Archive for April, 2009

Selling Skills

“I can’t sell”, I hear you say. Rubbish, everybody can sell. If you ever got hired, sold your car or sold yourself to another person (ie. got married or formed a relationship), you have proven your ability to sell. We sell ideas to others all the time, we just don’t see it as selling.

The role of a sales person is to find out what the prospect wants rather than whether the customer wants something at all. Once this is done, a sales professional should then help the customer fill that need to the customers’ satisfaction. The principle skills a successful sales person needs are:

* Putting your customers in a receptive state of mind, making them feel at ease and unpressured.
* Showing interest in their requests or needs.
* Using opinions as selling points (both yours and theirs).
* Supplying facts and helpful information.
* Meeting objections in a positive way and never becoming defensive or aggressive.
* Seeing things from the customer’s point of view.
* Suggesting additional merchandise or services.(Value adding)
* Building repeat business.

It’s important that you learn to apply these skills, although if you use courtesy, friendliness, honesty and you know what you’re talking about, you’re 90% there. Not difficult when you think about it.

I know of quite a few owners of small businesses that would never consider themselves sales people but have remarkable success at selling their offers by just being themselves. Is this being a good sales person? Probably.

An old friend of mine, Ross owns a applicance business in one of Sydney’s trendier suburbs. He spent many years of his life working for a hospital. It never ceases to amaze me, and his business partner, how this “untrained” person can sell products by just being himself. He is a natural salesman.

On the days he looks after the business instead of his partner, the sales are always up compared to when he’s not there. If you were to ask him if he thought he was a good salesman he would probably say no, but the sales figures speak for themselves.

He does it by being a friendly, likeable guy that loves a joke and a chat with his customers. Most of his customers would never go elsewhere because they like him. I’m sure even if he put his prices up, he would still attract the same clients because they have a relationship with him. They feel good about shopping at his shop; he makes sure they do. Everybody can sell, simply use your own personality and be friendly and courteous. Treat customers the way you would like to be treated.

Top sales people make a point of remembering regular customers’ names, ensuring each time they come to the store they receive a small discount or offering other little extras like helping them to the car with their parcels. As I mentioned before with my friend, he fosters friendships with his regular customers. This fosters loyalty to the business by the customer, quite often regardless of price, because they get preferential treatment. You’ve probably had the feeling yourself when you constantly use a particular business and each time you walk in the people don’t just ask for the order.

Generally, sales people feel awkward about asking the customer for the order. These sales people will never be really successful in sales. A lot of sales are lost simply because the sales person doesn’t put the onus back on the customer to make a decision, they simply leave the decision up in the air which allows the potential customer to quietly move out the door without having to commit themselves to a buying decision. How many times do you do this? I do it all the time and think to myself, “I’m glad nobody put me under pressure, I probably would have spent money”.

This article supplied by forex trading, sale training course and web design brisbane.

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Forex Trading and You

Oil, Gold and the foreign currency exchange market are three different markets that are reliant on each other. If you are into Forex trading, knowing what one does may give you an insight where the other markets may be going. It would be greatly advantageous to become familiar with those different markets as a trader and get some Forex education.

Let’s have a look at those intertwined markets and how they are all connected.

GOLD
There is an inverse correlation for markets such as gold or oil that are priced in U.S. dollars in the commodities markets. When the U.S. dollar drops, not only do foreign currencies rise, but gold prices also increase. Studies have shown a negative correlation between gold and the dollar that is, they almost never move in tandem, but almost always move in different directions.

The value of EUR/USD versus gold, on the other hand, shows a very high positive correlation, this means that the value of the euro and gold prices often go hand-in-hand, suggesting these markets are both beneficiaries when funds are flowing away from the U.S. dollar.

Gold prices may be considered as an important component in looking at the forex market. A trend change in gold price may give a good clue to where the US dollar may be heading in the Forex market.

OIL
A jump in crude prices directly relates to a weakness in the American. Foreign oil producers view the increase in oil prices as a way to maintain their buying power in U.S. dollar terms. Forex brokers will tell you to counter the impact of higher oil prices a weaker dollar could ultimately give rise to inflation.

Oil is a key commodity driving global economic growth, and oil prices and the foreign exchange have a key relationship in the global economy.

