Blog Archives
Hey – Are We Connected? Just Checking!
Hey…
I pride myself in showing up as often as I can on several major social media outlets.
You can find me at:
Facebook
www.facebook.com/SellLeadSucceed
(don’t forget to “like” to stay connected)
Twitter
https://twitter.com/TimMushey73
LinkedIn http://linkd.in/zx0yGN
Google+
http://bit.ly/XvkjRr
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/TimMushey
And if you ever need to email me
TimMushey@gmail.com
Tell your friends, family, colleagues! The more the merrier!
Enough about me! I would LOVE to know where I can connect with you?
Enjoy the rest of your week! Tim
7 Blogs For 7 Days
Susan Wright-Boucher and I have been following each other’s content and corresponding for quite some time now. She is a fellow Canadian and has a very cool blog. She recently did a post titled “7 Blogs For 7 Days”.
I was lucky enough to be one of the blogs featured on this fantastic post! Stop by and check it out when you have a sec…
The Numbers Don’t Lie! I’m Not Lying…
If you are sales representative, own a business or even write a blog; analyzing your sales figures and other key data is imperative for success.
DON”T WORRY!
You don’t have to do it every day, especially if you are not “a number’s person“!
I fell in love with math early on in elementary school, but I would not consider myself to be a “number’s guy”. Some are, some aren’t; and that is ok.
I must admit, I have become a bit of a blogging data addict!
I love to look at my blog stats.
- Unique visitors per day
- Top commenters
- Total views
- A map of the world with all the countries represented by my visitors (my personal favourite)
But I caution you…. don’t become obsessed with the numbers. I have seen it time and time again in the sales profession where reps get caught in to the trap of sitting at their desk most of the day analyzing too many reports.
Don’t get distracted from the key mission which is to SELL and grow your network!
I like to simplify processes in my professional and personal life. Below is an example of how I would spend at least one hour per month analyzing my sales territory numbers:
- Identify where business is up, find out what is working and do more of that!
- Identify where business is flat (no growth), find areas to improve and focus on that
- Identify where business is down, create recovery plans and carry out those strategies ASAP
See – no big deal! This does not have to take hours per week or month staring at paper.
Remember – it is your territory, your business, or even your blog.
If you don’t know what is going on with it, how can you expect to exceed your goals?
Have A Laugh Fridays – Incredible Toastmasters Speech!
Think back to those times when you laughed so hard, you had a hard time breathing for a moment, and even cried a little?
I had that experience in the fall of 2012 when I attended the regional Toastmasters Conference in Edmonton, Canada. Andrew Legg blew the audience away and won the humorous speech contest giving us his take on the “Different Stages Of Laughter”.
Please take a moment to share this one with his network, it is a truly remarkable job by a Toastmaster, not a professional comedian!
Have a great weekend!
How Does Music Motivate You?
I love music! I have loved it since I received my first cassette tape (oh wow) when I was ten years old. That Christmas I received a ghetto blaster too, and my love for music was solidified. My wife is always amazed at the “UBI” (Useless Bits of Information) that I know about music. But when you love something, you are a sponge for every little detail!
Family, sports and my career are the most important things in my life, but my passion for music is not far behind. If I had more time, I would go to a concert per week, and travel the outdoor music festival circuit all summer. Getting together with friends under blue skies and the stars to bond and watch incredible music have provided me with some of the greatest memories in my life.
I have connected with many people who have the same passion for music. I have been an active participant in Paul Castain’s LinkedIn Group called “Sales Playbook!” for well over a year now. I have enjoyed posting discussion questions during that time, with two of those threads being very specific to music. The number of comments posted, and the depth of the discussion far exceeded the results that I have received on any other question! People apparently love to talk about music!
Three years ago, I had a one hour drive to work, and I listened to a lot of music on the open highways. I soon realized that I did not have all of my favourite music on a specific iTunes Mix. I had to fiddle with my iPod while driving (now that would result in a distracted driving ticket if caught). I was experiencing some work challenges and my attitude was all over the map. I needed something to help me get back on track at a moment’s notice, or even get me pumped up to a higher level than I already was.
