Archive for August, 2010

If you are a Sales Professional, Entrepreneur, Business Owner or a Business Coach interested in learning how to grow sales by building relationships and making connections. This sales follow up training with Cheryl Scoffield, Follow Up Specialist will set you up for generating leads and increasing sales opportunities in your business by teaching you to network with the specific intent of following up. 

Getting started is easy with  Set The Stage For Follow Up -  September 13, 2010 in Oakville, Ontario

2.5 hours of hands on, skill based business training teaches you how to engage people in conversation, rather than just sell. A straight forward strategy that builds the know you, like you, trust you factor and maximizes your subject matter expertise.

Hear what others have to say about Set The Stage For Follow Up;

Cheryl Scoffield, Follow Up Specialist, has developed a 10 Step Follow Up System that manages and maximizes your follow up activities. As in the follow up needed after you meet new prospects for your business; return from networking or the follow up needed to turn that stack of business cards on your desk into paying clients. If you need to know what to do next, Cheryl is the person you need to meet.

Kristeen Sopeju Edwards, Gifting Specialist, Business Owner, The Wreath Queen, Oakville, Ontario

Enterprise Toronto has chosen this training for their fall sessions in Toronto, Ontario.

Then progress to Automate Your Follow Up Process – Advanced Training on November 8th, 2010.

Hear what others have to say about Automate Your Follow Up Process;

Cheryl showed me how to get more from ACT by setting me up with Swiftpage. (Automate Your Follow Up Process) Cheryl gave me a guided tour through the basics demonstating how they work together. As a sales representative, following up and increasing sales opportunities is a top priority, but time consuming. The expertise that Cheryl showcased and the tips she shared, will help me automate the process and maximize the time I spend staying top of mind with prospects and clients.

Fabia Zampieron, Account Executive
Boothworks Inc., Toronto, Ontario

Follow Up Training is specifically designed to give you enough ideas, tips and techniques to empower you to Follow Up to the 5th -12th contact where 80% of sales are WON!

I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE IT. 

Book your session or  have this training come to your office by contacting Cheryl Scoffield, Follow Up Specialist today! 866-642-5145

One of the first questions I get when I introduce myself and my business to clients and colleagues is, “what is a Sydcam and where did you get that name from?” Well, the response is a pretty simple one, rooted in something I hold near and dear to me – my family. You see, the name Sydcam comes from the names of my two children, my daughter Sydney and my son Cameron. I figured if it works for Mattamy Homes (i.e. Matt and Amy, his two kids), one of the largest home builders in the Toronto area, it could work for me!

My children are a precious and important part of my life and of who I am today. They are the ones that put a smile on my face and a spring in my step. They fuel my passion for life, giving me energy and inspiration, even when times are tough. Their passion for life, to live, learn, explore and grow is at the very core of what I want Sydcam Marketing Communications to be.

The essence of Sydcam is centred on my passion for life and all it has to offer. As a marketer that truly believes he is good at what he does, I believe I can help my clients be more successful at promoting their products and services. One of things I love to do as I shop or read the local newspaper is to be on the lookout for advertisements, posters and the like from national and local businesses. I then ask myself, “Is their message a compelling one, does it resonate with me and the general public and will it get any of us to take action? What are they trying to promote, and are they using the right messaging, context and content to reach their intended audience?”

I know, you’re probably thinking this all sounds pretty hokey – but it’s true. I’m thoroughly curious and fascinated by marketing of all sorts and in all mediums, online and off. I am equally intrigued by companies that are on the cutting edge of marketing communications, as well as those that can’t even use proper English grammar in their messages. I’m a firm believer that marketers can help consumers wade through all the noise out there today and help them find products and services that help them to enjoy life that much more.

So what else turns my crank when I’m not conjuring up the latest and greatest marketing strategy for a client? Well I love to play sports, listen to music, exercise and read. Sports are my real passion and I can’t get enough of them (except of course on those mornings when my body aches as I get out of bed!). From hockey to baseball, golf to football, and tennis to skiing, there aren’t too many sports I don’t enjoy playing. I just hope my body will hold up for many more years to come so I can keep on doing all of it.