Now lets have a look at the impact an increase in oil prices may have on the different major trading currencies around the world.

Japan: Economy suffers as it relies on imports for most of its energy needs, therefore the Yen weakens.

UK: Benefit the economy as UK produces oil. British pound strengthens.

Oil in world business has a heavy impact on the Forex market. Thus any disturbance in supply is likely to affect the foreign exchange market.

Some of these factors may be terrorist attacks, natural disasters and political instability. In such times a shift from the dollar to the euro as the designated currency in crude oil could occur thus causing an immediate decline in the value of the U.S. dollar.

Gold and oil are not the only commodities affected by changes in forex rates. Exports of agricultural produce account for a large share of U.S. farm income.

When the value of the dollar rises, it tends to limit buying interest from an importing nation as the commodity becomes too expensive in terms of that nation’s domestic currency.

When the value of the dollar declines, it reduces the price to an importing nation in terms of its currency and encourages it to buy more U.S. agricultural products. The influence that one market has on another market naturally shifts over time so these relationships are not static but should be the subject of ongoing study.

You as a Forex trader should be aware of the impact that those different markets have on the Forex. Though the changes may not happen quickly, it may however tip you off on any possible trend changes in the near future. Happy trading. BSFT220409

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The Truth about Laser Hair Removal

laser-hair-removalThe laser we use at Image by Laser for laser hair removal is a certified Polylase Alexandrite medical grade laser not an IPL, SPL, SIPL (Intense Pulsed Light). Since lasers deliver light at one specific frequency, that which is most specific for hair, the energy that can be used is much more effective in destroying the hair follicle.

You will be more effectively treated per session with a laser and will therefore need fewer sessions than with other light based equivalents.

Our Polylase laser uses a patented cooling system that lowers the temperature of the skin during, and after laser {use|exposure}. Therefore, the laser hair treatment is usually not irritating and is well tolerated.

Be sure the laser hair removal treatment you choose is with a genuine laser and not intense pulsed light. Most clinics cannot use a true laser, and try to claim that intense pulsed light machine is just as good.

This treatment is suitable for both females and males and great for people that suffer with ingrown hairs.

The requirements to own and operate lasers in Australia is highly regulated this is why we are one of a few clinics who are fully licensed. At Image by Laser our safety net to our clients is that all our Laser operators for hair removal are fully licensed and accredited by the Queensland department of Health.

Consultations are Free…..Results Priceless. To make a booking for a free consultation, and more information including video’s on our laser hair removal website.

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Don’t Write Off the Share Market Just Yet

Some investors have a different perspective on stockmarket declines. They see the low stock prices as a chance to get a cheap shares.

During times of market change, it is our natural instinct to protect our assets and distance ourselves from risk. While this reaction is not surprising, it can also mean missing out on profit opportunities created during uncertain periods.

Warren Buffet, one of the world’s most successful investors, believes market downturns from another perspective, saying “Look at market fluctuations as your friend rather than your enemy; profit from folly rather than participate in it.”

Generally when we see a lower price for something we want we rush in for a bargain, however it can be quite the opposite with stocks. Why is it that we treat stocks that have dropped in price with dread? Stock prices of a company can fall for a multitude of reasons.

Lately we have seen the stock prices of a number of good companies with healthy balance sheets be negatively affected due to a rush to sell as a result of the economic crisis.

Despite the difficult trading environment, professional investors are always reviewing the market for investment opportunities. Many superannuation managers are searching to find shares in profitable companies with strong balance sheets and returns. For example Australian companies such as household names like David Jones have delivered strong profits after tax and dividends in 2008. However during 2008, David Jones’ share price fell by more than 30%.

Identifying opportunities
Not all companies will be affected by the world economic crisis similarly. Some industries are more susceptible to the economic cycle than others.

Companies who deal in of basic goods and services continue on almost unchanged, for example we all need to eat – so food producers aren’t as affected as much as manufacturing, retail or luxury goods.

Australia’s population growth is at a 19 year high and growing at 1.7% per year. Australia’s growing population provides increasing demand for goods and services as people need food, housing, cars, etc. Unlike many overseas countries, Australia benefits from two key factors: a high population growth rate and a high demand for houses.

