I’m a Worrier and I don’t care much for Kool-Aid
I worry that as our businesses succeed and grow, we will begin drinking too much of our own Kool-Aid, forgetting what really matters.
Let’s get this out first “I’m a worrier.” I sometimes worry about how much I worry.
So when I say I worry about sales “going too good” or hear “we’ve had another record sales year” you know that is just me.
My worry is that when sales and business begins growing and it looks like there is no stopping, we might start drinking our own Kool-Aid so to speak and as we grow we forget to do the things we are doing or have done to be successful.
I’ve seen too many times, businesses and sales professionals that are successful begin to falter and slowly fade simply because they forget what made them successful.
Maybe it’s:
- The personal touch we give our customers as we begin our business that gets lost as we grow.
- We move to a larger location without taking into consideration the effect on our customers.
- We begin making inventory decisions based on inventory value and turns rather than our customer needs.
Or we begin telling ourselves:
- It’s the new processes we’ve put in place and computer programs we’ve purchased that is the reason for the success.
- Maybe we get so bold as to think it’s our Account Managers, Sales Managers, Branch Managers or the new CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software we use that makes us so successful. (I could go on but won’t.)
Certainly many of the points mentioned above are needed as we grow our business and contribute to our success. I believe 100% that our people are one of our most valuable assets and growth is needed in any vibrant, successful and lasting organization. But we must make sure we grow without diluting or forgetting the main ingredient that gives us our success and ability to grow.
Did you notice the common ingredient in all but one of the reasons above is the Customer?
Much like “water” is the main ingredient in the Kool-Aid, it is the Customer that is the main ingredient in any business.
Without Water there is no Kool-Aid!
Without Customers there is no Business!
I worry that we might forget, it is our Customers that makes us successful. Without them nothing else really matters.
If, when making our decisions, planning our growth and patting ourselves on the back about how good we are, we forget to consider our Customers and their wants and needs, we will begin to falter and soon fade.
As I said, I’m a worrier and I worry if not careful we can become victims of our own success. Hence, drinking to much of our own Kool-Aid and I don’t care much for Kool-Aid.
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
What Does My Tax Story Have to do with Sales?
Taxes, Sales and Referral Value 
I remember years ago taking my shoebox full of papers and receipts and anything else I may have thought would be needed for tax purposes to Jim my Accountant or maybe better said Tax Preparer. Many times it was just days before the deadline. (I guess I have always been one to procrastinate.)
Jim was our accountant for many years. He almost seemed like family. Jim was always available for questions and advice. For many years, after tax season he and his family would go to our house in the mountains for a much needed rest. Jim was someone we knew, liked and trusted.
As we all know things change. Jim retired several years ago, sold his practice and referred me to another local accountant.
Here’s where the story begins:
The next tax season I got a form letter from the new accountant advising me of the changes (which I already knew) and letting me know I needed to make an appointment to meet with him to discuss my taxes. I did as requested.
A couple of weeks before the tax deadline (not days as I had done in the past) I called and made an appointment to meet with my new accountant to discuss and hand over my tax shoebox. When I arrived I quickly realized that he was very busy and I was just one of many. What a difference. The accountant had his processes and one of them seemed to require sitting in the waiting area for long periods of time.
Once I finally made it back to his office, I was greeted with stacks and stacks of paper mostly bound by large rubber bands. Thinking about it now I’m not quite sure I saw any shoeboxes like mine.
After a very brief introduction, he asked to see what I had brought. He barely knew my name and he was asking me to hand over my most personal information. Heck, I guess that’s why I was there but I remember that feeling uncomfortable as I did as requested. As I pushed my Tax Shoebox across his desk he gave me that look like “you got to be kidding”. You would have thought he had never seen the shoebox filing system I had in place at the time. (I now use a 8×11 envelope as my taxes have gotten much simpler.)
He quickly shuffled through my information, slapped a sticky note on the box, pulled out one of those large rubber bands, wrapped it around my tax box and told me he would give me a call when my tax return was ready.
