Archive for category Business
‘Buy my stuff it’s great!’
Posted by Antonio Falco in Business, Business Solutions, General Chat on July 22nd, 2010
I guess most of us (I hope) wouldn’t be using this as a technique to sell our product or service.
But more often than not, this is exactly what we come across when networking; you know the sort, described in many ways but for the purpose of this blog, we’ll just refer to them as the ‘network bore’. It’s all about them, what they do, how good they do it and how great they are at it.
Right now the economic climate is ‘forcing’ many people to try their wings at this networking thing but as many of us know, networking as a way of meeting potential new clients has been around for years and if you think about it, it’s always been around we just never gave it a name. My dad always knew someone who could fix the tap, mend the roof or service the car and if he didn’t he asked a friend if they knew someone – that’s networking, isn’t it?
Except now we’ve made it all formal, it’s become a little scary and in recent months I’ve met many folks new to networking and just don’t know where to begin with it all. So, what are the rules?
The way I see it having been at it and run a few of these things over the years, here are a couple of basics:
First, don’t tell folks ‘Buy my stuff it’s great!’ ; find out about them, who they are, what they do and what they are looking for.
Second, getting referrals from networking is all about building trust, how do you do that? That’s a topic for another time.
And third; try a few, there are lots of networking opportunities out there at it’s ‘horses for courses’, so try a few till you find the ones that suit you, where you’re comfortable – but a word of caution, don’t be too comfortable.
For many ot you reading this, it’s kind of stating the obvious but this is just the start; i’m not claiming to be an expert but be wary of those that say they are – so much of life is common sense and networking is that.
Sales – an introduction
Posted by Antonio Falco in Business, Business Solutions, Uncategorized on January 23rd, 2010
I’ve been saying for years in various forums and business talks that ‘Sales is the lifeblood of a business’. Now I know that both ‘cashflow’ and ‘cash is king’ (here comes the but) BUT, if you’ve not sold anything then ….?
So, let’s tackle the issue that continues to be the ‘thorniest’ of all Read the rest of this entry »
‘Home is where the heart is’ – Solving the crisis of selling new homes
Posted by Antonio Falco in Business, Business Solutions on September 10th, 2009
As the credit crunch continues to hit hard even though there appears to be some recovery in the wings; we all know that one of the more visible victims of this situation is the housing market. In particular house builders, who have either stopped any new projects or are now lumbered with large volumes of new properties they still struggle to sell.
The knock on effect of not starting new projects has been clear there could be Read the rest of this entry »
A vision of the future
Posted by Antonio Falco in Business, Business Solutions on July 9th, 2009
Getting through the next few months and successfully making into 2010 is still going to be tough – but possible. So how, what’s the key? How will you need to re-position your company internally and externally so as to come through stronger, leaner, fitter and smarter, with the long term in sight not just getting through for the sake of getting through.
For sure the last thing needed is yet another seminar or another speaker regurgitating that overused, worn out, clapped out, unimaginative, ‘have no real idea how to help you or your company but this’ll get the crowd going’, phrase – ‘you need to thrive not just survive’! Followed by a litany of non-descript mainly in-effective ideas of how to ensure that you’re clamping down on costs and that your stationery budget isn’t running away from you.
What’s needed is a more intelligent and sophisticated response as to how to deal with the issues that face your business and making it through, requires more than just cutting your stationery budget.
Now don’t get me wrong, you need to ensure that budgets and costs are kept in check, all good businesses should be doing that anyway and if you’re not – do it. Run a tight ship and when times change for the better don’t go back to the old ways.
Be aware too that when it comes to expenditure that actively and effectively promote and raise the profile of your business, be careful not to trim that budget too tightly.
This is the time for Vision and Leadership. What is the vision for your business?
Vision, is not a Mission Statement. It’s not the usual bland, predictable recitation about how much ‘you care about your employees’ or how ‘customer care is your company’s priority’.
A vision for your business needs imagination, foresight, a mental picture of how you see your business and how you want it to be seen. Most times it’s difficult to define and in my work with customers I’m often able to see for them what the vision for their business is, it’s a powerful starting point.
In tough times those at the top have their knowledge, experience and calibre pushed to the limit. Their personal performance is in the spotlight as those in need of vision, direction and leadership look to the top.
Over the past few years business has concentrated on process and management and much of that has been ‘flaky’ at best.
Vision and Leadership : People not Processes
Today’s business environment has become all about the figures – now! But to achieve them is not and has never been about ‘brow beating’ staff and customers into performing and ordering and won’t be about ‘thriving not just surviving’.
For more about me and my services feel free to go to my website – www.antoniofalco.com
World Economic Forum, Davos – the answers to the business issues
Posted by Antonio Falco in Business, Business Solutions on March 4th, 2009
At this year’s annual World Business Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a question was posed from the Chair during one of the key note debates:
‘How do companies go about trying to sell in a market of economic turmoil?’
What would be your response?
There was no clear answer from the panel.
I believe that the answers no longer lie with the usual celebrated consulting sources. The pre-determined and pre-prescribed methods of analysis and solution no longer deliver.
It’s time for clear, straight and effective answers.
In times of difficulty our test of knowledge, experience and calibre is pushed to the limit. Our own personal performance is in the spotlight and those that need direction, leadership and answers look to the top.
Some look for help, not in desperation but in demonstration of their commitment to their business. It is key to understand precisely what and how is affecting your business; this is not as obvious as may at first appear to be.
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