CONTINUE DEVELOPING WITH US.  GO TO http://www.winwithpersonality.com FOR MORE INTERESTING ARTICLES ON THIS SUBJECT.

I heard something very encouraging yesterday.  This is about my friend who stays in another city.  He is a doctor and he has a group of 9 childhood friends, all doctors.  One of their friends ( also a doctor ) was struck with a viral paralytic attack late night.  All his friends rushed him to hospital, where he slipped into a coma. 

Now, the patient’s wife was pregnant and had pregnancy related sickness.  His parents are old.  Who is to take care of him.

All the doctors made changes to their schedules so that atleast 3 of the doctors would be with him 24 hours.  This continued for a week.  The patient’s state remained the same.  Still this arrangement stood.   Since these were doctors, they made arrangements to consult in the hospital.  They started calling their patients there.  Now it is three months since their friend fell ill.  During this period, they have taken this patient to a specialized hospital for this condition in another city.  They have rented an apartment in that city and settled his parents in that apartment, so that they can take care of their son.  All the friends take turns to make frequent visits to their friend and support his parents.  They are in touch with his doctors and see what can be done to improve their friend’s condition.  Since the treatment is expensive and the insurance will be insufficient, they are also contributing financially   

What a beautiful friendship!

I am sure many of you can give me examples of friendships that stand the test of unfavourable circumstances.  In today’s world also there does exist such genuine friendships.

Please share your positive experiences with friends with us.  We would all like to be encouraged.

For more posts on relationships go to http://winwithpersonality.com/?cat=48

My business sales have grown 500 % in the last 7 years.  I have not spent any money on ‘advertisements’ during this period.  I would like to share with you how I have been able to achieve this growth.

Sales happen when all factors relating to the product, product quality, pricing, availability etc – these factors are well taken care of.  (  I will not discuss these factors in this article ).   We are assuming that all the above mentioned parameters are taken care of and that the product or service is saleable.    

There is no magic formula of great sales.  Great sales is simply a function of product knowledge, motivation, perseverance, ideation and follow up. 

The person making the sales should have complete product knowledge.  This applies especially if you are selling a technical product.  Product knowledge includes knowledge of the product and knowledge of all the parameters surrounding the sales.  It will include features, benefits, competitive edge of the product, competition analysis, what differentiates it, how is it better than other products in the market, delivery terms, credit terms, discounts on offer, after sales service, how your company fares as a seller etc.   You can answer all your customers query only if you have complete product knowledge.  Additionally, you know what your competitive advantage is.

Great sales are directly linked to the motivation of the person selling.  You can have a perfect product, but if the motivation is lacking, sales stay stagnant.  Many people make the mistake of not promoting their product.  They think that if they ensure that the product is right, the product will sell itself.  Now this is possible only in rare cases where is product fulfills a previously unlooked for need.  Most of the time, we have to shout for attention in an increasing competitive market.

While running my businesses, I personally focus on sales.  Although I have hired people to sell, I think it is very important to remain in touch with the end user.  The MAIN SECRET of great sales is FOCUS.  When you think that sales are important, you start focusing your energies on sales and then the ideas come, the how to sell comes. 

My method of selling is that I am

Read the rest of the article at: http://winwithpersonality.com/?p=49

Yesterday, I refused to take a good quantity order.  The customer wanted a very low price, long credit and had certain other stipulations.  He wanted the best at the lowest price.  Dealing with him was often unpleasant.  I refused because I don’t want this kind of customer anymore.   

Certain customers are most unpleasant to deal with.  They always want more from you.  In the past, I have bent over backwards for such customers because I have been wanting to increase my sales.  But I have found that such orders are not very profitable, because these customers negotiate so much that you are left wondering why you are executing this order.  They negotiate on price.  Then they negotiate on terms and conditions of the supply. 

In fact, these customers are expensive to service and best to avoid.  Low profitability is one point.  But how about the opportunity cost.  Let me explain how this comes about.  When you service such difficult customers, you go the extra mile to make sure everything is right for the customer.  In the process, you focus so much more on this account.  When we talk of very large orders from such customers, more of the organisation’s energy is devoted to servicing, maintaining and retaining this account.  Your production department, your sales people, your quality people, your entire staff is being extra sure for this account.  Hence, more time and energy is devoted to this customer account.  Now, in this time, additional orders could be catered to at a higher price and profitability.  Hence, the opportunity cost for such customers could be very high.  Seemingly profitable customers could be unprofitable because of this. 

