Tunnel Vision

Written by Anne Sallee


Continued from page 1
cannot promote ourselves. It'srepparttar irony ofrepparttar 106463 business. We write and produce incredible imagery and complex themes, lovable brands and jingles, for others. We try it for ourselves and we flounder. Why? Defining ourselves is too complex, too overwhelming. It's much easier to distillrepparttar 106464 essence of other companies into pithy soundbites and flashy colors. That's why you need someone else to have input. I read all these "do-it-yourself" marketing pieces and think they're wonderful, but they're missing this important truth. Sometimes success means taking a step back. We need someone who isn't emotionally attached torepparttar 106465 work to tell usrepparttar 106466 bald truth occasionally. We needrepparttar 106467 mirror held up to our faces to force us to seerepparttar 106468 things we conveniently ignore and to point outrepparttar 106469 strengths that we don't know exist. It keeps our marketing efforts fresh and genuine. It keeps us honest, as salesfolk.

Atrepparttar 106470 end ofrepparttar 106471 day, good business is all about trust. And being real isrepparttar 106472 best way to gain that trust. So take my advice? Getrepparttar 106473 objectivity. Not from mom orrepparttar 106474 neighbor, but real objectivity...and then listen and act on what you hear. You'll be glad you did.

Anne Sallee is the owner of Red Toad Media, a flourishing design and marketing firm. You may visit her company web site at http://www.redtoadmedia.net or email comments to: redtoadmedia@aol.com


How To Deal With Customer Disputes Without Losing Customers Or Giving Away The Store

Written by Lisa Lake


Continued from page 1

I am fascinated by Bill's ability to handle these situations. I asked him to describe in detail how he was able to defuse these potential explosions before impact. This is what he told me:

1. Atrepparttar beginning ofrepparttar 106462 interaction, listen. Don't talk. Interruptingrepparttar 106463 customer's monologue would be regarded as a lack of interest and respect.

2. Don't come to any quick conclusions. Wait until you haverepparttar 106464 customer's entire story, so they feel you've heard them out in full.

3. To prove you were listening closely, paraphraserepparttar 106465 customer's statements.

4. Ifrepparttar 106466 confrontation escalates andrepparttar 106467 customer becomes angry, try to concentrate onrepparttar 106468 customer's message instead of their anger. If you letrepparttar 106469 customer drive you to angry statements and outbursts, you will create a downward spiral that will never end well.

5. Remember that your objective is to showrepparttar 106470 customer you want to help. Becoming angry or argumentative would only prove that your sole concern is yourself and your interests.

6. If you come to an agreement indicating thatrepparttar 106471 customer is wrong, try to avoid makingrepparttar 106472 situation embarrassing for her.

7. Above all, always, always, always apologize, even if you know you did nothing wrong.

Always do your best to avoid turning a minor disagreement into a major argument. Ifrepparttar 106473 customer comes in angry, do what you can to make sure he leaves placated.

Unfortunately, there are some customers who don't deserve to be dealt with inrepparttar 106474 respectful manner described above:

1. Any customer who attempts to influence you toward some illegal or unethical action. For instance, if a customer wanted a receipt in excess of what was paid, that customer is not worth your patience.

2. Some customers are more trouble than they are worth. If you are forced to ignore a dozen customers because you are busy dealing with one difficult customer, you will have lost more than you gained.

3. The worst kind of customers are those who revel in being unpleasant and rude. Some takerepparttar 106475 power of their position so far that verbal abuse seems perfectly acceptable to them. These customers should be asked never to return.



Lisa Lake has created a list of top promotional methods on her http://MyAdBlaster.com Lisa also writes ad copy that sells for DrNunley's http://InternetWriters.com Reach her at mailto:lisa@myadblaster.com or 801-328-9006.


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