When was that last time you provided Service above yourself? It was about someone or something else, and you expected nothing in return. I was privileged to be a Rotarian for 14 years. Rotary International is a global organization guided by the concept of “service above self” and it is all about making a meaningful…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! I recently finished reading a book called Unique Ability that is based on a concept by Dan Sullivan. (Dan is the creator/founder of the…
Elvis Presley is still regarded as the “King of Rock and Roll” and through his concert career it became a standard line from his show announcers to say that Elvis, aka “The King” has left the building. (Meaning, the show is over – go home…..he wasn’t coming back for an encore). It is still used…
During a recent customer service training and development workshop, the X5 team facilitated a roundtable discussion on customer communication process and receiving customer feedback. It is concerning how many sales reps disappear after an initial sale is made and the product or service has been delivered. They mistakenly think that their work is done, but…
We are over halfway through 2015 and the economy looks a little different than it did 1 year ago. There is a feeling of uncertainty in the air. Regardless of how or why that it is happening, it is critically important for all businesses to demonstrate value to their customers. Demonstrating Value can be one…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! Whether a customer walks through your front doors, phones in or checks your companies website enquiring about your products or services, their experience…
Collaboration, teamwork, idea sharing and prioritizing organizational initiatives all seem like they would be foundations to business growth and success. All organizations have specific challenges and opportunities that require discussion and attention in order to move forward in a positive direction. However, very few growing organizations take the time to work “on” their business for…
To train or not to train, that is the question. Well, there are actually more questions to ask yourself. Can we afford to train our team now in the current economy? Will our sales/revenue go up if we invest in a training program with our team? Will our Customer Service be positively impacted? Can our…
With our economy shifting gears in late 2014, we are still not certain on the outcome of moving forward. Those of us that sell a product or service are hoping that we can get through the remainder of 2015 with flying colors, but that story has yet to unfold.
We are all customers with many different businesses. Whether it is the dentist, dry cleaner, car dealership, fast-food restaurant or grocery store, we receive a product or service for our money. We expect many things in return, but what do we really want?
As consumers, we are constantly buying something that we want or need. Some items are big like a house and some are small like a toothbrush. The product that we buy seems to relate to our expectations and patience with the sales process and of course with the level of service associated with the sale….
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! Have you thought about your customer service strategy for the remainder of 2015 and beyond? Perhaps this may include asking customers for more feedback…
As a proud member of several different business associations and networks in Edmonton, I have enjoyed participating in many networking events throughout this great city. What I enjoy most about these events is being “social” with fellow members and guests. While business often arises from meeting and connecting with great people it is never about…
Have you ever thought about attempting to measure the return on your customer service investments? Is your organization aware of the lifetime value of your customers? Questions such as these are good reference points when thinking about and critically looking at your own customer service initiatives. The lifetime value of a customer is the total revenue…
Does your business offer remarkable service? If not, have you at least experienced remarkable service? I have become so focused on observing how all types of businesses deliver their customer service that it is becoming second nature to me. It really can’t be that hard…or is it? The sad reality is that when an average…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our most popular blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! I recently decided to join a toastmasters club in Edmonton. Although I was hesitant at first I am now very pleased with…
When you mention the idea of training or professional development to your team, how do they react to this? Does your team recognize that this is a necessary part of any successful sales or customer service program or are they concerned about taking time away from their work and current customer commitments?
Delivering great sales results and offering excellent customer service is every businesses goal, but it isn’t always easy. Many businesses that I have worked with in the past 29 years have been exposed to business risk, as it relates to sales and service.
Every business has a list of ideal customers and prospects that they would like to speak directly to, call upon and ultimately secure a deal with. Sales and customer service reps may also wish to build stronger relationships with current customers but not know how to best communicate with them. At X5, in many of our…
When was the last time that you had truly awesome service? Do you remember what it looked and felt like? Can you think back when the service you received, or didn’t receive was less than awesome, or poor? In our pursuit of remarkable customer service, are we increasing or lowering our expectations? In Alberta, finding…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our most popular blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! Is your company going through major and necessary change? Or more importantly, are you in desperate need of challenging the status…
I recently finished reading a book called “Unique Ability” that is based on a concept by Dan Sullivan. (Dan is the creator/founder of the Strategic Coach Program). Unique Ability explores the idea of leveraging and maximizing the potential that is distinctive to each of us. The principle behind this is that everyone possesses a combination of talents,…
I read an article in 2014 suggesting that “empathy” will be the most sought after skill by employers by the year 2020. While the article speaks about careers and employment, the concept is applicable in our everyday life as well. Having said that, people often get empathy and sympathy confused. Sympathy: “the feeling that you…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our most popular blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! Over the past year the team at X5 Management has facilitated many strategic planning sessions for organizations and companies looking to…
By definition, Success is: “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” We ultimately get to decide and define what success means to us. What is our purpose? What are we aiming towards in our sales and service efforts? I believe that the ABC’s of successful sales and service initiatives pertain to: Always Being Committed
Every business has certain sales and customer service initiatives that they are hoping to put into practice over the course of a period of time. Most businesses have some form of planning process that they go through each year. Some have well defined objectives and action items and others have many great ideas that remain only…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our most popular blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! This is a very simple concept but many businesses struggle to consistently achieve it.
