"If you want more results than what you're getting, then you need to start doing more than what you're doing!"
- Unkown
Friday, July 2, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Art of Negotiation
There are so many books, seminars and ways to learn about sales and negotiation. I am a queen at reading up and learning about the new and best techniques. Although the resources I read and learn from holds truth and are most of the times helpful, the true art of negotiation and sales is simple....
REMOVE ANY AND ALL EMOTION AND BE WILLING TO WALK AWAY.
This statement goes for the seller and the buyer. If either party is not willing to lose the deal than you are the sucker, the one who is being sold.
It's amazing how long it has taken me to really embrace this concept. Honestly, I am still fighting it today. You hear this concept and think you live by it, however, it's amazing how often you really don't follow it. I am noticing more and more when I think I am being tough, I have done my research, I know what I can and can't achieve and somehow the deal is still pending because at the end of it my emotions are involved and I don't want to walk away. I am realizing this in my sales position, in planning my wedding, in purchasing negotiable items, etc.
Think about my statement next time you are in a position and are trying to work a deal...it just might get you what you want.
Cheers,
Cara
REMOVE ANY AND ALL EMOTION AND BE WILLING TO WALK AWAY.
This statement goes for the seller and the buyer. If either party is not willing to lose the deal than you are the sucker, the one who is being sold.
It's amazing how long it has taken me to really embrace this concept. Honestly, I am still fighting it today. You hear this concept and think you live by it, however, it's amazing how often you really don't follow it. I am noticing more and more when I think I am being tough, I have done my research, I know what I can and can't achieve and somehow the deal is still pending because at the end of it my emotions are involved and I don't want to walk away. I am realizing this in my sales position, in planning my wedding, in purchasing negotiable items, etc.
Think about my statement next time you are in a position and are trying to work a deal...it just might get you what you want.
Cheers,
Cara
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Kip's Tip
As mentioned in my previous post, I am in the field of sales. I love learning about the trade and ways to be better. I actually love learning about everything and anything - send me a note and share with me a fact or two. My Director of Sales is similar as he loves stats and as I call them "tid bits". To motivate our team he will send out an occasional email with amazing quotes, facts, goals, etc. Just the other day as we were coming to the end of our sales month he sent us out an email that I am sure all of us sales reps would benefit from. Not sure where the information originated, however, it's certainly food for thought.
For all of you working in the field of Sales, check out the stats. You just might change up your method:
"Here's a very clear insight into some general statistical information about the selling profession.
Now get this...
Cheers to moving forward and closing some business!!!
Good luck,
Cara
For all of you working in the field of Sales, check out the stats. You just might change up your method:
"Here's a very clear insight into some general statistical information about the selling profession.
- 48% of salespeople never follow up with a prospect.
- 25% of salespeople make a second contact and stop.
- 12% of Salespeople only make three contacts and stop.
- Only 10% of salespeople make more than three contacts.
Now get this...
- 2% of sales are made on the first contact.
- 3% of sales are made on the second contact.
- 5% of sales are made on the third contact.
- 10% of sales are made on the fourth contact.
Cheers to moving forward and closing some business!!!
Good luck,
Cara
Monday, May 24, 2010
Cooking over eating out...Dish #1 Chicken Piccata
After years of cooking for one, I now cook for two. It took a good 3 years before my fiancé and I actually started eating in and making our own meals. When we first started dating both of our eating routines consisted of eating out. No matter the size of the meal we would go out or order in. Not sure when or why we changed our routine, however, I have enjoyed every minute of it.
My old boss use to call herself a pantry chef because she made meals based on ingredients in her kitchen not by following recipes. I have taken on a similar style of cooking. When I go out to eat I pay close attention to what ingredients are in my favorite plates. I also read recipes as if they were a news article. By doing the two I have become familiar with the basic idea of different recipes and cook from memory. If I try to follow instructions it's a given I'll burn or destroy the meal.
Because of my new hobby, I am going to share my weekly finds and cooking experiences.
Dish #1
Chicken Piccata
Last night I made chicken piccata for 7. I was so worried because I was running late and making a large portion; not to mention it was my first attempt. To my surprise it was a huge hit and rather easy to make. The dish was simple and can be duplicated by anyone. You can make Piccata with Chicken or Fish. Sides can be mashed potatoes, noodles or rice. Be sure to always include a vegetable too, we selected asparagus, however, any green will be great. Read through my notes, modify to your liking and cooking piccata from memory will be a hit.
