BLArticle®
The personal touch of a blog; the informative touch of an article.
Being There… Virtually
As we adjust to the new reality of virtual communication, online meetings have kicked into a whole new gear. We want to be there for our clients, but for now, that’s going to have to be accomplished virtually. There is a big difference between inter-office virtual...
Uncertainty? It’s Shelf Building Time!
And so, here we are; smack dab in a sea of uncertainty! It’s not just uncertainty; it’s a sea of many synonyms: unpredictability, unreliability, precariousness, reservation, doubt… well, you get the point. Uncertainty is like dental pain. The fear of the pain that...
The Times They Are A-Changin’
I’m a talker. No news there. I’m from a family of talkers. Bump into anyone who came from the Jolles clan and you won’t question that statement either. I love teaching, motivating, and inspiring people, and I have been doing it for almost 40 years now. I have no...
Don’t Just Tell A Story: Land It!
One of the hottest topics in selling, or professional speaking, is story telling. After all, when you tell a good story, you can make your key point more memorable. As a matter of fact, it’s over twenty times more memorable than just presenting facts!...
Righting A Wrong
I’ve preached the following words for years: When you’re having a conversation with someone, the more the other person speaks, the more trust they’ll have in you. This is also true of an audience, and the best way to accomplish this task is to ask questions of your...
Industry Experience Vs Successful Experience
Recently, I was speaking with a client, who was looking to hire a salesperson. The previous hire didn’t work out, and it was time for a change. I had a fantastic candidate in mind, with years of successful sales experience, and then my client asked me the question:...
Looking For A Solution? Not So Fast…
One of the most difficult decisions a person can go through is the decision for change. That decision can be both elusive and precarious. It’s elusive because it can take years of living with a problem before we decide to do something about it. It can be expensive...
It’s New Years – Promise Away!
We're coming up on New Years Eve, and with it, comes a whole lot of New Year's Resolutions. I call them promises. I promise to be a better person. I promise to be a better father or mother. I promise to be a better friend. I promise to work harder. I promise to...
Removing Yourself From A Sea Of Sameness
When you look at what makes some companies thrive while others struggle, the difference can be razor thin. When customers can’t distinguish what makes one company different from another, they are often at the mercy of apathy, or a decision based solely on price. It’s...
“For A Few Dollars More…”
I know we’re beginning the holiday season, but I need to get something off my chest. So, in the best curmudgeon voice I can muster, let me tell you what really bugs me about this season of shopping. You wander into a store, you cast your doubts aside, and you finally...
Going 1-0 Every Day
I am a lifetime Washingtonian, and that means I have endured a certain level of pain when it comes to rooting for our local sports franchises. I was a Washington Senators fan, but we lost the team when I was thirteen years old… I had to wait 33 more years until a...
A Story/Poem For Salespeople
Before a presentation, I typically like to pace around quietly and keep to myself. While I was outside getting into my speaker zone, (yes, we do that,) I ran into an interesting individual. I was alone in the hallway except for a man who was also pacing around a bit,...
The Forgotten Step In Closing
Finish this sentence: “Once a customer agrees to a deal, and they have signed their name on the line that is dotted, you ___________________!” When I learned how to sell, I was taught there were three answers to that question. “Leave!” “Leave now!” “Leave right now!”...
The Litmus Test For Great Customer Service
Ah, great customer service! It is the ultimate secret weapon that any business can provide. It’s really not that complicated; if you can provide great customer service, good things are bound to happen for you and your business! Most people won’t argue with...
Learning How To Say, “Thank You”
The other day, I spoke with a friend who had good news. In a battered industry, and for this person, a battered profession, he had good news. After some hard work, a break had come his way, and my immediate reaction was to tell him how happy I was for...
The Fairytale Called, “Win/Win”
NEGOTIATION: a formal discussion between people who are trying to reach an agreement Reaching an agreement sounds easy enough, right? Whenever you hear anyone lecture on negotiation skills, you always hear the same thing: The goal is to create a win/win agreement. How...
Teach Something Challenging
I’m sure you’ve heard this saying: “If you want to learn something, teach it.” Well, I’d like to add something to that saying: “If you want to learn something, teach it, and if you want to learn how to become a great teacher, teach something that’s challenging!” When...
Can Anybody Sell?
After over 30 years of teaching professional sales training, I’d like to answer the most often asked question. This question can be asked in various ways, such as, “Are you born a good salesperson?” or “Is the art of selling a natural skill?” Anyway you slice it, the...
The Sweet Science… And Selling!
The art of selling can be compared to many things, but I’ll bet you’ve never heard it compared to a professional boxing match! Personally, I think there are at least three significant similarities between great boxers and great salespeople: “Feeling out rounds.” Think...
What Do You WANT To Happen?
It’s rather amazing how our reaction to little, somewhat harmless events can provide insight into how we react to bigger events. Here’s a quick test for you: Take a moment and consider what your gut reaction would be to the following situations: When you misplace...
“Rob is an expert not only in the art of influence,
but also in human nature.”
~Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Trust Works!