That was it!
No questions asked, didn’t ask if I had any questions, just said he would call when the return was ready.
A few days before the 15th I got a call from his office letting me know my taxes were ready and to just drop by and pick them up.
When I dropped by his office my taxes along with my Shoebox were waiting for me at the receptionist desk. Again no questions asked, didn’t ask if I had any questions just a thank you along with the bill and out the door I went.
I realize I was not a Dream Client (probably an understatement) and I had no problem with the work he did (with the exception of the deduction for a home office he must have felt I needed and the IRS didn’t). But with that said, I never went back.
Since then I have had opportunities to refer customers and friends for accounting and tax services and never once have I included his name. In fact, when his name is mentioned my response has been “I was less than impressed with him.”
So what does an accountant and a tax shoebox have to do with sales?
I suspect he was ever bit as good of an accountant as Jim (maybe better) judging by the busyness in the office. He did what he said he would do and had my taxes done before the 15th and I had no problems with the price he charged.
However, I think the sales lesson is, even though he did what he felt was expected he didn’t meet my expectations. Never once did he consider any future value I might provide other than next year’s tax preparation fee.
I was looking for not only someone who could do my taxes correctly but someone I felt knew me, someone I liked and most importantly someone I could trust.
I know and I’m sure he knew that I was never going to be a high fee client. My shoebox method of filing certainly left him “less than impressed”.
But what he and I think many of us in sales and services fail to consider is the “referral value” of our customers.
Referral Value is the value a satisfied customer provides by referring their customers, friends, family and associates to our products or services.
I believe we “earn” referral value by exceeding our customers expectations and creating a trust that makes our customers eager to recommend us to others. We can’t create referral value by not meeting or just meeting expectations.
Though hard to put a hard dollar amount to how much a referral brings to ourselves and our company, it is something that we must consider.
How many times do we miss the opportunity to create a relationship that could provide “referral value” for years to come?
With a short term approach to sales and “make the sales numbers this month” attitude I wonder how much money we are leaving on the table by forgetting the value a satisfied customer can bring just by mentioning or referring us to others? Especially the right others!
Are we putting in the effort with our customers and people we meet to build relationships where comfortable asking for referrals?
Probably not!
We all know the damage a dissatisfied customer can do but are we overlooking the “referral value” of a customer that knows, likes and trusts us?
Probably so!
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
Only Price Matters?
You’re telling me your competitors are selling at a lower price. So what!
You can’t get an order because your competitors don’t know how to make a profit. What’s new!
Your Customers only buy on price! Oh Really!
There’s not much you can do about your competitors but are you sure your customers only buy on price?
Is this your Price Only Customer?
I would guess they drive the most basic Ford Pickup truck. Nothing fancy for our price conscious customer.
They live in the cheapest house on the block in an older neighborhood. It may not have all the luxuries they wanted or needed but it was a bargain.
They buy their shoes (on sale) from Pay-Less Shoe Store and would never consider buying a shirt with one of those fancy emblems on the pocket.
Am I right?
Certainly not!
So, maybe your customers don’t always buy on price. Are you with me so far?
Don’t mistake your customers negotiation tactics as only buying on price.
Sure your customers like the lowest price they can get along with the most value they can obtain from you.
Can you blame them?
It is my contention (belief) that only when all things are perceived as equal is price (possibly) the only factor.
(You can see that I have a hard time even saying that price is the only factor.)
How can all things be perceived as equal if you as a Professional Salesperson are always bringing your and your company’s value into the sales equation?
Have you ever walked into a store to buy something simply on price and ended up buying a better more expensive product and was happy to do so?
I would think most people would answer yes. I certainly have.
For me this happened this weekend. It was the result of a good salesperson asking questions and finding out my real needs and wants. Then helping me find the correct product (a 70mm-200mm zoom lens) to meet my needs, thus providing the best value not necessarily lowest price.
It was the salesperson’s knowledge and salesmanship that provided value for me not to buy only on lowest price. Without that salesperson’s help I would not have got what I needed. I would have only gotten a low price with regrets later.
