Business-Building Thoughts From Terry L. Brock

Here’s a marketing idea that can help you.  Presenting in public is often discussed as an excellent way to market your services.  If you have a professional service, you can leverage the power of speaking a lot.  I know how this can be done as I’ve been a professional speaker since 1983.

The sweetest sound in the English language is the sound of one’s own name.  This truism has been known since the days of Shakespeare.  When you can focus on another person you get their attention like nothing else.  This is a core foundational principle of Relationship Marketing.

When you are speaking to a group, the more customized you can make your message to them, the better you’ll connect and the more successful you will be.  Great speakers throughout history have known the importance of focusing on the needs of the audience.  Today you have a tool available that can electrify your presentation and bring it to life for any audience.

I’m talking about the power of video.  You know the power of television over newspapers.  You know the power of YouTube and how it has transformed the way we use the Internet.  Now you can use video in your presentations to do more with your message. You can show a (short, please) clip that illustrates a principle.  It can demonstrate what your firm can do.  You can use testimonials of satisfied clients who have already worked with you.

Video will not replace you as a speaker. Think of it like the seasoning of a meal.  It adds to the message.  But that seasoning can bring you raving response from your audience —- just what you want as a speaker and a marketer.

Here’s what I often do in my programs where I speak to business leaders around the world.  I talk with key members of the audience before my program.  I interview them on pertinent topics that will be relevant to the audience during my talk.  I record portions of this interview and select a few key sound bytes which can inspire and educate the audience during my presentation.

It is one thing for me to say something from the platform.  But when the audience watches a video of one of their own respected and trusted members say something, it is far more impressive.  I make heroes of the people I interview and the audience benefits from it.  When they hear the company’s top sales performer describe what she did to achieve a goal, it means a lot more than me blathering on about some plattitude.

Don’t get me wrong.  I still talk about the principles that work and how using what I call “R-Commerce — Relationship Commerce” beats out any E-Commerce (the Electronics).  By adding the video of participants and people the audience knows and trusts, it raises the power of the presentation to a new level.

You will have an unfair advantage over other speakers at an event when you are the one that brings in key points backed up by real-world examples they can relate to on the spot.

Plus with video shot hours before your speak, your message has a sense of urgency and “CNN-timing” that shows relevancy.  You bring the power of information to a relevant, “right-now,” real-world purpose for that audience, that day.

To do this is easier today than ever before.  I use a small camcorder and an attached microphone (very important) for clear, professional sound and image. Then I do some edits in my hotel room to make it look professional.  There are a number of good video editing programs which are easy to use and inexpensive.  Windows Movie Maker comes with Windows machines and iMovie comes with Mac computers.  Other programs are available which also do a very good job in editing.  Many of these are easy to learn and use.  You can then make a movie that is attached to your PowerPoint or Keynote presentation.

When you are delivering your speech, you can say something highly relevant to the audience like, “You know, here in the widget industry at ABC Company, we know the importance of connecting with the customer.  As a matter of fact, I spoke last night with Mary Smith, who we know is the top sales producer.  Would you like to know how she does it?  Well, listen to what she told me when she revealed the secret she uses to be #1 salesperson in the company….”  Then you, as the presenter, press one button and up comes the video of Mary the audience how she did it.

Mary is the star and you look fabulous as you bring real-world, usable ideas to your audience.  This is a practical example of Relationship Marketing leveraged by technology.

Successful speaking is all about connecting with other people. Just like marketing connects people, you are connecting people in your audience with ideas they can use which will make their lives and businesses better.  Video is a great tool to use which gives you a competitive advantage.  For more information on how video and other tools can help you, drop me an email at Terry@TerryBrock.com and I’ll send a free special report on using video and other technologies to get raving reviews from your audience.

Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc.  Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results.  He can be reached by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.  Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock.

 

 Using Video For Presentation [7:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (185)

Business-Building Thoughts From Terry L. Brock

Relationship Marketing is a time-honored way to build your business.  When people feel they know you, they like you and they can trust you, they are more likely to want to do business with you.