The result was the “Get It Done Mix”. I wanted the title, and not just the music, to have meaning. Every time I looked at my iPod, I would see the words, and it would subconsciously help get me going too.
I am not here to tell you what to call your favourite mix, or what kinds of music to put on it. My point is that if you love music, YOU NEED ONE, if you don’t already have one. Only you will know what feels right. My rule with the “Get It Done Mix” is to never skip a song. If it is all of your favourite tunes, there will be no need to skip!
The nice thing about current technology is that you can add to your mix as you discover more music that you love. Don’t worry about making the “perfect” list, just get one started and let it evolve over time as you discover (or remember) songs that pump you up! If you are as passionate about music as I am, you can connect certain songs to very specific times in your life. Focus on the times that made you very happy, and make darn sure that those songs are on your mix!
When I first checked out Paul Castain’s website ( www.yoursalesplaybook.com ) I went directly to his “Playlist for the Aspiring Sales Rock Star”. I was initially drawn to him by his love for music. I soon realized that his sales content and messages for life were second to none as well! Paul provides incredible suggestions for a music mix if you want to check it out at:
The sales profession and business in general can be very demanding. Incredible swings in emotion can happen even hourly. I do not know how many times that I have played my mix over the years when I needed a pick me up, or to take me to another level of awesome. While driving, I recommend taking some deep breaths to help relax you if the mix is being used at that moment to calm you down!
The true test if your music mix is working may occur when you are driving. If the people in the car next to you catch you singing, drumming on the steering wheel, or nodding your head to the beat, then my mission is complete!
What songs MUST be on your playlist?
Wanna talk music and take a break during your busy day? Stop by the best place to talk music on LinkedIn – The Daily Music Sanctuary. Paul Castain has given myself and my good friend Roger Demas the incredible opportunity to oversee this group. We have met many fantastic people, and are having a blast. Hope to see you there soon!
Recognizing Other’s Efforts Can Go A Long Way!
I was working at my first job out of university and was having a blast. But it was tough – long hours, cold weather and demanding work. I was on an awesome team and learned a lot every day.
I don’t remember if I received an annual performance review, but I remember being at the office one day thinking,
“I wonder if my boss thinks I am doing a good job?”
Within a few days a co-worker came up to me and said that the manager had mentioned to him that I was doing a great job.
To this day, I still remember the incredible feeling of satisfaction. It was instant validation for all the hard work that I had put in. The funny thing was that it was not even said directly to me!
You can make a difference with your team or coworkers.
- A simple thank you
- A pat on the back
- A special mention at a meeting
- Treat them to lunch or a refreshment after work
- You could even get wild and crazy and let them leave early on a hot summer’s day!
None of this is reinventing the wheel. People just want to be recognized for their efforts. Making them feel appreciate will go along way for them sticking around and having long prosperous careers with your organization.
Have A Laugh Fridays – He’s Interviewing Me???
Expect the unexpected when you show up for a job interview!
Considering how structured and boring some interviews tend to be, this would have been rather entertaining!
Have a great weekend everyone…
I Just Took A Break – Have You?
I have just returned from a much-needed two-week vacation with my family. It was nice to “recharge the battery” and decompress in preparation for a busy summer and fall at work.
Have you planned some time off this summer as well? Don’t you dare skip vacation this year! Everyone needs a break from the daily rigours of life.
I know some people have the mindset that they will impress their bosses by skipping vacations and I am sure that you can guess my opinion on that. I DON”T LIKE IT!
Trust me, take the break – you need it!
If finances are an issue – you can even have a “staycation”. Take holidays and not go anywhere.
Here is an interesting article that I came across about “staycations”. It is a few years old, but still relevant today:
http://www.nomoredebts.org/blog/saving-money/vacation/30-staycation-ideas.html
Enjoy your summer, and don’t forget to take some time for YOU!
Sell, Lead, Succeed! 