Whether a customer walks through your front doors, phones in or checks your companies website enquiring about your products or services, their experience regardless of the platform will form a lasting impression of your organization. This impression can create ripple effects as they form opinions on whether or not to conduct future business with you…
Most of us are looking for that secret formula for success and achievement and we want to shoot for the stars (or moon). Why is it that so many people make business success look so easy. Everything that they touch turns to gold. Is it a case of them “making” it look easy, or do…
As you look to set and achieve big sales and revenue goals for 2015, one concern that may arise with your sales team is how to handle common sales objections. Typical sales objections include: “your services cost too much; I’m ok with the way things are working right now; it’s too risky to change the way…
These 3 basic things can have a tremendous impact on our life, our business and our sales results and WE can control them. Would you agree? I learned this back when I attended a Jack Canfield “Breakthrough to Success” conference in Arizona. How we think, learn and live can have a significant impact on our…
Aloha and Happy New Year from Hawaii!! I can’t believe another year has come and gone and we are now starting the first day of 2015. I am ringing in the New Year by enjoying a bicycle tour on Hawaii – the Big Island. This is the 3rd day of our cycling tour with the adventure tour…
Its Christmas Eve, for those us that celebrate Christmas. I am sure many of you are rushing around to finalize everything before you join your family and friends for turkey and gift opening. The men may even be doing some last minute shopping! The baking is done, the turkey is in the fridge. The presents are…
As 2014 winds down and you prepare to gear up for a strong and successful 2015, have you thought about your customer service strategy in the New Year? Perhaps this may include asking customers for more feedback regarding your products or services and implementing some of their suggestions.
I had an opportunity to experience a visualization exercise with Jack Canfield over two years ago. We were asked to close our eyes and imagine that we were standing on top of the tallest building in the world. Our feet were on an open ledge and our toes hanging over the edge. Some people felt…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our most popular blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! You’ve just had a seemingly great meeting with a prospective customer. Now the big question becomeswhether or not to complete a proposal…
We all have things to do or things left undone. Why? Can you think of items on your to do list that are outstanding? Why are the items still on the list? Are you too busy? Are you procrastinating? Did you over commit? What about a goal or dream that you have that is not yet…
With Thanksgiving, Halloween and Remembrance Day now behind us, we are already witnessing holiday commercials and the start of festive events. Yes, the holidays are approaching and many of us are prepared to bundle up, clear our visa cards and head out for our annual Christmas shopping spree to get that special something for those…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our most popular blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! It’s Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. and your business is about to start the most important meeting of the week: the…
Its Small business week in Canada! Did you know that small and medium sized enterprises represent over 99% of all employer businesses and employ more than 60% of private sector workers? Organized by the business development bank of Canada, Small Business Week is a national celebration of entrepreneurs and their contribution to Canada’s economy. Each…
It beats the alternative, doesn’t it? I have a great amount of respect for people and organizations who think big! You can’t help but admire the vision and excitement that goes behind all of those BIG thoughts! In life, sales and business, I know many people who Think Big! They want their cake and eat…
The first Thursday of each month features a “best of” X5 Management blog. The intent is to showcase and revisit some of our most popular blogs from the past. We hope you enjoy them! This is a very simple concept but may businesses struggle to consistently achieve it. In our Business Consulting practice we work…
Last week Apple released the I-phone 6 and the I-phone 6 plus. Buzz surrounding the keynote address had been building up for weeks and people from around the world tuned in to witness the product launch. When Apple’s CEO Tim Cook took the stage he informed the audience that they were about to witness the…
I am the eternal optimist and “almost” always see the glass half full. Do you see your glass half full?….or half empty? If we can spend more time thinking about what we have, or what is possible in our life, there is a greater opportunity to be optimistic…agreed?? “Optimism doesn’t wait on facts. It deals…