As professional salespeople we must strongly believe that we are providing a value to our customers even when not having the lowest price. For this value we need to be compensated.
If you can create more value than your competitors, shouldn’t that greater value result in a greater price?
S. Anthony Iannarino, creator and writer of “The Sales Blog” writes:
“The role of a professional salesperson is to create so much value for their client that they can confidently capture part of that value for their company and themselves.” (How not to sell on Price: The Iannarino Principle)
Could it be the reason your customers don’t see the value you bring to the equation is “you don’t believe you bring value and deserve a higher price?”
You need to ask yourself:
- Are you providing enough value to overcome only buying on lowest price?
- More importantly, do your customers believe you are providing enough value to deserve a higher price?
I’m not saying price doesn’t matter, it does, but when you look closely it’s the value you bring and the perceived value of your products or services rather than lowest price that is the determining factor of what price your customers are willing to pay.
Look for more on this topic in the next couple of weeks.
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
The Value of Trust in a Sales Relationship
In last week’s post I discussed the three keys to building a successful sales career. Those keys were Know, Like and Trust.
It is Trust and the Value it brings that I would like to discuss today by asking these two questions.
1. Without trust, what value are you and your company bringing to the relationship?
2. Without value, what do you or your organization really have to offer over your competition?
I would say the answer to both of the questions is “Not Much.”
I Believe –
Trust is the cornerstone of any customer relationship. When your customers trust you, they will listen to your advise, be more forgiving when any misunderstandings arise and willing to purchase the products and services you have to sell.
I Also Know –
Honesty and integrity is the foundation of any trustful relationship.
Your customers must:
- See you as a person of integrity and honesty
- See your products or services as creating value
- See your organization as one of integrity
Before you can begin to earn their trust.
From the book “Integrity Selling”:
Trust is earned over time and it is defined in different ways by different people. It is influenced by many factors, such as:
- Being truthful and authentic, even when it is difficult
- Allowing people to disagree without becoming defensive
- Doing what you say you will do – being consistent
- Listening with respect and attention
These are skills and habits that must be learned, practiced and implemented in order to build any trusting relationships (sales or other).
Once trust is earned the sales process becomes much easier. Without trust the sales process is nearly impossible.
For a few minutes, put yourself in the shoes of your customers.
Think about what “you” want in a salesperson or supplier.
I know there are many things you can come up with but honesty, integrity, value and trust has to be at the top of any list when discussing “wants” in a sales relationship.
What value do your customers put in Trust?
“It may be hard to put a dollar amount on the value trust brings into any relationship, especially a sales relationship but without trust the value will be darn close to zero.” – Wes
I guess the question is “What Value of Trust are you putting in your Sales Relationships?”
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
Three Keys to a Successful Career
Everyone of us is a salesman, no matter our occupation, profession, business or situation in life. 
With that said, I must go back to three keys that are the basics for sales and building long lasting relationships.
- Know
- Like
- Trust
I was reminded of these keys or steps this week while listening to Dan Miller in his podcast “48 Days to the Work You Love.” Mr. Miller spoke about to be successful in anything you do, people must “know, like and trust you.”
Sure we must have some talent to be successful. Many occupations and professions require specialized skills and training. But until we are known, liked and trusted it will be very hard for most of us to have long lasting success.
Many professional athletes have very successful careers but it’s the ones we feel that we know, like and trust that have lasting success after there playing days are over. We buy the products they endorse, invite them to speak at our meetings and even pay to see their movies.
Think about your favorite restaurant. You certainly know about the restaurant and like the food it prepares. After eating there a few times you start to trust that each time you go there or recommend it, the food, service, experience will be outstanding. Right?
If you’re married you already know the ‘know, like and trust’ process. (If your not married here’s a tip) You first have to get to know and like the person you are dating. Then you begin building a trust. Once you have trust you are well on your way to marriage and a long lasting relationship. Skip one of these steps you may end up on an episode of Divorce Court.
