In this busy world of ours, nobody wants to waste their own time. Unfortunately, there are folks out there who won’t think twice about wasting yours. So how can you save yourself from falling into a trap? Over almost seven years of responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and attempting to delicately balance just how… Read More
Category: Total Project Management
Seasonal Planning Can Prove Profitable
No matter what time of year it is, we all want to stay ahead of our goals by planning for upcoming events and programs. And if we are in sales or have clients that we service throughout the year, scheduling conflicts can make it difficult to position our business when we are juggling both client… Read More
The Un-Holy Trinity: Three Key Signs of a Sour Business Deal
Let’s be honest, it’s a great feeling when you cross paths with a prospective new client. Even more exciting is when that client has the potential to become a major account. When the chance to bid on such a major business deal finds its way to your desk, it’s easy to quickly become enveloped in… Read More
How Important is Quality When it Comes to Swag?
To shout it from the rooftops, you have to be clear and on-point with what’s being promoted. Promotional marketing is the reflection of a brand and its characteristics. So whether promoting your company or a specific product, the delivery of the message is just as key as the message itself. You may wonder, ‘how important… Read More
Foster Client Loyalty with Corporate Gifts
Today’s marketplace is rife with options…there’s always a company purporting to do it better, faster and cheaper, making fostering customer loyalty more important—and challenging—than ever. Given the high costs associated with finding new customers and distributors, it’s imperative to find effective ways to strengthen existing relationships. Popular methods include sending logoed corporate gifts, executing giveaways,… Read More
Three Questions to Ask Before Entering a Business Deal
Nobody wants to miss out on a big deal that can take your business to the next level, and maybe even change your life. But nobody wants to get caught up in a bad deal either. So how do you make sure that “next big thing” is actually good for your business? Don’t be afraid… Read More
Stacking the Deck for Sales Success in the Age of Information Imbalance
The sales game has changed, significantly, due to the power shift that comes along with consumers having access to unlimited information, reviews and feedback via the internet. Selling to the uninformed always gave sales professionals an upper hand – they were relied upon for basic information that was otherwise unattainable. But that is the sales… Read More
“Write Like You Talk,” and Other Tips That Work for Proposal Development
I spend hours every week writing – proposals, emails and the occasional short story on Facebook. Over the years I’ve picked up on a few things that seem to be well-received by the general public, though some might offend the more proper among us. Write Like You Talk: When it comes to communication, I’m all… Read More
Expert’s Perspective: Convention Planning Checklist
Attending any convention is an exciting but exhausting experience. Between travel, long days, the content and information you absorb, and don’t forget the social events, it can be hard work! I’ve been planning, working and attending convention events for 20 years and have learned some tricks along the way to enhance the experience. In this… Read More
Tips for a Compelling Client Presentation
Congratulations – you secured the discovery meeting with a potential client! Now what? Here are some tips to delivering a compelling client presentation with clarity and focus. 1. Use charts and graphs + simple and meaningful phrases – Many people are visual learners. A graphic helps them make sense of ideas better than words alone.… Read More
Setting Customer Expectations: Does Your Policy Always Make Sense?
There is a local restaurant that offers a great sushi happy hour. The sushi is fresh and made upon order. The service is prompt and attentive. The prices are beyond reasonable, especially considering the variety offered. I have been there many times, with various people. Last week, on yet another cold day, we decided to… Read More
Operations Management for Startups
Operations management is a very complex field involving logistics, supply chain and even product development. From product pricing and the stage gate process for product development, to the revolutionary A3 report technique originated by Toyota, many different disciplines within operations management are present in today’s workplace. Highly skilled and educated individuals are applying these disciplines… Read More