Joe da Silva | Speaker | Trainer | Coach
~ If you are no better tomorrow than you were yesterday, then you've wasted today.
I was at a networking event recently and when it came time to share strategies about how to develop a relationship with existing customers, someone stated that they give away free web design. Yes, they would develop, test and implement a full functioning website for the customer and would charge them nothing for this service. By the way, web design was not their primary business. They were in app development for your phone.
Earlier this week, I held an Open House of The Action Suite to anyone who wanted to observe what we do during one of the sessions. The subject of the session was: ‘The Five Components to Higher Profitability.’ This in itself may not be earth-shattering to you; however, when I asked how many managers and/or owners of companies that some of the audience worked for if they felt that their owners/managers knew of these components and how they all fit together. That answer was earth-shattering. Not a single person said that their managers and/or owners had a clue.
Benjamin Franklin said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” The unfortunate part about this quote is how today, people are not succeeding because they just do not take the time to prepare for success. Preparing for success really does not take as long as one thinks it does.
Last week, I was in a meeting with a potential new client; who has since become a new client, and the owner stated: “Why do you ask so many questions, Joe?” Well, the answer to that question is quite simple; I replied: “To better understand your challenges and to discover if we are actually a fit.”
The challenge is that questions have to be very strategic and thought provoking to get the prospect to provide pertinent information. You must always have an array of questions at your disposal; which is why when we work together, we will work on developing your 20 Power Questions.
Communication starts with someone uttering a single word. Usually, this would cause the other person to respond, again using words. However, as we all know, the words used have a lot of power. Words can hurt, bring joy and inspire. There is no business in this world that exists without the use of words to start it, continue it and yes, even end it.
The words we use in that business can make it successful or not. Which words are you using to make sure that there is a desirable outcome for all involved? After all, ‘words are free, it’s how you use them that may cost you.’
You have a great product/service, of course you do, or why else would you be selling the product/service, but for some reason, you have been unable to get the traction that you thought you would have and you are now questioning whether it is really a good product/service. It may not be your product/service; it may be you.