It is not just the customer’s right to decide whom to buy from.  It is also the seller’s prerogative to whom he should sell.  Say no to unprofitable customers. 

I was thinking the other day about how through my blog, I can communicate with an increasing number of people every day ( if they like what I write ).  Then I started thinking about the satisfaction I get on writing a good article and the happiness I get when somebody likes to read my articles and write to me.  It is a great feeling.

This set me thinking that working on my blog ( it is one of my businesses ) comes naturally to me because I like it.  My blog gives me tremendous job satisfaction hence I am able to write it without any internal conflict.

What does this have to do with the topic on hand.  Simple.  I am happy because my business is fit for me.  I am happy because there is no inner conflict regarding my business.  In short, my business is in sync with me.

This is very important.  CHOOSE THAT BUSINESS WHICH IS COMPLETELY IN SYNC WITH YOU.

When starting a business, factors to be considered are many like the size of the market, availability of products, availability of funds, competition etc.  One more important factor is that the business must attract you.  Our mind is subconsciously processing many factors relating to the business and that is what makes you feel ‘attracted’ to a product or service.

You must feel comfortable with the product you are dealing with.  Every businessperson must be ‘proud’ of selling his product.  He must be excited to sell that product.  Great sales can be made only if the pride, comfort level and excitement with the product is there.  If the businessperson is uncomfortable selling sex toys for example, he should not deal in them.  He will never be able to make a success of it.

Comfort should also be there with the time the business requires.  I cannot be happy running a shop because it requires long working hours 7 days a week.  I like flexible working hours and I enjoy my weekends.  Some businesses require you to be available 24 hours a day.  An oxygen cylinder supplier has to be ready 24 hours for any emergency.  Forex traders keep odd hours as per the markets they are dealing in. 

The effort required to sell is also to be considered.  Some products like groceries sell themselves.  They just need to be conveniently available.  Sales pushing is not required.  If massage chairs are to be sold, a lot of marketing, lead generation, sales talk and follow up is required.  People who can talk well and have a good convincing power should consider going into businesses that require selling skills.

Ability to travel should also be considered.  A real estate agent has to travel a lot.  A product having national and international sales will require a lot of traveling.  An online business can be done from home also.

Some people can work alone.   Some people feel stimulated by people.  They feel happy when they are in touch with people.  Such people will feel unhappy in an online business done from home.  They will thrive where people interaction is required.

Some businesspeople like to have big transactions.  They like doing wholesale selling.  A small bill will not excite them.  Such businesspeople can supply to factories, export and sell to other large buyers.  Some people feel comfortable with small transactions.  Retail business is good for them.

A business where one has to keep up with trends like fashion may excite certain people.  Some will find this bothersome and will prefer a business where changes are minimum.  Certain businesses like the stock market, foreign exchange market require one to be constantly on their toes.

Certain businesses require creativity whereas certain businesses are high on the accounting and legal work.  See what your comfort level is.

See if you are comfortable with lending.  Many times credit has to be extended to buyers.  If the comfort with lending is not there, then a cash business must be chosen.

How much of uncertainity can you tolerate.  Real estate is  a business where you might not earn for a long period.  Pharmacies earn everyday.

What is the activity level that you need.  I could never sit in a furniture outlet.  I need more activity. 

What is your energy level.  People in the restaurant industry have to work really hard.  It is a business only for those passionate about feeding people and having high energy levels.   

What is the level of challenge you are seeking.  Some businesses are more challenging to setup and run.

Some businesses like retail, consulting, teaching require a personal touch.  You have to be available for every customer.  

Evaluate your sustainance power.  Businesses like construction take longer to get off the ground. 

See what attracts and excites you.  Evaluate your abilities and fit them to the right business.  Evaluate your resources – seen and unseen.  Visualize your day if you select a particular business.  Do you like how your day will shape up.  

Sometimes, a product might attract you but you are not comfortable with the other factors.  If you are convinced about the product, see what else can be done in that line.

For example if  food attracts you but you don’t have the energy level or the time for running a restaurant, see what else you can do regarding food.

Alternatives to opening a restaurant could be:

1. You can start a consulting business trying out new recipes and ingredients.  Maybe you can show restaurants how to get that particular sauce just right. 
2. Another option could be the catering business where you can take orders as per your capacity. 
3. Maybe you could think of teaching cooking.  Maybe you could write a cookbook.  
4. You might want to manufacture processed food and retail it.
5. You could start making and delivering lunches or dinners maybe with a specialization say low calorie food or food for diabetics.

