June 2004 Edition

How Much Of A Goose Are You?

I have seen this story both on video and on print and unfortunately I do not know its author (to whom I apologise if I have inadvertently stolen their copyright) but it makes a heap of sense for you and your team… whether it’s a work or sports team… and your family as well.

In Autumn, if you see the geese heading to warmer climates for the winter, flying in a V formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

• As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.

• By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

• When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way as we are.

• When the lead goose gets tired it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies the point.

When we co-operate and share the tough tasks its easy to be successful.

• Finally - and this is important - when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun shots, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend a hand and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation, to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose we will stand together like that!

The Secrets of Great Team Meetings

Most managers get sick and tired of running regular sales and team meetings because it’s difficult to come up with interesting and informative material meeting after meeting recently I stumbled over something that will make meetings really work. It’s called The Sales Game and if you can play Monopoly you can play this game. It involves everybody, whether they are sales or support team members, gets them having fun and learning stuff that will really increase sales and service throughout the business. At around $1,400 for a game that could be used at every second meeting for an hour or so and which nobody would get tired of, I reckon it's one of the best things I’ve seen, so much so that I’ve done a short video about it....

And They Say Advertising Doesn't Work!

It must be a few years now since the increasing concerns about community health made it wise for the Kentucky Fried Chicken chain to change their name to KFC. You want to know how well advertising works?

Ask any 10 year old kid what KFC stands for and they will have absolutely no idea even though anybody older than that probably still knows the original name. Only goes to prove that, if you are single minded about your message and promote it well, it will stick.

Overcoming the speaking butterflies

If there is one skill I think everybody should develop it's that of being able to confidently and competently speak in public. Although most people think that it’s a talent you are born with, its not; it’s a skill that you can develop if you have got the commitment to do so.

The most important component is getting practice and some good places to gain the basics and practice are Rostrum and Toast masters. You can find local clubs in the telephone book or at their websites.

You can improve your abilities by becoming actively involved in a service club such as Rotary where not only will you improve your speaking skills but you will network with great people.

If you want more ideas, my CD or cassette program “How to Hold an Audience in the Palm of Your Hand” has heaps.
 

A Great Sales Person

The reason most people never make the sale is that they forget to ask people to buy. That’s why I was very impressed by a young ice-cream seller at the movies the other night. Toting his tray of goodies about 5 minutes before the movie started he walked to the front of the theatre and announced, “My name is Joe and I sell choc tops. You’ll need one to munch on during the movie, so come and see me now.” In a flash he was surrounded by movie goers just itching to buy.

The point of this story is simple. Does everyone in your organisation ask people to buy at every opportunity?

Once Again Great Marketing To You!

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