Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Upward Trend Welcomes Alt Fuel Fords As Our Latest Trend Setter Package Client



Alt Fuel Fords is a collaboration of two Ford dealers in the Portland, Oregon area. They are Northside Ford Truck Sales of Portland and Gresham Ford or Gresham, Oregon. This collaboration also involves Joe Hughes as the creator of this project and main proponent, along with the National Joint Powers Alliance Coop (NJPA) which allows government organizations to buy units and other products and services that have gone out to bid and bids secured where they can get the same price and service without having to go through the lengthy bid process on their own. It saves both time and money.

In this case, Northside Ford Truck and Gresham Ford have won the nationwide bid for Alternative Fuel Ford products such as the Ford Transit Connect Electric van, Roush Propane converted trucks and very soon several car lines, and more.

We will be building a brand new website, a blog, social media including facebook, twitter, linkedin, a monthly email newsletter, video and YouTube channel, consulting and more. Their Upward Trend products will be online very soon.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Tom Anderton Has Joined The Upward Trend Team!


Upward Trend is very pleased to announce that my long-time friend and associate, Tom Anderton has joined the Upward Trend team. Tom will be joining us as a sales manager with our fast growing company.

Tom is excited to be involved with Upward Trend and has seen and heard from several of our clients who speak for us in their satisfaction and pleasure of doing business with Upward Trend. Tom has been in sales pretty much all of his life and says he's been looking for just such an opportunity for a long time. And, we couldn't be happier to have Tom come aboard at this time where we are expanding into other states and very soon nationwide. Tom will be for us a sales manager, contacting potential clients, following up with existing clients and generally spreading the word. At the same time, Tom is preparing to potentially expand into the National Sales Director slot we have in mind for him.

One thing I know about Tom is that he is straight with people and wants to be proud of the product or service he is involved with. After thoroughly checking out our operation, our clients and our projected future, Tom says he is thrilled to be aboard and will do everything he can to help us move forward.

Call Tom Anderton at 707-980-3270 or email him at Tom@upwardtrend.org.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Seeing The Forest For The Trees - A Study In The Obvious - The Telephone


"Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the
natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals."

-- Jim Rohn

Our sales background gives us a unique advantage in attempting to help a business change from getting by to thriving. To us, some of the things that have been holding them back are really obvious, and they are always fundamental things. They are really easy things to fix and the payoff for doing that is huge, yet many people are looking so hard that they just can't see the forest for the trees.

Some are looking for the "Magic App." This is that software application, or thing that is going to make them more efficient and save them money. The reality is that most of the time, the things that are going to help a business are very simple. Here's one of them of them:

The Telephone
Most spend a lot of money for a phone system, multiple lines, toll-free numbers and then don't answer the phone in a timely manner, or a professional manner. We have seen this error more than any other. You would think that if a business spends this money for the phones to ring, that they would at least be good at answering it and directing people where they need to go.

We also know many businesses who try to save money with their magic phone system to have all these recordings directing you to a stupid voice mail box. Customers FIRE these potential suppliers all the time out of frustration and the suppliers just don't recognize it is happening. They just have a missed call. I know that if I call somewhere and have trouble like that, I hang up and find another company. Just like that.

I'll give you a perfect example that happened today. I called a large auto dealer, the first thing said is that 'this call may be recorded for training purposes. . .' First off, when you hear this, it is recording every single call and every single word spoken. This reminds me when I first got in the car business and they had speakers and microphones in every office so the manager could listen in without the prospective client knowing. They became illegal shortly afterward and the dealership had to remove them. You can see that in the movie, Wheels from a book by Arthur Hailey.

Next, came the directory. I pressed the number for sales since I wanted to talk to someone in sales, and the phone rang 12 times and then went back to the beginning, so I chose the one where you type their last name. I typed it and it gave me a list of other people. After four people, I hung up. I spent 7 minutes and got absolutely nowhere.

The dealer spends thousands on advertising to get the phone to ring and he doesn't eve realize this is happening. I'm curious how much business they are losing as a result.

How much better to have a real, live person answering the phone, directing people, not allowing them to go to voicemail unless they request it and so on. So much better! Truth is, the dealer thinks he is saving money by hiring an answering computer system rather than hiring people, but based on my experience (not the first time, either), I think that system is damn expensive!

We recommend that you pay great attention to the telephone and how it is handled in your business. Most people hate voice mail, so hire a receptionist to answer the phone!

How many people don't like to be recorded in their phone call? How many of those just hang up after that recorded statement?

Consider the amount of money spent trying to get the phone to ring and justify that expense by paying attention to how it is being used.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Looking Over Your Shoulder


Some people get all excited and apprehensive about other companies opening up in the same field they are in. Whether it is a new restaurant, dentist, massage therapist, coffee shop, website design firm, car dealer--whatever market you might be in--spending time focusing on what they might be doing is tantamount to looking over your shoulder as you are trying to move in a forward direction. You're not going to go far that way without running into trouble.

