Full Version: Chuck, where are you
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#54]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#52] 18 Jul 2006
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#55]
18 Jul 2006
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#54] 18 Jul 2006
Dave, God help us both if we ARE related ( insert laugh here).
As for being on stage? I have been. I have been in radio, been an MC, had a television show on the local cable channel, no fears, no butterflies....nothing.....it is just something that comes naturally to a ham.....
But SELLING??????? That is different.
From: Peter [#56]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#55] 18 Jul 2006
No Chuck....it isnt
Peter B-)
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#57]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#40] 18 Jul 2006
From: Peter [#58]
18 Jul 2006
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#57] 18 Jul 2006
Dave you are a legend.....
Make a Badge sublimated that you wear when you call on someone that asks them a question...do you want your business to be noticed...ask me how..
Then start yakking Chuck.
:-) :-) :-)
EDITED: 18 Jul 2006 by PETER
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#59]
18 Jul 2006
To: Peter [#58] 18 Jul 2006
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#60]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#55] 18 Jul 2006
Chuck,
Dave Loda may have a good alternative to the cold call. Get the potential customer to ask the first question. Now, how do you do that?
I remember the motto that Herbalife distributors used to wear on their shirts. "Lose Weight Now, Ask Me How." I knew a very successful distributor who was stopped all of the time and asked about their program, simply because of a button he wore everywhere.
I haven't posted much in this thread. You know where I stand with you. :-) :-) :-)
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#61]
18 Jul 2006
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#59] 19 Jul 2006
From: Peter [#62]
18 Jul 2006
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#59] 19 Jul 2006
and you reckon our wives wont talk ?
:D
From: LipChip [#63]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#38] 18 Jul 2006
Hello Chuck,
Do you know "Hula Mike" that hangs out in the Dyesub.org forum? He now lives on the island of Oahu, and might be a good contact to get in touch with. Sharing with him might be a good thing for both of your companies.
From: LipChip [#64]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#46] 18 Jul 2006
EDITED: 19 Jul 2006 by LIPCHIP
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#65]
18 Jul 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#61] 18 Jul 2006
Interestingly enough I had suggested that once.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#66]
18 Jul 2006
To: LipChip [#64] 19 Jul 2006
There is an idea Dave........:)
From: Toni (TONI56) [#67]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#40] 18 Jul 2006
Chuck,
One option is to use your laser engraving identification tags. Electrical contractors have to have them before jobs can be completed. We do those & tags for several industrial clients that make equipment. Most of the equipment does not stay in our area. Most of our clients have fairly simple needs.
1. White/black, black/white, & red/white tags.
2. They typically need the tags in a couple days. Okay sometimes the same day. They fax the order with the detail, we confirm & go from there.
Good money in a plastic bag filled with a couple hundred tags. No architects to deal with, like interior signage. :-) I think if you market prompt service at a fair price this could be a good option.
From: UncleSteve [#68]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#52] 18 Jul 2006
Or "My name is Chuck and I engrave everything! What's yours?"
And worst case, go out wearing your coconuts but engrave them first! (devil)
From: Rolf (RJB2108) [#69]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#66] 18 Jul 2006
I have not been on this forum for some times.
I have looked in but not posted anything. (exept that I'm closing my shop)
Tonight I thought I stop by and see what's going on.
I noticed this tread and have read it all.
There are so many good advices (?) here. I too hope that you don't consider to quitt. You are a super great guy.
I can not give you any advice other than what so many others have said. Life and business is like a train ride many mountains to climb and many valley to go through.
KEEP YOUR CHIN UP
YOU CAN DO IT
Rolf (The Ice cream eating fool) ;-)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#70]
18 Jul 2006
To: UncleSteve [#68] 18 Jul 2006
Steve.....I might just do that......after my order for 20 3.5" buttons yesterday, I think I have figured out how to make them ( Insert laugh here)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#71]
18 Jul 2006
To: Rolf (RJB2108) [#69] 18 Jul 2006
Rolf,
Interestingly, I called you the other day but you were closed.....I had a question about pricing 3.5" buttons.......but that is neither here nor there, thank you for your kind words and encouragement...I appreciate them very much.......
Yes I have received some good ideas, both here and privately along with a couple of kicks in the ass ( mostly in private).....either way, I am feeling better and not so alone. I just need to get over my fear of marketing/selling and it will happen.....besides at THIS point I think the forum would come over here enmass and beat the crap out of me if I gave up......and while it would be fun to see everyone, I would not much care for the beating....
