| Money and Business Newsletter for Raja
Publisher: David Riklan - http://www.SelfGrowth.com In This Issue:
-- Recommended Resource of the Day: Free "Think & Grow Rich" Audio Book
-- Inspirational Money and Business Quote: Henry Ward Beecher
-- Article: People Buy You: How to Become a Master of Persuasion - By Jeb Blount
-- Article: Debt Settlement: Fact vs. Fiction - By Jason Call
-- Subscription and Contact Information
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** Recommended Resource of the Day **
-------------------------------------------------- * Get Your Free "Think & Grow Rich" Audio Book Today * Discover the money-making secrets behind one of the best-selling books of all time, responsible for helping create more millionaires than any other book or program of its kind. Now you can download the abridged audio book edition of this 1937 timeless classic as our gift for being a SelfGrowth.com subscriber. Get your complimentary TGR
audio book right here! |  |
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** Inspirational Money and Business Quote **
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Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-and be lenient to everybody else.
- Henry Ward Beecher
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** Article: People Buy You: How to Become a Master of Persuasion - By Jeb Blount **
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Here's a question: What is most important to your success? Is it education, experience, product knowledge, job title, territory, or business dress? Is it your company's reputation, product, price, marketing collateral, delivery lead times, in stock ratios, service guarantees, management strength, or warehouse location? Is it testimonials, the latest Forbes write up, or brand awareness? Is it the investment in the latest CRM software, business 2.0 tools, or social media strategy? You could hire a fancy consulting firm, make the list longer, add some bullet points, put it into a PowerPoint presentation, and go through the whole dog and pony show. But at the end of the day there will be only one conclusion… None of the above! You see, the most important competitive edge for today's business professionals cannot be found on this list, your resume, or in any of your company's marketing brochures. If you want to know the real secret to what matters most in business, just look in the mirror. That's right, it's YOU. Do these other things matter? Of course they do, but when all things are equal (and in the competitive world we live in today, things almost always are) People Buy You. Your ability to build lasting business relationships that allow you to close more deals, retain clients, increase your income, and advance your career to rise the top of your company or industry, depends on your skills for getting other people to like you, trust you, and BUY YOU. It starts with being likable which in most cases it is the simple act of smiling and being polite. Once people like you then you can focus on connecting by asking questions and listening. People love to tell stories about themselves, their businesses, and their family. When you take time to listen to another person they are drawn to you and they feel close and connected. Once you are connected, your prospects and customers will open up and begin telling you their problems. With that information in hand you can focus on and solve their real problems. People are extremely loyal to people who solve their problems. However, even though your buyer might feel good emotionally about doing business, they are still looking for a foundation of logic with which to back up these feelings. Because of this, you must take careful steps to build trust through your actions and reinforce their emotional connection and trust in you with positive emotional experiences.
When you awaken to this concept, that People Buy You, you gain the understanding that it is not what you are selling but rather who you are that makes all the difference. Your confidence goes up because you realize how very powerful you really are. For the first time you understand that the one thing that matters most, how much your customers like and trust you, is completely within your control. Five Levers of Master Persuaders 1. Be Likable
Smile and use your positive attitude and optimism to project a cheerful, smiling, outgoing personality. People love to be around happy, optimistic people. Likability is the gateway to connections and ultimately to relationships. If others don't find you likable, then it is virtually impossible to form profitable business relationships. If you are not likable, people will not buy you or from you. Likability is responsible for first impressions because it happens in an instant, and it is responsible for ongoing impressions because it can be lost in an instant. When people find you likable, the door opens to emotional connections, to trust, and ultimately to business relationships that help you build a successful career and income. 2. Connect
The key to connecting is listening deeply with your eyes and ears. Listen to what your customers say and observe their emotions. There are things they are passionate about. Look for common ground here. When you truly connect with someone, you take rapport to the next level. You begin to move from a business relationship to a friendship. Connecting tears down walls that tend to get in the way of real communication and understanding. When people feel connected with you they feel more comfortable telling you their real problems. With this information in hand, you have the opportunity to solve problems that really matter. This ability provides real value and engenders true loyalty. Strong connections are hard to break and are the foundation of truly prosperous, long-term business relationships. 3. Solve Problems
