Sunday, December 29, 2019

Bring the power of progress into your one-to-one meetings

Bring the power of progress into your one-to-one meetingsBring the power of progress into your one-to-one meetingsAcknowledging team success via a Friday Wins Meeting like this one at content marketing tech firm Percolate has become standard practice at many companies. Many teams also informally share wins at their daily huddle meetings.Theres something exciting about celebrating a win with members of your team that can start the day off right, or wraps up an especially busy week.Beyond the momentary buzz that celebration provides, focus on success aids in a broader goal enhanced performance. The late social psychologist Kathryn Cramer coined the phrase Astischset-Based Thinking in which she encouraged people to focus on whats going right in their world, rather than focusing solely on problems that need fixing. When leaders shine the light on whats working, it opens up the potential for even bigger gains.In addition to group settings, theres another way you can use the idea of wins i n your leadership role during one-to-one meetings. Heres an example from my home life. Every Sunday night, I check in with my 17-year-old son, who will soon start the college application process. We review the weeks progress and set goals for the upcoming week. At the start of each meeting, he lists three wins (he defines what constitutes a win) for his week and we talk about it.This process works well becauseIt starts the meeting on a positive noteIncremental success is recognized, which maintains momentum as he works towards larger goalsHe decides what serves as a win therefore its more meaningful to himIts part of an established process that perpetuates framing of activities in terms of successAlthough he dislikes public praise, my introverted son is comfortable sharing his wins in a one-to-one settingAlthough I stumbled into this wins process on my own, it turns out that research backs up my hunch that a positive focus aids in goal achievement. In the Harvard Business Review art icle The Power of Small Wins, researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven J. Kramer describe the progress principle - the menschlich desire to feel that one is making progress on work that matters.Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress- even a small win- can make all the difference in how workers feel and perform, the authors write. Leaders who act as nourishers providing respect, encouragement and recognition are those best poised to help their team members capitalize on their daily (or weekly) wins.If your one-to-one meetings with staffers have become bogged down in detailed status updates and problem-solving, consider changing up the agenda. Ask your team members to start the next meeting with a list of two or three wins. Listen carefully and without judgement. Assure them that you arent looking for huge, blue ribbon achievements. If you continue this process for a while, youll discover precise ly what each of your employees finds worthy and rewarding.As Amabile and Stevens point out, their progress principle only works if people feel that their work is meaningful. Luckily, meaningful doesnt have to be life-altering.Meaning can be as simple as making a useful and high-quality product for a customer or providing a genuine service for a community, they explain.As a leader, its up to you to help connect the dots between team members wins and the value their work provides to your company and customers. In the process, not only will your team members experience satisfaction, their output will improve as well. And thats progress everyone can feel good about.Jennifer V. Miller is a freelance writer and leadership development consultant. She helps business professionals lead themselves and others towards greater career success. Read more about leadership and AI on her blog The People Equation from the post, 7 Reasons Leaders Should Focus on Developing Employee Soft Skills.This art icle first appeared on SmartBrief. If you enjoyed this article, sign up for SmartBriefs free e-mails on career growth and leadership, among SmartBriefs more than 200 industry-focused newsletters.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Understanding the Product Creates Sales Success