In this way, you can work around to choosing a business which you are comfortable running.  Your vocation will determine your lifestyle and hence it has to be in sync with you.  It has to make you happy.  Things go smoothly when a business idea is well thought through at the ideation stage inself.  There is no inner conflict to resolve.  Once the planning is complete, you can focus on getting your business off the ground. 

Bye for now.

The other day, I saw my nephew practicing writing the alphabet.  My nephew has just learnt how to write the alphabet.  He was writing slowly and carefully with a pencil.  He did not have any eraser with him as he was not supposed to use any eraser.  I thought “ The boy is going to have a difficult time.  He is still learning to write the alphabet and he is not allowed to rub any alphabet wrongly written.  His book is going to be a mess. ”  My nephew finished his work and showed me his book.  I was surprised.  Every alphabet was written neatly and correctly.

This set me thinking.  Because my nephew was not allowed to make any mistake, he had not made any mistake.  He had been extra careful and tried to get it right the very first time.  He had succeeded in this.

How much the quality of our learning improves if we are not allowed to make mistakes. 

High achievers have healthy self esteem.  This article focuses on how to DEVELOP healthy self esteem. I use the word ‘develop’ because we can all learn to have a healthy and high self-esteem.  So let’s get started.

WHAT IS SELF-ESTEEM:

Self esteem refers to the mental image a person has of himself.  It refers to what a person thinks of himself, the confidence and satisfaction that a person has in himself.

CAUSES OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Low self-esteem could be the result of childhood memories and programming.  Low self esteem could set in even in adulthood.  Just like high self-esteem can be learnt, low self-esteem is also learnt.  The reasons given for low self-esteem could be many – physical:  I am too fat, I am too thin, I am ugly etc., mental – I am stupid, emotional – I handle my emotions badly, this person rejected me because I am not good enough, I manage my emotions badly etc, circumstantial – poor background etc.  Ridicule by elders and friends, unfavourable comparisons, self comparison with others, unfavourable circumstances – these can cause low self-esteem.

DEVELOPING A HEALTHY AND POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM

Read the rest of the article at http://winwithpersonality.com/?p=45

I was thinking the other day about how through my blog, I can communicate with an increasing number of people every day ( if they like what I write ).  Then I started thinking about the satisfaction I get on writing a good article and the happiness I get when somebody likes to read my articles and write to me.  It is a great feeling.

This set me thinking that working on my blog ( it is one of my businesses ) comes naturally to me because I like it.  My blog gives me tremendous job satisfaction hence I am able to write it without any internal conflict.

What does this have to do with the topic on hand.  Simple.  I am happy because my business is fit for me.  I am happy because there is no inner conflict regarding my business.  In short, my business is in sync with me.

This is very important.  CHOOSE THAT BUSINESS WHICH IS COMPLETELY IN SYNC WITH YOU.

When starting a business, factors to be considered are many like the size of the market, availability of products, availability of funds, competition etc.  One more important factor is that the business must attract you.  Our mind is subconsciously processing many factors relating to the business and that is what makes you feel ‘attracted’ to a product or service.

You must feel comfortable with the product you are dealing with.  Every businessperson must be ‘proud’ of selling his product.  He must be excited to sell that product.  Great sales can be made only if the pride, comfort level and excitement with the product is there.  If the businessperson is uncomfortable selling sex toys for example, he should not deal in them.  He will never be able to make a success of it.

Comfort should also be there with the time the business requires.  I cannot be happy running a shop because it requires long working hours 7 days a week.  I like flexible working hours and I enjoy my weekends.  Some businesses require you to be available 24 hours a day.  An oxygen cylinder supplier has to be ready 24 hours for any emergency.  Forex traders keep odd hours as per the markets they are dealing in. 

The effort required to sell is also to be considered.  Some products like groceries sell themselves.  They just need to be conveniently available.  Sales pushing is not required.  If massage chairs are to be sold, a lot of marketing, lead generation, sales talk and follow up is required.  People who can talk well and have a good convincing power should consider going into businesses that require selling skills.

Ability to travel should also be considered.  A real estate agent has to travel a lot.  A product having national and international sales will require a lot of traveling.  An online business can be done from home also.

