The Ten Minute Manager

New Posts from Ellen

2009-01-03T11:09:00.000-05:00

From Dave Barry in a recap of 2008:

In sports, LSU wins the national college football championship, easily defeating the Miami Dolphins. Finally, in what some economists see as a troubling sign, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac invest $12.7 billion in Powerball tickets.In football, beloved Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre retires and embarks on a series of emotional farewell events, several of which are still going on when he signs to play for the Jets.

President George W. Bush takes one last official trip to Europe to meet with European leaders. Unfortunately they are not home.

In economic news, Chrysler announces a plan to lay off workers who have not been born yet. The lone economic bright spot is the iPhone, which is selling like crazy, thanks to the release of a new model enhanced with the capability of sucking pieces of your brain out through your ear until all you want to do is play with your iPhone.

In sports, the undefeated New England Patriots lose the Super Bowl to the New York Giants in a stunning upset that confounds the experts, not to mention Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which had $38 billion on the Pats to win.

Speaking of vegetables, the big scare in June comes from the Food and Drug Administration, which announces that tomatoes are killing people. A wave of fear grips the nation as supermarket shoppers stampede from the produce section, causing several fatal shopping-cart mishaps.

At the height of the panic, with the tomato industry reeling, the FDA declares that, oops, the killer might NOT be tomatoes, but some other vegetable, possibly jalapeno peppers, but nobody knows for sure. Eventually everyone calms down, but not before a bank in Cleveland is held up by a man wielding only a stalk of asparagus.

Tiger Woods, in an epic performance, wins the U.S. Open playing on an injured and very painful knee, thereby proving, beyond all doubt, that golf is not a real sport.

Meanwhile, John McCain, still searching for the perfect running mate, tells his top aides in a conference call that he wants ''someone who is capable of filling my shoes.'' Unfortunately, he is speaking into the wrong end of his cellular phone, and his aides think he said ''someone who is capable of killing a moose.''

Shortly thereafter McCain stuns the world, and possibly himself, by selecting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a no-nonsense hockey mom with roughly 114 children named after random nouns such as ''Hamper.''

In yet another troubling economic indicator, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rob a liquor store.

As world financial markets collapse like fraternity pledges at a keg party and banks fail around the world, the International Monetary Fund implements an emergency program under which anybody who opens a checking account anywhere on Earth gets a free developing nation.

But it is not enough; the financial system is in utter chaos. At one point a teenage girl in Worcester, Mass., attempts to withdraw $25 from an ATM and winds up acquiring Wells Fargo.

As the crisis worsens, an angry Congress, determined to get some answers, holds hearings and determines that whoever is responsible for this mess, it is definitely not Congress. Meanwhile all the cable-TV financial experts agree that since they totally failed to predict this disaster, they will stop pretending they have a clue what the markets are going to do and henceforth confine themselves to topics they can discuss knowledgeably, such as what time it is.

Just kidding! They'd get that wrong, too.

The economy dominates the presidential campaign, with the focal point being ''Joe the Plumber,'' an Ohio resident who asks Barack Obama a mildly confrontational question about tax policy and within hours is more famous than the Dalai Lama.

He draws intense scrutiny from the news media, which, using investigative reporters borrowed from the Palin-yeti beat, determine that ''Joe the Plumber'' is in fact (1) not named Joe, (2) not a plumber, (3) a citizen of Belgium, and (4) biologically, a woman.

In the presidential debates, John McCain, looking and sounding increasingly like the late Walter Brennan, cites Joe the Plumber a record 847 times while charging that Obama's tax policies amount to socialism.

Barack Obama, in a historic triumph, becomes the nation's first black president since the second season of 24, setting off an ecstatically joyful and boisterous all-night celebration that at times threatens to spill out of the New York Times newsroom.

In space, NASA's woes continue when an astronaut attempting to repair the troubled multibillion-dollar international space station accidentally lets go of a special $100,000 space tool bag, which drifts away, taking with it the special $17,000 space washer needed to fix the station's special, but troubled, space toilet. NASA announces that it will now have to send up a special space plumber, who charges $38 million an hour.

In sports, New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress shoots himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub, using a gun he carried to protect himself from bad things that might happen to him, such as getting shot.

The National Bureau of Declaring Things That Make You Go ''Duh'' declares that the nation has been in a recession since December of 2007. The bureau also points out that, according to its statistical analysis, ''for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods.''