Recently I was talking to a President of a professional organization and he was confidentially sharing with me how he had trouble getting people involved in the organization.  When times were good and business was roaring, his members said they couldn’t get involved because they were too busy taking care of business.  Now, with the slow-down, these same members are lamenting that they don’t have time because they are scrambling for business.

You and I face the same time-crisis. I’ve been to 100 gazillion (seems like that many) “networking” functions iin the US and other countries.  Many have been very good.  But I find the 80/20 rule applies.  In fact, I find my experience has been more 90/10 or 95/5 rule.  95% of the business comes from 5% of the contacts.  The other 95% of the contacts generate, maybe, 5% — if the wind is blowing right!

You have limited time as well as money today so you have to focus on those activities and people which are going to yield the harvest you need as a Relationship Farmer.  A farmer can’t take care of every individual corn stalk on a 1,000-acre farm.  The successful farmer focuses time, money and effort (TME) where it yields the best results.  This is what you and I have to do.

This means we have to say no — sometimes.  You can’t go to every networking event.  If you’ve been to a particular venue and people who will probably never recommend you and never buy from you are about 95% of those attending — well, exercise your “No!” muscle a little more.

Careful!  You don’t want to say “No!” to someone who could possibly recommend you to a paying customer later.  And just because someone can’t say yes today doesn’t mean they won’t be able to tomorrow.

So, how do you separate the “tire kickers” from those who either will or seriously could buy in the future?  How can you, as a successful Relationship Farmer focus your TME on those areas which will be most beneficial?

Test early and often.  Find out how serious someone is about doing business with you.  As an example, I recently met a person at a networking meeting.  After the perfunctory exchange of cards and the “What do you do?” initial question he proceeded to tell me about his work as a life insurance salesman.

I politely told him I’m not in the market for life insurance but would like to find out more about him.  Instead of taking the cue that I’m not a candidate he proceeded to go on and on about the new offerings his company had, how they can provide coverage, etc. etc.  What a waste of time being there with him!

I learned some good lessons.  Stay away from those who feel they can persuade you to buy from them if they, 1) increase the volume (he did), and 2) cite more of the features of his product with which he was enamored (and I was not).  A polite, diplomatic, “Oh, let me check out those cookies at the refreshment stand” might have been better on my part.

Care for people – always be polite.  However, you can’t care deeply and form what I call a “Level 6 of 7” bond of friendship with someone who doesn’t have your values and just wants you for their own purposes.  You can’t be best buddies with everyone.  Instead, spend your time finding those who will profit from your services.

Online this means you focus your TME on those areas which will yield the maximum benefit for you.  Shun those email chats, the Twitter chats, the Facebook exchanges which take you away from your business goals.

Times are serious now as never before.  For today’s entrepreneurs (aren’t we all today?) you have to focus your precious TME on those areas which will yield the biggest benefit.

Another approach for testing is to have a free report where people can learn more about you.  Direct them to your website and ask for a sign-up to your free newsletter or special report.  If they are not interested in something of value from you that is free, they are probably not a highly likely candidate for now.  Be polite and focus on buyers who can use your services now.

The insurance agent I mentioned before would have been better off to politely take my business card, think of what I do and keep me in mind for those who might need my services.  I would be happy to keep him in mind for others who really need insurance.  The interchange would have been much shorter, much more pleasant and have better long-term potential.

Learning to say no — politely and rapidly — can help you find those areas which generate a lot more benefits.

Sometimes you’ll say, “Not yet.”  They won’t be able to buy now but you want to stay in touch, keep them in your “C” list (those not doing business now but who might or could recommend you).  You can do this with value to them by offering a free newsletter that targets specific needs they have.  Always give value to them.  Do it at low cost to you by offering value through a newsletter with audio and video.

Learning to say No to some is the best way to say Yes to the right people — right for you and for them.

Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc.  Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results.  He can be reached by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.  Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock.

 

 Say No For Better Marketing [10:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (688)

Skype continues to provide a wealth of tools for the serious businessperson who wants to build relationships.  The company just released an application (app) for the Apple iPhone which runs Skype.  Now, you can use your iPhone to connect with others around the world and talk for free using Skype to Skype.

Today, I had an interview with Kurt Thywissen who is the Chief Engineer and Chief Architect for Skype’s iPhone application development.  In this interview (18:32 total time) he tells me how it can be used in business, some of the challenges they had and how they overcame them and what we can expect in the future.

