Dream Big

Have you ever experienced that little bird that chirps in your ear "you can't do this". All of us have had the experience one time or another. That inner self that tells us we can't do something. Well, there's a way to get rid of that little bird.

Dream big.

It's perfectly OK to do so. Dig down deep and look for that inner self or your gut, that tells you that "you CAN do it". It's there, you just have to find it.

So how do we find it? First of all, think of all those things that bring joy to your life, or your passions. They are there, they are just waiting for the green light or the OK to move forward.

Some of us have a harder time than others finding these green lights, or go signals, but if we dig deep enough, visualize, and are aware of our affirmations, it's there for the taking. Our natural defense mechanisms will focus on all the negative things that could happen. They are our body guards, protecting us against any possible failure. We have to negate the fear of failure and visualize success and all the rewards that will follow. Fear happens to be our biggest motivator.

Affirmations are huge, visualization helps us recognize them. If we focus on all the important ways to get there, all of our dreams will come true. We can wipe away the fear of failure.

We can dream big.

"Selling with Passion"

Do you have big numbers to hit in the year 2011? Numbers that you think might not be achievable? Maybe it's time to go back to the fundamentals on ways that can help get you there.

Sometimes salespeople can get complacent or in a rut if you will. There's no profession that has more peaks and valleys than that of a sales professional. Here's some hints that might make your year as profitable and rewarding as you want it to be:

Promote your personal brand. If you don't do it, nobody else will. You can do this many ways; social networking, ribbon cuttings, chamber events, after hour business meetings, or maybe a hockey game or sporting event. The more people that know who you are and what you do for a living, the easier it will be. You should leave no doubt in other people's minds on who you are and who you work for. Your profile is a very important part of your persona. Build your personal brand.

Sell with passion. There is nothing that sells more than passion and enthusiasm. People migrate toward people with passion. People want to be around people who are fun. People buy from passionate, enthusiastic people. If you are passionate and enthusiastic about your products and services, they will be too.

Don't pre-judge. There's business people out there that are far better off than they may appear on the surface. Embrace some of these people and you might be surprised what you find out. There's a diamond in every rough and sometimes these people are the easiest to find. If you venture outside the circle you draw, the rewards and success will follow.

Dress the part. We call it "dress for success", call it what you will. We all know business has become more casual these days---but we still need to know who our customer is. Make them feel comfortable by how you dress. Don't make the mistake I did years ago when I called on a farmer in nice slacks, shirt and sweater and I never heard the end of it from the guy. It was a bad mistake on my part. Don't make the mistake I did.

Be prepared. There's nothing more powerful than knowing your product, and knowing it well. Executive your sales pitch. Practice on friends, relatives, or co-workers. It sounds kind of cheesy but it works. Sports teams that executive their plays have much better results than teams that don't. Sales is no different.

WOW the customer. This is most important. Show them value in what you are providing. Exceed their expectations. Don't leave them with the feeling of buyer's remorse. Sometimes it's the little things that can be so big. Surprise them with something special, it could even be on the personal side of things. Don't be a vendor that just sells your product. Create a strong and meaningful partnership. There's nothing more powerful that creating a team. Now you are in it together.

Find your passion. Find that "new thing". Like that new relationship that has fire in it. You want to enjoy the hours you put in. Fight for yourself.

We only get one chance at this thing called life.

To Your Success!

Selling With Passion---Internet Style

If you don't have a facebook or twitter page, it's about time you got one. We are in the midst of the biggest thing that has ever hit this society, it's called the Internet.

You can touch base with people all over the world from your keyboard and mouse, FOR FREE. We will never see anything of this magnitude in our lifetime.

In business, the Internet gives you that much more to talk about. The next time you see someone at a networking event you can ask them how their boat trailer is doing. That's because you saw their post on facebook where they explained in detail how they lost one of their wheels on the interstate.

I have a relative who lives in Norway and he knows more that's going on with our family than I do. And most of them live right here in my own backyard. Talk about powerful.

If you don't promote yourself or your personal brand, nobody else will. You can drip feed the public with anything you want. As one of my clients once said, "somebody will read it".

And it doesn't cost you a dime.