I have some questions to ask: Who cares who just opened up, is going to open up or how many are in your field at any point? What good will it do to spend any time or energy looking at what they might be up to? What is good is to focus on what you do and how you do it and what value you provide and more. Think about what sets you apart, or better said, what is unique about you. Do more of that and no more looking over your shoulder.

I used to work for car dealers and they always saw the dealer of the same make in the next town (along with all the rest of them) as their main competition. I proved to many of them that to consider them partners instead of competitors would not only enhance your business, but everyone's business as well. I also owned a musical instrument store and did the same thing in the town I was in. It was shocking for them at first, but once they saw the sincerity, they got the hang of it.

So I recommend to stop looking over your shoulder at who is doing what and keep your eyes and focus on what you are doing instead. Then, create partnerships with any others to help each other rather than worrying about competition.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Consulting Value of Upward Trend's Trend Setter Package


Our very popular Trend Setter Package is so loaded with services that it is an extreme value, and one of the most valuable to many of our clients is our consulting. We help our clients get a website that is more effective because we understand sales and have taught sales and have been sales managers and business managers collectively for over 50 years. We're not technical web people. We use these Internet tools to help you grow your business and everything we do is focused on that concept.

Many times a client thinks they know what they want in a website and Internet marketing, but they often are going on what someone has told them or some misunderstood idea of how it works. Many times they are looking for the magic bullet in how the website is designed and magic keywords that will put them at the top of Google and more.

What we know from experience and what we have found helps the most is much more basic and sales minded than the technical web things. It is communicating and staying in touch with your existing clients. Indeed, people often take their existing clients for granted and forget to market to those who have already used your product and/or services. This is the value of the email newsletter that we provide in the Trend Setter Package.

Another basic thing is a phone number. Often what many people think is that they should somehow automate their site to move them from a landing page to gather their email and other info and then take them to an information page where they read gobbs of text, to a page where they buy and then expect that they will sell like crazy. Dream on. Let's work on getting the site interesting and content filled enough to try to get the phone to ring.



Another thing we advise is to get excited about YouTube, but not in the way that many people think about it. I know a car dealer who has 500 videos on the web and they aren't getting the full value of that because they are just trying to sell cars. Who wants to watch that? We advise that people change that idea and tell better, more interesting, and engaging stories. Tell us about the product in more detail. Stop the hype and get far better results. We have a number of commercial truck auto dealers and they need to talk about the body much more than the truck. Everybody knows the truck because the auto manufacturer spends millions getting that word out. Focus on the part few know about and how it will be of value to them; how it will be or can be used, etc.

Another basic thing is the website. Anything anyone could ever want to know about you should probably be there. You can have a 3 or 5 page website or you can have a 100 page website. All the pages do not need to be in the navigation and that would be a nightmare anyway, but the value is in the depth of content. Let me repeat: the value is in the depth of content. What Google is interested most in is Current, Relevant Content. The more information you put on your site, the more easily you are found. This is not buying an ad in the Yellow Pages, this is trying to grow your business and interest people who've never heard of you and so on. There's no need to fret about getting content, just do a page a month and you will be a superstar on the Internet.

Yet another very basic thing is the blog. To Upward Trend, this is the most powerful tool in our Trend Setter Package. For sure it is the most up to date content and the more often the posts, the more searchable you are. But beyond searchability, there is far more value in the blog. It is Current, Relevant Content. It is interesting information including photos, video and more. It has all your phone numbers, hours, website links and sometimes your people on the sidebars. It has your facebook, twitter, linkedin and other social media links and gadgets, and much more. If someone comes to your blog, they can easily find the rest of the info about you.

Then too, we have the social media. How can you ignore the awesomeness of social media. It is such an infant in the marketing world, and yet has become almost instantly powerful and has spread like a virus throughout the world. It's not too late to get in there and we can help. Back to the consulting, we advise clients on social media and how to get excellent value from it. One of the keys is consistency for so often we have seen people do a bunch of activity and then none for long periods and that will get you almost nowhere. We add content often throughout the month, every month, consistently.

We've seen some clients who ignore social media at their peril. To say 'I want to grow my business and make more money,' and then have nothing but bad reviews on Yelp is digging their own grave with those words. What is so important about social media is the power of word of mouth. Some people say it is high school all over again, and some of the stuff on there is absolutely that, but it is only part. Word of mouth can make you or break you. People can very soon see right through your false words by what others say about you. One or two bad comments people will give consideration to, but the majority of bad comments and you're in big trouble.

