Archive for July, 2009

Sales basics!

Monday, July 20th, 2009

Some stories are worth sharing!
Most visitors to the site will know that I am a very passionate Liverpool Fan. So you can imagine my reaction when the question below was posed to me recently by a Cable sales person.
Initially allow me to set the scene.
“Hi, my name is -. I was wondering were you a sports fan?”

“Yes,” I replied; “you obviously are aware that I have your sports package.”
“Do you follow football?” she further enquired.
“Yes, I am a Liverpool Fan.” I enthusiastically responded.
“How would you like to buy the Manchester United Channel?” she added.
“What? Are you joking?” I enquired.
“You will be able to see all the pre-season matches,” adding her killer line!
It transpires the sales girl was from Australia and didn’t know anything about football in her own words.

Most definately a sales training opportunity in that organisation!

Basics – Know thy customer – Know thy product – Listen, people are telling you everything you need to know!

Ideas from the Unemployed

Friday, July 10th, 2009

As part of the unemployment initiative I asked participants what they would do if they were given the task of boosting employment levels – here is what they siad:

1. Focus on upskilling the unemployed/graduates for the “new world.”

2. Create part time work for the unemployed – either in the community, within semi state organisations or subsidise companies to take them on.

3. Invest more in start your own business initiatives and in stimulating idea generation within communities.

4. Invest resources both financial and non financial (mentor support/training etc) in small businesses.

5. Focus on key growth areas and provide the necessary supports to exploit these opportunities. (Energy, Technology, Ebusiness.)

6. National Skills Audit.

7. Improve links between college and industry.

Another suggestion was to move away from the focus on “five star” and develop more backpackers holidays.
Sell Ireland for its beauty and its food.
(1,2, and 3 were the most popular suggestions by far.)