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Articles by Howard Howell

Biscuits, Fleas, and Pump Handles
August 14, 2009 – 1:12 pm | One Comment
Biscuits, Fleas, and Pump Handles

MY Attitude Motivator and Sales Mentor

I have been studying and practicing the art of selling for over 40 years. My favorite mentor is one of the greatest sales trainers of my time, Zig Ziglar. I’ll never forget my first live training session with him in the early 1970′s.

His first book was titled, Biscuits, Fleas, and Pump Handles and was self-published. It was later titled See You At The Top.

Quick…When I Say Salesmen What Comes to Mind?
August 13, 2009 – 2:21 pm | No Comment
Quick…When I Say Salesmen What Comes to Mind?

When I ask most people that question the typical responses are a wrinkle of their nose and words like, pushy, intrusive, won’t take no for an answer, an interruption, and even rude. It is a reaction born from experience and stereotypes. Just think of the last time you interacted with someone trying to sell you something. Was the experience a good one? Did you find yourself becoming defensive?

Salespeople who act in ways that make us uncomfortable have confronted us all.

Social Media Networking Blunders
August 12, 2009 – 5:32 pm | No Comment
Social Media Networking Blunders

What’s your biggest irritation that you deal with while social networking for business? I’m sharing my top 4. This post might be one of yours, by the fact that I’m assuming anyone really cares about my opinion anyway.

In our quest for relevant connections, we sometimes forget our manners while attempting to embrace the “new transparency” movement. Your ultimate goal of biz networking is to build YOUR business.

Are You Selling a Service or Product?
August 7, 2009 – 5:31 am | One Comment
Are You Selling a Service or Product?

All Products Really Provide a Service (read benefit)!

YOUR Challenge is to create a visual in your customer’s mind so they can see your product as a solution despite the fact that it is intangible and invisible. You create that solution (customer perception) through the creative use of stories, analogies, and testimonials.

Searching the Virtual Yellow Pages
August 5, 2009 – 9:50 am | One Comment
Searching the Virtual Yellow Pages

Do you sell your services with the Yellow Pages…

Have you claimed YOUR online identity yet? If not, you should, before some else does. You don’t need a website and it is free.

A Compelling Sales Message
July 31, 2009 – 4:25 pm | 2 Comments
A Compelling Sales Message

It is NOT that YOU have something wonderful to sell!

In fact, it’s not about YOU or YOUR service.

The Selling of Abundance
July 25, 2009 – 7:28 am | No Comment
The Selling of Abundance

Have YOU been approached lately?

You know the deal. It usually goes like this:

Are YOU a Twit on Twitter?
July 22, 2009 – 6:20 pm | No Comment
Are YOU a Twit on Twitter?

Are YOU a twit (insignificant or bothersome person) on Twitter? Is your behavior on Social Media sites giving you a reputation as a nitwit (stupid or silly person

I’m old-school and I always believed that you only get one chance for a first impression.