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That's what the cashier said to me at the end of my purchase. "Have a Nice Day."
I said nothing back. Why? Because I felt that her statement was insincere. From what I saw, her well-meaning statement was delivered because the company instructed her to deliver it at the end of every transaction. She really didn't mean it and she didn't understand why she was saying it.
The strange thing is that the cashier probably thought that I was rude for not responding.
I had three choices after she...
The Branding Fallacy And Why It Might be Killing Your Business
Your branding might be more harm than good. Beware of the branding zombies. They regurgitate meaningless mantras like "branding is good", "you need a brand" and "we can help you develop your brand." These creatures only want your life blood. Unfortunately these zombies don't look like the ones in Michael Jackson's Thriller video. They look like you and I. They call themselves branding consultants, marketing agencies or graphic designers. And they try to sell you snake oil remedies.
It's time...
Can Toastmasters Help You Be a Better Public Speaker?
The short answer is yes.
Toastmasters can help you improve your presentation skills. Toastmasters has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world improve their presentation, public speaking, and communication skills.
My Experience with Toastmasters
I joined Toastmasters to improve my presentation skills. I was a member for seven years. During that time I actively participated in meetings, on the executive, in public speaking contests and in the promotion of membership. I...
Seven Pillars of a Powerful Presentation
Presenters who look and sound weak lose.
Winning presentations are delivered by presenters who look, sound and feel powerful. Winners capture attention, exude credibility and deliver more effective presentations. To be more successful with your presentations include these seven pillars in your presentations.
Avoid The Temptations of PowerPoint
Don't be fooled by the name. There is no implied power in PowerPoint. It's just a clever name. Would so many presenters have been as easily seduced...
Viral Marketing: Infect Your Market
Viral Marketing is so powerful because it is like a train building up speed. Once it is moving you can't stop it without derailing the train. It takes a lot of steam to get the train moving. And it is difficult to stop. The train will almost always follow the tracks. You never really know for sure where your viral marketing campaign might lead.
Viral marketing is well named because, when done right, it spreads like a virus. The term viral marketing might be too graphic for some because it...
Marketing Success: Lead With Success Stories
Results sell. The purpose of marketing is to make it easier to sell and nothing sells like results. To capture attention and convert more prospects into eager buyers with your marketing - lead with success stories.
Feature success stories in your advertising, on your website, in your sales calls, and in your networking. Include them on every marketing channel.
This approach is even more important during challenging times. If your clients and prospects are hoarding their money you need to...
Annoy Your Audience: Read Your PowerPoint Presentation Slides
If your goal is to irritate your audience during your next presentation, read your PowerPoint slides to them. According to several audience polls and business surveys, the number one presentation complaint is "The speaker read the PowerPoint slides to us."
Two things about this complaint might surprise you. It is the most common complaint about business presentations therefore you would think that business presenters would have heard this feedback. The second point is that this observation...
Superman Is A Lousy Role Model
If you had to pick a superhero as a role model who would you choose?
If you chose Superman you might be setting yourself up for failure and tremendous disappointment.
Why might you be tempted to choose Superman as your idol? Well, he is perfect. He is all-powerful, all knowing, always wins and always does the right thing. If that is your standard you will always feel inadequate. How can you hope to compare?
Superman is the strongest guy on the planet - maybe even this side of the galaxy....
Strategic Positioning: The Battle for Market Dominance
The most important question you need to address in your business is "What position do you want to hold - in the market and in the minds of your clients?"
Why is that question so important to you?
The answer to that question will clarify your strategy and direction. And that answer will answer a lot of other distracting questions quickly.
This is a tough question so many business owners don't address it. Think about the significance of that. If most aren't addressing this fundamental...
Cheap Presentation Skills Training: 3 Options for You
You know that communication and presentation skills are important. Almost every job ad asks for superior communication skills. Perhaps you want to improve your own career success but your funds for training or coaching are low or non-existent.
Maybe you are a manager or team leader that has noticed missed opportunities because your team is stumbling through their presentations. Perhaps some negative comments have filtered back to you and you need to act.
