I just wanted to share with you all how much the book “ Rework “ has changed, no validated my Marketing Education.

Hello Everyone, I just wanted to share with you all how much the book “ Rework “ has changed, no validated my Marketing Education. I can remember being in the Sales and Marketing classes here in Wisconsin and listening to numerous class discussions about how the “ Book “ that that class was based on was so out-Dated. When I checked the publishing date, I found it was the Authors where the out dated part. I would hear these very old school methods of Sales and Marketing that were outdated and rarely were used in practice. I know, because I had just come from the field and saw with my own eyes and ears that the Marketing was outdated and crude. I found the concept of direct mail pieces were replaced by similar marking tactics, except they were Emails and custom programed Apps now. The book was very up to date and reveled what was really happening in real life sales and marketing. The best day I had in the class was the day a guest speaker described all the changes that have and need to be “ Reworked ”. I felt myself asking, over and over, “ Why?, why would anyone in their right mind do this?” To the people teaching these classes, nothing had changed. I was quick to ask; “ when were you in front of live customers using these concepts?” I was told that these are what Colleges were still training and it would go on for years to come. I just kept nodding my head in disgust and disbelief. They just choose to remain teaching those out dated concepts because it was agreed upon to be the only correct knowledge and would remain the same. We would get a new textbook just a few long months after returning from spring break. These instructors were not to bow to this new mantra they found and would just let it die. If we were required to speak of all about the great classroom ideas, I would just shake my head knowing this is in no way current, in any way. I’m so glad that “ Rework “ came to be. The concepts that is shared, so true today. I had been listening to the assigned blog interviews. Those two Blog writes were in total agreement with “ Rework “ concepts. 

I included two recent Pod Casts that I make direct mention of the book; “ Rework.”

Adam,

I see the Salesboom area of expertise is CRS. I have a need and Ill see if I can better define the need for you. I get my leads from one of the vendors I represent. They appear so, so. Not bad, not great. I use different methods, like you I would guess, to gain access to the target audience. I could just zero in on only decision makers, but I first need to find their needs. Just like you and I, I cannot assume, because I have no idea what that may be. I used to put my product in front of as many eyes as possible and found a lot of wasted time and possible brand destruction or at least distortion. I have found in this world of heavy push social media marketing I need to go back to customer consulting Vs. Straight up sales rep operations. I have been in the game for a long time and the concepts have gravely changed 360 degrees. Read the book, “Rework” here is what I said about the book; I was online discussing consultant Questionnaires as a good process for getting prospects to “ Think Tank “ their methods of business. So many Companies are under the false premise that;” If it is not broke, do not attempt to fix it!” In a perfect world by Walt Disney, that was how things went in the 1980 to 1999 and look where we are at now. The up and comer’s in business are not thinking out of the box, there is NO BOX!

Don’t worry Adam, Ill get to the point, first read this about the book:

8. Do you have a slogan or tagline that clearly describes what you offer in terms of benefits or features? While many prospects may be eager to trot out their company’s slogan, others will be absolutely mystified. Why? Note: The intended client may NOT have an answer, because they don’t have a slogan. And, people, that’s not a mortal sin. It’s okay not to have a slogan, or have one so simple that it sounds dumb. I’ve done business with a home repair guy whose company slogan was, “We Do A Better Job.” And he did.( “Remember, YOU have to make your mark when YOU can! Statistics have proven over and over again, the Marketing Rules have all changed “ A great book that looks absurbly deep into this very concept is “ Rework “ by; Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson who are the Founders of 37 Signals. Their work in marketing and human behavior is putting the Marketing 101 taught in the past three decades completely to shame! They have put us right in the EYE of the Marketing storm, by committing the largest scandal of our present time; by asking the one child-like simple question-Why? * If that recommendation does not peek even some interest, well-what more can I say?

No, I am not selling Books, maybe I should-But I will admit when I am wrong and I am on the “ Rework “ train heading to where all the action is.

