October 2014
Strategies for Success Newsletter October 2014 Issue 106
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies
www.sellingstrategies.com
Copyright 2014 Emily Huling. All rights reserved.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In this October 2014 issue:
Thoughts from the road
Josmo’s Cafe
Thoughts from the office
Stay energized
Emily Live
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thoughts from the road
No double dipping!
I was enjoying a late afternoon snack of vegetables and dips at the September NAPSLO convention in Atlanta. Sitting in the Broker’s Lounge at a table by myself, I was taking in all the people and conversations that were going on around me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a man hovering over the snack buffet table. He takes a carrot, dips it in the hummus, takes a bite, and dips it in the hummus again.
I jumped out of my seat and rushed over to this guy. I looked at him and said, “What are you doing? There’s no double dipping allowed. Who do you think you are – George Costanza? Get a plate. ” He looked at me quite innocently and replied, “I didn’t think anyone was watching.”
Moral of the story. People are watching. Watch the famous Chip Dip scene from Seinfeld.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Josmo’s Cafe
Football season calls for healthy munchies to feed a crowd! There are many variations of Cowboy Salsa, but when my cousin Kathy served her creation to us, John and I quickly deemed this our favorite. There are no tomatoes so it’s not messy to eat and no cilantro which John doesn’t care for. Enjoy Kathy’s Cowboy Salsa!
Josmo’s Cafe is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Learn its history and try the famous Josmo’s Cosmo cocktail posted on the Josmo’s Café webpage.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The 17 Terrific Tips series continues with 17 Terrific Management Tips. Included are ideas to manage remote workers, overcome self-doubt, and develop independent thinkers. You’ll find the whole series on the Free Stuff page of the website.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Anyone need a short course to advance management skills?
Susan Koshewa, ARM, CRIS, Workers Compensation Underwriting Manager, says this:
“Emily’s experience in developing managers and no-nonsense communication style is a perfect combination to learn dozens of pertinent ideas quickly. I listen to the audios twice. Once in the car and once at my desk to take notes. Emily’s management skill-building programs supply real-world valuable information.”
Retirements, company restructuring, and growing businesses are launching new leaders and managers. Four self-study learning tools will quickly advance front-line manager proficiency in these key areas:
· Developing staff accountability
· Effective delegation
· Managing remote workers
· Leading results-producing meetings
· Handling employee performance problems
For a limited time, we’re offering newsletter readers four management development tools for a package price of $115.00, a 40% savings. This product package is only available through this newsletter link – Management Short Course.
Be a Better Boss: 10 Strategies to Develop Top Performers (1 CD program) Upgrade your management strategies for current employee challenges. Learn how to lead and communicate emotional support, bolster intellectual potential, and provide performance and professional feedback.
Managing People for Maximum Performance (2 CD program) People with direct reports will learn how to maximize team and individual performance, eliminate harmful attitudes and behaviors, develop staff accountability and confidence, and a fail-proof intervention technique to handle any specific employee issue.
Touchpoints for Managers: Improving Employee Satisfaction and Productivity (1 CD program) Valued, encouraged, and intellectually stimulated employees are productive employees. Learn dozens of fresh management strategies including eliminating backlog, delegating effectively, and leading productive meetings.
Selling from the Inside: Creating a Front Line that Adds to the Bottom Line (Book) Dozens of ideas to create a client-focused organization, keep clients happy, and equip your front line to sell.
This bundle package is only available through this newsletter link – Management Short Course.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thoughts from the office
Hello?
I was in the Detroit airport waiting for a plane and checking my e-mail. I had a message from an intern working at a client’s office requesting permission to use one of my articles in an upcoming publication. Ashley’s direct phone number was on her professional and complete e-mail signature (it even stated that she was an intern), so instead of e-mailing back, I just hit the hyperlink phone number to call. I knew it was the office number, not a mobile phone.
“Hello?” is what I heard when the line was picked up. “Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, “I must have the wrong number. I’m calling a business and looking for Ashley.” “This is Ashley.” “Oh,” I said and told her who I was.