If you use Skype and/or you use an iPhone this is one you want to hear.  Download to listen on your portalbe MP3 player or listen here — or listen on iTunes.  Whatever method is your preference, you are in for a treat.

And here’s an extra bonus.  Check out this video that Skype released describing the new app:

http://newsinfusion.com/video_details.php?videoId=285

Let me know what you think.  I look forward to your comments.  Just drop in your opinion below so I’ll see it and people around the world will know what you think of this.

Thanx!

Terry
www.TerryBrock.com

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Here’s the article that I wrote for my newspapers and magazines.  You get it first here!

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Making Customer Connections:
More Important Now Than Ever

By Terry L. Brock

We’re in the midst of some challenging times for business.  We see it everyday in the news.  Yet, in the midst of all that news, we know it is more vital than ever to make positive connections with customers to solve their problems and their pain.

Technology can help us leverage that in a achieve the goals of connecting with customers.  This is Relationship Marketing at its best.  Find out the needs of customers, stay connected to them and meet their needs. That is the way we get ahead in life and in business.

One technology that has emerged as a great way to connect with customers is Skype.  This service has over 400 million (not a misprint) customers worldwide.  Think about the potential there.

Recently Skype made a major announcement about their new application (app) for the iPhone and iPod touch.  This service enables you to make Skype to Skype calls around the world from your iPhone for free.  You can also call numbers in 36 countries at greatly reduced rates (depending on the country).  With this app running you could make unlimited calls to numbers in the the US and Canada for $2.95 each month. For $9.95 you can make unlimited calls to landline numbers in these 36 countries.  This app works on both the iPhone and the iPod touch.  That way you can receive calls on the iPod touch without incurring monthly cell phone charges.

At first brush, this sounds like a great way to save money.  It is.  However, the savvy entrepreneurs and salespeople (aren’t we all today?) see it for something even greater.

Yes, it is nice to save money on phone calls.  Saving money is very important for all of us today.  However, the even greater opportunity is to invest in relationships with clients and prospects around the world at lower costs.  If it costs you less to make contact, you’ll probably will make contact more often.

If you have clients in, say, the UK, and know that for $9.95 a month you can call them an unlimited number of times on their landline, you will probably make more calls and have better customer connections.  This strengthens your Relationship Marketing.

You need to use a Wi-Fi connection to get the speed necessary. However, this means you can carry your iPhone to a coffee café, a nearby hotel or other location where you get Wi-Fi access and talk to clients for free or really cheap around the world.  This opens lots of doors for the creative salesperson.

I tried Skype’s new app for my iPhone and it was a good start.  The quality of the call was not as good as when I’m using my computer with a much better microphone.  But then, for any connection the overall quality of sound will only be as good as the lowest technology component.  The earbuds I had were fair, but not great.  However, the mobility and ease of use for me was outstanding.  It would be more comparable to cell phone quality than a crystal-clear normal Skype connection.

I also noticed more dropped calls on the iPhone.  I was talking with a client and we lost connection three times over the course of a 1.5 hour call.  I spoke with this same client using the same connection on my end and her end a couple of days before with no call interruptions.  The only difference was that I was using my iPhone with the Skype app.

Based on that experience, some might quickly say, “See, that just means you can’t use Skype for business.”  Well, I just hope that those who say that are my competitors!

Have you ever used a cell phone and the call was dropped?  Of course.  We all have had that experience.  Does that mean you don’t use a cell phone anymore?  Come on!  Deal with it.  The key is that you are connecting.  Yes, you want the connection to be as good as possible.  However, if you can increase the quality of your contacts, your Relationship Marketing, you will have a better chance of connecting that someone who avoids it.

See, that is the principle.  Relationship Marketing is not always easy.  It requires persistence and “hanging in there” over a prolonged period of time.  You have to be willing to endure the inevitable setbacks (like dropped calls) to establish, build and maintain those connections.

By the way, I just had an interview with Kurt Thywissen who is the Chief Architect and Chief Engineer on Skype’s iPhone project.  You can listen to this interview (you’ll love it!) at http://tinyurl.com/d2egd7. Check that out.

