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All posts with the tag 'Virtual Business'
Sell More & Work Less – Tip 1: Put Your Car Keys on Your Desk and Leave Them There
Posted on January 5th, 2012 by John Scranton
For 101 tips like these, check out our new book on Amazon.com
Sell More & Work Less: Web Selling Techniques Everyone Should Use – Now Available
Posted on January 2nd, 2012 by John Scranton
Sell More & Work Less is a web selling tips book revolving around my 4-Phase Sales Process which helps business professionals quickly learn and apply many new web sales tips and techniques to improve their sales effectiveness. Simply said, allowing them to sell more and work less. The 4-Phase Virtual Sales Process facilitates the transition to a web based sales model and the greater profit potential, improved methods of selling and more flexible business and personal lifestyle this affords many salespeople and businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and existing sole proprietors. Readers can replicate the 4-Phase Virtual Sales Process to create their own tailored sales process using the techniques explained in this web selling tips and techniques book.
Author Alan Blume was fortunate to be assisted by three “in the trenches” coauthors, Mike Lauducci, me and Andrew Blume in the writing of this web selling tips book.
Sell More & Work Less is now available on Amazon, the Kindle version is expected later in January. http://www.amazon.com/Sell-More-Work-Less-Techniques/dp/ …
Video Preview of the new book Sell More & Work Less from StartUpSelling
Posted on November 18th, 2011 by John Scranton
Reblog: The Volvo Overseas Delivery Program – Yes They Really Do Provide a Free Trip To Europe
Posted on November 3rd, 2011 by John Scranton
The Volvo Overseas Delivery Program – Yes They Really Do Provide a Free Trip To Europe
Posted on November 3, 2011 by alanblume
Though I tend to drive less frequently these days, my 2005 Acura TL turned six years old, and the time had come for something new. I test drove a plethora of vehicles including the Audi A4 and S4, BMW 335, Infiniti GSx, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes C and finally the Volvo S60 T6. The finalists were the Audi S4, the Lexus IS 350 and to my surprise, the Volvo S60 T6. All three of these vehicles are offered in all wheel drive, a definite plus for my New England climate.
The Volvo S60 T6 is different from Volvo’s of the past, it has very sleek European lines, a sporty look, excellent acceleration (300HP) and provides a great ride. It boasts extremely comfortable ergonomic seats, great styling, a state of the art navigation system and all the options I required. The S60 T6 also came with a 5 year/50,000 mile full maintenance, bumper to bumper warranty, including oil changes, brakes, rotors, wiper blades, etc., ensuring a what I expect to be a maintenance free 5 year ownership at my mileage levels. When I compared the total price, after adding the options I selected, the Volvo came in comparably priced to the Infiniti and less than the Audi S4 or Lexus, which came as no surprise. To my surprise, however, Volvo said they would provide a complimentary trip to Sweden to pick up and use my new car. I was somewhat dubious about that last statement and researched several blogs on the subject. [Read more...]
Article Credit: Alan Blume is the author of two books, Sell More & Work Less and Your Virtual Success. He is the founder and CEO of StartUpSelling, Inc. and StartMarketingTech, which help businesses with web marketing, social media marketing, SEO, lead generation, appointment setting, elevator and telephone pitches, web site design, client testimonials, company video, branding and innovative entrepreneurial marketing and sales concepts. StartUpSelling offers unique B2B sales and marketing tools like the Prospect Scorecard ProspectScorecard.com. For more information go to: StartUpSelling or StartMarketingTech. Read Your Virtual Success available from Amazon or Sell More & Work Less scheduled for release in December 2012.
Mileage Driven in 90 Days: Traditional Sales 12,430, Virtual Sales 1,624
Posted on October 10th, 2011 by John Scranton
90 days ago I purchased a new vehicle. This was the first car I acquired since I transitioned to a virtual business model, which made me wonder how this vehicle’s first few months as a member of my household compared to my last new car purchase, when I still followed the traditional sales model. Lets take a look at the numbers.