Population growth is nearly double that of the US while Germany has negative population growth. In America there is an over-supply of housing while Australia suffers from a lack of supply. The combination of limited accommodation and a rising population will create growing demand for housing which will support further building and provide opportunities for the building industry.

The value of companies
Many people view companies with falling share prices with fear, but we need to take a look under the hood of these firms to determine why. Have they borrowed heavily?

What industry are they in? Are they competitive against their peers? Only by answering these questions, can we know if their share value has fallen for valid reasons or if the company is indeed on sale.

When investing, many professional investors seek companies with high and maintainable dividends, strong balance sheets and substantial cash flow. These companies are more likely to outlast the volatility storm and may give you a greater return when the market moves into the next phase of recovery and
beyond.

Before you consider changing your investment, you should see a professional. Having a financial planner and a long-term financial plan can give you confidence to manage the effects of market cycles. With the right advice you can ensure your investments are tailored to your risk profile and time horizon, giving you the certainty of knowing you’re doing what’s right for you. This article brought to you by a Brisbane business consultant who offers sales training and a web designer brisbane. Distribution by seo packages. BS1004

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FIFA Facts

football-player-agentsFIFA is a Federation Internationale de Football Association that oversees the worldwide game. This association was first introduced in the year 1904 and its first president was Robert Guerin. Previously, the European countries were playing under the Federation Internationale de Football Association, but after a couple of years, the non Euro nations also started participating in football for playing it internationally. Football was introduced in Olympics in London in the year 1908, but the first ever FIFA World Cup Tournament was played in the year 1930. The headquarters of the Federation Internationale de Football Association are located in Zurich, Switzerland.

Effect of First World War on FIFA
During the First World War, most of the national associations quitted the Federation Internationale de Football Association. With the death of Daniel Burley Woolfall, FIFA was expected to fall apart quickly. However, with the end of wars, the different nations united again and joined hands to make football popular among the youth, but the United Kingdom still denied to link with the world war enemies. Gradually, the national association members started increasing and currently, the Federation Internationale de Football Association integrates 208 members in all. The superlative body of FIFA is the FIFA congress that includes football player agents and other members, as well. Some FIFA members also runs football tours and a football academy for young upcoming players.

Awards and Honors
FIFA is played after every four years and the title of FIFA World Player of the year is granted to the most prominent player. In addition to this, “FIFA World Cup All Time Team” and “FIFA Dream Team” are also announced to give honors to the prestigious players. FIFA also includes an anthem, which was composed by Franz Lambert. This anthem is played at the beginning of the matches like FIFA World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup and many others.

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USA Influences on Australian Lighting

art-deco-lightsPowered candle brackets with wrought iron or aluminium holders and brass or timber candelabra with small individual fabric shades in imitation American colonial or mission style were common in Australia during the 1920s and 1930s. They were hung in Spanish mission or neo-colonial styled homes and also in Californian affordable homes.

It was quite often the case that different styles of light fittings were mixed in one home. The entrance hall and internal passages could have wrought iron lantern fittings either round or rectangular in shape. The dining room might have one or more American colonial style wrought iron candelabra; the lounge, French revival chandeliers; the master bedroom, a floral ceramic rococo light fitting. All these rooms might have wall sconces matching the central piece. The children’s bedrooms usually had English styled Arts and Crafts fittings; the bathroom a modern fitting — similarly the servants quarters — and the kitchen, fluorescent strip lighting.

By the 1950s the standard or table light had become a major focal point in a room with the new television and blinds. Sometimes a metal standard light came incorporated in a side table or large ash tray. The background lighting was subtle. Except for the table lamps little attention was drawn to the light fittings.

Mass production churned out inexpensive plastic, plaster, metal and buckram lamp bases and shades. The traditional colonial designs had been replaced by a plethora of folksy designs and do-it yourself instructions on how to make ballerina lamp-shades or African and Fijian raffia shades. The style was kitsch: a multitude of designs for table lamps was-available, from Russian ballerinas, Spanish matadors, Chinamen, happy Mexicans with cacti, Arabian snake trainers, African dancing girls, happy couples and leopard or tiger skins. The colours were gaudy and beautiful. For football player agents and sales training options, visit digitalbrands.com.au.

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