As it becomes increasingly clear that the federal government's plan of giving hundreds of billions of dollars to dysfunctional companies has not fixed the problem, the government comes up with a bold new plan: Give more hundreds of billions of dollars to dysfunctional companies. Soon the government is in a bailout frenzy, handing out money left and right, at one point accidentally giving $14 billion to a man delivering a Domino's pizza to the Treasury building.

And Happy New Year.

The Medical Coding Exam Strategy

2008-11-29T14:26:00.001-05:00

more about "The Medical Coding Exam Strategy", posted with vodpod

Free Medical Coding Practice Exam

2008-11-29T14:02:00.001-05:00

posted with vodpod

Time Management - Student Time Management

2008-11-25T06:51:00.000-05:00

By Luke Blaise

With school starting up again, it is time to start hitting the books again. Even on the first day, it can start to be overwhelming with how much work there is to be done. The amount of homework and reading you are expected to do now seems to always be increasing. Here are some great time management tips for students that have really helped me all the way through professional school.

1. When you sit down to study, schedule everything that you will do. Don’t just sit down with books in front of you. Make a list of what you need to do…..read the full article here.

Time Management to Effective Study

2008-11-24T06:59:00.002-05:00

By Paolo Basauri

One of the most valuable skills we can learn is time management for effective studying; this is something that we frequently neglect until we are in college and see its importance.
Here you will find quality tips you can start implementing to your life if you study.

Make a plan. A periodic schedule is unbelievably helpful when it comes to studying. You should build the habit of taking note of all your tasks, this way you'll be able to finish them in the time you have available.......read the full article here.

What You Should Know About Medical Billing

2008-11-20T07:13:00.002-05:00

By Jack M Patterson

Medical billing is the business of submitting and following up on claims to insurance companies so that doctors can receive payment for their services. This is the process utilized by most insurance companies, both government-owned and privately-owned. The actual billing process will take place between a healthcare provider and the insurance company, who is actually making the payment.

The patient's medical record is updated after an in-office visit and contains a summary of all treatment, diagnosis and demographic information. The level of service will be determined by staff and then translated into a five-digit procedure and numerical code. The biller then transmits the claim to the insurance company. (In the past, paper forms were mailed; now this process is mostly handled electronically.) The insurance company then processes the claim, if its medical directors review the claims favorably and can evaluate their validity. Approved claims will be reimbursed for a certain percentage of the billed services as stated in the contract between insurance company and the insured.

There are numerous companies that offer medical billing services. What are the most important factors in choosing one? Knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry is important, as is training in administrative experience. This may include training in Revenue Cycle Management, which aims to ensure the highest reimbursements possible. Technology is another important factor in choosing the best medical billing service provider, and some companies will highlight their state-of-the-art medical records system that makes billing and scheduling easy. Some of these medical billing companies may focus in certain areas of practice such as orthopedics, neurology, rehabilitation or pain management.

If you are interesting in medical billing as either a health care practitioner or as a possible career, contact http://www.GRMed.com. This company has over 65 years of combined experience and has been involved with medical billing for over a decade. [http://www.GRMed.com]GRMed is an experienced and trusted [http://www.grmed.com/what_we_do]medical billing service provider. For more information about their history and their services, visit GRMed.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_M_Patterson http://EzineArticles.com/?What-You-Should-Know-About-Medical-Billing&id=1635912

Managing Workplace Stress

2008-11-19T15:39:00.001-05:00

We hear a lot about workplace stresses, but mostly that they occur. Most of our waking hours are spent working with people we may or may not like. For our sanity and health, learning to handle workplace stresses is crucial.

We’ve all heard the word “postal” before. It doesn’t just refer to the mail carrier. Workplace stress led to shootings and the first place everyone remembers hearing about it was in the post office. A person who is ill equipped to deal with the stresses in their life can snap under the pressure. The result could be an illness in the body or an outward show of aggression.

For a while, all you heard about were office shootings. Someone was fired and then returned to take out the head boss. It happened too frequently and people became gun-shy. They allowed troublesome employees to stay on for the simple fact that they didn’t want to become a shooting victim. But, that added to the stress.

Workplace stresses are very real and affect hundreds of thousands of people on a daily basis. Now more than ever, people are trying to hang on to their jobs and will put up with a lot of stress to keep it. Unfortunately, as stress levels rise, so do medical bills.

To deal with workplace stress is to first understand yourself and the role you play in the situation. Stress can be due to the workload. People with too much work and too little help are often frustrated. What is your job description? Are you doing someone else’s work along with your own?