As a professional salesperson we must realize our customers want and expect the same from us. Before we can ask for an order and certainly before we can have a long and successful relationship:
- Our Customers must know us.
- Our Customers must like us.
- Most importantly, Our Customers must trust us.
Miss one of these steps and I can almost guarantee you will not have the success you deserve and desire.
Follow these steps and you will most assuredly be successful in anything you attempt.
“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” – Zig Ziglar
It’s really that simple!
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
Really Good vs. Pretty Good
What’s the difference between being really good vs. being pretty good?
Maybe a million dollars!
The inspiration for this article comes from a post by Seth Godin “Most ramen is pretty good.” The premise for his article is most ramen noodles are pretty good and so is most pizza. However, nobody will drive across town for just “pretty good” pizza but for “really good” pizza (my words) we are willing to travel. The really good are the restaurants that require reservations, always have a waiting line unless you go early and have or will be around for years.
Pretty Good and Very Good
Just watch the PGA Tour this weekend, all the players are good. Heck, they are all really good compared to most golfers. But the really good pro’s are the ones you watch. The pretty good golfers have already finished their round before the TV camera’s roll. It’s the really good golfers we want to see. The pretty good pro’s will collect a nice check and move on to the next tournament but it is the really good golfers that take home the million dollar checks.
Being pretty good may be just fine for many things you do. You may be like me and not have the desire or talent to be a really good golfer or great pizza maker. However, with practice and a desire to get better I know I can become a pretty good golfer in the group I golf with and if I fire up my “Big Green Egg” grill I can cook a pretty good pizza.
But the difference between being pretty good and really good can very easily be worth more than just money.
For Example:
If you have a cold, you’re ok with a pretty good doctor, right. But if you are needing major surgery, you want a really good doctor.
If you need to get a speeding ticket fixed, then a pretty good lawyer is fine. But if your facing jail time, you want a really good lawyer.
If you are wanting a photo for your passport, a pretty good photographer will do. But if you talking about your daughters wedding, then you want a really good photographer to make sure the pictures are outstanding.
Can you begin to see the difference in pretty good and really good?
I’m not trying to make you think that pretty good is not good enough. Heck, there is a whole phone book full of pretty good.
But it’s the “really good” that makes you want to pay more, travel further and wait in line for their products and services.
What makes a pizza really good vs. one that is pretty good?
What makes one pro golfer really good vs. one that is pretty good?
What makes one photographer really good vs. one that is pretty good?
What makes one salesperson really good vs. one that is pretty good?
I wish there was an easy answer to these questions.
But I will suggest one answer is “a desire to be the best.”
Doing the things it takes to rise above being pretty good.
Putting in the time and effort it takes to become really good.
Please give this article some thought.
Are you really good at what you do or just pretty good?
Is pretty good good enough or do you desire to be really good?
Most importantly, are you willing to do what it takes to become really good at what matters the most to you?
If you are willing and ready to move from pretty good to really good you must:
- Believe this change is possible.
- Increase your knowledge and skills by reading, studying and practicing each day.
- Seek out those that you wish to emulate and seek their advise.
- Set yourself clear Smart Goals with an action plan to reach your goals. (Don’t forget to write your goals down and share them with those you trust.)
Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. To become really good at anything takes time, discipline, hard work and a overwhelming desire to be the best.
Let’s get to work so we can get what we deserve!
P.S. If you know how to make really good Ramen Noodles please send me the recipe.
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
It’s Time to Focus on the Goals You Set
Are you accomplishing the Goals you set at the first of the year?
It’s been a couple of months since we established our yearly goals. If you think back to December we began thinking about the things we really wanted to accomplish in 2014. In the post “Much to be Done” I asked you to think about goals that would require you to stretch your efforts and do things differently than you have done in the past.
To think about:
* Goals that can and would make a difference in you and your families lives.
* Goals that would help build long lasting relationships with customers and co-workers.
* Goals that will help you improve and become the person you want to be.
