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Shining In A Down Economy
It is hard in today's economy to stay focused on the positive. Stories abound in newspapers and on radio and TV about unemployment and the falling market. Even conversations around the water cooler can be a downer.
But, you don't have to give in to all the negative talk. Instead, you can turn things around by taking three actions every day to improve revenue.
This week Promotional Consultant Today will review 14 tips to help get you back on track. Yesterday we looked at Picking Up The Phone, Learning About Your Client and Working Backward To Move Forward. Today we'll look at three more.
Invite Scrutiny
Whose business acumen do you admire? Who is already successful in your field? Whose clientele does your product or service match? Invite these folks to be a member of your Advisory Board. Meet quarterly to gain their advice on your business challenges.
Advisory boards impose a level of scrutiny and accountability that both challenge and comfort. Ensure you get unbiased, unemotional, tough truths by not including friends and loved ones on the board.
Your Pipeline Is Your Lifeline
Never stop prospecting. In good times or bad, keep your pipeline full. Even when you're flush with business, don't get cocky. Realize that if you wait to prospect until you need new clients; it'll be too late to achieve immediate results.
You Lag Before You Bag
The lag time between your first meeting with a qualified prospect and closing the sale is an essential ratio for managing your productivity. The sales you bag today likely began at least three months ago.
Source: Francie Dalton is president and founder of Dalton Alliances, Inc, a Maryland based consultancy specializing in the communication, management, and behavioral sciences. Click here for more information on her new book, Versatility, published by ASAE.
Note: PPAI's Promotional Consultant Today e-newsletter is also available on the DailyBoostTM website.
Log in to DailyBoost to jump-start your morning -- in addition to PCT, you'll find industry-specific news, tools and training, community forums, videos and an information center. It is free to any promotional products practitioner; however you must have a UPIC to login to the site. Click here if you don't know your UPIC, have questions or need more information.
If you have any questions or comments, contact Pamela Webb.
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