Know where you stand at your job. If your title is file clerk, you shouldn’t be typing memos for your coworker. That is someone else’s job. Don’t be afraid to refuse work for a coworker when you have enough of your own on your plate.

The stress could be caused by a troublesome coworker. Some people live to make life miserable for others. A coworker who sabotages your projects or spreads rumors about you increases your stress level by making it uncomfortable in the office. This problem can be handled between you and your boss or human resources.

Sometimes, we contribute to our own stress. Let’s take the situation with the file clerk who is typing memos. Maybe they are afraid of their coworker or they have a people-pleasing complex so they type the memos when they should be filing.

Or, let’s look at the troublesome coworker. Someone who is afraid of confrontation or has low self-esteem won’t talk to that coworker or seek help from someone with more authority. They put up with the trouble so they won’t be labeled a troublemaker or aggravate the situation.

Alleviate workplace stress by dealing with the situation in as civil a manner as possible. Talk to human resources, transfer departments, or have a long talk with the coworker. Don’t take the stress home with you or let it fester until you snap and disastrous things happen.

When Stress is a Good Thing

2008-11-18T12:35:00.001-05:00

Stress can be good? No way! It’s true. Sometimes stress is a powerful motivator that propels us forward to great things. Find out how stress can actually work in your favor.

Stress has always carried a negative connotation. If you are stressed it is often because of a bad situation. But, there are a few times that we are glad for the stress response.

Good instances of stress can be termed, eustress. The prefix “eu-“means “good.” It is a name given to stressful situations that bring about good results.

For instance, let’s say that you are getting ready to make an important speech. All eyes will be on you and you want to do well. The stress accompanying this task causes you to focus on the speech and nothing else. As a result, you practice until you are comfortable with the words and relax to be able to deliver it.

The same goes for a big competition. Your nervousness leads to more intense practice sessions to get you ready. Your pulse quickens but it strengthens your resolve to do your best.

Any time that stress is related to physical activity it produces endorphins. Those who are involved in practices and big sporting competitions reap the reward of good feeling endorphins from the physical exertion. The endorphins make us want more of the same to keep us in that feel good mode.

Have you heard of the fight or flight response? It is what happens when we are scared or confronted by someone who may want to hurt us. Adrenalin is released. Our senses become more acute as the body prepares to hit the ground running or stand and fight.

In those moments, our basic instincts take over and we are primed for the best response in the situation. You hear about extraordinary situations where people have lifted cars off of their loved ones who were hurt in an accident. Or, someone thinks to use their cell phone to call from the trunk of a car when they’ve been kidnapped.

People wonder how someone can think of those things but it is the fight or flight response that occurs when we are in the midst of those harrowing experiences. This response extends to people like hostage negotiators who talk a kidnapper into releasing his hostages or the doctor who is performing emergency surgery to save a person’s life.

Good stressors abound in our lives but often go unnoticed in favor of the unhealthy stress. A dose of good stress can save our lives. Cultivate good stress in your life.

Stress Tests for Your Health

2008-11-17T16:53:00.001-05:00

Stress is a part of our everyday lives. We already know this so why do we need a test to tell us so? Stress tests are more than a litmus test for determining if you have stress. They evaluate the body’s responses to stress. In other words, they tell you how your body is dealing with stress.

We all experience stress in some way. How do we respond to it? Some people cry, shout, scream, or just give in to the situation. There are many ways to view a stressful situation, but unfortunately they are not all good responses.

When our stress is bad enough or consistent enough, it affects our bodies in negative ways. We don’t always pay attention to what our bodies are saying to us. It’s like our heads know better than the rest of us so we just keep pushing on until our bodies have had enough and begin to retaliate.

The point of stress tests is to find out how our bodies feel before they go postal on us. Since we won’t listen, the doctors and clinical psychologists will. There are a variety of stress tests that people can take part in to determine how their body handles the stressors around them. The results of these tests can then assist in helping to deal with them in more positive ways for both our bodies and our minds.

Physical Stress Tests

These are the most common stress tests. Most involve the affects of stress on our hearts. Let’s face it. If the heart isn’t happy, we won’t be long for this world. The heart pumps blood throughout the entire body and to the lungs where our bodies exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen.

During a stress test, the participant walks on a treadmill or, in some cases, rides a stationary bike. During the test, a clinician monitors heart rate and blood pressure. This exercise stress test can indicate if you have problems with your heart that can be caused by stressful situations. People who learn how to manage their stress will usually perform better than those who have no outlet.