Relationship Marketing or what I call “R-Commerce” is about connecting with customers using technology, personal means, and lots of ways to meet their needs.  It won’t always be easy.  It won’t always be neat and tidy.  However, those who persist and “keep on keeping on” will be able to establish profitable, mutually-beneficial relationships.  This is the way it has always been and always will be.

Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc.  Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results.  He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.  Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock.

 

 iPhone app for Skype [18:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (188)

This week I have a word of caution — and a big dose of optimism — but you’ve got to keep reading for the full-powered benefit.

Just because you had a particular experience doesn’t mean that everyone is going to have the same experience.  This is very important to remember anytime, but particularly in more challenging economic times.  Be very careful when someone stands up and claims they deployed a certain marketing technique and it succeeded (or failed) for them.  That is interesting.  However, the scientific approach is to be disciplined and examine a wider range of results.  Real discipline requires seeing a bigger picture.  Be leery of the 1 person who is either overly optimistic or overly pessimistic because of his or her own personal experience.

For instance, some have claimed voraciously that raising prices will sell more.  They look to Mercedes and have said in the past that raising prices always generates more sales.  Sometimes that does work as consumers have a greater perceived value from higher-priced items.  However, today, things have changed.  Even luxury goods have seen a decline in purchases.  Wal-Mart makes more money than Neiman-Marcus.

The key is in knowing your market.  You can’t say that lowering prices will always result in more profit (not just sales).   Today, most people are more price-conscious.  You have to find a price point that satisfies your costs (at least your marginal costs) and provides serious value for the consumer to remain profitable in the long-term.

Often add-on packaging and pricing — according to the value perceived by buyers — results in more sales.  If someone sees a combination of air, lodging and rental car all together as a “package deal” then it becomes more compelling than breaking the components into individual pieces.

Dangers of inductive thinking mean that you see one or two examples of something and determine (often erroneously) that it will apply to everything.  I had a friend recently tell me that she felt nothing made in China was good.  Her reason?  She and her husband had two nails that broke when they were doing some repair at home. Her husband checked the box and found they were made in China.  Their conclusion? All products made in China are poor quality.

When I submitted that Lenovo, Chinese cars and other products are good quality, she balked.  When I cited many of the high-quality, breakthrough technologies I’ve personally seen from Chinese manufacturers at the Consumer Electronics Show she dismissed it out of hand.  She “knew” that Chinese products were inferior because she and her husband had experienced two nails that broke and were made in China.

Be Careful.

You can run into problems in business when you embrace inductive thinking.  You see one or two examples and then project that onto all.  A better way of thinking is deductive.  Study the group and then decide from there how individuals will act.  However, even that can be wrong.  Most Americans speak English.  To conclude that all Americans speak English would be wrong.  There are some who do not.

This is important for our thinking when we hear bad news.  I was listening to National Public Radio the other day and they gave a vivid example of ill-founded inductive thinking.  You must know that I enjoy listening to many of the programs on NPR.  All Things Considered, Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me, and Morning Edition remain some of my favorites.  However, when All Things Considered focused on two people who had lost their jobs and followed them around citing how bad things were, they were guilty of inductive thinking.  Not only would our philosophy and logic professors but also psychologists would rail at my dearly-loved NPR for citing only negative cases.  Now, perhaps NPR has offered stories about people who are doing very well (there are many even in today’s marketplace).  I haven’t heard those stories in my personal experience.  But NPR erred on that judgment to talk only about the negative and not give the full picture.

Good marketers today shield their mind by learning about inductive and deductive thinking.  When we see flawed logic, we realize that we have to be cautious before accepting everything at face value.

Yes, close to 10% of the workforce is out of work.  Well, I grabbed a calculator the other day.  If 10% are out of work that would mean that 90% ARE employed!  Yes, times are tough.  But we are not ready to throw in the towel.

And that’s the whole point for you and me.  Succeeding today means that you embrace deductive thinking to be disciplined and see the full picture.  You focus on more than your own personal experience.  Put on an extra layer of “Be Careful” when someone only talks about their own experience.  If you hear the words, “I,” “Me,” or “My” more than is healthy coming from their mouths, let a warning light go off inside your head.

