joy is having a terrific idea in the shower, and implementing it by noon. The pieces of The Great Idea flow over you like warm water in the shower, feeling just as wonderful, inviting you to stay in that delicious place forever.
WHAT’S NEXT
Are You Doing What It Takes To Win More Sales
January 29, 2010
What does it take to be a WINNER during these challenging times? Do you really know what it takes to win more sales?
It takes . . . Uniqueness. Being boring, bland, and benign is out. Being different is your first step to being better. If you’re different and you’re better, you’ll be remembered. Type INC. after your name. For example, Jim Meisenheimer Inc.
Don’t view yourself as a person. Think of yourself as a brand or even as a company. How are you positioning yourself? When your customers think of you, how do they think of you? Create a list of ten things that make you different from your competition. If this is a tough exercise for you, you should invest some strategic thinking time. Blending in is out, standing out is in.
How To Find Your Dream Job
January 28, 2010
Here’s the bottom line: many people work in jobs that aren’t what they want or are less than they deserve.
It’s partly the pull of inertia (better the devil you know…)and partly lack of confidence, but mostly the fear their dream job doesn’t exist — or they couldn’t land it if it does.
Most settle for second or third (or fourth, or fifth) best and try to get on with their lives, secretly cherishing the dream of something better.
It doesn’t have to be like that. You can take practical steps to turn that dream into reality. Here are some practical steps that to send you on your way.
1. Look for “Upgrade Roles”
Upgrade Roles act as stepping stones towards your dream position, moving you forward — maybe not all the way — while you continue looking for that dream position. Think of them as steps on the ladder.
2. Keep up Your Enthusiasm
If the right opportunity comes up, you need to be ready. That means building your resume and polishing your track record to make you the obvious choice It also means being on top form, whene chance hands you the golden ticket.
People Literacy
January 27, 2010
Every Manager has experienced the frustration of not understanding why one management approach that works beautifully with one employee is ineffective with another. That’s because what we think would be motivating isn’t always motivating to someone else.
The same principle applies to client and co-worker relationships. We "click" or connect with some individuals and understand each other. But we also work with individuals who approach things differently. Research shows there are four different behavioral style dimensions. Understanding their characteristics can help us become more effective in our interactions with each other.
Four Dimensions
The Personal Profile SystemÒ is an instrument that helps identify how we tend to behave. It identifies four different behavioral dimensions: dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness. Although we behave with all four dimensions, we tend to use one or two most often.
Dominance. People who demonstrate the Dominant ("D") behavioral style are usually fast-paced and task-oriented people. They thrive on the challenge of solving problems. Those with the "D" behavioral tendencies are quick decision makers. They don’t wait to be given authority; they take it. Don’t bog these people down with fluff or details-only results interest them. "Ds" are most comfortable when they can control their environment. They work best when they are free from controls and supervision. They overcome opposition to get the job done.
Selling Is Not A Dirty Word
January 26, 2010
Selling–a word that strikes terror in writers and professionals. We love to write. We love our work. We love to speak. We hate to SELL.
Our print and eBooks may go unread because we don’t get the word out. Our products and services don’t sell because we don’t include enough benefits to give our buyers a reason to buy. Maybe that’s because we imagine the used car salesman or the vacuum sales person. They annoyed us because they didn’t listen, they pushed, and we felt attacked. We defended our position, and that’s what we think others do when we share our books or eBooks.
When you think of selling, think of sharing the love that went into your book, product, or service and the unique, important benefits it delivers. Think, “Now that I’ve planted this garden, I want to reap its harvest. If I don’t share the word with others, my garden will die from lack of attention.”
If you are like me, you will want to put both your attention and intention on your book, product, or service. Yes, use powerful words to describe your products. Follow my lead and let your audience know about your top product or service through an ezine, press release, writing and submitting free articles Online, sending email follow ups, giving freebies to attract folks to your site, or learning how to sell without a Web Site.
The First Rule of CRM for Financial Services
January 25, 2010
Things have to change. Cross selling is not going to happen simply by installing new CRM technology. A corresponding movement from a transaction mentality to the underlying CRM principle of focusing on the long-term relationship is required. What does this mean for financial services? Stop pushing products and start building relationships.
The Consumer’s Perspective
Let’s take a look from the consumer’s perspective. Financial illiteracy is alive and well, especially with baby boomers. Next, throw in brand confusion-the convergence in financial services has produced new players, company names, and products. Everybody is now playing in everybody else’s backyard. Insert the media’s frequent coverage on retirement planning and increased advertising dollars being spent targeting “the confused generation.” Now, throw in the fact that there is widespread incoherence around what the term “financial planner” even means. At its best, this situation is overwhelming to prospects, current clients, and maybe even your employees. At its worst, people are sticking their heads in the sand and saying, “leave me alone!”
Public Relations: Antidote for Small Business Failure
January 24, 2010
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to undercapitalization, among other mistakes. Seldom is failure attributed to a lack of effective communications that might have modified the behavior of sales prospects in a positive way, thus averting bankruptcy.
In my view, raising money for new businesses is a skill best left to others, but smart, aggressive communications is not. As the entrepreneur, you cannot rely on your financing source to create the broad public exposure your business needs if it is to survive. Ideally from Day 1, you must take the lead in this vital effort accepting the fact that good results come only after careful planning and implementation of a realistic and workable public relations strategy.
Before you achieve real growth and prosperity, your target audiences must not only become aware that your company exists, they must be motivated to take action. Doing something about how your business is perceived means a well-planned public relations program that can reach, persuade and move those prospects to action.
At the root of it all, is a simple truism we all know but tend to forget: people act on their perception of the facts. If the small business owner is to have an effect on those perceptions, he/she must deal with them promptly and effectively.
Simple Steps for Starting Your Home Based Business.
January 24, 2010
Simple Steps for Starting Your Home Based Business.
by: Amrou Sukhon
Now that you have made up your mind, to set up a home based business.
Wonderful news! Welcome to the fast-moving world of home based business. While there is a lot to accomplish, your determination will be worthy of it.
The excitement of watching your home business grow, the independence the ability to set your own hours, how many days do you work during the week, and the likelihood of everlasting economic rewards are all amazing motivation to set out your home based business.
When deciding to start your home business, you might be thinking “How will I prepare it for the best possible start?” Those following pointers will guide you:
1) Arrange a separate working space in your house. Don’t worry if this is a bedroom, one part of the living room, or a corner of the kitchen. The most important thing is to have some room that you can allocate as your office working territory. This will present you the space and room you need to plan your home based business.