You probably know that the best way to...
Why Are Presentation Skills Important?
Most people will agree that presentation skills are important. But ask them to explain "Why?" and they are stumped. These folks might mumble something unintelligible and proudly declare "Because - everybody knows that it is".
I've been studying and teaching presentation skills for over a decade so I've had the opportunity to think about this question.
First, let's clarify the statement "Presentation skills are important". What we really mean is, "Effective presentation skills are important"....
Customer Service Sucker Punch: How Can I Help You?
Have you noticed that this phrase does not often mean what the average person might think it means.
It's a deception, a feint, a sucker punch phrase wielded by customer service managers.
A sucker punch is an old boxing term. The fighter in the red trunks lowers his right hand thus leaving an opening. His opponent, the fighter in the blue trunks notices the opening and excitedly moves to take advantage of the opportunity. But Blue fails to notice Red's cocked left hand. Blue ignores caution...
Keep Your Speech Interesting By Being Present Yourself
What happens when you keep your speech more interesting? Your audience will listen attentively to your words. People will think about your message. Your listeners are more likely to act on your call to action.
When those three things happen you know you delivered a successful presentation. So how can you keep your speech more interesting?
First you must realize that making your speech interesting is not something you do one time. You must keep injecting interesting moments throughout your...
Are You Clear On The Purpose of Your Presentation?
The evening before his presentation, another conference presenter confessed to me that his presentation was boring. He asked for my help to improve his presentation. We chatted over wings and beer while watching the hockey game.
I asked him to clarify the purpose of this presentation. That's the first place for you to start when designing, reviewing and adapting your presentation. That's also how you should measure the success of your presentation.
He paused briefly to think about that, then...
Marketing Is In The Details: Sears Catalogue Delivery Disaster
Smart marketing can make your business. Faulty marketing can break your business. Marketing is about sending messages. Everything you and your people do sends a message. Marketing is everyone's responsibility because every staff member sends messages about your business. Often your unintended messages have a greater impact then your intended messages.
What affects your marketing messages the most? Details! Are you paying enough attention to the details that make or sabotage your marketing...
The Van Gogh Syndrome to Marketing Can Kill Your Business
Vincent Van Gogh was an artistic genius. His work is an inspiration to artists and coveted by art fanciers. He was a superb artist. He challenged the norms and created powerful art. Van Gogh was unique. He was a master of his craft. He was a prolific artist. Today many of his paintings sell for millions of dollars. However, he was a failure as a business owner.
If you fancy yourself an expert, a genius, or a Van Gogh of your field - wake up before you're dead. Don't base your business model on...
How To Open Your Presentation With Commanding Attention
You have a few seconds to set the tone for your presentation. A good start paves the road to success while a weak opening can slam shut the door to success.
Your opening must do three things for you. Grab attention, set the direction and establish rapport. Without their attention you have a room of non-listeners. Without knowing your direction your audience will feel lost and confused. Without rapport you might have a room of enemies.
You can grab attention with contrast, relevance and...
Beware of Barketing
What is Barketing?
Barketing is a cross between marketing and barking like a dog. Barking is often repetitive, annoying and loud, and always a one-way message. Barketing is marketing gone the way of dogs. You annoy customers with your message attempt, sound like the rest of the pack and display no finesse.
Barketing is any form of marketing that looks and sounds like "me too" to your prospects. It feels to your market like you are competing for attention by shouting louder.
Why is Barketing...
Understand the Professional Speaking Business
Q&A about the Speaking Business
The answers below are my opinion. I've answered as honest as possible. There is no one way to succeed in the professional speaking business. That's one of the attractions of it. You can write your own rule book. The answers below are from my experience and perspective.
How did you get started in the speaking business?
I hear this question often.
Once upon a time I was a senior manager in a large corporation. One of my roles was speaking to both...
4 Backdoor Secrets to Add More CEOs and Presidents to Your Network
Do you want to meet more business leaders? Would you like to include more presidents, CEOs, and executives in your active network? Imagine how that would help your career and business opportunities.