Other Stress Tests

Another physical stress test is the Thallium test. This involves injecting the patient with radioactive isotopes of thallium to test for blockages in the blood vessels of the heart.

A Barium test is performed to evaluate stress on the digestive system. When we are under stress, the stomach empties slowly but the colon empties faster than normal. Conducting a barium test over time will show how the digestive system is being affected by stressful situations in your life.

Mental stress tests are conducted by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Through a series of pointed questions and responses to photographs, it is determined what type of personality you have. Based on that, your profile will determine if you are more or less prone to stress and how to manage it.

Stress tests are one way to determining if stress is negatively affecting your life. Some people don’t even know that their bodies are suffering under the weight of stress until something catastrophic happens. Avoid unnecessary pain with a stress test.

Late Night Recap

2008-11-16T08:40:00.004-05:00

"There was a little confusion at the meeting there at the White House when President Bush was told that Obama was coming. He said 'Oh, you mean we caught him?'" --David Letterman

"Sarah Palin is all over the news lately. She told Matt Lauer on the 'Today' show that, yes, the rumors were true, on election night she did want to deliver her own concession speech and she was disappointed that she couldn't. Well, she shouldn't feel bad. Wait till 2012. Deliver it then." --Jay Leno

"This is true, according to a new report, I was reading this today in the paper, thousands of pregnant mothers in this country are planning to name their baby Barack. That's true. Yeah, after hearing this, Sarah Palin told Bristol, 'Don't even think about it.'" --Conan O'Brien

"You know the Secret Service that follows the candidates around and stuff? They have nicknames for the people that they work with. Like Barack Obama, his nickname, the Secret Service called him 'Renegade.' John McCain, I think they called him 'Maverick.' President Bush's Secret Service nickname is 'Occupant.'" --David Letterman

"Alaska seems to have re-elected Senator Ted Stevens, who is 84 and going to prison. What is up with Alaska? I have a feeling, when a moose gets shot up there, his last thought is, 'I can't believe I'm losing to these a**holes'" --Bill Maher

"In Washington, D.C., today, Dick Cheney gave Joe Biden tour of the vice president's living quarters. Yeah, afterwards, Biden said he loves the house, but he'll probably turn the dungeon back into a rec room." --Conan O'Brien

"Well, according to a new post-election survey, people want Sarah Palin to run for president in 2012. It says she's been getting thousands of calls from people pleading with her to run, all Democrats." --Jay Leno

"There's a new rumor that Hillary Clinton may end up Secretary of State, which means she would have to spend the next four years traveling all around the world. To which Bill said, 'Yes!'" --Jay Leno

"Barack Obama is being very deferential to President Bush. Obama said last week, 'The United States can only have one president.' To which Bush said, 'Hey, that's not what Cheney told me." --Jay Leno

"Today is Veterans' Day, and John McCain laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown plumber." --David Letterman

"Eearlier today, Barack Obama met with President Bush at the White House. So you had the president-elect and the president-inept, so they were there together … Meanwhile, John McCain, don't forget about John McCain. While all of this was going on, John McCain was waiting for his name to be called at IHOP." --David Letterman

"I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say things are not going well for the Republicans. Two years ago they controlled both the White House and the Congress. Soon, they'll be controlling both the Coke machine and the fry station." --Stephen Colbert

Please visit www.choice-time-management.com
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5 Tips for Handling Conflict

2008-11-14T12:30:00.003-05:00

If you live long enough you will experience conflict. The chance that everyone will like us or get along with us is very minimal. Inevitably we will disagree with someone. When this happens, handling the conflict with a level head avoids stress and keeps the chance of the conflict escalating less likely.

Handling conflict does not have to be confrontational in the classic sense. When someone mentions an altercation we think of the showdown at the OK Corral. Coming into the meeting ready to fight is not the best way to handle a conflict.

Conflicts can occur at any time. You could be in a grocery store and the cashier may act rude as they ring up your groceries. We’ve all had that happen at least once, right? The first reaction is to slam the money on the counter or to snap back at them. In that instant we have taken their problems as our own and created a stressful situation that changes the tone of the rest of our day.

Here are five tips for handling conflict. They work for coworkers, family members, friends, and even strangers. You never know when the proper response to a conflict could save your life or someone else’s.