I think we have to be “realistically optimistic.”  We see what is happening.  Yes, we recognize the two people who are out of work cited by my dearly-loved friends at NPR.  However, we also need to recognize others who are doing well.  A doggedly-determined optimist is hard to beat.  This approach works psychologically.  It works in business Most importantly, it works in life.

For you and me, it not only works, but is essential for success in today’s economy.

Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc.  Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results.  He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.  Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock.

We can learn a lot from studying those who have successfully achieved greatness. One of the best is from the Founding Fathers of the United States. They were in a period of inflation, dire economic times, turmoil in the streets and a general fear of what is going to happen. Sound familiar?

Dr. Rebecca Staton-Reinstein has written a book where she, as a lover of history and devoted student of the American Revolutionary period, draws lessons for today’s leaders. Not only does she teach us some valuable lessons, that I haven’t heard cited by other authors previously, but she interviewed several current CEOs and leaders to find out what they are doing right.

I read her book and it was a real inspiration to me. I interviewed her (see video below) via Skype video and she had some powerfully educational lessons for us. Invest about 10 minutes of your time and learn some powerful lessons that are both motivational and educational. Not only that, Rebecca, is a fun person who delivers her content with wit and wisdom for an entertaining presentation.

This is one you’re going to love and want to watch a few times. In fact, share it with your staff so they can benefit from it as well.

Terry
www.TerryBrock.com
Terry@TerryBrock.com

To Reach Dr. Staton-Reinstein — www.ConventionalWisdomCenter.com, www.AdvantageLeadership.com

Exercise of your physical body is paramount for success. As you condition your body, your mind and spirit become ready and able to handle the other demands for achievement.

One of my heroes and coaches is Matt Furey. Matt is a person who excels in martial arts, body building (without weights!) and discipline. Matt and I also have a lot in common. He and I both have good haircuts (just watch the video). We’re both from the Midwest (he’s from a small town in Iowa, I’m from a small town in Michigan). We both enjoyed wrestling in high school. We both believe in exercise today. And we both believe strongly in freedom and liberty.

Matt also tells us a lot about the mental conditioning needed for success. Watch this powerful video (below) and discover how you can transform your life using the right exercises in the right way. This is a treat you owe yourself.

Blue Microphone is a company known for high-quality microphones. Now they have expanded to offer microphones that provide strong, professional quality for business. With the use of microphones like these you can expand your business and your bottom line.

I know because that is what I’m doing.

Lately I’ve been using their Snowball microphone. It is the size of a baseball and has exceptionally good clarity and sound. I heard about this one from Fergus McClelland over in London, England a while back when I was speaking there. He raved about it. Well, when I got the chance to try it myself, I understand why Fergus was so excited about it. The quality of sound is exceptional. Deep, rich bass sounds, good mid-level and the highs are nice. The microphone also has the ability to moderate volume. I don’t understand all the technical details of audio, but I know rich, clear sound when I hear it. With the Snowball microphone from Blue Microphones, you get that rich, clear sound that is unmistakably professional.

Now the company has a new webcam that jumps ahead of many in the market. Their new offering, called the EyeBall, provides HD video AND audio. The quality of sound is rooted in the rich tradition that Blue Microphones is known for. In addition to that, they have put together video on this tiny little webcam that comes across beautifully. I’ve tested it on my Dell XP Windows machine and on my MacBook Pro. It does a good job on both platforms with exceptionally good video and audio.

Yet, with all the great technical abilities that Blue Microphones demonstrates, I still contend that these are not audio and video products. Nope! They are tools to connect with people in a marvelously rich, human way to communicate your message. Yes, the nuts, bolts and wiggle-pins of their microphones and webcams are amazing, brilliant and top-notch. You’d be hard-pressed to find better quality audio and video elsewhere. However, where it shines is with the ability to connect with people in a meaningful, rich way.

In today’s market — or any market — that is a real competitive advantage for you.

Both products run $99.99 each. Check it out at www.BlueMic.com and see what all the excitement is about. And be sure to watch this fun, informative video I got with the Founder Skipper Wise and COO Ty Schultz. You’ll be glad you did.