The first and most difficult step is making first contact. Here are four creative methods that work. I know because I have successfully used every one to connect with CEOs, presidents and senior corporate executives.
Volunteer Volunteer for a community cause, program or event that you support....
Marketing in Turbulent Times
May you live in interesting times.
Is that ancient expression a curse or a blessing? I think it depends on how you define "interesting" and more importantly how you adapt to it.
If you define interesting to mean unpredictable, challenging and threatening then clearly we are living in interesting times. Business these days is more like shooting the rapids in a rubber raft than canoeing in a duck pond.
It's too easy to be mesmerized by the danger of capsizing. If you focus on the rocks,...
Creative Problem Solving: Six Key Principles to Better Solutions
How can you be more effective at creative problem solving? Use these six key principles of creative problem solving. Avoid the common mistakes that are made when attempting to solve problems. Instead understand these six principles and you can find more productive and innovative solutions to the problems that challenge you.
You Know Nothing You might find this hard to believe. But this is where you need to start. The reality is that we don't "know" anything. We only "believe" that we know...
Einstein Inspires Creative Thinking
Would you like to be a creative thinker like Albert Einstein? You might not discover the theory for relativity but you can learn from Einstein's creative thinking techniques and apply them to your creative problem solving challenges.
Albert Einstein has been called the most creative genius of the last century. He started his career as a patent office clerk. That means he spent a lot of time studying other people's ideas and thinking about them. Einstein learned how to analyze creative ideas...
Six Secrets to be More Creative
Searching for creative ideas? Just use the six principles described here to create innovative ides on demand. No magic even though it seems to work that way.
Skill Creative thinking is not a talent even though some people might appear to be naturally creative. The ability to think creatively is a skill that can be learned, enhanced and taught. People who seem to be more creative have just invested more time and energy learning and practicing to be more creative.
Children Children seem to...
Business Networking: Stop Working the Room
Have you approached a business networking event as another "Room to Work"? What a mistake that could be.
Some networking experts might tell you to attend networking events and be prepared to "work the room". Stop and think about that advice. Is that what you want to do? Is that the first impression that you want to imprint on contacts in your network? That they were just "worked" by you? How would you feel when you have been "worked"?
Stop doing that. It can feel slimy to you and the people...
But We've Always Done it This Way: Top Ten List
What does that really mean?
Perhaps you just asked a question at a committee meeting. The room went silent and at least one person pointedly explained to you that "We've always done it this way". The rest of the group either chimed in or nodded their heads in arrogant approval. Some might even have glanced at you with that dismissive look of lost causes.
For many people change is painful. It doesn't matter how silly their current path or how promising the opportunity of other possibilities....
5 Tips for Introducing Yourself at Your Networking Meeting
Before you say, "Hello my name is..." read these tips to make a better impact at your next networking meeting.
Networking is a process. It is a sequence of events and touch points with your contacts. It is critical that you follow your networking process. It is also important that you make each touch point count. One of the most common touch points is introducing yourself at the networking meeting.
If you want to make the best impression when you introduce yourself use the following tips to...
Build Your Brand Quickly with Controversy
Do want a powerful branding strategy? Take a controversial position. Offend someone and attract your target market. But you have to pick your position and enemies carefully. Don't offend your fans or best customers.
Book publishers,movie producers and news directors use controversy to sell. You can also use controversy to sell your product, service or yourself. Notice how they often do it in the movie business. The entertainment industry has lots of vivid controversy lessons for marketers....
Who's Knocking at My Door and What is He Selling?
? It happened again: a knock at my front door.
I answered the front door - which was an interruption. It always is. Why don't door knockers understand that they are interrupting? I was not waiting for the visit.
As a marketer I am always interested in what salespeople are doing and saying. But I don't have much patience. And I can be more edgy than some. Yet I have some empathy because I knocked on a lot of doors as a sales person, fund raiser and political campaigner.
I opened the door....
Your Database: Your Most Valuable Asset!