1. Think about the situation. We are quick to respond when someone says what we don’t like. Take the time to breathe before responding. In that breath replay the words spoken.

2. Make the hard decision. In many cases, the conflict that arises is not the first of its kind. Harsh or offensive words or deeds could be a recurring theme in the relationship. Decide if this affiliation is worth saving or if it is time to cut the person loose. Leaving the association could result in a lost friendship, a divorce, or changing jobs. Sometimes, for our own sake, these things are better in the long run than staying in a bad relationship.

3. Wait a day. Don’t respond right then. Give yourself time to talk over the situation with a trusted friend. Maybe you overreacted. Sometimes, a third party can see something that you missed in the heat of your anger. In these cases, apologize where necessary. If the consensus is that you were wronged, then bring the matter to the attention of the other person with a level head not a hot one.

4. Find a solution. A common conflict, especially among spouses could result from wanting to make a purchase that there isn’t enough money for. Instead of brooding, come up with favorable solutions that could get you what you want or need. Get a second job to earn the money.

5. Apologize if you were in the wrong. Just because something is true doesn’t mean that it has to be said. Telling someone that they are wearing a dress that is too small for them is not a positive way to help them lose weight. Understand how it could be offensive to them and apologize. Better yet, stop and think before you respond in situations such as these. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes before hand. Part of resolving conflicts is realizing our role in it.Facing confrontational situations is not easy. But, it is not inevitable and sometimes it has to be done. Learning conflict resolution techniques can alleviate the stress of these situations.

Fat Loss 4 Idiots…..no Gimmicks….just Facts….. (and Results!)

2008-11-13T00:11:00.001-05:00

Just when you thought it was time to give up on ever losing any weight……. along comes a great program! Weight loss has always been difficult and I hate fad diets and the like but every once in a while something comes along that really works. Well….this is one of those times.

Fat Loss 4 Idiots is an amazing plan that works unlike any other product I’ve ever seen. It is not based on starvation, like most diet products, it actually encourages you to eat….more….more often.

But the real key is when you eat, and what you eat. The “what” part didn’t surprise me but the “when” part did! And it really makes a lot of sense when you read through it. The calorie burn was exciting and it is something that could be life changing (at the risk of sounding too crazy). But really, By adjusting what you eat and when you eat it, it can make a substantial difference in the way your body burns what you eat.

Now you can’t go out and eat triple cheese burgers and a shake every day and expect to get there but some common sense….do-able…steps will get you there.

I know the name sounds a bit “hokey” but I am very impressed with the literature and the program. It is based in fact and they put their money where their mouth is…… 60 day money back guarantee. The whole thing is under $50 so save the night out and give this a try. In 11 days from now you’ll be glad you did!

To learn more please visit Fat loss 4 idiots

The Best Way for Online Business Owners to Reduce Phone Time

2008-10-26T11:07:00.002-04:00

No matter what type of online business you are in, or how you communicate, you will find there are a number of reasons that you will need to use a telephone.

You may need to soothe clients who need to hear a real human voice or you might need to find a way to communicate with your colleagues that is more immediate than that of a simple e-mail or chat session.

The problem is that phone use, whether it is through a land line or through a cell phone, can cause you plenty of problems, especially if you let it get out of control.

For many of us, nothing is more simple or instinctive than calling someone to chat. While we may..........click here for the full article.

Gregg Zban is a General Manager with Coca-Cola Enterprises and has created a website dedicated to better Time Management, Sales Training, Interview Coaching, Leadership Development and more!

To learn more please visit http://www.choice-time-management.com/

To Blog with us please visit http://thetenminutemanager.blogspot.com/

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Manage Your Online Working Time

2008-10-24T21:22:00.002-04:00

There are many ways to manage time while working online. The computer, Internet, and various other types of activities that can be pursued while working may prove to be quite overwhelming when it comes to time restraints or deadlines. If your income is dependent upon the financial success that you achieve online, it is absolutely imperative that you take the time to ensure that you are maximizing each and every minute of your working time.

Productivity is an extremely important element to the overall success of an online business. In order to reach a high level of productivity, time management skills are a must for every home business owner. Here are five ways to help manage your time while working online in turn boosting your productivity and hopefully income.

The first method you can implement to manage your time is reducing the amount of time spent on the telephone. One of the biggest time restraints that individuals experience are telephone calls. It is quite easy to experience a severe time lapse while working due to unexpected calls, long conversations, and even calls that are necessary for the overall functionality of your business.

