Wednesday, July 8, 2009

High Velocity Blog Now LIVE: July 8, 2009

As promised, we have migrated to a consolidated web presence.

Check out our New Joint Venture and website at: http://highvelocityblog.com

See ya in the Fast Lane . . .

- Stone

Thursday, July 2, 2009

We're Outta Here (Well Almost) . . .

We're getting ready to "blow this popsicle stand," . . . busy capturing top caliber resources and our own irreverent thoughts on all things Innovation, Sales and Marketing in a new consolidated web presence on a different platform.

Don't Fret -- No interested reader will be left behind. We'll be back with new coordinates for you soon.

In the meantime however . . . All of our fresh genius (and yours too -- that's the really cool part) is being poured into the new site -- so, No More New Posts Here. (Sorry, we've learned from our SEO buds that posting duplicate content is bad "SEO mojo"- otherwise we'd post here too, and then simply flip the switch.)

To help you through this dry period (it will be short, promise):





See Ya On The Other Side . . .

XXX

Friday, June 26, 2009

"Fantastic Finds" Friday: June 26, 2009


5 "Fantastic Finds" Each Week

1. Scott Ginsberg

2. Stephanie A, Lloyd

3. Todd Schnick

4. Dick Lee

5. Charles Fellingham

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

MarketMate Announces 2009 "Roundy" Awards

Will You Be The First In Your Category To Win a 2009 "Roundy" ?

What Is It? -- Widespread Recognition, CASH Prize, Bragging Rights -- and yes, even a Trophy . . . in honor of your ability to successfully employ CircleNomics (tm).

CircleNomics (tm): the set of disciplines and natural laws which govern one’s capacity to draw quality relationships and profitable business into their “circle.”

For a little more context: www.circlenomics.com

How Do I Enter? -- Simply Share Your Story in any medium of your choice . . .

- Write it up
- Shoot a YouTube video
- Record an audio file
- Other ???

*** All entries receive a FREE copy of the upcoming CircleNomics (tm) book -- scheduled release Fall 2009. ***

Finalists in each of 3 categories will have the opportunity to appear on The High Velocity Radio Show.

Winners in each category will receive $250 CASH Prize, the coveted "Roundy" award, and their story featured in the book.

Categories
1. Individual (Solo Entrepreneur / Ind. Rep / Contract Employee)
2. Small Business (< $5M)
3. Med / Large Business (> $5M)

Submissions: Any individual/organization truly worthy of a "Roundy" will find a way to draw us into their circle so we can easily access their entry, and will be excited about reviewing it. But let's not make this too complicated . . .

Simply send your entry (including links to any supporting materials/media) to: stonepayton@att.net

Deadline: 100 entries OR August 31, 2009.
(Whichever occurs first)

Enjoy . . . And Good Luck !!!

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Do You Have Marginitis?

The symptoms are easy to spot . . .

- Longer sales cycles and shorter commitments
- Rising “cost of sales”
- Competing on price
- Declining profits
- Increase in “transactional” sales and casual business relationships
- Decrease in “strategic” sales and deeper business relationships
- It’s just not as fun as it used to be

We don’t have any hard stats to back it up, but we have every reason to believe that extended exposure to Marginitis can cause substantial loss in IQ points and common sense as well. Many patients presenting the symptoms above have actually cut their Sales & Marketing budgets. Most did so out of fear and confusion, but some actually regarded this as a viable strategy for fixing the problem! (I’m quite serious. You just can’t make this stuff up. I wonder if they would try to “smoke out” lung cancer, or “gorge” obesity into submission ???)

If you’re not experiencing any of these symptoms, you’re in the minority. In fact, a record number of businesses large and small have exhibited these and similar conditions over the last 18 months . . . and the number is increasing at an alarming rate. Marginitis is spreading like wildfire throughout our economic system. It is, by all accounts a very real threat – a genuine epidemic jeopardizing the livelihoods and lifestyles of Business Owners across the globe.

That’s disturbing news. Fortunately, there is immediate and permanent relief for those who are serious about immunizing their business from the crippling effects of Marginitis. The cure is simple, and the regimen is easy. Well, sorta . . .