Understanding the Product Creates Sales SuccessUnderstanding the Product Creates Sales SuccessNearly all sales experts agree that knowing at least the basics about your product is critical to selling it effectively. However, understanding your product is even more helpful. The difference between product knowledge and product understanding? Knowledge is the facts and figures, while understanding is about realizing how those facts and figures affect the product owner. Knowledge vs. Understanding Product knowledge vs. product understanding is quite similar to the contrast between features and benefits. And just as features tell, benefits sell, a salesperson who focuses on product knowledge without product understanding misses the mark. For example, someone who sells cars probably knows all about the latest models acceleration features, the available paint colors, and whether it comes with a V6 or V8 engine. All of the above come under the category of product knowledge. But the sales person who understands his product knows what each of those factors will mean to different prospects. He knows that high acceleration will be attractive not only to the teenager who yearns for speed but also for the suburban mom who wants to be able to safely merge onto a busy freeway. Product knowledge is absolutely essential for salespeople, but by itself, it can create a bad case of expert-itis, especially in salespeople with a highly technical product or service. The result is often a salesperson who carries forth at length about product specifications that mean little or nothing to most prospects. An addiction to industry jargon is another common side effect. In extreme cases, these aspects of expert-itis can make a salespersons pitch completely unintelligible. And if your prospect cant understand what youre saying, shes not likely to buy from you? Product understanding, on the other hand, allows a salesperson to present these technical details in terms that make sense to pros pects. So a new computer with dual-core processors and two terabytes of hard drive storage could be pitched to a prospect as ...a computer that has plenty of room for all those movies you like to download, and still runs really fast Use the Product The best way to make the leap between knowledge and understanding is to use the product yourself. If your company gives you access to your products for free, then, by all means, take as many as you can and use them as much as possible. If you can also get copies of your competitors models, so much the better youll be able to explain exactly how your product is different and (hopefully) better. If your company cant or wont give you the product to try for yourself, then the next best option is to do a little market research. Set up appointments with a few of your best customers and ask them to tell you about their experiences with your companys products. Try to make it clear that you want brutal honesty, since there will almost always be ways in which your products are both good and bad and the more you know about both aspects, the better. In many ways, product understanding goes hand in hand with prospect understanding. The more information you have about both your products and your potential customers, the better youll be able to fit one to the other... the less time youll waste with matches that are doomed from the start... and the happier your customers will be.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Great Referral Sources for Salespeople

Great Referral Sources for SalespeopleGreat Referral Sources for SalespeopleNo matter what you sell, there are a lot of people out there who can benefit from buying it. The question becomes how to find and make contact with them. Some folks you regularly or not-so-regularly cross paths with can often introduce you to said people. Dont limit yourself to asking just your own customers for referrals. Think outside the customer box. 01Friends and FamilyUncle Fred might not be a qualified prospect, but he probably knows someone who is. Your family and friends can be a big help if you educate them a bit as to who your potential prospects are. Give them a few of your business cards and ask them to keep their ears open.02Professional ContactsDo you work with an accountant? A lawyer? Even a dry cleaner? All these are great sources for referrals. They talk with clients all day long and many may be great prospects for you. Just let the professional know what you sell, give them a stack of your business cards, and thank them a few dozen times If you find youre able to refer people back to these professionals, youll really get some enthusiastic help from them.03Other SalespeopleLook for salespeople who are incompatible industries and form a referral pact. If youre selling furniture, talk to an interior decorator and suggest that you trade referrals back and forth. If you sell gym memberships, befriend the team at your local athletic shoe store. The possibilities are endless.04Former ColleaguesYou probably worked somewhere else before you took your current sales position, even if it was just a summer job at McDonalds. By all means, keep in tick with the gang at your former place of employment. Unless theyre direct competitors of your current employer, they can be a terrific source of referrals.05Online AcquaintancesGot a Facebook page? How about LinkedIn? Mention what you sell in your bio, being as specific as possible. You can even make up informal contests, like promising to buy ice cream for the first person who sends you five referrals. Dont push too hard, though, or people will start dropping off your network.06The Guy Standing Behind You in LineAs youre standing around waiting to buy tickets to a movie, to get your picture taken at the DMV, or to pay for groceries at the supermarket, strike up a conversation with the person next to you. You usually dont have to pitch them hard to get a referral often all it takes is explaining what you sell and theyll spontaneously think of a friend whos in the market.07Closing the DealDont forget to send a thank you note when one of your referrers comes through for you and sends you a paying customer. Hell remember you, and your name will come to mind the next time hes talking with someone whos in the market to buy the tafelgeschirr or product youre selling. Hell probably tell the person to look you up. Maybe he even still has some of those business cards you gave him on hand.Customers Are EverywhereEveryone yo u meet every day is a potential customer or he knows someone who is. This doesnt mean you must spend your entire life in hard sales mode, but you can drop a word about what youre selling, then move on if interest isnt high. Maybe your neighbors sister isnt looking to buy a widget today, but she might need one tomorrow and shell think of you.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Charles Schwab Career and Employment Information

