Who are Watching Us?


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Saturday, March 17, 2007

WEEKLY NEWS CLIP: Electric Wiring


WAS YOUR DREAM HOME INSPECTED ... BY A REPUTABLE PROFESSIONAL?

I thought a lot of people should look at this before they decide on buying their next home. The article was sent to me as a courtesy of a realtor friend of mine from Texas, Lois Malone.

The type of wiring in residential homes generally depends on when the home was built, where it was built and if it has been updated. In the older homes, knob and tube type wiring was the norm, replaced later by encased romex wiring.

In most cases the newer romex-wrapped wiring is copper, insulated with plastic and then wrapped with insulation and another layer of plastic for protection. Breaker boxes are another story; sometimes a well-meaning home owner can inadvertently make things unsafe.

It is always wise to consult a reputable home inspector and even an electrician before you buy. A little homework today can save you a lot of money down the road. more on home wiring is available here.

Lou Costa, Accounts Receivable Consultant (Rep. #1494)
Transworld Systems Inc.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

SALES TIPS FOR ALL ...


The interesting tips below came to me from JustSell. I thought that every one might need the tips sooner or later. So, why not get them right here at Just Trade Leads?

Lou Costa
Transworld Systems Inc.

fast sales thought

When we push the power button on our computers, we just want the machine to work. When we turn the key in our ignition, we just want the car to start.

The details of what goes on to make the button and key work are only interesting (or valuable) to the enthusiast. Most of us though, only care that the machines work.

To become salesgreat, minimize your need to go into unnecessary detail with your prospects and customers (and even with your colleagues).

Bore no one.

Use this link for a few printable reminders and/ or to email this thought.

email this


(use this link to see this entire newsletter online)

how to improve your email communication

Shorten it.
Write clearly (in order to make it easier to understand).
And, to be sure the most important points are not missed, write in a descending order
of importance.

Attention spans are short and getting shorter (do you like having to read long emails
from people?)

Your email communications with prospects, customers and colleagues are made to provide value and/ or move the process along. They’re not an art form where people will tolerate a slow opening act or introduction.

Writing well in sales (and in business) is not optional.

Use this link for 5 checks and 9 important thoughts on improving your email communication and/ or to email this thought.

sales check:
How long has it been since you and your team reviewed your “standard” email communications (e.g., your approach, follow-up, urgency-creating and inbound inquiry responses, etc.)?

manager’s thought prompt:
To not review your team’s “standard” email communications on at least a quarterly basis, is to potentially miss out on some great ideas you can implement system-wide (or miss some system-wide communications that should be terminated immediately).

email this


(use this link to see this entire newsletter online)

sales tech tip: skipping cell phone voice mail

To save your prospects, customers and colleagues time (and money) when they reach your cell phone’s voice mail, mention in your greeting that they can immediately leave a message by hitting your carrier’s particular key for getting straight to “the tone”.

“Hi, you’ve reached Max Pitch. To leave a message immediately, please press the star button now. To lose additional time and use additional cell phone minutes, please leave your message after the message that follows this message.”

We suggest using only the first two sentences.

The keys are…

AllTel, Cingular and Verizon: press the star button (*)
Sprint: press the number one (1)
T-Mobile: press the pound button (#)

For you, if you know the carrier of the person you’re calling you can hit the appropriate key the moment their voice mail begins and go straight to the tone.

pure saleslove

email this


(use this link to see this entire newsletter online)

sales life reminders: daylight savings & taxes

Congress passed legislation moving Daylight Saving Time up three weeks – it now begins March 11 (this coming Sunday) – but many electronic devices aren’t programmed to update until April.

Avoid being an hour late for meetings and appointments – download available software patches to fix the glitch and be sure to confirm all appointments between March 11 and
April 1 (helping others to become aware of the change as well).

email this


Federal income taxes are due in the United States on April 17th this year. The added time is because the usual day (April 15th) falls on a Sunday and because the following day is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia.

email this


(something to think about, something to act upon)

sales checks for march

for everyone:

How many complaints do you allow yourself to say out loud each week (or each day)? How many do you enjoy hearing from others?

“If you have not slept, or if you have slept, or if you have headache, or sciatica, or leprosy, or thunder-stroke, I beseech you, by all angels, to hold your peace, and not pollute the morning… Love the day.

--
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

American writer and activist

email this


for leaders:

What was the last inspirational or motivational support you gave to your team? Do you have a weekly/monthly/quarterly quota to provide inspiring support? If not, shouldn’t you?

email this

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Persistence

Mea Culpa. That is a latin phrase which used to be heard in the Catholic Church. Translated loosely in today's pop culture language that is "My Bad". Keeping with the church theme, my transgression is not coming to Wednesdaay meetings. True, for some I had legitimate reasons, but for others and being perfectly honest, I blew them off. (there's another popular slang term)

Why did I do that? As I just explained to Luis, I didn't feel loved. What that meant is, although having good intentions, I had trouble getting into the blog and gave up. Being a little scatterbrained and not having regular contact/ reminders about Wednesday meetings, they fell through the crack. (Hey, I'm just full of sayings)

Now, I realize the meetings and activities are a joint venture, but the brain child is Luis. Had he held my hand on the blog access, called and kept in touch with reminders, I might not be in this confessional booth right now saying "Mea Culpa".

