The Only Solution Worth Bringing to the Table

Every problem has a solution THEN there is what I call a cringe solution. A solution so good that people struggle saying no - yup, they have to cringe. We can't guarantee a yes but we can make them cringe to say no. Cringe solutions are the epitome of the "always put your best foot forward" maxim. 

Cringe solutions are hard to provide because they require extra effort, better listening, and unusual action. Cringe solutions are worth all of that. This should be our goal EVERY time we bring a solution to the table. Be cringe-worthy.

Crush the day!

DV

Objections vs. Excuses

It's been awhile since I shared one of Seth Godin's posts (by awhile I mean a couple weeks, maybe, ha.) Anyway this one was super important especially for all my salespeople out there. He specifically talks to "us" in this post. He identifies the importance of properly being able to decipher between an objection vs. an excuse. And why it's important?

"An objection is an invitation, a request for help in solving a problem. Excuses, on the other hand, are merely fear out loud."

Crush the day!

DV

A Lesson From Drake

No, no I didn't mean Drake the rapper.  I mean Frank Drake, the astronomer, the man who came up with The Drake Equation in 1961.  If you clicked on this link you likely fell into the same trap I did, ha.  However I was happy I did! (My apologies for the bait and switch - hey, it was important - I had to get your attention.)

Why? Because Drake took something INSANELY complex like the galaxy and simplified into one equation to find out how much life was actually in the universe. Moral being ANYTHING can be simplified. Yup, apparently even the universe.

I know, I know it stills looks foreign to me too but that's not the point, ha! The people who need to understand it do. Keep working towards simplification your customers will thank you for it later.

Crush the day!

DV

 

3 Steps for a Brighter Smile

Let's take a timeout from business, have a vanity moment, and give some aid to that "Smile More" theory.  I frequently get asked about my teeth and yes I'll admit I do take a lot of pride in my hygiene, ha. So here are some tips for a brighter smile pulled directly from MY daily playbook.

  1. Morning - Floss, Brush, Crest 3D Mouthwash (This stuff is good but demands consistency.)

  2. Midday - Floss between meals (Keep the floss in the car people!)

  3. Evening - Floss, Brush (Go to bed clean.)

If it seems simple it is! Flossing is the absolute key. Stop being lazy and do the work!

DV

Up close and personal, cheese.

Up close and personal, cheese.

If you like TED Talks...

This is an awesome TED Talk by Wharton professor Adam Grant, author of bestselling book Originals. It is almost as good as the book (which was really awesome.) He cites real life examples to prove the point that originals have three main qualities.

  1. They are quick to start but slow to finish.
  2. They have fear & doubt.
  3. That have lots of bad ideas.

It's as funny as it is insightful. Well worth your time!

Crush the day!

DV

You're WRONG! Maybe.

Anytime you do anything publicly - action, art, ideas, opinions - it becomes open for interpretation. It's just reality. That we need to accept. You have to be prepared for negative and positive responses. The key question then becomes how do you know if you're getting feedback or criticism.

Let's take the worst case - a negative know it all who kills you for just being WRONG offering no additional solution. I'm not saying be that person because your better than that but don't discount it - there is value to be had everywhere. Is it possible, internally you KNEW that action/idea/opinion would offend that type of person? CONFIRMED. Is it possible, you didn't KNOW that action/idea/opinion would offend that type of person? CONFIRMED. Get the point? Viewing it as a GAIN situation is way better than letting it piss you off and put you in the gutter.

So what's the difference between feedback and criticism...

In my eyes not much. It's simply the way YOU hear it.

Crush the day!

DV

Mark Cuban's 12 Mantras for Success

Happy Monday! So I thought about it over the weekend and I am just going to hook you up with Cuban's 12 from last week's DV Weekend Pickup. There is just too much gold right here! If you want to dig deeper, READ the book, ha! Anyway here you go...

  1. Time is more valuable than money.
  2. Commit to random acts of kindness.
  3. No balls, no babies. You have to go for it.
  4. Work hard, play hard.
  5. Don't let fear be a roadblock.
  6. Expect the unexpected. Always be ready.
  7. It's okay to yell and be yelled at.
  8. Everyone get's down; the key is how soon  you get back up.
  9. It's not whether the glass is half full or half empty. It's who is pouring the water.
  10. It's not in the dreaming, it's in the doing.
  11. Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. 
  12. You only have to be right once. 

*Bonus* - Here's his rationale on #12, "I have been fired from more jobs than people have had. I have started a stupid business doomed to fail (selling powdered milk.) I have dated more girls than I wanted to. The beauty of success, whether it's finding the girl of your dreams, the right job or financial success, is that it doesn't matter how many times you have failed, no one keeps score, you only have to be right once."

Crush the day!

DV

The DV Weekend Pickup #17

Short week, it's already Friday! So here we go...

How to Win at the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban

What I like best: This book is packed with RAW information. Would you expect anything less from the outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavs? Mark Cuban probably familiar to most of you as being one of the judges on ABC's hit show Shark Tank so as you know he isn't one for sugar coating. He takes the same style to a mini book (84 pages) and gives you only his best "shots." At the very least and if for anything else you should read the mini segment - Twelve Cuban Mantras for Success - it is super impactful. One of my personal favorite's is his reminder that in business, to be a success, you only have to be right once! In general Cuban lives by the business mantra, "Sales cure all." I mean, how can I not support him, ha. Bottom line if your looking for a short, direct, punch you in the face style business "tips" book then look no further - FULL of one liners. Plus you can pick it up for like five bucks. No excuses.

Best Quote: "What makes a good salesperson? Let me be clear that it's not the person who can talk someone into anything. It's not the hustler who is a smooth talker. The best salespeople are the one's who put themselves in their customers shoes and provide a solution that makes the customer happy."

DV

The Most Important Thing You'll Read All Day, I PROMISE

I am not sure how society has gotten to the point that time alone is worth money. It's what you provide to time that is worth money - information, action, and RESULTS. Therefore should it matter if somebody completes a task in 10 hours or 2 hours, 30 minutes or 2 minutes, etc.

If I gave you a map to a million dollars, would you complain that it's only one page long?

Provide value to time. Solve the problem.

Crush the day!

DV