Ingredients (serving 2 people):
1. First in a medium size bowl mix flour and pepper.
2. Rinse each chicken breast under water and dip in the flower and pepper mix. The chicken should be lightly coated.
3. Cover the bottom of a medium size skillet with a small portion of butter and / or olive oil. Give it a few minutes to heat up and then add the coated chicken / fish.
4. Let the meat cook for a few minutes on each side. Fish takes no more than a minute or two on each side. Chicken will need more time, about 5 minutes on each side.
5. Add the wine, chicken stock, fresh squeezed lemon juice, capers, artichoke and mushrooms. Sprinkle with pepper, garlic salt and onion powder. You can guestimate your measuring.
6. Let the sauce simmer on low until the chicken or fish are cooked all thoroughly.
The recipe above is not my own. I reviewed several recipes and have had piccata on numerous occassions. As mentioned above, I pay attention to the ingredients while eating the dish at restaraunts and get an idea of the steps from different websites. The websites I enjoy are noted below.
My old boss use to call herself a pantry chef because she made meals based on ingredients in her kitchen not by following recipes. I have taken on a similar style of cooking. When I go out to eat I pay close attention to what ingredients are in my favorite plates. I also read recipes as if they were a news article. By doing the two I have become familiar with the basic idea of different recipes and cook from memory. If I try to follow instructions it's a given I'll burn or destroy the meal.
Because of my new hobby, I am going to share my weekly finds and cooking experiences.
Dish #1
Chicken Piccata
Last night I made chicken piccata for 7. I was so worried because I was running late and making a large portion; not to mention it was my first attempt. To my surprise it was a huge hit and rather easy to make. The dish was simple and can be duplicated by anyone. You can make Piccata with Chicken or Fish. Sides can be mashed potatoes, noodles or rice. Be sure to always include a vegetable too, we selected asparagus, however, any green will be great. Read through my notes, modify to your liking and cooking piccata from memory will be a hit.
Ingredients (serving 2 people):
- Chicken Breast or Fish - 2 - 3 pieces
- Olive Oil - enough to coat the bottom of pan
- Butter - enough to coat the bottom of pan
- Flour - 1/2 cup at most
- Pepper - use for flavor to your liking. I used a healthy poriton, roughly a table spoon
- Onion Powder - use for flavor to your liking. I sprinkled for taste, start slow you can always add more
- Garlic Powder - use for flavor to your liking. I sprinkled for taste, start slow you can always add more
- White Wine - 1/3 cup
- Chicken Stock - 1/3 cup
- Artichokes - use as many as you'd like. I used a full can.
- Mushrooms - add as many as you'd like. I used about 1/2 cup
- Capers - add as many as you'd like. I used about 1/2 cup
- Parsley - sprinkle for flavor
- Lemons - 5 lemons to freshly squeeze juice. I also used to garnish dish.
1. First in a medium size bowl mix flour and pepper.
2. Rinse each chicken breast under water and dip in the flower and pepper mix. The chicken should be lightly coated.
3. Cover the bottom of a medium size skillet with a small portion of butter and / or olive oil. Give it a few minutes to heat up and then add the coated chicken / fish.
4. Let the meat cook for a few minutes on each side. Fish takes no more than a minute or two on each side. Chicken will need more time, about 5 minutes on each side.
5. Add the wine, chicken stock, fresh squeezed lemon juice, capers, artichoke and mushrooms. Sprinkle with pepper, garlic salt and onion powder. You can guestimate your measuring.
6. Let the sauce simmer on low until the chicken or fish are cooked all thoroughly.
The recipe above is not my own. I reviewed several recipes and have had piccata on numerous occassions. As mentioned above, I pay attention to the ingredients while eating the dish at restaraunts and get an idea of the steps from different websites. The websites I enjoy are noted below.
Epicurious.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Life Is a Trasaction
My career is sales & marketing. I have been in the field for almost 10 years now (wow). I never would have imagined being a sales person as I am not always the most assertive or aggressive individual. I tend to lean towards the catering & caregiver type. As the economy slowed down my account management position turned into a cold calling sales roll, not by choice and I didn't like it at all. I regularly felt rejected and a sales failure. The sales position striped away my confidence, therefore, I decided to step back, stop resisting the change and learn the trade so that I could succeed at the job at hand. What I came to learn and realize is that sales is in everyone’s life, everyday in some capacity. Individuals that claim they are a "Sales Rep" are not the only ones practicing the action of sales. Each one of us, everyday, exercise the skill.
So as you carry on with your daily life, stop and think about it. Think about the transactions you make. Sometimes it’s simple and other times the transaction is more difficult. No matter what the transaction is - it takes the same steps as a career in sales: passion, persistence, research, knowledge and relationships.
