Friday Reflections

There is so much that we share that it’s time we are aware

 

Points to Ponder: Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. - Helen Keller

Story Line: The video above contains images shared by friends from many countries and cultures during past 30 days. The photos illustrate their hobbies, travels, and family events on their journeys. 

These contributions from friends have filled me with joy and smiles. I thought it might be wonderful to share them with all of you too. I hope you enjoy this video and that it brings some good feeling into your world.

Reflection: The song by The Sherman Brothers- also a very popular ride in Disneyland

It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all

There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to ev'ryone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world

The Lego Story: Creating the System of Endless Possibilities

The LEGO Story- How it all started 

Point to Ponder:  I remember when I first started working I’ve always said that I didn’t like sales. No sales job I would say. Simply because I felt I can’t do sales. That I’m not good at it. But as I ventured further into my job, I realised we are all saleperson, trying to sell something, to make an impression, to get something out of the work we are doing. -  A note from a former work associate from Malaysia-  And now an entrepreneur( in response to last week’s Friday Reflection)

Story Line: I came across this video ‘The Lego Story- How it all began’ eight months ago. Since then our grandsons and I have watched it many times; in fact we watch every-time we meet. It’s a fascinating, captivating and educational story that narrates how to build an entire system of endless possibilities for an idea. 

Ofcourse, like many stories of successful entrepreneurs, it is the story of personal tragedies, hardships, passion and persistence. But it also shows how Ole Kirk Kristiansen, the founder, used the systems approach In design (creation), product (making) and customer delight (sales).

Only the best is good enough as motto plus innovative solutions and promotion practices, Ole and his successors have created a world without limits for children around the world. 

Reflection: The Lego Story was in the backlog list for ‘Future Friday Reflections‘ for a while. The note from the young entrepreneur from Penang is the catalyst for bringing it on the top of the list. There  are many valuable tips in this story for every age group, every job function and for the people venturing into their own business. It can also help us in creating a system to build and enhance our own personal brand. Something to ponder...

 

 

 

Coming to think of it, Who is the most important sales person of it all?

Points to Ponder: “If you change the way you look at things, things you look at change.” Dr. Wayne Dryer

 

Story Line: 

Coming to think of it, who is the most important salesperson of it all? (This FR was originally published on June 23rd 2005. Good to refresh the basics once in a while)

One of the best salespersons I have known once told me, “In sales, getting inside the customer’s door is half the job.” Businesses spend sizable amount of money (hundreds of millions for large corporations) on marketing, advertising, promotion, events and travel to get inside the customer’s door. Only after that can they talk about the merits of their products or services, make a sale, and deliver performance that can eventually establish their brand image. (Good Will)

Now think about the situation where many (hundreds on some days) potential customers are knocking on and walking through your door every day, without you having to spend the money.  For a business, this sounds like a field of dreams. (“Wait, He is on to something.”)

That is exactly what happens when suppliers, job applicants and many other visitors come to your company’s door. Even though they come knocking on your door for an opportunity to get your business or get a job, you in turn have a golden opportunity to make the lasting impression about your brand. Negotiate hard, interview tough but how you treat them as people, how you carry yourself as the representative of your brand (company’s and personal) makes all the difference in winning the hearts and minds of hundreds of potential customers every day, and establishes long term relationships. 

Now a sales person would say, “This is what the dreams are made of. Is this heaven?”

In a nut shell:

Cup of Coffee and Doughnuts             $2.00
Common Courtesy                               A Smile and a warm hand shake
Good Will                                          Priceless
For Everything else??                         (Nope, I am not talking about the master card)  
                                                            See the next Line

You and Your Company’s Brand Image.

Those who never learn from history are.....

You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.- Abraham Lincoln

Point to Ponder: When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always. -Mahatma Gandhi

Story Line: Downfall- Hitler's Outrage (Original Subtitles)

Reflection: Those who never learn from history are forever condemned to repeat it.