Winston's e-Newsletter - October 2008

A great PowerPoint presentation

In my last e-zine I highlighted the mistakes people with PowerPoint from PowerPoint expert Dave Paradi (www.thinkoutsidetheslide.com). It so happened that, at the time of writing, a presentation to promote Home Safety Week in NZ thundered into my computer. In my opinion it's a bewdy! Great graphics, a minimum number of words that are big and easy to read, and great use of colour. Have a look at it here.

 

Bad parenting

I don't know whether the magic of Photoshop has been used to create this picture sequence but whether it's true or not it demonstrates that parents (and bosses) set the example that others will follow. It's a reminder that our team will do what we do… not what we say.

 

Two little words with big impact!

If you are in love then you’d probably say that the best words you can ever hear are contained in the simple phrase “I love you!”

In business, if you love your clients and you want them to love you, the best words your clients can ever hear are “Thank you!”

And whilst initially you may be sceptical about the idea of loving your clients its just something you’ve got to do if you plan to be in business for the long haul. You need to make it part of the way you and the rest of the team do things at your place. You see, when you love your clients it means you demonstrate that you appreciate them and, when you do that, they’ll keep on coming back bringing their friends with them.

Now loving them doesn’t mean doing that physically. It just means that you ensure that clients feel appreciated, respected and valued. You show them this when you say

• “Thank you for calling” when they telephone for information or advice;
• “Thank you for choosing us” when they give you the job;
• “Thank you for letting us know” when they have a complaint;
• “Thank you for the referral” when they send in a friend;
• “Thank you for waiting” when you have to ask them to wait and so on.

Now there are two other groups that deserve the same big, generous thanks. And those are your suppliers and the people you work with. Generally people in both of these categories are the first to cop it in the neck when they do something wrong but rarely do they receive a “thank you” when they do something right. So try telling a supplier “Thank you for getting that to us so promptly” or surprising a colleague with a “Thank you for getting that job done so quickly.”

You’ll be amazed how contagious the “thank you virus” can be and, when people catch it, they’ll love doing business with you! 

 

The Simplest Success Secret – Enthusiasm

Nine tenths of success in business is enthusiasm. When you are excited about your product or services, you kindle interest in others.

If you don't feel that excitement, find a reason to get enthusiastic. Become the client, customer or patient. What benefits of this product or service would make you excited and keen to buy? Start talking about these benefits with as much enthusiasm as if you were finding the perfect solution to your problems. Stress benefits. Stress the feelings of relief at finding the perfect solution. Stress feelings of pride of ownership. Really feel that pleasure about something that performs beautifully. Your enthusiasm will sell your product.

And remember that you have to be enthusiastic all the time. You can't turn it on and off like a tap. No matter how things are going, always tell yourself that you are "terrific", "sensational" or "fantastic".

Because your brain doesn't know the difference between real and imagined situations it will want to make you feel that way.

 

Another commercial

Every edition of this e-zine I include a television or cyberspace commercial that's caught my eye. Sometimes they are just great; sometimes they're just plain funny (whether they get a message across is another thing); sometimes they're in another language but the message is clear; sometimes they're just bold or over the top; sometimes they're ones you just wouldn't see on our screens; and sometimes I reckon they're ones where the client or the agency is having a lend of themselves. Here's another one for you to make up your mind about.

 

Business Growth Centre
ABN: 96 709 037 261
Postal: 110 Coleman Road, Boronia, Vic, 3155, Australia
Phone: +613 9887 5511   Fax: +613 9887 5581

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