Enjoy your day,
Cara
- We go to the market and we make a transaction - that’s Sales.
- We disagree with our phone bill provider and need to negotiation - that's a sale.
- We want to go on a trip and our partner / friend isn’t interested, so we sell them on why it will be fun and rewarding and ultimately get the trip.
So as you carry on with your daily life, stop and think about it. Think about the transactions you make. Sometimes it’s simple and other times the transaction is more difficult. No matter what the transaction is - it takes the same steps as a career in sales: passion, persistence, research, knowledge and relationships.
Enjoy your day,
Cara
Friday, April 16, 2010
World and Local Travelers
We are visiting Maui the first week of May to scout out and finalize our 2011 Wedding. I am so excited.
Cheers,
Cara
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Freebies
Wow, it has been awhile since I've published a new post and I have certainly come across some great finds. I should've been blogging this whole time as my nose has been buried in books, magazines, blogs, asking friends and friends of friends questions about planning a wedding. Even though my focus has been on planning a wedding I of course get distracted and off course and find other great Tid Bits.
In honor of "Tax Day" there are articles plastered across the news regarding freebies and great deals. The search engine "Bing" comes up with over 2 million links, with all very similar information (no I did not read them all or even a fraction of them. Page 1 will do).
A few of the "freebies" I have come across are listed below:
Today Only ....15% off all in house and take out dining orders at all participating PF Changs! You can view the ad in more detail by visiting http://www.pfchangs.com/ .
Starbucks also has a Freebie...not sure if it's really for Tax Day...it's promoting their philanthropicall project "The Big Picture...A Green Porject". Anyone who visits a Starbucks, today April 15th, with a re-usable mug will receive a FREE cup up freshly brewed coffee. Check it out at www.starbucks.com/thebigpicture
Cinnabon is offering FREE Cupcake Bites from 6 - 8pm while supplies last. You can check out the details by visiting their website at www.cinnabon.com/home.html .
In honor of "Tax Day" there are articles plastered across the news regarding freebies and great deals. The search engine "Bing" comes up with over 2 million links, with all very similar information (no I did not read them all or even a fraction of them. Page 1 will do).
A few of the "freebies" I have come across are listed below:
Today Only ....15% off all in house and take out dining orders at all participating PF Changs! You can view the ad in more detail by visiting http://www.pfchangs.com/ .
Starbucks also has a Freebie...not sure if it's really for Tax Day...it's promoting their philanthropicall project "The Big Picture...A Green Porject". Anyone who visits a Starbucks, today April 15th, with a re-usable mug will receive a FREE cup up freshly brewed coffee. Check it out at www.starbucks.com/thebigpicture
Cinnabon is offering FREE Cupcake Bites from 6 - 8pm while supplies last. You can check out the details by visiting their website at www.cinnabon.com/home.html .
McCormick & Schmick's is offering a $10.40 dinner special tonight April 15th for all Tax Payers. Tomorrow all prepares receive their meal for $10.40. Check it out on their website at http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/TaxReliefCelebration.aspx
According to ABC, Whole Foods is picking up the sales tax for all shoppers in Tennessee, Alabama, North & South Carolina. Too bad we live in California (or maybe not I love being a California Girl)! I could not locate the promo on the Whole Food website, however, you can read about it on ABC by visiting their website abcnews.go.com/Business/tapped-tax-day-food-freebies-cheer/story?id=10378531
Staples & Office Depot will copy your tax forms for FREE according to www.frugal-freebies.com/2010/04/tax-day-freebies-reminder.html. I was unable to locate this freebie on the company website.
In reading about all the various freebies I came across an everday site offering coupon codes and daily freebies called The Bargainista. The website is http://www.bargainist.com/ and I encourage you to bookmark it. It looks comparable to http://www.retailmenot.com/ or http://www.couponcabin.com/ , however, it has a tab specifically for freebies. Most all of us (especially blog readers) spend plenty of time online. Taking a few minutes to view websites such as the ones listed above will save you money. Just think of Free Shipping - it can sometimes cost upwards of $20 and over - saving on shipping can get you a new shirt. 10% off a $200 piece of furniture can get you a new picture frame. Or how about Christmas season, every company has some kind of deal or discount, that can help you purchase a more quality gift or possibly even get you 2 gifts for the price of one and the receivers would never know. Just think what a few minutes can bring to your pocket.
Happy Thursday & Happy Tax Day. As much as we all hate paying taxes don't forget what, at least a percentage, goes towards: quality roads, education, freedom. The world around us may be structured differently, however, we are all Americans for a reason.
Cheers,
Cara
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