I am a restaurant person. My first job was handing out cheese samples in the mall for a gourmet cheese company. That was my first job serving food and making sales. I love restaurants…and have worked in virtually every position on the org chart. Perhaps I would still be in the restaurant business if my husband hot rod’s partner had not died.

From a business standpoint, Pinterest may be the next best social media community and an opportunity to connect with your customers in a powerful way. If women are your target market, you are in the right place. A flat out sales pitch is not a good first approach. Consider instead how to make friends and influence people. Social media is replacing the backyard fence. Relationships first. Then, add some relevant, entertaining images of what you do, why and how…

Ellen Rohr
Contributing Author
Bare Bones Biz
My rookie year…
Once upon a time, I quite my real job (restaurant manager – good salary, benefits and someone to cover for me when I wasn’t around) and went to work for my husband, Hot Rod, in his contracting company.
It was the dumbest decision I have ever made.  It was hell.  I left my steady paycheck behind and assumed financial responsibility for a sinking-fast company.  I was college educated.  I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Business Administration.
The BS really stood for my approach …

Salespeople are paid hourly according to skill level and licensing or skills training achievement. Aim for a consistent hourly rate for the position. Overtime applies according to state and federal wage and hour laws.

Use a Bonus Plan to reward production over Goal. Performance at Goal is what is expected of those who hold the Position of Salesperson.

The more I travel, the more astonishing it is when I find outstanding customer service. If someone is pleasant to me, I am usually delighted, and don’t expect much more. On a recent trip, however, I had an extraordinary customer service experience. It was a simple interaction, but the good feelings it inspired stuck with me for days. That’s a solid indication that I should write about it. So, here goes…

I was staying at a run-of-the-mill Radisson Hotel. The décor was a bit outdated. The carpets were a touch worn. Overall, the hotel facilities were just so-so.

It was the people who made me pay attention, and one person in particular.

In this country, in these times, we have access to everything we need to be healthy, wealthy and wise. So…what’s getting in the way?

Maybe you are.

The stumbling blocks on the road to success are of your own creation. I’ve listed the most common ones below. Recognize any of them?

(Macon, GA) Did you think you would be further along in your business than you are now? Business can be a path to prosperity and freedom. Or it can be a grind – too much to do for too little to show for it. Are you ready to get focused, get going and get profitable? A simple, flexible business plan – and an easy way to implement it – can help you realize the dream that caused you to “hang up your shingle” in the first place. That’s why Small Business Expert, Ellen Rohr is hosting her powerful and popular webinar series The Challenge, starting September 18th, 2011.

If you were driving 80 miles an hour, in the dark, with your lights off, heading towards a cliff, would you like someone to yell, “STOP?”

OK. Stop!

Do you produce financial reports – the balance sheet and income statement – every week? Do you analyze sales, costs, cash flow, and debt every week? If not, you may be heading for the cliff.

STOP. And find out. This is the year. This is the day. From here on out…you are going to KNOW.

Service Agreements can be a great way to help develop a life-long relationship with your customers. And they can also be a ticket to wasted time and energy. Read the following article to help you get priced right. Then, if you choose to offer Service Agreements at less than a profitable price, create systems that will help you capitalize on the sales opportunities presented during the Service Agreement call: Use a survey, ask good questions and listen, offer appropriate upgrades…and be quiet long enough to get a YES!

You want to make more sales and more money. Good for you. And it’s good business.

Here’s the problem. More sales at a losing selling price is like cliff diving into Lake Powell. You might not hit bottom, but you might. It’s going to hurt if you don’t know what’s below.

It’s 8:15 am. Your experienced, professional, sales oriented, customer service focused, technically masterful sales team is still at the shop. Ready to go…with nowhere to go. Maybe that sales team consists of just lil’ ol’ you. All dressed up and no where to go.

Sigh. Now what?

It’s up to you. Put on your Marketing Hat, and CREATE some action.

I have ideas…most of these great ideas I got from YOU. Thanks…and thanks for sharing!