April 2011

Strategies for Success Newsletter April 2011 Issue 64

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Published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies
www.sellingstrategies.com
Copyright 2011 Emily Huling. All rights reserved.
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In this April 2011 issue:

Thoughts to ponder – follow up
Thoughts from the road
Thoughts from home
Thoughts from the office
On the road in 2011

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1. Thoughts to ponder – follow up

Many thanks to the readers who took time to weigh in about the porterhouse steak dilemma in the March newsletter! It’s unanimous. Everyone would have told the meat department about the mismarked steaks. Readers shared similar stories about returning merchandise that had not been scanned or catching mistakes made in their favor to have the situation corrected. Bravo!

I did tell the employee about the labeling error, and he smiled and said he wondered why they were selling so fast. After thanking me, he told me to keep my inexpensive steaks, and proceeded to take the rest to be correctly labeled. A Michigan reader reminded me of what Martin Luther King, Jr. said. “The time is always right to do what is right.”

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Coming soon! New DIY Audio Sales Program

Two Hours to a Winning Sales Plan

Few producers follow a step-by-step program for sales success. In less than two hours, producers can create a winning sales plan by listening to audio and using downloaded materials. This fast-paced, detailed instructional guide includes:

5 key commitments of all winning producers
10-point quiz to assess your current plan and process
How-to instructions to create your personal sales plan which includes a situation analysis, personal mission statement, strategies, goals, and activities
Supporting resources to download include a sample plan, prospect tracking sheet, client visibility chart, sales activity sheet

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April’s Energizer Minute

Tune in to hear Inspiration and Camaraderie. Go to the www.sellingstrategies.com home page and click on the Energizer Minute.

Get your copy of The Energizer Minute Collection CD. The first 24 Energizer Minutes on CD recorded from January 2009 through December 2010. Receive a complimentary copy on product orders over $75.

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Thoughts from the road

The power of suggestion

McDonald’s billboards entice us to buy their food, Apple’s television commercials persuade us to buy the iPad, and Anheiser Busch’s advertising suggests that drinking their beverages will make us romantically appealing. I can understand all of that. But why would the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation encourage us to drive like maniacs?

I flew into the Philadelphia airport and rented a car to drive to Doylestown for a client event. I normally don’t like to rent a car in major metropolitan areas, opting instead for a car service to avoid the stress of driving on unfamiliar roads. My client assured me it was a short and easy drive. I was to head north on I-476 then onto PA 611. Seemed simple enough. I was exiting the toll booth on the interstate when I could feel the energy change. As I eased out of the toll booth, the cars on both sides of me revved their engines to beat me out. It was if I had entered a race track and the toll booths were the starting gates. Startled and puzzled, I continued. Then I saw the sign on the side of the road. Caution – Aggressive Drivers. No kidding.

When I mentioned this experience to my client, a native of the area, he said, “I never thought to mention it. We’re speedsters on that road!” No kidding.

Morale to the story: Signage influences how others act and behave. Are the signs you post consistent with your intent?

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3. Thoughts from home

What an accomplishment! My husband, John, who has the patience of a saint and the skill of a fine craftsman, just completed a six-month project. Thousands of tiny pieces and hundreds of hours were required to complete The Typhoon, a remote-controlled replica of Edsel Ford’s 1929 racing boat. Pictures are proudly posted on the website under About Emily.

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What a joy to witness the accomplishments of someone you love! EH

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4. Thoughts from the office

It was Sunday morning and I was reluctantly putting in a couple of catch-up office hours. I had an e-mail with the subject line “CIC-Ilinois.” Keith, a participant from the agency management class I had taught the previous week, was writing to thank me for sharing my time and expertise. A PDF file was attached titled The Go-Giver Award. I was being recognized for serving others and adding value. What a wonderful compliment!

Googling to learn more, I discovered The Go-Giver is a book and award program to salute “The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success.” The book is a quick and easy-to-read parable. The message – true giving provides happiness and success – is not new. It’s just nice to be reminded now and again. I’ve bought a dozen copies to give as gifts. I’ll bet you’ll want to do the same. www.thegogiver.com.

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Recently updated information on the website: Free Stuff: Tips to Hire Right, Zero and Low Budget Marketing Ideas, 2011 Speaking Topics, and a new Rough Notes article The Ten Qualities of a Proud CSR.

For dozens of resources to build individual and organizational top performance, visit www.sellingstrategies.com or get in touch with me at emily@sellingstrategies.com or 888-309-8802.

Apply Coupon Code NEWS11 to receive a 20% discount on all online product orders.

Receive a complimentary copy of The Energizer Minute Collection CD on product orders over $75.

Feel free to share any of my free stuff, articles, or newsletter content as long as proper credit is included.

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On the road

Business travel is taking me to these places. Please give me a call if you’d like to connect when I’m in your area.

Private client – Louisville, KY April 27, 2011
NetVU Conference – Kissimmee, FL April 28-30, 2011
AASCIF Annual Conference – Isle of Palms, SC June 19-22, 2011
Agency Management CIC, Tempe, AZ July 14, 2011
Private client – Oklahoma City, OK July 18-20, 2011

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Selling Strategies: Strategies for Success Newsletter is published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies. For further information contact emily@sellingstrategies.com.

© 2011 Emily Huling. All rights reserved. Feel free to share our newsletter if copyright and credit are always included.