You’ve Screwed Up - Now What Do You Do
Posted on October 27, 2008 - Filed Under women\'s eye care | Leave a Comment
OK everyone - even the Sales Diva is not immune to screwing up royally every now and then! I can’t believe I am actually going to tell you what happened to me recently… but it will give you a laugh!
I was recently asked by a local college to do a tele-class call. No problem. Booked the date. Booked the time. Was completely prepared for the 8 pm call.
Went for dinner at 5:30 pm. By 6:50 pm I was on the road and only 10 minutes from home.
Then it happened…
Boom!
One of the rear wheel tires on my car started making that “thumping” noise that we all dread.
The problem? I am on a major city freeway with traffic whipping past me at 100 miles per hour.
Problem #2?
Cell phone battery has barely enough juice to make one call.
Problem #3?
I don’t have the number of the facilitator - I only have her office number!
You know what happened - I called a tow truck - left a breathless message for the facilitator and then sat in my car on the freeway for an hour- and missed the tele-class entirely..the one I was supposed to appear on as a guest!
Screw-ups Do Happen - So What’s The First Step?
1. Act quickly. This is not a time for putting your head in the sand, getting defensive and not accepting responsibility!
What did I do? I left 2 messages for the facilitator, e-mailed her and then also called immediately the next morning. (You can imagine the sleep I had!) I apologized profusely for the stress and embarrassment I had caused her and asked her what I could do to make the situation better.
2. Do Whatever Needs To Be Done - Quickly. The facilitator was fabulous. She had been worried about me as she knew I would never leave her in that type of situation on purpose.
Her students were very understanding and they were also worried about me! We set a date for a second call the following week and recorded a fabulous session.
3. Over-Deliver. Don’t just meet the needs of your customer…over-deliver. I sent an apology note to the participants of the call and I also sent a gift - a report they could use for their businesses immediately.
We have all screwed up at one point or another - however - the true mistake is when you don’t handle it properly!
Who do you need to contact today to solve a problem that you have caused? As my mom would say ” SNAP OUT OF IT” and get your act in gear - you will feel soooooo much better and so will your customer!
Copyright© 2005
Kim Duke, The Sales Diva, provides savvy, sassy sales training for women small biz owners and entrepreneurs. Kim works with clients internationally, showing them The Sales Diva secrets to success! Sign up for her saucy and smart FREE e-zine and receive her FREE Bonus Report “The 5 Biggest Sales Mistakes Women Make” at http://www.salesdivas.com
Tags: diva, marketing, sales, selling, womenThis Is Your Year To Be BOLD!
Posted on September 20, 2008 - Filed Under women\'s eye care | Leave a Comment
WOW!! Can you believe it is 2006?
Doesn’t it seem like yesterday that we were drinking champagne bringing in the new century??
6 years have gone by since then. What have YOU filled them with?
This Is Going To Be Your Felt-Marker Year!
You’ve seen them - those fabulous huge felt markers that little kids love coloring with. They leave a BOLD mark!
One thing this Sales Diva knows - that unless you plan something BOLD every year- life has a way of tip-toeing past you.
And all you are left with is bills, excuses and the odd gray hair (Ok - a heck of a lot of gray hair!)
This decade is almost 60% over - wouldn’t you like to KICK IT UP A NOTCH?
Why Is Selling About Being Bold?
Listen - being “vanilla” in this world gets you absolutely nowhere.
Your customer - and potential customers - want to buy from people/companies they trust, admire, respect and overall LOVE!
If you are blending in with the crowd, copying what others are doing and basically COASTING - I have some tough news for you.
You are going to keep STRUGGLING.
However, if you make a BOLD impact with your customers on what you deliver, how you HELP THEM GROW, how BOLDLY easy it is to work with you - they will start lining up at the doors.
I don’t know about you - but I only buy from businesses that have heart and passion and who show me VALUE.
I simply don’t have time for anything or anyone who pride themselves on being “vanilla”.
I DIVA-DARE YOU!
Quit being average. Quit being so afraid of taking a chance. Quit playing it so damn safe!
Your business and your customers need you to be EVEN MORE of who you are.
You are already pretty amazing. But you know what I am talking about - deep down there are some things you have been coasting on…and they bug you.
Bring your ideas to the light of day. Expose them - do a pilot project - fly the kite! You will be THRILLED at what being BOLD will do for you - and the wonderful OPPORTUNITIES that will be attracted to you.
This BOLD DIVA believes in you!
Copyright© 2006
Kim Duke, The Sales Diva, provides savvy, sassy sales training for women small biz owners and entrepreneurs. Kim works with clients internationally, showing them The Sales Diva secrets to success! Sign up for her saucy and smart FREE e-zine and receive her FREE Bonus Report “The 5 Biggest Sales Mistakes Women Make” at http://www.salesdivas.com.
Tags: marketing, negotiate, sales, sales divas, selling, womenDo You Have A Hole In Your Nylons
Posted on August 27, 2008 - Filed Under women\'s eye care | Leave a Comment
I know you have heard this line “The only sure things in life are death and taxes.” I would like to add to this.
The ONLY sure thing in life is CHANGE. OK - maybe one more…your new $10 nylons WILL RUN as soon as you put them on! (for all you guys out there - just go with it!)
Are You Grouchy or Thrilled?
Lately I have been bumping into many people that are going through changes in their business. Some are happy about it and some aren’t. You want to know the difference between the happy people and the grouchy ones?
The thrilled businessowners are those who have effectively planned for change. Proactive instead of reactive. Smooth transition planning. All those phrases that we think “so what” until we are in the midst of change.
The grouchy ones? Well - they have been caught off-guard. Some unexpected events/projects/delays -have made them question their business judgment/focus/client base.
Maybe Your Nylons Didn’t Fit in the First Place!
Hey - take a deep breath- we have all been there! Actually I have always loved Henry Thoreau’s comment ” May you love your discontent - it means you are on the cusp of growth.” Whenever I am feeling a little overwhelmed or unhappy with a situation I ask myself “OK Kim - what have you done to contribute to this and how can it help take you to a new and higher level?”
Snap Out Of It!
Change is like the air we breathe and just as necessary. Contrary to popular belief - pity parties are boring and besides - you end up with a head-ache and puffy eyes!
Here are some Diva tips on managing CHANGE better:
1. Chart your course. Where do you want to be revenue wise/project wise in 3,6,12 months?
2. What doesn’t feel right anymore? What worked a few years ago probably doesn’t fit your business anymore. Stay with the areas that fit your expertise like a glove and let go of the rest.
3. Get over yourself. This line comes directly from my mother. If you focus less on yourself and more on the positive outcomes you want to see - you’ll start to see some rapid momentum!
I don’t know about you - but I would MUCH RATHER be thrilled about my business than pouting in the corner. Change is everywhere - and it’s wonderful!!
Your Diva Dare this month - is to GET OVER what is bugging you and GET PRO-ACTIVE instead. I know you can do it!!
Copyright© 2005
Kim Duke, The Sales Diva, provides savvy, sassy sales training for women small biz owners and entrepreneurs. Kim works with clients internationally, showing them The Sales Diva secrets to success! Sign up for her saucy and smart FREE e-zine and receive her FREE Bonus Report “The 5 Biggest Sales Mistakes Women Make” at http://www.salesdivas.com
Tags: diva, marketing, sales, selling, women keep looking »