Ashley was surprised to hear from me by phone. I gathered from her casual “Hello” that she didn’t get many calls and would benefit from some coaching. I asked Ashley if I could make a suggestion about answering an office phone. She said yes. “Always use your first and last name when answering the phone. It confirms your professionalism and identifies who you are to the caller. In addition, it provides a needed mental shift for you if the ringing phone has interrupted your concentration.” Ashley thanked me and was appreciative of the advice.
My subsequent communication with Ashley has demonstrated excellent communication, problem solving, and professional skills. She has a wonderful career ahead of her, but only if she learns and applies fundamental business practices.
Moral of the story: Don’t assume new professionals know proper protocols and office etiquette. Create a checklist of standards to review. Here are five categories to get you started.
· Confidentiality – HIPPAA, client information and conversation privacy
· Workspace – appearance, food, music, voice levels, wall art, pictures, heaters
· Phone – answering – number of rings and what to say; transferring calls; outgoing voice mail message; leaving a message, use of DND
· E-mail tips – a list of 20 tips are on my website Free Stuff page
· Breakroom
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
John’s remote-control model boat building has continued! He just completed the Geo. W. Washburn with working smoke stacks! To see a picture and view an short video of the tugboat water launch, click here.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2015 Convention and Meeting Topics and Descriptions are now available!
Are you looking for a thought-provoking presenter who is at the cutting edge of workplace changes and challenges and provides doable solutions? Newly-written programs are:
Stop Selling! Essential Strategies to Help Buyers Buy
Modern-Day Management – Get Work Done and Develop People
Create Career Success: A Short Course to Advance Professionally
Organic Growth – The Process and Practices of Sustained Success
Strengthening Agency-Company Relationships
How to Become the Agent of Choice
For more information, please get in touch.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In celebration of Selling Strategies’ 20th anniversary, we’re offering a 20% discount on books and audios (excludes product bundle offers). Apply coupon code HAPPY at checkout to receive your savings.
All orders include a complimentary copy of the 2013 Energizer Minute Collection with the bonus track – 27 Tips to Be a Great Co-worker.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stay Energized!
October Energizer Minute – That happens all the time Get supercharged with Energizer Minutes – one-to-two minute audio stories told by yours truly to energize, invigorate, and inspire!
Follow me on Twitter @EmilyHuling to read my weekday Energizer Moments.
Receive your complimentary copy of the priceless 2013 Energizer Minute Collection plus 27 Tips to Be a Great Co-worker with all learning material orders.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Since 1994, Selling Strategies’ purpose is to build top-performing sales, service, and leadership organizations. We offer insurance industry expertise to companies, agents, MGAs, industry partners, and service providers.
Our Commitment to Our Clients
We will improve your clients’ experience, grow your top-line revenue, and your bottom-line profit. Together we accomplish this through:
· Strategic planning and implementation
· Leadership and management development
· Business development – marketing, sales, service strategies
· Organization and process improvements
· Individual skill and team development
· Personal coaching
To discuss how to fast forward achieving your goals, please contact me for a complimentary 30-minute conversation. Call 888-309-8802 or emily@sellingstrategies.com.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emily Live
· Private Client – annual agents event – Indianapolis, IN – Deliver Service that Sells and Protects and Turning Change into Opportunity – October 7-9, 2014
· Agency Management CIC – Louisville, KY – October 15-17, 2014
· Private Client – operations review, planning, sales and service workshops – South Bend, IN – October 27-31, 2014
· Private Client – Building the Business workshops and consulting – Madison, WI – November 17-20, 2014
· Private Client – operations review, planning, workshops – Blue Ridge, GA – December 8-10, 2014
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Share any of my free stuff, articles, or newsletter content as long as proper credit is included.
Selling Strategies: Strategies for Success Newsletter is published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies. For further information contact emily@sellingstrategies.com.
© 2014 Emily Huling. All rights reserved.