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Showing posts from September, 2024

Using an FAQ for Marketing and Sales

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Does your organization use FAQs to reduce customer service costs? Or, maybe, are your FAQs are designed to be used in marketing and sales? More often than not, it’s the former, and for some very practical reasons. FAQs are a cheap way to improve customer service, reduce the cost of customer service infrastructure, and build a self-service mindset. Unfortunately, if looked at through this lens, the opportunity to use FAQs for marketing and sales gets missed. And this is often entrenched, as responsibility for FAQ content usually rests with the service part of the organization, not sales or marketing. (It should be collaborative.) The first key to flipping the FAQ into an inbound marketing tool is to consider each individual question as a problem that a prospect needs to solve, or a barrier to purchasing. Solving the problem and removing the barrier will result in a lead. The second key to flipping the FAQ is to consider what the prospect will do after you solve their problem. They

Living In The Matrix

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Joyce L. Shafer This message is for me and anyone else who needs these words at this time. Maybe you’ve been there: A pivotal moment when discomfiting realization washed over you, after years of believing you had correct understanding about something. One such moment happened for me while reading the Bible, when I saw clearly, from the Word of God, that what I’d believed about this world, religion, God, and all that goes with this was deeply flawed – and in many matters, grossly incorrect – if I were to believe God and His Word, which I do. If you’re one who “sees the writing on the wall” for the days we’re in, and if you care about your eternal destination, grab a beverage and get comfortable: some things need to be said here. Apologies to anyone unfamiliar with the movie The Matrix (the first one, that is; ignore the other two). We are in a Matrix: The screenwriters got that right. In the movie and in the Bible, there was a devastating, scorched-earth war. In the Bible, a new Ea

The Training Game

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For Immediate Release: Dateline: East Greenwich , RI We’ve all observed how most people become more proficient over time as they gain experience in their jobs: teachers, police officers, insurance agents, pilots, scuba divers. Even with excellent training, one needs to experience the work, have formal and informal mentors around, gain from others’ expertise, and learn from interacting with customers, clients, suppliers, and so forth. So why do we “settle” for putting people through training programs and throwing them back on the job or into a new job as if that’s sufficient to ensure they can apply new skills, without any continuing coaching or measures for improvement? Various sources cite revenues from management training programs at about $14 billion in the US last year. What’s the return on that investment? No one really knows, because there are usually no metrics to determine how much performance and productivity have improved. (For example, you could judge that pretty easil

Putin verbally updates Russia?s nuclear doctrine

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Putin has been rattling the nuclear saber ever since the U.S. and its allies began arming Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked attack that started in February 2022. For more than a year now, Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky has been asking President Biden and other Western leaders to allow Ukraine to use the weapons it has received to strike deep inside Russia. He argues, correctly, that the missile depots where Russia’s munitions are stored and the aircraft that Russia uses to bombard Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilians should be legitimate targets. To his frustration, President Biden has thus far rebuffed his requests. In recent months, increasing numbers of America’s allies have urged President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also talks about avoiding escalation of the conflict, to lift the restrictions on Ukraine. High on President Zelensky’s list of priorities in his meetings with American and world leaders in Washington this week is s

John Naisbit Was Right

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For Immediate Release: Dateline: East Greenwich , RI Bureaucracy arose from the industrial revolution, automation, and consequent levels of “management.” It may well be ended by the AI revolution eliminating unneeded management. I’ve told CEOs I could remove 25% of their organization chart and they might not even notice. UPS is laying off management, not drivers. High tech/high touch is still very much accurate. Customer-facing people are critical. “Paper pushers” (keyboard strikers) are not. There are machines that can make alcoholic drinks perfectly. But who wants to lean on a bar and tell a machine that your lover left you for someone else and your boss fired you and your dog ran away? On the other hand, do we need all those layers of endless administrators to screw up the school system or entire departments to bury automotive customer complaints? Adblock test (Why?) source http://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/John-Naisbit-Was-Right,2024306893.aspx