One way to manage this aspect of your time is to turn off the ringer and purchase an answering machine or subscribe to voice mail. Then, you should set aside a time each day to check your messages and return calls as appropriate............click here for the full article.

Gregg Zban is a General Manager with Coca-Cola Enterprises and has created a website dedicated to better Time Management, Sales Training, Interview Coaching, Leadership Development and more!

To learn more please visit www.Choice-Time-Management.com

For freebies please visit www.GreggZban.com

Sara Palin’s SNL Rap Lyrics…..too funny

2008-10-20T15:27:00.002-04:00

Sara Palin’s SNL Rap Lyrics…..too funny
one two three
my name is sarah palin you all know mevice president nominee of the gopgonna need your vote in the next electioncan i get a ‘what what’ from the senior sectionmccain got experience, mccain got stylebut don’t let him freak you out when he tries to smilecause that smile be creepybut when i be vpall the leaders in the world gonna finally meet me
how’s it go eskimo(eskimos)tell me what you know eskimo(eskimos)how you feel eskimo(ice cold)tell me tell me what you feel eskimo(super cold)
i’m jeremiah wright cause tonight i’m the preachai got a bookish look and you’re all hot for teachatodd lookin fine on his snow machineso hot boy gonna need a go betweenin wasilla we just chill baby chillabut when i see oil lets drill baby drill
my country tis a theefrom my porch i can seerussia and such
all the mavericks in the house put your hands upall the mavericks in the house put your hands upall the plumbers in the house pull your pants upall the plumbers in the house pull your pants up
when i say ‘obama’ you say ‘ayers’obama. (ayers) obama (ayers)i built me a bridge - it ain’t goin’ nowhere.(ohhh)
mccain, palin, gonna put the nail in the coffinof the media elite(she likes red meat)shoot a mother-humpin moose, eight days of the week
[three gunshots]now ya dead, now ya dead,cause i’m an animal, and i’m bigger than youholdin a shotgun walk in the pubeverybody party, we’re goin on a huntla la la la la la la la[six gunshots]

Gregg Zban is a General Manager with Coca-Cola Enterprises and has created a website dedicated to better Time Management, Sales Training, Interview Coaching, Leadership Development and more!
To learn more please visit www.Choice-Time-Management.com
For freebies please visit www.GreggZban.com

How to overcome objections

2008-10-18T21:40:00.001-04:00

Every sales person has had to overcome an objection. Some even find a new line of work because of them. If your income depends on the sale then chances are you have found a way to overcome objections and even discovered the secret of how to make them work for you, not against you.

The first mistake we usually make is assuming we know what the customer is going to object to. We have crafted our response even before they are done speaking.

Thinking we know exactly what is on their mind, we interrupt the customer with our response. In effect, we have answered an objection with an objection and most customers would be on their way to the door.

It is proven that most of us quit listening to the customer and begin formulating our answer after the first seven words. Even worse, after ten words we are nowhere to be found, off in our own world piecing together our response.

Truth is, most of the time, we don’t know the full extent of the objection because we didn’t hear it.

Just think about the wealth of information we are missing out on. Key buying signals, who the decision maker is, plus an abundance of information on how to close the sale. All this valuable information into the air, lost forever.

Is it any wonder that we fear objections? Fact is 70% of the time we don’t even know what the objections are because we haven’t let the customer finish telling us? Now that is scary.

Rewind the tape to the beginning only this time we are prepared for the objection. We even expect, see it coming from a crossed the room. And because we are expecting it, we make sure we catch all the details.

This time we agree with the customer and nodded our head to let them know we heard every word. This time our information bank is full and we plan a response that addresses all of the issues.

Because we have addressed all of the customer’s issues the objection now becomes a vehicle for us to show our prowess and expertise. It builds customer confidence and positions us as an expert, someone the customer wants to do business with.

Not a whole lot to fear now is there? At this point you should look forward to an objection so you can establish yourself as the expert and move closer to the sale.

Objections are uncomfortable because of our state of mind towards them and the fear of the unknown. If you change your state of mind and think through any objections then there is nothing to fear (but fear itself…..).

You have just discovered the secret to making objections work for you. An objection is now a way to draw the customer one step closer. Now we have something very powerful!

Gregg Zban is a General Manager with Coca-Cola Enterprises and has created a website dedicated to better Time Management, Sales Training, Interview Coaching, Leadership Development and more!