There's a lesson to be learned here. Although I am a member of this band of pirates, in reality I could be seen as a customer to Luis. There is a fine line between keeping in touch and being a pain in the ass, and for ever customer it might be different. I'm one of those guys who doesn't mind some gentle pressure. Of course there has to be some interest in the first place. Without it, I may just block your call and file your reminders under PITA.

In summary, and as a reminder to all of us (myself included), how many potential customers have we initially talked to and not followed up with or given a gentle reminder? How many are we waiting to call us and the phone never rings? Hopefully, Luis can take a little criticism as a way of making a point.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Increase Your Sales with a Smile!

Here are a few hints on how to build a "Referral Based Business" from The Brooks Group. GOOD INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT Just Trade Leads!

Here’s a hint: This month’s issue is by guest author Bill Cates. Bill is the leading expert in strategies for attracting clients through referrals. He is the author of, “Get More Referrals Now” and the creator of the “Unlimited Referrals® Marketing System.”

Everyone knows referrals are a great way to get a foot in the door, but few people take full advantage of this wealth of opportunities. Click on the link below to read Bill Cates' expert advice on how to build a steady stream of high-quality clients through referrals:

http://www.brooksgroup.com/newsletters/sm/07/2-07.htm

Lou Costa, Accounts Receivable Consultant
Transworld Systems Inc.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Weekly News Clip

Great Old Times ... ?

Not necessarily! Do you recall the not so old debate regarding 'lead paint' and 'asbestos?' That is what this interesting article is talking about: materials that once were essential but of negative consequences to the human health.


Urea formaldehyde was a form of insulation added to homes several years ago. It was a type of liquid foam sprayed into walls in older homes that weren't built with wall insulation at the time. The liquid foam found its way into the wall's nooks and dried, forming a good insulator. Problems seemed to come right after the insulation - many people got sick from the formaldehyde part of the product, and they continued to do so for many years afterwards. In some cases the walls were taken apart, and the insulation was removed.

Current studies indicate that after several years the problem seemed to go away. There is an extensive site dedicated to this issue from the EPA, available here. Knowing the facts can help you make an informed decision when you are ready to make an offer.

More helpful buyer tips are available at my website at http://www.themaloneteam.com. Let me know how we can be of service!.




Luiz Costa, A/R Consultant.
Transworld Systems Inc
(616) 836-5329

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Interesting Construction Technology!

My real estate contact in Texas, sent me this article I though of interest to this group.


Many newer homes are now being sided with artificial stucco siding, or EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems). This is essentially polystyrene foam with a base coat, reinforcement mesh, then another base coat and then a finishing coat of stucco over the top.

This is a terrific product, as it adds insulation value to the home, not to mention classy looks. However, it can also be a serious and very expensive repair if it isn't installed correctly and/or water gets behind it.

There are several manufacturers of artificial stucco, and many builders installing it. Having it inspected allows you to know if there is a problem, and even if there isn't, you will be aware of the areas you need to keep caulked, and what to look for in case of trouble. Get more information on improperly installed EIFS right here.



This type of infromation is of public interest as well and might represent opportunities in the future for businesses to sponsor Just Trade Leads blogs and events.

Lou Costa, Profit Recovery Consultant
TSI Inc #1494

Meeting tomorrow will be at Russ' on River (North Side)!

I will see everyone tomorrow at Russ' on River (North Side), at 9:00 am. Please, attend and bring someone new with you. It is very important, as our group needs to reach "critical mass", before we can start having more flexibility and skip a meeting here and there. HEHEHEHE :-)

Last week we decided that each one of us was going to post an article of the group's interest in the month of January 2007. Please, post your valuable contribution, as we need to make this JTL blog a "place to hang out" to attract and retain visitors. That is when we will start getting some extra leads that will come from the "outside world."

Take care, and I'll see you all tomorrow!

JTS Admin.

Monday, January 1, 2007

We just started a new year and ...

Look at what is already happening! Not only we have added a cool and very important feature to all our JTL blogs, but we also added a new Chapter. And this time it is in Brazil! Yes, you heard right! We are going international! Go take a look! Remember, if you are not in the main blog, you have to go there to find the link to the new Chapter. And take your Portuguese dictionary, if you are not familiar with the it.

After observing the traffic pattern of visitors to the two initial blogs we noticed traffic expansion overseas in just a few days So, we made a few contacts down there, and found a couple of people interested in joining the blog network. Simple! But we all need to promote, promote, promote, so we continue to spread the word. We still have a long way to go, before the visitors reach 'critical mass'.

The feature we just added is of utmost importance, for it allows us to monitor the result of our efforts in trying to promote JTL. It is right below the blog's title block and it's named 'Who is Watching US?' It is pretty self explanatory. You just click right there on the first 'here' spot and an Adobe Reader window opens up with the most recent weekly report to be updated every Sunday. Now, if you still don't have an Adobe Reader installed in your machine, there is another 'here' spot to click so you can download the right one for you computer's Operating System.