Then in January in the post “Goals and Plans” we discussed putting our goals into a written plan. We know that we are much more likely to achieve our goals if we write our goals down, create a plan to reach these goals and share them with those we trust.
There were those who were struggling with this process, so I recommended an article “Beginner’s Guide to Goal Setting” by Michael Hyatt at MichaelHyatt.com on the goal setting process and setting Smart Goals. Michael seems to be the current go-to guy on goals and goal setting. If you look at his success and the way he credits much of his success to setting Smart Goals you can quickly see why he is considered the expert.
With all that said, now is the time the rubber hits the road.
Are you on track to reach your Goals?
If so, Congratulations!
If not, Why?
Scenario #1
Has something changed that makes the goals you set not goals anymore? (Unlikely but Possible)
If this is the case, set new goals that reflect the changes. Goals are not set in stone. Things change as do your goals. However, be careful not to change goals just because they are hard to achieve. The main idea with goals is to help you stretch what you think you are capable of doing and make the differences in your life you desire.
Jamie Tardy in her new book “The Eventual Millionaire” says your goal should be:
“… big enough to be scary, hard enough to matter, and exciting enough to really commit to-no matter what. If you don’t feel strongly enough about your goal, change it.”
Scenario #2
You put in the effort to create your goals along with the plan to achieve them. Heck, you even shared them with those you trust. But you’ve gotten busy and haven’t reviewed or thought about your goals since. (Much more Likely)
I have just finished reading Jamie Tardy’s new book “The Eventual Millionaire” that I mentioned earlier. In the book she interviewed more than a hundred millionaires in an attempt to find the common denominators that makes them who they are. One thing that most of those she interviewed was their ability to focus and move forward to achieve goals and things they felt were most important.
Ms. Tardy quotes author and marketing guru Dan Miller – “The reward is not in setting goals, that’s the starting point. The real reward is in achieving them. So have clear plans for how you are going to achieve your goals.”
It is my hope that the Goals you set and plans you developed fall into the category of “most important”. Please look back at the beginning of this post. You set goals that would make a difference in you and your families lives. Goals that would build long lasting relationships and help you become the person you want to be. I can’t think of many things more important.
Action Plan to get back on Track
1. Take some time this week to review your goals and plans and focus on getting back on track. This may take setting aside a time, turning off your phone, finding a quite place, shutting the door and focusing on what you need to do to get back on track.
2. Remember, setting your goals was just the beginning of the process.
3. Pick the most important goal and laser focus on achieving that goal.
4. Ask yourself “Am I really committed to achieving this goal?”
5. If so, identify or confirm the actions needed to reach your goal.
6. Develop an action plan that requires you to ask yourself each day “Am I doing the things to help me move forward in reaching my goal?”
You can begin focusing on the other goals once you’re back on track.
The key is consistently doing the things that keep you moving forward.
Now follow your Plan!
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
Some Days Do You Feel Like an Olympian
Are there days you feel like an Olympian?
The 2014 Winter Olympics are now over. For those that won a Metal, they deserve all the accolades that come with the success.
Those that came up short are most likely going over in their minds what they could have done differently or better and what they need to do to improve.
Maybe the biggest challenge for those will be to not allow doubts and negative thoughts to take over. Not to begin doubting their abilities and resisting the urge to give up or making excuses.
We can learn a lot about how to handle defeat from Olympian Shaun White’s failure in this year’s Winter Olympics.
Shaun White went to the Olympics this year expecting and being expected to win a Gold Metal – just like he had done before. But instead he came home without a metal, coming in 4th place in his event.
In his interviews afterward, he did not say or give any indication that he doubted his abilities, was not well prepared or was thinking of quitting.
Instead of making excuses for his performance he put his performance in perspective. He knew that he “just had a bad day.” He didn’t blame anything or anyone. He just accepted the loss and was willing to deal with it. He said “it was only one night.”
“Every time I’ve had a bad performance at an event, I’ve come back more determined and focused.” – Shaun White
As a Sales Professional, how do you handle defeat?