To learn more please visit www.Choice-Time-Management.com

For freebies please visit www.GreggZban.com

We can make you worth more...see how

2008-10-14T00:13:00.002-04:00

How to turn an angry customer into a repeat customer

2008-10-12T23:05:00.001-04:00

If you are in business, and chances are if you are reading this you are, you have dealt with an angry customer. Because business is very rarely perfect, things come up from time to time that upset even our best customers.

Whether you are late with a delivery or your product or service is not performing the way it should, it is beneficial to know how to deal with this situation when it arises. How you deal with an angry customer determines if you strengthen your relationship or sever it and most of it depends on how you respond and when.

Situations like this are your opportunity to show your customer what you and your company are made of. When you made the sale you promised great customer service, now is your chance to prove it. Anyone can handle a customer when things are going well. It is the most successful of us that can handle the customer when things go wrong.

The first step in handling an angry customer is contacting them promptly. If the customer has contacted your customer service department or has left you a voice mail directly is it ultimately important that you respond immediately. This is the first step in turning a big problem into a manageable one.

Greet them in a cordial, but concerned tone, acknowledging you know they have a problem. Ask them what the problem is and let them express their displeasure! Take notes, but do not offer explanations at this time. Express to them that “you have a valid point”. Even if their complaint is not totally fact based, you must agree that they “have a point” to let them know you are hearing what they are saying.

The next step is to agree with them and that you would most likely feel the same way if you were in their position. This will displace quite a bit of the anger. Take a minute to digest this psychology. It is much more difficult to be angry with someone who agrees with you then with someone who does not. If you validate their concern, you are half way there.

Keep in mind that you can not resolve the problem while the customer is upset or emotional. Until you diffuse the anger, do not try to solve the problem. Your customer wants to make sure that you see his or her point of view prior to letting you move forward, if you attempt to do otherwise chances are you will make a bad situation worse.

Once the customer has calmed down, start to gather facts about the situation. What departments were involved, what was the time line, what were the major issues. Let the customer know that you will get back to them with a solution and give them a specific time for follow up. Make sure you adhere to it!

Never, and I mean NEVER, tell a customer that you guarantee that this will never happen again. This is a death trap and you must never go there. What you can guarantee the customer is that you will do everything you can to minimize the chances of this happening again, but if it does, you will take care of it in a prompt fashion with as little inconvenience to the customer as possible.

Most customers will appreciate your honesty. And if they want a guarantee that it won’t happen again, be sure the chances of it ever happening again are zero, otherwise you will lose the account the next time it happens.

Well placed customer service is a great way to solidify your business! Some businesses skimp on customer service and create a great inroad for you and your business. Customers realize that mistakes happen. It is how you handle them when they occur that will decide whether they stay with you or go elsewhere.

The keys:

Contact the customer promptly
Acknowledge their issue
Agree with their point
Gather the facts
Correct the problem
Follow up, follow up, follow up

Gregg Zban is a General Manager with Coca-Cola Enterprises and has created a website dedicated to better Time Management, Sales Training, Interview Coaching, Leadership Development and more!

To learn more please visit http://www.choice-time-management.com

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Secrets To a Successful Job and Sales Interview

2008-09-10T09:55:00.001-04:00

I have interviewed a couple hundred people over the last year and here are some of the secrets to a successful job and sales interview.

We have compiled this information because many candidates did not receive an offer, or received a reduced offer, due to a few key elements overlooked during the interview process.

Some points seem obvious but individually, or collectively, they cost the candidate money or the job offer. Lets take a look at them so you are better prepared the next time you go on an interview.

Be on time. Chances are very good that we have a full day scheduled so please be on time. It doesn’t hurt to be early to complete any necessary paperwork and be prepared when we are ready for you.

Please show up with a resume’. Don’t assume that just because you applied for the job on line and attached your resume that “the panel” will all have a copy. Bring at least three or four copies to be safe.

Be positive during the greeting. The interview should be you at your best. Do not discuss anything negative or personal, keep it business. If you do not have a positive attitude at the beginning of the interview we doubt you’ll develop one if we hire you.

Look us in the eye and greet us with a firm hand shake. That will show us you mean business. Right or wrong, our first impression of you will usually dictate the tone of the interview. If we are not impressed with your greeting it will be very difficult to change that perception during the remainder of the interview.

Know something about our company and business. We know you won’t know everything, but look up a couple key facts to show us you want to work here and are a quick study.