So there you have it, a little peak into the life of Ian Turner, family man, marketing guru (an old boss always called me that), and sports fanatic. If you’d like to learn more about me and my business, I encourage you to visit my website at www.sydcamcommunications.com, or you can email me directly at ian@sydcamcommunications.com. Have a great day!

Cheryl Scoffield, Follow up Specialist at Executive Sales Support, presented at Oakville Networking on August 20. Automate Your Follow Up Process explained some of the first steps you can use to maximize the time and effort you spend on lead generation.  This short presentation outlined how business card contact information entered into an excel spreadsheed can be used with a mail merge word document or an email to automate (read speed up), your follow up to many people with the click of a button. 

Let’s face it, you invested your time and money to network and get your business in front of more prospects. Not following up and maximizing that investment confirms the statistic that 48% of business managers never follow up past that 1st contact conversation. While you may not be alone, you might not be in the best crowd either! Cheryl Scoffield helps companies and individuals get started following up and building a Follow Up System.

Follow up makes sure that the door to greater sales stays open to the 5th – 12th contact where 80% of sales are WON. Maximize your networking investment and put your business in the position for an increase in sales.

If the topic of Follow Up interests you, I offer several options that you can use to move forward and increase the statistics for your company or your organization.

Follow Up Training is available in a group format on Monday nights in Oakville from 6 pm – 9 pm. Or arrange a session at your office.

Set The Stage for Follow Up – Learn what to say during your follow up so you connect with people and build the know you, like you, trust you factor rather than coming across as a busy sales person. Register for the next session  September 13 and November 22.

Hear what others are saying about this Follow Up Training;

I met Cheryl Scoffield, the owner of Executive Sales Support, over a year ago and every time we talk business I walk away smarter. Yes, I said smarter! I walk away with usable information that will help my business.

Cheryl Scoffield, Follow Up Specialist, has developed a 10 Step Follow Up System that manages and maximizes your follow up activities. As in the follow up needed after you meet new prospects for your business; return from networking or the follow up needed to turn that stack of business cards on your desk into paying clients. If you need to know what to do next, Cheryl is the person you need to meet.

Why am I telling you this? Honestly, it’s because I have gained valuable knowledge from Cheryl over the past year and I am excited that Cheryl is now offering training sessions where she will share some of her tips and hints.

Kristeen Sopeju Edwards, Gifting Specialist, Business Owner
The Wreath Queen, Oakville, Ontario

Automate Your Follow Up Process- Learn how to maximize your efforts with automation. ACT and Swiftpage (email blaster) are demonstrated. Register for the next session, November 8 and December 6.

Follow Up Steps, Follow Up Process & Follow Up System – Learn to do it yourself  or collaborate with me and I do the bulk of the work! 

Follow Up -Discover Your Next Steps - This 2 hour session focuses on developing your first proactive Follow Up Steps that keep the conversation going past the 1st contact conversation. Book you Private & Group coaching session. Get started with one session or purchase multiple sessions over time to match the pace you choose to move forward.

Hear what others are saying about this Follow Up Session.

Cheryl’s first (Follow Up – Discover Your Next Step) meeting with us was nothing short of insightful. She listened to our wish list and quickly came up with advanced innovative marketing strategies in today’s competitive markets. She went as far as volunteering time to achieve our goals. Her experience provided us with actionable ideas to generate leads and a sequence of follow up steps.

Andrea Skerry, Relationship Manager
Park Lane Financial Group Ltd., Burlington, Ontario

Follow up – Take Action - This 2 hour session focuses on setting your Follow Up Steps  into your Follow Up System. Book you Private & Group coaching session. Get started with one session or purchase multiple sessions over time to match the pace you choose to move forward.

Interested in letting your group hear about this topic? Book a  Follow Up – Networking Keynote   and learn How to Maximize Your Networking with Follow Up .

