I can’t think of anyone who isn’t at least peripherally aware of Monty Python. From the sublime to the ridiculous, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman and Terry Jones’ brilliant theatrics made them not only cultural icons of their generations, but for all generations; because among other things, they proved that a […]
Big retailers are finding it more and more difficult to apply the same operational modalities and mindsets they used to grow their businesses in today’s market, and it’s easy to see why. The internet has provided opportunities for consumers to buy the same products cheaper and more conveniently. Where once they may have been the only […]
“Most people think “selling” is the same as “talking”. But the most effective salespeople know that listening is the most important part of their job.” – Roy Bartell Have you noticed that successful people talk less and listen more? I’ve heard experts say that successful salespeople spend at least 60% listening and 40% talking. […]
“You can listen to what people say, sure. But you will be far more effective if you listen to what people do.” – Seth Godin A friend of mine mentioned that he considered himself a good listener but felt that sometimes he didn’t really ‘catch’ everything someone was saying to him. I […]
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” – Epictetus The average sales person is normally a very good talker, however their listening skills are poor. If you want to be a great sales person then you have to enhance your listening skills. People […]
“To Work is Elevating. To Accomplish is Superb” – Harry Gordon Selfridge Harry Selfridge was not only the preeminent entrepreneur and commercial genius of his time, but for all time. His beliefs, enthusiasm and methodologies, considered radical in the early years of the twentieth century are as bright and inspiring today as they were […]
‘Mr. Selfridge’ is coming back to PBS and I’ve been thinking about how he influenced not only the minds of his day, but how his philosophies, though considered radical in his time, are still valid today, over 100 years later. Harry Selfridge was the pre-eminent and self-made magnate of retail. A larger-than-life personality akin […]
Bill Cosby said ‘I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.’ He wasn’t just speaking about comedy. Maybe you want to reach a larger market but in reality you already have a great niche and could triple your sales if you took the […]
When it comes to selling, there’s an old saying that you can have any two of the following three items but not all three at the same time: Good & Fast (but not Cheap) Good & Cheap (but not Fast) Fast & Cheap (but not Good) The reality is that the true value […]
Selling isn’t what it used to be. Buying isn’t either. The internet and social media have changed what we know, how much we know and how we want to be spoken to. But more than that. It’s changed the way we feel about the whole buying process. We can find information about anything now, and […]