Your most valuable asset is not the money in your bank account. Your most valuable asset is what you know about your customers - because that will lead to more money in the bank. Money in the bank is good. But it's more important to consistently generate more. Money in your bank reflects what you did yesterday. Knowledge about your customers determines what you will do today and tomorrow.
If your business depends on strong relationships then you need information to maintain and strengthen...
Is There a Brand in Your Stand?
? Watch out for the branding gurus. Beware of the branding police who focus only on images of brand. Fire the branding consultants who feel qualified to tell you what your brand should be. Ignore the branding zealots who proclaim "brand or die".
Good, now that we have frightened off the undesirables let's address some fundamental questions about branding and offer you some probing questions to consider. That first paragraph demonstrates the three rules of creative positioning as explained...
Marketing Advantage: Small Business
Small business has powerful advantages over big business when it comes to marketing. But small business often misses these advantages because they are seduced into emulating the big corporations.
The typical approach to marketing by big business is to use the resource they have most of, money. Those big corporations tend to throw lots of money at expensive advertising campaigns because that's what they know.
If your small business is to survive and grow you must learn quickly to avoid the...
Marketing Strategy: Fight an Evil Enemy
Conflict sells. If you want to be noticed fight a powerful and evil enemy. Who or what are you fighting? While planning your marketing strategy pick an enemy. The tougher, the meaner, the more disgusting your enemy - the better for you. That positions you as the hero.
"You complete me"
The Joker taunted Batman with that phrase in the movie The Dark Knight. The public image of both Batman and the Joker were stronger because of their conflict. A champion needs a formidable villain and vice...
What Makes an Entrepreneur?
? Entrepreneurs - the fastest growing area of our economy. What makes these strange people, risk takers and wealth generators tick? Why do entrepreneurs take risks, endure pain, fatigue, and embarrassment? What makes them run? Is it money, fame, rock and roll or sex?
None of the above!
Entrepreneurs might want and enjoy those rewards but what drives them and what distinguishes them from an overachieving employee or salesperson is the desire to create. That's it. Are you an entrepreneur? Do...
Business Lessons from Las Vegas
If you haven't been to Las Vegas recently you must go. When you visit take good notes. Las Vegas is an inspiring business model. Las Vegas is a place to learn how to run your business. It might be called the sin city. But the real lessons of Vegas are not about gambling. It's about how to run a successful business.
Study these important business lessons that I learned from Las Vegas.
Follow systems The Las Vegas hotels win most of the time - because they have and follow good systems. Some...
Marketing Definitions in the Raw
Marketing has become a cult. It is rife with mysterious terms, magic powder and self-anointed gurus. Use this list of definitions to better understand the terminology and refute some of the ridiculous statements of the high priests. Warning: some of these definitions might offend some people. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Marketing Marketing is about sending messages. Everything you do or don't do sends a marketing message. The purpose of marketing is to help you sell more....
Marketing - Art or Science?
? Is marketing an art or a science? The answer is yes. Marketing is both - an art and a science. Enjoy this point and counter point about the art and science of marketing. Use the strengths of both arguments to better understand and improve your marketing.
Marketing Science Marketing is a science because marketing is about understanding and influencing behaviors. Psychology, the science of behaviors, studies how people react to certain stimuli in predictable ways. This is similar to Newton's'...
How to Get Started as a Professional Speaker
If you are thinking of becoming a professional speaker and you want to know where to start, then I offer you the same advice that helped me launch my speaking business many years ago.
The speaking business is not a get rich quick scheme. There are exceptions. If you are a past president of the United States, a recent Olympic Gold Medalist or an airline pilot who just landed your plane on the Hudson River then you can grab some quick and ready cash as a professional speaker. But, beware that...
Five Rules to Building Your Successful Marketing System
As a marketing expert I am often asked, "What is the most important element in a successful marketing program?"
My answer is, "Follow a good marketing system."
My research and experience includes interviews with over 450 business leaders, my consulting work, travel through 35 countries, market research and my experience from building my own business. I have noticed that following a system is critical to success in life and any field of business - especially marketing.
Too many people fail...