Let’s face it, you invested your time and money to network and get your business in front of more prospects. Not following up and maximizing that investment confirms the statistic that 48% of business managers never follow up past that 1st contact conversation. While you may not be alone, you might not be in the best crowd either!

Follow up makes sure that the door to greater sales stays open to the 5th – 12th contact where 80% of sales are WON. Maximize your networking investment and put your business in the position for an increase in sales.

Although our group has a strong online presence (business blog, Linkedin group, Twitter) we meet regularly at the e-Spot™ to make friends, learn together and exchange referrals.

Our next meeting is on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 8:45 am

Our free business networking group invites you to join us and share referrals. Our business blog offers you an opportunity to promote your own web site.

Members, please be advised that your $5 attendance fee is payable at the door.

NEW for VISITORS only: attendance fee is $10 at the door, until you become regular members. To become a member of this group, please fill out the application form.

To make things easier for you and e-Spot staff, please consider paying $10 or $20 in advance. Your credit can then be used to cover your substitute’s fee, or will be carried over to your next meeting. Receipts will be issued by the e-Spot quarterly.

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

Sign up for my next Contacts2Clients Business Seminar

Let's connect:

Although our group has a strong online presence (business blog, Linkedin group, Twitter) we meet regularly at the e-Spot™ to make friends, learn together and exchange referrals.

Our next meeting is on Friday, Aug 20, 2010 at 8:45 am

Our free business networking group invites you to join us and share referrals. Our business blog offers you an opportunity to promote your own web site.

Members, please be advised that your $5 attendance fee is payable at the door.

NEW for VISITORS and PROVISIONAL MEMBERS only: attendance fee is $10 at the door, until you become regular members. To become a member of this group, please fill out this application form.

To make things easier for you and e-Spot staff, please consider paying $10 or $20 in advance. Your credit can then be used to cover your substitute’s fee, or will be carried over to your next meeting. Receipts will be issued by the e-Spot quarterly.

Remember, we now only accept new member applications from businesses based in Oakville.

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

Sign up for my next Contacts2Clients Business Seminar

Let's connect:

80% of sales are won on the fifth to twelfth contact – yet 48% of all business managers never follow up beyond the first contact.

You attended the networking meeting- Now What? Do you have a plan in place and implemented, for staying in touch with the new prospects you met at the networking event?    You will, after you attend Set The Stage For Follow Up Training Session.

Attending trade shows, monthly association meetings & networking events to get new prospects - costs money. 
When you take proactive actions to implement a step by step system to make sure every prospect you met goes into your sales funnel, is followed up and sales opportunities are maximized ….  you also maximize your business development investment. It just makes cents.

This sales follow up training is best for: Business Managers, Small or Medium Sized Business Owners, Sales Professionals and Entrepreneurs.

“SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  training is Monday night August 16th, 6 – 9 pm in Oakville, Ontario.

Register for “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training or 

Have this training come to your office – contact Cheryl at ExecutiveSalesSupport.com.

Learn the 10 Step Follow Up System through 2.5 hours of hands on, skills based training.  $89.00 in Oakville, Ontario.

At the “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training you will discover the 10 step framework and the first 6 steps will be covered in depth. These first 6 follow up steps are critical because they establish your social connection to the people you meet. 

You will learn how to; 

1. Improve you ‘first contact’ conversation
2. Set the stage for future contacts
3. Increase the number of prospects you are in conversation with
4. Develop win win relationship building connections
5. Discover the ‘giving piece’ that pulls you forward from that first contact to the second and beyond

Register for “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training  or contact Cheryl at ExecutiveSalesSupport.com to arrange for this training to come to your office.

Hear what attendees are saying about this skills based Follow Up Training; 

I met Cheryl Scoffield, the owner of Executive Sales Support, over a year ago and every time we talk business I walk away smarter. Yes, I said smarter! I walk away with usable information that will help my business.

Cheryl Scoffield, Follow Up Specialist, has developed a 10 Step Follow Up System that manages and maximizes your follow up activities. As in the follow up needed after you meet new prospects for your business; return from networking or the follow up needed to turn that stack of business cards on your desk into paying clients. If you need to know what to do next, Cheryl is the person you need to meet.