To say 'I'll just ignore this social media stuff,' will not do anything to help you. It is more like standing in the middle of the railroad tracks and digging a hole and putting your head in there so the train can't hurt you. All of the major corporations in this country are getting on the social media bandwagon because they are being convinced of its power. And, it is not just to sell more stuff, but to open up real time communications with their customers and potential customers. Again, I repeat: It is not just to sell more stuff. It is to open up real time communications with their customers and potential customers. It is one more thing along that same line: It is to build a tribe. A tribe is people who want to hear from you and pay attention.

One last thing about consulting and Upward Trend. We offer it as part of our service to each and every client. Yet, not all clients take advantage of it. What we do is interesting because we do it for you; however, on our agreement is states that we agree to do 80% and we ask our clients to do 20% because that is what creates synergy. We are very, very good about being you to the extent that we can, and with some clients we do pretty much 95-100% and we're happy to get that job done for our clients, but those who work WITH us by providing about 20%, get so much more results that it is pretty amazing.

On the surface, the value of our consulting is just an extra offered service, but when you go below the surface, the value is tantamount to being the most important and valuable thing that we do.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Rising To The Challenges



At Upward Trend we stick to what we know pretty well and that is probably why we do well at it. We have a niche and we generally avoid going off the path, and there are many opportunities to do so. It works best for us to stay on target.

Even within our niche, we are sometimes challenged to do something that we haven't done before, or haven't done in that way before and because we love our clients, we feel strongly about rising to the challenge to see if we can satisfy their desires.

When you're a very busy growing company, having new learning curves on the agenda can be another challenge, but we seem to rise to them and get it done in a way that is pleasing to our clients and in the end it is pleasing to us for the same reason. In addition, we learn something that may very well enhance our business, perhaps even dramatically.

As we approach our 100th client in March, we are challenged more often than we have ever been challenged before and I am growing to appreciate it more because it is helping us grow as a company and grow in confidence. I can remember that just over four years ago, we were intimidated by all but the easiest jobs. Now, we have confidence that we can work with virtually any company within our niche. What a difference between those two, and it is the challenges that we have decided to rise to that has brought that confidence.

So, I say a hearty thank you to all of our clients and especially those who helped us rise to the challenges they offered.

Friday, February 17, 2012

TEDxLaJolla: Bob Goff - Be Secretly Incredible!


What an awesome, energizing, insightful and wise talk! Listen and let it shine on you!

Be Secretly Incredible!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

YIPPIE Foundation and VCAT to Co-Host Live Telethon to Benefit At-Risk Youth and Our Community!



February 16, 2012, Fairfield, CA – The YIPPIE Foundation and VCAT (Vallejo Cable Access Television) are teaming up for the first annual LIVE Channel 27 Telethon 2012, airing on Saturday, May 5th from 2 – 8 p.m.  This six-hour event will raise funds to help bring the YIPPIE youth job training program to Vallejo;  enable VCAT to continue to provide quality community programming; and to raise awareness of the many needs of children in our community.

KUIC’s John Young will emcee the LIVE Channel 27 Telethon 2012, which will feature well-known bands and musical groups; children and youth talent acts; recognition of outstanding citizens; live auction bidding; giveaways and more!  There are several levels of sponsorship opportunities available. The LIVE Channel 27 Telethon 2012 is a great way to support our community and receive special recognition for your business at the same time!

The YIPPIE Foundation provides job training, business mentoring and career development to poverty-level young adults in our area.  The first YIPPIE Yogurt shop is slated to open in Fairfield this year and will serve as an on-site job training facility for YIPPIE graduates. 

To find out how you can participate in the LIVE Channel 27 Telethon 2012 or learn more about the YIPPIE Foundation, please visit www.YippieYogurt.org or call 707-208-0853.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Upward Trend Welcomes Northside Ford Trucks of Portland, Oregon As Latest Trend Setter Package Client


Northside Ford Truck Sales of Portland, Oregon which was established as a Ford Truck dealer by Ford Motor Company in 1972 and currently by Jim McDonough. Their dealership just sells trucks and SUV models in new vehicles and they also sell a variety of used vehicles including used commercial trucks. Northside Trucks is located at 6221 NE Columbia Blvd, in Portland, Oregon and their phone is 800-622-6670. They also have the Condor Truck franchise and also specialize in Government sales.

Upward Trend is pleased to announce that Northside Ford Truck Sales has just become our latest Trend Setter Package client. We will be building a new website, blog, increasing exposure on their existing facebook, twitter and linked-in social media, adding a monthly newsletter, help with video including a YouTube channel, consulting and more. Their existing website is www.northsidetrucks.com.

Welcome Northside Ford Truck Sales! Thank you for your confidence and your business!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

United | Playing For Change - Happy Valentine's Day!