5 Emotional Marketing Triggers that Determine Why We Buy
When you understand the marketing triggers that make people buy then you can sell more. And you can find more eager customers. Our emotions trigger us to buy. Don't make the mistake thinking that people buy what they need. People buy what they want. Needs are driven by logic while wants are driven by emotions.
We Buy What We Want Don't believe me? Who needs an SUV? What teenager really needs a cell phone or $200 pair of jeans? Who needs your product? People buy because they want it. Every day...
8 Marketing Truths that Will Make You More Profitable
Beware of the dangerous marketing myths that can destroy your business. You've probably heard most of them. Many are spread by the marketing mystics who don't understand or don't want you to understand the simple realities of marketing. The challenge for you is to sort the truths from the myths and the mystics from the masters.
Read this article and study each of these marketing truths to increase your profits and reduce your losses. Think about how you will apply these marketing lessons to...
Guerilla Marketing is Not for the Timid
Do you want to be a guerilla marketer? Do you have the temperament to be a guerilla marketer? Are you ready for battle?
Jay Conrad Levinson popularized the term with his 1984 book, "Guerilla Marketing". He describes it as unconventional marketing. Some industry experts even questioned the ethics of this new form of marketing. Considering that this book was published more than 20 years ago can we really consider Jay Conrad's Guerilla Marketing new and unconventional today?
And more...
Branding: 7 Important Questions and the Straight Answers
Consider these important questions about branding and the brutally honest answers that could help you sell more and save you lots of money that is typically wasted on branding. If you sell yourself as a branding expert - you might not like these answers. These are frank answers that demystify branding.
1. What is branding? Branding is the ongoing process of creating and enhancing the brand. The brand is the emotional connection that encourages your clients to cling to the organization,...
Branding Secrets from Genghis Khan, the Mongolian Marketer
What can a growing business learn about branding from Genghis Khan? He united and ruled Mongolia. Genghis is known as a strong ruler and conqueror. Some might call him cruel and vicious. But he is remembered as a strong, memorable and effective leader.
Genghis Khan provides some powerful lessons for business on branding.
Consider this branding challenge. Many countries, geographic regions and cultures are looking for creative ways to develop their tourism industry. How can developing...
First Law of Networking: Scratch My Back and I'll Scratch Yours
The law of reciprocity says that after you do something for me I will feel obligated to pay you back. Say hello and I answer you back. Ask me how I feel and I respond in kind. Hold a door for me to enter and I will thank you and be more inclined to hold it for the next person. This is the most important principle of networking.
Give me a business lead and I'll start thinking about who I can refer to you. That's the fundamental principle of business networking.
You can apply this law in two...
3 Marketing Mistakes That Sink Business in a Recession
A recession does not mean the end of your business unless you navigate those rough waters blindly. Here are three rocks that can sink your business ship unless you avoid them while navigating the dangerous waters of a tough market. You might get wet but no need to capsize.
Cut expenses across the board
Cut marketing. Cut staff. Cut all expenditures! This siren call is the most common and foolish mistake. It's common because it is a knee jerk reaction that requires no thinking. It's foolish...
Five Steps to Build a Personal Brand Like Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini died in 1926. Yet he is still remembered as the greatest escape artist of all time. Even David Copperfield doesn't come close in terms of brand and name recognition. That is the power of personal branding. Build a solid personal brand and it catapults you to success. Build a really good personal brand and it survives your death. Will your brand survive 80 years after your death? More importantly, will your personal brand help you while you are alive?
Just imagine how difficult...
Branding Lessons from Death Cigarettes
Branding is easy when you follow the example of Death Cigarettes.
BJ created a company called The Enlightened Tobacco Company in 1991, selling a cigarette called "Death Cigarettes". It was presented in a black package emblazoned with a white skull-and-crossbones logo. Just imagine how this might appeal to the rebels.
He decided to claim the space that the competition was avoiding. Great advice - and at the time all the tobacco companies were denying any ill effects of smoking tobacco. The...
What Do Your Best Customers Smell Like?
? 7 critical things you should know about your customers
Smart marketing starts with asking the right questions and uncovering the answers that will help you build your business.