Oh by the way, WHERE IS MY ICE CREAM!?!?!?!?
EDITED: 18 Jul 2006 by C_BURKE
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#72]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#55] 18 Jul 2006
It has taken me about 50 years to learn that the only difference is in your mind. I still have phobic periods about that, but once I start talking it disappears. (As all who have met me can attest to.)
You are not selling, you are offering a product or service that can help them make more money.
I was great in selling equipment that I designed, got fired for showing up the boss who thought he was the best in the world. Was I selling, absolutely not! I was fitting a product with the potential customer that would most benefit him. It took years for me to understand that.
If a customer walks in, I am pretty good, my wife is fantastic, and my son, (who unfortunately does not work for us), could sell ice to Eskimo's in the middle of winter.
It is getting new customers that has me stymied, sound familiar?
When you figure it out, please let me know in simple terms.
I need to get out and conquer my fear and get some new clients also.
I know that I am talking out both sides of my mouth, but maybe it will motivate me also.
From: gt350ed [#73]
18 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#66] 18 Jul 2006
Here's a little story....
For the first 13 years or so of my banking career, I was always a behind- the-scenes guy and department head. Customers came to me for construction loans. Aside from meeting clients for lunch, or inspecting their projects, business was such that cold calling was never necessary.
Consequently, I had no experience or skills in this area.
Then my career took a left turn. We made a personal choice to dramatically change our lifestyle. We moved out of the greater L.A. area, opting for a country life. But even so, I stayed with the same employer. I kind of wanted my cake (dept. mgr/senior mgmt) and I wanted to eat it too (live in the country). This worked for about 2 years. Eventually, I had to take a branch manager position within the same company, in the market I lived in but had never worked in. Not only did I not have sales/cold calling experience, but my "market" was totally unfamiliar to me.
Whether by devine providence or otherwise, shortly after accepting this new position I became aware that an individual in my area was a team leader conducting a 12-week Dale Carnegie course. Regardless of what you may have heard about what Dale Carnegie is all about, this was the best thing that I ever did for myself business-wise.
You and I are both hams. We're great talkers, entertainers, comedians, etc. But neither one of us are automatically comfortable asking for business. Most people aren't. The difference is, most people will never do anything about it. But I have, and you can.
Dale Carnegie did not make me a super salesman. But it DID give me confidence to step out of my comfort zone. And relating to my job, one of the first things I discovered was that my competition was NOT stepping out of THEIR comfort zone.
As I would engage with people, explain the benefits of doing business with my organization, and ultimately ask for and get their business, eventually I would ask why they decided to come with us.
You know what I was told over and over again?
"We decided to give you our business because your competitors never asked us. In fact, your competitors never came around to even meet us." Of course, the more I did it, the easier it became. But there was another aspect that continues to amaze me today. And that is that MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT ENGAGE OTHERS to show them what they can do for them that will benefit them.
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COLD CALLING. IT JUST HAS TO BE COMMUNICATION OR CONVERSATION. in writing, in person or both.
Now I'm in a different industry, but some things never change. Our competition is "shocked" that we actually engage people and ask for the business. They are shocked because they have grown comfortable in being the only game in town for years. Their ways of doing things are old, their equipment is old and they are selling the same products that they did years ago.
Here's my tip... if there is a Dale Carnegie Course being taught in the islands, enroll in it. But at the very least, go to Barnes & Noble and get Dale Carnegie's book. I guarantee it will be in stock. Heck, I may even have my lessons that I can copy for you.
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Another tip:
When contemplating products, think in terms of things you can purchase locally to avoid shipping costs. Things like wood that can be turned into lasered products of a tourist nature.....or engraved coconut candles. Put them in shops. Become a wholesaler to certain shops. Sharon still uses her pocket mirror made out of zebra wood bought in LaHaina(?) in 1981. She would have loved having it engraved at the time with "Ed & Sharon Forever...or at least for awhile." B-)
and another...
Approach your fellow Rotarians and ask them for referrals or an introduction to someone you have targeted. You will be surprised who they might know that could benefit you.
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Since this thread started almost at the very moment that you called me on MY 800 number, I hope it wasn't our conversation that drove you over the edge.
Keep on keepin on bro! Never, never, ever give up!!!
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