Hello everyone,
Today is a two-fold blog. I received a question from one of my Agents and feel it could be helpful to many. So, today I will add a second section related to that below.
“Three things in human life are important.
The first to be kind.
The second is to be kind.
The third is to be kind”
~Henry James
This is a bit of a fun challenge. It should be more of a way of life but sometimes the best way to make something a habit is to first challenge yourself to see what you are capable of.
Now many of you may have already shown a lack of kindness today, you could of been thinking bad thoughts about how long it took for them to make your coffee at Duncan Donuts or tailing someone on the way into work for driving to slow. Don’t worry, we have all done it.
It actually comes so easy for many of us. It’s not that we are bad people or anything, we are emotional beings and we feel those emotions. Until recent years I had no idea that those emotions could bleed over into other area’s of my life. That being slightly agitated with my fax machine at my office could lead to more agitation with a co-worker to a upset Agent and on and on and on. Seems silly huh.
Well, if what we put out to the universe we get back, then we should probably error on the side of caution and maybe help ourselves a little.
So, if you have already had a morning with some agitation, shake it off. The universe can work pretty fast but I think you’ll be ok. Just shift those thoughts now. Maybe take a couple seconds and send out a quick, “sorry” and move forward.
So today the challenge is that when you feel yourself start to boil, get irritated, feel annoyed, feel like the person you are repeating yourself to is not listening, when you have heard yourself say for the 10th time “stop hitting your brother”, when you look over and the garbage was not taken out, when you hear your boss speak just to hear themselves speak, when you open that bill, when your jeans are a little to tight, when you have to get gas on the way to work but don’t have the time, when you get cut off while driving, when your waitress gets your order wrong… no matter the situation, cool it. Feel it and back it down… back it down… Imagine for one moment that maybe that person is struggling with something, or that it could be worse or that well, just say to yourself, this is GREAT PRACTICE. Who cares why they may or may not do what they are doing, all we know and can control is our reaction.
Let me know how you do.
Good luck.
And remember, there have been times where you were the one who forgot to do something, cut another driver off, didn’t listen to your parents, etc.
I’m just sayin! 🙂
________________________________________________________________________________
On a different note.
An Agent called me wanting to talk about the news that Twinkies maker Hostess was filing for Chapter 11 protection, how much the world had changed when the maker of Twinkies is having issues and more importantly to his point was that merchants are wanting better service for lower prices. We talked about merchant processing and the lack of growth in his portfolio with that. How the margins have become incredibly slim but the demand for time on technical issues seems to have grown.
He wanted to know about being a better Agent to his merchants but also about diversifying his book of business.
So to all of you out there who work with clients and want to continue to build in this economy it is a wise choice to add some tools to your tool belt.
First, I am a firm believer in being honest and up front. Everyone needs to make a profit, that is actually why your merchants are in business, so don’t hide that, just be fair and have clarity on how you came to your pricing and why it fits them.
If the product you currently sell is falling short or if the market is becoming over saturated and you want to stand out find additional products for your clients but be sure they are products that your clients / merchants can utilize and that are in their best interest.
After 15 years in merchant processing I am constantly exposed to more products for merchants. I can usually tell the difference between a great product to help the merchant have more exposure and grow or a product that is not really conducive to the average merchant. Or simply, just an over priced product.
So get new ways to get in front of merchants. I left my former employer to build my own recruiting company that does exactly that. We take the time to look at products and give our Agents more options when selling in their markets. Right now the most popular product my company offers to get in front of merchants is Getmyfavs.com. Not only is it a great new concept for merchants, there is no upfront money. No downside, no investment. No crazy gimmicks.
You have to come from a place of only asking of others of what you would ask of yourself if you were in their shoes. So if you currently offer something you would not buy into or don’t believe in, you need to really re-evaluate that product and get product shopping to change it up. If you do believe in your product but your market is being run down with to many agents in your area, you just need new, innovative ways to get in the door, get time with the business owner and you can always include your original product. So investigate your industry types and options. What you do today will pay off tomorrow.
Happy Selling.
-S
Ps. My little situation yesterday cleared itself up nicely. Thank you universe. I did all the right things even though I had moments of just wanting to stomp my feet, I chose the more solution oriented route. 🙂
I'm just sayin gets motivated! 
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