When you meet with a client or customer and everything you say seems to come out wrong.
When you don’t close the deal you have worked long and hard for and feel like your proposal was the best.
When you realize in March that you are not reaching the Goals you had set just a couple of months earlier.
Do you begin to let self doubt and negative thoughts take over?
Do you start to doubt your abilities and think of giving up?
Or worse you begin blaming others and making excuses.
Maybe we should all take a lesson from Shaun White and tell ourselves “ it just wasn’t my day, there’s always tomorrow.”
Realize that we don’t always win at everything we work hard for and sometimes we will have a bad day!
If you don’t get a deal closed or have the winning proposal, don’t beat yourself up just move on!
Commit or re-commit to doing the things each day that will help you reach your goals!
Take ownership of your own performance and resist the urge to blame others or make excuses!
Don’t let negative self thoughts begin to take over your thinking!
Learn to come back from each defeat more focused and determined just like Olympian Shaun White!
Maybe we should all start to act like an Olympian. What do you think?
I would like to thank Rick for suggesting this topic for this week’s blog post.
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
February Tip of the Month – Organize Your Inbox
Have you lost control of your Inbox?
Are you like me and would like to just hit “delete all” and start fresh?
Maybe it’s time for a little Early Email Spring Cleaning!
One of my goals this quarter is to get a handle on my email.
My Inbox keeps growing and growing.
I think I may be a “Email Hoarder” and this must change!
I’ve tried moving everything into folders but then my folder list began to look like my Inbox (out of control). I needed help.
Podcast Intervention
The other day while listening to a podcast on the topic of “getting control of your email” I may have found a solution or solutions.
The guest on the podcast was David Sparks author of “Email” a book which explains in-depth how email works. After listening to the podcast I purchased his book and was surprised how much I didn’t know about email.
I won’t get into much of what I read and learned as you might begin to think of me in a “geeky” sort of way but I will say that Email is much more involved than just an online mailbox to send and receive mail.
One quote from the book really struck home as I read the book and looking to find a way to manage all the emails I receive each day:
“Leaving all of your emails in your inbox makes as much sense as leaving all of your paper mail in the mailbox in front of your house. ”
Mr. Sparks went on to say that “you would never think of looking through the letters at your mailbox then stuffing them back in the mailbox wishing your Postman luck in getting tomorrows mail into your already full mailbox.”
I must say “That’s Me!” or hopefully “That Was Me!”
For this month’s tip I am going to discuss Mr. Sparks advice for initially getting control of “Your Inbox” by setting up a few folders and following 5 simple rules.
He suggests setting up three additional folders :
1. Action Folder- use this folder for emails that you can not immediately respond but need a response in the next few days. (Be careful that this folder does not become your secondary inbox. You must discipline yourself to manage the Action Folder to keep in current.
2. Later Folder- use this folder for emails that may take more that a few days to complete the task or respond. You may want to add a reminder in your calendar or to-do list to point you back to your later folder.
3. Archive Folder- use this folder for anything you can’t trash or doesn’t require an action. Emails you wish to keep should go into the archive folder and not left in your inbox.
With the ability to use the “search” function in your folders there is little need for multiple folders. (Mr. Sparks recommends no more than ten folders.) Just by typing a name, topic, date or few words you should be able to easily locate any old email.
I can’t seem to remember which folder I filed the email in anyway. With the search function this problem goes away.
So, here are the 5 simple rules Mr. Sparks suggests to keep your Inbox in control:
1. “If it’s trash, trash it. Immediately.” (Enough Said)
2. “If it’s archival, archive it.” (Archive Folder)
3. “If you can respond quickly, then respond quickly.” (Archive Folder if you need to keep the email after you respond)
4. “If you can’t respond quickly, respond later.” (Action Folder)
5. “If requires Even later action, save it for later.” (Later Folder)
I’ve only begun using this process a couple of weeks ago and so far so good.
