Talking more than listening in sales says …

I know better than you.

What you say really doesn’t matter.

It’s really all about me.

I’m more interesting than you.

Bottom line, I just want to make the sale.

Listening more than talking in sales says …

You know what you need more than I do.

What you say matters.

You’re important and I value you.

Let’s focus on your needs and nothing else.

Bottom line, I want to make the sale if it’s a fit for you.

We’ve done a lot more listening than talking lately and we’ve learned a lot. We’ve heard what customers want and what they don’t want or need right now. We’ve made some significant changes based on simply listening that both benefit small business and us as company. We’re still doing website design and we’ve now expanded to doing custom motion graphic videos for both websites and any online line and social media marketing. We’ll share more about this expansion in the next blog post. We know it’s been awhile and we appreciate if you’re still with us!

Wishing you a happy Monday and a fantastic, productive week!

Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request. — Phillip Stanhope Earl of Chesterfield

Yes today,  I feel like a steak. No, I don’t actually feel like a steak, but I’d like to eat one! OK, so today I’d like to eat a steak! Gosh, I need to explain. I live in rather a small town and if something new pops up, well, everyone wants to know about it and I’m no exception. Recently, in the local paper was a full page color ad for a new restaurant, Joe’s Steakhouse. Wow! Now I do recall a place being renovated on my weekend jaunts to feed lonely horses with my sweet one and it’s but a country mile from my home … who knew! I had to check to see if they had a website (if not, I’d be all over it of course) and they do and it’s nice and welcoming. I think I’m going to like Joe’s.

No, I Don’t Know Them and I’m Not Looking for a Free Meal.

Now I swear these people don’t have a clue  I even exist and I’m not plugging them for a free meal. I can’t give a food review and why would anyone care because most who would read this are quite a good distance. (I don’t think Front Royal is on anyone’s bucket list. Too bad for them.) The only review I can give is what the inside looks like (from their website) and well … its “steakhouse-ish”. It’s a definite goal on my list; a future reward. The point to all this is, I love a good story and every small business has one. I love Joe’s story … it’s short, sweet, and it’s inspiring. I won’t spoil it you’ll have to read it.

Work Smarter, Not Harder.

WebsitesGiveBack has recently decided to make some significant changes. Some hard lessons learned – the biggest being “work smarter, not harder”. We’ve spent the last two years working extremely hard and that journey has led us to this chapter. We’ve been strictly a website design company and now we have added videos to use for websites, social media and various marketing. They’re made to inform, educate and entertain the businesses they feature. We’re pretty excited and today is the first page in this new chapter. Today we eat steak! 

Today like all others, is an opportunity

to new start

to change things

to make things right

to end bad habits

to make new goals

to forgive and to forget

to love again

to say your sorry and make amends

to tear down and to rebuild

to add on

and take away

it’s my opportunity – it’s your opportunity

What If I’m a Vegetarian?

I know, I know … Jack is going to ask, “What if you’re a vegetarian?” and Bill will say something along the lines of, “What kind of steak?” or “What if I want a hamburger instead?” Ah, but were talkin’ Mr. Dorman and anything with food, he’s in!  But getting back … don’t be afraid to change directions or take a flying leap (in a good way!).  Be forgiving of yourself and know that whatever it is you do today, it’s the past - your journey filled with all the ups and downs and twist and turns that brought you to this very moment  and that’s a good thing! Always … be courageous!

Today we eat steak!

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” -Andre Gide

FEED ONE ANOTHER.

Upon his death a man was given a tour of both heaven and hell, so he could select his final destination. First he was taken to hell. He saw a lot of people sitting at a long banquet table loaded with all kinds of delicious food. However, he noticed that all the people seated were unhappy, and looked frustrated. They each had a fork strapped to the left arm and a knife strapped to the right arm – they had no elbows. Each had a four-foot handle which made it impossible for them to eat. With all kinds of good in front of them they were not able to taste any of it. After this scene in hell he was taken on a tour of heaven. He noticed that the people in heaven were also seated at a long banquet table loaded with all kinds of delicious good. There was a difference here because he noticed that the people here were cheerful and enjoying themselves. They also had forks and knives with a four-foot handle – they had no elbows. They were busy eating because they were feeding each other. Each person in heaven was feeding the one across the table from him and was being fed in return. The people in hell were unable to eat because they were trying to feed only themselves.

This is one of my all time favorite stories.There are different versions of titled, “Long Spoons” which are so worth looking up; as many give greater, more elaborate details – making it even more profound and beautiful.

INTERDEPENDENCE.

This story is about interdependence. Interdependence is defined as, “dependence between two or more people, groups, or things; mutually reliant on each other.“ In all aspects of life we experience interdependence – no man is an island (despite many who think they are). Being interdependent is obvious in our personal relationships and family lives.Yet, it’s interesting to reflect on interdependence in the work and business world; heck, even in the blogging world. In business we need people to buy our goods or services; help spread the word, promote us, pay us and so on. When we write, we want (we need) people to read and to interact with us. I think sometimes we feel alone on these different journeys. Maybe not the entire time, but perhaps just down different roads we turn before reaching yet another crossroad. Those are the times of great reflection and times when we need to reach out most. Having someone to relate to – to cheer us on – to go through the mud with makes all the difference. Often, it gives us the strength to be the hand, the shoulder or the rock for the next person at the crossroad of their journey. We learn that the journey never really ends; there’s no final destination, except perhaps at death and even then …

CHOICE.

We’ll always have the need for others; others will always need us. I choose to live heaven on earth and feed others in any way I can; hopefully, in the most positive, productive and loving way I can. I am assured too that I will fall, I will fail and I will ask for forgiveness (forgiveness of others and myself).

Do you make the choice to “feed others” or “starve”?

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. Mother Teresa

Words/music by Dick Feller Sung by John Denver

Diamond? Stone?

My body clock decides to not work and I’m late, which means my child is rushing too. The day starts off well … not very sparkly.

Diamond: I keep my attitude in check making a conscious effort to be in the moment and happy for and with my child.

Stone: I get frustrated and take it out on my child blaming everyone and everything.

I choose a diamond day!

A client I had hoped would close on a website has decided against it.

Diamond: I sincerely wish them luck; leaving the door open if things change or for future referrals.

Stone: I am rude; taking their decision personally.

I choose a diamond day

Continue reading: Some Days a Diamond, Some Days are Stone.

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