Charles Schwab Career and Employment InformationCharles Schwab Career and Employment InformationAre you interested in a financial services career with one of the leading employers in the industry? Information on Charles Schwab career opportunities and current job openings are available online. Of special interest to college graduates is the Schwab Financial Consultant Academy, which provides education and training leading to a career with the company. Financial advisors and others who work in investment banking usually have a background in economics, mathematics, accounting, statistics or finance, and benefit from familiarity with tax codes and investments. Many positions will require a bachelors degree in a related field to qualify for specialized training with the company. Charles Schwab has career opportunities for specialists in human resources, technology, and marketing, as well as candidates who have concentrated exclusively on finance in their education and experience. Char les Schwab Company Overview Charles Schwab is an investment banking firm providing services to individuals and corporations. They are one of the leading publicly traded investment firms in the US, with over $3 trillion in client assets. They offer services assisting in money management, savings, and investments. The Investor Services department offers retail brokerage and banking operations to individuals, helping make money management accessible to all. Institutional Services caters to companies, providing Retirement Planning, Retirement Business, Corporate Brokerage, and Advisor Services. Charles Schwab Careers Career opportunities at Charles Schwab abound. They have 335 branches in 46 States, including Puerto Rico, and employ over 16,000 people. They hire professionals in a broad range of specialties, including financial planning, human resources, technology, banking, audit, risk management, and compliance. They are committed to diversity in the workplace, and provide opport unities to military families and veterans transitioning to civilian careers. Positions range from internship and entry level to top executive opportunities, with a variety of career paths to choose from. Financial Consultant Training Program The Schwab Financial Consultant Academy is a developmental rotational program that prepares individuals for a career as a Financial Consultant with Charles Schwab. Training is currently offered in Indianapolis, Phoenix, Denver, and Austin. This is an 18 24 month program that provides accepted candidates with skills, work experience and credentials to start a career at one of the Charles Schwab branches. How to Search for Jobs Job seekers can search for jobs and internships by keyword or phrase, category, or location. You can create a profile online, where you can maintain your resume, apply for jobs, and receive email notifications of appropriate positions as they become available. Schwab offers many opportunities for recent graduates, college students and interns, as well as more experienced professionals. Even if youre not quite ready to apply for jobs, you can join their Talent Network to receive updates and notification of events, job opportunities and news relating to your area of expertise. ?Check OutCareer Fairs and Campus Events Check the Events schedule for a list of upcoming career fairs, college campus events, and recruiting programs. There are many opportunities for candidates interested in jobs and internships to meet with a company representative. Online networking events are also listed. Charles Schwab Hiring Process Before you apply, read the Career Investments Blog for job seekers. Youll find personal stories from employees, and get useful applicant tips from Charles Schwabs talent advisors. Once your application and resume have been submitted to Charles Schwab, you will enter into the review process. If selected, you will be contacted for an initial telephone interview where you may ask q uestions, and provide more information about yourself. The next step is an in-person interview, where you may meet with some of the other members of the relevant department to help determine if Schwab is the right place for you. Depending on the location and the position, you may expect more than one round of in-person interviews with different members of the prospective team, as well as the hiring manager. If you receive a job offer, you will receive a written letter detailing your responsibilities and benefits. Schwab offers a structured onboarding program to help new hires assimilate into the work environment. Charles Schwab Benefits Charles Schwab is committed to their employees financial and physical fitness. They offer competitive benefits packages including 401k, financial advisory services, personal insurance, employee stock purchase plan, employee discounts, commuter tax savings program, legal services, and more. Health benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Health a nd Dependent Care flex spending, and Life, Accidental Death, and Disability Insurance. Schwab employees also receive Life benefits such as discounted health club memberships, referral services for child and elder care, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation and holidays, and more.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