7 Billion People | 7 Billion Actions | 7billionactions.org - By the end of 2011 the world will have reached 7 billion people. The United Nations Population Fund is leading an innovative global campaign to bring awareness to the opportunities and challenges that this milestone presents. But 7 Billion people means 7 Billion hearts. Music has always been the best way to speak to the hearts of the people. Playing for Change has partnered with the United Nations to present an original song around the world to serve as an anthem for such an important time, "United".

We traveled across the globe, put headphones on musicians, added them to the track, and created a video that can serve as a tangible example of something positive we can all do together as a human race.

Lets inspire each other. Lets everybody get involved and join us on in this journey, so that together we leave this world better than we found it. To learn more about how to be part of the "United" track go to http://7BillionActions.org

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Upward Trend Welcomes Bob Stall Chevrolet Of La Mesa, CA As Our Latest Trend Setter Package Client

It was just confirmed a few days ago that the Commercial Truck department at Bob Stall Chevrolet is Upward Trend's latest Trend Setter Package client. Don Hughes, Commercial Department Director is looking forward to the additional Internet exposure that the Trend Setter Package is famous for, and we are looking forward to help him grow his already proven business.

We will be building them a new website, a new blog, social media including facebook, twitter and linked-in, a YouTube channel and SEO optimization, along with consulting to make the most of our services. The package also includes a monthly email newsletter.

Bob Stall's current commercial website is www.bob-stall-chevrolet.com/sandiegocommercialtrucks. They are located at 7601 Alvarado Road in La Mesa CA, and can be reached at 800-987-8393.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

We Are All Wierd

Below is a link to an excellent interview with Seth Godin by Darren Hardy of Success Magazine. For anyone interesting in business and marketing, this is worth the time to listen. In addition, I highly recommend any and all of Seth Godin's informative and excellent books, of which, We Are All Wierd is one of the more recent.

http://upmarket.squidoo.com/2012/02/08/we-are-all-weird/

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

"The Science of Happiness at Work" by Shawn Achor


This video highlights a new DVD program based on Shawn Achor's "The Happiness Advantage." To learn more about the book, please visit http://www.happinessadvantage.com

The Happiness Advantage is based upon Shawn's research in 40 countries on how happiness raises business and educational outcomes.

To learn more about the DVD of The Happiness Advantage, go to www.enterprisemedia.com

Monday, February 6, 2012

Shawn Achor: The Happy Secret To Better Work


http://www.ted.com. We believe that we should work to be happy, but could that be backwards? In this fast-moving and entertaining talk from TEDxBloomington, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that actually happiness inspires productivity.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

STRATEGY: Measure Innovation


Think it's impossible to measure innovation? Watch to learn Tom Peters' brilliantly simple, easily executable method for ensuring that a good portion of your work qualifies as innovative.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Yippie Yogurt and YIPPIE Foundation is Upward Trend's Latest Trend Setter Package Client


Upward Trend is pleased to announce that the YIPPIE Foundation, Inc and Yippie Yogurt has just become our latest Trend Setter Package client. Sherilyn Henry, President of the YIPPIE Foundation, Inc. is excited to be partnering with Upward Trend to expand their wonderful and encouraging story via the Internet products the Trend Setter Package contains.

We will be building a brand new website, adding a separate blog, taking over and expanding existing social media including facebook, twitter and more. We will also be adding a YouTube channel, adding videos, SEO optimization, consulting and a monthly email newsletter to spread the word of progress in this well-designed organization.

Upward Trend looks forward to serving the Internet needs of the YIPPIE Foundation for years to come. Look for more from this organization and Upward Trend very soon. In the meantime, their existing website is www.YippieYogurt.org.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Need A Tow? Roadside Service? Call Able Towing Service



Able Towing Service was established in 1989, is family owned and managed. Able Towing Service provides quick, comprehensive and courteous towing and recovery services. Conviently located in Vacaville and Fairfield, California their services include local and long distance towing, roadside services, parking enforcement, abondoned vehicles and motorcycle towing.
Over the years the company has expanded its fleet of trucks in order to be able to handle any kind of tow meeting the needs of motorists of the I-80 Corridor Region (approximately halfway between San Francisco and Sacratmento on Interstate 80
Able Towing takes great pride in their reliable service. Their professional drivers are radio dispatched for the fastest service possible. Their reasonable rates are one of the biggest things that sets them apart from other towing services.

Call Able Towing Service at 707-447-2833 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon: Women Entrepreneurs, Example Not Exception


Women aren't micro--so why do they only get micro-loans? At TEDxWomen reporter Gayle Tzemach Lemmon argues that women running all types of firms-- from home businesses to major factories-- are the overlooked key to economic development. www.ted.com.