To watch this video as I interview Skipper Wise, the Founder and President of Blue Microphone and Ty Schultz, COO, click on the video below. These two discuss the history and the philosophy of Blue Microphone and explain how we can use these tools for audio, video conferencing and more.

Enjoy!

Terry Brock
www.TerryBrock.com

Today I have a treat for you! Well, I actually have three (3) treats that are going to help you in some practical ways. First, there is a new service that helps match employers with job seekers in a wonderfully efficient way. Second, some new tools let you stay productive when your cell phone needs a little boost. And third, you’ll hear about a fabulous audio product so you can chill out, listen to great quality audio and relax.

Realmatch.Com Connects

Finding a job is always a challenge. Today it is even more challenging. If you are in the market for a job, you can leverage the power of a new technology at a site called Real Match (www.RealMatch.com) that helps job seekers meet employers.

One of the technologies deployed is a real-time match. As services are updated and new resumes are added, an employer will receive updated information. This is good for job seekers as you know employers will see your details quickly.

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Listen to the enhanced Podcast of this article and the videos.  I’m all about helping you to get a competitive advantage and make money.  I’m also about helping you to enjoy life.  This podcast has some comments which can help you.

To maximize your learning and enjoyment you can listen to this audio 1) Streaming — by clicking on the “Play” button below, 2) Downloading the MP3 file and listening on your MP3 player of choice, or 3) Go to iTunes and subscribe to the podcast (Search for “Terry Brock” at the Apple iTunes Store and look for the podcast).  I want to get you lots of value and life-enhancing information.

Let me know what you think.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Enjoy!

Terry, www.TerryBrock.com

Right-Click to Download MP3 for Later Listening

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For the employer this is a good service as you find skill sets that can match the job you have available. You can get very specific with what you need and the background of people who are available.

You can find out more at www.Realmatch.com. Also, you’ll want to check out the special video interview I did with Rafael Cosentino, the VP of Business Development at RealMatch.com. In that interview he shared even more about the service and what they can do for you. See the video at: http://tinyurl.com/bk4dby

Charge Phone And Laptop With Lenmar Technology

If you use an Apple iPHone, a Blackberry or other portable cell phone, you need battery power backup. Right when you have that important call to a potential client or colleague, you don’t want to run out of battery power.

Lenmar is a company that provides solutions for battery power regularly. With these new tools to power most Windows laptops, iPhones, Blackberries and other portable devices it is worth a look. This kind of power can help you get the extra life you need when those busy days happen and you have to keep going.

For a detailed video which shows you what is available and how the batteries work, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ark9bf

Brilliant, Engulfing Sound To Chill Out From Orbitsound

Sometimes after those long, hard days, you need the option of relaxing and chilling out. Brilliant, soothing audio sound that bathes you in luxurious sounds is sometimes a great prescription. When you can get a portable system that is reasonably priced, that is even better.

I’ve written before about OrbitSound and their T3 portable audio player. I still use that tiny audio speaker today to hear breath-taking sound from a hotel room or other places. Now the company has outdone themselves with the new T12 unit for home or office.

The T12 Spatial Stereo Soundbar Dock from OrbitSound consists of two untis, a subwoofer and a main unit with three speakers and access to your iPod or iPhone. I’ve tried both my iPod and iPhone in it and the sound coming from the speakers was unbelievable. It is rich, clear and crisp. When you couple your iPod or iPhone music with the T12 you get an engulfing experience that surrounds you with relaxing, or energizing sound.

This unit would also be good for the conference room to play training videos, audios and to be used in regular sales meetings. This can give you the advantage over the competition to learn specific sales-generating concepts.

Of course, it can go well when it is time to relax. I’ve found the T12 goes very well with a nice glass of vodka, but I’m sure it works with the beverage of your choice! Hey, you can also use it with your home theater for dramatic real-world sounds in this incredibly small unit.

Check it out at http://www.orbitsound.com/products/t12/overview.aspx

The company is based in England but has US distribution. The latest check I did put the price at $478 but with the dollar fluctuating so much these days, check on the current price to be sure.

Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc. Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com. Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock.