What I need to know, who are the up and comers and how can I use CSR to better be there upon need. Let me try to put that in clearer meaning. Most people do not set out to go to a store and buy a dog. They may love dogs and talked about getting one, one day. I ran a pet store called “ Pet Land “ they were out of Ohio, and we ran a store franchised in Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee, WI. I had 40 dogs on hand for sales from 10am till 9pm. We offered the dogs to you, by watching who was the interested party i.e. Mom, junior, misses, usually never Dad. We pushed the teary eyed, mass licking machine in the hands of the “ Most Desired “ prospect. The go to guy was Never Dad, by the way, usually Mom or the kids. (This was locating the emotional investor.)  Then the consulting hat goes on and the first thing Dad screams out, we are NOT looking to get a dog today! I’m prepared, for what He thought was the game changer and the gauntlet was dropped. Dad did not know I was one of those kids who knew the word “ NO “ all too well and spent all my spare time hours seeking a “Yes”! I defused the aggressor, with out loosing a step; “ I know Dad, I was just trying to get this poor puppy out of that hot display box to stretch his legs. It just seems so cruel to never let them out. ( * Which , by the way is NOT true, I had 10 dogs out at any given time from  9am till 10pm. I wanted them energetic and very people orientated. In the Industry we called it socializing the animal. In sales we called it the pre-test drive!” Dad keeps interjecting with how much they are not shopping for a dog today. In my head the script says get the rest of the team on yes answers. I ask the Son or Daughter, what would you call your new friend, if you could have one? This is “ Dream Role Play and Psych 101 combined with the Affiliate sales team approach.” I learned from the very best, Zig Ziglar.com.

I turned that bright-eyed child into the greatest sales team the world had ever seen. I became the “ Yes “ cheerleader.  “ Your new puppy dribbles is it? Yes they would smile Does dribbles have a nice yard or park near by to run in? Yes, they cheered. Do dribbles; help teach you responsibility and respect for animals? Yes!”, now the little sister and Mom cheer together screaming “ YES “ to selling Dribble’s to DAD. I have heard that conversation thousands of times.  Dad was in the preverbal worst seat of all parents’ today hate, “ The Parenting of Common senses – who is going to cleanup after this dog! We will they all promised up and down, that was my signal that the battle was over- I re-assured dad that this was a smart in vestment and Dribbles would pay back in years of unconditional love.” I would now direct Dad to the retail shelves; explaining how important each adds on sale would be to keep dribbles alive and healthy. If price was not of concern; I didn’t bring it up. If it came up and sounded like it may be a objection game changing event, I had the move for this as well. I practiced this close endlessly for countless closes. I was known; wide and far’ by all the Mall employees and Dog owners previously engaged, lovingly as “ The Puppy Pusher.”

I would like to take this moment to apologize to the hundreds of unknowingly; unsuspecting Parents who mistakenly thought the Malls were safe from Pet Salesmen. I have no regrets, and yes you paid 5000% over regular retail for that puppy Mill dog. Next time, you will visit your local humane society or “ No Kill “ shelter.

So what is the point of this never-ending story Adam? The point is People really do not care about me and 99.999% love to talk about what? Yes, themselves, that’s right Adam, never forget that and keep your eye on the ball!

I have some great custom programed apps that allow my customers to communicate up to the minute events to all their customers on the fly. It can be programed to with happy anniversaries’ and suggest the best route to take them home or avoid all Pet stores in route.

As you know Adam, today’s customer is on the run with their entire office arsenal in the palm of their hand. They can work on projects while doing so many other mundane daily activities, hopefully not driving! The playing field is never ending and the capabilities of our projects have no limits. My job went from running around saying;” the sky is falling! “ To you need a better view and I have it for you. The skies really are the limit today and the net will takes us there and beyond. “

Adam, you and I are no longer salesmen; we are coaches, engineers, conductors, inventors, Adventurers, Serial Entrepreneurs Game Changers, Visionaries and Future Philanthropist.

