I make an awesome bar-b-que sauce. Yup, after folks have tasted this sauce, I'm sure to have it requested for their cookouts. Some folks like to just have it in the fridge instead of store bought. Others want it when they have a family get together in the summer. Probably the most difficult request came from someone roasting a suckling on Memorial Day and wanted two gallons. That took a while to create, but that was o k. Glad to do it, just give me enough notice.
The funny thing about this sauce is that it isn't my recipe. Nope, I follow a recipe I found in a rib book for Carolina sauce. Tried it one day and it was great. Now when people ask me to prepare some for them I try to give them the recipe and they can fix it for themselves, but no, it's easier for them to get it from me. If they would just follow the recipe, then I'm sure their sauce would be just as good. For years following the recipe is all I did. Then one day I changed it a little, added an extra step and made it even better. Gave it a richer taste and made it a little thicker.
Believe it or not, this story is relative to what you're trying to accomplish. The President's group is putting together the recipe for your success. Your ingredients are, aggressive sales activity, as many formal appointments as your bowl will hold, lots of phone calls, massive emailing, hand written notes, more mail outs, competitive pricing, superior service, mix well and repeat this every day. This recipe will produce the new accounts you're looking for.
Now, some folks just can't follow a recipe. This will be evident, your finished product just will not be the desired result. Some can follow recipes to perfection producing exactly what the end product is suppose to be. And others can follow the recipe making it a success and add that something extra that sets it apart making it better than everyone else.
So good luck with your 2009 new account recipe. May the results satiate your hunger.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS
It's that time of year again when most if not all of us become reflective. The year is ending and as the new one begins, there seems to be less certainty of what may come. Still, it's Christmas, and time to take an accounting of blessings. A spiritual mentor of mine use to frequently say, Gene, how in the world will you ever be able to count your blessings if you can't recognize them. I heard this so many times, I finally came to understand that I just wasn't appreciative enough of the great things that were going on around me. So with that in mind, I thought I would reflect on some common blessings you and I share.
First of all thank you for all you've done this year. Successful conversion to a PEO service. Successful company name change. Successful increase of products to market. Successful upgrade of too many technical advances to name. Successful consolidation of brick and mortar branches for a growth of virtual branches in the future. Successful creation of The Presidents Group to take the reins of your company. Successful in staying in business this year while so many companies either filed for bankruptcy or just closed their doors. I hope we all are thankful and feel blessed for these and other accomplishments not mentioned.
In April of this year, your company will begin it's twentieth year in business. If that doesn't make you feel blessed, then you should check out statistics provided by various Chamber of Commerces. The number of start ups that make it to this point is fractional. And in addition to that, as the owners look at the future, we certainly predict seeing our 21st and beyond. I know you're hearing all the dismal reports of the economy, but I would caution you to not let the continuous barrage of negative news get in the way of what you and we have accomplished this year, in previous years, and to be accomplished in years to come. I count the ability, with your help, to overcome these economic downturns as a blessing.
In 1980 I agreed to join a staffing start up company in South Florida. In 1990, myself along with Paul, Sam and David, started Dixie Staffing. I bring this to your attention because today there is a report showing the worst performing quarters in terms of GDP growth. If you see this report, please notice that two of the worst quarters were in these years. With the need to provide yourself with an income, surrounded with the right people, doing something you all believe in, there's no reason to expect to just succeed, but expectations should be to excel. I count these years along with the people who helped make it happen, among my blessings.
So Merry Christmas to you all. Your blessings are but a recognition away. May you and your loved ones realize them all.
First of all thank you for all you've done this year. Successful conversion to a PEO service. Successful company name change. Successful increase of products to market. Successful upgrade of too many technical advances to name. Successful consolidation of brick and mortar branches for a growth of virtual branches in the future. Successful creation of The Presidents Group to take the reins of your company. Successful in staying in business this year while so many companies either filed for bankruptcy or just closed their doors. I hope we all are thankful and feel blessed for these and other accomplishments not mentioned.
In April of this year, your company will begin it's twentieth year in business. If that doesn't make you feel blessed, then you should check out statistics provided by various Chamber of Commerces. The number of start ups that make it to this point is fractional. And in addition to that, as the owners look at the future, we certainly predict seeing our 21st and beyond. I know you're hearing all the dismal reports of the economy, but I would caution you to not let the continuous barrage of negative news get in the way of what you and we have accomplished this year, in previous years, and to be accomplished in years to come. I count the ability, with your help, to overcome these economic downturns as a blessing.
In 1980 I agreed to join a staffing start up company in South Florida. In 1990, myself along with Paul, Sam and David, started Dixie Staffing. I bring this to your attention because today there is a report showing the worst performing quarters in terms of GDP growth. If you see this report, please notice that two of the worst quarters were in these years. With the need to provide yourself with an income, surrounded with the right people, doing something you all believe in, there's no reason to expect to just succeed, but expectations should be to excel. I count these years along with the people who helped make it happen, among my blessings.
So Merry Christmas to you all. Your blessings are but a recognition away. May you and your loved ones realize them all.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Congratulations Houston!