The Unexpected Truth About Introduction Paragraph Generator

The Unexpected Truth About Introduction Paragraph Generator By incorporating narrative into the debut, the author can engage the reader and entice them to continue reading. An essay creator can help to think of relevant content concerning a specific topic that later amalgamates to form an essay. The very first sentence of the essay has become the most important one as its purpose is to grab the interest of the reader. Always keep in mind that the target of introduction is to produce the readers curious about what comes next, not offer a quick overview of your essay generally. One of the absolute most essential things in the academic essay is making the very first paragraph correctly. There can be words particular to the topic that has to remain. Employing different examples of introductory paragraph allows you to understand how introductions of distinct essays are written.Writing such a paragraph can appear intimidating but when you are in possession of a fantastic instance, t he approach gets easy. Lastly, you will want to close your introductory paragraph. Remember you may always adjust your introductory paragraph later. Nothing can be easier than to compose the last paragraph with our on-line generator Additionally, a fresh reader will be in a position to assist you catch mistakes that you may have overlooked. The introduction is the initial impression that the reader has of the remaining part of the essay. When you start writing a new piece, consider what your readers wish to understand. Before writing the very first line of your introduction, it is an excellent idea to write out the thesis. The correct organization of key talking points at the start of the paper or essay puts your paper and work generally speaking at a special level. A superb introduction presents a wide summary of your topic and your thesis, and ought to convince the reader that its worth their time to really read the remainder of your essay. So here is what you should conc entrate on when it has to do with writing a research paper introduction. Its very rare that you will have to revise the text you receive from a summary maker. An essay maker essentially assists the user to make an essay working with an automated tool or software. A research paper is an intricate and very scientific job, so, for instance, appealing to the readers emotions wont get the job done. Your custom written paper wont ever be employed by somebody else. All the key creative writing websites supply the thesis generator software as the most widely used study programs. There are several cheap customized essay writing companies. If you experience a writers block try utilizing essay introduction generator to provide you with some suggestions on how to proceed. The ideal introduction will always be one which has been written by an individual and not by a bit of software. The introduction includes plenty of information. Based on purpose of the report, the overview of finding s may be the primary message. Explain the significance of your topic or the info you simply presented. A great test to see whether information ought to go in a human body or introductory paragraph is to ask yourself a couple questions. The History of Introduction Paragraph Generator Refuted Essays arent solely descriptions of the circumstance or event, its something more. Its always worth spending a small amount of further time to guarantee your paper is completely accurate.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

How to Choose Can My Resume Be Two Pages

How to Choose Can My Resume Be Two Pages The Debate Over Can My Resume Be Two Pages If you think a 1 page resume is crucial, youre mistaken. A two page resume isnt simple to read Within the next section, find out just when you are going to require a multiple page resume, and the best way to do it right. Theres not anything wrong with a 2 page resume in several cases. In addition, your cover letter is the ideal place to elaborate on how your experience fits. Please dont hesitate to contact us in case you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. You can also incorporate details about a degree program you are enrolled in. In the end, consider if theres any info youve included that is irrelevant or unnecessary. Utilize your resume to convert what youve done previously to what you could do in the futurethen your phone will ring. The sole personal details that will need to be on your CV are name, contact number, email address and rough geographic locatio n utilizing minimal space at the surface of your CV. Choose somebody who offers an informative, absolutely free consultation. Begin by creating a 2-page resume. Choosing Can My Resume Be Two Pages Is Simple Besides stuffing your resume with the correct key phrases in the correct order, you will need to explain yourself and why your experience is related to the job that youre being considered for. You merely dont have sufficient experience yet. Typically, you wish to limit your resume to work experiences in the past ten years. The quantity of knowledge and education you have dictates the amount of your resume. In it, use a couple of sentences to spell out the position youre seeking, the degree of challenge you would like or even the industry you want to work in. Begin with your latest work experience and work backwards, including only information from the previous four decades, unless its directly associated with the position youre applying for. The duration of your resume s hould depend on your experience and the kind of job that youre seeking. In truth, its been dead for some time. Facts, Fiction and Can My Resume Be Two Pages Youll be deemed ineligible for additional job consideration. Even though you might not have a number of the particular skills common to a specific job, you most likely have many transferable skills that make you a really good candidate for this job. Make certain you select the best one for the work offer. Possessing a well-formatted, clean and professional resume is a significant method to earn a wonderful first impression, which will help you to get the job which you are genuinely interested in.Keep in mind, youre likely to require a companion cover letter to truly increase your probability of landing the interview. Only send a lengthier document if its requested in the work description (such as a C.V. for academic jobs). Just stick to whats applicable to the job that youre applying for. The individual who is evaluatin g your resume wants to learn whether youre the ideal person for the job. When replacing text, its far better highlight and delete little portions at a moment, even just single lines, in order to keep the original formatting. During the time youre formatting text, focus on the style, also referred to as the font, of the text. Although theres no single, definitive rule, the overall consensus is that you ought to attempt to keep it as close to two pages as possible. A few of the templates are free while others cost a couple of dollars. What You Should Do About Can My Resume Be Two Pages Starting in the Next 4 Minutes In the event the text on the second page is just a couple of lines, you might want to think about reformatting and sticking to the 1 page rule. Using and formatting columns is quite straightforward. If youre a fresher prefer a 1 page resume format. Instead, click in the top part of the next column, section or text box to carry on the design. The Battle Over Can My Resume Be Two Pages and How to Win It Proceed to Glassdoor and see whether you are able to ascertain the preferences of the companies where youre applying. Handing in a resume for a work application for a PDF is advisable if you need your resume to appear precisely the manner in which youve made it. Just because youve got a three-page resume does not signify you must include all 3 pages of every work application. Its easy to master 2-page resume format. The Downside Risk of Can My Resume Be Two Pages Additionally, it will help to show youre seriously interested in the available position. There are a number of ways to approach the skills section. A gorgeous, minimal and user-friendly template you can edit depending on your abilities and experience. Especially if you prefer your resume to keep formatting and if are asking for a creative job which requires your resume to reflect a specific skill platzset such as graphic design. Most Noticeable Can My Resume Be Two Pages C Vs are frequently used in academia, in addition to in the sciences. Your CV is similar to a sheet of marketing material that advertises your services to prospective employers. Can My Resume Be Two Pages Fundamentals Explained A two page resume is sometimes an issue of choice and at times an issue of dignity. Dont print on the front and the rear of one page, which demands the prospective employer to turn the sheet over to find the remainder of the resume. Many struggle with the question of the number of pages ought to be in a resume. Both page resume when it has to do with writing your resume size does matter.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Shake Like You Mean It!

