Questions to always ask in an interview
Whether you’re on an interview for a new job, going for a promotion, or pitching services to a new client, there’s always some questions you should ask yourself and the interviewer to meet your goals and the goals of the organization. In ANY interview situation, you should be interviewing them as much as they are you! Before your interview, you need to […]
T.A.L.K. it out
When I started my own business, Orange Leaf Consulting, I was fortunate to have built a small clientele. But I knew I’d need more clients if I wanted to reach my goals. (You know I’m a fan of planning for your goals!). How do you get more clients? Find people who need your help! How? By uncovering their needs […]
Every day interviews
Recently, a friend of mine was talking with a bunch of new college grads. She’s a small business owner, a marketing and communications consultant, who works with multiple clients. When she explained her job to the graduates – who were nervous but excited about entering their professional careers – one of them said, “So you basically have an […]
My Sales Story
I thought I was born to be a college professor. I went to grad school, got a Ph.D. in Communication and then taught courses in public speaking, interpersonal communication, leadership – you name it. Then how the heck did I end up being the First Lady of Sales?
ASK: Ask to Offer
One of the best skills you can develop is how to give someone options in order to get a YES. We all like to have options. No one likes to be told what they like, what they don’t, what they want, what they will do, what they won’t. We like choices. Here’s an example: When my neighbor, a freelancer, was asked to handle a […]
LISTEN: Seeing Areas of Need
Feeling like your business is running like a well-oiled machine? You are always listening for a client’s need. All your hard work has paid off, your network is immense, your client base is diverse, your staff is happy and hardworking, and most importantly, profits are substantial. Business is booming! Now is definitely not the time to […]
LOOK: By The Way Sales
Have you ever noticed how some of the best sales relationships happen organically? There is something so satisfying and exciting about developing a new client when you weren’t even looking! My friend Lucas owns his own consulting company. He found he really needed to hire a freelancer to do some work on his website. While […]
PLAN: Get Real About Goals
Recently, my friend attended a seminar about goal setting. Naturally, it included the idea of having S.M.A.R.T. goals (more about that in a bit), but also how to refine those so you don’t get burnt out, overwhelmed or stuck in a rut. And that’s exactly why she went to the seminar: She had a plan, but when it came to setting her plan in […]
Power vs Influence
Recently my friend was in an argument with her teenager. She wanted her daughter to stop watching so much YouTube and read. The teen pushed back, arguing and asking why. My friend was tired and used the dreaded phrase, “Because I said so!” Ugh… that’s never effective – especially with a teenager! In that split second, my friend was […]
Reframing No
I once worked with someone who couldn’t handle the answer, “No.” It was a lot like dealing with a child. One day I literally saw her stomp, raise her voice and throw a book! She then spent the rest of the day trying to “rallying the troops” and get other employees on her side – […]