Congratulations to the Houston group for beign 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Branch of the Period for Period 11. When reading the Dixie Digest, it was great to see Branch 23 come in first, but to see Houston branches in the next two slots was a great feeling. Thank you ladies for all your hard work, and lets keep it going!
Monday, December 8, 2008
The old fashion way
I went camping this weekend and had the opportunity to enjoy the company of both old and new friends. We sat around a campfire getting to know one another a little by telling stories, jokes, talking about our president elect and the state of our economy.
We talked in great length about how our world has become so impersonal we pay our bills via internet, talk with friends and family via the internet, do research via internet, and in most cases don’t even answer are own phone. We came to the conclusion that we live in a total virtual world. No longer do we try to get to know people on a personal level. If we want to know where someone lives or what they do, we just simply look them up on the World Wide Web. We no longer take the time to ask people even the basic question about themselves. When was the last time you got a letter in the mail that someone had taken the time to hand write not only your name address but the whole letter not typed out on Word or some other computer program? Other than a card I can’t remember the last time.
Yes, the internet is a very valuable tool, and we need to use email, and the internet. What I’m suggesting, is going back to the basics when you are not having success with modern tools. Pick up a pen and a piece of paper and put it to good use, write a letter to a prospect that you either do not have an email address for or they have not responded to your emails. Hallmark has a great slogan “when you care enough to send the very best”. I have one for us” We care about you and the success of your business that’s why we want to get to know you better”.
I can’t speak for anyone else but I care enough about the success of DSS and all our prospects to start sending at least one letter a week to a prospect I have been unable to reach via email or phone.
Good luck and thank you for all your efforts.
We talked in great length about how our world has become so impersonal we pay our bills via internet, talk with friends and family via the internet, do research via internet, and in most cases don’t even answer are own phone. We came to the conclusion that we live in a total virtual world. No longer do we try to get to know people on a personal level. If we want to know where someone lives or what they do, we just simply look them up on the World Wide Web. We no longer take the time to ask people even the basic question about themselves. When was the last time you got a letter in the mail that someone had taken the time to hand write not only your name address but the whole letter not typed out on Word or some other computer program? Other than a card I can’t remember the last time.
Yes, the internet is a very valuable tool, and we need to use email, and the internet. What I’m suggesting, is going back to the basics when you are not having success with modern tools. Pick up a pen and a piece of paper and put it to good use, write a letter to a prospect that you either do not have an email address for or they have not responded to your emails. Hallmark has a great slogan “when you care enough to send the very best”. I have one for us” We care about you and the success of your business that’s why we want to get to know you better”.
I can’t speak for anyone else but I care enough about the success of DSS and all our prospects to start sending at least one letter a week to a prospect I have been unable to reach via email or phone.
Good luck and thank you for all your efforts.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Recession? What recession?
These are excerpts from an article in the November/December issue of Staffdigest. The article was written by Mike Ban. Mr Ban Started his staffing company (specializing in marketing and advertising professionals) in the middle of a recession in 1990 and has some great advice for us. He writes:
"Since the advertising business was slowing down during this recession, it wasn't very hard to get appointments with prospects. Heck, they were happy to have something to do, too, so having an information meeting with a new company representing a stable of talented people was. . . productive. So we built a pretty good list of prospects . . .
"Recession, what recession? We decided we better start promoting and advertising . . .
"And so we did. And it worked. And we learned some very interesting things. . .
"The companies we called on, those prospects who weren't busy during the recession, actually did keep our materials, our phone number, and called us when they needed temporary help. Plus, they certainly knew who we were as we kept up our sales pressure. . .
"The message is clear. There's no doubt we are in a recession today. This is a good time to solidify your relationships with your temporary staff. And a good time to make the sales calls, whether they are ready to buy or not. . . And before you know it, the recession will be history and the upslope will resume."
We have so much material to share with our prospects and clients. Let's make sure they have a Diversified Sourcing Solutions coffee cup in their hand, that they write notes with a DSS pen on a DSS pad and look at a DSS calendar all year long. This way there is no doubt who they will call when they need HR help.
"Since the advertising business was slowing down during this recession, it wasn't very hard to get appointments with prospects. Heck, they were happy to have something to do, too, so having an information meeting with a new company representing a stable of talented people was. . . productive. So we built a pretty good list of prospects . . .
"Recession, what recession? We decided we better start promoting and advertising . . .
"And so we did. And it worked. And we learned some very interesting things. . .
"The companies we called on, those prospects who weren't busy during the recession, actually did keep our materials, our phone number, and called us when they needed temporary help. Plus, they certainly knew who we were as we kept up our sales pressure. . .
"The message is clear. There's no doubt we are in a recession today. This is a good time to solidify your relationships with your temporary staff. And a good time to make the sales calls, whether they are ready to buy or not. . . And before you know it, the recession will be history and the upslope will resume."
We have so much material to share with our prospects and clients. Let's make sure they have a Diversified Sourcing Solutions coffee cup in their hand, that they write notes with a DSS pen on a DSS pad and look at a DSS calendar all year long. This way there is no doubt who they will call when they need HR help.
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