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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Eric Blumthal: Leading Change With Better, Faster Communication

Recently (Monday 5/18/09) on The High Velocity Radio Show we interviewed Count5 CEO, Eric Blumthal.

If you're leading change (like a new "go to market" strategy or product launch for your sales force as one example), responsible for executing compliance / regulatory training for large employee groups . . . or assisting clients who are, you should definitely learn more and consider reaching out to these folks.

Count 5's service operates "above the noise of e-mail," and breaks down key communications into digestible chunks of information -- substantially increasing retention, while simultaneously providing the measurement and accountability so critical to successful change initiatives.


Enjoy . . .
XXX
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Circlenomics: So Much More Than "Give To Get"

Circlenomics (tm) is: the set of disciplines and natural laws which govern one’s capacity to draw quality relationships and profitable business into their “circle.”

Why write a book, and dedicate an entire training & consulting practice area to this one idea? Why speak for so many professional groups to set the record straight? . . .

Because more and more very nice, well intentioned people – individuals and organizations with a great deal of value to offer their market -- have been mislead into applying a terribly shallow, incomplete strategy in pursuit of growing their business . . . and are literally destroying their brands in the process.

Two of the most blatant trust-eroding, relationship-killing, business-crippling examples we come across every day:

- The FREE Report / White Paper
- Social Media

Of course, both of these can be marvelous Tools for creating quality relationships and generating profitable business. Both are ideal for bringing those who need and want to work with you into your circle.

Unfortunately, all too often the execution looks like this:

1. I’m enticed to download your FREE Report / White Paper, and from that day forward I get hammered from your auto-responder or “client services” department to buy your book, workshop, webinar, etc.

2. After reviewing some insightful comments and helpful links, I follow you on twitter – only to receive a barrage of DMs (Direct Messages) about your incredible product / service.

C’mon !!!! Do you really think this feeble attempt to short-cut your sales process is bringing me into your circle? NO . . . Of course not.

Any prospect who responds favorably to such tactics would have just as easily responded to your old “interruption marketing” approaches – and this prospect will be every bit as fragile.

Reminds me of our March 9, 2009 Post on “One Night Stands.”


Brief excerpt from that post:

“ . . . find themselves constantly struggling for new revenue, and looking back over a book of business not unlike the journal of many singles in today’s culture . . . a history of “one night stands, shallow relationships, and a prospect base that will decide the outcome of each future encounter solely on the basis of that day’s market conditions.”

Observing the laws and practicing the disciplines of Circlenomics (tm) will definitely increase your ratio of results to time invested. You’ll find yourself in relationship with people who trust you, resonate with what you’re trying to accomplish, need and want what you have to offer . . . enthusiastically investing in your products / services, and recommending others in their circle of influence do the same. That’s why we do it, and what High Velocity Marketing is all about . . . But this DOES NOT mean crafting these ridiculous “Give To Get” schemes in an attempt to shortcut the buying process.

We realize when many use the term “Give To Get,” their motives are pure and they really are trying to express the ideals embodied by what we call Circlenomics (tm). But like so many terms before it, the original intent behind “Give To Get” has been severely compromised (let me be more blunt – the term has been completely bastardized) by clumsy, ill-conceived tactics from the charlatan huckster, the simply misguided, and the tragically duped – all in search of something . . . anything that might yield even short term results.

Recommendation: Consider dropping “Give To Get” from your business lexicon – particularly if you’re leading a Sales & Marketing team, or serve in a Consulting / Advisory capacity. Even if your personal understanding of the concept remains wholesome and accurate, you’re dangerously vulnerable to the way your team / client might interpret and apply the idea.

Opt instead for helping them understand what it really takes to draw quality relationships and profitable business into their “circle” . . . and then support them in that pursuit.

We’ll keep trying to do our part right here (and on our soon to be launched Circlenomics (tm) blog).

P.S. As passionate as we are about this idea of Circlenomics (tm) ?

Please Share Your Story . . .

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