What I need from YOU and your CSR is a way to locate and engage my prospects in a manor that allows my services and products to be introduced and create a team play effort and “ thinking Caps “ are mandatory as is the question We stopped asking at five; “ Why? “  I reply, “ Why Not?”

Best regards;

Peter Sauer   

http://stopgettingrippedoff.weebly.com/

Media Communication Engineer

Extreme Exposure Marketing

postivereviews4u@gmail.com

Live T-Free 888.213.9996 Live Text 262.305.7406

My next writing is a recent rewrite from a questionnaire. My sole purpose here was to show how the book “ rework “ fits into my career Life:

I purposely kept this Questionnaire closer to its first Version

·       VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: READ THIS WARNING FIRST!

·       This is a Industry Confidential Questionnaire, NOT FOR PUBLIC USE*

·       ** (Not-For-Public/Client/Prospect/Business Owners)

·        It was written to other Online Creative Consultants for in-house instructional use, please keep that in mind when reviewing.

·        I write much kinder and more attractive Questionnaires.

·       But, to retain the street value and gain the “ Real-Life-Mind-Pictures, I kept it closer to the original copy!”

·       PLEASE NOTE:  If you find any offense to the questions, they were NOT written to offend you.

·       Rather, this is solely a “ Thought-Provoking” Exercise. There are no wrong answers to this test;

·       Rather you would be short changing the possible outcomes of great success.

·        That being said, we may not always agree on any or part of the creation details. Or I may as a Consultant, respectfully decline producing your project. Please keep in mind; I too have to be proud to show off your online products. With all that said, DO NOT feel YOU NEED to answer all these questions.

·       But, keep in mind that the out come depends on your input and my job is directing and conducting business that is profitable for all parties.

·       If any of this is NOT of interest to you, please-lets shake hands and go about our business.

·       Our Motto is: ” We care enough about your Business, to make it OUR business. “ 

Tip: I recommend using this questionnaire before you write a Web design proposal. You should reserve your proposal-writing time for the best-qualified prospects, rather than everyone who asks for one.

 * Hint: My thoughts are in blue ink. I just thought you might like an insight as to where I stand in comparison to the original Authors thoughts and comments.

The best Web design questionnaires focus on:

1. What the site’s supposed to do for the client’s business?
2. What the site will look like?

(*Commentary by Original author will be in Italic from here out.) I’ll take you through the questionnaire that I use, and explain the rationale behind each question.

7. Why do you believe site visitors should do business with you rather than with a competitor? Face it, on the Internet; the competition is but one click away. (This Author Notes: Custom Programed Apps keep that clicking solely to your business if used correctly by all parties! Please, Do Not Confuse a MOBILE-Friendly Upgrade to YOUR present web site as a “ Custom Programed App” there really is “NO Comparison!) Which means that your prospect’s site will probably be compared to a lot of other sites. So, it’s up to you and the prospect to make the site memorable.

8. Do you have a slogan or tagline that clearly describes what you offer in terms of benefits or features? While many prospects may be eager to trot out their company’s slogan, others will be absolutely mystified. Why? Note: The intended client may NOT have an answer, because they don’t have a slogan. And, people, that’s not a mortal sin. It’s okay not to have a slogan, or have one so simple that it sounds dumb. I’ve done business with a home repair guy whose company slogan was, “We Do A Better Job.” And he did.( “Remember, YOU have to make your mark when YOU can! Statistics have proven over and over again, the Marketing Rules have all changed “ A great book that looks absurdly deep into this very concept is “ Rework “ by; Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson who are the Founders of 37 Signals. Their work in marketing and human behavior is putting the Marketing 101 taught in the past three decades completely to shame! They have put us right in the EYE of the Marketing storm, by committing the largest scandal of our present time; by asking the one child-like simple question-Why? * If that recommendation does not peek even some interest, well-what more can I say?

I realize that this sounds over the top to many of you, but it really is how I feel about the book. I have struggled since grade school with ADHD and realize just what an asset it can be if I can focus my ideas for good productive use.