Some people can work alone.   Some people feel stimulated by people.  They feel happy when they are in touch with people.  Such people will feel unhappy in an online business done from home.  They will thrive where people interaction is required.

Some businesspeople like to have big transactions.  They like doing wholesale selling.  A small bill will not excite them.  Such businesspeople can supply to factories, export and sell to other large buyers.  Some people feel comfortable with small transactions.  Retail business is good for them.

A business where one has to keep up with trends like fashion may excite certain people.  Some will find this bothersome and will prefer a business where changes are minimum.  Certain businesses like the stock market, foreign exchange market require one to be constantly on their toes.

Certain businesses require creativity whereas certain businesses are high on the accounting and legal work.  See what your comfort level is.

See if you are comfortable with lending.  Many times credit has to be extended to buyers.  If the comfort with lending is not there, then a cash business must be chosen.

How much of uncertainity can you tolerate.  Real estate is  a business where you might not earn for a long period.  Pharmacies earn everyday.

What is the activity level that you need.  I could never sit in a furniture outlet.  I need more activity. 

What is your energy level.  People in the restaurant industry have to work really hard.  It is a business only for those passionate about feeding people and having high energy levels.   

What is the level of challenge you are seeking.  Some businesses are more challenging to setup and run.

Some businesses like retail, consulting, teaching require a personal touch.  You have to be available for every customer.  

Evaluate your sustainance power.  Businesses like construction take longer to get off the ground. 

See what attracts and excites you.  Evaluate your abilities and fit them to the right business.  Evaluate your resources – seen and unseen.  Visualize your day if you select a particular business.  Do you like how your day will shape up.  

Sometimes, a product might attract you but you are not comfortable with the other factors.  If you are convinced about the product, see what else can be done in that line.

For example if  food attracts you but you don’t have the energy level or the time for running a restaurant, see what else you can do regarding food.

Alternatives to opening a restaurant could be:

1. You can start a consulting business trying out new recipes and ingredients.  Maybe you can show restaurants how to get that particular sauce just right. 
2. Another option could be the catering business where you can take orders as per your capacity. 
3. Maybe you could think of teaching cooking.  Maybe you could write a cookbook.  
4. You might want to manufacture processed food and retail it.
5. You could start making and delivering lunches or dinners maybe with a specialization say low calorie food or food for diabetics.

In this way, you can work around to choosing a business which you are comfortable running.  Your vocation will determine your lifestyle and hence it has to be in sync with you.  It has to make you happy.  Things go smoothly when a business idea is well thought through at the ideation stage inself.  There is no inner conflict to resolve.  Once the planning is complete, you can focus on getting your business off the ground. 

Bye for now.

I don’t understand why some people prepare to earn millions of dollars, earn millions of dollars and then suffer from indigestion.  Indigestion?  Yes, they are unable to digest the wealth they have earned.  They become crass and start disrespecting the relationships they have forged.  The money goes to their head.

Earning money and relationships are closely linked.  This is a give and a take world and people prosper through linkages and support of others.  What these people forget is that they are losing the very strengths that have got them there and will take them along further. 

Contrast this with the attitude of the people who have made empires.  These people have made and increased their millions through the years.  These people know how to earn and maintain wealth and relationships.  Notice all the top businessmen.  They know they are heavily dependent on others and so nourish their relationships.  They know how to form a support network and how to nurture it.  They are humble because they know that they are heavily dependent on others.

Attitude is most important in moving forward.  Attitude is even more important in sustaining and accelerating that growth.  Cultivating the right attitude is a must for sustaining success.

The world is a small place.  There is this theory – the theory of six degrees of seperation.  It states that every person in the world is connected with every other person by maximum six degrees of seperation.  It would mean that every person is separated from any person say the President of the United States of America by six degrees of seperation.  It works like this.  Say I want to contact The President.  My acquaintances refer to one degree of seperation.  My acquaintances’ acquaintances are two degrees of seperation.  My acquaintances’ acquaintances’ acquaintances are three degrees of seperation from me.  In this way, as per this theory, I can contact any person on Earth within six degrees of seperation.  That means, I will be able to contact the President within six degrees of seperation from me.  Me thinks, the world is a very small place and meeting friends of friends in the most unlikely places is common.  However, will a person from an isolated tribe in the Amazon be able to share an acquaintance with another isolated person in Siberia within six degrees of seperation?