Ten Commandments for Better Sales

When he was named Xerox’s district manager for Cleveland, Frank Pacetta vowed to turn his district into number one in the region even though it had finished last the year before. He did it. Here is his Top Ten List on customer service:  1. Prepare customer proposals on weekends and evenings.  2. Never say no […]

Boost Sales with Incentive Programs

Incentive programs can do wonders for your sales figures – but only if the incentives are well-planned. Here are some basic steps to map out successful incentives contests.  Pinpoint the goal and audience. Remember to keep the objective attainable, measurable, simple, and meaningful for your audience.  Set the budget. The contest should cover its costs. […]

Keeping Customers Happy

A customer’s family was nearing the end of a mountain of presents last Christmas when the phone rang. The caller? Not a relative spreading holiday cheer, but a Federal Express customer service representative spending the day playing last-minute Santa. She held in her hand a package she thought could be a gift. Though the package […]

Make Them an Offer They Can’t Refuse

If you make your customer feel comfortable about a potential purchase, you’ll improve your odds of making the sale. Put prospects at ease by giving them a free trial period or a money-back guarantee. Offer additional services or features in exchange for a quick buying decision. Add value to your product in ways your competition doesn’t (or can’t) […]

What You Need to Know About ROI

As business owners, managers, and accountants sit down to take stock of their respective budgets, the first place they look is the major expense column. And the major expense item most difficult to quantify in terms of value provided is the cost of marketing products and services. Marketers, both in-house and agency-based, are regularly cross-examined: […]