Problem solvers are the champions of the business world. However, it is impossible to solve problems you do not know about, which is why connecting is so critical. The essence of business is one person solving another person's problem. A solved problem is the value that buyers pay for. It is the most important lever in the People Buy You philosophy. The most successful business people take problem solving to the next level. These individuals are constantly on the lookout for problems they can solve-even if it has no direct impact on their business. They live by the motto, "By helping others get what they want, I will get what I want." 4. Build Trust
Trust is the glue that holds relationships together and the foundation on which all long-term relationships rest. Trust is developed with tangible evidence that you do what you say you will do, that you keep promises, and that you maintain a consistent commitment to excellence. It means going the extra mile in everything you do. In a world in which most people are doing just enough to get by, those business professionals who consistently do more than they have to will stand out. Buyers appreciate and reward this commitment to excellence with repeat business, referrals, and ultimately with trust. 5. Create Positive Emotional Experiences
Learn to make dealing with you fun, relaxing, and rewarding. You always want to leave your customers and prospects thinking about you and remembering you positively so it is imperative that you find ways to create positive emotional experiences for your customers. The key is to focus on the little things. Remember birthdays, send handwritten notes, do the unexpected. Just as an anchor is used to hold a ship in place against currents, wind, tide, and storm, positive emotional experiences anchor your relationships. They leave people wanting more of you. Follow these pieces of advice and not only will your customers like and trust you, but they will be more inclined to buy from you. ** To comment on this article or to read comments about this article, go here.
About the Author:
Jeb Blount is the CEO of http://www.SalesGravy.com, the most visited sales website on the internet. A respected thought leader on sales and sales leadership, he is author of three books, People Buy You: The Real Secret to what Matters Most in Business, Sales Guy's 7 Rules for Outselling the Recession, and Power Principles. He is the author of more than 100 articles on sales and sales leadership and the host of the top rated Sales Guy Podcast. When you buy Jeb's new book, People Buy You, today, you'll also receive thousands of dollars worth of bonus gifts from sales growth leaders -- learn more at http://www.PeopleBuyYou.com.
* Get Your Free "Think & Grow Rich" Audio Book Today * Discover the money-making secrets behind one of the best-selling books of all time, responsible for helping create more millionaires than any other book or program of its kind. Now you can download the abridged audio book edition of this 1937 timeless classic as our gift for being a SelfGrowth.com subscriber. Get your complimentary TGR
audio book right here! | |
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** Article: Debt Settlement: Fact vs. Fiction - By Jason Call **
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With the economy failing, consumers are finding their unsecured debt rising, coupled with limited resources to pay. What options do you have as a consumer to save your credit and avoid bankruptcy? The good news is that you have options, but with all of the companies out there trying to make a quick buck, it is in your best interest to educate yourself to avoid being scammed. Countless articles on the Internet warn consumers of unscrupulous credit counseling and debt settlement companies. They are completely different services and can benefit you in different ways. Researching these options and educating yourself before you choose the right option for you can save you a lot of time & money. First, you need to know what debt settlement is and how can it help you. Debt settlement, also known as debt negotiation, is the process in which a skilled and experienced person negotiates with your creditors, to settle your unsecured debt for less than what you owe. Only unsecured debt qualifies for debt settlement. Unsecured debt is defined as: credit card bills, medical bills, past due utility bills, personal loans, store cards, etc. Most experts agree that federally backed student loans, mortgages, car loans, taxes, child support and things of that nature, do not qualify for a debt negotiation program. So, before you even think about debt settlement, you need to know where your debt is and what type of debt it is. Knowing whether or not your debt was a loan, line of credit or credit card may be important, as not all debt can be settled in the same manner. In addition, many poorly managed debt settlement companies will outsource their negotiation services and promise relief that they are not capable of fulfilling. You also need to know what a good debt settlement company should have to offer you. A solid debt settlement company should have 3 basic, but very important components; an in-house negotiation team managed by legal counsel, great customer service, and proven results. Ask to see settlement letters that they have obtained through their services; personal info removed of course. It is very important that all of these components should be