Why am I telling you this? Honestly, it’s because I have gained valuable knowledge from Cheryl over the past year and I am excited that Cheryl is now offering training sessions where she will share some of her tips and hints.

Kristeen Sopeju Edwards, Gifting Specialist, Business Owner
The Wreath Queen, Oakville, Ontario

I’m writing this post from a veranda with a great view of the north-west Adriatic coast of Croatia, where I’m currently on vacation. This trip is different from our previous vacations in that we’re staying a full 5 weeks, so I needed to bring my laptop to stay in touch with my clients (after I finish this post I need to send an email newsletter for a UK-based client).

Although I did a pretty good job of making sure I have all my passwords with me, I was given a shock by Facebook when I tried logging in for the first time after we landed here. Although I entered my user ID and password Facebook recognised I was trying to log in from a different geographical location and, as a security measure, forced me to confirm my account. At first I thought, great, I like this, but then the trouble started: Facebook used a very unusual method of confirming my account – it asked me to give the names of seven of my Facebook friends! Although I only have a few hundred FB friends, I certainly can’t remember all of their names!

Facebook showed me pictures of no fewer than seven of my friends – but not their default profile photos, but random images from their photo albums, where my friends were sometimes pictured from the side, with other people, or in poor image conditions.

Somehow I managed to confirm my account after two tries, so now I am OK. The moral of this story for you: know thy Facebook friends if you’re planning on traveling abroad.

Please follow this link to book an appointment with me if you’d like to explore ways how to use Facebook to promote your business

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

Sign up for my next Contacts2Clients Business Seminar

Let's connect:

Often times when we think of how businesses and brands fail, we think of poor products or products that no longer meet the needs of their customers, poor customer service, too much competition, or issues with pricing and profitability. Rarely do we think that brands can fall prey to bad public relations (PR) tactics and strategies.

However, BP is a classic example of a business that failed to have an adequate plan in place to deal with the challenges all businesses eventually face. The fallout from the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrates how easily a business can take its eye off the ball, thereby losing perspective on the real issues it is facing.

What BP ultimately failed to do was put in place an adequate “crisis management strategy” – either before or after the environmental disaster. This term refers to the process by which an organization deals with a major unpredictable event that threatens to harm it, its stakeholders or the general public.

Missing the mark –Underestimating public sentiment

So where did BP go wrong? One can point to a number of issues that proved to be their undoing. Arguably one of their more glaring oversights was their vehement and ongoing denials – at least early on – about the severity of the catastrophe. Coupled with CEO Tony Hayward’s flippant and condescending attitude, arrogance and indifference to his many stakeholders (including his own shareholders) portrays a company and CEO completely detached from reality and public opinion.

BP’s complete disregard for public sentiment, political influence and the importance of corporate responsibility in this day and age is inexcusable. By failing to be truthful and honest with the American government and the American people, BP has portrayed itself as the mean, nasty neighbourhood bully everyone despises – and fears. They have alienated themselves from these groups, making any collaborative solution a virtual impossibility.

Getting it right

So what could BP have done differently to lessen the eventual public and government backlash? Acting in a sincere manner by showing concern for the problem and taking ownership for it would have been a good start. Providing timely, substantive and accurate information around their efforts to cap the oil well and resolve the problem would also have been a positive move.

What every business should learn from this PR disaster is that in this era of social media and the internet, poor communication practices that intentionally try to deceive the public can have dangerous ramifications – particularly if you are called out and shown to have knowingly misled people.

Bad news travels very quickly and over a wide geography nowadays, making it much easier for negative PR to touch thousands or even millions of people in no time.  Businesses that are reactive (as opposed to proactive) in their approach to problem resolution face the proverbial uphill battle – with a mob of angry villagers chasing them with pitchforks in hand! A more honest and upfront approach from the get go would have better insulated BP’s reputation, saved considerable effort, and greatly reduced the negative impact on its brand.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so feel free to respond with your comments to ian@sydcamcommunications.com.