Clear the Noise from Your Head

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I had just settled into my seat on a crowded Amtrak train, when I realized that the public address speaker was uncomfortably close to my head. I discovered this because it was sputtering an annoying static sound. It seemed like a long time before a conductor appeared, and of course, for every moment that passed, the noise seemed to get louder. Eventually, someone responded to my request and took care of the problem. During the blissful silence that followed, I reflected on how “mental noise” has the same effect. It grows louder the more you think about it, and eventually it can dominate your thoughts. Consider, for example, the colleague who “called you out” on an innocuous issue, resulting in you spending hours trying to figure out what was really going on and what to do about it. Or, when a rude cashier snapped at you for seemingly no reason, and how the irritation from that interaction lingered for the rest of the day. Or, one of your employees is pouting over an assignment an

Watch My Latest Video on How to Read the Polls for the U.S. Presidential Race

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I find it amusing how the pundits on TV zealously discuss minor changes in the polls. Kamala Harris is up by two percentage points in this state, Donald Trump is ahead by one point in that state. It doesn’t matter! Watch my latest video on how to read the polls for the U.S. presidential race by clicking here . For more information, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Louis Perron, please contact Kevin McVicker at Shirley & McVicker Public Affairs at (703) 739-5920 or  kmcvicker@shirleyandmcvicker.com . Adblock test (Why?) source http://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/Watch-My-Latest-Video-on-How-to-Read-the-Polls-for-the-US-Presidential-Race,2024306878.aspx

Staying Calm and Cool Amid Criticism

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“Speak in anger and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.” This popular quote is a cautionary tale of what could happen if we let our emotions get the best of us. Yet, it’s understandable to have an emotional reaction when you receive criticism. You may feel defensive. You may want to explain yourself and defend your actions. So how can you stay calm and cool amid criticism? When you feel your blood pressure rising? When you’re trying to resist the urge to lash out? Here are a few proven strategies—and some creative suggestions from participants in my communication presentations—that may help you keep your cool when you receive criticism. Pause and Breathe—and Get Creative Before responding and saying something you might regret, pause. Take a deep breath and allow yourself a few seconds to absorb what’s being said. That brief break may be just enough time to calm yourself, prepare a productive response and keep your emotions in check. When I’ve asked my audiences for t

Negative Leverage

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For Immediate Release: Dateline: East Greenwich , RI Thursday, September 26, 2024   People come to me weekly wanting to “collaborate,” which means using my contacts and brand to promote their business. They will provide a “piece of the action.” I’d be stupid to do this, but apparently they want to “collaborate” with stupid people! Adblock test (Why?) source http://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/Negative-Leverage,2024306875.aspx

Arbitrator Nolan renders decision on national-level LiteBlue hack grievance

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September 25, 2024 Arbitrator Nolan renders decision on national-level LiteBlue hack grievance On July 12, 2023, President Renfroe initiated a national-level grievance related to the theft of letter carrier wages by cybercriminals who were able to access the USPS Human Resources website, LiteBlue. The issue in this case involved incidents that occurred in late 2022 and early 2023. Hundreds of postal employees, which included letter carriers, fell victim to hackers who were able to access their LiteBlue accounts using dubious tactics. Employee account information was obtained when employees entered their login information into fake LiteBlue websites created by criminals. As a result, these letter carriers had their paychecks misdirected into bank accounts owned by the criminals. Earlier this year, on Jan. 23 and 24, this case was heard by National Arbitrator Dennis R. Nolan in Washington, DC. Since employees represented by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and the National P

#204 First 100 Words

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For Immediate Release: Dateline: Philadelphia , PA http://dennyhatch.blogspot.com/2024/09/204-first-100-words.html   #204 BlogPost           Wednesday 25 September 2024 Posted by Denny Hatch     "YourFirst 100 Words Are More Important Thanthe Next Ten Thousand."                     —Elmer "Sizzle" Wheeler     Above isthe lede of a “dry test” 8-page direct mail letter that was sent in 1979.   It offered a one-year subscription to a newsletter — InternationalLiving.   The newsletter did not exist. Itwas the brainstormof fledgling marketing genius, Bill Bonner — a rail-thin, six-foot-two 30-year-old advertising copywriter — right after he underwent three catastrophic failures that left him $70,000 in debt.   Bonner sent this "dry test" letter to a rented list of several thousand homeowners to see ifanyone would read it and respond. His letter — entirely fiction — was 300% profitable on day one ofreturns. Wow!   Billimmediately bo