In the first 90 days that I owned my last vehicle, the mileage increased from 33 to 12,430. That is 4,100+ miles per month on the road a traveling salesman. My new vehicle has aged from 6 to 1,624 during the first 90 days of ownership. That represents a nearly 90% drop in miles driven per month.
Now let us explore how that translates to fuel costs. The traditional sales miles were covered in an economical sedan which averaged 27 MPG. 12,430 / 27 X $3.50 per gallon = $1,611 in fuel costs. Meanwhile, my virtual miles are driven in an SUV which averages 18 MPG. 1,624 / 18 X $3.50 per gallon = $316. This equates to $1,300 in my pocket, while making no mention of maintenance costs, even while driving a much less efficient vehicle.
This simple example illustrates just one of the many challenges created by a traditional sales model that puts people on the road. By leveraging a virtual model, people have more time to work and their businesses are significantly more profitable.
Virtual, Retired or Professional Gambler?
Posted on August 31st, 2011 by John Scranton
There is an older gentleman in my neighborhood who leaves his house at exactly 11am each day during late July and August. These happen to be the 40 days that Saratoga Race Course is running. At first I wondered if it was coincidence, but I have seen him at the track every time I have attended. Always in the same spot, with the same guys and the same beverage. He must really enjoy that routine.
This prompted a question – is he a horse racing fan who is making the most of his retirement or a professional gambler who is actually leaving for the office each day at 11? I don’t know the answer and I don’t know him well enough to ask, but I assume the latter since it is more exciting. Either way he appears to be paying his bills and having a blast – so kudos to him.
Although this thought process prompted an additional question – what do my neighbors think I do? Some we know personally, but many are only acquaintances. How many of them realize that I manage sales and marketing for StartUpSelling from my virtual home office? How many think I am unemployed and playing computer games all day? How many think I am retired or a professional gambler? Maybe I should take an informal poll at the next block party.
The results of the poll would be interesting but not relevant. The point of these observations and questions, as the author Thomas L. Friedman might say, is this: The democratization of technology, information and finance has created the opportunity for many Americans to build a successful career from their virtual offices – including two on my street – whether they choose to work from a spare bedroom, or next to the margarita bar at the track.
A Virtual Earthquake
Posted on August 23rd, 2011 by John Scranton
Today we experienced an earthquake in on the East Coast. This occurred as I was logging into a web meeting with a client located near Philadelphia. They were experiencing the same tremors. This was the first earthquake I have endured, and I believe the same held true for my clients. This served as a reminder of the internet speed at which the business world moves. We can work virtually, collaborate virtually and even share an earthquake virtually.
Sell More and Work Less To Be Released in September
Posted on August 15th, 2011 by John Scranton
A new book from StartUpSelling will be released in September. Please see the below blog entry from Alan Blume for more details:
Sell More & Work Less To Be Released in September
Posted on August 17th, 2011 by Alan Blume
Our new book, Sell More & Work Less, Web Selling Techniques Everyone Should Use, is expected to be released in September. Offering 101 Internet Sales Tips stratified across our 4-Phase Sales Process, Sell More & Work Less focuses on leveraging the web to help you sell better, faster and more efficiently.
Most sales cycles, particularly B2B sales cycles can be expressed in four distinct phases: Identify, Qualify, Present and Close. Each of these phases might have 5 or 10 steps, helping salespeople compartmentalize tasks, ensuring they are following a guide that helps them arrive at their final destination, a new client. The reason I refer to this as a “Virtual” Sales Process is that much of the work can or should be done virtually. Keep the car parked in the driveway, avoid planes and trains whenever possible, leverage Skype, GoToMeeting and other virtual selling tools.
Sell More & Work Less reviews many virtual sales tips and techniques including The Prospect Scorecard, a simple but effective pipeline qualification tool which can be used on a PC or mobile device. Sell More & Work Less will help sales people, business owners, sales managers and entrepreneurs focus on those activities which will optimize prospecting, qualifying and closing. For more information, read Your Virtual Success (www.yourvirtualsuccess.net), or in September, Sell More & Work Less.
