Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Are Top Salespeople Champions?

Is there a difference between a Winner and a Champion? Why do some people achieve their goals and others do not? Are the Top Salespeople Champions? Let me answer these questions for you by offering my personal observation.

There is a reality show in the United States titled; 'Dancing with the Stars'. Celebrities learn to dance many ballroom dances in unreasonably short time frames and then perform weekly on stage in front of millions. They are all winners for overcoming their fears and succeeding to complete their dances regardless if the judges gave them high or low marks or the viewing audience voted them back for another week or not. The champion is the one left standing after all the eliminations are completed.

My observation is that each of the celebrities are paired up with a Professional and Champion ballroom dancer who teaches them the dance and performs it with them on stage. From Champion to Champion when they worked with the frustrated celebrity they have all continued to provide words of inspiration with positive motivation. Defeat or not winning is not even considered by the Champion. They focus only on keeping the celebrity focused and remind them that they can and will do it. No matter how difficult the routine or short the availability of time they always get it done. This is the true nature of a Champion.

Top Salespeople I have found will share this in common with the Champion. Defeat is not an option. Optimistic and positive inspiration is their life. Setting goals and then creating a plan for execution is their routine. I believe that Top Salespeople are the Gold Medalists in business. What are you doing to be a Gold Medalist Champion in your career, in your organization and in your personal life?

Be mindful of your attitude. Help are others to succeed with your insights and positive words. Set Goals and then create a plan which you are prepared to follow. Be a Champion.

Friday, September 12, 2008

I refuse to be a 'Sneezer' for Microsoft

Seth Godin in his book the Purple Cow talks about using the industry specialists, the industry pundits, to create a buzz about your product and brand. He calls these people Sneezers who spread the virus in marketing terms about your product and brand. Even if the Sneezers are spreading a negative buzz this is still good marketing. When I wrote about Microsoft and their $300 million ad campaign with Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld I failed to realize that I had been pulled into Microsofts 'Purple Cow' marketing strategy and became a Sneezer. The internet is a buzz now with bloggers and YouTubers waiting with baited breath to pounce on the next Microsoft ad. The fact that I'm writing a blog post now about Microsoft and their ads is continuing the viral marketing campaign they clearly intended to happen. I have been sucked in to becoming a tool of Microsoft. Congratulations Microsoft! A job well done.

The truth is, as much as I hate being a marketing tool for Microsoft, and not getting paid for my services, I admire their strategy. Microsoft has clearly taken a page right out of Seth Godin's book the Purple Cow and there are not many companies who would have the courage and visionary foresight to do so. This blogger gets it now and for those of you who don't get it I recommend you read Seth's book the Purple Cow.

If you want to view the second ad which is 3 times longer than the first click here.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Can Microsoft Survive?

I just saw my first Microsoft TV ad which had Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld buying shoes and ending with a question posed by Jerry regarding tasty edible computers. I really don't get this ad. What is Microsoft thinking? Will the series of ads build a plot and have an exciting conclusion? Will the $300 million dollars Microsoft is spending on these ads with Gates and Seinfeld payoff in sales and branding? What kind of brand image will they create? As I said, I just don't get it. You can catch the ad on YouTube: click here and let me know your thoughts.

I can't help wondering if Microsoft has more money than they have visionary wisdom. I have been a PC user from the beginning and more and more I see Apple as the better alternative. As for an advertising budget of $300 million on television ads you have to wonder if they are in tune with where the tech buyers are seeing advertising which is on the internet. More specifically, on 'Social Media' platforms such as YouTube, FaceBook, MySpace, Blogs, etc. I mean even General Motors recognizes the internet as the best form of advertising today by increasing their online advertising budget from $197 million last year to $1.5 billion in 2008. Companies like WSI Internet Consulting, the largest global Internet Consulting Franchise Business with over 1500 offices in over 87 countries recognized Internet Marketing and Social Media as the latest wave of their sales worldwide and have certified their franchisees as Internet Marketing Specialists to the small and medium size businesses, the largest market in the world. With WSI consolidating this fragmented market they are leveling the playing field in the advertising world. It means that small and medium size companies can compete with the big boys on the internet.

As the SME's market share grows vertical channel by vertical channel, the market share enjoyed by larger companies will decrease. This will position WSI and their franchisees into a multi-billion dollar supply to SME's. Larger companies like Microsoft will see competition from the SME's that they just didn't see coming. As and when this happens, Microsoft will have to remember that not all companies can be bought. Apple certainly isn't selling and neither is WSI.

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