A Minute with Alan? ? Labeling

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Name: Crysta Ames Title: Office Manager Group: Summit Consulting Group, Inc. Dateline: East Greenwich, RI United States Direct Phone: 401-884-2778 Jump To Summit Consulting Group, Inc. -- Alan Weiss, Ph.D. Adblock test (Why?) source http://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/A-Minute-with-Alan-Labeling,2024306854.aspx

Alan Weiss?s Monday Morning Memo? ? 09/23/2024

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NEW: The Esteem Machine : Low self-esteem creates high stress levels, guilt, and fear, and “masks” natural talents. You can never succeed to the utmost of your abilities if you’re worried about being “found out” and constantly concerned about how to “wear a costume” pretending you’re someone else. Join me for 90 minutes and I’ll help you design a program for yourself that you can implement and follow  by yourself , daily, to create a far greater sense of confidence and certainty  about your true value and worth.  I’ve been helping people do this for 25 years in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. However, this is the first time I’ve codified it so that, once the process is mastered, you need no further coaching or external support. In other words, I’ll help you gain the esteem to perpetually power your Esteem Machine. Oct 8 via Zoom, 10:30 to noon US eastern, recording provided.  $450  https://alanweiss.com/growth-e xperiences/esteem-machine/ New Newsletter: Not Without

Ocean Science Needs Some Love Too

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About Applied Technology Institute (ATIcourses or ATI) ATIcourses is a national leader in professional development seminars in the technical areas of space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, engineering, and signal processing. Since 1984, ATIcourses has presented leading-edge technical training to defense and NASA facilities, as well as DOD and aerospace contractors. ATI’s programs create a clear understanding of the fundamental principles and a working knowledge of current technology and applications. ATI offers customized on-site training at your facility anywhere in the United States, as well as internationally, and over 200 annual public courses in dozens of locations. ATI is proud to have world-class experts instructing courses. For more information, call 410-956-8805 or 1-888-501-2100 (toll free), or visit them on the web at www.ATIcourses.com. Note: Accredited media are invited to attend for free. Adblock test (Why?) source http://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/Ocea

Weak Links in the Chain

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For Immediate Release: Dateline: East Greenwich , RI My prediction is that companies are going to focus on shortening, localizing, securing, and simplifying their supply chains, having seen the ability to sabotage pagers and other devices shipped to Lebanon from Taiwan. The US is blocking cranes made in China due to software that is believed to be capable of espionage. Adblock test (Why?) source http://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/Weak-Links-in-the-Chain,2024306822.aspx

Stunning Poll Results Unveiled by Leading Media Expert: Nearly 30% of Democrats Support Assassination of Donald Trump

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In a shocking revelation, America's premier media expert and best-selling author, Michael Levine, has disclosed startling poll results showing that nearly 30% of Democrats believe the U.S. would be better off if former President Donald Trump had been killed in a recent assassination attempt. The survey, conducted by Scott Rasmussen's RMG Research, surveyed 1,000 registered voters and uncovered the alarming fact that nearly 3 in 10 Democrats support the notion that Trump's death would benefit the nation. The results have sent shockwaves through political and media circles, raising questions about the divisive rhetoric that dominates the political landscape. According to the poll, 37% of respondents suspect government involvement in the recent assassination attempt at Trump's Florida golf course. Many blame anti-Trump rhetoric, media coverage, and high-profile political figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, for inciting violence against the former president.

Reimagining Education for Experienced Leaders

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In recent years, prestigious universities have recognized a growing need for educational programs tailored specifically to older adults. These individuals, often experienced leaders older than 50, are seeking opportunities to reflect on their lives, reevaluate their goals, and reinvent themselves. Institutions like Yale, Harvard, and Stanford have launched innovative programs that allow seasoned professionals to explore new directions and possibilities. The “Older Adult Educational Programs,” offer a unique learning experience for older adults ready to pause their careers and invest time in personal growth. The concept is straightforward yet impactful. At its core, the program provides a structured academic environment where older adults can explore new ideas, develop new skills, and thoughtfully plan their next steps. For a fee often exceeding $60,000, participants engage in a year-long program designed to help them navigate mid-life transitions. The programs are designed for indi