offered in-house and not outsourced to other companies in other locations. Any debt settlement company worth their salt will also post examples of their settlement letters to their website or some sort of publication so you can effectively see the amount of savings that may be possible if you decide to take advantage of a reputable debt settlement program. One stipulation of debt settlement is that you must be behind on your payments to your creditors, which can take a temporary toll on your credit rating. This does not mean you should purposely go delinquent on your unsecured debt and then choose a debt settlement firm to eliminate it; however, if your credit has already been impacted by delinquent unpaid debts, this may a good time to consider debt settlement as a debt relief option. A reputable debt settlement company will analyze your debt and review your household budget to make sure that this is the right option for you. Debt settlement companies charge a fee for their services, but in return can save you up to 65% of what you owe to your creditors. The fee is usually not outrageous and if you do your research beforehand, you won't be overcharged. Most fees are based on the amount of unsecured debt you enroll in a program. By and large, these fees are negligible when the thousands of dollars you can save is considered. Most debt settlement companies charge between 15%-25%, but if you do your research, you can find reputable programs in the range of 12-14%, reducing the possibility that you may be overcharged. Resources available to you, through your debt settlement company, can also help you avoid being sued by your creditor while you are saving the money for your debt to be negotiated. This does not mean that your creditors can't or won't sue you. Overall, creditors consider debt settlement less costly and more effective than bankruptcy. When you find yourself falling behind on bills and feel the pressure mounting, you might be confused about what to do. You have choices which may include options other than debt settlement. Some of these options might include different forms of bankruptcy or consumer credit counseling, all of which are dissimilar. Bankruptcy is the choice most consumers want to avoid entirely. The different bankruptcy options could have various adverse effects on your credit rating and may create public legal records that can remain for 7 to 20 years. Most people investigating debt relief, choose debt settlement because they want to preemptively seek help, before making a decision that can stay with them for such a long period of time. Consumer credit counseling (CCC) is another debt relief option that is available to consumers in trouble. Most people mistake debt settlement and consumer credit counseling for the same type of service. Consumer credit counseling can be costly, and in order to use these types of services, you must be willing to announce publically that you cannot manage your finances and need someone else to pay your bills. Because it is designed for people in need of a structured way of managing their money, the CCC company must report to the various credit bureaus that the consumer is not in control of their own finances and that the CCC company is paying the bills. This is often looked at by lenders as if you have filed a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. It is considered 3rd party assistance. The consumer creates a plan with the counseling company and pays as much as they are able, for the entire length of the loan. The counseling company has control of the account, in which you deposit money that you set aside to pay your debts, which means that if you have an emergency, you may not be able to get your hands on your money for days. With consumer credit counseling you still pay ALL of your unsecured debt, the monthly fees and interest, but possibly at a reduced rate. This can double the number of years that it would take to pay off your unsecured debt, compared to debt settlement or bankruptcy, therefore costing the consumer much more in time, fees and interest. Debt settlement and consumer credit counseling services are on different ends of the spectrum when it comes to debt relief. In a debt settlement program, you are expected to repay a reduced portion of what is owed to your creditors. Because of the relationships that some settlement companies have and their ability to negotiate to a lesser amount, to hear of a consumer saving thousands of dollars is not uncommon. Accounts entered into a debt settlement program are typically settled within 1-3 years. With the many options that you have available and the resources you have to help you decide what is best for your situation, you might find that debt settlement is the fastest way to satisfy your creditors and restore you piece of mind. Calling a debt settlement counselor is the best way to decide if debt settlement is the right option for you. A few minutes of your time could help you save thousands of dollars and help give you a jump start to a financially secure future. ** To comment on this article or to read comments about this article, go here.
About the Author:
This article was written by Jason Call.
* Get Your Free "Think & Grow Rich" Audio Book Today * Discover the money-making secrets behind one of the best-selling books of all time, responsible for helping create more millionaires than any other book or program of its kind. Now you can download the abridged audio book edition of this 1937 timeless classic as our gift for being a SelfGrowth.com subscriber. Get your complimentary TGR
audio book right here! | | |
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