Take notes. If we ask a two part question, please remember the second part or write it down so you don’t have to ask us to repeat it. The best way to respond is to write down the first part and answer the second part first, if applicable. This way you will only have to write down one part of the question because the second part should be fresh in your mind.

Write down everyone’s name and position, particularly if it a panel interview. This way you can address answers to different function leads. Use the persons name in your response. This will make us more receptive to your answers.

A General Manager is typically looking for different qualities in a candidate than a person from Human Resources. The most successful candidates address responses to both groups. If you do this you will separate yourself from other candidates.

Be prepared to ask us one or two questions at the end of the interview. It shows that you are interested in advancing your career and care about where you work. This also shows that you have a standard that we need to live up to. You might also be able to gauge our interest level by our response.

Tell yourself that you are the best at what you do prior to entering the interview. It will build confidence and put you at ease.

Smile and be yourself. It shows confidence!

And most important……..have fun!

Incorporate these tips and you have a very good chance at getting the job and maximizing your offer!

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Employee Time Management

2008-09-04T23:39:00.000-04:00

Employee Time Management

We all could use a little help with employee time management skills from time to time? The most successful of us are definitely very good time managers but do we teach, train and coach our employees to do the same? Those of us who want to get better start with learning more about how we can enhance these skills.

It all starts with good organization This will give you clarity and set you on a path to success. We have created a guide to better organization called Organize Prioritize Act! or OPA. Take a look at it to see if it can work for you.

How can you become more proactive and effective in employee time management? Here are some of the keys.

Help them develop a plan. Organize “big bucket items” first. Get very specific at the end of each week to plan for the week ahead. Schedule on Friday for the following week. If you wait until Monday morning you have lost at least half a day and that is when most items that need immediate attention occur. Prepare on Friday!

Prioritize. Know what is important and schedule the bulk of your time in these areas. The most successful business people know what “brings home the bacon” and they spend most of their time in these areas. If it is not on your priority list…..then delegate it whenever possible.

Delegation. Tell me if this sounds familiar. “Rather than have someone else do it, I’ll do it and do it right”. One of the largest opportunities that I see in newly promoted managers is the lack of delegation. Delegation accomplishes two things, prepares your team for advancement and enables you to stay focused on your highest priority items. Delegate, delegate, delegate!

Set meeting times and stick to them. Avoid “floating” meeting times. Show respect by starting and ending your meetings on time.

Stay on message, schedule ample time for discussion, and do not let your meetings get “high jacked” by items that are specific to one individual or are not relevant to the meeting topic.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals These are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. These goals are applicable to all areas. Setting proper goals could be the difference between success and failure. If you don't know where you are going....how are you going to get there?

Employee time management is what makes most larger businesses successful and can be the difference between success and failure at most small businesses. Large companies expect this and train their management in these areas. The gap is much greater in small business. If you own or manage a small business and apply these techniques you will pass many others in the line to success!

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Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals

2008-09-03T21:24:00.000-04:00

Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Creating S.M.A.R.T. goals is easy. These are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

If you are creating S.M.A.R.T. goals you have a better chance to succeed.

They are very granular in natural. There is no ambiguity and there is a time frame for achieving.

If you are setting vague goals like this……”We will reduce operating expenses this year”, you will probably get results that match. Vague, unmeasurable and not timely.

There is no way to measure the outcome because we do not know the specific destination. If your business is measuring its success like this you probably have employees who don’t know if they are doing a good job or not and you probably are not achieving your goals.

A good example of a S.M.A.R.T. Goal is: “We will reduce operating expenses by 2% for the second quarter of the fiscal year”. This contains all the elements that we need to reach our destination.

It is specific “reduce operating expenses by 2%, it is measurable, and it is timely. Of course it has to be attainable and realistic too.

Specific – A specific goal will contain enough detail to answer who, what, where, when.

Measurable - A measurable goal will contain an exact end. Answer the questions how much or how many is a good start.

Attainable – Goals must stretch you, but should be achievable with good effort. If they are not it could cause apathy because the goal seemed too far away.

Realistic – Do you think the goal is achievable? Can you get it done with maximum effort or will your maximum effort still come up short? Goals should not be easy…to the contrary. However, they should be realistic.

Timely – Set an exact start and end time. If you do not establish a start time, you will never begin. If you do not establish an end time you will never achieve your goal in a timely manner. Having a start and end time greatly increases your chance for success.

Creating these types of goals will help you achieve a higher percentage of them and this all adds up to driving more business. Let it work for you today.

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