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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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

CircleNomics (tm): Open Call For YOUR Story

CircleNomics (TM): You’re going to hear a great deal about this in the coming weeks and months. It’s the title of our upcoming book, the new workshop series, and the theme for most of our 2009 / 2010 keynotes.

Of course, there’s nothing new about the fundamental idea . . . You and I have been subject to the laws of CircleNomics (TM) our entire career. What may be new and different for you is our unique method for helping your Sales & Marketing team work in concert with these laws, rather than struggle against them. And what is almost certainly new . . . our approach to building and refining this body of work.

We Want To Share YOUR Story . . .

What strategies / tools / techniques / technologies are you successfully applying to bring quality relationships & profitable business into your “circle”?

We’ll be featuring the best stories in the new CircleNomics (TM) blog (launching soon), in High Velocity Radio Show interviews, and of course . . . in our upcoming book. More importantly, we’re building a dedicated, passionate community of people just like you – Innovative Business Owners and Entrepreneurs moving past the dying model of “interruption marketing” toward a more sustainable approach that actually works in today’s market.

Submit a brief summary of your story to: stonepayton@att.net , Subject Line: CircleNomics (TM)

. . . And Stay Tuned . . .

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Changes In Latitude, Changes In Attitude . . .

Last week I "officed" in the Caribbean -- put my e-mail on auto-reply, left my cell phone on the mainland, and most importantly . . . made a conscious effort to step away from the harried "Type A" pattern of sales & marketing behavior I can so easily fall into.

Results: I came back to several brand new opportunities, closure on two others that were in the works before leaving, and a great deal more clarity around how I choose to help people and make money going forward.

Observations / Recommendations: Sometimes (far more often than you might think), the best sales & marketing strategy is to step back and simply let the systems you have in place do what you designed them to do. That's how you achieve genuine SPEED . . . High Velocity performance is all about producing better results in less time -- consistently Increasing the Ratio of Results to Time Invested.

Of course, more than a few days sipping rum in Belize (or whatever your activity of choice may be) can put you in the poor house very quickly if you don't actually have systems in place . . . or the ones you do have in place just don't work. But then again, so will 60 hours a week toiling away under the same unproductive, time-stealing, soul-sucking conditions.

Bottom Line: If you're an entrepreneur / business owner, you can fix this almost immediately (and we'd be delighted to help). If you're working for someone else, it can take a little longer -- but I assure you it's worth it. I'm not talking about busting your hump for 50 weeks a year so you can cover your expenses, make the mortgage, and still take your family on a cruise . . . I'm talking about enjoying the kind of year-round life that a properly structured business or vocation can provide for you . . . if you'll let it.

Whether you invite us to help you directly or not, I hope you'll invest some energy in re-examining your current approaches and the results you're getting. And if those results are not allowing you to spend the vast majority of your time (your life) doing exactly what you want to do, when and where you want to do it . . . I sure hope you'll entertain some changes.

See Ya In The Fast Lane (or not) . . .

- Stone

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Catalyst5: Carlos Quintero & Nancy Sutherland On Making The Leap From Sales Manager To Sales Leader

This week on The High Velocity Radio Show (Monday 5/4) we interviewed Co-authors Carlos Quintero & Nancy Sutherland with Sales Effectiveness, Inc. They shared highlights from over 20 years of field research, and discussed their new book: Catalyst5 (Catalyst to the 5th Power) . . . Making The Leap From Sales Manager To Sales Leader.

The book's unique story line chronicles the challenges and lessons learned of "Chris Houser" -- a newly dubbed (and decidedly frustrated in the beginning) Sales Manager -- as he reaches out to Mentor "Joe Garson," who helps him understand the five key roles of an effective Sales Leader, and grow quite nicely into his new set of responsibilities.



Enjoy . . .
XXX
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Friday, May 1, 2009

"Innovation In Healthcare" Series: Featuring AFLAC's Amy Otto

This week on The High Velocity Radio Show, we aired another Special Edition Broadcast in our "Innovation In Health Care" series . . .

AFLAC's Amy Otto shared some sobering statistics, and a truly innovative approach for bringing Corporate Wellness programs to area businesses.


XXX
For Previous "Innovation In Healthcare" Interviews (Phil Newbold, John Shufeldt, Jennifer Ruzek Lieberman, and more), see: http://www.highvelocityradio.com/
XXX
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