by Kirby Hasseman
My wife was looking for something in our “junk drawer” the other day, and she came across these phones. They range from a flip phone to an iPhone in progression. And with the exception of the iPhone, which was one of my daughters’, they are in pretty good shape. But what else do they represent? To me they show you a series in devices that were the latest and greatest technology of their time. They show, in one picture, how we have completely changed in our use of the “phone” as a culture. They also show how fast technology is changing. My wife and I are not usually people who keep things. We are not super sentimental about “stuff.” So when something outlasts it’s usefulness, we tend to throw it out (or give it to someone who can use it). So at first it seemed funny that we would have these phones. But then it occurred to me that, when we put each of these phones in the junk drawer, they were just one step away from current technology. They were not completely obsolete. So they were our insurance in case something went wrong (like it did with that iPhone). And yet, looking at this picture now, most of them look ancient. It reminds me of a a few things… 1. Tech is changing so fast: This photo of phones represents probably 10 or 15 years. This picture shows us going from a mobile phone to a mobile computer in the blink of an eye. 2. Don’t Get Too Romantic: I loved my flip phone. I liked it’s size and ease of making calls. At the time, it was state of the art. But if I still had one I would be missing so much of what our technology has to offer. This picture makes me wonder what is next. Though these were all “the next thing” at one time, each advancement has taken big leaps forward. This picture reminds me to embrace the new steps forward…and make the most of them. Oh…and this picture reminds me its time to clean out my junk drawer. Make sure you never miss an update. We do a weekly recap on our VIP newsletter. You can sign up here. Oh, and if you want to check out the latest in Promo, you can head to our website here.
by Kirby Hasseman
In business, it’s always important to pay attention to the metrics…right? Well…sometimes. If you read this blog on a regular basis, you might know I really enjoyed the book “The 4 Disciplines of Execution.” I talk about that book and it’s concepts a bit here. One of the concepts I love in the book is the idea of focusing on “lead measures.” It allows you to focus on numbers that will lead to the success you want. For example, if you focus on making sales calls, (which you have control over) you should ultimately push your sales up (a lag measure). I love it because I have control over the lead measure. I decide whether I do it or not. The challenge for me recently, is I was focusing almost solely on the lead measure. The lead measure is great. But at some point you have to sell something. At some point you need to re-evaluate to make sure you are hitting your numbers. This gives you a chance to evaluate whether you are using the right lead measure. If it does not ultimately lead to sales, it’s not a great lead measure. Without sales, you will fail. But don’t worry…I am not throwing out the baby with the bath water. I need to focus on both. I need to continue to track my number of meetings. I need to make sure I am actively sending ideas to clients. But I need to make sure my sales (and the sales of my team) are following the activity. If it doesn’t, then I am missing the point. Our content efforts are up. Our web traffic is up. Our time on our website is up. That’s all great. But as in any effort, the metrics are important…so long as you are focusing on the right ones. Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. We are posting new content each and every day.
by Kirby Hasseman
The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast is back! Our goal here is to attack 2018 with a vengeance! The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast will provide some inspiration, motivation and education to make it happen! Consider this your 10 minute “kick in the pants” to get your week started off right! Today on the podcast I take a look at 10 tips that every new sales person should hear! Oh…and most of us veterans can use to be reminded of these as well! Listen in and see what you think!So what do you think? Did I hit them all? What other tips do you give new sales people in your industry? What have I left out? Please let me know! Make sure you never miss an update by signing up for our VIP Newsletter here. Or you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Sticher, Soundcloud…or where ever you listen to podcasts!
by Kirby Hasseman
One of the mental challenges I have with creating content on an every day basis is “the voice.” I talked about that here. We all have it. My voice regularly tells me that I come off as a know it all. I am writing about personal development issues. So naturally, I must think I know everything. I don’t. As a matter of fact, I really struggle, every day with many things that I am not good at. It’s not that I beat myself up over it. I just don’t get it right. A lot. So in the interest of transparency, I thought I would share some of the things I suck at. My Temper: When my stress levels go up, the length of my fuse goes way down. Then all of a sudden I find myself blowing up at someone (who is perfectly nice) over something stupid. Though my temper is way better than it used to be…I still struggle here. The Numbers Game: This is painful to admit. I have been in business now for many years and reading a P & L is still painful to me. I can do it. But it takes all of my mental energy. So I don’t analyze and work on these details nearly as much as I should. Listening: I know (intellectually) that the number one skill in sales is to listen. I know it. But sometimes I cannot simply shut up! Maybe it’s because I am excited to tell the person something new. Maybe it’s because I have the attention span of a gnat. Maybe it’s because I am a narcissistic jerk. Either way…I need to work on it. Switching gears: Though I believe in single tasking, sometimes business and life requires us to change from one thing to another. Sometimes I struggle with this…and it leads me back to number one (my temper). I need to take a breath…and move on. Meditate: I know I need to meditate. I am learning more and more of the benefits. And I am even doing it…sometimes. But just like exercise (or anything else you want to be good at) I need to do it every day. I am not. This list is woefully incomplete. But I guess…so am I. I struggle with a lot. This is not an exercise in beating myself up. It’s just an exercise in transparency. The fact is, I suck at this stuff. But I am getting getter…slow but sure. Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP newsletter and we can try and get better together.