Finding a job in today’s market just got easier for you. A new service is available which leverages technology to keep job seekers and employers connected. It is called Real Match and I was able to recently interview the VP of Business Development, Rafael Cosentino. Watch this video if you’re in the market for a job, or know of someone who is.

If you’re an employer looking for the ideal employee, this is also a good service to use. You are kept up to date with changes. Watch the video and enjoy!

Produced, Edited and Published by Terry Brock, Achievement Systems, Inc. Copyright (c) 2009. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to republish on website with prior written notice.

Terry@TerryBrock.com
www.TerryBrock.com

Now We’re All Entrepreneurs

You have to think like an entrepreneur even if you (still) have a job with a large company.  Think Lehman Brothers.  Think GM,  Think State of California.  Ugh!  No job is permanent.  Those who plead and beg for this strange animal called “job security” need a good welcome to the 21st Century.

Today we are all entrepreneurs.  Well, we all have been for quite a while, but many didn’t realize it till they got the pink slip from their (former) employer informing them of the wonderful new opportunities that await them as an entrepreneur.

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Listen to a supplemental audio of this article!  Get even more as I talk with you about this important concept of thinking like an entrepreneur.  You can listen to it streaming or download as MP3 and listen on your favorite MP3 player.  Choice is good!

Leave a comment (at bottom of this page) and let me and others know what you think. I really look forward to hearing from you.  Thanx!  Terry

Right-Click to Download Audio Supplement for We Are All Entrepreneurs Now

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There is no security in any job.  There is only security in your ability to embrace and deploy market-valuable skills so that you solve problems others have.  The more you can solve problems others have and satisfy their wants and needs, the more “security” you’ll have.

This is the way nature works.   The only way you get ahead is by providing value for others to meet their needs.  Always think in terms of what you can do for the other person.

This means that we all need to think like entrepreneurs.  If this type of thinking begins to take place with more and more people I believe our world will be a better place.

An entrepreneur will change practices quickly.  Success is realized when you can adapt to the ever-changing needs of the marketplace.  No job is secure because the marketplace keeps adjusting.  If you try to continue making buggy whips when the horseless carriage comes along your “job security” will fade quickly.

Yet, in the midst of that change, you can do better by thinking of your skills and strengths.  Let’s go back to my mythical buggy whip manufacturer.  If you made buggy whips at the dawn of the horseless carriage era you knew leather.  You knew how to mold that leather and make solid, long-lasting whips to motivate horses.

In an age of cars, that buggy whip won’t be as necessary.  However, you’ve learned how to work with leather and they use even more leather in cars (seats, steering wheels, dashboards, etc.).  By thinking of yourself as a professional in leather, and more than just a “buggy whip maker” you expand your market and would have an ample amount of work head.  Provide different leather products.  Don’t think of yourself in the “buggy whip” industry but in the “providing leather in many ways for customers” industry.

Think like an entrepreneur.  Be on the lookout for new trends.  We are in a decisive shift today.  The world is not like it was — even last year.  This is creating a lot of opportunities for those who can change their thinking, adapt and come up with market-valuable skills.

Yes, you will have to learn some new skills.  You’ll have to go back to “school” to improve.  It might not be a formal education (although I’m a huge fan of that) but it will require more reading, online courses, audio training, hiring coaches, etc. etc.  Do whatever it takes to learn new skills and then provide value in the marketplace.

Remember that an entrepreneur also has to develop “rhinoceros skin.”  I guarantee you will be turned down by potential customers.  I guarantee you will have set-backs.  Learn from these disappointments.  Write down your lessons in your personal journal.  Then adapt, change and get back in the game.

This is how successful people through the centuries overcame problems and the changes they faced.  You can do it also.  In fact, many people say they became much better and got a much better job after a disappointment or temporary setback.

As you learn to think like an entrepreneur, you will grab those skills needed and adjust.  Remember, there is no “job security” today. Actually, there never has been.  You have to create value each day for the marketplace to keep your job.  This means learning new skills continually, helping others and serving them and becoming more business-astute all the time.  Relationship Marketing is all about connecting with others and providing value.

Now is the time to aggressively embrace new opportunities and offers.  This is what being an entrepreneur is about.

Copyright © 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc.  Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results.  He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.  Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock.