Dan Simons explores why we see the world as it ISN'T.
Daniel Simons is head of the Visual Cognition Laboratory at the University of Illinois. His research explores the ways in which our beliefs and intuitions about the workings of our own minds are often mistaken and why that matters. He is best known for his experiments revealing striking failures of perception and the limits of visual awareness. His research is exhibited in science museums worldwide and his writing has been published in many newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Chicago Tribune. He recently co-authored the book, "The Invisible Gorilla, and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us" (Crown, 2010). http://www.dansimons.com/
This talk was recorded at TEDxUIUC 2011 (02/19/11), which was organized at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by a group of students led by Cristian Mitreanu.
Keynote speaker and business author, Ross Shafer, is adamant that 99% of customer evaluation forms are flawed and worthless because they insult the customer - and take too much of their time. To contact Ross for an event you're planning, go to http://www.rossshafer.com/
Carpet Remnants are good for doing smaller jobs. You get high end quality for an affordable price. Because All Size carries a large inventory of remnants, we are able to install the next day. This is something you won't find with every carpet supplier!
What is it?
When a factory produces a carpet roll, they then sell it in sections by order to wholesalers. When the roll gets near the end, they will sell it at a discount because the roll has an odd amount left.
Why choose it?
The quality is exactly the same as the higher cost product made by that manufacturer. You are only limited to what remnants are available, but you pay as little as half of the original cost.
All Size stocks over 300+ rolls, making them the largest remnant dealer in Solano County.
And. . . you might also consider these offers while they last:
Also. . .
20% OFF All Carpet and Vinyl Remnants and 20% OFF All Stock Vinyl, so hurry down to All Size Flooring Center and Carpet Cleaning.
and. . .
Come in Today to See Our New Tile, Carpet, and Hardwood Displays!
I don't believe the customer is always right. Sometimes, we all know the customer can be a jackass.
But if they are less than "right"... you've got a few choices.
1. Keep the customer and find a way to work within their parameters without complaint
2. Keep the customer on the grounds that they bend to your way of doing things "right", explain your parameters and then leave the decision whether or not to stay up to them
3. Ditch the customer
You'll note there was no option "4. Keep the customer, wish they did things your way but never communicate your requirements to them and then whine incessantly about what a jackass the customer is."
The customer may not always be right, but you always have a decision as to whether that person is, in fact, your customer.
Stay Fabulous,
Kirsty
This edition of Advance to Go is going out to over 5,000 subscribers.
Can you help us hit our goal of 10,000 subscribers? Forward this email on to a friend or send them to http://www.kirstydunphey.com/ to subscribe.
Rack-it® truck racks was born out of the necessity to offer a quality custom truck rack at a fair price. With the goal of creating a rack that could manage all of your load requirements while adding style at the same time, the end result was the first Rack-it® truck rack.
Since 1986, Rack-it® has been manufacturing utility truck racks with everyone's needs in mind. From construction workers to recreation enthusiasts, all agree that a Rack-it® truck rack is complete with all the features you're looking for and more. Free of the defects found in other manufacturers' racks, a Rack-it® truck rack will serve you well for a lifetime ...guaranteed!
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Upward Trend is very pleased to announce that as of March 17th, 2011, Rack-it® has become the latest Trend Setter Package client. Upward Trend will be building two websites to market Rack-it® products nationwide, including one for their newest nationwide product offering, the Sure-fit rack system. These packages, as with all our Trend Setter clients, will include a blog, social media services, a monthly newsletter, video, SEO optimization and more. We are excited to have Rack-it® as a client and look forward to expanding their Internet influence in the coming weeks and months. The Rack-it® current website is at http://www.rackitinc.com/.
Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected -- but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait to be a hero.
Showing off a unique truck bargain at Larry Geweke Ford in Yuba City. Paul Brown, Fleet/Commercial Manager and Terry Minion of Commercial Truck Success team up to tell you about this wonderful heavy load carrying truck.
Vehicle is subject to prior sale and is available as of January 25th, 2011. Call Paul Brown at 530-682-7693 for more information. Truck is available for immediate delivery where ever you are.
Call my friend, Paul Brown at Larry Geweke Ford at 530-682-7693.
Mark Higdon, Commercial truck/Fleet manager at Folsom Lake Ford in Folsom, CA gives us a tour of a unique bargain on their lot. This is a 2008 Ford F-650 with a 5-7-yard steel dump body from Scelzi Enterprises. This unit has some interesting options, and is built to get the job done and to do it very efficiently.
Call Mark Higdon with Folsom Lake Ford at 916-353-2015, ext 5 for more information on this great truck.
8am - 8pm, 7 Days A Week ~ Never An Overtime Charge
The Mission of D & D Plumbing Heating and Cooling is to provide a team of skilled professionals dedicated to serving the community with quality workmanship and service.
As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills - and your comfort.
Change your air filter regularly
Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly
Install a programmable thermostat
Seal your heating and cooling ducts
Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment
Ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment
Call D & D Plumbing, Heating and Cooling at any of these numbers:
"The most elusive and desired quality of leadership is vision.
Vision is the perfume of the mind."
-- Harriet Rubin
"Any man who selects a goal in life which can be
fully achieved has already defined his own limitations."
-- Cavett Robert
A couple nights ago, I watched the movie, The Social Network about the start of facebook. It was a wild ride passion, vision, backbiting, sabotage and focused, furious work toward a grand objective of "the next big thing." I found the movie rather dark, but interesting.
One of the things I noticed about the Mark Zuckerberg character was his vision. His 30% financial partner didn't share the same vision, and frankly was, in my opinion, suggesting a much more limited end result--indeed, and end result that still is playing forward with no end in sight. But Mark saw so much more. He wasn't sure what it was, but he wanted to continue to find out what more that might be. He just knew it was much bigger thing than his partner saw. Consequently, I saw his partner holding him back to protect the smaller, more realistic vision. It was at this point that their partnership changed.
There were numerous opportunities for the partner to remain an integral part, and each one was rejected for a more conservative view. This kind of thing I have seen in my own life from time to time, so it seemed crystal clear to me. I absolutely don't agree with the methods taken, but the handwriting was on the wall.
There were others who got the vision who came in to take the place of those who saw something smaller. I think that will always be the case in a growth business. It wasn't about making money really, it was about doing the thing and doing it big and seeing what can be done and it is still in play and evolving as we speak.
I believe from personal experience of having worked in management of a number of different companies and watching so many more, that the vision of the leader of the enterprise is THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect for company growth, profitability, and expansion. Management is insignificant without it.
Upward Trend Management Services, LLC announces expanded ownership. Craig DeLuz of Sacramento has become an owning member of Upward Trend. Craig has been working with Upward Trend for eight months and has proven to be such a valuable part of our team, focusing mainly on our social media needs. Craig has done a great job at enhancing our social media services for our clients, and now we are very pleased to announce that Craig is also now part of the ownership of Upward Trend.
It has always been the strategy of Terry Minion and Ryan Stone, founding owners of Upward Trend to include key people who want to help us grow and become more than we could ever be alone, with an ownership stake in the corporation. We think Craig DeLuz is a key person in our growth.
In addition, Jean Massa, our key design partner has an expanded ownership stake in Upward Trend. Terry and Ryan both believe that we couldn't do what we do without Jean on our team. She is a critical and joyous part of our ownership team. Jean has become our website master and Jane of all trades. Is there anything this girl can't do? To Upward Trend, Jean is a superstar!
The sales world is changing. Are you changing? Been in sales for more than five years? Notice any changes? Of course you have - but probably not the ones I'm going to talk about. I'm NOT talking about the economy, or customers in financial trouble, or slow sales, or price pressures from competition, or pressures from your boss to "sell more now." Oh and, by the way, how about YOUR changes? Still cold calling? Still learning "how to close?" Still "finding the pain?" Still trying to figure out social media? Still a bit behind technology? That's your problem. I AM talking about changes that have taken place over the past five years that will affect sales into the next decade. Your sales. Here are the major changes that have taken place, and how you must take advantage of them and master them to sell and succeed:
* The mobile phone is now your main communication device. It's fast, reliable, and gives you instant access to message and respond.
* The Internet is your new marketplace. It's not just how your website stacks up against the competition; it's also how your website exceeds customer needs and wows them. How and what are you messaging to your customers? How easy is it to do e-commerce business with you?
* Google is your new reputation and character builder (or assassin). Where do you rank? Not just as a company, but also as a person. Your customers are Googling you! It's time to build a foundation of positive information online.
* Your customers expect INSTANT - not a computer voice. Every customer wants and expects a live, friendly person ready to help them when they call you. If you want to know how you're doing in this department, call yourself five minutes before you open, or five minutes after you close, and try to place an order for a hundred thousand dollars.
* China is the 51st state. Get over it, and get with it. Figure out how to use their workforce and quality of manufacturing to help your customers.
* Text communication is the new "instant." Five years ago it was email. Text is personal. CAUTION: GET PERMISSION TO TEXT. And, by the way, if you do, it's more than a buying signal of a loyal customer; it's also a report card of your performance, your ethics, and your perceived value.
* Collaboration with customers. Do they consider you a partner or a sales rep? Are you a trusted advisor or still bidding on jobs as they come up? Are you inside the decision-making room, or outside waiting for a call as to your fate?
* Differentiation from the competition. It's no longer a price fight to the finish unless you're looking to do business with Wal-Mart or give up your profit (or both).
* Value messaging rather than sales pitching. Any advertisement should be about customer's value after ownership and/or a testimonial statement directly from them. "A dollar over invoice" no longer holds an ounce of credibility. Customers wanting to buy can validate any claim you make in a Google-nanosecond by looking online first.
* Value-driven sales presentations. Are you using more boring we-we "slide decks from marketing" or are you finally getting that sales is about what happens AFTER ownership (not before)? How will they produce and profit?
* Profit from purchase, not "save money, buy now!" No real decision maker is looking to save money as a reason to purchase. CEOs, presidents, and business owners want to make a profit.
* Using voice of customer as proof to your claims. Testimonials are the only proof that your claims are valid.
* Using social media to make connections. Five short years ago, there was no awareness of social media sites or YouTube. They were all just born or a year old. Facebook is now the third largest country in the world. And growing. Linking in rather than cold calling. Tweeting a daily value message to your customer and prospect base. Creating and consistently posting on your business Facebook Page.
* Weekly email magazine with a value message. Sent to all customers, prospects, and influential people in your industry.
It ain't the way it was, and it never will be that way again. If you think that things will go back to "normal" after the economy rebounds, please don't hold your breath. And please don't WAIT for things to happen - MAKE things happen.
GREAT NEWS: You give me a techno savvy, internet friendly, Google ranked, instant responding, collaborating, different, social media savvy, value driven, value based, value messaging salesperson - who uses voice of customer testimonials, and is interested in how the customer profits - and I'll give you a sale!
Jacob's Auto Body has been serving the greater Solano area since 1996. We specialize in collision repair for all Imports and Domestics. Our goal is to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition quickly, at a fair price with complete customer satisfaction and a lifetime warranty on workmanship and paint performance.
Jacob's Auto Body technicians are I-Car trained and ASE certified. The shop uses the latest technology in refinishing, including PPG enviro based paint and a high tech preparation spray booth guaranteeing your automotive finish against peeling, delaminating, cracking and loss of gloss. Our PPG certified technicians provide the consumer with unquestionable quality for your automotive refinishing needs.
Know your rights. California Insurance Code makes it unlawful for an insurer or affiliate to direct, suggest, or recommend a repair facility of their choosing. We at Jacob's Auto Body work for you the consumer. While we are committed to working with your insurance company, our ultimate goal is to satisfy you the customer with an experience as seamless as possible.
Ask us about help with your deductible.
Here are just a few of the services available at Jacob's Auto Body:
Collision & Repair
Fleet Services
Custom Work
Specialty Work
Caroliner Spot Welder
Caroliner Computerized Frame Measurements
Assist in all Insurance Claims
Insurance Work (Jacob's handles the paperwork)
Custom Painting & Graphics
Paint Matching
R.V. Repairs
Marine Repairs
Free Vehicle Pick Up and Delivery
Towing Service
Jacob's Auto Body hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and Saturday by Appointment. They accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Give them a call at 707-452-9692, and visit their website at http://www.jacobsautobody.net/.
Upward Trend welcomes Rick Rampone of Rick's Auto Body at 1130 E Monte Vista Ave, Suite K in Vacaville, CA as our latest Trend Setter Package client. Rick is not the new guy in town. No sir, Rick has owned this business since 1976.
Upward Trend will be building a new website and blog for Rick's Auto Body, as well as doing their social media work including facebook, twitter and linked in. In addition, the Trend Setter Package includes video, SEO optimization and a monthly newsletter. Within just a few days, the social media and blog will be active and the website will be up within a few weeks.
Thank you, Rick Rampone of Rick's Auto Body for your confidence in Upward Trend's services! We look forward to serving you.
Upward Trend is pleased to announce that 36 Oaks Country Retreat has become our latest Trend Setter Package client. Linda Tipton is the owner for over 11 years of 36 Oaks Country Retreat that is nestled in a grove of majestic oak trees on Gibson Canyon Road, less than 5 minutes away from the city of Vacaville, CA. Though relaxing massages is one thing that 36 Oaks does well, it is the experience of the peaceful surroundings and leisurely pace that makes it all so wonderful and inviting.
As part of the popular Trend Setter Package of services, we will be rebuilding 36 Oaks website, adding a blog, adding and maintaining throughout each month their social media, including facebook, twitter, linked in, YouTube and more. It also includes a monthly email newsletter, SEO optimization, video and more, all for a low monthly investment. It's a very effective marketing package that every business can afford and profit by.
We will tell you more about 36 Oaks in the coming days. In the meantime, we are celebrating our opportunity to be of service to 36 Oaks and Linda Tipton. Thank you for your business!
As my sales career has evolved over the years, and I have emerged as a leader (maybe THE leader) in the sales industry, I'm often asked if I have any secrets for success or what's been my path to personal success.
The answer is pretty simple. There are no secrets. There's nothing I do that I consider out of the ordinary. It's what I do on a consistent basis that makes me extraordinary.
I READ. I wake up every morning, and I read. I read two pages from some kind of personal success book that's more than 50 years old. If you want to know the best ones that I read, it's anything by Napoleon Hill, most often his earliest writings from The Law of Success, or the Magic Ladder to Success -- just a couple pages. It's anything by Dale Carnegie. His public speaking book. His How to Win Friends & Influence People book. His How to Stop Worrying & Start Living book. Now, I've only been doing that for 39 years, so I don't know if it works yet. I'm going to do it for another 39 years, and that's it -- I'm going to quit. That consistency leads me to new ideas. Every time I read something old, I come up with a new idea, which leads me to my second non-secret:
I CAPTURE AND COLLECT THOUGHTS AND IDEAS. When I think of things or things occur to me, or I read something that inspires me, the first thing I do is go to my computer. I write this column every week on selling skills, but I don't just write the column, I collect ideas so I can always be ahead. I've written more than 950 columns to date, but I've got 500 more ideas waiting to be evolved. That leads me to my next step of success:
I WRITE. When I write everything down, it clarifies my own ideas, it generates new ideas, and it creates content for my speeches, and for my books. My challenge to you is: If you want to be a success, you can't just read, you have to write.
I SPEAK. The next thing you have to learn how to do is present - give a speech in public. The best way to learn how to present is to join Toastmasters. If you go to Toastmasters, and give 10 speeches, you can get your Competent Toastmaster Award (CTM) -- it will give you a little more self-confidence, and the understanding of what makes a talk a good talk. Most people only talk one on one, but if you ever present to a group, that's the ultimate. Can you sell the entire group? When you learn to present to a group, selling one on one becomes a piece of cake.
I POSITION TO WIN WITH "VALUE FIRST." The same goes for marketing (attracting people who are interested to buy). I position myself to be seen and read as a person of value. My marketing mission is as follows: I put myself in front of people who can say yes to me, and I deliver value first. I promise you will never see that in a marketing textbook, nor hear it from a marketing professor.