by Kirby Hasseman
As August draws to a close, it puts me in the mind of fair and festival season. I am sure we are biased, but we feel like the Coshocton County fair is truly one of the best! This is a great season to head out and spend time with family and friends before the weather turns too cold. Fair and festival season is also a great time to reach customers and prospects! It’s a real opportunity for marketers. But how do you capture attention? Here are a few ideas that will not break the bank! Yardsticks: Yep…we are going old school on this. When you are thinking of a fair or festival, you want to give something useful. And if you can combine that with something that attracts attention (and drives traffic to you), it’s even better. The Yardstick is both. Because of their size, people will see them around the grandstand…and then they will come to you! Find more details here. Mood Cups: Great for kids of all ages, the 17 oz mood cup is a great drinkware piece at a great price. And have we mentioned that it changes colors when you put cold liquid in it? It’s always a hit. Want to take it to the next level? Have a cold water machine or an Icy machine and fill the cups! Then watch people flock to your table! Get details and pricing here. Fly Swatter: It’s that season, right? The bees, flies and bugs are in full swing. So a functional item like the Fly Swatter is sure to grab attention. Fly Swatters also fall in to the category of “everyone needs one…but no one wants to buy one.” Right? So when you give it to them it will be valued and kept! Get the basics here. Bonus Items: Sticky Note Pads: Have we mentioned we like functional for events like this? This is a low cost item with a ton of impressions. This will create an impression at the event…but will give you long lasting marketing value after the event as well. So these are just a few. You can find all of these items (and a few more) here in one place. We have created a shop just for this. Or you can reach out to your HMC rep for more ideas. But if you are more of a “do it yourself” person, you can shop online here. But now might be the time to sign up for our VIP newsletter to make sure you never miss an update. You can do that here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Everyone wants to get more done. We want to be more productive. It makes sense. But in order to get more done, we don’t always need some new time management trick. We need our brain to function at a higher level. We need to think clearer and quicker. We need to deal with stress better. Great news. You can help make that happen. “The trick” to a better brain is often not as complicated as we might think. We don’t need surgery or some science fiction drug. There are several very real actions each of us can take each day to help our own brain function. Here are just a few…
Exercise: Study after study shows that 30 minutes or so of aerobic exercise will help to increase brain function. (This also helps the body deal with stress, which helps your brain too). A simple way to explain this is that the blood is delivered to the brain through blood vessels. Consider these blood vessels the highways. These highways get pot holes sometimes…and exercise helps to re-pave the roads. In addition, exercise also helps to create NEW roads! More blood to the brain helps to increase brain function. So just 30 minutes of exercise a day can make you smarter. Go!
Sleep: When I was in college, I never subscribed to the theory of the “all-nighter” before the test. Turns out I was right. By depriving your body of sleep, you can actually decrease your brain function by up to 40% after just one night! So staying up all night to study actually makes you dumber! Feeling out of it or groggy? Just can’t function? Get some sleep. It will help your brain.
Stop Multi-tasking: This is not my opinion folks…it’s fact. The human brain cannot focus on more than one thing at a time. It has to stop focusing on one thing and then re-direct every time we change our focus! So by focusing on many things at once (i.e. music, phones, Facebook alerts, Snapchats, texts, etc.) while trying to work on a paper or a project is a recipe for (brain function) disaster.
Our brain is a complex and awesome part of us. I believe it is the number one indicator of whether we lead a successful and (more importantly) happy life. Why not give it the best chance for success?
So consider these 3 things to make your brain a better tool for you! The best part? These three (for the most part) are totally up to you. Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. We send out an email each week that gives a synopsis of our content of the week! Oh…and sometimes we include some sweet promo specials too. Sign up here.