I’m struggling a little with whether I need to clean up my old emails (trash what needs to be trashed) or just archive the old emails and move on. I’m not going to kid myself if I choose the later that I will go back and clean up the archives. Heck, I have a storage shed full of junk that I’ve been going to clean up for years.
Why not give this a try and let me know how it works for you!
Recommendation
If you are truly interested in managing your emails and not letting them manage you, I recommend you getting “Email” by David Sparks. It is an IBook that I think can only be found in Apple’s Ibook Store. I purchased the book on my IPad and it’s quite an experience with interactive videos and a very easy to read format. This format is probably the book of the future.
If you would like, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
I Can Really Relate to Your Newest Post
I received several emails from last week’s post “The Law of Limited (Sales) Performance.” I would like to share one in particular, along with my reply.
I know as Managers in any organization we have all had the same feelings and struggles as Kris.
Email from Kris:
I can really relate to your newest post, even though my role is more service based rather than sales. I’m struggling a bit right now with a few of my men that I know are far more capable than what they’re putting forth, and having some difficulty in finding a means to challenge or motivate them with hopes that they will re-engage themselves in their work. I also find myself stepping in way more than I have been to make sure things are done correctly. I’ve been wondering lately maybe it’s me? Maybe my expectations are unreasonable? Not sure… I’ve never asked anyone to do anything I haven’t done myself or wouldn’t be willing to do, but I remind myself that not everyone has the years of experience I do and perhaps can’t do things as fast or good as I can. I don’t know Wes, maybe management just isn’t for me? I’m a hands on guy and it’s been a struggle for me to let go. I’d think almost eight years later I would feel better about it but I don’t.
Kris
My reply:
Kris, I think as managers the challenge to motivate and inspire our team is always work in progress.
The Law of Limited Performance is a very strong force in any organization whether sales or service.
Please don’t think that because I recognize the law exists and have written on the topic that I don’t still have the same struggles as you are having. I think you recognizing and showing concern that your team may not be achieving it’s potential shows that you do have what it takes to be a great manager and coach.
The first thing I would suggest you think about is “How you think about your people?”
Do you feel strongly that your people are capable of doing what you are asking?
Ron Willingham in his book “Selling Integrity” which I refer to often says:
“Change your internal beliefs and perceptions about people and you’ll see your people change.”
He goes on to say:
“By changing your own actions and behaviors, you can change the actions and behaviors of your people.”
I’m not trying to be preachy but I think it all starts with looking at yourself first.
If you’re ready:
Here is a step-by-step process from “Integrity Selling” I use that may help you work with improving your team:
1. Recognize current belief boundaries:
-Understand how they see themselves.
-Analyze your beliefs about the person.
2. Help set achievable goals just outside their comfort zone.
3. Determine why achieving these goals is important.
4. Agree upon and action plan.
5. Express your belief in their ability.
6. Reinforce the smallest evidence of progress.
7. Help them see failure as a learning experience.
Kris, I think you are exactly what companies look for in a manager. Never think that having high expectations of your group and holding them accountable is a negative in being a manager.
I think you said it best when you said you don’t ask them to do something you have not already done yourself or willing to do yourself.
However, I caution you to not expect them to be “Kris”. That may be to much to ask from those without your drive and experience.
I would use all the knowledge and experience you have to begin coaching and encouraging your team to be the best they can be.
Use encouragement and praise when possible and hold them accountable when appropriate.
But most importantly, let them know you believe in them and are always there for them.
I certainly believe you can!
Thank you so much for the email.
Wes
PS: You may see some of this in a future post along with your feedback if you have no objections.
If you are having the same struggles as Kris and would like to share what you are doing to defeat the “Law of Limited Performance”, please leave a comment below or you can email me at feedback@wewaonthenet.com.
You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WE_Ward where I tweet articles I come across each week that I think may be of interest.
If you would like to have future posts automatically sent to you, please subscribe below or click on the RSS feed button in the upper right hand corner of my website and choose how you would like to receive this blog. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Now let’s get out there and over-deliver!
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