Compassion - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®

Compassion - Just Sell®... it's all about sales®

If you are in sales view this video by clicking the link above! It's startling how sometimes we get caught up in our daily routine and forget the important things in life. Sell with compassion, sell with empathy. It will go a long way.

Happy Holidays to you and yours this holiday season.

T

Tell Your Story

It seems the holiday functions never seem to dissipate this time of year. They are happening almost every night. Tonight, a night off. This is life in the Tri-Cities, WA. It's where word of mouth spreads like wildfire. That's a good thing. If people are talking about your business, or you, that's what it's all about.

Whether you know it or not, you are building your brand. The more people that know about you, the more people that will come in contact with you, or your product(s). We not only brand our products and services, we brand ourselves. It's Branding 101. If they know about you, more than likely they are going to know about your product(s) or business too.

There is nothing more powerful than telling your story. All of them are unique in their own way. That's what makes all of us so special.

So the next time you have a chance to tell your story, don't hold back. Give it a whirl. Talk about it. Share it with passion. Work it. Live it. Own it.

You will be amazed at the results that will follow.

Wulff Returning--It's A Good Thing

I'm sure there are a lot of mixed feelings out there on Washington State Athletic Director Bill Moos' decision to bring Paul Wulff back for another year. From my conversations with people in Pullman last weekend, it was overwhelming how many people are in support of Wulff returning.

Although many people didn't see Moos' statement as much of an endorsement, what else is he going to say?

It wouldn't be appropriate for him to say Wulff has done an outstanding job because the wins don't support that. But as Wulff has said following the decision, people inside the football program see the good things that are happening there.

Improvement. Nobody can dispute the improvement in this team this year. The win over Oregon State in convincing fashion on the road confirms that. Corvallis is not an easy place to play either. Critics contend progress is graded on wins, the Cougars definitely fell off in this area but they had a long way to go to begin with, considering what Wulff had to work with.

Recruiting. Wulff and his staff continue to bring in talented players, especially at the skilled positions.

Academics. The Cougars placed more players on the first team Pac Ten all academic team (7) than any other team in the conference. Not much more needs to be said.

Coaching. Change needs to be made on defense. Having co-defensive coordinators doesn't work. They need someone in place that is in charge. Look for a change in this area.

Intangibles. I really don't think Moos had any other choice but to retain Wulff. Why start over? The players are 'buying into his system' and believe in the coaching staff.

Looking Ahead. The Cougars could realistically start the 2011 year 3-0 with a non-conference schedule that includes Idaho State, UNLV, and San Diego State. Three more conference wins and the Cougs are bowl eligible.

Sure, WSU could hire a guy like Mike Bellotti that could generate excitement in the program for the short term. He would come in and say Pullman is where he wants to be and he's excited about building a winner for years to come. He would also say he's not interested in going anywhere.

Sounds familiar doesn't it?

This Is Pullman

I remember I had to write an English paper in college and the last words in the opening paragraph had to be "this is Pullman".

I wrote something like this; "Nestled in the wheat fields of Eastern Washington lies a remote little college town. This is Pullman."

As I approach a big weekend in Pullman for the Apple Cup, I will never forget those words. It really describes what I wanted when I made the decision to attend Washington State University.
I will never second guess my decision, and I will always cherish the friendships I made in my days at Ole' WAZZU.

It's no secret we want to win the game against our cross state rival, the University of Washington. We want to spoil their chances of going to a bowl game for the first time in years. But it's really not about the game. Football is really a side show in this glorious town. Regardless of what people say, there are plenty of things to do. And win or lose, we still have a great time with our Cougar friends.

I met my wife in Pullman and we always like to stay at the Cougarland Hotel. It sits on the side of a hill downtown, within walking distance to the only breakfast place in that part of town, and of course the watering holes known as the Office and the Sportspage. The Sportspage is where all the coaches hang out, and older alums like ourselves. We will ALWAYS run into Coug friends that we know.

Pullman breeds character, it really does. When you check in to the Cougarland Hotel and they hand you a remote, you know you landed a room with a TV. It's just one more thing to talk about with your friends over a bubbly one.

Sometimes the simple little things mean so much.

You see, it's the small things that make this place so special. Heading across town is no big deal if you've had too much to drink. You just give Big Cat Taxi a call and you can go wherever you want for only $6 bucks. And you can bring all your friends.

This is Pullman.