Often I come across some really good information on business that I like to share. This was sent to me by a colleague of mine, but without details of the author, so it is posted with “acknowledgement to anonomous” A mark of a good leader is to be able to provide consistent motivation to his […]
It’s the festive season and for many of us that is a time for attending work, client and industry functions – a great opportunity to meet new people, and for sales people that can mean new prospects. But are you ready with a clear introductory message. I have been amazed at how many people seem […]
After 30 plus years in sales management and training, I am constantly surprised at the way so-called “experienced” sales people don’t know when to walk away. To quote Johnny Cash, “you’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em”. Wasting time of a “prospect” that isn’t going to buy from you […]
Assess monthly income and expenses. Compare figures with previous months and with targets set in your business plan. Is spending increasing or is income decreasing? Set new targets if necessary. Do a full audit of expenses. Include everything from wages and overtime to supplier costs, utility bills, insurance payments, fuel expenditure etc. Highlight areas you […]
Businesses need to change if they want to grow. Change can be proactive or reactive, but without it everything stays the same and growth is impossible. Many organizations have found to their detriment that it’s unwise to fail to anticipate changes in the external environment and suffer the consequences. Change has to be carefully planned […]
The implications of what has been termed the ‘skills shortage’ need to be understood by every business owner. The ways we hire, train, remunerate and manage people will have to change, and so will the way we run our businesses. Most countries have an aging workforce and a declining birth rate. What we call ‘baby […]
What is team motivation? Motivated team members enjoy coming into work and work hard, yet always have time for a laugh. Team motivation is a combination of workplace culture, organizational strategy and management style. The benefits for employers are increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and turnover, and higher profits. So why don’t all employers do it? […]
Marketing wisdom has it that to develop products with good sales potential you need to first appreciate your customer’s needs and then build a product that answers those needs. Customer needs analysis is the process of unearthing information about just what it is customers would really value in a product. The activities most commonly associated […]
A comprehensive policy and procedures manual clarifies employee expectations about your business policies and communicates corporate standards of action and behaviour. The manual can also protect your company from possible legal action and exposure to employee fraud. Every business needs a document that clearly details your rules, your regulations and how things should be done. […]
Choosing a supplier for the things you need to stay in business is an important process and one that should be approached methodically. If a supplier lets you down you may let your clients down and that can lead to really big problems. The next time you have to find a source of goods or […]