If information is power, how much do you know about your customers? Try this quiz.
1 Who are your three best customers? 2 Why do they do business with you? 3 What is their competitive edge? 4 What are their greatest challenges? 5 Who are their chief competitors? 6 What significant trends are impacting their...
How to Write Your News Release
How to Write Your News Release by George TorokFollow this step-by-step process to write and expose your news. FORMATCall it a 'News Release', 'News Bulletin' or 'Announcement'. 'Press Release' sounds like propaganda. Add, 'For immediate use'. This implies urgency. It also allows them some choice on when to run it. If the news is date sensitive state 'for use before' or 'for use after'. Fax or mail? If urgent - fax. But to get noticed mail it. They get a lot of junk mail and junk fax. The...
Get more impact from your annual conference
Get more impact from your annual conference by George TorokHow can you get more attention for your conference and your association? Use some of these Power Marketing tips and ideas. It won't cost much. It just takes a creative approach. The payoff can be huge. First, see everything as a marketing opportunity. Second, enlighten all staff and every member to realize their responsibility in marketing the association. Third, read "Secrets of Power Marketing". There are many ideas here. If you...
Get your name and message in the media
Get your name and message in the media by George TorokWhen the media talks about you - that builds credibility, image and respect. Whether you call this promotion, public relations or publicity, remember two important points; 1. It is free. Well nothing is free - you pay in time and effort. 2. We believe more what others say about you. This is doubly so when the media talks about you. Follow this five step proven process to get your name and message in the media. 1. Target the media where...
20 Power Marketing Tips
20 Power Marketing Tips by George Torok20 Power Marketing Tips Use these powerful yet simple tips from the national best-seller, "Secrets of Power Marketing: Promote Brand You" - the first guide to personal marketing for non-marketers. Create and grant an annual award.Send hand written congratulations and thank you notes.Send greeting cards for some occasion other than Christmas.Send postcards when you travel and even when you are at home.Give a good book to special clients. Always sign it...
Marketing is a Long-term Investment
Marketing is a Long-term Investment
by: George Torok
"Dig your well before you're thirsty" is the title of a wonderful book by Harvey Mackay. It is smart advice for investing your money, "Save your money before you need it", or growing your business, "Market today for tomorrow".
When times are tough some businesses stop marketing. They reason, 'No one is buying so why should I advertise?' The other time some businesses stop marketing is when they are selling like crazy. Again they figure...
Keeping your Business Alive
Keeping your Business Alive
by: George Torok
As long as you eat and breathe you will stay alive. But is that really living? In a crisis that may be enough. If your business is in crisis - deal with it. But the secret to keeping your business alive is growth.
That is the litmus test of keeping your business alive. Look at nature. Everything that is alive continues to grow. Growing your business is the best way of keeping it alive in the long term. How do you continue to grow your...
Build Credibility, Value and Trust on a Shoestring
Build Credibility, Value and Trust on a Shoestring
by: George Torok
Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to sell. Selling is - writing the orders; receiving the cash; feeding the beast. If you don't sell; the beast, (your business), dies. The impact of selling is immediate. You may love it, but it is a beast. You need to feed it and control it.
Your second priority is marketing. Marketing is taming and grooming the beast. Marketing is everything that makes it easier to...
Handling Questions with Authority
Handling Questions with Authority
by: George Torok
At some point in your presentation you will be expected to answer questions from your audience. They might have some burning questions that need to be answered before they buy into your message. Handling their questions with authority can make the difference for you between a successful presentation and a waste of time. This is the opportunity for the audience to test your knowledge on the topic and commitment to your message.
1. Explain...
Build Relationships
Build Relationships
by: George Torok
Personal marketing makes it easier to sell, by building relationships nurtured on awareness, value and trust. Make your relationships more fruitful by making them personal. Use these powerful yet simple tips from the book, Secrets of Power Marketing; Canada's first guide to personal marketing for non-marketers.
Say thank you
Everyone wants to hear 'thank you'. The easiest way to say thank you is verbally - but the most powerful and memorable is with a...
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