6 Tips To Have A Great Phone Conversation

1. Be prepared
   Know who you will be talking to, what you will be talking about and what you want to achieve at the end of the call.
2. Speak loud
   As you are well prepared, the power of your voice will give you the authority you need.
3. Speak slow
   Give your listener a chance to know/understand what you are talking about. The slower you speak, the better your pronunciation.
4. Adjust your pitch
   A monotone pitch is not going to convince anyone, keep the conversation lively.
5. Add regular pauses
   Pauses can reinforce your message, and put the emphasis right where you need it.
6. Use a good headset
   70% of listeners know when the speaker uses a headset, 2/3 of the listeners say they have a more natural conversation with a headset user.

What Are The Right Keywords For Your Business?

Ever wondered what the right keywords are for your business? 

Well, why don’t you just ask your customers how they would Google, Bing, Yahoo,… your products and/or services? Easy, isn’t it?

Tags van Technorati: Keywords,Search,Right Keyword,Business

Socializing With Colleagues

Going out with workmates after work is a grey area. It is not entirely work, but it is rarely pure pleasure either. Boundaries are blurred and etiquette can be uncertain. How do you make this ambiguous mix of the professional and personal work for you?

What do I get out of it?

Of course, you don’t have to do anything, but if you don’t socialize you won’t be fully part of the culture.

People who socialize with colleagues will have good chemistry with them and things are more likely to happen quickly. If you know a bit about someone you’ll understand their motivations, you’re less likely to get frustrated with them and even if they don’t give you what you want, you’ll probably understand why.

Know your place in the hierarchy
As a boss, it’s good for your career if your team feel that you’re human and approachable. But you have to recognize that sometimes the best boss buys a couple of rounds and then heads home. Give the team some room to let off a bit of steam.

What to avoid?

• Don’t try to impress too much
• Don’t get drunk
• Be inclusive rather than clique
• Be careful with gossip, they might be held against you
• Complaining about anything and everything to your/a manager is unlikely to do much for your career prospect
• Do not use these parties to complain to your manager about everything and anything
• Everyone needs a private life. Anything that smacks of organized fun will put people off

 

Can my colleagues be my friends?
Colleagues are not the same as friends. The rules are different and the stakes are different.

 

Source: The Financial Times.

Google Buzz

 

Tags van Technorati: Google,Buzz,Google Buzz,Social Media

Productive Schedule For Inside Sales

Too many inside sales people are consumed by e-mail. By focusing on someone else’s priority, they forget about their own priorities: talking to prospects/customers and selling.

The ideal schedule for outbound inside sales person:

08:30 – 10:00	E-mail previous day Orders & Quotes (admin)
10:00 – 12:00	Outbound calling
12:00 – 12:30	Lunch
12:30 – 14:00	Orders & Quotes (admin) E-mail morning
14:00 – 16:00	Outbound calling
16:00 – 17:00	Orders & Quotes (admin) E-mail afternoon

Getting The Best Out Of Your Vendors

1. Know your supplier.
   Research them on the internet.
2. Express your needs and expectations.
   Make sure your vendor knows exactly what you are looking for, .
3. See them as an extension of your team.
   They have “specialized” resources that might be of good use to you. Integrate them in your communication.
4. Give them the credit they deserve.
   Recognize them when they do a great job. Give them constructive feedback where you see opportunities for growth.
5. Pay on time.
   Your supplier has to bills as well. Communicate in advance if you can’t for whatever reason.

If you apply above, your vendor will become a partner, and partnerships go a lot further…