Shake Like You Mean It The handshake is a lost art. We fist-bump, high-five, chest-bump, give thumbs up, kiss cheeks, hug, and wave but our etiquette has so devolved that shaking handsis now rare.The handshake may be forgotten by many, but its bedrngnis obsolete,nor is it extinct by any means. It is leise the way professionals greet each other. Its also great when youre making a first impression to convert a stranger into a boss, mentor, colleague, companion, friend, or acquaintance.The handshakecan be traced all the way back to Greece in the fifth century B.C., if elend earlier.Some theorize it began as a gesture of grabbing one anothers forearm to prove that neither person was carrying a weapon.A person giving a weak handshakemay be likewise perceived as weak, whereas afirm handshake connotes confidence. A crushing grip turns off everybody, as does a limp, cold fish handshake. Grasping only someones fingers is awkward. Equally awkward are wet hands , which could result from nervousness or a sweating condition known as palmar hyperhidrosis.If you obsess over the approach, angle, grip, firmness, pumping, duration, and undocking, you may never want to meet anyone.Advanced handshaking includes leaning in patting the top of the other persons right hand with your left, or resting itunder their forearm, or using it to tap their shoulder or back and asserting dominance by pulling the person into you ( la Trump). Its very complicated, but dont stress its not necessary. Just keep your left hand at your side, not in your pocket.For now, the basic handshake should look and feel natural. That naturalness comes with practice, and thats what friends and family are for.Business professionals expect that they will be greeted with a handshake, so be preparedSmile, look the other person in the eyes, and say your name as you extend your right hand, with the thumb pointing upward and fingers pointed ahead. (Sorry, southpaws, but using your left h andcan be considered disrespectful unlessyour right hand is disabled or holding something).Couple the crook of your hand with theirs.Continue smiling and looking at the other person while you apply grip pressure equal to theirs. Makethe handshake firm, not crushing. During the grasps 2-4 second duration, your hand can remain steady, or you can move it up and down slightly but not side to side.A handshake isnt a tug of war or cheerleading routine. That said, even the pros get it wrong occasionally. If a handshake happens to turn into a Three Stooges bit, laugh and have fun with it. Be self-deprecating so the other person doesnt feel embarrassed. Youll both do better when saying goodbye.Lightly touching knuckles is not yet the norm, so lookyour new professional contactin the eyes and shake like you mean it.Ferris Kaplan is founder of Best Of You Resumes.