Very simply, you can use TraxItAll to track anything that matters to you. With TraxItAll’s combination of simplicity, flexibility, and power, you can track anything that you want or need to track.

And now, using our new desktop module for Windows, users can print and even email their reports! (Emailing requires the use of 3rd party software for creating PDF documents, such as the free CutePDF program.)

I bring this up because of the 20% off sale going on this week. They also offer a free 30 trial if you’re not sure. Head over and see for yourself.

Disclosure: I have no affiliation with TraxItAll except as a happy customer.

Violinist:

• the first few months aren’t very good
• daily practice sees small improvements
• the notes they play are scripted by a composer
• he must be self-motivated
• he has someone over him (Conductor)
• he must follow the lead
• he must practice after-hours to improve
• he is judged by his peers
• he seeks approval of his peers

Salesperson:

• the first few months aren’t very good
• working daily sees small improvements
• he follows telephone scripts
• he must be self-motivated
• he has someone over him (Sales Manager)
• he must learn from more experienced salespeople
• he must do non-productive work after-hours
• he is judged by his peers
• he seeks approval of his peers

What are some other similarities between a musician and a salesperson? There are many more.

Professional golfers:

• are self-employed
• must get sponsors
• must keep their sponsors happy
• get paid when they win (or place well)
• practice practice practice
• learn from their mistakes
• practice after hours and weekends
• work in all kinds of conditions (weather and course prep)

Commissioned salesmen:

• are self-employed (better think that way)
• have sponsors (company salary or draw)
• have to keep the company happy (meet quota)
• get paid when they sell something (commission)
• practice practice practice
• learn from their mistakes
• prepare quotes and materials outside prime selling hours
• are required to work through all kinds of conditions (weather, bad customers, support issues, delivery issues, etc.)

There are more than these. What are some you can think of? Can we get to an even dozen or maybe two?

We arrived early for lunch (about 11:30 AM) and were quickly seated in a booth. we overheard the waitresses laughing and soon discovered the reason. One of the waitresses was calling her regular customers and telling them the daily special. The place wasn’t busy, so she was taking the initiative to call customers, extending a special invitation.

We left as soon as we finished eating, so I don’t know the results of her marketing effort, but I liked her taking the initiative.

What are you doing today to try to increase your business?

I’ve written about the importance of asking questions and listening, so this story by Al Uszynski is not new news, but just goes to the point. Talking is not selling! or the way I learned the phrase; Telling is not Selling!

True salespeople not born that way
Many people think that all it takes to be successful in sales is a million dollar smile, a firm handshake and a life-of-the-party personality.

Just last week I sat next to a woman on a plane who told me that her 20-year-old son would be great in sales because he has a “gift for gab.” I asked her what other qualities he possessed that would make him a successful salesperson. She replied, “Well, he’s very handsome.” Ugh! That’s just what the world needs — another talkative, good-looking salesperson.

One of the things that I constantly battle, in the technology business, is talking over a prospects head. I find it easier than the technicians, however, but the challenge is still there. Most industries or professions have lots of buzz words that need the secret decoder ring to understand.

Are You Willing to Measure Up?

If you are one that falls into this trap, look at the findings in this study showing that most people are on to you. Relax, just have a regular conversation.

BIZOnline – Do we sing from the same sheet?

Does the concept of blue-sky thinking make you want to raise your eyes to heaven?

It’s possible you want to stir-fry that idea in your think-wok for a moment or two before answering.

But new research suggests that most managers find the use of such jargon in the workplace pretentious and annoying.

A survey of more than 200 of them found that 67pc were turned off by business jargon, and only 5pc believed it had advantages.

Those who are in favour say they find it humorous and think it can be a useful and quick reference in a work environment.

This is not for the GQ crowd, but even they can learn something on this website. They tackle issues from personal grooming to full-on dressing tips, that will keep you looking good, whether for a job interview or a date. They even tell you where you can buy the products that will get you there.

This is one of those sites you have to prowl around and explore. You never know what you might come across.

BeBetterGuys.com fills in man-knowledge gaps | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle

My shirt is ironed. My shoes are shined. My nose hairs are trimmed.

Big job interview? Hot date?

Nope. I’m meeting with David Boris and Brian Joyner, two 30-somethings on a mission to remind dudekind that well-trimmed nose hairs make all the difference on big job interviews and hot dates.

They’re the dapper gents behind BeBetterGuys.com, a self-help Web site aimed at improving the habits of unkempt young males.

Since launching in March, the site has published more than 100 articles on topics ranging from obvious etiquette (“No nose picking or crotch adjustment in public”) to more nuanced sartorial tips (“On a single-breasted, two-button suit, button the top button only”).

This story is from the “The Independent Student Newspaper at North Carolina A&T State University.” It tells about a new ten week program that allows students to get first hand experience selling in the real world, rather than a class room setting with a company affiliation involving 3M.

Success of this program would be great because it could expand to other schools and companies.

NCAT Register – New biz program promotes sales and leadership skills

“The Sales and Leadership Program is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with the opportunity to better prepare themselves for career success in customer-contact leadership positions such as sales and customer service,” said Dr. Jacqueline Williams, Associate Professor and member of the 3M Frontline Initiative.

3M is a diversified technology company serving customers and communities with innovative products and services. Each of their seven businesses has earned leading global market positions.

Through the Frontline Partnership innovative curricula and student internships are offered. The 3M Frontline Initiative Summer Internship Program is a ten week assignment that offers qualified students a unique opportunity to sell for one of the divisions of the company, as stated on the School of Business and Economics website.

I recommend a visit to his website, Business by Phone to subscribe to this weekly tip to help with more than just your telephone style.

The main reason I appreciate this e-zine is the brevity. Art offers one good tip each week, rather than a lot of long articles. Good Stuff!

From this week’s newsletter:

Let’s look at the sales principles at work
here.

• - precise targeting of likely prospects
• - good interest-creating opening
• - nice deflection of early price question
• - open-ended questions designed to get prospects talking, and visualizing a result they want
• -excellent listening
• -identifying real decision makers
• -thinking big and making large recommendations
• -closing

The process of sales is not that tough when you
break down the parts.

A word on the website, it doesn’t work with Firefox, so you’ll need to knock the dust of IE to visit, but there is a lot of information.

Some practical advise that isn’t the “easy way out” for marketers and salesmen. Take a peek and give me your opinion.

Three Basic Steps to Focus on Customers and Partners

“You achieve customer satisfaction when you sell merchandise that doesn’t come back to a customer that does.” — Stanley Marcus, Chairman Emeritus of Niemann Marcus Co.

From over two decades of work with hundreds of organizations, we have found that customer and partner focus can be boiled down to three broad steps:

1. Identify Current Customers and Partners
2. Prioritize Expectations
3. Gap Analysis